MRT station Singapore

Best Ways to Get Around Singapore

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This article is the perfect guide to navigating Singapore, from what type of transport to the best apps to use while you are here.

Singapore is a vibrant and modern city-state known for its efficient transportation system, making it easy to explore without needing a car. With its extensive network of MRT trains, buses, and taxis, getting around Singapore is both convenient and cost-effective.

The city’s compact size also allows for easy exploration on foot, immersing you in the bustling street life and iconic landmarks. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, Singapore offers a seamless and accessible experience for anyone looking to discover the rich diversity of this dynamic urban hub.

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How to Get Around Singapore

Thanks to its comprehensive public transport system, getting around Singapore is incredibly convenient. The most efficient way to explore the city is by utilising the various modes of public transport available, including the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and buses. The MRT network covers the major attractions and districts, providing a quick and efficient way to navigate the city.

Singapore Tourist Pass vs EZLink Card

For unlimited travel on public buses and trains, tourists can consider purchasing the Singapore Tourist Pass, which offers excellent value and convenience for getting around Singapore. This pass allows unlimited rides on the public transport network. It eliminates the hassle of having to purchase separate tickets for each journey, making it an excellent option for visitors looking to explore the city with ease.

The EZLink Card is a convenient option for tourists visiting Singapore. It offers a hassle-free way to access the city’s extensive public transportation network, including the MRT trains and buses. The card can be easily topped up and provides a seamless experience for getting around the city without purchasing separate tickets for each journey.

With the EZLink Card, tourists can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of exploring Singapore’s vibrant attractions and districts at their own pace while benefiting from the cost-effective and efficient public transport system.

Walking around Clarke Quay Singagpore

There’s No Real Need to Drive in Singapore.

Why? Singapore boasts a highly efficient and well-connected public transportation system. With an extensive network of MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) trains, buses, and taxis, getting around the city is convenient and cost-effective.

The city’s compact size also makes it easy to traverse on foot. However, if you do find yourself in need of a car for any reason, you can always rent one through trusted services like DiscoverCars, which offers a wide range of options to suit your needs.

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How to Use Public Transportation to Get Around In Singapore

When navigating Singapore’s public transportation system, utilising useful apps like Citymapper and Grab is helpful. Citymapper provides real-time transit information, including MRT and bus schedules and detailed directions for getting around the city.

It also offers alternative routes and transportation options to help you reach your destination efficiently. Additionally, Grab is an essential app for securing rides in Singapore. Whether you prefer taxis or private-hire cars, Grab allows you to easily book and pay for your rides, providing a convenient and reliable way to get around the city.

With these apps at your fingertips, you can navigate Singapore’s vibrant attractions and districts seamlessly while making the most of the city’s efficient public transportation network.

CityMapper

Your Options for Getting Around Singapore

The Mass Rapid Transit

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system in Singapore is a highly efficient and convenient mode of transportation for everyone. The MRT network covers most of the city, with several lines connecting various districts and attractions.

The different lines, such as the North-South Line, East-West Line, and Circle Line, provide comprehensive coverage, making it easy to reach key destinations. One of the most convenient aspects of the MRT is the air-conditioned carriages that offer respite from the heat and humidity of Singapore.

This makes travelling around the city a comfortable experience, especially during the warmer months. The MRT’s reliability and connectivity are undoubtedly one of the best ways to navigate Singapore, offering an excellent and efficient respite from the tropical climate.

  • North-South Line (Red Line) – It starts from Jurong East and ends at Marina South Pier.
  • East-West Line (Green Line)- It starts from Tuas Link and ends at Pasir Ris.
  • Circle Line (Yellow Line) – Connects HarbourFront and Dhoby Ghaut, running through various parts of the city.
  • Thomson–East Coast Line (brown line) – Connects Woodlands North to Gardens By the Bay

With New Stations Opening This Year:

Station names: *Founders’ Memorial—Tanjong Rhu—Katong Park—Tanjong Katong—Marine Parade—Marine Terrace—Siglap—Bayshore. *The Founders’ Memorial station will open in tandem with the Founders’ Memorial.

MRT Singapore

Bus

Singapore’s buses are a convenient and efficient way to get around the city. Using your travel card to tap on and off makes the process seamless. The double-decker buses provide ample seating and offer a unique vantage point from which to enjoy panoramic views of the city as you travel.

