THE SHORT VERSION
Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu at a glance.
- From
- Johor Bahru
- Road distance
- About 669 km
- Straight line
- 546 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~8 h 30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Kota Bharu to Johor Bahru →
Ready to travel from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the Malaysian city across the causeway from Singapore. Larkin Sentral is the main long-distance terminal; JB Sentral handles cross-border buses and trains.
- Larkin Sentral
The main long-distance terminal, for buses across Malaysia and to Hat Yai. - JB Sentral
By the causeway and railway station. Cross-border buses to Singapore.
Arriving in Kota Bharu
Local buses run to Kuala Besut for the Perhentian Islands and to the Thai border at Rantau Panjang.
- Kota Bharu bus terminal
Central station for city, regional and some long-distance buses.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check land border rules before continuing to Thailand.
KEEP GOING
From Kota Bharu, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Kota Bharu
More buses from Johor Bahru
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Johor Bahru from Kota Bharu by road?+
About 669 km by road (546 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 8 h 30 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Johor Bahru?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Johor Bahru include Larkin Sentral, JB Sentral, and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Kota Bharu to Johor Bahru?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Kota Bharu to Johor Bahru guide.
Where does the bus from Johor Bahru arrive in Kota Bharu?+
It depends on the operator. In Kota Bharu, services use Kota Bharu bus terminal. Local buses run to Kuala Besut for the Perhentian Islands and to the Thai border at Rantau Panjang.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Kota Bharu?+
Local buses run to Kuala Besut for the Perhentian Islands and to the Thai border at Rantau Panjang.
What kind of bus runs from Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Kota Bharu by bus?+
Direct buses from Kota Bharu include Penang (George Town), Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Mersing, Krabi Town and more. See all connections on our Kota Bharu bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Johor Bahru → Kota Bharu on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Johor Bahru to Kota Bharu bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Johor Bahru (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Kota Bharu (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →