How to Get Around in Singapore: A First-Timer’s Guide

Rats on train tracks, crumpled candy wrappers stuffed between bus seats, stations that smell worse than public toilets… These are what you’ll get OUTSIDE of Singapore.

Yup, there are no such things here!

Traumatized by the tragic state of buses in my hometown (Bangkok), I usually avoid buses and stick to the metro when I travel.

During the weeks I spent in Singapore, my opinion has completely changed about buses. Every form of public transportation was clean, modern, and efficient there.

But even in the cleanest country, not knowing what exactly to expect or how to navigate the system can be a bit stressful, am I right? Not to worry, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s learn how to pay for and use the MRT (metro) and buses. Hint: It’s quite simple. You only need your credit card and one route-planning map to ace it!

Public Transportation in Singapore

I had the best time navigating the public transportation in Singapore during my two weeks there.

The metro stations and trains were squeaky clean. Bus stops were clearly marked, with real-time bus schedules shown on screen.

English is one of the national languages, so of course, there were English signs everywhere too.

What saved me a lot of time and energy, though, was the City Mapper app.

The metro goes to many places, but there are a lot of areas it doesn’t reach, so having an app that helps me connect the metro to the right buses was super helpful. Download it before you go!

The Metro System (MRT)

I still think it’s a cute coincidence that the subway systems in Thailand and Singapore are both called the Mass Rapid Transit.

I know it’s a super obvious name, but just let me giggle to myself on this one, okay?

The MRT always makes announcements in four languages. Whether you’re hearing about scheduled maintenance at a station or safety cautions on the trains, you’ll hear it in English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil.

Existing MRT Lines and the Metro Map

The MRT consists of six main lines: East-West (green), North-South (red), North East (purple), Circle (orange), Downtown (blue), and Thomson-East Coast (brown).

The system also connects to two other train systems: the Light Rail Transit (LRT), which you won’t need to use unless you’re visiting the more remote parts of the city, and the Sentosa Express, which we’ll talk about.

As someone who’s used to many metro systems around the world, the first and only thing that threw me off about Singapore’s MRT was the Downtown Line.

Specifically, the part where it folds into a ribbon around the downtown area.

I spent a solid five minutes trying to orient myself. Like, what do you mean that I can walk from Rochor to Jalan Besar in 3 minutes, but they’re 9 stations apart?!

But you get used to the idea. In the end, it works just like any other metro line. 👍🏻

Recommended Payment Method: Credit Card

Here’s the best news about Singapore’s metro system: You can tap in and out with a VISA or Mastercard.

Forget about buying travel cards and having to worry about running out of balance. You also get charged the exact same fee using your credit card. There are no extra charges whatsoever.

Alternative Payment Method: EZ-Link Card

Singapore has phased out its single-trip paper tickets, so you’ll have to buy the travel card, called the EZ-Link. You can get one at the service windows at MRT stations or at any 7-Eleven for S$10.

The card costs S$5 and comes with S$5 of prepaid balance.

Once you run out of balance, you can top up the card at any of the kiosks you see in MRT stations or download the SimplyGo app and manage your cards from there.

While using an EZ-link can help you stay more on top of your travel budget, I find it a bit too much. The top-ups make more sense for me if I were staying in Singapore long-term.

Essential MRT Rules and Tips

It’s illegal to eat or drink on the train. ILLEGAL. This is not a courtesy thing. You can literally get arrested or fined for doing so.

The trains are more packed during rush hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM), but it’s not nearly as bad as in Bangkok or Seoul. The red line is always the busiest, from what I’ve noticed.

On the escalators, stand to the left. Leave the right lane open for those in a rush.

Public Buses: When the MRT Doesn’t Go Where You Want

There are many areas that the MRT doesn’t reach. For those, you’ll love the buses.

I can say confidently that you may end up loving buses more than metros here. This was the first time I enjoyed using buses more than the metro, too.

What I Love About SIngapore’s Buses

Let’s be honest, almost every bus system in the first and second-world countries is air-conditioned in this day and age. But they’re all jam-packed during rush hours, and trying to get from your seat to the exit feels like a war.

You won’t have that problem in Singapore.

Most buses are double-deckers, with plenty of seats on the upper deck, regardless of how packed it may look from the outside. The view is also pretty nice from up there.

Granted, some lines come with only the single-deck buses. I still feel like it could have been much worse elsewhere. The bottom line: Singapore buses are great!

How to Read Bus Stop Signs and Route Numbers

Bus stops have names and 5-digit numbers assigned. Both types of indicators are shown on the sign, along with the list of buses that pass through that stop.

You’ll also see big boards with the full route of each bus listed out, usually right behind the seats.

Some newer stops will even have a digital screen showing live locations and estimated arrival times.

Paying for the Bus: EZ-Link or Credit Card

Whether you’ve decided to use the EZ-Link or your credit card for the MRT, you can use the same method of payment for the buses.

Tap your card on the logo area below the screen until the reader beeps.

NEVER forget to tap once when you board, and again before you exit the bus. This will ensure that your credit card gets charged the right amount for the distance you’ve traveled.

If you forget to tap out, your card will be charged the maximum amount!

Extra Tips for Using the Bus

The Singaporean bus drivers are punctual, which means that they get a little insane when there’s traffic. They take off a little faster and make sudden stops.

So when you get on a bus, as soon as you tap your card, put it away and hold on to any pole, seat, or railings you see as you make your way to a seat. You never know when you’ll be thrown forward from the take-off speed.

The same goes for when you walk to the door in preparation to exit. Hold on tight until the bus comes to a full stop before you tap your card out.

