Transportation

Transportation in Singapore

Singapore's public transport is world-class—clean, efficient, air-conditioned, and affordable. Most expats don't need (or want) a car.

MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)

The MRT is the backbone of Singapore's transport:

• 6 lines: North-South, East-West, Circle, Downtown, Thomson-East Coast, North-East
• 160+ stations covering most of the island
• Operating hours: 5:30am - 12:00am (extended on some holidays)
• Frequency: Every 2-3 minutes (peak), 5-7 minutes (off-peak)
• Cost: S$0.92-2.50 per trip depending on distance

2026 Expansions:

• Cross-border RTS to Johor Bahru (end 2026)
• Downtown Line extension to Sungei Bedok
• Jurong Region Line (opening from 2027-2029)

Buses

Comprehensive bus network complements MRT:

• Operators: SBS Transit and SMRT
• Hours: ~5:30am - 12:00am
• Cost: S$0.92-2.50 per trip
• Night buses: Selected routes (NightRider) run after MRT closes

Payment Methods

EZ-Link Card: Standard stored-value card. Buy at MRT stations, 7-Eleven. S$12 (S$5 non-refundable, S$7 stored value). Top up at machines or via app.

SimplyGo: Use contactless credit/debit card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) directly. No registration needed—just tap.

Singapore Tourist Pass: Unlimited travel for 1-3 days. Good value for tourists.

Taxis & Ride-Hailing

Grab: Dominant ride-hailing app (like Uber). Most expats use daily.

• GrabCar: Standard car
• GrabShare: Shared rides, cheaper
• JustGrab: Any available taxi or car

Gojek: Competitor to Grab, sometimes cheaper

Taxis: ComfortDelGro, SMRT Taxis. Can hail or use app. Metered fares + surcharges (peak hours, CBD, night).

Typical costs:

• Short ride (5km): S$8-15
• Airport to city: S$25-40

Why Not to Own a Car

Singapore deliberately makes car ownership expensive:

COE (Certificate of Entitlement): Right to own a car for 10 years. Current prices: S$80,000-110,000+ just for the certificate!

Total cost of car ownership:

• Small car (new): S$120,000-180,000
• Insurance: S$1,500-3,000/year
• Road tax: S$500-1,500/year
• Parking: S$100-500/month
• Petrol: S$200-400/month
• ERP (Electronic Road Pricing): Variable

Bottom line: A basic car costs S$150,000+ to own for 10 years, not counting running costs. Most expats don't bother.

Cycling

Growing infrastructure for cyclists:

• Dedicated cycling paths (Park Connector Network)
• Bike-sharing: Anywheel, SG Bike (dockless)
• Some areas more bike-friendly (East Coast, Punggol)
• Heat and rain make cycling challenging for commuting

Getting Around Tips

Apps to download:

• MyTransport.SG: Official app with live bus/MRT timings
• Google Maps: Reliable for routing
• Grab: Essential for ride-hailing
• Citymapper: Good alternative for transit planning

From the Airport

Changi Airport is well-connected:

• MRT: East-West Line to city (~45 mins, S$2.50)
• Bus: Various routes
• Taxi/Grab: S$25-40 to city center (30-45 mins)
• Airport Shuttle: S$10 to hotels

Etiquette

• Queue orderly for MRT/bus
• Let passengers alight before boarding
• Give up priority seats to those in need
• No eating or drinking on MRT/bus (S$500 fine)
• Keep right on escalators, walk on left