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The worst Causeway jams almost always come on long weekends, and the worst of all are the ones where Singapore and Malaysia are on holiday at the same time. Between now and the end of 2027, the dates to watch most closely are Deepavali weekend (7–9 November 2026), Christmas (25–27 December 2026), Chinese New Year (5–8 February 2027), Hari Raya Puasa (9–11 March 2027) and Hari Raya Haji (15–17 May 2027). The rule of thumb is simple: northbound queues peak on the evening before a long weekend, and southbound queues peak on the evening of its last day. Below is a full calendar, the reasons behind the jams, and practical ways around them.
Why public holidays clog the Causeway
The Woodlands Causeway and the Tuas Second Link are among the busiest land crossings in the world on an ordinary day. On a holiday, three groups of travellers converge on them at once:
- Singapore residents heading north for shopping, food and short breaks in Johor and beyond, especially when a Singapore holiday falls on a Friday or Monday.
- Malaysians who work in Singapore going home for festivals, which makes Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali particularly heavy in both directions.
- Malaysian visitors heading south during Malaysian school and public holidays.
When the two countries' holidays line up, all three flows hit the same few hours. That is why a long weekend can turn a 30-minute crossing into a wait of several hours.
Holiday jam calendar: November 2026 to December 2027
Singapore dates are from the Ministry of Manpower and MOE; Malaysian dates are from the Prime Minister's Department's official list. Malaysian dates for Islamic holidays are marked subject to change, and replacement holidays for dates falling on a Sunday can vary by state, so treat the Malaysian side as expected rather than final.
| Dates | Holiday | Risk | Worst times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Deepavali (Sun 8 Nov). Singapore and most Malaysian states off on Mon 9 Nov | Very high | Fri 6 Nov evening northbound; Mon 9 Nov evening southbound |
| Fri 20 – Sat 21 Nov 2026 | Singapore year-end school holidays begin (to 31 Dec) | High | Fri evening and Sat morning northbound |
| Sat 5 Dec 2026 | Malaysian school holidays begin in Johor and most states (to 31 Dec) | Medium | Weekends through December, both directions |
| Fri 25 – Sun 27 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day (Fri), both countries | Very high | Thu 24 Dec evening northbound; Sun 27 Dec evening southbound |
| Fri 1 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day (holiday in Singapore; not in Johor) | High | Thu 31 Dec northbound; Sun 3 Jan southbound before schools reopen |
| Fri 5 – Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (Sat 6 – Sun 7 Feb). Singapore off on Mon 8 Feb | Very high | Thu 4 and Fri 5 Feb northbound (reunion dinner is Fri 5 Feb); Mon 8 Feb evening southbound |
| Tue 9 – Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Hari Raya Puasa (Singapore Wed 10 Mar; Malaysia 10–11 Mar) | Very high | Tue 9 Mar evening northbound; following weekend southbound |
| Sat 13 – Sun 21 Mar 2027 | Singapore March school holidays | Medium | Fri 12 Mar evening northbound |
| Fri 26 – Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Good Friday (Singapore) | High | Thu 25 Mar evening northbound; Sun 28 Mar evening southbound |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day, both countries (falls on a Saturday) | Medium | Sat morning northbound |
| Sat 15 – Mon 17 May 2027 | Hari Raya Haji (Mon 17 May), both countries | Very high | Fri 14 May evening northbound; Mon 17 May evening southbound |
| Thu 20 – Sun 23 May 2027 | Vesak Day (Thu 20 May), both countries | High | Wed 19 May evening northbound, as many take Friday off |
| Sat 29 May – Sun 27 Jun 2027 | Singapore June school holidays; Malaysia's Agong's Birthday on Mon 7 Jun | High | First and last weekends of the holidays |
| Sat 7 – Mon 9 Aug 2027 | National Day (Mon 9 Aug, Singapore) | High | Fri 6 Aug evening northbound; Mon 9 Aug evening southbound |
| Tue 31 Aug 2027 | Malaysia's National Day | Medium | Mon 30 Aug evening, both directions |
| Sat 4 – Sun 12 Sep 2027 | Singapore September school holidays; Malaysia Day on Thu 16 Sep | Medium | Fri 3 Sep evening northbound |
| Thu 28 – Sun 31 Oct 2027 | Deepavali (Thu 28 Oct), both countries | High | Wed 27 Oct evening northbound; Sun 31 Oct evening southbound |
| Fri 19 – Sat 20 Nov 2027 | Singapore year-end school holidays begin | High | Fri evening and Sat morning northbound |
| Sat 25 Dec 2027 | Christmas Day (Saturday), both countries | High | Fri 24 Dec evening northbound |
A few Johor-only holidays also add local traffic in JB, such as the Sultan of Johor's Birthday (Tuesday 23 March 2027 on the official list). Note that in Singapore, a holiday on a Saturday does not create a Monday off, so Labour Day and Christmas 2027 bring busy weekends rather than long ones.
