There’s a bevvy of reasons to travel to Johor Bahru, the capital state of Johor. Conveniently located near the Singapore border, this border town shed its seedy reputation to become a major travel hub in East Malaysia. The city is popular tourist destination thanks to its rich and diverse offerings.
Hiring a car is the best way to experience Johor Bahru’s rich offerings that run the gamut between historical sites, museums, modern malls, luxury hotels, sandy beaches etc. With many companies Car rental, Johor Bahru is a booming service provided by established international firms such as Avis, Hertz, and local companies.
Dig in as we explore what you can get up to in Johor Bahru after using one of the numerous rent a car services in the city.
1. Find the Best Rental Car Deals in Johor Bahru
With many car rental companies to pick from, you’re guaranteed a great car rental deal every time. You can choose between international car hire companies such as Avis and Hertz, and a swathe of local car hire companies such as Hawk Rent a car.
Johor Bahru car rental companies provide every type of car you could ever need for your trip. Whether you need a truck, station wagon, or an SUV, they can meet your exacting vehicle needs down the specific brand.
All companies allow online booking but can snag a car rental deal by walking into any of their offices during opening hours.
Most car hire companies have convenient pick up and drop-off locations around the country to ensure seamless travel.
2. Check out Popular Tourist Destinations in Johor Bahru
Rental cars are the way to go if you wish to make the most of your visit to Johor Bahru. Most car hire companies are amenable to striking sweet car hire deals with visitors wishing to stay a few days in JB.
The best Johor Bahru car rental services provide lower prices on long-term rental cars. With a reliable means of transport, you can plan your trip and hit all the best spots.
These attractions are spread across parks, gardens, museums, and historical sites. Visit the Gurdwara Sahib, the Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Danga Bay, Istana Bukit Serene, and the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple.
Other attractions include the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, Kwong Siew Heritage Gallery, Legoland Malaysia, Istana Besar, the Old Chinese Temple, and the Johor Zoo.
3. Visit Popular Shopping Destinations in Johor Bahru
A trip to the Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) presents you with a rarified opportunity to upgrade your entire wardrobe without breaking the bank. Boasting more than 100 designer stores, the JPO lets you fill your closet with luxurious brands at heavily discounted prices.
Grab some outfits from Tommy Hilfiger, Lululemon, and Paul Frank to go with your new Gucci clutch and swanky heels from Jimmy Choo. You’ll undoubtedly need a spacious rental car to haul the treasure trove you uncover at this popular destination in Johor Bahru.
4. Sample Popular Nightlife Spots in Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru comes alive at dusk and boasts enough nightlife spots to keep you up until dawn. Stop by the Whiskey House, an accessible drinking paradise with a selection of more than 300 whiskey and cocktails.
Enjoy discounted drinks at the Tipsy Monkey Sutera and keep the fun going with local delicacies, including sloppy Joes burger, Thai pork skewers, and chicken Cordon Bleu. Other impressive nightspots include the IMC Steakhouse, Sky 26, Mulligan’s Pub & Bistro, and Wall Streat the Bar.
5. Sunbathe on Popular Beaches to Visit in Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru boasts a host of public and private beaches to let you escape the humdrum of city life. You can immerse yourself in nature while enjoying relaxing times at any of the top eight beaches in JB.
Some of the best beaches in Johor Bahru include Besar island, Dayang Island, Desaru, Pantai Minyak Beku, Pulau Sibu, and Tengah Island. Accessing some of these beaches requires a quick boat ride, but you’ll need a rental car to get to the crossing points.
6. How to Get Around Johor Bahru with a Rental Car
Hiring a rental car in Johor Bahru lets you extend your trip to include Singapore. You have two options of crossing into Singapore if you rent a car from a reliable car rental in Johor Bahru. You can use the Woodlands Causeway or the Taus SecondLink.
Typically, it takes half an hour to cross over into Singapore during the non-peak hours. During peak hours, that may take 1 to 2 hours. However, the commute may extend up to 4 hours as more tourists and visitors cross between the two countries.
Car rental vehicles are preferable to public transport when travelling to JB with your whole family. You can grab lower prices by booking a rental car before the trip. Planning your commute around the peak hours lowers your fuel costs to let you experience Johor Bahru on the cheap.
Most rental companies provide drivers with your rental car if you don’t wish to battle traffic during your trip. Trustworthy companies such as Avis and Hertz have a diverse range of petrol cars and allow you to request a driver while booking your vehicle.
7. The Best Things to Do in Johor Bahru with a Rental Car
Working with reliable car rental providers in JB gives you the freehand you need to create an itinerary that suits your specific needs. Once you rent a car, you can plan your trip around the town’s hot spots. Rental cars make it easy to access some exclusive resorts on isolated islands.
You can plan your day trips around the town’s peak traffic to avoid getting caught up in the traffic gridlock. Car hire companies have multiple vehicles in stock to suit different needs.
Pick a small car if you intend to keep within the town limits and a powerful 4 x 4 vehicle if you wish to venture deep into the wilderness. You can always negotiate lower prices, so polish your negotiating skills.
With a rental car, you can visit the Johor Bahru City Square, Aeon Mall, Mid Valley, Southkey Mall, Paradigm Mall, KSL City Mall, and the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park.
8. The Best Places to Eat in Johor Bahru
Singapore is renowned for its world-class cuisine, and you can sample the delicious offering during a trip to Johor Bahru. The Food Street at Meldrum Walk lets you try tantalizing Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine in food stalls. The Fa Ge Lok Lok is famous for its street food served from food trucks.
Restoran Woon Kiang is a popular eatery with locals and worth visiting. The Sin Kimdo Seafood Restaurant, Tapai Tang, and Restaurant Ah Piaw provide reasonably priced, decent, delicious food.
9. The Best Places to Stay in Johor Bahru
Johor Bharu is a popular spot for people looking to recharge after a long week at the office. The city boasts a range of beautiful hotels that run the gamut from charming boutique motels to luxurious 5-star hotels.
Some of the most welcoming places to stay in JB include the Legoland Resort, Hotel Jen Puteri Harbor, Hotel Granada, Doubletree, Renaissance, and the Holiday Villa.
A rental car lets you access some of the more exclusive resorts and experience their charming cultural offerings and tranquil environment.
10. The Best Things to Do in Johor Bahru with Kids
Johor Bahru is the ideal city for a family vacation because it’s overrunning with fun and exciting activities for both kids and adults. A rental car will let you shuttle between various attractions like a true champion and milk every ounce of goodness from your JB trip.
Popular family attractions in Johor Bahra include Sanrio Hello Kitty Town theme park, Angry Birds Activity Park, Legoland Malaysia, Thomas Town, Dinosaur Alive Water theme park, and Desaru Coast Waterpark.
Visit Popular Museums in Johor Bahru
A trip to Johor Bahru city museum takes you down memory lane to let you understand the country’s rich culture. The city’s museums let you explore the artistic, cultural, scientific and historical side of JB. Immerse yourself in the scientific wonders at the Museum of Science.
You can explore the fascinating heroic stories at the war museums and memorials.
Or spend time at the children’s museums.
Some notable museums and historic attractions include Istana Besar, Kota Tinggi Museum, Mini Kuso Trick Art Gallery, and Chinese Heritage Museum. Others include Kite Museum, Malay Culture village, and Muzium Nelayan Tanjung Balau.
Make the Most of Your Trip to Johor Bahru with Our Car Rental Services
You can count on Gem Car Rental when you need to rent a car when visiting JB. We carry a range of pristine cars spread across various brands and categories to meet your every travel need. Check out our short-term to long-term car rentals and enjoy some of the best car rental rates on the market.