Changi Airport to the City: Every Option Compared

Changi Airport sits ~20 km east of the city centre. Five options cover every budget and schedule: MRT (cheapest, ~S$2, ~35 min), public bus (slowest, ~S$2), airport shuttle (shared door-to-door, S$10), metered taxi (S$25–45, 20–30 min, 24/7), and Grab/ride-hail (upfront price, 24/7). MRT is best for most; taxi or Grab for late arrivals or heavy luggage.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way from Changi Airport to the city?

The MRT is the cheapest option, costing approximately S$1.50–S$2.20 with an EZ-Link or contactless card, or S$2.30–S$2.70 with a single-trip ticket. Public bus (e.g. Bus 36 to Orchard Road) is similarly priced at around S$2. Both take 35–60 minutes depending on your destination.

Which bus goes from Changi Airport directly to the city?

Bus 36 is the most useful public bus for city-bound travellers, running to Orchard Road and the city centre. Buses 24, 27, 34, 53, and 858 also serve Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Bus stops are at the basement bus bays of each terminal. The journey takes roughly 60–80 minutes due to multiple stops.

How much does a taxi from Changi Airport to the city cost?

Changi Airport's official page states the metered fare is S$25–S$45 for a ~30-minute ride to the city. On top of the meter, an airport surcharge of S$8 applies from 17:00–23:59 daily, and S$6 at all other times. A 25% peak-hour surcharge and a 50% late-night surcharge (midnight–06:00) may also apply.

How do I get from Terminal 4 to the MRT?

Terminal 4 is not directly connected to the MRT station or the inter-terminal Skytrain. Take the free Terminal 4 shuttle bus to Terminal 2, then follow signs to the MRT station in the basement. Alternatively, take a taxi or Grab directly from T4's arrivals level, which has its own designated ride-hail pick-up points.

What is the Changi Airport city shuttle and how much does it cost?

The airport shuttle is a shared van service that drops passengers at major hotels in central Singapore. It departs from the Ground Transport Concierge (GTC) counters in each terminal's arrival hall. The fare is S$10 per adult and S$7 per child under 12. The ride takes approximately 20–40 minutes depending on hotel stops.

How do I take the MRT from Changi Airport to the city centre?

The MRT station (CG2) is in the basement of Terminals 2 and 3; from T1 or T4, take the free Skytrain or shuttle first. Board the Changi Airport branch to Tanah Merah (EW4) — two stops — then transfer to the East-West Line westbound toward Tuas Link, alighting at Raffles Place, City Hall, or your nearest stop. The full journey takes about 35 minutes.

Is Grab cheaper than a taxi from Changi Airport?

Grab shows an upfront fare before you book, typically S$20–S$40 to the city centre, and does not add a separate airport surcharge. However, during surge pricing (rain, peak hours, events), Grab can exceed metered taxi fares. It is worth checking both the Grab app and the taxi queue before deciding.

What are the MRT operating hours from Changi Airport?

The first train departs Changi Airport at 05:31 Monday to Saturday, and at 05:59 on Sundays and public holidays. The last train leaves at approximately 23:18 daily. If you miss the last train, taxis and Grab are available 24/7.

Nearby in Ask Singapore

• Jewel Changi AirportAttraction0.53 km · 7 min walk
• Changi Chapel and MuseumMuseum1.96 km · 24 min walk
• Changi Beach ParkBeach2.99 km · 37 min walk
• Pasir Ris ParkPark4.4 km · 55 min walk
• Pulau UbinAttraction5.65 km · 71 min walk