Thinking of a quick getaway but running low on annual leave? A JB day trip could just be what you need. Johor Bahru remains one of the most popular weekend escapes for Singaporeans, offering great food, fun activities and plenty of shopping opportunities, all without the need to plan a full-fledged holiday. From relaxing massages and adrenaline-pumping go-karting to unique experiences like custom keyboard-making workshops, there are plenty of ways to make your JB day trip a memorable one.
First things first, you’ll need to clear immigration before crossing into JB. Fortunately, the process is now much quicker with QR code clearance on both the Singapore and Malaysia checkpoints. Simply generate your QR codes in advance through the My ICA Mobile app and MyNIISe app, and you’ll be ready to breeze through the checkpoints. With that out of the way, let’s dive into some of the best ways to make the most of your JB day trip!
Link: https://www.ica.gov.sg/public-education/myica-mobile , https://www.facebook.com/niiseofficial/
1. Start Your Day with Café Hopping
No JB day trip is complete without good food, and café hopping is the perfect way to kick off your adventure. Compared to Singapore, cafés in JB often offer a more affordable brunch experience, complete with stylish interiors, mouthwatering mains, quality coffee, and indulgent pastries and desserts.
image Source: Otto Cafe’s Website
Some cafés worth adding to your itinerary include OTTO Cafe, Palates & Bagels by T.A.M – Jalan Dhoby (Halal-certified) and Little Bun Cafe. Whether you’re after a satisfying brunch, a quality cup of coffee, or the perfect Instagram-worthy shot, these cafés provide a great start to your JB day trip.
- Otto Café
81 Jalan Chengai, Taman Melodies Johor Bahru 80250 - Palates & Bagels by T.A.M – Jalan Dhoby
(Ibrahim International Business District, 10, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80888 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia) - Little Bun Café
(G-08, Eco Nest Apartment Jalan Eko Botanic 3/5, Taman, Persiaran Eko Botani, 79100, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia)
The best part? A café stop lets you ease into the day instead of rushing straight into a packed itinerary. Take your time to enjoy your meal, snap a few photos and plan the rest of your day before moving on to other things to do in JB.
2. Experience the Thrill of Go-Karting
Once brunch is done and everyone is fuelled up, it is time to add some action to your JB day trip. Go-karting is one of those things that sounds fun on paper but becomes even better once your friends start taking it a little too seriously.
Image source: Evolt Karting’s Website
One popular option is Evolt Karting Johor. This fully indoor, air-conditioned track features electric karts equipped with digital telemetry screens, allowing you to check your lap times and speeds as you race. With a 450-metre circuit and it is conveniently located within the mall, Evolt further proves why go-karting is one of the most fuss-free JB activities.
- Evolt Karting Johor
(No. 2, Ground Floor, AEON Mall, 8, Jalan Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia)
Even if you are not the most confident driver, there’s no need to worry. Most go-karting places provide a safety briefing and impose speed limits before each session, making it easy for beginners to get started. Simply dress comfortably, follow the instructions and enjoy the ride!
3. Shop Around JB’s Malls
Of course, no list of things to do in JB is truly complete without a little retail therapy. Be it for the air-conditioned comfort or an unexpected shopping spree, you’ll likely find yourself spending far more time in a mall than you originally planned.
Johor Bahru City Square is often the first stop for many Singaporeans after crossing the Causeway. However, the popular mall is currently undergoing a major multi-year renovation and expansion, with completion expected in Q4 2027.
Another crowd favourite is KSL City Mall, known for its affordable shopping, massage outlets, and dining choices. For those with a little extra time on their hands, Mid Valley Southkey is well worth a visit too.
Image Source: SKS Group’s Website
If you’re looking to explore a new mall, add SKS City Mall JBCC to your itinerary. Opened on 1 May 2026, the mall features a wide variety of popular brands such as Sports Direct, Chagee, Watsons and Village Grocer. From shopping for sportswear, to grabbing a bubble tea fix or stocking up on household essentials, this new addition to JB’s retail scene makes for a convenient stop during your JB day trip.
4. Go For a Relaxing Full-Body Massage
Three cheers for a good massage at a fraction of what you’d typically pay for in Singapore! In fact, our resident JB enthusiast (and the boss reviewing this article) was so passionate about this topic that she insisted that we include some of her personal favourites.
