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Travel in Singapore can be very flexible.
If you want to use public transportation, it is best to get either the ez-link card or Singapore Tourist Pass.
A word about ez-link card here. Ez-link is a contactless smart card that allows you to use bus, MRT and LRT in seconds. You can just tap and enter the bus or MRT. Not only does this let you use public transport, you can also use ez-link to pay for taxis or to make payments in some shops such as 7-Eleven. Once you buy your ez-link card, you can use the credit at any of the locations and services listed on this page. Make sure to tap your ez-link card on the designated card reader until you hear a ‘beep’ sound.
The Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) is a special ez-link card that offers tourist unlimited travel on Singapore’s basic bus services, MRT and LRT trains for the duration that it is valid.
If your short is less than a week then it's best to use the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) as you get the deposit back. If your stay is longer than a week,then it's worth buying an ez-link card.
As a tourist, you can use either the ez-link card or the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP).
With the STP, you can now do the doctors' rounds and take in the sights and sounds of Singapore in the comfort of the island’s extensive train system and public bus network.
For transportation to and from the airport you can use:
- Buses: SMRT and SBS bus services are convenient, cheap and frequent.
- Taxis - relatively affordable in Singapore. Base fare is 2.80 to 3.00 SD. If you have a lot of luggage while leaving or while arriving in Singapore,then you can use the maxi cab (Limo 7-seater).
- The MRT - the subway system in Singapore. It has three main lines-green, red and purple. A circle line connecting these three routes is upcoming.
- Airport Shuttles - which can be found in the arrival terminal.
- Limousines - these can also be booked at the arrival terminal.
- Crowd sourced options like Grab, Ryde and Filo. Uber no longer operates in Singapore
1. Taxis
a) Hailing a taxi
For travel within Singapore, taxis maybe the most convenient method if you are feeling unwell.There is a taxi stand in each hospital & mall where you have to queue up for taxi. During peak hours, or when it’s pouring , it’s best to call a taxi on the phone or via an app – it’s worth the call-out fee which is roughly around S$2.3-S$3.5.
b)Contact numbers for calling a taxi
You may call in the following phone numbers to request for a taxi:
- Common Hotline – 6342 5222 (6-DIAL-CAB)
- Comfort & CityCab – 6552 1111.
- Premier Taxis – 6363 6888.
- Prime Taxi – 6778 0808.
- SMRT Taxis – 6555 8888.
- Trans-Cab Services – 6555 3333.
- Yellow-Top Taxi – 6293 5545
Downloading an app like ComfortDelGro is advisable as it shows you the current taxi location and approximate fare. It also gets you a taxi faster as phone lines are often busy.
c) Peak Hours of Taxi
In addition to the metered fare, you are charged extra for peak hours. The peak hours & charges are :
Midnight surcharge Additional
Midnight to 5.59am
50% of metered fare
Applicable at the time of boarding.
Peak hour surchargeAdditional
Mon – Fri: 6.00am to 9.30am
25% of metered fare
Mon – Sun & Public Holidays: 6.00pm to midnight
25% of metered fare
Applicable at the time of boarding.
d) Taxi Apps to download
Downloading taxi apps is recommended because it is faster and you can track the taxi and have information such as the taxi driver's phone number handy.
You can download the one or more of the following apps depending on which taxi you decide to use :
- Comfort Delgro
- Grab
- Ryde-Ride Hailing
2)Public Transport
The public transport system in Singapore is very good with an extensive network of trains (MRT and LRT) and buses (run by two companies SBS and SMRT).
A map of the train system can be found here (http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/network_map.asp).
For maps of the bus services please visit their websites.
A.Buses
Most Singapore buses are wheel-chair accessible and all are air-conditioned,spacious and comfortable. As mentioned before,it is best to get the ez-link card because buses do not accept notes and it is really cumbersome to hunt for coins in your wallet. For details on the bus route when you are travelling to a destination,it is a great idea to use an app like
B. MRT
The London Mayor Boris Johnson rode the MRT in 2014 on his way to meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and he was so impressed that he called the MRT "Singapore's gleaming tube" .
In general, Singapore MRT is quite an efficient system and commuters are courteous. As mentioned before it has three main lines :red,green and purple and the yellow circle line and blue line supplement the main three lines. Click here for a schematic map of Singapore MRT https://mrt.sg/map/schematic.
Singapore's MRT is wheelchair friendly but it can be difficult to manoeuvre yourself inside the MRT during the rush hours which are :
AM rush hour: 7:30am to 9:30am
PM rush hour: 5pm to 8pm
Additional Tips
*Singapore can be subject to sudden showers. It is a good idea to have a umbrella handy, if not for the rain, then for the sunshine.
*It is easy to get dehydrated in Singapore so remember to drink a lot of water.
*Please remember to pack comfortable shoes if you are planning to use public transport
For traveling around Singapore, directions are always useful. Try the following websites:
Google Sites
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