Home › Travel Guides › Asia Travel Guide › Singapore › Singapore City › Singapore - Getting around

Singapore - Getting around

Public transport: 

Public transport in Singapore is efficient, ultra-modern, clean, cheap and mostly air conditioned. TransitLink Hotline (tel: 1 800 225 5663) is a one-stop number set up by all the major transport providers (bus, underground etc) to help co-ordinate people's transport needs (0800-1800 daily except public holidays).

The train system is operated by Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) (tel: 1 800 336 8900; www.smrt.com.sg). SMRT runs two services: the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and the Light Rapid Transit (LRT). The MRT system, including the new Circle Line, extends north-south and east-west. The LRT system runs from Bukit Panjang New Town to Choa Chu Kang and Fajar in the suburbs.

The bus system is operated by the Singapore Bus Service (SBS) (tel: 1 800 225 5663; www.sbstransit.com.sg) and SMRT Buses. SBS also runs a BusPlus service (tel: 6481 0166; www.busplus.com.sg), which operates during peak hours to shuttle passengers between residential areas and MRT stations or the Central Business District. SMRT Buses also operate the NightRider night service, with buses running on limited routes between the city centre and residential suburbs until around 0400.

Electronic Smart Cards, known as ez-link cards (www.ezlink.com.sg), may be used on any MRT, LRT or bus journey, and can be purchased and topped up from general ticketing machines at all MRT, LRT and bus stations, as well as online.

Taxis: 

Over 15,000 cheap, metered, safe and air-conditioned taxis ply the streets of Singapore, but their convenience and affordability means they are hard to find during peak hours, especially in the Central Business District (CBD) and during a downpour. Fares are subject to a number of surcharges such as advance booking fees, toll fees and ERP (electronic road pricing in the CBD area).

It is not customary to tip taxi drivers. Drivers changing shifts will only take passengers heading in their direction - the red board on the dashboard or windscreen indicates the destination. Major taxi firms include CityCab and Comfort (tel: 6552 1111), and SMRT Taxis (tel: 6369 0111).

Driving: 

Various tolls are levied in peak hours to relieve congestion on expressways and busy roads in Singapore, using the Electronic Road Pricing Scheme (ERP), which automatically deducts tolls from the In-vehicle Unit (IU). This is fitted in all Singaporean vehicles; drivers purchase a rechargeable CashCard and insert it in the IU. For vehicles that are not fitted with the IU, drivers may pay a fixed ERP fee, where S$5 is deducted per day on passing an ERP gantry. This is paid together with the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and toll charges via the Auto Pass card when departing Singapore.

This incredibly complex road-pricing system aims to help traffic flow in the Central Business District, with all vehicles entering between 0730 and 1900 also expected to pay a toll (depending on the location and time of day). Most rates have been reduced from February 2009 for cars (including taxis) fitted with the rechargeable CashCard technology. More information on the ERP is available from the Land Transport Authority (tel: 1 800 225 5582; www.lta.gov.sg).

The highways are easy to negotiate and traffic generally moves smoothly thanks to the ERP. Offences are treated seriously, with tough fines and even jail sentences. Singaporean drivers have a habit of lane drifting but otherwise traffic flows with very few abuses of etiquette.

Parking is cheap and easily available all over Singapore, especially in hotel basement car parks.

Car hire: 

A valid national driving licence is required, although an International Driving Permit (IDP) is preferred and is mandatory where the driver's national licence is not in English. Drivers also require a passport and credit card to hire a car in Singapore. Minimum third-party insurance is compulsory and can be extended to cover Malaysia. The minimum age limit for hiring a car is 25 years.

Major providers include Avis (tel: 6737 1668; www.avisworld.com) and Hertz (tel: 6734 4646; www.hertz.com).

Bicycle hire: 

Cycling in Singapore tends to be restricted to public parks, with East Coast Park a popular venue for cyclists and rollerbladers. Bicycle hire is available at several outlets in the park. Bicycles can also be hired at Sentosa, Pasir Ris and Bishan parks. The island of Pulau Ubin has mountain bike facilities, with many hire shops near the jetty.

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.