Singapore is a modern city with a very well connected transport network. Therefore, getting around Singapore is easy, even for people visiting the city for the first time. Public transport runs on time, and the whole system was designed to be easy and intuitive to use. In addition, stations are clearly marked, and announcements are made in English. The infrastructure is also adapted for people with disabilities, so using public transport does not cause major problems. What is more, the system is fully integrated with Google Maps, so the app easily shows the best connections. You can also use the local MyTransport.SG app, available on iOS and Android.

Public transport
Metro in Singapore, known as MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), is the most popular way to get around the city. It consists of 6 lines with a total length of around 250 km, so it forms the backbone of the city’s entire public transport system. The network keeps expanding as the city develops, which means the metro reaches more and more districts. MRT runs from 5:30 am to midnight, although in exceptional situations the operating hours are extended. During peak hours, trains run every 2 to 3 minutes, while outside peak hours they run every 5 to 7 minutes. The system’s punctuality exceeds 99 percent. This is a very high result, especially considering the automation of the system, its cleanliness, and the relatively low level of congestion on the network. What is more, on many MRT lines the trains operate fully automatically and have no driver. A single ride costs around 1.7 SGD. You can pay for your ride contactlessly with a Visa or Mastercard through the SimplyGo system.

SimplyGo in Singapore lets you pay for your ride without buying a physical ticket or transport card. You only need to tap your payment card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or NETS) at the gate when entering and leaving the metro. As a result, there is no need to buy a ticket or top up a card. The system automatically charges the fare to your account, so the whole process is very fast. In addition, you can use your phone or watch with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. However, remember to tap the same payment card when entering and leaving.

Where the metro does not reach, the bus will. Singapore’s extensive transport network makes it possible to get to almost every corner of the city. A good example is Singapore Zoo, which the metro does not reach. However, the bus stops close to the entrance, so it is the easiest way to get to the zoo. Buses are also adapted for people with disabilities. In addition, most vehicles are air conditioned, so travelling on them is comfortable even in high temperatures. It is also worth remembering that buses stop on request, so before your stop you need to press the Stop button inside the vehicle.

A few rules for travelling by bus in Singapore.

1. Buses in Singapore stop on request, so at the bus stop you need to signal to the driver that you want to get on, and on the bus you need to press the stop button before your stop.
2. You board the bus through the front door. People with prams or in wheelchairs board through the middle door.
3. When entering the bus, you need to tap your payment card or transport card on the reader.
4. When getting off, you need to tap your card on the reader again, otherwise the system will automatically charge the highest possible fare.
5. There are designated seats on buses for seniors, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, and you should give them priority.

Singapore’s urban transport also includes LRT (Light Rail Transit), which is a light rail system operating mainly in residential districts. The system complements the MRT and takes residents from housing estates to the nearest metro stations or bus interchanges. Because of limited space, rail running on elevated tracks above the streets was chosen instead of trams. As a result, trains do not interfere with road traffic and can run very regularly. You are unlikely to come across it in central Singapore, because the lines mainly serve residential districts on the outskirts of the city.

Singapore Tourist Pass
Singapore Tourist Pass is a special EZ Link card that allows tourists unlimited travel on basic bus services, the MRT, and the LRT. There are several time based packages to choose from:

• one day 17 SGD,
• two days 24 SGD,
• three days 29 SGD,
• four days 37 SGD,
• five days 45 SGD.

The card does not cover premium transport or express services. Even so, it is a very convenient option during intensive sightseeing around the city. Thanks to it, you can freely use public transport without buying single tickets.

Singapore Tourist Pass can be purchased at customer service centres at MRT stations, at automatic metro kiosks at Changi Airport, and in many Cheers stores. All points of sale are listed on the official Singapore Tourist Pass website. It is worth remembering that the card works on calendar days, so its validity ends at midnight on that day. At many points of sale, a small deposit for the card is also charged, and you can get it back when you return the card. Singapore Tourist Pass is most worthwhile when you plan several rides a day and intensive sightseeing around the city.

A version of the card in the form of a pendant is also available, and it can also be an interesting souvenir from Singapore. In this case, there are two packages available. The one day version costs 22 SGD, while the three day version costs 34 SGD.

