Public Transport in Singapore
Navigate the city effortlessly: learn how to use MRT, buses, and more. Your complete tourist guide starts here!
Tickets & Payment Methods
💳 Best Ways to Pay
-
1. Contactless Bank Cards (SimplyGo) RECOMMENDED
Tap your own Visa, Mastercard, or AMEX directly at the gate. No registration required.
Note: Foreign cards incur a ~S$0.60 daily admin fee. -
2. Singapore Tourist Pass
Unlimited travel on MRT, LRT, and basic buses for 1, 2, or 3 days.
Price: Starts from ~S$23 (1-Day) to S$35 (3-Day). -
3. EZ-Link / NETS Prepaid Card
Stored-value cards for those without contactless bank cards. Cost ~S$5 (non-refundable card fee) + top-up value. -
4. Mobile Wallets
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are fully supported.
📍 Where to Buy & Rules
- ❌ No Single Trip Tickets: The old paper/standard tickets were phased out in 2022. You must use a contactless card or pass.
- Tourist Pass Location: If buying online via Trip.com, check your voucher for the specific redemption counter at Changi Airport (usually T2 or T3).
- Convenience Stores: 7-Eleven and Cheers sell standard EZ-Link cards (but usually not the Tourist Pass).
- Children: Kids under 7 years old (and below 0.9m) travel Free. Taller kids under 7 need a “Child Concession Card” (available at ticket offices).
🔴 Crucial “One Device” Rule: Always tap in and out with the exact same card or device. Do not tap in with your iPhone (Apple Pay) and tap out with your physical Visa card, or you will be charged maximum fares on both!
Transport Modes
-
🚇 MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) – Fast, air-conditioned metro covering the whole island.
2026 Update: The Circle Line (Yellow) loop closes this year (CCL6). Operated by SBS Transit and SMRT Trains.
-
🚌 Public Buses – Extensive network operated by SBS Transit, SMRT, Tower Transit, and Go-Ahead.
⚠️ Night Warning: Official “NightRider/Nite Owl” buses are discontinued. After midnight, you must use a Taxi or Grab.
-
🚕 Taxis & Ride-Hailing – Taxis are metered. For apps, download Grab, Gojek, TADA, or CDG Zig.
Note: Uber is NOT available. Peak hour surcharges apply (up to 1.5x price).
-
🚲 Bicycles & E-Scooters – Use shared bikes like Anywheel or HelloRide.
Strict Rule: E-scooters are BANNED on footpaths (fine: S$2,000). Use cycling paths only.
Zones & Fare System
Singapore uses a Distance-Based Fare System. You pay for the exact distance traveled, regardless of whether you use the Bus, MRT, or both. There are no “zones” like in London or Berlin.
📏 Distance & Transfers
- Fare Cap: Fares are capped at approx. S$2.57 for the longest possible journey (>40km).
- Free Transfers: You have 45 minutes to transfer between Bus & MRT. (Tap in/out with the same card to avoid being charged twice).
- No Single Tickets: Paper tickets are extinct. You must use a Contactless Card, EZ-Link, or Tourist Pass.
💰 2026 Discounts
- Early Bird (Pre-Peak): Tap in before 7:45 AM on weekdays for a S$0.50 discount.
- Free NEL Rides: As of Dec 2025, travel on the North East Line (Punggol Coast ↔ Kovan) is FREE on weekdays before 7:30 AM.
- Kids Fly Free: Children under 7 years old travel FREE.
(Note: If child is taller than 0.9m, you need a “Child Concession Card” from the ticket office. Under 0.9m needs no card).
🗓️ Monthly Passes
Staying for a month? The Adult Monthly Travel Pass costs S$128 for unlimited Train & Basic Bus rides. Compare this to the Tourist Pass (3-Day = S$34) to see what suits your trip.
Singapore’s MRT network connects Changi Airport (East) to Jurong (West) in ~60 mins.
