Singapore MRT

Singapore’s MRT connects Changi Airport to the city in under 40 minutes for around S$2.30 (~USD 1.70). Six color-coded lines serve every major tourist area directly: Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa, Chinatown, Little India. Trains run every 2 to 3 minutes at peak times.

The payment step is the one decision to make before you arrive. Three options work at every fare gate: tap a foreign bank card through SimplyGo, load a rechargeable EZ-Link card, or buy a daily Tourist Pass for unlimited rides. The Tourist Pass only pays off above a certain trip count per day. Below that threshold, paying per ride costs less.

For how the areas these lines connect relate to each other geographically, see our guide to Singapore’s regions.

Three Ways to Pay

All three methods use the same tap-in, tap-out fare gates at every MRT station and bus stop.

• SimplyGo contactless. Tap any foreign Visa, Mastercard, or AMEX contactless card — or a mobile wallet — directly at the fare gate. No card to buy or top up. A S$0.60 (~USD 0.45) admin fee is charged once daily for foreign-issued cards, on top of per-ride fares. Your bank may also apply a foreign transaction fee. Convenient for a short layover or a light one-day itinerary where you do not want to buy a card.
• EZ-Link card. A rechargeable stored-value card that works on all MRT lines, public bus routes, and LRT feeder services. No daily admin fee once loaded. Best for visits of four or more days, or any trip where you expect fewer than five MRT rides per day.
• Singapore Tourist Pass. An unlimited-ride card sold by the day: S$17 (~USD 12.70) for one day, S$24 (~USD 17.90) for two, S$29 (~USD 21.70) for three. Covers MRT, public buses, and LRT. Pays off when you are making five or more trips per day. A S$10 (~USD 7.50) refundable deposit is charged at purchase and returned when you hand the card back.

The break-even point for the Tourist Pass against per-ride EZ-Link fares is roughly five trips per day. Below that, paying per journey is cheaper. If you are spending most of a day in one neighborhood — say, Sentosa or Orchard Road — the Tourist Pass rarely saves money.

Singapore Tourist Pass: Prices and When It’s Worth It

Tourist Passes are sold at SimplyGo Ticket Offices inside most MRT stations, including counters at Changi Airport. You pay the pass price plus a S$10 (~USD 7.50) refundable deposit. Return the card to any SimplyGo Ticket Office before departing Singapore to get the deposit back.

• 1-day pass: S$17 (~USD 12.70). Total outlay with deposit: S$27 (~USD 20.20). Makes sense for a packed single-day itinerary with six or more journeys across the network.
• 2-day pass: S$24 (~USD 17.90). Total outlay: S$34 (~USD 25.40).
• 3-day pass: S$29 (~USD 21.70). Total outlay: S$39 (~USD 29.10). At around S$9.67 (~USD 7.20) per day for unlimited travel, this is the best value option for a three-day sightseeing schedule.

The pass covers all basic MRT, bus, and LRT services. It does not cover the Airport Express supplement, cable car, or private coach services. Longer-duration passes up to five days are available at SimplyGo Ticket Offices.

EZ-Link Card

The EZ-Link card is the standard transit card for Singapore residents and is the practical choice for most tourist stays. It works on every MRT line, all public bus routes, and LRT feeder services, with no daily admin fee.

Pick one up at any MRT station Passenger Service Centre, 7-Eleven, or Cheers convenience store. Cards are also available at Changi Airport at the Passenger Service Centres in each terminal’s transit hall.

• Standard card: S$10 (~USD 7.50). S$5 is a non-refundable card fee; S$5 is immediately usable stored value. Some Passenger Service Centres sell a S$12 (~USD 9) version with S$7 of stored value. The card is physically identical.
• Top-up points. MRT station ticket machines, 7-Eleven, Cheers convenience stores, and the SimplyGo app with a linked bank account. Minimum top-up is S$10 (~USD 7.50); the card holds up to S$500 (~USD 375).
• Validity and reuse. The card is valid for five years from issue. If you return to Singapore on a future trip, the same card works — just top up the balance before boarding.

Unused stored value, minus the S$5 card fee, can be refunded at any Passenger Service Centre if you choose not to keep the card.

The Six MRT Lines

Each line has a color, a two-letter code, and numbered stations. Every platform displays the full line map with interchange points. Transfers between lines are seamless: you walk between platforms within the gated fare zone without tapping again. The fare is calculated on total journey distance regardless of how many lines you use.

