If you’re wondering how to get around Singapore, you’ll be happy to know that the city’s transport system is very tourist-friendly.
Compared to my last solo trip, where I attempted to navigate the Tokyo metro on my own (and somehow ended up on the wrong platform or lost in the maze of Shinjuku Station more than once), getting around Singapore felt refreshingly straightforward.
Singapore has an ultra-efficient MRT (metro) system, frequent buses, contactless payment options and affordable rideshares. I found public transport in Singapore to be clean, reliable and genuinely easy to navigate. But with multiple ways to pay — tourist passes, stored-value cards and contactless credit cards — it’s not always immediately obvious which option makes the most sense for your trip.
There are other choices, too. Hop-on hop-off buses and rideshares can be excellent in the right context. I tried a few different transport methods and payment options during my trip and quickly realised that the “best” option really depends on how long you’re staying and how intensively you plan to sightsee.
Here’s what you need to know before choosing your transport options in Singapore.
Quick summary:
Wondering how to get around Singapore? Here’s a practical guide to the MRT, Singapore Tourist Pass, contactless payments, Grab rideshares and airport transport — plus which option makes the most sense for your trip.
Recommended tickets:
🎟️ Singapore Tourist Pass – Unlimited MRT and bus travel for 1–5 consecutive days
💳 NETS FlashPay Card – Stored-value card for MRT, buses, shopping and dining
🚌 Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour – Open-top sightseeing bus covering Singapore’s top attractions
Singapore’s MRT and bus network
Singapore’s MRT system is one of the cleanest and most efficient metro networks I’ve used anywhere in the world. Compared to many major cities, public transport in Singapore is also relatively affordable.
I relied on the transport network to get between attractions and my hotel, lyf Funan Singapore. I found the MRT trains to be modern, air-conditioned and punctual. Stations were spotless, clearly signposted in English, and very straightforward to navigate — even at busy interchanges.
You can view the Singapore MRT map online before your trip, and the colour-coded MRT lines are simple to follow once you arrive. In most cases, the MRT will get you very close to where you want to go, with stations servicing major attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer, and Chinatown.
That said, it doesn’t always drop you exactly at your final destination. A few times I had to switch between lines to reach where I was going, which is completely normal in a large metro system, but worth factoring into your timing.
Interestingly, because of where I was staying, I actually ended up using the bus network more than the trains — and it was excellent. The Singapore bus system is just as reliable as the MRT, and in some areas it can actually be more convenient. Buses came frequently (I never waited more than ten minutes, and often it was under five), and Google Maps made navigating incredibly easy. It told me exactly which stop to wait at and which bus number to catch, and the numbers are clearly displayed on the front of each vehicle.
The best transport pass for tourists: Singapore Tourist Pass
If you’re planning to use public transport regularly while you’re in Singapore, the Singapore Tourist Pass (sometimes referred to as a Singapore Travel Card) is my top choice. The pass covers all MRT trains and standard public buses (though it does not include express bus services or the Sentosa Express monorail to Sentosa Island).
You can purchase the pass for one to five consecutive days. I used this pass for my entire 5 days in Singapore and loved that I had unlimited access to transport for my whole trip. Because it’s a flat rate, I didn’t have to worry about loading enough funds or calculating whether another short journey was worth the cost. I could just tap on and tap off as many times as I liked.
🎟️ You can buy the Singapore Tourist Pass online up to three months before your travel dates and collect it from participating MRT ticket counters.
I initially tried to purchase my card on arrival at City Hall MRT Station, but the counter there only accepted cash payment. The staff member suggested I buy it online via Trip.com and collect it immediately, which worked perfectly (though it would have been easier to do the online order in advance instead of at the station).
If you’re making multiple trips per day, this flat-rate pass can be good value, though for me, the biggest benefit wasn’t even the potential savings — it was the freedom to move around without thinking about payments.
NETS FlashPay Card
Another option for visitors is the NETS FlashPay Card, which works as a stored-value contactless card.
Unlike the Singapore Tourist Pass, which gives you unlimited travel for a set number of days, the NETS card operates on a pay-as-you-go system. You load money onto the card and tap in and out on the MRT or buses, with each fare deducted from your balance.
💳 The NETS FlashPay Card essentially sits between using your own contactless credit card and buying an unlimited tourist pass — offering a local-style solution with a bit more control over spending.
In practical terms, you’ll need to top it up periodically which you can do at MRT stations, some ATMs and participating convenience stores. Your remaining balance is displayed after each fare deduction or when using a top-up machine, so it’s relatively easy to keep track of how much you have left.
One bonus of using the NETS card is that it isn’t limited to public transport. It’s also accepted at a large number of retail outlets across Singapore, which means you can use it for purchases like convenience store snacks or casual dining. If you like the idea of having one travel card that works across transport and everyday spending, this may be a good option for you.
