Transport

Transport in Singapore is mainly land based. Many parts of Singapore, including islands such as Sentosa and Jurong Island, are accessible by road. The second most common form of transport is train. The main carriers are Mass Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit. The main island of Singapore is connected with other islands by ferry.

By plane

Singapore is the largest hub in Southeast Asia. The national carrier is Singapore Airlines and its regional subsidiaries SilkAir. Other major carriers are AirAsia and FireFly operating flights to Europe, the Middle East, Australia, North America, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Singapore is very popular as a stop for the “Kangaroo Route” between Australia and Europe, with KLM, Mann Travel, British Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates.

Changi Airport

It is a major regional airport in the country and has been rated as “the world’s best airport”. According to the rating, it is large, pleasant, well organized and with a quick distribution of luggage. The airport is divided into three main terminals (T1, T2 and T3) and a new fourth terminal, T4. It serves mainly airlines with continuous flights.

Fortunately, transfers between terminals are easy because they are connected to the free Skytrain service, which can be used without the passage of immigration control. T2 is used for departures to destinations in Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Africa. T3 serves all other destinations. If you go to the airport by taxi, it is good to tell the driver which country is your destination, because he needs to know which terminal you need. Unlike most other airports, there are no separate zones for passengers before and after arrival. The exception is the new fourth T4 terminal, which is separated from the others and has separate zones.

A free 24-hour shuttle service runs between T2 and T4 and takes about 10 minutes. Passengers can then use the free Skytrain service.

If you are in the airport and have a lot of time, you will not be bored here. Each terminal has a unique design and plenty of attractions. T2 has an indoor garden, a room for listening to music with sofas and lighting, a computer room, a small cinema, paid massages and, of course, plenty of duty free shops. T3 has a butterfly garden. On the other hand, the T1 has a pool (for 13.91 SGD) and a hot tub, both open until 23:00. T4 boasts a mini theater performance called “Peranakan Love Story”. Free internet access is available in all terminals.

Public transport

Singapore, according to a study by Credo, London, is one of the most cost-effective public transport networks in the world. The public transport system is very clear and even taxis are at very reasonable prices. If you stay here, you can settle for the Singapore Tourist Pass, which works on the same principle as “Lítačka”. You can purchase it at selected MRT stations (including Changi Airport). Includes unlimited travel on MRT and non-premium buses, costs $ 10 for 1 day, $ 16 for 2 days, or $ 20 for 3 days (and you have to pay $ 10 rental deposit). Thanks to the card you can also get some discounts on shops and attractions. The cards are valid until the end of the business hours on the day they expire. Single tickets can be purchased for both MRT and buses. In addition to cash, it is possible to use a contactless chip card called EZ-Link, which is used to pay for the bus and MRT.

Road transport

Singapore is connected by two land crossings to Malaysia. The Causeway is a very popular and busy entry point connecting the Woodlands and Johor Bahru. You can arrive by bus, train, taxi or car. Crossing the border is not possible on foot, as Malaysia has moved its customs and immigration complex 2 km further inland.

The second intersection between Malaysia and Singapore, known as Second Link, was built between Tuas and Tanjung Kupang. This point is not so busy, it is used by only a few bus and cars.

By bus

To / From Malaysia: Connections via Woodlands or Tuas. Major operators include:

  • KKKL – starting point in Katong V, an one way ticket costs SGD 30, has good foot space and free WiFi.
  • Aerolin – departure from HarbourFront Center to Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, an one way ticket costs SGD 47, on board you get food and the bus has drawers.
  • First Coach – departing from Novena Square to Kuala Lumpur, crossing the border using the Tuas crossing, an one-way ticket costs SGD 33,55 and has good foot space.
  • NiCE – more than 20 departures from the old Kuala Lumpur railway station. Possibility to choose between 2-storey bus with 27 seats for MYR 80 and luxury bus with 18 seats for 88 MYR. Departures are from Copthorne Orchid Hotel to Dunearn Rd.
  • Transnasional – the largest bus carrier in Malaysia offering direct buses from Singapore. Departure is from Lavender St. You can choose between Executive Buses for MYR 80 and Economy for MYR 35.In general, the more you pay, the faster and more comfortable you go.

More expensive buses leave in time, using the second crossing across the border – Tuas

To / from Johor Bahru:

Line – stop in Singapore – stop in Johor Bahru – price

Link CW1 – Kranji MRT – Larkin – $ 1.50
Link CW2 – Queen St – Larkin – $ 3.50
Link CW3 – Jurong East MRT – $ 4
Link CW4 – Pontian Link – Jurong East MRT $ 4
Link CW5 – Newton Circus – Larkin – $ 3.30
Link CW6 – Boon Lay – $ 4
Advance Coach AC7 – Yishun MRT – CIQ – $ 2.50
Transtar TS1 – Changi Airport – CIQ – $ 10
Transtar TS8 – Resorts World Sentosa – CIQ $ 7
SBS 170 (red plate) – Queen St Kranji – Larkin – $ 2.50
SBS 170X (blue plate) – Kranji MRT – JB Sentral $ 2
SBS 160 – Jurong East MRT via Kranji – JB Sentral $ 2.50
SMRT 950 – Woodlands MRT via Marsiling – JB Sentral $ 2.20
Singapore – Johor Express – Queen St – Larkin – $ 3.30

Buses connect all corners of Singapore, but travel is slower. The advantage is the fact that you can explore many beautiful places while driving. You can buy the fare on the bus (paid in cash) and the easiest way will be when you tell the driver the destination and he will tell you the price.

