Taxi service in Johor Bahru
There are thousands of taxis operating in the bustling Malaysian city of Johor Bahru, so grabbing a cab couldn’t be easier. The Johor Bahru taxis are split into 4 categories: budget taxis, executive taxis, Teksi 1Malaysia (TEKS1M) and airport taxis. Budget taxis are red and can be hailed in the street at taxi ranks around the city. The executive (dark blue) and TEKS1M taxis (golden brown), on the other hand, are very hard to flag down on the street, they need to be pre-booked through an app or on the phone. Finally, the Johor Bahru Airport taxis are white and are only permitted to operate at the airport, through a coupon system.
As there are so many different types of taxi in Johor Bahru, it’s important to look out for cars in the official colors and for all drivers to have an official ID showing in the front of the vehicle. All Johor Bahru taxis must also use a taximeter to calculate the cost of your fare, with the exception of the airport taxis, which offer fixed fares from Johor Bahru Airport to the city center.
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
24/7 Email & Phone support
How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER | 9 € | 13.50 € | 30 MIN |
| FROM AIRPORT TO SINGAPORE | 18 € | 27 € | 53 MIN |
| FROM JOHOR BAHRU TO SINGAPORE | 9 € | 13.50 € | 30 MIN |
| FROM SENTRAL RAILWAY STATION TO JOHOR ZOO | 2 € | 3 € | 5 MIN |
| FROM SENTRAL BUS TERMINAL TO JOHOR AIRPORT | 9 € | 13.50 € | 28 MIN |
What are the Johor Bahru taxi rates?
The Johor Bahru taxi rates will depend on which type of taxi you’re taking. As a general rule, the budget taxis are the most affordable, followed by the TEKS1M taxis, with the executive taxis being the most expensive and luxurious way to travel. Regardless of which type of car you choose, all taxis must use a taximeter to calculate the cost of their fare. The tariffs are calculated as follows:
Budget taxi –
Base fare including 1st km: €0.65 (MYR 3)
Price per km: €0.26 (MYR 1.25)
TEKS1M taxi –
Base fare including 1st km: €0.85 (MYR 4)
Price per km: €0.32 (MYR 1.50)
Executive taxi –
Base fare including 1st km: €1.3 (MYR64)
Price per km: €0.42 (MYR 2)
The exception to this rule is if you’re taking a taxi from Johor Bahru Airport. These taxis operate on a coupon system with fixed fees which must be paid before you get in the taxi. The starting price is €7 (MYR 32) for the 30-minute taxi ride from Johor Bahru Airport to the city center.
Extra charges:
During the nighttime hours of 24:00 to 06:00, your driver is permitted to add a 50% increase to their final fare if they wish. If you pre-book a taxi in Johor Bahru, you will be charged an extra €0.42 (MYR 2). Finally, taking a trip to Penang Airport will have an extra charge of €1.50 (MYR 7) and to Senai Airport will cost an extra €2.60 (MYR 12).
Read all reviews
How to get a taxi in Johor Bahru?
Although it is possible to hail all three types of taxi in Johor Bahru, it’s very uncommon for you to see one of the dark blue executive taxis or brown TEKS1M taxis floating around the streets. Most commonly, you will need to look out for the red budget taxis if you wish to hail one from the street. Although these cars have the telltale ‘TAXI’ sign on top, it doesn’t light up if the taxi is available, so you will have to wave a taxi down to see if it is full or not.
An alternative option is to walk to a Johor Bahru taxi stand. The taxi stands are most commonly found around the shopping malls, outside of the airport, at Bahru Sentral Railway Station, and outside the Sentral Bus Station.
How to get a taxi from Johor Bahru Airport
Senai International Airport is set out over one large passenger terminal. This terminal has its own dedicated taxi rank, where the official white Johor Bahru Airport taxis can operate. To get a taxi, you will need to first walk to the kiosk inside the Arrivals Hall at the Aeromall main entrance. Here, you will pay for your ride and receive a coupon. You will then exit the closest doors and will see the line of taxis waiting. You will present your coupon to the first available driver and you can begin your journey.
How to get a taxi from Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station
There are a number of different taxi ranks surrounding the Sentral Railway Station, some of which have the more comfortable executive and TEKS1M taxis. There will always be a line of budget taxis waiting outside the main exit, however, the surrounding streets have 5 different taxi stands. Jalan Wong Ah Fook has two stands, while on the other side of the railway station, on Jalan Tun Abdul Azak, you will find 3 different Johor Bahru taxi stands.