• East-West Line (EWL, green). Runs from Tuas Link in the west to Pasir Ris in the east, via City Hall and Raffles Place. A branch splits at Tanah Merah (EW4) toward Changi Airport — every airport transfer uses this line.
• North-South Line (NSL, red). Runs from Jurong East to Marina South Pier, through Orchard Road (Orchard, Somerset, Dhoby Ghaut stations), City Hall, and Raffles Place. The main corridor for hotels in the city center.
• Downtown Line (DTL, blue). Runs from Bukit Panjang to Expo, connecting to the airport branch. Key stops: Little India (DT12), Bugis (DT14), Promenade (DT15) for the F1 circuit, Bayfront (DT16) for Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, and Chinatown (DT19).
• North East Line (NEL, purple). Runs from HarbourFront to Punggol. HarbourFront (NE1) is the transfer point for Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore. Also serves Clarke Quay (NE5) and Little India (NE7).
• Circle Line (CCL, yellow). A loop connecting the outer residential belt to the city center. Key stops: Dhoby Ghaut (shopping area), Esplanade (Theatres on the Bay), Botanic Gardens, and HarbourFront. A short extension reaches Marina Bay (CE2).
• Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL, brown). The newest line, running from Woodlands North to Sungei Bedok. Serves Orchard, Stevens, and the eastern coastline. Extends coverage to areas not previously on the rail network.

Key Interchange Stations

Several MRT stations serve two or three lines simultaneously. Knowing the major ones before you board saves time at busy platforms.

• Dhoby Ghaut (NS24/NE6/CC1). The only three-line station in the tourist core — North-South, North East, and Circle lines all converge here. The station has multiple levels and the platforms are separated; follow line-color signs and allow a few minutes when switching lines for the first time.
• City Hall (EW13/NS25) and Raffles Place (EW14/NS26). Both stations serve the East-West and North-South lines. They are two separate stations one stop apart, not the same station. Either works for crossing between the two lines. City Hall is closer to the Padang and Esplanade area; Raffles Place is closer to the Singapore River.
• Outram Park (EW16/NE3/TE17). East-West, North East, and Thomson-East Coast lines meet here. Useful for reaching Clarke Quay (one stop on NEL) or the eastern coastline via TEL.
• HarbourFront (NE1/CC29). North East and Circle lines. The departure point for the Sentosa Express monorail to Sentosa Island — the Sentosa Express entrance is on Level 3 of VivoCity mall, a short walk from the MRT exit.

At all interchange stations, transfers within the paid zone require no re-tapping. Walk directly to the other platform following the line-color overhead signs.

Getting from Changi Airport

Changi Airport has two MRT stations: Changi Airport (CG1) and Expo (CG2). Both sit on the Changi Airport branch of the East-West Line and connect to the main network at Tanah Merah (EW4). The standard route into the city:

• Board at Changi Airport (CG1) toward Tanah Merah
• Transfer at Tanah Merah to the main East-West Line westbound
• Ride to your stop: Bugis around 30 minutes, City Hall around 35 minutes, Raffles Place around 35 minutes

Fare from Changi Airport to City Hall: around S$2.30 (~USD 1.70) with an EZ-Link card. Total journey: 35 to 40 minutes.

Terminals 1, 2, and 3 connect to the MRT station by covered walkway. Terminal 4 has no direct MRT access. A free shuttle bus (T4 Shuttle) links Terminal 4 to Terminal 2, where you board the MRT. Factor in an extra 15 to 20 minutes if your flight arrives at T4.

Trains from Changi Airport run from approximately 5:30am to just after midnight. If you land late, check the departure board in the station for last train times. Night Rider bus services cover the airport corridor after rail hours.

Sentosa Express: Getting to Sentosa Island

The Sentosa Express is a monorail connecting the mainland to Sentosa Island, where Universal Studios Singapore, the beaches, and most Sentosa resorts are located. It is a separate fare system from the MRT — EZ-Link stored value covers the fare, but the Tourist Pass does not include it.

