How do you get to Singapore?
Getting There6.6/10Easier to reach than about 60% of cities
- Main airport
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: changiairport.com, trip.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Singapore's MRT is consistently ranked as one of the world's best; trains are clean, efficient, and air-conditioned.
- Tap-out is mandatory on MRT—fares are distance-based and calculated at exit, whether you use an EZ-Link card or contactless credit card.
- MRT does not operate 24 hours; night arrivals after midnight require taxi, ride-hailing, or waiting for early morning service (~05:30).
- Airport shuttle and ground transport options operate around the clock despite MRT closures.
- Most day-trip island destinations are reachable within 30 minutes; many accessible by a single MRT line and short ferry ride.
- Regional ferries to Indonesia (Batam, Bintan) depart daily; passport required. Journey times typically 1 hour by modern high-speed ferry.
- Johor Bahru is minutes away by Causeway; land border crossing is straightforward but expect traffic during peak hours.
- Singaporean currency is SGD (Singapore Dollar); USD is not widely accepted outside tourist areas. Withdraw SGD at airport or use cards with SimplyGo contactless payment.
- EZ-Link card is reloadable and usable on buses, trains, and taxis—convenient for frequent travel within the city.
Rail Network
- System
- MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit)
- MRT Lines
- 6
- MRT Stations
- 143
- Operating Hours
- Approximately 05:30-24:00 (varies by station and line)
- Description
- Extensive rail network covering most of Singapore, color-coded and station-coded for easy navigation
Fares
- Range
- S$0.99 to S$2.26 per trip
- Monthly pass
- SGD 128
- Tourist Pass
- SGD 17
Key Connections
East-West Line
- Station
- Changi Airport
- Connects To
- City center via Tanah Merah interchange
HarbourFront
Connections
- Ferry services to Southern Islands
- Singapore Cable Car
- Sentosa Express monorail
North-South Line
- Station
- Marina South Pier
- Connects To
- Ferry services to Southern Islands
Payment Options
- EZ-Link card (reloadable)
- NETS FlashPay
- Contactless credit/debit card via SimplyGo
Ferry Connections
Regional Terminals
Main gateway to nearby Indonesian islands
- Terminal
- Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
- Accessible By
- East-West Line MRT
Destinations
- Batam (Indonesia)
- Bintan (Indonesia)
- Tanjung Pinang (Indonesia)
HarbourFront (Singapore Cruise Centre)
- Accessible By
- North-East Line MRT to HarbourFront
Destinations
- Batam (Indonesia)
- Karimun (Indonesia)
Small bumboat service; 10-minute ride
- Terminal
- Changi Point Ferry Terminal
- Accessible By
- East side of Singapore near Changi
Destinations
- Pulau Ubin (Singapore)
Day Trip Destinations
Off the South Coast of Singapore
- Access
- Sentosa Express monorail from Vivocity (HarbourFront), cable car, or bus
- Highlights
- Universal Studios Singapore, beaches, theme parks, resorts
- Destination
- Sentosa Island
- Time From City
- ~15-30 minutes
Northeast Singapore
- Access
- Bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (10 minutes)
- Highlights
- Nature trails, cycling, Chek Jawa Wetlands, wildlife
- Destination
- Pulau Ubin
- Time From City
- ~20 minutes total
Off South Coast
- Access
- Ferry from Marina South Pier or Singapore Island Cruise
- Highlights
- Beaches, snorkeling, picnic spots, minimal amenities
- Destination
- Southern Islands (St John's, Lazarus, Kusu, Sisters Islands)
- Time From City
- ~20-30 minutes
Malaysia, Just Across the Causeway
- Access
- Bus, car, or train across Johor-Singapore Causeway (land border)
- Highlights
- Shopping (cheaper goods), Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, royal museums
- Destination
- Johor Bahru
- Travel Time
- ~30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on border traffic
Indonesia, 1 Hour by High-speed Ferry
- Access
- Ferry from HarbourFront or Tanah Merah terminals
- Highlights
- Beach spas, seafood, shopping, casinos, water sports, nightlife
- Destination
- Batam Island
- Travel Time
- ~1 hour by ferry
Indonesia, Short Ferry Ride
- Access
- Ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
- Highlights
- Beaches, jungle, resorts, watersports, eco-tours
- Destination
- Bintan Island
- Travel Time
- Ferry crossing duration varies
Johor, Malaysia
- Access
- Ferry from Tanah Merah Terminal to Desaru Coast, or land crossing to Johor
- Highlights
- Beaches, golf, resort stays, adventure waterpark
- Destination
- Desaru Coast
- Travel Time
- ~3 hours door-to-door
Iskandar Puteri, Johor (Malaysia)
- Access
- Bus or car across Causeway; located ~1-2 hours from border
- Highlights
- Theme park, 7 zones, 40+ attractions
- Destination
- LEGOLAND Malaysia
- Travel Time
- ~1-2 hours from Singapore border
Malaysia
- Access
- Bus across Causeway to Johor Bahru, then onward travel
- Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritage colonial architecture, food scene, museums
- Destination
- Malacca
- Travel Time
- ~4-5 hours door-to-door
Airport To City Transport
35-45 Minutes to City Center
- Cost
- SGD 3.00
- Details
- Direct connection from Changi Airport station (serves Terminals 2 & 3; free Skytrain transfer from T1 and T4)
- Notes
- Most budget-friendly option; requires same-platform train change at Tanah Merah. Pay via contactless credit card or EZ-Link card.
30-60 Minutes
- Cost
- SGD 10
- Hours
- 07:00-23:00 daily
- Details
- Shared shuttle to most hotels in city center
- Notes
- Children under 12: S$7 (approximately USD $5.40)
- Cost
- SGD 70
- Details
- 24-hour private vehicle service from airport to any destination
- Notes
- 4-seater vehicle with one drop-off location; surcharges apply for distant destinations (Sembawang, Jurong Island +S$30; Tuas +S$75)
Metered taxi or app-based ride services available 24/7
- Notes
- Practical for heavy luggage or late-night arrivals when MRT is closed; surcharges apply between 00:00-06:00
Airport
- Name
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Terminals
- 4
- Description
- One of Asia's busiest airports and major aviation hub
Land Border Connections
- Description
- Two bridges connect Singapore to Malaysia
Causeway
- Name
- Johor-Singapore Causeway
- Connects
- Woodlands (Singapore) to Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
- Includes
- Road and railway (Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System expected late 2026)
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Singapore
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.