How to Use Singapore MRT 2026

🚇 Quick Facts

Operating Hours: 5:30 AM - 12:30 AM (varies by line)
Frequency: 2-5 minutes (peak), 5-8 minutes (off-peak)
Lines: 6 main lines, 130+ stations
Coverage: Entire island including Changi Airport

Step-by-Step Guide

1Get a Payment Card

You have three options:

EZ-Link Card (Recommended) — Reloadable contactless card
Singapore Tourist Pass — Unlimited rides for 1-3 days
Visa/Mastercard — Contactless bank cards work directly

EZ-Link Card Details:

Cost: SGD 10 (includes SGD 5 credit)
Where to buy: MRT stations, 7-Eleven, Cheers
Reload: Add value at station machines or 7-Eleven
Refund: SGD 5 deposit refundable (minus SGD 2 fee)

Singapore Tourist Pass:

1 Day: SGD 22
2 Days: SGD 29
3 Days: SGD 34
Includes: Unlimited MRT, LRT, and basic bus rides

2Enter the Station

Tap your card on the yellow card reader at the gantry. Wait for the green light and beep sound.

✅ Keep your card flat against the reader
✅ Wait for green light before walking through
❌ Don't rush — gantries close quickly

3Find Your Platform

Follow the colored signs for your train line:

NS North-South Line (Red)
EW East-West Line (Green)
CC Circle Line (Orange)
DT Downtown Line (Blue)
TE Thomson-East Coast Line (Brown)

Check the direction — platforms show the terminal station. For example:

NS Line: "Towards Jurong East" or "Towards Marina South Pier"
EW Line: "Towards Tuas Link" or "Towards Pasir Ris"

4Board the Train

✅ Let passengers exit first before boarding
✅ Move inside — don't block doors
✅ Priority seats (purple) for elderly, pregnant, disabled
❌ No eating or drinking on trains
❌ No durians (banned on all public transport)

5Exit at Your Station

Tap out at your destination station's gantry. The fare is automatically deducted.

✅ Keep your card — you'll need it for the next trip
✅ Check the fare display if you want to know the cost
❌ Don't lose your card — it's not replaceable with the balance

MRT Fare Guide (2026)

Essential MRT Routes for Tourists

Distance	Adult Fare	Child Fare	Example Journey
Up to 3.2 km	SGD 1.09	SGD 0.54	Orchard → Somerset
3.2 - 6.4 km	SGD 1.43	SGD 0.71	Marina Bay → Chinatown
6.4 - 9.6 km	SGD 1.77	SGD 0.88	Orchard → Bugis
9.6 - 12.8 km	SGD 2.00	SGD 1.00	Changi Airport → Tanah Merah
12.8 - 16 km	SGD 2.23	SGD 1.11	Orchard → Changi Airport
16 - 19.2 km	SGD 2.35	SGD 1.17	Marina Bay → Jurong East
Maximum fare	SGD 2.58	SGD 1.29	Any station to any station

🛬 Changi Airport → City Centre

Route: Changi Airport (CG2) → Tanah Merah (EW4) → Transfer to West-bound EW Line → City stations

Time: 30-40 minutes
Cost: SGD 2.00

Alternative: Take taxi (SGD 25-40, 20-30 minutes)

🏨 Orchard Road → Marina Bay Sands

Route: Orchard (NS22) → Newton (NS21/DT11) → Transfer to DT Line → Promenade (DT15) → Walk 5 min

Time: 20 minutes
Cost: SGD 1.43

🎢 City → Universal Studios (Sentosa)

Route: Any station → HarbourFront (NE1/CC29) → Walk to VivoCity → Take Sentosa Express monorail

Time: 25-35 minutes
Cost: SGD 1.77 + SGD 4 (Sentosa Express)

🌺 City → Gardens by the Bay

Route: Any station → Bayfront (CE1/DT16) → Exit B → 5 min walk

Time: 15-25 minutes
Cost: SGD 1.09-1.77

Important Rules & Etiquette

⚠️ Prohibited (Fines Apply)

Eating or drinking — Fine up to SGD 500
Smoking — Fine up to SGD 1,000
Durians — Banned (smell)
Littering — Fine up to SGD 2,000
Blocking doors — Staff will intervene

💡 Pro Tips

Avoid peak hours (8-9:30 AM, 5:30-7:30 PM) if possible
Use CityMapper or Google Maps for real-time directions
Free Wi-Fi available at all stations
Air-conditioned — bring a light jacket
Keep left on escalators, stand right
Let passengers exit first before boarding

📱 Useful Apps

CityMapper — Best for route planning
Google Maps — Good alternative
SG Buses — Real-time bus arrivals
MyTransport — Official LTA app

How to Use Singapore MRT