Beginner's Guide to Public Transportation in Singapore

Watch this video to learn the basic steps to take the public transportation in Singapore. It's the cheapest way to get around this expensive city! At the end of this video, you'll know how to get ANYWHERE in Singapore via the world class public bus and train.
IMPORTANT CORRECTION: Downtown Line MRT stations that you may need to tap out and tap back in when transferring are:
1. Bukit Panjang
2. Newton
3. Tampines
Take note that VISA/MASTERCARD card issued by banks outside of Singapore does carry a 60 cents per day of usage AND any foreign exchange costs.
source: www.simplygo.com.sg/faqs?tab=...
----- ⏱️⏱️ Chapters ⏱️⏱️
- How to Pay @ 00:32
- How to Navigate @ 01:12
- How to Transfer @ 04:51
----- 🔗🔗 Useful Links 🔗🔗
- MRT Train Map in PDF: file:///Users/tomyp/Desktop/40%20-%20PubTransport/Stock/MRTMap.pdf
- Distance Fare rulings: www.transitlink.com.sg/travel...
----- #️⃣#️⃣ Hashtags #️⃣#️⃣
🏔 #dashingheights 🏔
📌 #Singapore 📌
#publictransport #bus #train

[@garfieldandfriends1]

One VERY important thing that isn't mentioned in the video is You should *ONLY* board from the *front door* (where the driver is) and not the back/exit door. It might be perceived as fare evasion in some way and the bus captain will call you out to the front to tap your card. Small exceptions when boarding from the back is allowed : - Wheelchair passenger - Passengers with stroller (PLEASE inform the bus captain beforehand) - If the bus is fully crowded at the front and the bus captain request the outside passengers to get on from the back instead - Boarding from bus interchanges with staff marshalls guiding passengers to board from both doors. - If it's a free shuttle bus (e.g. NUS shuttle bus, not applicable to public buses anyway)

[@dashingheights]

Thanks for the additional info!!

[@garfieldandfriends1]

@@dashingheights I felt that it is an important info to share since I noticed foreigners(tourists) have made that mistake occasionally from time to time

[@someone1501]

​@@garfieldandfriends1also another exception is for feeder bus services that do not stop at bus Interchanges and that exception can be applied only at the first stop of that service (eg Service 42)

[@garfieldandfriends1]

One more thing : Tap your card at the BOTTOM of the reader when boarding/alighting from the bus. Too much commuters made the mistake of tapping _on the screen_ and wondering why it doesn’t work.

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@garfieldandfriends1 I noted boarding at exit still happens especially at a bus crowded in front. It is rather innovative and brave for these commuters who boarded at the exit. But at times they got no choice as people in the bus don't move to the back and the captain also can't be bothered.

[@Beck75646]

If i were a tourist, i think this video would be super useful!! Wish there was one for every country🙂

[@dashingheights]

I’ll see if i can make similar ones for other countries!

[@wildflowers27]

This is such a useful video ! Thank you ! I'm visiting SG next September and I was searching for practicals infos. Glad I found your channel !

[@dashingheights]

I’m glad to help! Have fun in September ;) you might also find my other SG videos useful!

[@LuisSanchez-zj8id]

Very helpful. Thank you so much. You are very kind.

[@dashingheights]

Glad to be of help!!

[@Xeroxcopy22]

Thanks a ton, this information shared was very helpful

[@dashingheights]

Happy to help! have a great time in SG :)

[@TheGunitinc]

Very useful for anyone visiting Singapore. Thanks 😊

[@dashingheights]

You're welcome!!

[@chichix1123]

wow 😮 very well explained. thank you very much!

[@dashingheights]

Welcome!!

[@shankarr3575]

Thanks lot. Very useful video for 1st time traveller at Singapore

[@dashingheights]

I'm glad to help!!

[@johaminnn]

I surely can go now to “anywhere” in Singapore, as you said. 😁 This video is just so informative. Thank you sm!

[@dashingheights]

That’s right!! I’m glad to be of help :)

[@bijoobk]

Thank you for sharing this informative video, especially beneficial for first-time visitors to Singapore. It provides clear instructions on efficiently navigating the public transportation system. As I plan my trip to Singapore later this year, I found this video incredibly helpful, addressing all my uncertainties. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

[@dashingheights]

Im happy to help!! have a good trip :)

[@CyberMew]

Very good quick guide. You missed out about the part about LRTs though!

[@dashingheights]

thanks! sounds like an idea for part 2!!!!

