From Singapore Airport to Your Hotel

" Did you know that it may take only 30 minutes to get from
Singapore Airport to your hotel?"

If you enjoying brushing off hotel touts and bargaining with taxi drivers, you've landed at the wrong airport. At Singapore's Changi Airport, your only concern is finding transport that fits your budget.

There are a few ways to get from the airport to your hotel, some of which are more efficient than others. These are my recommendations in order of preference:

1. The Taxi / Maxi-Cab
   
   
2. The Limousine
   
   
3. The Airport Shuttle
   
   
4. The City Train (also called the 'MRT' - Mass Rapid Transit)

Here's why....

Taking the Taxi to Your Hotel (Up to 4 Passengers)

Highly Recommended!

Advantages:

1. Most time-efficient - gets you to city hotels in 20-40 minutes.
   
   
2. A trip to the city is likely to cost S$15-35, including all surcharges.
   
   
3. Especially cost-effective if you are travelling in a group of 2-4 persons.
   
   
4. Straightforward - at Arrival Hall, look for 'Taxi' sign, get into a waiting taxi.
   
   
5. No need to plan your route; get a quick rest after your flight.

Disadvantages:

1. Airport surcharge of $5 from 5pm to 12 midnight from Friday to Sunday; and $3 at other times.
   
   
2. ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) surcharges of between S$0.50 and S$2.50 depending on where you go in the city and when.
   
   
3. Additional surcharges apply when you travel during:
   
   
• peak hours
  • 7am-9.30am (Monday-Friday), 5pm-8pm (Monday-Saturday)
  • 35% of basic fare
    
    
• midnight - 5.59am
  • 50% of basic fare
    
    
4. There might be a longer wait during peak hours.
   
   

Do you have more than 4 people in your group? Book a Maxi-cab instead!

The Maxi-cab service uses the 7-seater Mercedes Vito van. Each trip to a single destination costs $50. If you have 5-7 travellers in your group, this service might be the most cost-effective. Check with the Airport Transport Booking counter.

Available: 24/7 at all Terminals 1, 2, 3 and Budget Terminal.

Taking the Limousine to Your Hotel

Highly recommended for 3-7 people travelling together!

The limousine service uses 3 different types of vehicles:

	Vehicle	Seating Capacity	Fare
1	Mercedes Benz E220 saloon	4 passengers	$45 per trip
2	London Cab	5 passengers	$55 per trip
3	Space MPV	7 passengers	$50 per trip

Please note:

1. $10 is charged for every additional stop made before the final destination.
   
   
2. Midnight surcharge of $12 applies if the trip starts between midnight and 6am.
   
   
3. Approach the Airport Limousine Counter at the Arrival Hall.

Available: 24/7 at all Terminals 1, 2, 3 and Budget Terminal.

Advantages:

1. the peak-hour taxi queue is pretty long and taxis are few, this option helps to save you time.
   
   
2. If travelling in a group of 5-7 people, you could hire just ONE vehicle to your destination.
   
   
3. Estimated time to hotel: 20-40 minutes.

Disadvantage:

1. More expensive than the other options. (But cost effective if group has 3-7 people)
   

Taking the Airport Shuttle to Your Hotel

Recommended!

The Airport Shuttle uses a 9-seater executive coach.

Advantages:

1. Only S$9 per person ($6 per child) right to your hotel's doorstep.
   
   
2. Especially cost-effective if you are travelling alone.
   
   
3. Estimated time to hotel: 30-60 minutes.
   
   
4. You may also charter the entire coach if you are travelling in a big group or if you have a lot of luggage. Enquire at the Airport Shuttle Service counter.

Disadvantages:

1. Does not leave immediately. Leaves...

• every 30 minutes during off-peak hours,
• every 15 minutes during peak hours (6.15pm - midnight), 
• or when they get 6 passengers.

2. The driver drops the passengers one by one - you may be the last!
   
   
3. Does not go to the hotels in Changi Village and Sentosa Island.

Available: 24/7 at Terminals 1, 2, and 3, subject to departing schedule.

The Airport Shuttle booths are clearly signposted. They are found next to the Visitor Information Centres at Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

Taking the City Train (MRT) to Your Hotel

Recommended, but...

This option is really excellent if you have pre-booked a hotel near one of the train stations - and there are many such hotels in town, some of which are just above the train stations!

Advantages:

1. Takes you to the many hotels near or above MRT stations.
   
   
2. Cheap! Costs no more than S$2 wherever your hotel.
   
   
3. Easy-to-understand train network. (In fact, many visitors find this a great way to travel around Singapore.)

Disadvantages:

1. Requires a bit of map-reading (but you may seek help at the Passenger Service counter at the Singapore Airport MRT station).
   
   
2. Suitable only for travel between 6.00am and 11.00pm.
   
   
3. Requires transfers and trains are sometimes crowded.
   
   
4. Estimated time to hotel: 30-60 minutes.

Available:
Accessible from both Terminals 2 and 3. Advice: catch the train between 6am and 11pm.


Where's the Airport-to-City Train (MRT) Station?

The city train station (MRT) can be reached from Singapore Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

If you arrive at Singapore Airport Terminal 3:

Come out to the Arrival Hall and just walk to your left. Descend the escalator to the MRT station.

If you arrive at Singapore Airport Terminal 2:

Come out to the Arrival Hall and just walk to your right. Descend the escalator to the MRT station.

If you arrive at Singapore Budget Terminal:

Take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 2 and follow the signs to the MRT station.

If you arrive at Singapore Airport Terminal 1:

The SkyTrain takes visitors from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 (and back).

Exit to the Arrival Meeting Hall, turn left and head for the Airport's internal SkyTrain platform. Take the SkyTrain to Terminal 2.

Direction to the City Train Station at Terminal 2

At Terminal 2, look out for the 'City Train' sign that leads you to the MRT station.

At the Airport MRT Station:

The City Train (MRT) Station at Terminal 2.

Take the MRT train from Singapore Changi Airport Station to Tanah Merah Station. Change to a West-bound train (Green Line) to get to the city. The staff at the Passenger Service Centre will answer your questions, should you need help.

 

Other Transport Options

Taking the Public Bus to Your Hotel

Taking the public bus is definitely the cheapest way to get to your hotel. Wherever your hotel is, you'll not pay more than S$1.90.

However, I don't recommend taking the bus out of Singapore Airport if you are visiting Singapore for the first time, or if you are staying outside the tourist areas.

Here's why. There's only one bus (Service number 36) that serves the hotels in the main tourist areas. And then you have to know exactly where your hotel is, not only on the map but also on the ground. If your hotel is not on No. 36's route, you'll need to transfer. The bus driver may help but why go through the hassle?

Renting a Car

If you really must rent a car, book it online or through your contacts back home. As with any airport in the world, the car rental companies at the Singapore Airport love walk-in customers. And we all know why.

In my opinion, a car is really useful only if you want to visit the outer-lying attractions in Singapore. Or if you want to cross the border to visit nearby Malaysian attractions.

If you are just visiting the main attractions in the city centre, use the very efficient MRT trains. If you want to drive in the city area, be prepared for high parking charges (up to S$5 per hour in the CBD during peak hours). Then there is the map reading and traffic to contend with.

Related to Singapore Airport Transport

Find out about transport options beyond Singapore Airport.

Information about Singapore Budget Terminal.

This page updated: 29 Jan 2010.