💡 Singapore Public Transport Quick Tips
📱 Payment & Cards
- SimplyGo is King: Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX work instantly via SimplyGo. No top-up needed.
- Admin Fees: Foreign cards pay ~S$0.60/day. (Still cheaper than buying a S$5 EZ-Link card for short trips).
- Child Rule: Kids under 7 travel FREE.
(If child is >0.9m tall, get a free “Child Concession Card” at the ticket office).
🚇 MRT Essentials
- Hours: Trains run ~5:30 AM to ~12:00 AM (midnight). There is NO 24-hour service.
- Durian Ban: The smelly fruit is strictly banned on all trains & buses. (Fine applies).
- Charging: Do not plug into station power outlets (it’s illegal). Bring a power bank.
🚌 Bus Know-How
- Flag It Down: You MUST wave at the bus driver or they will not stop.
- Tap Twice: Tap in when boarding AND tap out when exiting. (Missing tap-out = max fare charge).
- No Change: If paying cash (rare), drivers give S$0 change.
⚠️ Strict Fines
- No Eating/Drinking: Not even a sip of water. Fine: S$500.
- No Smoking: Fine: S$1,000.
- Flammables: No fireworks or poppers allowed.
Best Transport Apps (2026)
Forget Google Maps for buses. Download Citymapper (best navigation) or the official MyTransport.SG app (shows real-time crowd levels in each train car!).
✈️ Public Transport from Changi Airport to City
🚆 MRT (Fastest/Cheapest)
Route: Take the train from Changi Airport (CG2) to Tanah Merah (EW4). You MUST get off and switch to the “City Bound” platform (Joo Koon/Tuas Link direction).
⏱️ Time: ~45 mins to City Hall
💵 Cost: ~S$2.00 (SimplyGo)
🕒 Hours: ~5:31 AM – 11:18 PM (Last train)
🚌 Public Bus (Scenic)
Bus 36/36A: The loop service that goes through Marine Parade to Orchard Rd and Dhoby Ghaut. Good if your hotel is near a bus stop.
⏱️ Time: 60–80 mins
💵 Cost: ~S$2.00 (No cash change given)
🕒 Hours: ~6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
🌙 After Midnight / Taxi
Warning: Cheap night buses are discontinued. If you land late, use a Taxi, Grab, or Private Transfer.
1. Taxi/Grab: S$30–S$50 (inc. 50% midnight surcharge).
2. Airport Shuttle: ~S$10/adult (Shared van).
🆓 Free Singapore Tour (For Transit Only)
Got a layover between 5.5 and 24 hours? Join a free 2.5-hour guided bus tour!
Do NOT clear immigration. You must stay in the Transit Area (Airside). The registration booths are strictly inside the transit zone (T2 & T3).
• City Sights: Merlion & Gardens by the Bay.
• Jewel Tour: Walking tour of the waterfall.
• Heritage Tour: Chinatown & Kampong Gelam.
You can still visit the waterfall! 🎟️ Buy Jewel Changi Attraction Tickets (Canopy Park) »
Tourist Travel Passes
🎫 Singapore Tourist Pass
The only pass with Unlimited Rides on MRT, LRT, and basic buses.
Cost (Pass + Deposit):
- 1-Day: S$20 (S$10 + S$10 Ref. Deposit)
- 2-Day: S$26 (S$16 + S$10 Ref. Deposit)
- 3-Day: S$30 (S$20 + S$10 Ref. Deposit)
(Book online, redeem voucher at Changi Arrival Hall)
💳 Your Own Bank Card
Don’t buy a pass! Just tap your Visa/Mastercard/Amex.
Cost: Pay Per Ride (Distance Based)
Avg Trip: ~S$1.50 – S$2.00
Admin Fee: ~S$0.60 / day (Foreign cards)
🖼️ EZ-Link Card
A stored-value card for those who don’t have a contactless bank card.
Purchase Price: ~S$10.00
Includes: S$5.00 Credit + S$5.00 Card Fee
Top-Up: At any 7-Eleven or Station
🛒 Where to Buy
- Changi Airport: Ticket Office (T2 & T3 MRT Station).
