A Comfortable Bus Ride: Jb To Melaka

Malacca, Malaysia, is a must-see destination for travellers, known for its unique history and colonial architecture. With no direct flights from Johor Bahru's Senai Airport, the best way to travel there is by bus. The journey from Johor Bahru to Malacca takes around three hours, depending on traffic, and costs between SGD 6.09 and MYR 30. There are several bus companies that operate direct services, including KKKL Express, Supernice Grassland, and S&S International. The distance between the two cities is around 212-215 kilometres or 131.7-137.3 miles.

Bus journey time and cost

The bus journey from JB to Melaka varies in time from 1 hour 27 minutes to 3-4 hours, depending on traffic conditions. The distance between the two cities is approximately 212-215 kilometres or 131.7-137.3 miles.

There are several bus companies that offer daily express services, including 707 Inc, S&S International Express, Transnasional Cepat & Cekap Express, KKKL Express, Sri Maju Group, The One Travel & Tours, and more. These buses are equipped with modern facilities, such as reclining seats, air conditioning, and on-board toilets, to ensure a comfortable journey for passengers.

The bus tickets can be purchased online or directly from the counters at the bus terminal. Ticket prices vary depending on the operator and the type of bus, ranging from MYR 16.8 to MYR 30, or SGD 6.09 to SGD 8.84. The first bus usually leaves early in the morning, around 5:45 am or 7:30 am, and the last bus departs around 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm.

The main bus terminals in JB are the JB Larkin Bus Terminal and Johor Bahru City, and the drop-off point in Melaka is typically the Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal. There are up to 54 bus routes scheduled daily between these two cities, providing passengers with flexibility and convenience. The journey is mostly direct, but some buses may make stops along the way for passenger comfort.

Boarding and drop-off points

Boarding Points in Johor Bahru

If you're travelling from Johor Bahru to Malacca by bus, you'll first need to make your way to JB Larkin Bus Terminal (also known as Larkin Sentral or Johor Larkin Terminal), which is Johor's main bus terminal. It is located roughly 5 km outside the city centre. If you're coming from Singapore, you can take a bus from Woodlands CIQ to JB Larkin Bus Terminal, which takes around an hour and a half. From JB Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal, there are up to 54 bus routes to Malacca, with the first bus leaving at 7:30 am and the last at 8:00 pm.

Drop-off Points in Malacca

The drop-off point in Malacca is the Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal. From there, it's a short taxi or Grab ride into the city centre, or you can take domestic bus 17 to Malacca Old Town/Dutch Square (Red Square).

Bus companies and facilities

The average bus fare for a Johor Bahru to Malacca bus is MYR 20, with the cheapest option being around MYR 16.80 and the most expensive being around MYR 30. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, with the fastest route taking 2 hours and 19 minutes.

There are several bus companies that operate this route, including:

• Delima Express Sdn Bhd
• KKKL Express
• KPB Express
• 707 Inc
• S&S International Express
• Cepat & Cekap Express
• Sri Maju Group
• The One Travel & Tours
• Mayang Sari Express
• Causeway Link
• Orkid Express
• City Express

These bus companies offer different categories of buses, such as Executive, SVIP, and Seater, with amenities like reclining seats, air conditioning, and on-board toilets. The first bus leaves Johor Bahru as early as 5:45 am, with the last bus departing at around 9:00 pm.

The main boarding points in Johor Bahru are the JB Larkin Bus Terminal and the Johor Bahru city area, with drop-off points in Malacca including Melaka Sentral. The Larkin Bus Terminal is a huge complex with 50 bus bays in a T-shape terminal with three levels. It is located close to Johor and is a popular pick-up point for most of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. The terminal receives passengers via taxis and express buses and also serves the Singapore Bus Service Transit and the causeway link.

On the other hand, Melaka Sentral is one of the most important centers in Malacca, with over 28 bus operators running buses and making a total of 120 trips each day. The terminal occupies 46.6 hectares of land and is fully air-conditioned, considered one of the best bus terminals in Asia.

Booking tickets

At the JB Larkin Sentral Bus Terminal, several popular bus companies operate direct services to Melaka, including KKKL Express, Supernice Grassland, City Holidays Express, S&S International, and Mayang Sari. There are up to 54 bus routes scheduled daily between JB Larkin Sentral and Melaka Sentral, with the first bus leaving at 7:30 a.m. and the last one departing at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased directly from the counters at the bus terminal, with prices starting at RM22.00 for a one-way trip. However, it is recommended to check and book your ticket in advance online.

The journey from JB to Melaka takes approximately three hours, depending on traffic conditions. Upon arrival in Melaka, you will be dropped off at the Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal, from where you can take a short taxi or Grab ride into the city centre. You also have the option to take the domestic bus 17 to Malacca Old Town/Dutch Square (Red Square).

Things to do in Malacca

The bus from Johor Bahru to Malacca takes around 3 to 4 hours, so you'll have plenty of time to plan your itinerary for when you arrive. Here are some ideas for things to do in Malacca:

• Visit the Sultanate Palace Museum and Malacca Straits Mosque
• Explore the rich history of A Famosa, a Portuguese fortress that once sprawled across a hillside and now consists of just a lone gatehouse
• Take a stroll along the Malacca River, which was a vital trade route during the Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century
• Visit St. Paul's Church, the oldest standing church building in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, originally built in 1521
• Check out the Stadthuys, a terracotta-red riverfront building and the oldest surviving Dutch building in the East
• Explore the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, which showcases the unique blend of Chinese-Malay cultures
• Take a ride on the Menara Taming Sari, a gyro tower offering panoramic views of the city
• Enjoy the lively atmosphere, food and music of the Jonker Walk Night Market
• Visit the Mini Malaysia and ASEAN Cultural Park, an open-air museum with full-scale models of traditional homes
• See Christ Church, an 18th-century Anglican church and the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia

Frequently asked questions