• Boarding point. Level 3 of VivoCity mall, a short walk from HarbourFront MRT (NE1/CC29). Signs from the MRT exits point directly to the Sentosa Express entrance.
• Fare. Around S$4 (~USD 3) per person from VivoCity to Sentosa. Travel between stations within Sentosa and the return journey back to VivoCity are free. Payment by EZ-Link card, contactless Visa/Mastercard, or cash.
• Tourist Pass note. The S$4 Sentosa Express fare is charged separately regardless of which transit card you hold. Budget for it independently when planning a Sentosa day.
• Alternative: Sentosa Boardwalk. A free covered pedestrian walkway connects VivoCity directly to Sentosa at no cost. It adds around 10 to 15 minutes on foot but bypasses any queue at the monorail — useful during busy weekend afternoons.

Fares and How Distance Pricing Works

Singapore uses a distance-based fare system. The more stations in your journey, the higher the fare, though each trip is capped at a maximum. All fares below are for EZ-Link or contactless payment — single-journey tickets from machines cost slightly more.

• Short hop (1 to 3 stations): around S$1.10 to S$1.30 (~USD 0.80 to 1.00)
• Medium journey (5 to 10 stations): around S$1.40 to S$1.80 (~USD 1.05 to 1.35)
• Long cross-city journey: around S$1.80 to S$2.50 (~USD 1.35 to 1.90)
• Airport route (Changi to City Hall): around S$2.30 (~USD 1.70)

Off-peak travel — before 7:45am on weekdays, after 9am, and on weekends and public holidays — is slightly discounted. The saving per trip is small (around S$0.04 to S$0.09), but it adds up on a long stay.

Children under 0.9m in height travel free when accompanying a paying adult, with no card required. Children taller than 0.9m but under 7 years old qualify for a concession rate with a Child Concession Card from any SimplyGo Ticket Office.

Minimum balance to board. The fare gate will reject any card with stored value below S$3 (~USD 2.25) — the reader shows a red light and the barrier stays closed. This catches many tourists by surprise, particularly at the end of a day when the card is running low. Keep at least S$5 (~USD 3.75) on the card at all times, especially before a long trip such as the airport run. Top-up machines are located at every station entrance.

One practical issue: card clash. If you tap the fare gate with a wallet or bag containing multiple contactless cards, the reader may charge the wrong card or fail entirely. Tap a single card or phone directly against the reader, not through a multi-card wallet.

Operating Hours and Night Travel

MRT trains run daily from approximately 5:30am to midnight, with slight variations by line and direction. Last trains from end terminals typically depart between 11:30pm and 12:10am. The platform display boards show exact departure times for the current evening.

During peak hours (7:30 to 9:30am and 5:30 to 7:30pm on weekdays), trains run every 2 to 3 minutes on all main lines. Off-peak and weekend service runs every 5 to 7 minutes. Even off-peak, waits rarely exceed 8 minutes.

During the Singapore Grand Prix in late September, MRT service on the Downtown and Circle lines runs extended hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings — typically until around 1am on race nights. Promenade (DT15) and Bayfront (DT16) stations serve the circuit and become very crowded after the race ends around 10pm to 11pm. Allow extra time for the return journey on race nights and expect packed trains on the Downtown Line heading toward Bugis and the city hotels.

After MRT hours, Night Rider bus services cover key corridors including routes between Changi Airport and the city. Standard bus fares apply — tap your EZ-Link card or contactless payment as normal. Check the SimplyGo website for Night Rider routes and current Tourist Pass coverage.

Rules, Etiquette, and What Gets You Fined

Singapore enforces MRT rules more strictly than most cities. The fines are real, and tourists are not exempt.

• No food or drink. Eating, drinking, or carrying an open container on trains or in stations carries a fine of up to S$500 (~USD 375). A sealed bottle in a bag is fine. An open coffee cup is not.
• No durian. The fruit is explicitly banned and listed on station signs. No exceptions.
• Priority seats. Yellow-marked seats near train doors are reserved for elderly passengers, pregnant women, passengers with disabilities, and those with young children. It is expected that you give them up without being asked.
• Move to the center. Platform markings show exactly where doors open, so passengers can queue in two lines and let others off first. Once on board, move toward the center of the carriage rather than standing near the doors. This is taken seriously during peak hours.
• Keep the volume down. Phone calls on speaker and loud music are considered poor form. Most commuters are silent. SMRT ran a public campaign around five fictional characters — Give-Way Glenda, Move-In Martin, Bag-Down Benny, Hush-Hush Hannah, Stand-Up Stacey — to set the behavioral standard. The characters are displayed in some stations.
• Tap out. The system charges you based on exit station. If you forget to tap out, you are charged the maximum fare for the line. Take your card to any Passenger Service Centre to have the charge corrected.