Singapore City : What means of transportation to get around?

Singapore City : Organize your stay

From the airport to the city centre From the airport to the city centre Singapore City

Changi International Airport is located some twenty kilometers east of the city center. As soon as you arrive, you'll be struck by its peaceful atmosphere and the excellence of its services. With its four terminals, it's already an attraction: rooftop swimming pool, sports and cinema halls, massage parlors, themed gardens, art installations, play areas and a multitude of restaurants and boutiques. The highlight of the show? Jewel, a gigantic futuristic glass and steel dome designed by architect Moshe Safdie, to be inaugurated in 2019. A veritable "bridge where the world meets Singapore and Singapore meets the world", it houses the Rain Vortex, the world's highest indoor waterfall (40 m), as well as a tropical valley designed by PWP Landscape Architecture. Suspension bridges, labyrinths and belvederes make a stopover an experience in itself: at Changi, you take time to enjoy the airport as much as the destination.

Getting downtown is easy. Just follow the signs, and there are several means of transport at your disposal.

With Airport Transfer: from Terminals 1, 2 and 3, minibuses drop you off directly at your hotel. Price: S$55 for a 4-seater, S$60 for a 6-seater. Minibus service to Tanah Merah from S$5. 24-hour service. Contact the Ground Transport Concierges (GTC) in each arrivals hall or on the airport website.

By bus: from Terminals 1, 2 and 3, buses 24, 27, 34, 36, 53, 110 and 858 take you into the city center. From terminal 4, buses 24, 34, 36 and 110. Bring change (S$3) to pay for your ticket directly on the bus. You can also pay contactless with your bank card or with an EZ-Link card, to be validated as you get on and off the bus. Allow between 50 minutes and 1h10.

By metro: this is the cheapest way to travel (maximum S$2.30). Changi Airport MRT station (green line) connects you to the center at Tanah Merah or Expo, and then to central stations such as Bugis, City Hall or Raffles Place. Allow between 35 and 45 minutes.

By cab: from the arrivals hall, follow the signs to the Taxi Stands. The fare to the city center is usually between S$25 and S$45, with supplements in the evening, at night or during rush hours. Limousines and minibuses are also available, but at much higher rates.

You can also book a vehicle via VTC (chauffeur-driven transport vehicle) apps such as Grab, Gojek, Ryde or TADA, which are convenient and often at the same price as a regular cab.

Arrival by train Arrival by train Singapore City

If you like to travel by train, you should know that there is no longer a central station in Singapore: the former Tanjong Pagar station on Keppel Road closed in 2011. Since then, international rail traffic has been transferred to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, in the far north of the island, just a few minutes from the Malaysian border. This is where the Shuttle Tebrau departs, a rail shuttle linking Singapore to JB Sentral in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, in just five minutes' travel time. The service is frequent, with departures throughout the day, but it is strongly recommended to book in advance, as seats are limited and often overcrowded at weekends. Customs and immigration checks are carried out directly at Woodlands before departure, making border crossings smoother.

Tickets can be purchased on the official KTMB website(www.ktmb.com.my ), or via convenient platforms such as easybook.com or seat61.com. Please note: the Shuttle Tebrau will be replaced by the RTS Link, a modern cross-border metro scheduled to open in late 2026-early 2027.

Arrival by boat Arrival by boat Singapore City

Several ferry lines link Singapore to the Malaysian coast and to the Indonesian islands of the Riau archipelago, such as Batam and Bintan, from where you can continue on to other Indonesian ports. The city-state is also a major port of call for large cruise liners, accommodated at the Singapore Cruise Centre (HarbourFront) and the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. For regional ferries, the two main terminals are Tanah Merah and HarbourFront. Local connections to the Singapore islands (St John, Lazarus, Kusu) depart from Marina South Pier, while Pulau Ubin can be reached by bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

