Public Transport in Singapore: Apps, Tickets & Tips 2026

Last updated: 2 March 2026
One of Asia's cleanest and most punctual metro systems

Singapore has a world-class public transport system built around the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and an extensive bus network. Payment is via the physical EZ-Link card or directly with a contactless bank card through SimplyGo-app. Critical tip: eating and drinking in all public transport is strictly prohibited — fines start at SGD 500. Always tap in AND out.

iOS: SimplyGo | Android: SimplyGo

Essential Info

Main App SimplyGo Multiple people No (1 person per EZ-Link or SimplyGo card) Check-in/validate NFC tap at gantry (EZ-Link, Mastercard/Visa, Apple Pay) Payment methods EZ-Link card, Mastercard/Visa contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay Fine for not tapping out Maximum fare charged; repeat offenders can be banned Fine for eating/drinking Up to SGD 500 — strictly enforced Night transport after midnight Limited (NightRider buses on weekends/PH; MRT stops ~00:00) Exit scan required? YES — always tap out at gantry Real-time info Yes (MyTransport.SG, SG Buses, Google Maps, Citymapper) Airport → Centre MRT East-West Line: ~30-35 min, SGD 1,28-2,57 (distance-based)
CRITICAL INFO FOR SINGAPORE!

1. NO EATING OR DRINKING — period! This includes water, chewing gum and sweets on MRT and buses. Fines start at SGD 500 and are actively enforced by transport staff. This is not a tourist exception.

2. ALWAYS TAP OUT! Singapore's distance-based fare system requires you to tap out at every exit gantry. Failing to do so results in the maximum fare being charged and repeated violations can lead to your card being blocked.

3. MRT closes around midnight! Unlike some cities, Singapore's MRT does not run 24 hours. Last trains are around 23:30-00:15 depending on the line. Plan your evening accordingly.

4. Taxi surcharges can be significant! Peak hour (07:30-09:30 and 17:00-20:00), midnight (00:00-05:59) and airport surcharges can add SGD 5-15 to your fare. Check the meter carefully.

5. Buses don't stop automatically — you must wave! If you're waiting at a bus stop, raise your hand clearly as the bus approaches. If you don't signal, the driver will pass you by. When exiting, always use the rear doors.

Quick Check before boarding

Which Ticket to Choose?

ROAMMATE ADVICE: For a 3-day city trip → Singapore Tourist Pass 3-day (SGD 24) for unlimited MRT and bus rides. More convenient than topping up constantly, and it pays off from the 8th ride onwards. Alternatively, SimplyGo with a contactless bank card is the most hassle-free option for short stays.
Ticket Type Price (2026) Validity When to choose?
EZ-Link Card SGD 10
(SGD 5 non-refundable fee + SGD 5 stored value)
Stored value, no expiry Longer stays or return visitors
SimplyGo (contactless) Same as EZ-Link fare
Some foreign cards add a daily admin fee (±SGD 0,30-0,50)
Per ride Convenient for short stays — check if your bank charges extra
Tourist Day Pass 1-day SGD 12 1 day unlimited MRT + bus 5+ trips in a day
Tourist Day Pass 2-day SGD 19 2 days unlimited Weekend trip
Tourist Day Pass 3-day SGD 24 3 days unlimited BEST CHOICE! Standard city trip
Single Journey (EZ-Link) SGD 1,28-2,57 (distance-based) Single trip Occasional use only
Avoid travel stress and fines. Receive a free Singapore public transport update in your inbox 2 weeks before departure.

Age Limits & Prices

Age Price Card needed?
0 years FREE No
1-6 years FREE (height under 90 cm) No
7-12 years Half adult fare Yes, Child EZ-Link Card
13-18 years (student) Concessionary fare (~SGD 0,42-0,83) Yes, Student EZ-Link Card
65+ years Concessionary fare (Singapore residents only) Yes, Senior EZ-Link Card

Tips for Families

  • Children under 90 cm travel free — no card needed. Practical for toddlers
  • The Child EZ-Link Card automatically charges the concessionary fare on all MRT and buses
  • Strollers are welcome on MRT — lifts are at every station, clearly signposted
  • Priority seating is available and must be given up for children, elderly and pregnant travellers — fines apply if you refuse
Family tip: The 3-day Tourist Pass (SGD 20 per adult) is excellent value for families with children aged 7+. Children under 90 cm travel free, making Singapore one of the most family-friendly transport cities in Asia.

🧮 Cost Estimate for a 3-day Family Trip (2 adults + 2 children aged 8 & 10)

  • Adults (2×): 2 × Tourist Pass 3-day = SGD 40 total
  • Children (2×): 2 × Child EZ-Link Card ≈ SGD 12 each (SGD 5 refundable deposit + SGD 7 value)
  • Typical child transport spending over 3 days: SGD 10-15 per child

Changi Airport (SIN) is directly connected to Singapore's MRT network via the East-West Line (EWL). It is one of the most straightforward airport-to-city connections in Asia — no dedicated express needed.