How to get a taxi from the Sentral Bus Station
Located next to the railway station, the Sentral Bus Station shares three of the taxi ranks. Although the bus station doesn’t have its own stand, the closest taxi ranks to the bus station are on Jalan Tun Abdul Azak, just a few meters away from the main exit doors.
Are there Johor Bahru taxi app options?
During bad weather or peak travel times, waiting for a taxi in the street can be stressful and time-consuming. For a more comfortable and reliable service, you can also book a taxi in Johor Bahru using an app. There are a few Johor Bahru taxi apps to choose from, with Grab, EzCab, and Maxim being the top options. It’s worth noting that there may also be long wait times for an available taxi through the app.
Alternatively, when you need a planned pickup, such as rides to and from the airport, you can also book through the Welcome Pickups taxi app. We offer guaranteed on-time pickups, inclusive fixed fares, and exciting travel extras.
Useful Johor Bahru taxi numbers
If you have spotty internet service or don’t want to download yet another ride-sharing app, you can always use a Johor Bahru taxi call center. The easiest way to get a phone dispatch taxi in Johor Bahru is to have your hotel reception call one for you. However, if you do wish to call one yourself, the following numbers are the most reliable:
Comfort Taxi (budget): +60 (07) 332 2852
Blue Cab Taxi (executive): +60 (03) 8948 2193
Intan Taxi (budget): +60 (07) 234 3443
Mawar Taxi (executive): +60 (07) 235 2020
Murni Taxi (budget): +60 (07) 235 2020
However, not all Johor Bahru taxi call centers speak English. To avoid any miscommunications, you can always book your rides with an English-speaking company such as Welcome Pickups.
Pre-booking your taxi service in Johor Bahru
Although taxis are available 24 hours a day in Johor Bahru, the common budget taxis are not a very comfortable option. The cars are extremely slow and small, often only taking up to 2 passengers at a time. If you’re traveling in a group or with small children, this isn’t a safe or convenient way to travel.
If you’re looking for a reliable, comfortable and fast way to get around Johor Bahru or to and from the airport, booking your Johor Bahru Airport transfer in advance is the best option. Booking with Welcome Pickups will guarantee on-time pickups, English-speaking drivers, 24-hour customer support, fixed fares, and the most modern and exclusive vehicles.
Johor Bahru taxi tips
- Ensure your driver has reset their taximeter before getting in the tax, this will ensure you don’t get overcharged.
- Although it’s not an obligation, your driver is entitled to charge you an extra 50% on top of your fare if you’re travelling between the hours of 24:00 to 06:00.
- Budget taxis can take up to 3 passengers (usually 2 comfortably), while the larger executive taxis can take up to 4 passengers.
- Not all Johor Bahru taxi drivers speak English, be sure to write down your destination or show your driver on Google Maps.
- Giving your Johor Bahru taxi driver a tip of around 10% is customary, especially if they helped with luggage or made multiple stops.
- Unless you’re taking a taxi from the airport, you won’t be able to pay for your ride with a credit card. Be sure to carry cash in the local currency of Malaysian Ringgit to pay your driver.
- Pre-booking your taxi service in Johor Bahru will give you the peace of mind of guaranteed on-time pickups, English-speaking drivers, competitive fixed-rate fares and 24/7 customer support.
Wheelchair-accessible Johor Bahru taxi
Unfortunately, there are no official Johor Bahru taxis that are wheelchair-accessible. You can bring a foldable wheelchair and store it in the trunk of the vehicle for free, but if you wish to travel in a motorized wheelchair, you will need a specialized vehicle with a ramp or hydraulic lift.
Having said this, there are some private companies that offer wheelchair-accessible tours and Johor Bahru has a dedicated bus service, Johor Muafakat Bus, that offers free rides to members of the public with disabilities.
Johor Bahru taxi safety and complaints
For the most part, taking a taxi in Johor Bahru is a safe and pleasant experience. However, one thing you may wish to look out for is the local drivers overcharging tourists. You can avoid this by only using a licensed taxi (check for the official license plate, unique taxi number on the doors, and driver’s ID), and ensuring your driver resets the taximeter to the correct base fare.
If you do need to make a complaint, you can do so directly to the company you traveled with. You can usually find the company name and phone number on the side of the vehicle.