That said, because it’s not an unlimited pass, you’ll still need to think about your travel frequency. If you’re moving between multiple neighbourhoods each day, a flat-rate pass may end up being more economical. But if you’re travelling at a slower pace, staying longer than a few days, or only using public transport occasionally, the NETS card does offer flexibility without committing to consecutive-day usage.
How to pay for transport in Singapore using your own credit card
If you’re wondering how to pay for transport in Singapore without buying a separate card, the city operates a tap-and-go system that allows you to use your own contactless credit or debit card on the MRT and buses. You just tap your card at the gate when entering and exiting MRT stations, or tap when boarding a bus. The fare is calculated automatically.
I tested this once after my Singapore Tourist Pass expired. I tapped on for a short bus trip and was slightly confused because it wouldn’t allow me to tap off at the end — but the next day I saw a SGD $1.88 charge on my card, so it clearly worked.
The reason I didn’t rely on this method for my entire trip comes down to foreign transaction fees. If you’re using an overseas credit card, your bank may apply currency conversion or per-transaction international fees. Because I was using a travel credit card loaded in USD rather than SGD, each fare was being converted individually. It’s worth checking with your bank before relying on this method exclusively, especially if you plan to take multiple trips per day.
Big Bus Singapore
If you’re in Singapore for just one or two days and want a structured overview of the city, the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off service would be a convenient way to cover all the major highlights without navigating the public transport system. If your priority is ticking off the headline sights efficiently, these buses connect them in a logical loop.
🚌 It’s worth booking your Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Bus tickets in advance to secure your preferred ticket type and dates, especially if you’re visiting during peak times or over a weekend.
The bus tour operates two main routes. The Heritage (Red) Route focuses on Singapore’s cultural districts, travelling through Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. The City (Yellow) Route focuses on the skyline and central attractions, passing landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer, the Merlion, Raffles Hotel and Orchard Road. It also includes the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which are a little further out.
You can hop on and off at designated stops along both routes, explore at your own pace, and then rejoin the bus when you’re ready. Services on both routes come by every 25-40 minutes from around 9:30AM to 5:20PM. Audio commentary is included, which adds helpful context about Singapore’s history and key landmarks — something you won’t get when travelling independently on the MRT.
The hop-on hop-off bus is definitely more expensive than using public transport, but for travellers on a tight schedule who want an easy, curated overview of the city, it can make a lot of sense.
Rideshares and taxis
Singapore doesn’t have Uber, so I downloaded the Grab app before my trip. My flight ended up being delayed and landing close to midnight, so I ordered a ride straight from Changi Airport to my hotel in the city.
It cost SGD $25 and took around 25 minutes — very reasonable compared to Australian rideshare prices. The only slightly confusing part was working out the exact pickup location at the airport, but my driver messaged me immediately through the app and we sorted it out quickly.
I used Grab a few more times during my stay, including my return airport transfer, and found it reliable every time.
Traditional taxis are also widely available and regulated, though airport surcharges may apply.
Getting from Singapore airport to the city
If you’re researching Singapore airport to city transport options before your trip, you’ll be pleased to know that both the MRT system and Grab make the journey simple.
Taking the train from Changi Airport MRT Station is the cheapest option. It should take around 45–60 minutes to get between the airport and city with one transfer. If you’re arriving during the day with light luggage, this would be a straightforward journey and well signposted. This was not an option for me, however, as my flight arrived late and the last trains depart the airport around 11PM-12AM.
After a midnight arrival, Grab was the right choice for me. It was fast to arrive after I ordered a rideshare, plus it was affordable and required no thinking from my jet-lagged brain. I also got a Grab for the return journey when it was time to leave Singapore, and I had the driver drop me off at Jewel Changi Airport so that I could spend a few hours exploring the Canopy Park before my trip back to Australia.
So, which transport option should you choose?
| Option | Best For | Pros | Potential Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Tourist Pass | 3–5 day trips with lots of sightseeing | Unlimited travel on MRT & buses, no top-ups, stress-free | Not valid on Sentosa Express or express buses |
| NETS FlashPay Card | Longer stays | Stored value flexibility | Requires balance monitoring |
| Contactless credit/debit card | Slower-paced trips | Ultra convenient, no extra card needed | Possible foreign transaction fees |
| Big Bus Singapore | 1–2 day visits | Sightseeing + commentary | Higher cost |
| Grab / Taxi | Airport transfers | Door-to-door convenience | More expensive for daily use |
If you’re planning full sightseeing days, I’d personally lean towards the Singapore Tourist Pass for the sake of simplicity. For me, having unlimited transport during my stay meant I could explore freely without second-guessing every trip. But if you’re travelling slowly or only using transport occasionally, tapping your own card may be all you need.
Leave a Reply