Option Time Price Frequency
MRT (East-West Line) 30-35 min to City Hall SGD 1,28-2,57 Every 5-8 min
Bus 36 ~50 min to Orchard Road SGD 2,50 Every 15-20 min
🚗 Grab / Taxi 20-40 min (traffic) SGD 20-45 Always available

MRT East-West Line (RECOMMENDED)

  • Route: Changi Airport → Tanah Merah (change) → City Hall / Raffles Place / Outram Park and beyond
  • Time: 30-35 minutes to City Hall
  • Price: SGD 1,28-2,57 depending on destination
  • Frequency: Every 5-8 minutes, 05:31 - 23:18
  • Included in: Tourist Day Pass and regular EZ-Link/SimplyGo
Pro tip: Buy your EZ-Link Card or Tourist Day Pass at the MRT station inside Changi Airport immediately after arrivals — before heading to the taxi queue. The MRT is significantly cheaper and often faster during rush hour than a taxi.

Bus 36 (Budget Alternative)

  • Route: Changi Airport → Orchard Road (passes major hotels along the way)
  • Time: ~50 minutes to Orchard Road
  • Price: SGD 2,50 (pay with EZ-Link)
  • Suitable for: Hotels along the route, no suitcases, extra time

🚗 Grab / Taxi

  • Taxi: SGD 20-45 depending on destination and time of day
  • Airport surcharge: SGD 5 (Mon-Fri 17:00-23:59), SGD 8 (peak and midnight)
  • Grab: comparable to taxi but usually slightly cheaper; pick-up at designated Terminal areas
  • Best for: Large groups, heavy luggage, late-night arrivals

When does the MRT stop?

Singapore's MRT operates until approximately 23:30-00:15 depending on the line and direction. There is no 24-hour MRT service — plan your late nights carefully.

Transport Last service First service
MRT (North-South Line) ~23:53 (from Jurong East) ~05:30
MRT (East-West Line) ~00:12 (from Changi Airport) ~05:31
Regular buses ~24:00 (most routes) ~06:00
NightRider buses (NR-prefix) Fri/Sat/PH eve: 00:00-03:00
Grab / Taxi 24/7 24/7
MRT closes — and earlier than you think!

The last MRT departures from city-centre stations can be as early as 23:30 on some lines. If you're out in Clarke Quay or Marina Bay Sands until midnight, you may already have missed the last train. Check the real-time schedule in MyTransport.SG before heading out.

NightRider Buses (NR-prefix)

NightRider buses run on Friday and Saturday nights and eves of public holidays only, from approximately midnight until 03:00. Pay with EZ-Link or SimplyGo.

Main NightRider routes for tourists:

Line Route Fare
NR1 Woodlands → Bugis → Clarke Quay → Toa Payoh SGD 4,50
NR2 Boon Lay → Jurong East → Clementi → Orchard → Bugis SGD 4,50
NR5 Clarke Quay → Outram → Queenstown → Buona Vista SGD 4,50
NR6 Shenton Way → Marina Bay → Tampines SGD 4,50
Night Transport Tip: On weeknights, budget for a Grab if you're out after midnight — it's the only reliable option. Grab fares increase with late-night surge pricing; typical Clarke Quay to Orchard is SGD 10-20. Book early in the evening to lock in a price before surge kicks in.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

Singapore has one of the best accessible public transport systems in the world. Every MRT station has lifts, all buses are low-floor, and platform screen doors on every MRT line make boarding safe and level. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) takes accessibility seriously.

MRT: Exceptionally Accessible

  • Lifts: 100% of MRT stations have lifts — no exceptions
  • Platform screen doors: On all MRT lines — level boarding, no gap
  • Tactile guidance paths: Throughout all stations
  • Wheelchair spaces: Clearly marked in every carriage
  • Ramp access: Between street level and platform at all stations
  • Real-time lift status: Check MyTransport.SG app

Buses: Fully Accessible

  • 100% of Singapore's public buses are low-floor with automatic ramps
  • Wheelchair designated spaces in every bus
  • Drivers are trained to deploy ramps and wait for passengers with mobility needs
  • Audio announcements at every stop

🛠️ Assistance & Discounts

  • Assistance Request: Call TransitLink hotline at 1800 225 5663
  • Accessibility concession: Persons with disabilities may apply for a PWD EZ-Link Card with concessionary fares
  • Guide dogs: Permitted on all MRT and buses — no prior permission needed
  • Priority seating: Strictly enforced — fines apply for non-compliance

