Singapore Transport

Singapore’s Changi International Airport is 16km from the city centre and is recognized as one of the world's finest international airports. The amenities and customer service in each of the two terminals that make up this enormous, bustling, international gateway are of the highest possible standards, making your journey easy and pleasant. 

There is a Plaza Lounge for passengers to rest and refresh between long layovers as well as a reasonably priced hotel located directly within the terminal. There are numerous restaurants and shops, a small cinema, roof-top garden and the usual money exchange and postal service facilities.

If you have a long layover and want to see the sights, the airport offers a free city tour. For immigration reasons, passengers are not allowed to disembark from the tour bus, but you will get a good impression of the city.

Getting around the vast airport is simple, with automatic Travellators (moving walkways) provided at the Passenger Terminals and the high speed Skytrain monorail service linking Terminals 1 and 2. This runs from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, is free of charge and takes just 1 minute. Terminal 2 is served by a small number of airlines, including Air France, American Airlines, Delta, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Silkair, and Singapore Airlines, with all other airlines using Terminal 1.

Changi Airport charges S$15 Airport Departure Tax, or Passenger Service Charge, the price of which is usually included in the cost of your air ticket. Alternatively, you may buy coupons in airline offices, travel agents and some hotels, or pay at check-in.

Getting to and from the airport is easy, whether you are taking a taxi or a public bus or a private car. Travel time between the airport and the city is approximately 25 minutes by car or taxi, and 45 minutes by public bus.

Airbus The Airport Coach Service is a good means to commute from airport to hotel and vice-versa. The coaches operate daily from 6:00am to midnight and ply at a frequency of 20 minutes. Their drop-off and pick-up points are at or near most major hotels in town. They are well equipped with luxurious seats, air-conditioning and luggage compartments. Tickets can be purchased on board or from the airport’s Airbus counters and from selected hotels. They charge a flat fare of S$5 for adults and S$3 for children under 12 years old.

Airport Shuttle The MaxiCab airport shuttle offers a scheduled service with flexible routing to almost all hotels within the city (excluding hotels on Sentosa Island and Le Meridien Changi). Alighting points are flexible and any destination within the Central Business District is served, including MRT stations. The 6-seater MaxiCab can take in luggage and a wheelchair.

Bus You can purchase a TransitLink fare card from all TransitLink ticket sales offices, located at all MRT stations for use on buses and the MRT. These tickets cost S$12 and can be refilled. SBS bus No. 36 runs between Orchard Road and Changi Airport. 

Public bus stations are located on Basement 2 of Terminal 1, and on the Basement level of Terminal 2. Details of bus routes and bus fares are displayed at the station. Singapore Bus Service (SBS) route numbers 16 and 16E are the fastest services into town, while SBS routes 24 and 34 make the nearest connection with a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station (Tanah Merah). Most buses are air-conditioned, for which you add a little extra to the fare.

Limousine Service Limousines are available to take you to your hotel upon arrival or take you back to the airport when it's time for you to leave the country. A flat fee of S$35 is charged for one-way travel to or from the airport. There are no surcharges.

Taxi Taxis are carefully regulated in Singapore, so you can expect to pay the metered price. Fares are metered, and a S$3 surcharge is charged for all journeys from, but not to, the airport. Fares from the airport to central Singapore generally cost between S$12 and S$20 and should take up to 30 minutes. Taxi drivers in Singapore provide receipts upon request.

Travelling around Singapore is a piece of cake. The island-wide transport system is very efficient and works with clockwork precision.

MRT The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is known as one of the most efficient and the cleanest systems of the world, the MRT is a safe, modern, air-conditioned passenger train service with stations spread through the city. There are two main lines - one from Marina Bay to Jurong East via Woodlands and the other from Pasir Ris to Boon Lay. The trains operate between 5:30-24:00 (6:00-24:00 on Sundays and public holidays) with stations being served on average every six minutes. The MRT is an inexpensive mode of commuting. You can also travel to the suburbs for a taste of the local way of life. The tracks outside the city are above the ground, thus enabling the visitor to enjoy the scenery. 

TransitLink fare cards or tourist souvenir tickets can be obtained from MRT stations and are valid on MRT as well as SBS and TIBS bus services. Information on the MRT and the bus services can be obtained from the TransitLink Guide which is available at most MRT stations, the bus interchanges and at major bookstores.

Coin-operated ticket-dispensing machines are located inside the main doors at each station. Money-changing machines for changing paper money to coins are located opposite the ticket machines. Enter the platform through the gates marked with green arrows. There you insert your ticket, arrow first (and facing up). The machine will open the gate and return the ticket. The same procedure is followed at your destination, except that your ticket will not be returned. 

Please note that each ticket is time coded on entry, and you are advised not to spend more than half-an-hour in addition to travel time, because tickets can expire.

Rental Cars You can rent cars by the day or the week can be hired from a number of local operators. These are air-conditioned and can be hired for self-drive or with the services of a chauffeur. A valid international driving license is preferred for those wishing to self-drive. You can rent a car from any of the international firms, or from local car hire firms. You will need both a national and international license. Driving is on the left side of the road, and wearing a seat belt is required by law.

Ships and Ferries Ferry and water taxi services departing from Cliff Pier, Jardine Steps and the World Trade Centre can take you to Singapore's outlying islands. The Singapore Cruise Centre is located at the World Trade Centre, about 10 minutes drive from the city centre. Harbour cruises and ferry services to Singapore's islands, Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau islands may be boarded at the ferry terminals located at the World Trade Centre and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at Changi. A ferry for Sentosa, the most popular offshore island, leaves daily every 20 minutes starting at 0730. 

Major cruise lines to Singapore include Ocean Pearl, Cunard, Royal Cruise, Princess Cruises and the Royal Viking Line. See your local travel agent for more details. 

Taxi Taxis are available 24 hours and provide reasonably priced travel throughout the city. Singapore has more than 15,000 taxis, which can be flagged down or picked up from designated taxi stands which are well-located throughout the city. Taxis can be booked at any time of the day or night. Fares are metered, and a S$3 surcharge is applied for all journeys from, but not to, the airport.

Trishaws This traditional form of chauffeur-pedalled transportation is a fun and exciting way to tour the streets of Singapore.

Trolley Bus The Singapore Trolley Bus provides a hop-on and hop-off service. It operates between the Orchard Road vicinity, Tanjong Pagar and Boat Quay and is a good option for exploring the cultural, entertainment and shopping areas of the city. The trolley bus is ideal for shopping during the day and pub-hopping at night. In fact, the fare includes interesting discounts at the nightspots and some other local spots which are en-route.