Singapore’s Public Transport and City Travel : A Guide for Indian travellers

The majestic country of Singapore has become a prominent tourism hotspot in Southeast Asia in recent years, thanks to its unique culture, numerous tourist attractions and easy accessibility. You can find everything you need to know about transportation and city rides in Singapore on this page.

Best way to reach Singapore

Did you know:

• If you are a transfer or transit passenger at Changi Airport and have a layover period between 5.5 to 24 hours, you are eligible for a free 2.5 hours guided tour of Singapore. You can choose from three bus tour options, with each featuring two short halts at renowned landmarks for pictures. There is also a walking tour option that is based on the Jewel Changi Airport. The free Singapore tour booths are within the transit arena, namely at T2 near Gate F50 and T3 near Gate A1-A8.

Individuals interested in visiting Singapore will first have to decide on their mode of transport. Here are some ways you can reach this country;

• By air: Singapore has a well-established air network that connects it to major parts of the world. The most popular airport in the country is Changi Airport, which has won the award of the world's best airport multiple times. From this airport, you can have easy access to the main city.
  A travel tip: The Changi Airport is equipped with advanced technology and equipment which makes the chance of facing delays or diversion issues very rare. So, consider scheduling your flight to and from this airport.
• By road: There's no direct road transport route between Singapore and India. Individuals interested in travelling to this city-state by road can rent a taxi from Johar Bahru, Malaysia, and complete their journey within 2 hours. Besides taxi, bus services from Malaysia also links travellers to Singapore.
  A travel tip: If you want to travel to Singapore by road from Malaysia, consider the regular bus services offered by Causeway Link and SBS. Do note that travellers and their luggage will have to pass through mandatory passport control and customs before boarding the following bus, which will take an extra hour or so.
• By water: The number of passenger cruise lines that Singapore has been receiving is only growing in numbers with each passing day. Passenger ferry services from Malaysia and Indonesia are some of the most popular ways to reach this city-state. Though not readily available, you can also take a cruise from India to Singapore.

Best transport options from the airports in Singapore

Did you know:

• If you are flying to Changi Airport, you can find bus stops at the basement bus bays outside Terminals 1,2 and 3. If you are in Terminal 4, look for the bus stop right next to “Car Park 4B”.

• When opting for public transport, note that an admin fee will be applied if you are using foreign-issued bank cards for payment.

• The travel fare for City Shuttle at Changi Airport to selected downtown areas is 10 SGD for adults. However, for children below the age of 12, the fare is just 7 SGD.

If you are visiting Singapore by flight, here are the transport options you can expect to see from the airport;

• Public bus: After exiting the airport, you can get access to public buses, which will take you to your destination for cheap. Also, the buses in Singapore are quite punctual and comfortable to ride in.
• Train: Train is another great way to reach your desired destination from the airport in Singapore. For example, you can take the train to Tanah Merah MRT Station (EW4) from Changi Airport MRT Station (CG2) and then switch to the East-West Line towards Tuas Link MRT Station (EW33) in order to reach the city.
  A travel tip: If you want to get to Pasir Ris from Changi Airport, hop on a train bound for EW4 from CG2. Then, switch to the East-West Line towards EW1, which is the Pasir Ris MRT Station.
• Taxi: You can easily hire a private cab for your ground transport after landing at the airport in Singapore. Though expensive, you can ride comfortably in a taxi and reach your desired location within the city in minutes. On average, the taxi fare from Changi Airport to the city is between 20 to 40 SGD.
  A travel tip: Depending on the time you opt for taxi travel, you may have to pay an additional surcharge associated with every trip originating from the airport. Generally, it's an extra 8 SGD between Mon-Sun from 5 PM to 11:59 PM and 6 SGD for all other times.
• Airport transfer: At Changi Airport, you can avail of the airport transfer facility to reach your destination. The service is also known as 24-hour Ground Transport Concierges (GTC), and you can book your ride via the iChangi app or via one of the GTC counters at T1, T2, T3 and T4. Remember, Travel Insurance for Singapore is vital to cover emergencies like lost wallets or delayed flights during your journey.

Best way to travel within Singapore/ Types of transport available

Did you know?

• The EZ-Link card is a contactless stored-value card that you can use for public transit, such as buses, LRT, MRT, etc. It costs around $10, and you can get it from SimplyGo Ticket Offices, 7-Eleven, Concession Card Replacement Offices, etc.

Here are the transport methods you can opt for to travel within Singapore;

• Local bus: Singapore's bus network is one of the main pillars of its local transport. Serving millions of passengers every day, it features around 300 scheduled bus services operating in and around the city-state. It is a reliable and cheap way to travel within Singapore for tourists.
• Cabs: If you want a comfortable way of getting around Singapore, consider cabs. They are widely available across the city-state and have a reasonable price tag for their services.
  A travel tip: Singapore is a small city-state, and its two airports, i.e., Changi Airport and Seletar Airport, are just 20 kilometres away from each other. Hence, there are no domestic flights in the country, and you can reach most tourist focussed destinations by road or water just as quickly.
• Train: Singapore's train network comprises the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). They feature an extensive rail network, connecting millions of passengers to most major and minor parts of the city-state.
  A travel tip: Besides tourists, sometimes even the locals confuse the Circle MRT Line to be yellow in colour. It is, in fact, coloured orange and has 30 stations, including stops like Stadium, Esplanade, Paya Lebar, Nicoll Highway, etc.
• Other ways: Singapore is a very pedestrian-friendly city, and due to the close proximity of most tourist attractions, exploring the region on foot is a popular choice. Otherwise, you can rent a bicycle and explore the city, thanks to its well-maintained bike trails.