Ah, one more thing, in case you’re not familiar with bus rides. Press one of the red bells attached to the poles when your stop is coming up!

Renting Shared Bicycles in Singapore

For all the photos you see online of modern skyscrapers and five-star hotels, did you know that Singapore was a bike-friendly country?

Between the city sidewalks and the park connector network, there are over 700 kilometers’ worth of bike paths you can use to get around Singapore.

They’re especially perfect for days out in peaceful green spaces, like Changi Bay Point.

How to Rent With Anywheel or HelloRide Apps

The two main biking apps are Anywheel and HelloRide. You don’t need both to enjoy a biking experience in Singapore. I personally only have HelloRide because it’s blue (hah).

Whichever app you choose, download it and follow the prompts to create an account and verify yourself. Then you’ll be able to use the app to locate the available bikes nearest to you.

Each bike has a QR code on it. Scan the code with your app to unlock the bike. Return it to any bicycle bay around the country. You don’t need to return the bike to the same place you took it from.

How Much Does a Shared Bike Cost?

A shared bike typically costs S$1 for the first half-hour, and then 50 cents for every 10 minutes after the first half-hour.

Anywheel also offers a 7-day pass for less than S$7. I’ve never used it, though.

Don’t forget to scan the bikes with the right app. If you scan a green bike with HelloRide, you won’t have to pay a dime, nor will you be able to unlock the bike in the first place. (Is that not funny? 😅)

Safety Tips and Etiquette for Biking in Singapore

• Stick to the bike lanes.
• Always keep left. Don’t forget that you drive on the UK side there.
• You’ll sometimes share your lane with pedestrians. Politely signal with the bell to let them know you’re coming up behind them.

Planning Routes with City Mapper

I don’t know about you, but one of the biggest headaches for me when traveling anywhere is transferring between the metro and buses.

Which station is best to change to a bus, which bus should I take, the list goes on.

City Mapper saves you all the headaches. Just type in your starting point and destination, and let the app do all the rest. It tells you everything from travel time, MRT direction, and estimated trip cost.

You’ll get all the trip details without even needing to start the route (live routing takes up so much phone battery 🙈). Look at this screenshot from my phone below.

It tells you how many stops you’re riding, and which direction you need to board the MRT. It even shows the 5-digit bus stop numbers.

Should You Get the Singapore Tourist Pass?

What is a Singapore Tourist Pass? It’s a card that allows you unlimited travel on public transportation for a limited number of days.

For example, if you were visiting Singapore for 3 days, you could get a 3-day pass and enjoy 3 days’ worth of free rides.

It sounds rather nice when you first see the answer, but unless you’re planning to travel a lot while you’re there, it’s more economical to stick with an EZ-Link or your credit card. Why?

The 3-day pass costs S$29 (US$22), and more for the 4-day and 5-day options.

I was traveling all over the island like a crazy person, and my statement still came out to US$3-4 per day on average. That’s roughly US$12 for 3 days. You get the idea.

Only get one if the discount works with most attractions you plan to visit, but it’s not the best option if you plan to use it just to get free rides.

Using Grab in Singapore (Instead of Taxis!)

Weird not to use Grab in the country that invented the app, isn’t it?

Grab is basically the Uber of Southeast Asia, made in Singapore and used in most Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand and Cambodia. It’s the most convenient way to get rides here.

Safety, Price Transparency, and Accessibility

In Thailand, I use Grab to avoid getting scammed by local taxis (yes, we locals get scammed by taxis too).

In Singapore, I use it just because it’s nicer to know who’s picking you up instead of hoping to find a taxi on the street.

Just like Uber, Grab drivers are tracked on the app, with rates for each trip locked in as soon as you book the ride.

You can sit back and relax, knowing exactly how much you’re paying for the trip, and that drivers have been vetted by the company.

Some features I noticed on the Singapore version of Grab are the accessibility, child-friendly, and pet-friendly options.

You can choose drivers who can provide a ramp for wheelchairs, or ones who are willing to take your fluffy friends.

GrabCar vs. JustGrab

GrabCar and JustGrab are almost the same. The only difference is that JustGrab will look for both private cars and public taxis that are registered on the app.

It’s a good idea to let the app look for both types during peak hours to widen your search.

When public taxis accept rides with Grab, they’re locked into the rate determined by the app instead of relying on their taxi meters.

Best Times to Use Grab

Since Grab’s pricing is a bit higher than the buses and metro, I saved it for when I needed to rest (but also needed to get somewhere), or on rainy days (lots of them in this region of the world).

Make Sure You Don’t Miss These in Singapore

You can’t be in Singapore and miss all its coolest cultural sides. Check out my favorite things to do in the country as a cultural travel, and check out the hawker dishes you should try to find.

Too tired to put everything together? Check out these itineraries I made for cultural travelers!

• 12 Hours in Singapore
• 2 Days in Singapore
• 3 Days in Singapore

I included options in each that let you customize it more easily to your liking!

Bookmark my Singapore Cultural Travel page for more ideas!

Resources For Your Trip to Singapore

Below are some of the resources to help you get ready for your time in Singapore.

Don’t forget to check your visa requirements, and fill out the Digital Arrival Card no more than 3 days before you land.

Read up on the local laws and my top travel tips before you get there, and a bit about how to get around as well.

• Get your trip covered with Safety Wing Insurance
• Stay connected in Singapore with this eSIM
• Must-have Apps: Grab, City Mapper

Find a Place to Stay in Singapore

Looking for somewhere to stay? Read up on which neighborhood suits your travel style best, and use the map below!

Grab My Singapore E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

FAQs About Using Public Transportation in Singapore

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