Best Accessible Tourist Routes

1. Changi Airport → Marina Bay / Gardens by the Bay

MRT East-West Line to City Hall, then Circle Line to Bayfront — fully accessible end-to-end

2. Orchard Road (shopping)

MRT North-South Line to Orchard station — lift access, air-conditioned underground walkways connecting major malls

3. Chinatown / Little India / Arab Street

MRT North-East Line — all stations fully accessible with lifts

4. Sentosa Island

Sentosa Express monorail (accessible) or cable car — both have lift access. Sentosa's internal bus network is also fully accessible

Accessibility Tip: Singapore is arguably the most accessible major city in Asia. You can plan your entire trip using public transport without worrying about stairs. Use the MyTransport.SG app's journey planner — it automatically routes via accessible connections.

🚗 Grab (dominant ride-hailing app)

Grab is Southeast Asia's answer to Uber and is the primary ride-hailing platform in Singapore. Also works for food delivery and grocery orders.

  • GrabCar: Standard car — SGD 8-20 for typical city trips
  • GrabShare: Carpooling — 20-30% cheaper
  • GrabMini: Budget option for short distances
  • Surge pricing: Applies during rush hours (07:30-09:00, 17:00-20:00) and rain

🚗 Gojek (Grab Alternative)

  • Available in Singapore as a Grab competitor
  • Often cheaper during Grab surge periods — worth comparing
  • Download the Gojek app as a backup

Bicycle Sharing

  • SG Bike: SGD 0,50 unlock + SGD 0,50-1,00/30 min — docked stations islandwide
  • Anywheel: SGD 1,00 unlock + SGD 0,05/min — dockless
  • Best for: Park Connector Network (PCN) routes, East Coast Park, Sentosa
  • Cycling on roads in the city centre is possible but not always comfortable — many dedicated paths exist in parks and residential areas

E-scooters

  • Neuron Mobility: Available in selected areas — SGD 1,00 unlock + SGD 0,25/min
  • IMPORTANT: E-scooters and e-bikes are BANNED on footpaths since 2019. Only permitted on cycling paths and Park Connector Networks
  • Heavy fines (up to SGD 2,000) for illegal use on footpaths — strictly enforced

BlueSG (Electric Car Sharing)

  • Electric car-sharing network — SGD 33/month membership, then SGD 0,33/min
  • Pick-up and drop-off at charging stations across Singapore
  • Best for longer trips or carrying large items
Transport Tip: Download both Grab and Gojek — compare prices when you need a ride, especially during surge. For daytime sightseeing, the MRT covers virtually everything at a fraction of the cost. Grab becomes essential after the MRT closes at midnight.

Singapore has excellent 5G coverage across the entire island, including MRT tunnels. Free WiFi (Wireless@SG) is available at all MRT stations, Changi Airport and most public spaces. An eSIM ensures you're connected from the moment you land.

Roammate Tip
Airalo eSIM From $4,50

Best choice for most travellers. Excellent 5G coverage throughout Singapore. Regional plans also cover nearby Malaysia and Indonesia.

1GB / 3GB / 5GB Instant setup 5G Support
View Airalo Deals →
Firsty (Free Backup) Free / Paid

The perfect safety net. Get free basic data for essential apps like WhatsApp or Google Maps — no credit card needed.

Free basic data No credit card needed
Try Firsty for Free →
Holafly (Unlimited) From €19,00

For heavy data users. Unlimited data with no throttling — ideal for navigating, streaming and video calls throughout Singapore.

Unlimited Data Keep WhatsApp
Get Unlimited Data →
Singapore tip: Free Wireless@SG WiFi is available at all MRT stations, so you're rarely without connection. That said, activate your eSIM at home — the Changi Airport WiFi is fast enough for installation if you forgot.

Singapore's compact size means you rarely need luggage storage for more than a few hours. Still, if you have an early checkout or late flight, these options have you covered.

Most Locations
Bounce Luggage Storage Typically €5,00/day

Store your bags with vetted local shops and hotels. Good coverage around Marina Bay, Orchard Road and Chinatown.

$10,000 Protection Free Cancellation Vetted locations
Find Storage Near Me →
Stasher Typically €6,00/day

Premium storage via vetted hotels and businesses. Fully insured and ideal for valuables.

Fully Insured Vetted hosts
Book Storage with Stasher →

Changi Airport Baggage Storage

Changi Airport offers excellent baggage storage in all terminals, operated by Ambassador Transit.

  • Price: approximately SGD 7-10 per day depending on bag size
  • Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Note: Best for early departures or late arrivals — very reliable
Roammate Advice: Most Singapore hotels offer free luggage storage after checkout — always ask the front desk. For airport-day logistics, Changi's own storage service is excellent and strategically placed near arrival and departure halls.