🚀 Singapore Transport Guide 2025: Move Like a Local

🛬 Just Landed at Changi Airport? Here’s Your Step-by-Step Arrival Guide

Congrats — you’ve landed in one of the world’s best airports. But now what? Don’t panic. Here’s exactly what to do, in order.

1. 📲 Get Connected (Before Baggage Claim):
   Head to the Singtel, StarHub, or M1 counters in T1, T2, or T3. Grab a local SIM or pocket Wi-Fi. Or better — buy an eSIM before landing so your phone works the second you land.
2. 🛅 Collect Your Bags & Clear Immigration:
   Follow signs to baggage claim, then immigration. Have your passport, SG Arrival Card (if required), and hotel address ready.
3. 🚌 Choose Your Ride to Town:
   Pro tip: Skip the taxi queue unless you’re late or with a group.
   • 🚇 MRT (Cheapest): From T2/T3, take the East-West Line to City Hall (~25 mins, $2.50). No need to go outside — just follow signs.
   • 🚍 Free Shuttle to Expo MRT: Take the free SBS Bus 24 or 110 from Changi to Expo MRT, then hop on the train. Saves $10+ vs taxi.
   • 🚕 Grab/Taxi (Easiest): Use Grab app for fixed pricing. Taxis are metered. Both go door-to-door.
   • 🏨 Hotel Shuttle (Free if Available): Some hotels (like Crowne Plaza) offer free pickups. Check when booking.
   • 🚎 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Not directly from airport. But you can book a private transfer via Klook that includes a HOHO ticket.
4. 🔁 Moving Between Terminals?
   
   • ✈️ SkyTrain (AirTrain): Free, air-conditioned train connecting T1, T2, and T3. Runs 24/7.
   • 🚇 Free MRT Walk: You can walk from T2 to T3 via the MRT station — no fare if you don’t exit the gate.
   • 🚌 Terminal 4: No MRT. Take the free shuttle to T2/T3, then use MRT.

My rule: If you're staying near town, take the MRT. It’s clean, fast, and saves you $20+.

🚇 MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)

The backbone of Singapore’s transport. Fast, clean, and connects everywhere.

MRT Lines & Colors (2025):

• 🔴 North-South Line (NS): Red. Key stops: Marina Bay, Raffles Place, City Hall, Dhoby Ghaut, Orchard, Novena, Woodlands.
• 🟢 East-West Line (EW): Green. Key stops: Changi Airport, Tanah Merah, Tampines, Paya Lebar, Bugis, City Hall, Raffles Place, HarbourFront.
• 🟣 North-East Line (NE): Purple. Key stops: HarbourFront, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Little India, Boon Keng, Punggol.
• 🟠 Circle Line (CC): Orange. Key stops: HarbourFront, Buona Vista, Botanic Gardens, Bishan, Dhoby Ghaut.
• 🔵 Downtown Line (DT): Blue. Key stops: Bukit Panjang, Botanic Gardens, Little India, Chinatown, Promenade, Bayfront.
• 🟤 Thomson-East Coast Line (TE): Brown. Key stops: Woodlands, Caldecott, Stevens, Orchard, Great World, Marina Bay, Marine Parade, Bedok South.

Fare: $0.80 – $3.00 (distance-based)

Operating Hours: 5:30 AM – 12:30 AM (Fri/Sat: up to 2 AM)

Frequency: Every 2–5 mins (peak), 5–10 mins (off-peak)

Transfers: Most are underground and signposted. Use Google Maps — it shows you the exact path (even which escalator).

Local Hack: At City Hall, transfer between NS and EW lines via the underground link — faster than going outside. Look for signs to “Esplanade” or “Raffles City”.

Don’t Tap Twice: If your EZ-Link beeps red, don’t tap again. Just walk to the wide gate for manual check.

Download the Official MRT Map:
Get the latest PDF from LTA: LTA Official MRT & LRT Map.
Or save it offline in Google Maps — search “Singapore MRT” → Download area.

🧭 How to Reach Key Areas

• 📍 Chinatown: Take East-West Line to Tanjong Pagar or Downtown Line to Chinatown Station.
• 📍 Orchard Road: Take North-South Line to Orchard Station — exit directly into malls.
• 📍 Marina Bay: Take Circle Line to Marina Bay Station or Downtown Line to Bayfront (for ArtScience Museum).
• 📍 Sentosa: Take MRT to HarbourFront, then walk to VivoCity, take the Sentosa Express or cable car.
• 📍 Little India: Take North-East Line to Little India Station or Downtown Line to Rochor.

