The Lion City’s public transportation system is highly regarded as one of the best and most efficient in the world. Owing to the country’s great optimisation of its road network, it’s hard to miss out on using the trains and buses to get around. 

First time in Singapore? Use this Singapore public transportation guide as a cheat sheet to get around the city like a local!

About Singapore’s Public Transit System

Singapore’s public transit system comprises the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), public bus systems, and taxis. All these public transportation networks are regulated by the Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA).  

Almost all modes of public transportation in Singapore serve the whole main island. 

According to Statista, over 6.3 million Singaporeans use some form of public transportation in Singapore, with 2.7 million of them using the MRT daily. 

Despite the number, the most popular mode of transportation around the city is still the bus network, with an average of over 3 million daily passengers in 2022 alone. 

Taxis are also popular among passengers who prefer comfort and space when travelling to and from areas in Singapore. They are particularly common for tourists getting to and from the Singapore Changi Airport, hotels, and shopping centres. 

The EZ Link Card and Singapore Tourist Pass

As of March 2022, the LTA has suspended one-way tickets to any station in Singapore. Therefore, passengers (local and foreign) must secure an EZ-Link Card or Singapore Tourist Pass to top up and pay for train and bus fares. 

The EZ-Link Card is an account-based stored value card that Singaporeans use to pay for public transport.  

Fares are calculated based on the distance between one station to another. 

With the EZ-Link Card, passengers can store money, top-up their balance remotely through the EZ-Link App and pay for fares. 

The Singapore Tourist Pass, on the other hand, grants tourists one to three days of unlimited rides on all modes of public transport (except taxis and Sentosa Express) for a fixed fee. 

Tourists can use this pass as much as they like, so long as the pass hasn’t expired. Refer to the chart below for rates and pass info:

MRT and LRT

In Singapore, there are about 140 MRT stations and 40 LRT stations in the Rail Network. For the MRT system, six lines serve the island while the LRT system has three. 

Both rail networks are run by the SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit and operate daily from 5:00 am to 12:00 am. 

MRT Lines and Stations

LRT Lines and Stations

Ticket Fees

While single-trip tickets have been phased out in Singapore, people with EZ-Link Cards pay a minimum of $0.99 for a ride in the MRT or LRT. As fares are based on distance, the average rate per kilometre is $0.08. 

If you take the MRT or LRT before 7:45 am, however, the starting fare lowers to $0.49. 

Bus

Singapore’s Bus Network comprises five different types of bus services, all of which serve specific purposes for public transport around the city. These are the Trunk, Feeder, Premium, City Direct, and Shuttle Bus services. 

The Bus Network is operated by SMRT Buses, SBS Transit, Tower Transit Singapore, and most recently, Go-Ahead Singapore. All bus services follow the LTA’s Bus Contracting Model, which groups them into bus packages.  

Trunk and Feeder Buses

The Trunk and Feeder Bus Services are the most common service types in Singapore and mainly take passengers to and from towns and between neighbourhoods and MRT stations. 

The Feeder Bus, in particular, takes passengers to different housing and industrial areas in the city from MRT stations and bus interchanges. 

Premium and City Direct Buses

The Premium Bus Service mainly serves passengers heading to the Central Business District or industrial parks from various residential areas in Singapore. 

On the other hand, the City Direct Bus takes passengers mainly to the Central Business District only. 

A notable trait of the two bus services is that they only serve passengers during peak hours (typically 7:45 am to 9:00 am and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm). The City Direct Bus, however, only serves passengers on weekdays. 

Refer to the chart below for Premium and City Direct Bus routes:

Shuttle Bus Services

Shuttle Bus Services are operated specifically to cater to passengers heading to main tourist attractions, landmarks, and points of interest around Singapore. Most shuttles are privately owned either by a bus company or an establishment.

Some shuttle buses serve hospitals, offices, and shopping malls, either for a small fare or for free.

Depending on where you are, you’re most likely to find shuttle bus stations in front of a tourist centre or within the premises of a landmark. 

Refer to the chart below for shuttle bus lines and routes:

Ticket Fees

Average bus fares differ if you pay with cash or with your EZ-Link Card. The starting fare for card users is $0.99 and $1.70 for cash users. 

Fares are also calculated based on distance, with an average of $0.08 per kilometre beyond the minimum 3.2 kilometres ($0.99). 

Taxi

Taxi rides around Singapore are preferred by passengers who need to get to areas in the city that can’t be reached by train or bus. 

In most cases, people choose taxis or even ride-hailing apps to get to and from Singapore Changi Airport, restaurants, famous Singapore landmarks, and hotels. 

This is because taxis allow you to carry items, small or big, with you as you travel from one destination to another. Some companies may offer wedding car rentals for an additional charge using a specific fleet of premium sedans or limousines. 

There’s also the option to hire a private driver-for-hire, especially if you’re visiting Singapore with a big group. 

Fares and Starting Price

Taxis in Singapore are metred and follow a taxi fare structure regulated by the LTA. The structure comprises four types: Distance and Time-Based, Surcharges, Flag-down, and Bookings. 

Taxis also charge different starting fares based on the type of car used (standard or premium). Premium cars are generally luxury cars or SUVs, accommodating passengers who require more space and comfort. 

Refer to the chart below for fare comparisons:

Tips To Remember When Using Singapore’s Public Transit System

1. Don’t eat or drink when riding on a bus, train, or taxi.

In case you didn’t know, Singapore has some very strict laws when it comes to cleanliness and littering, so drinking or eating, especially finger foods like pizza or chips, when taking public transit is highly frowned upon. 

In fact, doing so may incur fines of up to $500! 

2. Keep your music to a low.

While not necessarily illegal, blasting your music to full volume when riding public transport is not appropriate. Be mindful of your surroundings and the other passengers seated near you (even if you’re wearing headphones!). 

3. Don’t try to squeeze into packed train coaches.

If you see a full coach, don’t try to work your way into fitting inside when it means pushing or shoving other passengers. Trains and buses in Singapore have an average interval time of five minutes, so just sit and wait for the next ride.