A rental car is the most comfortable and efficient way to travel around Johor Bahru as well as the rest of the Malaysian peninsula. Ditch the crowded public transports and pricey cab fares and jump into your very own rental car, freely exploring what the city has to offer — including the popular Legoland and the Istana Besar palace on the JB waterfront. Go for a day trip to Singapore, which is just across the Johor Causeway, about 30 minutes from the city center.
All the big car rental companies, including Avis, Hertz, and Europcar, can be found at Senai International Airport (JHB), which is located about 20 miles northwest of Johor Bahru’s city center. The rental car desks are situated in the Arrivals Hall of the main terminal. Make sure you request a GPS that is set to the English language to give you some guidance, as you could end up getting lost in the city.
The first thing you need to know about driving in Johor Bahru is that traffic runs on the left-hand side of the road, while the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle. Drivers in Johor Bahru may be a little reckless at times, so always yield to them when you see them. Don’t leave your running car unattended, as car theft is not unusual here. The area near the Singaporean border is usually safer to drive and park.
The city experiences a bit of traffic during rush hour, which usually starts at 6 a.m. and goes until 9 a.m., and then again between 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. There are lots of Singaporeans traveling to Johor Bahru through the Johor Causeway, especially during the weekend, so if you’re heading to or from Singapore, try to make the crossing outside those time frames.
25% of our users found rental cars in Johor Bahru for $33 or less
Book your rental car in Johor Bahru at least 1 week before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport rental car locations in Johor Bahru are around 28% cheaper than airport locations on average
Economy rental cars in Johor Bahru are around 50% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Johor Bahru
If you're just driving through the city for business purposes, a small, compact car will probably do the job. A hybrid is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while driving around. If you want to travel both around the country and to Singapore, a mid-size sedan is a better option.
The speed limit is typically 60 km/h (37 mph) in urban areas, and 90 km/h (56 mph) on rural roads. Malaysia's expressways have a speed limit of 110 km/h (68 mph), but they may be lower in mountainous areas, crosswind areas, or other urban areas. The limits also lower during festive seasons.
The best and safest places to park your car are the parking garages and lots across town, such as the Johor Bahru City Square parking or Sentral parking lot and Sun Parking, both of which are near the main train station. Rates are about 12RM ($2.90) per day. Overnight parking at JB Sentral is also allowed for rates of about 20RM ($4.80) per night. Street parking is free on Sundays.
On average a rental car in Johor Bahru costs $45 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Johor Bahru found in the last 2 weeks is $25.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Avis ($29/day), Hawk ($30/day) and Hertz ($83/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Avis Lot E10-5 Counter, Aeromall 81250 (13 miles from city center).
Yes, automatic cars are available in most car renting companies in Johor Bahru. As cars with manual transmission are more common in many countries, you might have to pay an additional charge for renting an automatic car.
The average gas price in Johor Bahru is $1.81 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $22 and $29, depending on the car size.
Economy (Proton Saga or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Johor Bahru.
An Economy car rental in Johor Bahru costs $33 per day, on average.
A Full Size car rental in Johor Bahru costs $40 per day, on average.
A Compact car rental in Johor Bahru costs $45 per day, on average.
In Johor Bahru, cars are most frequently rented at Avis Lot E10-5 Counter, Aeromall (13 miles from city center).
On average a rental car in Johor Bahru costs $315 per week ($45 per day).
On average a rental car in Johor Bahru costs $1,350 per month ($45 per day).
Most car rental providers in Johor Bahru offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Johor Bahru, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 21 car rental agencies in Johor Bahru.
Some car rental companies in Johor Bahru which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Hertz, Avis and Thrifty
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Johor Bahru so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.