Causeway and Second Link at Year-End 2026: School Holiday Crossing Tips

The Short Version

Singapore's Ministry of Education calendar lists the year-end school holidays for primary and secondary schools as Saturday 21 November to Thursday 31 December 2026. In past years ICA warned of heavy traffic at Woodlands and Tuas throughout this period, with car travellers waiting up to three hours at peaks. We did not find a 2026 ICA advisory on 30 October 2026, so treat what follows as a pattern from earlier years, not a forecast. Check ICA's newsroom closer to the date.

The Dates

• MOE Term 4 ends Friday 20 November 2026.
• Year-end holidays for primary and secondary: 21 November – 31 December 2026.
• Post-secondary Years 1 and 2 (and Years 2 and 3) have a later start, 28 November, per the MOE calendar.

Deepavali weekend is separate and earlier. For that, see our Deepavali 2026 long weekend guide.

What ICA Has Said Before

• November 2023 release: for the year-end holidays (16 November 2023 to 2 January 2024), ICA said car travellers "may have to wait up to three hours" at peak periods and advised allowing extra time, especially at weekends. It also asked motorists not to queue-cut (those caught are turned away and must re-queue) and reminded travellers to have at least six months of passport validity.
• November 2025 (reported by The Star, 17 Nov 2025): travellers using Woodlands and Tuas from 21 November 2025 to 1 January 2026 were told to factor in extra waiting time. Some car travellers waited up to three hours over the Deepavali long weekend, and ICA said it would carry out intensified checks against e-vaporiser smuggling, which may lengthen waits.

ICA's page for the 2023 release shows a "last updated" notice dated 2026, so it is still live, but the content is from 2023.

Tips from the Advisories

• Check traffic before you leave. ICA has pointed motorists to LTA's One Motoring website and the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System on the BKE and AYE.
• Consider cross-border buses. The 2025 advisory suggested this to avoid congestion. See our JB public bus guide. We did not verify current bus timetables for this post.
• Car and motorcycle travellers can use QR codes instead of passports for faster clearance, but must still carry their passports (2025 advisory).
• Foreign-registered vehicles need a valid vehicle entry permit (VEP). Drivers without a valid Autopass card, the LTA VEP approval email or valid insurance will be turned back (2025 advisory). Follow LTA's pages for the current process.
• Cooperate with officers and keep your lane. ICA says it will take stern action against those who do not.

Plan Your Stay Around the Queue

• Avoid crossing on the first weekend of the holidays (21–22 November) if you can. This is our suggestion, not an ICA statement.
• Staying overnight in JB lets you cross on a weekday and avoid sitting in a Friday-evening jam.
• Submit your arrival cards the night before. Our MDAC and SG Arrival Card checklist explains who needs which.
• More strategy: tips to beat the queue and the Causeway crossing guide.

FAQ

When do Singapore school holidays start in late 2026?

For primary and secondary schools, Saturday 21 November 2026, ending Thursday 31 December 2026 (MOE calendar).

How long are the waits?

Past ICA advisories mention up to three hours for cars at peak times. There is no 2026 figure yet.

Is the bus faster than a car?

ICA's 2025 advisory suggested cross-border buses to avoid congestion. We have not measured wait times ourselves.

Where can I see live traffic?

ICA has directed motorists to LTA's One Motoring website and the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System on the BKE and AYE.

Stay at Pelangi

Pelangi Capsule Hostel is at 26A Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru. A capsule is RM35 per night, and RM30 for the first night if you book direct on our website. Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is by 12:00 PM. We accept MYR and SGD (not USD). Holiday dates fill up, so book direct here, or see our rooms and contact us.

Sources (checked 30 October 2026)

• MOE Singapore: School terms and holidays calendar
• ICA media release: Heavy Traffic Expected at Land Checkpoints During the Year End School Holidays (15 Nov 2023)
• The Star (17 Nov 2025): Heavy traffic expected at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints

Advisories change. This is general information. Check ICA and LTA before you travel.