Here are her top recommendations for your JB Day trip:
- TangRetreat Spa & Wellness
(66, Jalan Kuning, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia) - D Asia Massage Therapy/ D Asia Wellness Spa
(KSL City Mall, 33, Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia, L1-016, L1-084A 014-317) - Borneo Oasis @ Mount Austin
(49, Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia)
A quick tip: if you’re planning to visit Tang Retreat on a weekend, make your reservation at least two weeks in advance as slots tend to fill up quickly. For D Asia, we recommend visiting the outlet located inside KSL City Mall, which many regulars prefer over the branch across the road.
5. Sing Your Heart Out at KTV
A fun way to slow things down without making your JB day trip boring is to go for a good ol’ KTV session. It’s a great indoor activity for larger groups and perfect for anyone who has been waiting for their main character concert moment. Whether you are belting out old school classics (Backstreet Boys, anyone?), singing along to the latest chart-toppers (Hello, Taylor Swift!) or just laughing at your friend’s song choices, KTV is always a crowd-pleaser.
Source: https://loudspeakerktv.my/
Adding a KTV session to your JB day trip also helps balance out the itinerary, giving everyone a chance to rest their legs, cool down indoors and recharge before heading off to the next activity. Some of our recommended KTV spots in Johor Bahru include Loud Speaker Family Karaoke, known for its affordable packages and free-flow refreshments, VBox Family KTV with its stylish rooms and quality sound systems, and Superstar Family KTV, which offers themed rooms that are perfect for groups and families.
- Loud Speaker Family Karaoke
(No. 17 , Jalan Austin Height 8/3 , Taman Mount Austin, Tebrau, 81100 Johor, Malaysia) - VBox Family KTV
(Lot No.5,12,Level 5,Plaza Pelangi,No, 2, Jalan Kuning, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia) - Superstar Family KTV
(2, Jalan Austin Heights 8/7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia)
6. Challenge Your Friends at an Escape Room
If you’re looking for more interactive JB activities, consider adding an escape room to your itinerary. It’s a great option for groups of 4 to 5 people, combining teamwork, problem-solving and plenty of excitement. Escape rooms in JB offer immersive storylines, mostly with creative puzzles and themed environments at prices that are often more affordable than similar experiences in Singapore.
One of the most well-known escape rooms in JB is LOST IN JB, earning its reputation for story-driven rooms, cinematic sets, elaborate puzzles and live scare actors (only for Eco Galleria outlet) in selected horror and mystery themes. This is definitely a fun and memorable way to add some excitement to your JB day trip and perhaps add a little spice to your relationship. Who knows? It might even test your communication skills, patience and teamwork along the way!
- LOST IN JB (Eco Palladium)
(#01-33, Blok A, Pusat Perdagangan Ekoflora, Jalan Ekoflora 7/2, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor)
7. Try Keyboard Making
For something a little more unique, consider adding keyboard-making experience to your JB day trip to-do list. It may not be the first activity that comes to mind when people search for things to do in JB, but that’s exactly what makes it such a memorable pick. From selecting different switches and keycaps to testing how each keyboard sounds and feels, keyboard building is a hands-on activity that’s perfect for anyone who loves custom items, desk setups, gaming accessories or DIY projects.
A great place to try it is Keebs Project at Eco Palladium, a DIY mechanical keyboard store where you can build your own keyboard from scratch. Visitors can choose their preferred keyboard kit, switches and keycaps before assembling their very own custom keyboard tailored to their preferences. Prices typically start from around RM400 to RM500, depending on your configuration.
To make the experience more enjoyable, Keebs Project also stores an in-house cafe serving drinks and Korean-style croffles, so you can relax while your keyboard comes together during your JB day trip.
Staying Protected on Your Trip
Before setting off on your JB day trip, don’t forget to safeguard your journey. Enjoy 15% off a single-trip travel insurance plan with STRIDES Premier and explore, shop, and make the most of your adventure with greater peace of mind.
Crossing the Border with STRIDES Premier
Once your JB day trip is planned and your travel insurance is sorted, all that’s left is getting across the border. Please note that STRIDES Premier has ceased our cross-border online booking services from 1 July 2026. Passengers travelling from Singapore to JB can street-hail a Strides Premier cross-border taxi at Ban San Street Terminal, while those returning from JB to Singapore can access the service at Larkin Sentral Terminal.
*STRIDES Premier reserves the sole discretion to make any price adjustment without prior notice. While we strive to keep our pricing and content as accurate and up-to-date as possible, adjustments may still occur.