Getting Around in Singapore

Travelling in Singapore is a breeze with its efficient network of public and private transportation.

Car ownership in Singapore does not come cheap so the general population relies heavily on the highly affordable public transport to get around. If you are a tourist, you will be able to experience the average Singaporean domestic travel affair.

You can travel by public buses, trains, taxis or private cars. If you intend to travel by buses and trains throughout your stay, it is recommended that you get a copy of the TransitLink Guide for more information. You can purchase the guide for SGD 2 at Singapore Changi Airport upon arrival. It is also sold in most MRT stations and bus interchanges as well as major bookstores.

Train (MRT)

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is the electric-powered railway system of Singapore that spans the entire island. The comprehensive train network has three main lines - the North-South line (Jurong East to Marina Bay), the East-West line (Pasir Ris/Changi Airport to Boon Lay) and the North-East line (HarbourFront to Punggol), with a fourth line - the Circle line scheduled to be fully operational by 2011.

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) was introduced in 1999 to complement the MRT as a feeder service in some parts of Singapore to better serve the public housing residents. The LRT has three lines operating in Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol.

Travelling on these train services requires the use of the EZ-Link smartcard which can be purchased at any TransitLink Ticket Sales Office located in most MRT stations and bus interchanges.

If you are a tourist, you can purchase a single-trip card at any of the MRT and LRT stations. Fares are low, ranging from SGD 0.70 to SGD 1.90. To find out your exact fare for a single trip, you can use the fare calculator at SMRT.

Train frequency is generally high with trains arriving at intervals between two and a half minutes and eight minutes. Most train stations are wheelchair friendly.

Transitlink Hotline - 1800-CALL ONE (1800-2255 663)

Bus

Bus transportation in Singapore is dominated by two major transport companies; SBS Transit and SMRT Corporation. There are more than 300 bus services covering all parts of Singapore.

Fares start from SGD0.65 and can be paid with cash (exact value) or an EZ-Link card (a stored-value smart card). You can purchase an EZ-Link card from any TransitLink Ticket Office located in most MRT stations and bus interchanges at SGD 15 (consisting of SGD 3 refundable Travel Deposit, non-refundable SGD 5 card cost and a minimum travel value of SGD 7).

If you choose to travel on buses with an EZ-Link card, do remember to tap your card on the card reader near the entrance when you board the bus, and tap it again on the card reader near the exit before you alight.

You can plan your trips around Singapore using the Journey Planner at SBS Transit.

Taxi

There are over 22,000 air-conditioned taxis providing easy and comfortable travel at a reasonable cost in Singapore.

Operated by seven taxi companies and independent drivers, these taxis can be flagged down at any time of the day on any public road. You can also book a taxi via the telephone for a fee.

All taxi fares are metered and usually start from SGD 2.50. Additional fees are levied when you travel through city areas (ERP charges) or if you book the taxi (booking fee). The table below gives a feel of the charges to expect but do visit the operators' website for the latest as each maintains a different fee structure.

Car

If you enjoy driving, you will be glad to know that driving in Singapore is easy as all road signs are in English. You can rent a car at any of the numerous car-rental companies in Singapore as long as you have a valid driving licence and a valid international driving permit (IDP) issued by your home country automobile association.

a) Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
The ERP system was introduced to help reduce congestion on Singapore roads. Motorists are charged as they pass through ERP gantries during ERP operating hours. For more information on ERP, please click here.

b) Parking
Most car parks in commercial buildings practise paid parking, however the payment system varies. Some use the cash collection system; others require that you have an Autopass Card in the In-Vehicle Unit (IU) in your vehicle for the deduction of parking fees.

HDB or URA car parks practise coupon parking which require the display of parking coupons on the dashboard. Parking rates and hours are displayed on a signboard at the entrance of the car park. Parking coupons come in denominations of SGD 0.50, SGD 1 and SGD 2.

Parking coupons can be purchased at any of the following authorised sale outlets:

• Singapore Post
• 7-Eleven
• NTUC Fairprice
• Petrol stations
• Any HDB branch office
• Any appointed sales outlets (all approved coupon agents display a signboard at their premises)