EZ-Link Card
Costs 10 SGD, and 5 SGD can be used straight away for rides. The card can be topped up with any amount, so you can conveniently use public transport in Singapore according to the fares on a given route. You can buy the card at Passenger Service Centre at MRT stations, as well as in many shops, such as 7 Eleven or Cheers. It can also be topped up at many machines at metro stations, including by paying with cash. One card is assigned to each passenger, so it cannot be used by several people. I think this is a good solution for a larger group when not everyone has a payment card. However, when travelling solo, as a couple, or in a small group, it is more convenient to simply pay for the ride with a payment card. This means there is no need to buy an extra card or top it up.

Cycling Around Singapore
Cycling infrastructure in Singapore is very well developed. All routes can be checked on the Land Transport Authority. Across the whole country, there are around 730 km of cycling paths as well as so called park connectors, which are routes linking parks and city districts. Dockless shared bikes also operate in Singapore. The most popular app is Anywheel(Appstore and Google Play). The rules are simple. First, you need to find a bike in the app, then scan the QR code and unlock the vehicle with your phone. This means you can start your ride straight away and explore the city. The cost of a ride is relatively low. In most shared bike systems, the price is around 1 SGD for 30 minutes of riding, so it is one of the cheaper ways to get around the city. After finishing your ride, you need to leave the bike in a designated parking zone. These places are marked with a yellow line and a QR code, which must be scanned in the app to end the ride.

To get from the airport to the city centre, you need to go to Changi Airport MRT station. From there, the metro goes to Tanah Merah MRT station, and it is hard to get lost because there are only two stops: Changi Airport MRT → Expo → Tanah Merah MRT. Then at Tanah Merah MRT station, you need to get off and change to the East West Line (final station: Tuas Link), which goes towards the city centre. There is a City sign on the platform, so you will easily find the right direction. What is more, the transfer usually takes place on the same or a nearby platform, so the whole process is quick and simple. Trains run every few minutes, so there is no need to wait long. The whole journey takes around 30 minutes.

The largest and most popular local operator is ComfortDelGro, which operates throughout Singapore. Taxis are equipped with meters and are considered safe. A taxi can be easily booked through the CDG Zig app. However, it is worth remembering that this is not the cheapest option, and a ride from the airport to the city centre can cost around 30 dollars. Extra charges are added for airport pickup, peak hours, and night rides. You can pay by card or cash. If you value convenience and door to door transport to your hotel, this is a good choice.

Google Maps works very well in Singapore and shows all available transport options, including the MRT, buses, and connections between points in the city. The app provides current arrival and departure times, so planning journeys in Singapore is quick and convenient. In practice, it was often enough, and there was no need to use additional apps. It is easy to use and well known, so for me it was the most convenient solution for getting around the city. In addition, it works very well for finding nearby restaurants, cafés, and attractions, together with reviews from other users.

Grab in Singapore works like Uber and is one of the most convenient transport options in the city. It is especially useful when you want to get somewhere quickly or when public transport is not the most convenient solution. The app shows the route live, so you have full control over the ride. Prices are usually affordable, although they can increase during high demand. Grab also allows you to order food, which is convenient after a full day of sightseeing in Singapore.

MyTransport in Singapore is the official app with bus, MRT, and LRT timetables that makes getting around the city easier. Thanks to the built in metro map, you can quickly plan your route and check the best connection. The app also shows live information about disruptions and delays, so it is easier to respond to changes in traffic. In addition, it lets you check the nearest stops in the area, which is especially useful in a new place. Nearby cycling routes are also included, which help you plan an alternative way of getting around Singapore.

redBus is an app that offers a wide network of bus connections from Singapore to Malaysia, covering many operators in different price ranges. The app is easy to use and allows you to buy tickets quickly. A big advantage is the option to save your ticket offline, which is especially useful when travelling. In one place, you can check and compare offers from many operators operating in Singapore.

1. In Singapore, you can pay for public transport with a contactless payment card, a phone, a watch, or an EZ Link card. There is no need to buy single tickets.

2. Google Maps works best for planning routes because it shows MRT connections, bus routes, and current departure times.

3. Public transport is very well developed, so in many cases it is more worthwhile to use MRT and buses than taxis, Grab, or Gojek.

4. On buses, you need to tap your card when entering and when leaving. If you do not do this, the system may charge a higher fare.

5. In the metro and on buses, there is a ban on eating, drinking, and carrying durian.

6. Singapore has strict rules regarding chewing gum. It is not worth bringing it or using it in public spaces.

7. Singapore has an extensive network of cycling paths and park routes. You can check them, among other places, in the MyTransport.SG app.

8. On buses, stops are on request, so you need to wave to the driver at the stop and press the Stop button before getting off.