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Chinese New Year falls on February 17–18, 2026. Based on historical patterns, both Woodlands Checkpoint and Tuas Second Link will experience significantly heavier than usual traffic across the long weekend (February 14–19).
Why CNY Traffic Is Different
Chinese New Year is the single busiest period for Singapore-Malaysia land crossings. Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians working in Singapore travel home to visit family, while Singaporeans head to Johor Bahru and beyond for short getaways. The result is a sustained surge in both directions that lasts 5–7 days — unlike a normal weekend spike that clears by Sunday night.
Expected Delays
- Woodlands: 60–120 minutes during peak hours (8am–1pm, 4pm–9pm)
- Tuas: 45–75 minutes during peak hours
Both checkpoints deploy additional immigration counters during CNY, but the volume increase far outweighs the extra capacity.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
| Day | Direction | Expected Congestion |
|---|---|---|
| Fri Feb 14 (eve of long weekend) | SG → JB | Heavy from 3pm onwards as workers leave early |
| Sat Feb 15 | SG → JB | Moderate — early travellers already crossed Friday |
| Sun Feb 16 (CNY Eve) | SG → JB | Very heavy from 3pm–midnight — last-minute reunion dinner traffic |
| Mon Feb 17 (CNY Day 1) | Both | Sustained congestion all day, both directions |
| Tue Feb 18 (CNY Day 2) | Both | Heavy throughout, especially JB → SG from 2pm |
| Wed Feb 19 (return day) | JB → SG | Very heavy from 10am–10pm — peak return traffic |
Which Checkpoint Should You Use?
Woodlands handles the bulk of CNY traffic because most travellers are heading to JB city centre or northern Johor. If you are going to central or eastern Johor (JB, Kota Tinggi, Mersing), Woodlands is the more direct route — but expect longer queues.
Tuas is a better option if your destination is in western Johor (Iskandar Puteri, Gelang Patah, Pontian, Desaru). It is generally 15–30 minutes faster than Woodlands during CNY peaks, though it also gets congested on the heaviest days.
Check our live cameras to compare both checkpoints before you leave.
Tips for Crossing During CNY
Timing your trip:
- Cross late at night (after 11pm) or early morning (before 7am) for the shortest waits
- Avoid Friday afternoon outbound and Sunday/Wednesday afternoon return — these are the absolute worst windows
- If you can be flexible, cross on Saturday (the quietest day of the long weekend)
Before you leave:
- Fill up to at least ¾ tank — the three-quarter tank rule is enforced year-round, including holidays
- Complete your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before travelling
- Consider using QR code immigration clearance to speed up the Singapore side
- Bring snacks and water — during peak CNY hours, you may be in queue for over an hour
On the road:
- Allow at least double your usual crossing time during peak periods
- Keep passports accessible — you will need them at both Singapore and Malaysian immigration
- Check the Woodlands forecast or Tuas forecast for hourly traffic patterns
Check our live traffic cameras for real-time conditions before you travel.