Singapore Public Transport: Routes, Fares and Practical Tips

Use the MRT for rail connections and buses to reach almost every part of Singapore.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) says Singapore’s rail network has more than 140 stations across six MRT lines. Buses extend the network across almost the entire island, so a journey may involve rail, bus or a combination of both.

For routes, estimated journey times and fares, use LTA’s journey planner. Its MyTransport app provides train operating times, station exits, public bus services and bus arrival times. If you’re changing between services, check the transfer rules before travelling: fare integration depends on the type of connection and the time between boardings.

You can pay public-transport fares with supported contactless cards or mobile wallets, or consider a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited travel over its available durations.

LTA accepts contactless Mastercard, Visa, NETS and American Express bank cards, as well as mobile-wallet payments. You don’t need to register a contactless bank card before using it. Foreign-issued contactless cards incur an administrative fee, so check LTA’s current guidance if you plan to use one.

Other supported options include SimplyGo EZ-Link cards, NETS prepaid cards and eligible concession cards. The Singapore Tourist Pass offers unlimited travel on public buses, MRT and LRT trains for one, two or three days. Compare its duration with your planned journeys before choosing it.

Cash is accepted only on buses; you need the exact fare, as drivers do not give change. For cashless travel, tap in and tap out with the same card or mobile device so the correct fare is charged.

Non-cash fares are distance-based across public-transport modes. Qualifying journeys can include up to five transfers without extra boarding charges, subject to transfer conditions.

The first and last boarding must be within two hours; transfers between a train station and a bus, or between bus services, must be within 45 minutes. Transfers between different train stations have a 15-minute limit, and exiting and re-entering the same station does not qualify.

Children under 0.9 metres tall travel free on basic bus services and trains when accompanied by a fare-paying commuter, or when using a Child concession card.

LTA lists concession eligibility for groups including children, students, adults, senior citizens, people with disabilities, Workfare Income Supplement recipients and full-time national servicemen. Concession-card holders can buy Monthly Concession Passes for unlimited travel on basic bus services and trains; the Child concession card provides free travel.

For a trip from Changi, use LTA’s journey planner to compare routes, fares and estimated travel times before you set out.

Enter your starting point and destination in the planner to check the available public-transport connections. The MyTransport app can help with station exits and bus arrival times once you’re on the move.

If you’re arriving by air, plan the onward connection with this guide to getting from Singapore Changi Airport to Village Hotel Changi. For any journey combining services, keep the fare-integration time limits in mind and tap in and out with the same payment method.

LTA says trains generally run from 5:30 a.m. to around midnight daily, with hours usually extended during festive periods. Peak train frequencies are 2–3 minutes from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; off-peak frequencies are about 5–7 minutes.

Schedules can change, so check the official site before you go. LTA directs passengers to SMRT and SBS Transit for changes to train operating hours.

To plan a journey into central Singapore, check the destination and starting point in LTA’s journey planner rather than assuming a single direct service.

The planner provides route options, fare calculations and estimated travel times. If your route uses both buses and trains, the distance-based fare system may cover qualifying transfers without additional boarding charges, provided you meet the transfer conditions. Check the trip details and station exits in the planner or MyTransport app before travelling.

If you’re mapping out a day in the city, a one-day Singapore itinerary starting from Changi can help you plan the order of your stops.

Check operating times and station details before travelling, especially if you need a specific station exit or are travelling late.

MyTransport provides station-exit information, train operating times, bus services and bus arrival times. LTA’s general train operating window is from 5:30 a.m. to around midnight daily, though festive periods can bring extended hours. For changes to operating hours, LTA points passengers to SMRT and SBS Transit.

Eligible concession-card groups include people with disabilities, along with children, students, adults, senior citizens, Workfare Income Supplement recipients and full-time national servicemen. Check LTA’s current guidance for eligibility and card details.

How many MRT lines does Singapore have?

Singapore’s MRT network has six lines and more than 140 stations, according to LTA.

Can you pay for Singapore public transport with a contactless bank card?

Yes. LTA supports contactless Mastercard, Visa, NETS and American Express cards, as well as mobile wallets. Foreign-issued contactless cards incur an administrative fee.

Does the Singapore Tourist Pass include buses and trains?

Yes. It provides unlimited travel on public bus services, MRT and LRT trains for one, two or three days.

Can you pay cash on Singapore trains?

Cash payment is accepted only on buses. Train single-trip tickets were phased out in March 2022, so use a supported cashless payment method or another eligible fare option.