Getting from Singapore Airport

Singapore

Singapore Airport is connected to an efficient network of metro and bus services.

SMRT Metro

The cheapest and most convenient way to get from the airport to downtown Singapore is via Singapore's SMRT metro.

First, you need to travel from the airport to Tanah Merah station (10 minutes), where you transfer to the Green Line of the East West Metro Line. The subsequent journey time to City Hall Central Station takes 26 minutes.

For connection searches and further information, visit the official website: smrttrains.com.sg.

  • Travel time: 45 minutes to City Hall with a transfer (Tanah Merah)
  • Frequency: 3-5 minutes (evening and early morning up to 10 minutes)
  • Fare: 1,93 sgd at the station City Hall
  • Last train from the airport - 23:18 with a connection at Tanah Merah station for trains to the centre, or 0:06 with a connection towards Pasir Ris)
  • First train from downtown - 6:01am from City Hall station (6:29am on Sundays)

Tickets

You can get a ticket from the ticket machines by selecting your destination station and the amount will be calculated accordingly. Alternatively, you can pay directly with your own card by swiping it on the reader when entering and leaving the station.

Fares are calculated according to the distance travelled and prices range from 1,50 sgd to 3,50 sgd.

Travel to Central Singapore and Marina Bay costs around 1,95 sgd. To calculate the exact fare, visit the website: lta.gov.sg.

You can also buy a Singapore Tourist Pass from the machine for unlimited travel on the metro and all city buses.

  • 1 calendar day - 22 sgd
  • 2 calendar days - 29 sgd
  • 3 calendar days - 34 sgd

Airport Metro Station

The "Changi Airport" station is located on the Terminal 2 level and is connected to Terminals 1 and 3 as well as the JEWEL building via corridors.

If you are travelling to/from Terminal 4, you will use the free shuttle bus running from the metro station to the terminal once every 10 minutes 24/7. The ride takes about 10 minutes.

Buses

All terminals are also served by public transport buses. Tickets can be purchased simply by attaching your own payment card to the validator inside the bus when boarding.

The Singapore Tourist Pass can also be used on buses.

Fares are calculated according to distance travelled and for travel to the city centre, the bus is slightly more expensive than the metro - approx. 2,15 sgd to the central stop at Raffles Hotel.

For exact fare calculations and maps of bus routes, visit: lta.gov.sg.

Line 36 to the city centre

An alternative to the subway for getting to downtown is the number 36 bus line. A slight advantage over the subway is the lack of transfers, but the overall route time is longer.

  • Travel time: 60 minutes per Raffles Hotel
  • Frequency: 8-12 minutes
  • Fares: 2,15 sgd per stop Raffles Hotel
  • Last bus from the airport - 23:58
  • First bus from the city centre - 6:45 from Raffles Hotel stop
  • Stops at terminals: 2, 4

Bus line 36 is operated by Go Ahead.

Other routes

From the airport, direct buses will take you mainly to residential areas in the east and northeast of Singapore.

The same fare calculation applies for all routes and for all carriers, you simply pay by attaching your own payment card to the reader when you board.

  • Line 24 - frequency approx. 10-12 minutes, runs from 5:30 to 23:00, operated by SBS Transit
  • Line 27 - frequency approx. 5-8 minutes, runs from 5:15 to 23:50, operated by SBS Transit
  • Line 34 - frequency approx. 5-12 minutes, runs from 5:30 to 23:45, carrier Go Ahead
  • Line 53 - frequency approx. 6-12 minutes, runs from 5:30 to 23:15, carrier SBS Transit
  • Line 110 - frequency approx. 10-12 minutes, runs from 5:30 to 23:45, carrier SMRT Buses
  • Line 858 - frequency approx. 6-12 minutes, runs from 5:15 to 0:30, carrier Tower Transit

Night service

There is no all-night public transport to the airport and you must use taxis for first morning departures or late night arrivals.

Taxi, Grab

There are clearly marked taxi ranks outside all terminals, which are available at all hours of the day and night.

There are also cars available to the airport via the popular Grab mobile app. The prices are often the same as conventional taxis, but the advantage is that you always know the price before the ride.

Approximate prices from Changi Airport:

  • Marina Bay Sands - 26 sgd
  • Chinatown - 29 sgd
  • Sentosa - 32 sgd
  • Woodlands Checkpoint - 40 sgd

Transportation to Malaysia

Taxis do not go through the border crossings, however, they will take you to the nearest border (Woodlands Checkpoint) which can be crossed on foot and Grab or book a taxi on the Malaysian side.

Singaporean and Malaysian public transport buses also run across the border.

Transtar Travel's direct bus service TS1 runs from Changi Airport Terminals 1 and 4 to the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru.

Buses run 6 times a day and a detailed timetable can be found on the carrier's website:

Ticket prices are as follows: transtar.travel/cross-border-services.

  • Changi Airport -> Johor Bahru Airport: 11 sgd
  • Johor Bahru -> Changi Airport: 13 myr

Tickets can be purchased online via: transtar.travel.

This article may contain affiliate links from which our editorial team may earn commissions if you click on the link. See our Advertising Policy page.

Any questions left?

If you have any questions or comments about the article...

0 comments

Sign in to Cestee

... the worldwide travel community

Do not have your travel account yet? Sign up