Getting Around Singapore: MRT, Buses, and Your EZ-Link Card

Singapore's MRT and bus network is one of Asia's most efficient, covering the whole island with distance-based fares. The EZ-Link card — a tap-in/tap-out stored-value card — is the standard way to pay, offering lower fares than cash and seamless transfers between trains and buses on a single journey.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

How much does an EZ-Link card cost and where do I buy one?

A standard adult EZ-Link card costs S$10, comprising a S$5 non-refundable card fee and S$5 in usable stored value. Buy one at any TransitLink Ticket Office or Passenger Service Centre at MRT stations, or at 7-Eleven and Cheers convenience stores across Singapore, including at Changi Airport on arrival.

How do I top up my EZ-Link card?

Top up at General Ticketing Machines or Add Value Machines at MRT stations, at TransitLink counters, selected ATMs, and convenience stores like 7-Eleven. You can also top up anytime via the SimplyGo app if you have a SimplyGo EZ-Link card linked to your account. Keep a buffer balance — you need at least S$3 to board.

Can I use a contactless credit or debit card instead of an EZ-Link card?

Yes — you can tap any contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or NETS bank card, or a mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay), directly at fare gates and bus readers. Adult fares apply, and a daily admin fee of S$0.60 applies to cards issued outside Singapore. Always use the same card or device for both tap-in and tap-out on a single journey.

What is the Singapore Tourist Pass and is it worth it?

The Singapore Tourist Pass gives unlimited rides on standard MRT, LRT, and bus services for 1–5 consecutive days, priced at S$17/S$24/S$29/S$37/S$45 respectively (plus a S$10 refundable deposit). It pays for itself if you make roughly nine or more rides per day. It does not cover premium services like the Sentosa Express or express buses.

What are the MRT operating hours?

The MRT runs approximately 05:30 to midnight daily, every day of the year. Train frequency is 2–3 minutes during peak hours (07:00–09:00) and 5–7 minutes off-peak. Hours are extended during major public holidays and festive periods such as New Year's Eve.

How do I use an EZ-Link card on the MRT and bus?

Tap your card on the reader when entering an MRT fare gate or boarding a bus, then tap again when exiting the station or alighting from the bus. The correct distance-based fare is automatically deducted. If you forget to tap out, the maximum fare for that entry point is charged.

Do bus and MRT transfers count as one journey or separate fares?

Transfers between buses and MRT (or bus-to-bus) are treated as a single continuous journey, so the fare is calculated on total distance travelled rather than per leg. You can make up to five legs within one journey. The key rule: use the same card throughout and complete each transfer within the allowed time window.

What are the current MRT and bus fares in Singapore?

Adult card fares are distance-based, running from S$1.28 for a short trip (up to 3.2 km) to S$2.57 for the longest journeys, effective 27 December 2025. Bus and MRT fares share the same distance bands, so a 10 km trip costs the same whether you ride a bus, train, or a combination. Paying cash on a bus starts at S$2.10 — around S$0.82 more than the equivalent card fare.

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