🚌 Bus

Great for short distances, scenic routes, and reaching places MRT can’t.

• Fare: $0.80 – $2.50
• Real-Time Tracking: Use TransitLink App or Google Maps — both show live bus locations.
• Boarding: Tap your EZ-Link when you get on
• Alighting: Tap again when you get off (distance-based pricing)
• Frequency: Every 5–15 mins on major routes, 15–30 mins on less busy ones.

Local Hack: Some buses (like 124, 131) go through hawker centres. Use them to reach hidden food spots.

Free City Loop: Route 97 runs from Raffles Place to Marina Bay Sands and back — perfect for quick city views.

No Cash? No problem — just tap your Visa/Mastercard contactless card. Works on all buses and MRT.

🚕 Taxi & Ride-Hailing (Grab, Gojek, Comfort & More)

Comfortable, but pricier. Best for late nights, bad weather, or group travel. But don’t just open Grab — **use multiple apps** to compare prices and avoid surge.

• Starting Fare: ~$3.50 (metered taxis), varies for ride-hailing
• Providers:
  • Grab: Most popular. Offers GrabCar, GrabShare, GrabTaxi (metered), and GrabBike (scooter rentals, not motorbike taxis).
  • Gojek: Often cheaper than Grab. Offers GoCar, GoRide (e-scooter rental), and food delivery.
  • ComfortDelGro (CDG): Traditional taxi company. Use their app to book metered taxis or private hires (ComfortTrans).
  • CDG Premier: Premium service with newer cars. Slightly higher base fare.
  • Strides: Formerly SMRT Taxis. Reliable, good app, integrates with public transport data.
  • TADA: Budget-friendly, no surge pricing. Great for short trips.
• No Motorbike Taxis: Unlike other Southeast Asian cities, Singapore does NOT have motorbike taxis (e.g., GrabBike for passengers). “GrabBike” here is for scooter rentals only.
• ERP Charges: Taxis pay these — you don’t get charged extra for entering ERP zones.
• Tipping: Not expected. Rounding up is polite but not required.
• Surge Pricing: High during rain, peak hours (7:30–9:30 AM, 5:30–7:30 PM), and events. Compare Grab, Gojek, and TADA before booking.

Local Hack: In heavy rain, use Gojek or TADA — they’re often cheaper than Grab during surge. And always confirm the pickup point. Some drivers go to the wrong terminal at Changi.

🚶 Walking & 🚴 Cycling

Singapore is very walkable — and the cycling paths are growing fast.

• Footpaths: Covered, wide, and well-lit
• Cycling Paths: Over 400km island-wide. Use LTA’s OneMap to find routes
• Bike Rentals: SG Bike, Anywheel — dockless, pay per minute
• Helmet Rule: Not required, but recommended for longer rides

Local Hack: Walk from Clarke Quay to Robertson Quay at night — the lights are Instagram gold.

🚗 Self-Drive & Car Rentals

Want flexibility? You can rent a car or use EV-sharing services. But be warned: traffic, ERP tolls, and parking can make it stressful — especially in the city.

🚘 Traditional Car Rentals

• Rental Cost: $80–$150/day (manual or automatic)
• Providers:
  • Avis, Hertz, Klook Car Rental
  • Pickup at Changi Airport — book online to skip the counter.
• International License: Valid for 12 months. If your license isn’t in English, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• ERP (Electronic Road Pricing): Tolls apply during peak hours (7:30–9:30 AM, 5:30–7:30 PM). Rental cars come with an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) — you’ll be billed later.
• Parking: HDB lots are cheap ($1–$2/hour), but CBD is expensive ($4–$8/hour). Use Parking.sg app to pay for on-street parking.

🔋 EV-Sharing: BlueSG & REV

No long-term commitment. Rent by the hour — perfect for day trips to East Coast, Sentosa, or Johor Bahru.

• BlueSG: Largest EV-sharing network. Over 2,000 charging stations island-wide.
• How it works: Download the app, register, book a car near you. Unlock via app. Return to any BlueSG station.
• Cost: ~$8–$12/hour (includes electricity and ERP). No fuel costs.
• Range: ~150–200km per charge — enough for a full day of driving.
• REV: Smaller network, but newer cars. Use the REV app to book.

