Singapore Transportation Guide: What transportation options are available in Singapore? You can use credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay or EZ-Link cards for direct payment on buses and SMRT! Watch out for additional surcharges when taking taxis! Take sightseeing buses to visit Marina Bay Sands, Fullerton Hotel, Merlion, Clarke Quay, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Orchard Road, Little India, Kampong Glam, Boat Quay, Chinatown, and Marina Bay attractions! Children under 7 can apply for child transportation cards at the airport - all public transportation is free for children!

SMRT

Singapore MRT

Singapore MRT Network Map by Seloloving, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60729093

Singapore’s MRT system is the most popular public transportation, with five main lines (Red Line, Green Line, Yellow Line, Purple Line and Blue Line), providing direct access to most tourist attractions and business districts. From Changi Airport, passengers can take the train at the airport station and reach the city center in about 40-50 minutes.

Important Notes	Description
Operating Hours	05:30 - 00:06
No Food and Smoking	Food and smoking are prohibited in train carriages, only water is allowed, to maintain cleanliness and comfort
Durian Ban	Strong-smelling foods like durian are not allowed on trains

MRT Ticket Types

Ticket	Description
Tourist Pass	Designed for tourists, available at major MRT stations, offering unlimited rides for one, two or three days
EZ-Link Card	Can be used on MRT, buses and LRT, available at `airports` or `convenience stores`, minimum balance must be above `SD$3`, minimum top-up amount is `SD$10`
Credit Card Payment	Contactless credit cards can be used directly for payment, but additional credit card fees apply
Third-party Payment	Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and other third-party payment tools can be used, but additional third-party payment fees apply
Child Concession Card	Children `under 7 years old` can apply for a child concession card for free public transportation. Can be exchanged with passport at the Ticketing Service Center counter at Changi Airport T2. Card exchange is completely free and no top-up required, children just need to tap the card when entering

To minimize handling fees, using Mastercard is recommended as it processes charges every 5 days or when reaching SD$15, while Visa processes daily, resulting in fewer “overseas transaction fees” for Mastercard

The Ticketing Service Center counter at Changi Airport T2 operates from 08:00-21:00. If you miss these hours, you’ll need to visit an MRT station with a Ticket Office

How to take the SMRT from Singapore Airport to the city?

First Train Times from Airport

To Tanah Merah (EW4/CG)

Monday to Saturday	Sundays and Public Holidays
05:31	05:59

Last Train Times from Airport

Destination Station	Time
To `Pasir Ris (EW1/CR5/CP1)`	Daily 23:18
To `Tuas Link (EW33)`	Daily 00:06

Travel Steps

Step	Description
Go to Terminal with MRT	Changi Airport has four terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4), with MRT stations at `Terminal 2` and `Terminal 3`. If arriving at Terminal 1 or 4, take the free `Skytrain` or `shuttle bus` to Terminal 2 or 3
Find the MRT Station	In `Terminal 2` or `Terminal 3`, follow the `"Train to City"` signs to reach `Changi Airport MRT Station (CG2)`
Take `East West Line` to City	Transfer to `East West Line` at `Tanah Merah (EW4/CG)`, then choose appropriate stop based on destination
Take `Downtown Line` to City	At `Expo (CG1/DT35)`, transfer towards `Bukit Panjang (BP6/DT1)`, then choose appropriate stop based on destination

How to take MRT from Singapore Airport to the city?

MRT Reference Websites

Website	URL
SMRT Journeys MRT Network Map	https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/mrt_network_map/
SMRT Journeys First & Last Train	https://journey.smrt.com.sg/journey/station_info/changi-airport/first-and-last-train/
Singapore MRT Map	https://tw.piliapp.com/smrt-map/
SimplyGo: EZ-Link Products & Services	https://ezlink.simplygo.com.sg/

Bus

Singapore Bus

By S5A-0043 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=141800944

Important Notes	Description
Operating Hours	06:00 - 00:00
Boarding Rules	Board from front door, alight from rear door, tap card for both boarding and alighting
On-board Ticket Purchase	No change given on bus, please prepare exact change
Fare	Fares are distance-based, usually between `SD$0.8` to `SD$2`
Alighting Method	Press bell to notify driver of next stop

