EZ-Link Card
Aside from the blazing tropical sun, Singapore is a very easy city to move around. The public transportation is the best in Southeast Asia, and getting around is relatively easy and cheap. If you are spending a few days in Singapore, it is advisable to get the EZ-Link Card (http://www.ezlink.com.sg/). This fare card can be purchased at any MRT station. You can use it to board the MRT as well as bus, enjoying a 15% discount off the actual fare. A new EZ-Link Card will cost you S$15. Of this amount $7 is the stored value and S$3 is a refundable deposit. You can top up the amount stored in your EZ-Link card in increments of S$10 at the vending machines and 7-Elevens. It is the most convenient way to travel in Singapore. Alternatively, you can also get the Visitor Card, which has the EZ-Link functionality, and other discounts for tourists, for S$45, and is good for 3 days. In my opinion, the normal EZ-Link card is the best choice.
The two major operators of public transport in Singapore are the SBS Transit bus company, the largest bus company in Singapore, www.sbstransit.com.sg, and SMRT, the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit company, www.smrt.com.sg, which also operates the MRT trains. Both accept the EZ-Link cards for payment of journeys made.
MRT
At the time I write this, there are three MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) lines in Singapore.
The East-West Line, coded EW and is green in colour, goes from Pasir Ris (EW1) to Boon Lay (EW27). At the Tanah Merah Station (EW4), there is a branch off to Changi Airport Station (CG2).
The North-South Line, coded NS and is red in colour, goes from Jurong East (NS1) in the west, makes a loop north, and ends at Marine Bay (NS27) in the city. Along the way, the NS line crosses the EW line at interchanges at Jurong East (NS1/EW24), City Hall (NS25/EW13) and Raffles Place (NS26/EW14) stations.
The North-East Line, coded NE and is purple in colour, goes from HarbourFront (NE1) to Punggol (NE17). Along the way, the NE line interchanges with the EW line at Outram Park (NE3/EW16) and with the NS line at Dhoby Ghaut (NE6/NS24).
Buses
Much of the populated areas in Singapore is service by a bus route. Bus routes and fares are posted on the bus stops. You are required to board the bus from the front entrance and alight from the exit at the rear of the bus. When travelling by bus using your EZ-Link card, tap your card against the card reader at the front entrance. A maximum fare is deducted when you do so. When you alight, tap your card at the card reader at the exit, and you're refunded a difference based on your journey travelled.
Taxis
Taxis are plenty, reliable, honest, not too expensive, but may some times be hard to get. In some places within the city centre, you may have to queue a while before getting a taxi. The flagfall rate is S$2.50 for the first 1km, and 10 cents for every subsequent 200m. You may pay using credit card on most taxis, though there's a surcharge of 15% for this privilege. To get a taxi, you may call the following numbers:
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the opportunity to explore the world, to document, to photograph, and to share the information with you. My name is Tim, I'm the writer of this website, and I want to tell you how grateful I am for your visit. This is one of over a dozen websites that I write - you can click my thumbnail photo above to randomly visit any one of them. All my photos are available for commercial printing - find out the photo usage rights here. If you wish to share you photos on this website, upload them to www.panoramio.com and send the URL to me for consideration. And, if you'd like to correspond with me, send your mails to my address as shown below:
About the Author: AsiaExplorers is researched and written by Timothy Tye. We take reasonable care to check and verify the accuracy of the content. However, we disclaim any responsibility for any inconvenience, mishap, injury or death resulting from following the advice provided directly or indirectly by AsiaExplorers and the comments on its pages. All the photographs in AsiaExplorers are available for publication. Please contact AsiaExplorers at the following email address for your enquiries:
