Johor Bahru (30 minutes)
Getting there: Bus from Queen Street or Kranji MRT. Road crossing — go early to avoid rush hour queues.
Why go: Food 2–3x cheaper, Legoland Malaysia, shopping malls.
Bintan Island (55 min by ferry)
Getting there: Ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Multiple daily.
Why go: Beach resorts, beautiful beaches, Club Med, Banyan Tree.
Batam Island (30 min by ferry)
Getting there: Multiple operators from HarbourFront. Very frequent.
Why go: Cheap seafood and spa treatments. Golf courses.
Melaka / Malacca (3 hours by bus)
Why go: UNESCO World Heritage — best preserved Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture in SE Asia. Nyonya cuisine.
Bintan and Johor Bahru day trip packages are bookable on Klook.