Bus Ticket Types

Ticket	Description
EZ-Link Card	Can be used on MRT, buses and LRT, available at `airports` or `convenience stores`, minimum balance must be above `SD$3`, minimum top-up amount is `SD$10`
Credit Card Payment	Contactless credit cards (Master/Visa/NETS bank cards) can be used directly for payment, but additional credit card fees apply
Third-party Payment	Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and other third-party payment tools can be used, but additional third-party payment fees apply
Tourist Pass	Designed for tourists, available at major MRT stations, offering unlimited rides for one, two or three days
Child Concession Card	Children `under 7 years old` can apply for a child concession card for free public transportation. Can be exchanged with passport at the Ticketing Service Center counter at Changi Airport T2. Card exchange is completely free and no top-up required, children just need to tap the card when entering

Bus Reference Websites

Website	URL
SBSTransit	https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/
SG Buses - Bus Arrival Times	iOS / Android
SG BusLeh	iOS / Android
SG BUS - Singapore Bus	iOS
Singapore Bus Guide	Android

Taxi

You can hail taxis on the street, board at designated taxi stands in the city area, or call ahead to book through any of the following taxi company hotlines.

Additional surcharges may apply.

Company	Phone
Comfort or CityCab	`+65 6552 1111`
Strides Premier Taxi	`+65 6555 8888`
Prime Taxi	`+65 6778 0808`
Trans-Cab	`+65 6555 3333`

Taxi Surcharges

Peak Hour Surcharge

Date	Time	Fee
Monday to Friday, except public holidays	06:00 – 09:29	Additional `25%` of total fare
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays	10:00 – 13:59	Additional `25%` of total fare
Daily	17:00 – 23:59	Additional `25%` of total fare

City Area Surcharge

Date	Time	Fee
Daily	17:00~00:00	`SD$3`

Location Surcharge

Changi Airport, Marina Bay Sands area, Sentosa add SD$3 to SD$5 varies

Midnight Surcharge

Date	Time	Fee
Daily	00:00 – 05:59	Additional `50%` of total fare

Ride-hailing Apps

App	Download Link	Description
Grab	iOS / Android	Singapore’s most popular ride-hailing service, offering multiple vehicle types including GrabCar, GrabBike and GrabExpress
CDG Zig	iOS / Android	Offers multiple vehicle types including CDG Zig and CDG Zig Plus

Singapore Sightseeing Big Bus Tours

Singapore Sightseeing Bus

Routes & Tour Maps | Singapore Sightseeing | Big Bus Tours

These buses are designed for tourists, usually offering fixed routes and multi-language guided tours, making them a good choice for exploring the city.

Route	Yellow Line (City Tour)	Red Line (Heritage Tour)
Time	09:30 – 17:00	09:40 – 17:10
Frequency	Every 25-40 minutes	Every 25-35 minutes
Stops and Attractions	Marina Bay Sands, Fullerton Hotel, Merlion, Clarke Quay, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Orchard Road	Little India, Kampong Glam, Boat Quay, Chinatown, Marina Bay

Singapore Sightseeing Bus

City Shuttle

From Changi Airport, there is a dedicated airport bus service that can directly transport passengers to major hotels in the city, which is very convenient.

For designated hotels in the downtown area, detailed hotel information can be found at City Shuttle

City Shuttle

Fees

Identity	Fee
Adult	`SD$10.00`/person
Children under 12	`SD$7.00`/person

Operating Hours and Frequency

Time	Frequency
07:00 – 19:00	Every 30 minutes
20:00 – 23:00	Every 60 minutes

Booking Methods

Book in advance using City Shuttle or Changi App, after booking check in at the Ground Transport Concierge counter to board

Name	App	Website
City Shuttle	-	https://www.cityshuttle.com.sg/
Changi App	iOS / Android	https://www.changiairport.com/en/help/changi-app.html

Ground Transport Concierge

Terminal	Terminal Code	Location	Description
Terminal 1	T1	B1	Private car pickup point/area
Terminal 2	T2	1F	Arrival Hall Door 5
Terminal 3	T3	1F	Arrival Hall (near Information Counter)
Terminal 4	T4	1F	Arrival Hall (near Information Counter)

Light Rail Transit (LRT)

Singapore LRT

By Calvin Teo - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=255989

The Light Rail system mainly serves residential areas and commercial districts, connecting with the MRT for convenient transfers within the city, usually shown in grey on transit maps.

LRT lines are shorter than MRT lines and are mainly used by locals, but if utilized well, they can save travelers considerable transit time.

Important Notes	Description
Operating Hours	05:30 - 00:00, but specific times may vary by line
Fares	LRT fares are distance-based, generally between `SD$0.8` to `SD$2`

LRT Lines

Line	Description
Bukit Panjang LRT	Connects Bukit Panjang and Changi areas
Sengkang LRT	Serves Sengkang and Punggol residential areas
Punggol LRT	Serves Punggol residential area

Singapore LRT