City Square Link Bridge to CIQ: Which Level and How to Walk

“City Square link bridge to CIQ, which level?” is a question many Singapore day-trippers and new JB residents ask, because the mall, JB Sentral and the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) checkpoint are joined by a chain of bridges and escalators rather than one straight walkway. This quick guide explains what we found about the floor, gives the walking route step by step in both directions, and notes how long it takes. If you are still unsure how the station and the checkpoint differ, read is JB Sentral the same as CIQ first.

Which level of City Square connects to the CIQ bridge?

The bridge enters City Square above street level, on the mall’s first elevated shopping level rather than the ground floor. We checked several travel guides, local blogs and the mall’s public profile, and none publishes a single official floor number for the link, so here is what each source describes.

• From the CIQ side: a local walking guide describes reaching “level 1” of the CIQ building above Jalan Tun Abdul Razak and crossing the bridge from there to City Square.
• From JB Sentral: route guides describe leaving the JB Sentral concourse by Exit 7 and taking the escalator down to the pedestrian bridge, with City Square on the left and KOMTAR JBCC on the right.
• Inside the mall: one food guide describes walking over the bridge into City Square and then taking the escalator up to Level 3, which means the bridge enters below Level 3.
• Other guides simply say you “come out on one of the mall’s shopping levels” via an overhead bridge.

Putting these together, the most commonly reported answer is the upper floor one storey above the street. Because the mall’s level names and the station exit numbers can change, and City Square is due to be revamped by the end of 2027 according to Time Out, the safest tip is to follow the in-mall signs for “JB Sentral”, “CIQ” or “Kastam / Imigresen”.

Walking route from the CIQ to City Square, step by step

The route runs from the CIQ bus hall, through JB Sentral and over a short bridge into the mall, and is covered all the way. These steps follow published route guides.

1. Clear Malaysian immigration and customs in the BSI bus hall after getting off your cross-border bus.
2. Take the exit signed “JB Sentral” and follow the one-way covered walkway past a lift lobby.
3. Go down the escalator into the JB Sentral concourse, where the bus terminal, money changers, convenience stores and KTM ticket counter are.
4. Head for Exit 7, signed for City Square and KOMTAR JBCC. (Exit 3 leads towards R&F Mall instead.)
5. Take the escalator down to the pedestrian bridge and cross it.
6. Turn left into City Square; KOMTAR JBCC is on the right.

Walking route from City Square back to the CIQ

Going back is the same route in reverse: find the bridge on the mall’s upper floor, cross into JB Sentral and follow the checkpoint signs. Signs for “JB Sentral”, “CIQ”, “Imigresen” and “Ke Singapura” appear along the way.

1. Inside City Square, follow the signs for JB Sentral or the CIQ to the bridge exit on the upper level above the street.
2. Cross the bridge and take the escalator up into the JB Sentral concourse.
3. Walk through the concourse following “CIQ / Imigresen” signs to the covered walkway.
4. Continue along the walkway into the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar complex and the departure hall for buses to Singapore.

How long does the walk take?

Expect roughly 10–15 minutes from the CIQ exit to City Square at a normal pace, not counting immigration. The figures below are approximate and based on travel guides.

Walking times are estimates; crowds, luggage and the time of day all make a difference.

Opening hours and practical tips

City Square generally opens to shoppers around 10am, with some breakfast outlets opening earlier, so very early crossers may need the street-level route.

• If the mall is closed, local guides suggest taking the escalator down to street level on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak and walking around the outside.
• Use the covered route in the rain; it is sheltered all the way from the CIQ.
• Check the exit numbers at JB Sentral, as signage can be updated.
• Look out for the new RTS walkway. A 400 m covered bridge with travelators is being built along Jalan Tun Abdul Razak to link the RTS Bukit Chagar station, the CIQ complex, JB Sentral and City Square. See our Bukit Chagar station walking guide.

What else is near the bridge?

The bridge puts several of JB City Centre’s main stops within a few minutes of each other, which makes it easy to plan a half-day without a car.

• KOMTAR JBCC is directly across from City Square at the end of the bridge, with its own shops and the Johor Bahru City Centre attractions.
• JB Sentral has KTM and ETS trains, local buses, money changers and taxi and e-hailing points.
• The heritage streets around Jalan Tan Hiok Nee and Jalan Dhoby, with cafes and old shophouses, are a short walk south of the mall.
• The RTS Bukit Chagar station will be reachable on foot along the new covered walkway once the line opens.

Living within walking distance of City Square and the CIQ

Being able to walk to City Square, JB Sentral and the CIQ is a key reason buyers and tenants look at homes in Bukit Chagar. Causewayz Square on Jalan Lumba Kuda is about 600 m from the CIQ and about 1.5 km from City Square and KOMTAR JBCC, and the developer has proposed a pedestrian link bridge towards the CIQ and RTS, with target completion around 2030. It also plans its own retail podium of about 90,000 sq ft; read our Causewayz Square mall guide, or WhatsApp us for floor plans and the latest SPA price list.

Sources

• Singapore to JB Checkpoint, JB Sentral and City Square (iPackTravel)
• How to go to City Square JB (SG Best Bargain, 2023)
• Walking guide near JB Customs (Tony Johor Kaki)
• City Square JB in 2026 (YouTrip)
• Where to eat in City Square Mall (Healthi-licious)
• Johor Bahru City Square (Wikipedia)
• JB’s City Square mall will be revamped by end 2027 (Time Out)

This guide is general information, not financial advice.