After midnight on Friday, Saturday and before holiday, NightRider runs around the main nightlife districts (Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Mohamed Sultan and Orchard). Fare is SGD 4. The Singapore Tourist Pass does not apply here.

Carriers – SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Tower Transit Singapore, Go-Ahead Singapore

For more information on bus service, visit: http://www.gothere.sg

Applications Grab, Ryde, Go Jek

Due to the fact that taxis are generally difficult to access, you can use a similar taxi service via the Grab, Ryde or Go Jek apps, where you will see the price before.

Trishaw – Tricycle Taxi

They are around Singapore River and Chinatown. A short ride costs 10 – 20 SGD and an hourly 50 SGD / person.

By bicycle

With shared bikes through OFO and MOBIKE SINGAPORE, this mode of transportation around Singapore is more popular every year. The bikes can be easily found on the main pedestrian zones (bus stops, close to shopping centers) and can be rented at a very reasonable price. You can also cross the border to Malaysia by bike, but you are not allowed to drive on the motorways.

Scooters are especially useful around Riverside, where is Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Parliament House, Supreme Court, Merlion and War Memorial Park are located. In addition, it is a convenient mode of transport combined with public transport. Compared to a bike, you can fold your scooter and take it with you to the MRT, and it is also allowed to ride on the sidewalks (you have to be careful of the pedestrians while driving).

By Train

Malayan Railway or KTMB operates a shuttle service between Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore and JB Sentral in Johor Bahru. Trains have their own dedicated immigration departments and controls.

Shuttle Tebrau runs 17 trips a day from JB Sentral and 14 trips from the Woodlands:

  • JB Sentral to Woodlands: 05:00, 05:25, 05:55, 06:20, 07:30, 08:40, 09:50, 11:20, 12:50, 14:20, 15:30, 16:40, 17:50, 19:00, 20:10, 21:20, 22:30.
  • Woodlands to JB Sentral: 07:20, 08:30, 09:40, 10:50, 12:20, 13:50, 15:20, 16:30, 17:40, 18:50, 20:00, 21:10, 22:20, 23:30.

Gates open 30 minutes before each departure for immigration clearance and boarding, and close 10 minutes before departure. Taking pictures and uploading videos is prohibited on the train. One way tickets are for 5 MYR (SGD 1.67) in the JB – Woodlands direction and for 5 SGD in the Woodlands – JB direction. Return tickets are doubled according to the original location, ie. in the direction of JB – Woodlands -JB for 10 MYR (SGD 3.33) and in the direction of Woodlands -JB – Woodlands for 10 SGD. Tickets can be purchased 30 days in advance, either in person at KTMB ticket counters or online via the KTMB e-ticketing website. We recommend booking in advance because the services are very popular.

Journey to / from Woodlands Train Checkpoint

  • Bus from / to MRT: buses connect the train checkpoint with Kranji, Marsiling and Woodlands MRT stations. The nearest station is Marsiling (1.6 km), but more buses go to the Woodlands. Check the MRT to make sure the bus goes to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
  • Bus from / to the city: at the Train Checkpoint, SBS 170 runs through the Kranji MRT stop to Queen St. and in the opposite direction, stop Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru.

MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) are trains of the Singapore transit system. It is a cheap and very reliable mode of transport and the network covers most of the interesting places. EZ-link or FlashPay farecards are the easiest and most popular ways to use MRT. All train lines use non-contact RFID tickets. You can buy one-off tickets at the ticket machine, which is located in front of the turnstiles and costs SGD 2.80 to 2.20. MRT stations are clean and equipped with free toilets.

MRT has 5 main lines with a total length of 198.6 km with 119 stations.

The North South Line – operated by SMRT Trains
East West Line – operated by SMRT Trains
Circle Line – operated by SMRT Trains
North East Line – operated by SBS Transit
Downtown Line – operated by SBS Transit

Boat

Ferries connect Singapore with the neighboring Indonesian islands of Riau and the Malaysian state of Johor Bahru. Singapore has 5 ferry terminals that serve like international ferries: HarbourFront (formerly World Trade Center) near Sentosa, Marina Bay Cruise Center at Marina Bay, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on the east coast and Changi Point on the east side of the island near the airport.

Arrival to / from ferry port:

  • HarbourFront FT: Located next to HarbourFront MRT Station.
  • Marina Bay Cruise Center: Shuttle service to Marina Bay MRT is the obvious choice.
  • Tanah Merah FT: Get off at MRT station Bedok and take a bus 35 to the ferry terminal.
  • Changi FT: Unfortunately there is no bus service nearby and you must take a taxi from Changi Villange or Tanah Merah MRT.
  • Changi Point FT: Take a bus 2, 29 or 59 to Changi Village bus terminal and walk to the ferry terminal.

Bumboats on the Singapore River, offering a ride from $ 3. If you are interested in boating with a view of the CBD skyscraper, the price starts at 13 SGD. Cruises are also operated from Changi Village to Pulau Ubin (one-way ticket for SGD 2.5).

Cruises

Star Cruises offers multi-day cruises from Singapore to locations throughout Southeast Asia leaving HarbourFront FT. Itineraries vary greatly and change, but common destinations include Melaka, Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Penang, Langkawi, Redang and Tioman in Malaysia, as well as Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui and Bangkok in Thailand. Furthermore, there are several cruises each year to the islands of Borneo (Malaysia), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and even to Hong Kong.