Bike

With the ease of tapping your travel card upon boarding and alighting, you can hop on and off buses to explore different neighbourhoods and attractions at your own pace, making the most of your time in Singapore while taking in the sights from the bus’s upper deck.

In Singapore, electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are a popular and eco-friendly mode of transportation. They provide a convenient and efficient way to navigate the city. E-bikes offer the flexibility to explore different neighbourhoods and attractions at your own pace while enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.

It’s important to note that e-bikes should be parked in the designated parking areas provided after use to maintain order and safety on the streets of Singapore.

Bike hire on Pulau Ubin

Grab

When travelling in Singapore, using the Grab app for transportation is highly convenient and reliable. Grab allows you to easily book and pay for rides, offering a seamless way to get around the city. Before your arrival, download the Grab app and set up your account.

When booking a ride, it’s important to double-check the pick-up location to ensure a smooth and efficient pick-up process. With Grab, you can easily navigate Singapore’s vibrant attractions and districts while enjoying a convenient and reliable transportation experience.

If you are on a budget, there is also the option of ridesharing with Grab. If you do not mind sharing your rider with a stranger, this is the most cost-effective way to catch a Grab in Singapore.

Grab App

Taxi

In Singapore, taxis are a popular and convenient mode of transportation, especially for getting around the city quickly, especially during peak hours or rainy days. While numerous taxi stands are located throughout the city where you can hail a cab, a taxi app such as Zig is often the most convenient way to secure a ride.

The app allows you to book and pay for your taxi quickly. It provides a reliable and efficient way to navigate Singapore, mainly when high demand or the weather conditions make finding a cab on the street challenging. Remember to check if the cab will take credit cards if you are hailing a taxi.

Ferry

In Singapore, ferries are a fantastic way to explore the neighbouring islands and enjoy scenic water views. Ferries operate from various terminals such as Marina South Pier, Tanah Merah, and Changi Point Ferry Terminal, providing convenient access to popular destinations like Pulau Ubin, St. John’s Island, Kusu Island, and Batam in Indonesia.

Tickets for ferry rides can be conveniently booked online through the respective ferry operators’ websites or purchased at the ticketing offices at the ferry terminals, offering flexibility and ease of access for everyone looking to embark on island-hopping adventures.

Marina South Ferries Singapore

Bumboat

You can take a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to get to Pulau Ubin. Bumboats operate from early morning until evening, and the journey takes about 10 minutes. The ferry ride offers a scenic view of the sea and surrounding islands. Once you arrive at Pulau Ubin, you can explore the island on foot or rent a bicycle to experience its natural beauty and rustic charm.

bumboat

Monorail

The monorail provides a convenient and scenic mode of transportation to and from Sentosa Island. The monorail offers a quick and enjoyable way to travel between HarbourFront and Sentosa, with tickets costing around SGD 4 per person for a round trip.

However, an interesting tip is that if you walk to Sentosa and catch the monorail back, the cost is waived, allowing you to enjoy a free ride back to HarbourFront. This provides an excellent opportunity to explore on foot and then relax on the monorail while enjoying the beautiful views without incurring additional expenses.

Cable Cars

One of Singapore’s iconic and scenic modes of transportation is the cable car system. The Singapore Cable Car offers breathtaking aerial views of the city and a unique and unforgettable way to traverse the island.

The cable cars connect Mount Faber to Sentosa Island, allowing passengers to enjoy panoramic vistas of the city skyline, lush greenery, and stunning coastal landscapes. This unforgettable transportation experience provides a bird’s-eye view of Singapore’s landmarks and attractions. It is a must-do activity for anyone looking to add adventure and excitement to their Singapore exploration.

Cable Cars

Free Shuttles

Some private shuttle bus services are more convenient than public buses. For tourists, notable options include the free shuttle bus lines that operate around Sentosa Island, the weekend Kranji Farms Shuttle for exploring Kranji Countryside, and the Mandai Khatib Shuttle that connects Khatib MRT Station to the various parks at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. I hope this post has given you the information you need. If you have any recommendations, tips or advice, I would love for you to share them in the comment section below!

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