How to get to Sultan Ibrahim Stadium: Best ways for Chelsea fans to travel for Johor Darul Ta’zim friendly

Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the Asia-Pacific region reaches its final stop this August, with Xabi Alonso’s side rounding off their APAC schedule against Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.

The friendly, originally pencilled in for August 11, has since been brought forward and will now be played on Sunday, August 9, with kick-off at 8 pm local time (MYT). (1 pm BST / 12 pm GMT).

It marks Chelsea’s first trip to Malaysia in 13 years, and pits the FIFA Club World Cup holders against one of Southeast Asia’s most ambitious club projects on home soil. Sultan Ibrahim Stadium sits in Iskandar Puteri, just north of the Johor-Singapore border, and its 40,000-capacity is expected to be tested by a huge turnout from both JDT’s famously passionate supporters and travelling Chelsea fans.

Here, Football Ground Guide takes a look at the best ways to get to Sultan Ibrahim Stadium for Chelsea’s blockbuster friendly against JDT.

Getting to Sultan Ibrahim Stadium from the airport

From Senai International Airport (JHB): This is the closest airport to the stadium, roughly 32km away, and the most convenient option for fans flying directly into Johor. From the terminal, a taxi or Grab ride to the stadium takes around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic, or fans can catch an airport bus into central Johor Bahru before connecting onward by local bus or taxi.

From Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): Many fans, especially those already touring the region or connecting through Singapore, will find Changi a well-served alternative. From the airport, head into central Singapore and cross the border via the Second Link Expressway or the Causeway – either by taxi, bus, or private transfer – before continuing to Iskandar Puteri. Budget at least 90 minutes to two hours in total once border formalities are factored in, and note that Second Link tends to see lighter congestion on the crossing than the older Causeway route.

Getting to Sultan Ibrahim Stadium by Public Transport

Local buses run by Causeway Link connect the stadium with Johor Bahru, with services running roughly hourly and a stop directly outside the ground, making bus travel the most cost-effective way in for fans without a car. The first bus of the day departs around 6 am, with the last service leaving Johor Bahru at 10 pm.

From Larkin Sentral: Board the direct Causeway Link bus (J40) bound for Stadium Sultan Ibrahim. The journey takes roughly 40-50 minutes.

From JB Sentral or CIQ: There is no direct Causeway Link bus to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium; instead, you must take an initial bus to Larkin Sentral and transfer.

Matchdays: For fans attending the game itself, free fan shuttle buses typically run straight to Gate A from centralised parking hubs such as Hutan Bandar MBIP Mutiara Rini and Sireh Park – a handy option to skip the regular bus routes altogether.

Getting to Sultan Ibrahim Stadium by Car

The stadium is well served by road, with the Coastal Highway and the Second Link Expressway both offering direct routes in from Singapore and central Johor.

1. From Jalan Tun Abdul Razak (Route 1) in central Johor Bahru, merge onto the Iskandar Coastal Highway (Route 52) heading west.

2. Continue on Route 52 (which becomes Lebuh Kota Iskandar as you approach Iskandar Puteri).

3. Take the exit toward J4 / Route 5 / Gelang Patah / Ulu Choh / Pontian.

4. Follow local signage to the stadium precinct (Lot Zone C).

Ride-hailing services such as Grab operate widely across the area and are a popular option for fans not driving themselves, though matchday traffic around the stadium should be expected given the size of the away following.

Car Parking at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium

There are ample parking lots surrounding the stadium, though designated visitor and VIP zones may vary. Keep in mind that on busy matchdays, the walk from your parked car to the stadium entrance can be substantial, and spaces are likely to fill quickly for a fixture of this profile – fans planning to drive should aim to arrive well ahead of kick-off.

FGG Verdict: What is the best way to get to Sultan Ibrahim Stadium?

For most fans, particularly those based in Johor Bahru or crossing over from Singapore, the J40 bus from Larkin Sentral is the simplest and cheapest way to reach the stadium.

Those flying in for the match should factor in extra time either via Senai for a direct approach, or via Changi if connecting through Singapore, with a bit of a buffer built in for the border crossing.

Given the scale of interest in this one, arriving early and keeping an eye out for any official shuttle services will make for a smoother matchday all round.