Johor Bahru, otherwise known as JB, is one of the largest cities in Malaysia, located in the Johor province in the south of the country. It offers many attractions and for the budget traveler there are many ways to enjoy the city without breaking the bank. Here are some of the better ideas on spending time in Johor Bahru on a limited budget.

What to Do

Johor Bahru is a hectic city although there are many cheap and relaxing attractions to do and see. There are many historic sites to view, with some being free and some charging a small entry fee. The Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace Museum charges $7 and is an excellent place to see some of the history of Johor Bahru and Malaysia. The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is also an excellent landmark to visit. For sunbathers a visit to Lido Beach or Desaru Beach is also a must, with many water activities available. There are also a number of natural settings to visit including the Kota Tinggi Waterfall and Johor Lama town on the banks of the River Johor. These and the many other attractions the city has to offer make for an interesting and cheap day out.

Where to Eat

There are many food types to be enjoyed in the city including local Malay, Chinese and Indian delicacies. For the budget conscious diner there are a number of reasonably priced locations to eat. These include hawker centers which are essentially a collection of small pushcart stalls set up together in one area. There are many of these around the city. These are generally the cheapest places to eat and serve local delicacies such as roti canai as well as many noodle, rice and curry dishes. Sitting outside eating some great food and watching the world pass by is a great way to spend some time. There are also a number of budget cafes and restaurants which serve similar dishes to the hawker centers, and these are great for indoor eating.

Where to Stay

With Johor Bahru being a large city, there are plenty of places to stay for a budget traveler. Most of these are clean and welcoming, and if cost is a primary concern then staying in one of the dorm hotels around the city such as Footloose Homestay, OKID Cottage and Green Homestay can make sense. These cost around $4 per night to stay in the dorm or around $8 for a room. There are also many budget hotels which cost around $15 to $30 per night. Some of these include the Hotel Kelana, Indah Inn, Zen Zeng Hotel, Cosmo Inn, Dorsett Johor Hotel and Aspen Summer Hotel. These and the many other budget hotels will make for a cheap and cheerful stay in the city.

Transportation

Getting around the city can be trying at times, as traffic can be heavy and in many parts of the city pedestrians are not looked upon that kindly. However, the center of town is relatively pedestrian friendly and walking is the easiest way to get around. The bus system is relatively sparse, although it's the cheapest and easiest way to get around if a bus is heading in your direction. Taxis are also plentiful and relatively cheap, although it may take a bit of negotiation to get a good price.

Johor Bahru is a great place to visit in Malaysia and with a bit of common sense planning, a relaxing and enjoyable time can be had for a relatively modest budget.