- City: Bugis, City Hall, Chinatown, Orchard MRT Offices.
- Online: Trip.com (Redeem Voucher at Arrival Hall).
- All MRT Passenger Service Centres.
- 7-Eleven & Cheers Stores (Everywhere).
- Vending Machines at Changi Airport.
Alternative Transport: Bikes, Boats & Sidecars
🚲 Bicycle Sharing
Singapore has 300km+ of Park Connectors (PCN). You can rent a bike using an app and drop it at designated yellow boxes.
🛵 Vespa Sidecar Tours
Since e-scooters are banned for tourists, this is the coolest legal way to zip through heritage districts like Kampong Gelam.
Why choose this?
- Unique: Ride in a vintage sidecar.
- Fast: Zip through narrow shophouse alleys.
- Instagram: The best photo ops in the city.
🚤 River Cruise & Ferries
See the skyline from the water. A “Must-Do” at sunset.
Popular Routes:
- River Cruise: 40-min loop from Clarke Quay.
- Island Ferries: To St John’s / Lazarus Island (~S$15).
⚠️ Important Safety Rules
- Park Correctly: You must scan the QR code at a “Yellow Box” parking zone to end your trip, or you will be fined S$5.
- Pedestrians First: Always give way on shared paths.
- Last Ferry: Ferries from St John’s Island stop early (around 5-6 PM). Don’t get stranded!
- Monkeys: Do not feed the macaques on the islands.
Top Scenic Transport Routes
🚌 Bus 36 (City Loop)
Route: Airport → Marine Parade → Orchard → Marina Bay
💵 Fare: ~S$2.00
✨ Highlights: East Coast Park greenery and the approach to Marina Bay Sands.
🚤 River Cruise
Route: Clarke Quay → Marina Bay (Loop)
💵 Cost: ~S$28.00
✨ Best Time: 7:30 PM (Catch the Spectra Light & Water Show from the boat).
🚡 Cable Car Sky Pass
Route: Mount Faber → Sentosa Island
💵 Cost: ~S$35.00
✨ Highlights: 360° panoramic views of the harbor and Universal Studios.
🚆 MRT (Red Line)
Scenic Stretch: Khatib ↔ Yio Chu Kang
💵 Fare: ~S$1.50
✨ Highlights: The train runs directly over the Lower Seletar Reservoir. Beautiful at sunrise.
🚌 Hop-on Hop-off
Route: 2 Lines (City & Heritage)
💵 Cost: ~S$55.00
✨ Highlights: Open-top deck views of Orchard Road, Chinatown & Little India without the walking.
Accessible Travel in Singapore
♿ Public Transport Features
🚇 MRT & LRT
- 100% Step-Free: Every single station has lifts and wide fare gates.
- Tactile Paving: Guides from street level to platform.
- Wheelchair Toilets: Available at every station.
🛗 Lift Status App
Check for lift breakdowns in real-time using the official MyTransport.SG App.
🚌 Public Buses
- 100% Accessible: All public buses are wheelchair accessible.
- Ramps: Captains will manually deploy ramps upon request.
- Blue Button: Press the blue wheelchair button at the bus stop to alert the driver you are waiting.
🚕 Wheelchair Taxis
Regular taxis can store folded wheelchairs. For motorized wheelchairs, book a “London Cab” or “Maxi Cab” via the Zig or Grab apps.
📞 Assistance Hotlines
- SMRT (Trains): 1800 336 8900
- SBS Transit: 1800 287 2727
- Trans-Cab (Wheelchair Taxis): 6555 3333
🌸 Most Accessible Attraction
Gardens by the Bay is widely rated as the most wheelchair-friendly spot in Singapore. The Cloud Forest has lift access to the mountain top and wide, flat walkways throughout.
📚 Official Resources
🟢 Last Verified: Jan 2026 – Prices and transport details are checked regularly.
This guide contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.