Pontian Kechil (小笨珍 / 笨珍市), Pekan Nanas Town (北干那那) and Kukup Fishing Village (龟咯渔村) are all in Pontian District of Johor (柔佛.笨珍), to the southwestern tip of West Malaysia.
Pontian Kechil is the district capital and administrative centre of Pontian District. The quiet town does not attract large crowds like Johor Bahru but offers many food options of local flavours, cafes, traditional bakeries, etc. The textile shops here attract Singapore visitors to tailor-made clothes.
Pekan Nanas, a.k.a. Pineapple Town, is a small town about 30 minutes’ drive from Pontian Kechil. Similar to Pontian Kechil, Pekan Nanas is also a peaceful spot with a fair share of great food options, rustic cafes, home stays, farms, etc, waiting to be uncovered. There are durian and pineapple plantations around Pekan Nanas too. For those who like to explore quiet places for hidden gems, Pekan Nanas may be the next good place to try.
More:
Kukup Fishing Village is a popular holiday destination for large groups of Malaysia and Singapore holidaymakers to stay for one or two nights in the rustic village built on stilts. Getting to the fishing village by public buses will require transits at Pontian Bus Terminal in Pontian Kechil.
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Cross the Border from Singapore
There are two ways to get to Pekan Nanas / Pontian Kechil from Singapore: One is via Tuas Checkpoint and the other via Woodlands Checkpoint.
If going via Tuas Checkpoint, read the post below. Note that bus fares of cross-border bus services from Singapore are fixed regardless of destination — i.e. fares are not cheaper even if dropping off earlier at Pekan Nanas instead of Pontian Kechil.
More: SG-Johor Bus: Singapore to Pontian Kechil & Kukup Village, Johor (柔佛.笨珍)
If going via Woodlands Checkpoint, get to Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru. After clearing Malaysia Customs, use SBS Transit 170 or Causeway Link CWL — or continue on Singapore-Johor Express (SJE) if taking the service from Queen Street — at the bus platform of JB CIQ to get to Larkin Sentral.
More: SG-JB Bus: Singapore to Larkin Sentral in Johor, Malaysia
Get There via Larkin Sentral
At Larkin Sentral, BAS.MY J50 is the only bus service heading towards Pekan Nanas / Pontian Kechil. Pay the fare on board the bus at Platform A.
Aside from stopping at various bus-stops in Pekan Nanas and Pontian Kechil, BAS.MY J50 also stops at Angsana Mall and Paradigm Mall along the Skudai Highway. The service can be used to get to both shopping malls via Larkin Sentral.
Fare: Ask on board / use ManjaLink Card
Journey: 1 hour
Frequency: 40 minutes
Operating Time:
- From Larkin Sentral: 5am ~ 11pm | Daily
- From Pontian Terminal: 5am ~ 9:40pm | Daily
Get There via JB Sentral
There are two ways to get to Pekan Nanas / Pontian Kechil from JB Sentral:
- Take BAS.MY J10 / J13 to Larkin Sentral and change to BAS.MY J50 — BAS.MY J10 is faster than J13 as it travels direct to Larkin Sentral whereas J13 will take a longer route.
- Take BAS.MY services J30 / J31 / J32 / J34 to the bus-stop opposite Paradigm Mall, then change to BAS.MY J50 at the same bus-stop to Pekan Nanas / Pontian Kechil. Using this route, you can plan a stop-over to shop or dine at Paradigm Mall, or Angsana Mall, on the way to Pontian or when getting back.
Note:
- It may be more economical and faster to use Grab services to the shopping malls along Skudai Highway if you are in a group of 3 or 4 persons. But, do alight at a bus-stop if changing to BAS.MY J50 and not spending time in a mall.
- Paradigm Mall is used as landmark for changing buses because it is more prominent and easier for those who are unfamiliar with Johor Bahru to recognise. Do use a maps app for directions if unsure.
Return via Woodlands Checkpoint
Getting back to Woodlands Checkpoint via Larkin Sentral or JB Sentral is just the reverse of getting to Pekan Nanas / Pontian Kechil. Take note that the last BAS.MY J50 departing from Pontian Bus Terminal to Larkin Sentral is at 9:40pm.
The buses will take around 30 minutes to reach Pekan Nanas from Pontian Bus Terminal. Do be at any of the bus stops earlier to wait for buses as some bus drivers may go a little faster when there are not many passengers.
Return via Tuas Checkpoint
Similarly, getting back to Tuas Checkpoint is again the reverse of getting there but take note that the last bus departing from Pontian Bus Terminal to Tuas Checkpoint is as follows:
Service 52T → Gelang Patah
- Operates on weekends & public holidays only
- Last bus @ 6:30pm
Service CW4 → Gelang Patah → Jurong East
- Operates on weekdays only
- Last bus @ 3pm
Be flexible, if the bus services to Gelang Patah Terminal / Tuas Checkpoint have long interval or you missed the last bus, use BAS.MY J50 to return via Woodlands Checkpoint.
More: SG-Johor Bus: Singapore to Pontian Kechil & Kukup Village, Johor (柔佛.笨珍)
More JB Bus Guides:
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