Johor Bahru

Where: Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Who: Mr, Mrs & Little Miss Wanderlust, Anton, Alexi, Papi, Mamita, Aaron & Janey, 
When: Dec 2014
What: Legoland and shopping at Johor Bahru

Closer to Singapore than Kuala Lumpur, it unavoidably suffers from comparison with its neighbour. Recent clean-up initiatives like greening the city and covering the open sewers that until a few years ago ran through the center of the city have made it a more pleasant place to live. 

Johor Bahru is probably more well known as an industrial city rather than a tourist-friendly town. Many of the world's top electronics manufacturers have at least one plant in Johor Bahru. But due to the recent developments and theme parks such as the famous Lego land, not to forget the big outlet shopping mall, the city has been rapidly developing in to a tourism friendly town.

How To Get There:

By Air:


The easiest, quickest and not so expensive way is a 30-ish minute flight from KL to Johor Bahru Senai Airport. Local carriers such as Air Asia offers good deals in which we got 9 pax for around 10,000PHP ($200USD). 

Then from the Johor Bahru airport there are taxis that you can hire, for a little bit of extra cost. Or a lot better if you take the Causeway bus, which is for FREE (take note here PH tourism!). The bus goes around certain stops like Outlet Store, then Sanrio / Hello Kitty Land, then Lego Land and other stops, and leaves every 30 minutes - 1 hour.

By Land:

>From Kuala Lumpur

There are actually official Legoland service bus that picks up passengers at Berjaya Times Square area that takes off everyday around 7:00 AM for the 4 hour land travel that would arrive in Lego Land around 11:00 AM just a few moments after the theme park opens.

Or there are also rentals van with driver (better if your headcount is 5 or more to split/share the cost). Be sure to negotiate and research well about the Fares/Rates of rental from KL to Legoland Malaysia. By chartering a MiniVan, this will cost you per way RM700-RM1000 per way taking into consideration your number of passenger and takes about 3.5 - 4 hours per way.


>From Singapore

A complete list of bus options can be found in this website

Where To Stay:

There are a lot of accommodation in the city of Johor Bahru. But admit it, you came to JB for Lego Land right? If so, then the best choice really is Lego Land Hotel Resort as you will be able to fully utilize the resort, especially if you are bringing kids. 

As a parent you will be happy that your kid is happy, enjoy and at the same time so well behaved that you can have little peace while they are busy playing. Not only that, you will also bring the kid back in you, because who didn't love lego as a toy?

Mr & Mrs Wanderlust's Ratings

Lego Land Hotel & Resort 

> Kids and kids at heart will definitely enjoy this Lego themed hotel.
> Has different Lego themed rooms, from Adventure, Pirates, & Kingdom
> Each room has a game with prize inside the locked treasure chest.
> Bunker Beds for kids!
> Has theme and water park nearby.

***Rating:

Price:  $$$ 7-8,000PHP for Family of 3-4  
Service: 4.8 star - Service & staff was alright, just took more than an hour for room service though
Facilities & Amenities: 4.8 star - Love the theme lego but some aren't maintained (our toilet smells)
Restaurant (foods): 4.8 star - Breakfast was ok but very crowded, but kid friendly, so, all good!
Bar: n/a - I don;t think there are bars as this is a kid themed park
________________________________
Overall: 4.8 /5 star

To Do:

1. Lego Land Malaysia - has 40 interactive rides and attractions. This is the first Legoland in Asia. There are public buses between Legoland and JB Sentral, Larkin Bus Terminal, Johore Premium Outlets, Gelang Petah, the Second Link and Senai Airport. Go to this website to check the schedules and fares.

There are 2 parks in Lego Land, first is the water park, where there are massive swimming pools, and other water related activities. And the famous lego land theme park where you can have fun with different rides. For prices you can inquire on their website.

2. Premium Outlets - Yes, for the shopping and take homes, you can definitely look around the shops, from famous sports brands, outdoor brands, some luxury brands are also on sale. And the good thing is the Bus go around this route first from Airport, then to Lego Land

3. Sanrio Hello Kitty Town - For the lovers and fans of Sanrio and Hello Kitty, you must visit this attraction

4. Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque - Mosque commissioned by the father of modern Johor

5. Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple - Very nice Hindu temple in the middle of Johor Bahru.

Bonus [VIDEO]: Sights and Sounds of KL & Johor Bahru

If you liked the video, please check out more of them at Sights & Sounds page. Similarly, we also have a comprehensive travel info about Kuala Lumpur if you want to know What to do, where to stay, and other useful information & tips.