Things to consider when choosing transport options in Singapore

Did you know:

• There are tons of renowned ride-hailing apps in Singapore that you can use to get to your desired location within the city-state. For example, consider options like Grab, Gojek, TADA, Ryde, CDG Zig, etc.

• During busy hours in Singapore, it can take anywhere between 4 to 14 minutes for your ride to arrive and pick you up.

Here's what you need to consider when choosing transport options in Singapore;

• Destination: While you can reach most places easily by train or bus, you may have to opt for taxis to get to certain locations. So, opt for the transport mode after considering the destination to make your journey convenient.
• Time: Travel duration matters a lot, especially if you are visiting Singapore for a short vacation. So, when selecting a transport mode, consider which travel mode can help you reach your destination in the least time.
  A travel tip: The peak traffic hour in some parts of Singapore is between 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Try to plan your journey outside of these hours, or be ready to add a few extra minutes to your trip time.
• Budget: Travelling by local transport in Singapore is quite pocket-friendly, even if you opt for private transport over public transport. Still, travelling by taxi, rental cars, etc., can put a dent in your trip budget, so consider the fare at the time of choosing transport.
• Comfort: If you are carrying heavy luggage or travelling with kids or the elderly, you might want to go for comfort when choosing a transport option in Singapore. You can opt for cabs or online private ride-hailing services for this.

Tips for travelling within Singapore

Did you know?

• Make sure to prepare the exact fare for your bus ride because you may not receive any change. Besides cash, the payment modes accepted by Singapore public transport include mobile wallets, NETS FlashPay cards, contactless Mastercard/NETS/ Visa bank cards, etc.

First-time travellers visiting Singapore can follow these tips while travelling within the city-state:

• Be punctual: The public transport network in Singapore works like clockwork most of the time. So, be punctual if you don't want to miss your ride. However, in case you miss one, let's say a bus or train, you can just wait 5-7 minutes until the next one arrives.
  A travel tip: The MRT fare is based on the total distance covered. If you are unfamiliar with the cost, you can use the Fare Calculator by Singapore's LTA to estimate your train fare between stops.
• Travel light: Keep your luggage weight as minimum as possible when travelling in Singapore. It will help enhance your travel experience when using public transport in the city-state.
  A travel tip: For detailed real-time information on trains, buses and other public transports in Singapore, consider downloading a regional app, like the SMRTConnect on iOS and Android.
• Carry essentials: There's no need to carry your original passport when getting around Singapore. You can, however, maintain a photocopy of your passport as a form of ID.

How to save money when travelling within Singapore?

These are some tips that will help you save money on your Singapore trip:

• By going for an early ride on the Singapore MRT, you can save some money on your train fare. For example, if you choose to travel on the MRT before 7:45 AM on weekdays, you can get a 50-cent discount on your train fare.
• A few credit cards can earn you some rebates when you use them for public transport. Some examples include Maybank Family & Friends Credit Card and DBS Live Fresh Card.
• Try bus or car-pooling transport options in Singapore to travel to your desired location for cheap. Some examples of such services are GrabShuttle, GrabHitch, Ryde, Beeline and ShareTransport.sg.
• Grab a Singapore Tourist Pass that offers individuals unlimited public transport travel to a certain extent for a specified duration. It includes services like LRT, MRT and buses and is a great value-for-money option.
• Avoid taxis from Changi Airport during midnight (12:00 AM-6:00 AM) and peak hour because the surcharge ranges around 50% and 25% of the final metered fare, respectively.

Conclusion

This concludes all the necessary information you would need to know about transportation and city rides in Singapore. If you are planning your foreign vacation to this city-state, consider doing your own research on the matter and stay informed about the local fares and conditions of public transportation. Also, it is advised to invest in a Travel insurance for Singapore to cover any unforeseen emergencies like lost wallets or medical expenses. In today’s age, getting travel insurance online is quicker than ever, which is why having an international travel insurance is not just easy, but crucial.

FAQs

1) Does Uber work in Singapore?

No, Uber doesn't work in Singapore. However, there are some other ride-hailing apps that you can consider during your visit, such as Grab, TADA, Ryde, etc.

2) Where can I find the timings of the bus and MRT in Singapore?

You can easily find real-time details of bus and MRT timings in Singapore directly on your phone by downloading the Singabus app.

3) How can I reach Changi Airport?

Hop on the train and ride to Tanag Merah Interchange (EW4). You can then switch to a train directly linking to Changi Airport (CG2).

4) Is there a location-based taxi surcharge in Singapore?

Yes, there are a few places where you will have to pay a location-based taxi surcharge in Singapore. A popular example is the Central Business District between 5 PM to 11:59 PM, costing you a surcharge of 3 SGD.

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