The three worst types of holiday
1. Festivals celebrated on both sides
Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji and Deepavali are public holidays in both countries, and tens of thousands of Malaysians working in Singapore go home for them. Expect the heaviest southbound traffic of the year at the end of these breaks, as everyone returns to Singapore on the same evening.
2. Singapore long weekends
Holidays on a Friday or Monday, such as Good Friday and National Day in 2027, mostly create one-way surges: north on the first evening, south on the last. If you can, travel a day early or come back a day later.
3. The start and end of school holidays
The first Friday and Saturday of each school break, and the last Sunday before school restarts, are heavy every year. Singapore's year-end holidays and the June holidays are the longest and busiest.
How to beat the holiday jams
- Go early or late. Crossing before about 6–7am, or after about 10pm, is usually far quicker than mid-afternoon or early evening.
- Check before you leave. Our Woodlands and Tuas checkpoint traffic page shows the official LTA cameras, refreshed every minute.
- Pick the right crossing. For JB city, Mount Austin and eastern Johor, Woodlands is closer. For Legoland, Iskandar Puteri, Melaka and KL, the Tuas Second Link is often smoother.
- Use Singapore's QR code clearance. At Woodlands and Tuas, car travellers can show one group QR code from the MyICA app (up to 10 people in the same vehicle) instead of handing over passports at the Singapore booth. Still carry your passports, as Malaysia's checkpoint needs them.
- Watch for ICA advisories. Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority usually warns of heavy traffic before festive weekends and school holidays, and in past peaks has reported waits of up to three hours.
- Keep documents ready. Have every passport valid for at least six months, and any arrival forms completed before you reach the booth. Our border ride document checklist covers the details.
- Plan the return, not just the outbound trip. On the last day of a long weekend, leaving Malaysia by early afternoon, or after dinner, makes a big difference.
- Allow time for flights. If you are heading to Changi or Senai on a holiday weekend, add extra buffer for the crossing.
For more timing advice, read our guide to border travel timing.
A private car on a busy holiday weekend
A private car will not make the queue disappear, but it makes the wait far easier. You stay in the car through immigration at both checkpoints, so there is no standing in packed halls or fighting for a bus seat on the other side. Your driver crosses the border every day, knows which route is moving and when to leave, and picks you up from your door. Coming back is just as easy: our Johor Bahru to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Singapore transfers pick you up from your hotel or relatives' home. Fares are per car and include tolls, checkpoint fees, fuel and parking.
Travelling over one of these holidays? Book early, as cars fill up fast on festival weekends. Use our online booking form, see all return routes on the Malaysia to Singapore page, or Whatsapp us with your dates and we will suggest the best time to cross. No deposit; you pay the driver on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which public holiday has the worst Causeway jam?
Usually the festivals celebrated in both countries, especially Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa, because Singapore residents and Malaysians working in Singapore travel at the same time. The return evening on the last day of the break is often the slowest.
Is Woodlands or Tuas better on public holidays?
It depends on where you are going. Woodlands is shorter for JB city and eastern Johor, while the Second Link at Tuas often moves better for western Johor, Melaka and KL. Check the live cameras before you choose.
What time should I cross the Causeway on a long weekend?
Before about 6 to 7am is usually best. Avoid the evening before the long weekend going north, and the last evening of the weekend coming south.
Are Malaysian public holiday dates for 2027 final?
Malaysia has published its 2027 list, but Islamic holidays such as Hari Raya are marked subject to change, as they depend on the moon sighting. Replacement days for holidays on a Sunday can also differ by state.
Will the RTS Link reduce holiday jams?
It should give train travellers between Johor Bahru and Woodlands North another option once it opens. Its operator said on 2 October 2026 that passenger service is expected to start in February 2027.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
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