Crossing the border
The new Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System cuts the crossing to a few minutes by train; the Causeway also carries buses and cars, though it can back up badly on weekends and public holidays.
Why people go
Lower prices are the main draw — food, shopping malls, and petrol all cost meaningfully less across the border, and it's a genuinely different pace from Singapore just a short ride away.
Practical notes
Bring your passport regardless of the crossing method — this is a full international border, not a domestic transfer. Malaysian Ringgit is the local currency; some vendors near the checkpoint accept Singapore Dollars but at a poor rate.