Senai International Airport serves Johor Bahru, a city on the border with Singapore in the southern Malay peninsula, approximately 26 km from the center.
It is often a more economical alternative to Singapore airports for those visiting both countries, thanks to low-cost flights and proximity to the border.
How to get to Senai International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to JHB
Parking near Senai International Airport
A multi-level parking structure stands adjacent to the terminal.
Rates are in line with Malaysian standards.
How to get to Johor Bahru from JHB
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Senai International Airport
Major car rental companies are present with their own counters in the arrivals area.
Bring your license, passport, and credit card; remember that driving in Malaysia is on the left.
Hotels near Senai International Airport
Johor Bahru city centre and the CIQ checkpoint
About 27-30 km from the airport, 30-45 minutes by taxi or Grab (RM 50-65 depending on traffic); the Causeway Link AA1 bus reaches JB Sentral in about 45 minutes, but there is no direct rail link.
Best for: Business trips and travellers who want to stay near the Woodlands-CIQ checkpoint for Singapore, with the centre's restaurants and markets within walking distance.
- CIQ and the checkpoint for Singapore just minutes away on foot or by taxi from city-centre hotels
- Restaurants, markets and shops on Jalan Wong Ah Fook within walking distance of most hotels
- No direct train from the airport: you depend on taxi, Grab or the Causeway Link bus
- Traffic towards the checkpoint builds up during rush hour and at weekends, when many Singapore residents cross the border
Recommended hotels
- DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru A six-minute walk from the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, in the central business district just minutes from the CIQ checkpoint; a panoramic pool and gym are among the most praised features in reviews. View availability
- Amari Johor Bahru A 5-star tower on Jalan Trus, in the city's historic core just minutes from the CIQ checkpoint; among the most reviewed hotels in Johor Bahru, with high scores especially for location and cleanliness. View availability
- Sheraton Johor Bahru Opened in 2025 in the Menara SKS tower on Jalan Storey, five minutes from the CIQ checkpoint; connected to the SKS Mall shopping centre with restaurants and shops. View availability
Paradigm Mall, KSL City and Skudai
The Hyatt Place, above Paradigm Mall in Skudai, is about 15 minutes from the airport; the Novotel, near KSL City Mall, is a little more central, 25-30 minutes from the airport.
Best for: Those who prefer to stay between two large shopping malls, a little closer to the airport than the old town.
- Paradigm Mall and KSL City Mall, with restaurants, a cinema and supermarkets, directly connected to or just steps from the hotel
- Closer to the airport than the old-town hotels, useful for those arriving late or departing early
- A taxi or Grab is still needed for the CIQ checkpoint and the city's historic core
- A residential and commercial area, with little evening life outside the shopping malls
Recommended hotels
- Hyatt Place Johor Bahru Paradigm Mall Opened in 2023, directly connected to Paradigm Mall in the Skudai district; pool and gym, about 15 minutes from Senai Airport. View availability
- Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre A two-minute walk from KSL City Mall, in the Taman Abad district; recent rooms and the staff are among the strong points noted in reviews. View availability
Iskandar Puteri and Legoland
About 31 km and a 26-32 minute drive from Senai Airport, in the opposite direction from the city centre; the CIQ checkpoint takes another 20-25 minutes.
Best for: Families visiting Legoland Malaysia Resort or the Medini medical hub, willing to stay further from downtown Johor Bahru.
- Just minutes from Legoland Malaysia Resort, handy for those travelling with children
- In the SiLC industrial park, a new, orderly area compared with the traffic of the old town
- Far from both the airport and the historic centre of Johor Bahru: every trip requires a car or Grab
- Mixed reviews on maintenance and check-in management, despite the good location for Legoland
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is appropriately sized with high volume from low-cost carriers serving Asia.
Before boarding, allow 2.5 hours of buffer time for flights.
Map of Senai International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it worth landing at Senai instead of Singapore?
Often yes, because of the cost of low-cost flights and hotels in Johor Bahru, but factor in the time needed to cross the border if your final destination is Singapore.
Q. How do you avoid inflated taxi fares at Senai?
Always insist on the official coupon system (about 40-45 ringgit for downtown JB) or use the Grab app (38-49 ringgit): some drivers outside the system ask for 70-100 ringgit with no meter. Note: coupon fare +50% between midnight and 6am.
Q. How do you get to Singapore from Senai?
Generally by taxi or bus to JB Sentral, from where a direct cross-border rail link departs for Singapore.
Q. Can you pay in Singapore dollars in Johor Bahru?
Many shops and businesses near the border accept them, especially those used to Singaporean visitors, but the exchange rate applied is often unfavourable: it is better to exchange or withdraw Malaysian ringgit for purchases in the city.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
