This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Johor Bahru.
Johor Bharu is a city in the south of Peninsular Malaysia right at the border with Singapore -- that is the main reason the city has several hostels and shows up on any map! The city itself is not very vibrant, but you will feel the huge crowds in the city, as it is the main gateway to enter in Singapore coming from Malaysia by land –- if you are crossing the border, don't forget to get all the information about the conditions applied to your nationality. There are also regular ferries to Indonesia, namely Sumatra Island.
If you end up in the city, you won't stay long -– because there is no reason to, and nothing to really attract you, so head to the night market, the most lively place in the city. To get there, you just need to know where the train station is -– probably you will arrive in Johor Bharu by train -- and then cross the footbridge. You can't miss it -- it's just next to the Hindu temple. Here you can have good typical food for cheap prices with a good atmosphere.
The best way to arrive in Johor Bharu is by train, as the station is near the city center and it's an easy walk to Johor Bharu's hostels and to the night market. There is also an airport thirty kilometers away from the city -– you can find a regular shuttle bus to the city center in a regular basis. There's also a bus station, but from here you will need to catch a taxi to the city center.
There are only a few hostels in Johor Bharu but they are enough as just a few travelers stop in the city, so you shouldn't have problems if you do not book far in advance. Johor Bahru's hostels are fair with a good relation between price and quality, but expect them to be really simple and basic, just with essential facilities.
Written by local enthusiast for Johor Bahru hostels
CoffeeMarks