How to stretch your Singapore dollar by doing bulk shopping in Johor Bahru?

To stretch your Singapore dollar by doing bulk shopping in Johor Bahru (JB), you can follow several strategies to maximize savings.

Tips for Bulk Shopping in Johor Bahru

1. Shop at Popular Malls and Hypermarkets:

   • AEON Tebrau City: One of the largest malls in JB, known for a wide variety of products, including groceries, household items, clothes, and electronics. It has AEON Supermarket with great deals on bulk groceries and essentials.
   • KSL City Mall: Offers many shops for bulk buying clothes, homeware, and groceries. Look for deals at Tesco (now Lotus's).
   • Paradigm Mall: Another large shopping center with options for bulk grocery shopping at Village Grocer or Giant.
   • Mydin Mall: Known for its lower prices on groceries, household essentials, and fresh produce in bulk. Mydin is a budget-friendly hypermarket.

2. Visit Wet and Dry Markets:

   • Larkin Market: Ideal for buying fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meats in bulk at lower prices compared to supermarkets.
   • Johor Bahru Wholesale Market: Great for bulk dry goods like rice, flour, and snacks.

3. Leverage Currency Exchange:

   • With the SGD to MYR exchange rate often favorable, you'll get more value for your Singapore dollar. Exchange currency at reputable money changers before heading to JB or use a multi-currency wallet like Revolut or YouTrip to avoid hefty conversion fees.

4. Take Advantage of Sales and Promotions:

   • Festive Periods: Stores in JB offer bulk deals during festivals like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali.
   • JB Mega Sales: Plan trips around Malaysia’s Mega Sales Carnival for discounts up to 70% on groceries, clothes, and electronics.

5. Compare Prices:

   • Use price comparison apps like Hargapedia to compare prices across different JB hypermarkets to get the best deals on bulk items.

6. Get Cashback with Malaysian E-Wallets:

   • Use Malaysian e-wallets like Touch ‘n Go or Boost for cashback offers and discounts.

7. Plan Transportation Costs:

   • Use public transportation to minimize costs if you’re not driving.

Shortest Route to Johor Bahru from Teban Gardens (Without Driving)

From Teban Gardens in Singapore example, i have a few options to get to Johor Bahru, primarily using public transport. Here's the shortest and most convenient route:

1. Bus to Jurong East MRT Station:

   • Take Bus 143 or Bus 51 from Teban Gardens to Jurong East MRT. It’s a short bus ride, usually under 10 minutes.

2. MRT to Kranji MRT Station:

   • Take the North-South Line (Red Line) from Jurong East MRT to Kranji MRT. The ride takes about 20-25 minutes.

3. Cross the Causeway by Bus:

   • From Kranji MRT Station, you can take one of the following buses to cross the causeway:
     • SBS Transit Bus 160
     • SMRT Bus 170
     • Causeway Link CW1
   • These buses will take you to JB Sentral, the main bus terminal in Johor Bahru, just across the border. The journey across the causeway typically takes 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

4. Shopping in JB:

   • Once you arrive at JB Sentral, many popular malls like City Square Mall and KOMTAR JBCC are within walking distance.
   • For malls like AEON Tebrau City or KSL City Mall, you can take a local bus or a Grab ride (which is inexpensive in Malaysia) from JB Sentral.

Estimated Travel Time:

• Total travel time: Approx. 1-1.5 hours, depending on border traffic.
• Cost: The bus ride from Teban Gardens to JB Sentral using public transportation is typically around SGD 3-5 one way, making it an affordable option for frequent trips.

By planning your trip during off-peak hours and using public transportation, you can stretch your Singapore dollar even further while shopping in Johor Bahru