To the Singapore islands of St John, Lazarus and Kusu: several daily departures from Marina South Pier. The port is accessible by MRT (red line, Marina South Pier terminus). S$15 per adult and S$12 per child for a round-trip Marina-St John-Kusu trip. Tickets available at www.islandcruise.com

To Pulau Ubin: several daily departures from Changi Point Ferry Terminal from 6am to 7pm. The port is accessible by MRT (green line, Tanah Merah station), then take buses 2, 29, 59 or 109 to the Changi Bus Interchange and walk towards the ferry terminal. The fare is S$4 per person per trip, plus S$2 per bike, payable in cash. Bumboats can't be booked; you'll have to go to the terminal and queue.

To get to Pulau Bintan and Pulau Batam, there are two options: the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and the HarbourFront. We strongly recommend setting off from Tanah Merah, as HarbourFront is the port of call for the big cruise ships. Tanah Merah is accessible by MRT (green line, Tanah Merah station), then take bus 35 to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Return fares to Bintan are around S$100 and to Batam around S$80 (several ports are available for both islands). Tickets available at www.directferries.com - www.majesticfastferry.com.sg - www.horizonfastferry.com.sg - www.sindoferry.com.sg - www.brf.com.sg - www.batamfast.com

There are no direct ferriesto Malaysia or Thailand. The most convenient way to reach Penang, Langkawi or Phuket is by air, with numerous daily flights from Changi. Sea links (e.g. Langkawi-Ko Lipe for Thailand) are only accessible once in Malaysia.

Public transport Public transport Singapore City

The Singapore MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is easy to understand, clean and safe. Ask for a map at any station or download the MyTransport or Singapore MRT app. The MRT runs daily from 5.30 a.m. to midnight, with a service every 2 to 3 minutes at peak times and every 5 to 7 minutes the rest of the time. Fares range from less than S$1 to S$2.80, depending on the route.

The bus network is particularly dense and complements the MRT very well. If you plan to use it often, it's best to download a dedicated application such as MyTransport.SG (official, with real-time timetables) or TransitLink SimplyGo (to track your journeys and manage your EZ-Link card). Fares depend on the distance traveled. You can pay by rechargeable EZ-Link card, Singapore Tourist Pass (unlimited travel for 1 to 3 days), contactless bank card or cash, provided you have the exact amount (no change is given). Always validate when boarding and disembarking the bus. All buses are air-conditioned - sometimes a little too much so, so bring a light sweater. The old night services were abolished in 2022, but a few late-night routes still operate on Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays.

If you're staying for several days, there are three options for getting around easily.
- The EZ-Link card: widely used by locals, it costs S$10 (of which S$5 is usable credit and S$5 is a non-refundable fee). It can be reloaded at will at railway stations, 7-Eleven convenience stores and automatic kiosks. Ideal if you are staying for more than three days or traveling irregularly.
- Singapore Tourist Pass (STP): specially designed for visitors, it allows unlimited travel for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days (S$16, S$26 or S$38). A deposit of S$10 is required, which is refunded if the card is returned within five days of expiry. As a bonus, the STP entitles you to discounts and gifts at certain tourist attractions (see thesingaporetouristpass.com).
- Contactless payment: recently, you can simply use your bank card (Visa, Mastercard) or an e-wallet (Apple Pay, GrabPay...) to validate your journeys, without buying a dedicated card.

Don't forget to validate your pass as you enter and exit the transport system, to avoid paying the maximum fare.

Bike, scooters & co Bike, scooters & co Singapore City

As in many major cities, self-service bicycles are available via apps such as Anywhell or HelloRide. However, cycling remains a tricky proposition on the main roads, which are often wide and busy: opt for rides on cycle paths or the Park Connector Network (PCN). The most pleasant rides are in East Coast Park along the sea, towards Pasir Ris, or on the Southern Ridges. Pulau Ubin and Sentosa are also ideal for exploring by bike, while mountain bikers will prefer Bukit Timah or MacRitchie Reservoir.