⛽ Petrol Stations in Singapore

Most are operated by SPC, Shell, Caltex, and ExxonMobil. Prices vary slightly.

• Price (as of 2025): ~$2.80–$3.20 per litre (95 RON)
• 24/7 Stations: Most SPC and Shell stations at expressway exits (e.g., near PIE, ECP) are open 24/7.
• Payment: Cash, NETS, credit card. Some accept Apple/Google Pay.
• Top Tip: Fill up before leaving the city — prices are slightly lower at suburban stations.

🔌 EV Charging Stations

Singapore is rapidly expanding its EV charging network. Most public chargers use the **Type 2** or **CCS2** standard.

• ChargeSG Network: Government-backed. Over 3,000 charging points at HDB carparks, malls, and government buildings.
• How to Charge: Use the ChargeSG app or RFID card to start charging. Pay via credit card.
• Cost: ~$0.60–$0.80 per kWh. Faster at dedicated EV hubs.
• PlugShare App: Use PlugShare to find real-time availability, user reviews, and photos of chargers.
• Fast Charging: Available at malls like Vivocity, Plaza Singapura, and Westgate. 30–45 mins for 80% charge.

ERP Hack: Avoid driving into the city between 7:30–9:30 AM — ERP rates spike. Use the MyTransport.SG app to check real-time ERP charges.

Pro Tip: Only rent if you're leaving the city (e.g., to Johor). Inside SG? MRT wins.

🎫 Tours & Airport Transfers: Book Smart, See More

If you want zero stress — whether it’s your first day or your last — pre-booking tours and transfers is a smart move. From airport pickups to full-day adventures, here’s how to plan ahead with confidence.

🛬 Airport Transfers (Pre-Booked & Fixed Rates)

No haggling, no surprise charges. Book in advance for peace of mind.

• Klook Airport Transfers: Fixed-price rides from Changi to hotels. Options: private car, shared shuttle, luxury sedan. From $25–$45.
• Grab: Real-time pricing. Often cheaper than taxis. Use “GrabCar” or “GrabPremium” for comfort.
• Hotel Shuttles: Some hotels (e.g., Crowne Plaza, Grand Park) offer free or paid airport pickups. Check when booking.

🚶‍♂️ Local Walking & Personal Tours (In-City Exploration)

Go beyond the guidebooks with tours led by real Singaporeans who love their city.

• Withlocals: Personalized food, culture, and hidden-gem tours by residents. Great for solo travelers or small groups. ~$60–$120 for 4 hours.
• WalkScape: Heritage and urban design walks. Focus on history, architecture, and storytelling. From $50/person.
• Taste of Cruise: Food-focused walking tours in Chinatown, Little India, and Geylang. Includes tastings. ~$80 for 3 hours.
• Free Walking Tours: Tip-based tours by passionate locals. Check Singapore Free Walking Tours for schedules.

🚌 Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Sightseeing Tours

Perfect for first-timers who want to see the highlights without planning.

• Klook Hop-On Hop-Off Bus: Open-top double-decker with 3 routes (City, Night, Sentosa). Includes commentary and discounts. From $35 (1-day pass).
• Singapore City Tours: Official sightseeing operator. Offers combo deals with attractions. Book here.
• Pelago: Flexible booking for HOHO, river cruises, and combo passes. Often cheaper than on-site. Check deals.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Group & Private Tours (Custom Itineraries)

Ideal for families, corporate groups, or special occasions. Fully customizable.

• Klook Private Tours: Hire a guide for 4–8 hours. Options: food trails, cultural walks, photography tours. From $200.
• Pelago Group Bookings: Book for 5+ people. Great for team events or family trips.
• SGInsider Tours: Small-group themed tours (e.g., Peranakan culture, street art). Check schedule.
• Nam Ho Travel: Established agency for local tours. Great for families and groups.
• Chow Tai Fook Travel: Luxury outbound tours with premium service.
• Pro Tip: Use Klook or Pelago for **in-Singapore** experiences. Use NamHoe or CWT for **regional holidays**.

💡 Bro Tip: Book tours 3–7 days in advance for best availability. Use Klook or Pelago for instant e-vouchers — no printing needed. And always check reviews!