Since July1, 2025, certain sidewalks adjacent to the bike paths have been transformed into Pedestrian-Only Paths: bicycles and scooters are no longer permitted on these paths, and only pedestrians and people with reduced mobility may use them. Bicycles and scooters may only be used on authorized cycle paths, NCPs and shared paths.

Electric scooters (e-scooters) and other Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) are strictly regulated (maximum weight 20 kg, maximum width 70 cm, speed limited to 25 km/h, and UL2272 certification required). Any use outside authorized areas carries fines of up to S$2,000 or prison sentences.

Some rental addresses: Bike Stop @East Coast Park, +65 6443 3489; City Scoot, 8 Raffles Avenue, Esplanade Mall, +65 9355 5881; The Bicycle Hut, 1 North Bridge Road, Basement #B1-53 High Street Centre, +65 8920 7401.

Download NParks Park Connector Network (PCN), the application that connects the parks. No need to go through the four lanes, the app guides you along rivers or through shortcuts across the city. The trails are marked on the ground with the "PCN" sign and are easy to follow, even if some access points can be a little discreet.

With a driver With a driver Singapore City

Cabs are plentiful and easy to find, although demand rises sharply on rainy days and Friday/Saturday evenings. You can hail one on the street, at dedicated kiosks or via the Grab, Gojek or CDG Zig (ComfortDelGro) apps. Fares start at S$4.40-5.00 (standard cabs) and are metered according to distance and waiting time.

Surcharges apply: +25% during peak hours (6am-9.29am and 5pm-11.59pm on weekdays, extended hours on weekends), +50% at night (midnight to 5.59am), S$6-8 for departure from Changi airport depending on the schedule, and S$3 for journeys between 5pm and midnight in the CBD. Some tourist destinations, such as Mandai Wildlife, also apply a fixed surcharge of S$5.

Three companies dominate the market: ComfortDelGro (+65 6552 1111, www.cdgtaxi.com), Trans-Cab (+65 6287 6666, www.transcab.com.sg) and SMRT Taxis (+65 6555 8888, www.taxisingapore.com). For a more upscale private chauffeur service, you can book via www.blacklane.com.

By car By car Singapore City

Renting a car is of little use in Singapore, as the public transport network is very clear, fast and dense. Cabs are affordable and plentiful. And distances are never very long. Expect to pay around S$80 to S$100 per day for a mid-range vehicle.

To rent a car in Singapore, you need to have an international driving license, be over 21 (sometimes 23) and have more than one year's driving experience. Singaporeans drive on the left-hand side of the road, and traffic can be heavy at rush hour, but nothing dramatic.

Rental addresses: Sixt Airport Counter, Changi Airport Arrival Hall Terminal 1, +65 9660 0506, www.sixt.com; Avis Car Rental, Changi Airport Arrival Hall Terminal 2, +65 6737 1668, www.avis.com; Hertz, Changi Airport Arrival Hall Terminal 3, +65 6734 4646, www.hertz.com; Drive Lah for low-cost private hire, www.drivelah.sg or carsharing, www.GetGo.sg.

Accessibility Accessibility Singapore City

The geographical location, small size and importance of the coastline influence the means of transport, and the network is in keeping with the living environment: rich, developed and organized. In short, everything is clearly explained and disciplined in the Singaporean way. The metro (MRT) is easy to get to, modern and perfectly adapted to people with reduced mobility. The bus network, for its part, is extremely dense, but its accessibility is sometimes complicated in practice: inoperable ramps, lack of space or difficulty getting on with a stroller. If this is the case, don't hesitate to ask our helpful passengers. Cabs and VTCs are an efficient way to complete the transport offer, even if, as everywhere, traffic jams occur at peak times. For more information on accessibility, visit the Disabled People's Association of Singapore website(www.dpa.org.sg), which provides practical advice and regular updates.