[@person880]

I want to add some detail for tourists: The Singapore Tourist Passes they sell at the airport are usually not worth it. They give you unlimited travel for 1, 2, or 3 days, but they are very expensive. If you calculate when you will break even with using the EZ-Link card, you would have to ride public transport for 5, 6 hours a day or something, which most people are not doing. The EZ-Link card is very cheap ($5, I think?), so just buy one at the airport MRT station. Many machines don't take cash or foreign cards to add money to your transit card, but if there is staff at the station, they can accept cash or card from you. If you use a foreign credit card, there is a daily fee, which I think is $0.60, so if you are there for only a few days, then this might be cheaper than buying an EZ-Link card. Otherwise, enjoy visiting a fantastic country with some of the safest, cleanest, cost-effective, and efficient public transit in the world!

[@dashingheights]

I agree! Thanks for sharing this very useful information :)

[@jbrdreamer]

My friend has the Singapore Tourist Pass Plus that he used few months ago, he didn't return the card and went home with it. I'm planning to visit singapore soon, he's offering to give me his card and since the pass is already expired I assume I can still use his card and just top-up some cash in it? I'm not planning to go around too much so I don't really need the unlimited ride I could have if I buy a new card. Do you think top-up will still work in his card?

[@person880]

@@jbrdreamer Just put his card in one of the machines at the MRT station (such as at the airport when you arrive), and you can see if the card is active as a regular transit card or not. I think they are typically active for a few years. If you need to add funds, be aware that the machines may not take cash or foreign cards, but you can just go to the staff desk in the station and they can add money to your card.

[@SuccessforLifester]

Our bus stop is lacking a huge sign for its identity. I complained before once ten years ago and another time last year 2022. Without using app, you would be lost and don't know where you are.

[@dashingheights]

I can see where you’re coming from! Yea i wont know how to get to work if not for google maps

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@dashingheights They only noted my suggestion. They need to have a huge sign in the middle of the roof. The one on the pole and the ones on the glass notice board are too small to see from the bus. Especially at night. I used a combination of mytransport and onemap and at times Google maps to ad me

[@Ocarus0Cycle]

That’s pretty much what google maps is for tho

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@Ocarus0Cycle But without it the commuter will be quite hapless

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@Ocarus0Cycle And many seniors don't know how to use such things

[@MrLinggah]

Thanks for the video, it answered my question. My wife and I are coming to Singapore via cruise ship. We have no Singapore $$ so it is good to know we can tap on and off on the MRT with our credit cards. Thank you.

[@dashingheights]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HidayatRafii]

Moovit works perfectly here if you want to know when will your bus be arriving

[@dashingheights]

oh i use Singabus!

[@benjaminmathew4108]

If we go with family (example 4 pax) do we need to tap the CC four time?..how it works..I’m planning to travel to SG shortly

[@dashingheights]

Hi there! Each rider will need to have his own CC. 1 CC can only tap for 1 person

[@cdaswift9947]

I'll be in SG in March for the Taylor Swift concert. This is very helpful, just a bit worried about taking the bus, I might miss the correct stop! 😂 I think the safest will be taking the mrt

[@dashingheights]

Yea because sometimes counting the bus stops is tricky. One thing that helped for me was to pick a landmark like a recognisable building or road name near my destination, so that i only have to look out for that 1 thing to know if i should be alighting soon. Indeed easier still to take MRT because the map shows clearly where the train is, and it stops at every stop hahah. Some bus routes are using a newer bus model that include an electronic display of the stops, so you just need to remember the "stop name"... but i don't see this model alot so can't count on it!. I hope you have a great time in March!!

[@lakshanyasri6175]

Same haha on which date is ur concert?

[@cdaswift9947]

@@lakshanyasri6175 March 8 😊

[@cdaswift9947]

@@lakshanyasri6175 march 8 🙂

[@graciajenahat1515]

sameee me too,!!

[@QmGhq2T7CzQ]

This is so timely as i am going to sg next month. Though, my question is can i use one cc for 2 people?

[@dashingheights]

Nice!! Cannot use for 2 person. Each person needs 1 card for payment. Have a great time!

[@QmGhq2T7CzQ]

​@@dashingheightsawrayt! Thank you!

[@tanjunwei-zz4mo]

Watch out for Bt Panjang , Newton & Tampines. Tapping out required

[@dashingheights]

nice thanks for the add on!

[@minelise406]

Do you need to tap in and out when changing on the MRT or only at the start of the journey and very end?

[@dashingheights]

For MRT lines that are connected, you don't need to tap out :) Thankfully MOST multi-colored stations are connected, so you just need to find the train platform you want to transfer to

[@stevenelson3515]

Credit cards get charged a fee for use. Visa is 50 cents per day. Mastercard is 50 cents every, I believe, 15 days.

[@dashingheights]

ohh i was not aware of this detail! thanks for bringing it up! This is quite significant for people using card from foreign bank

[@stevenelson3515]

@@dashingheights Found that out when I asked about timing my credit card into My EZ-Link card so I could top up without going to a station. Found you have to have a local number todo that and found out about the fee. If you’re in Sing for a while, it’d be ok assuming you’re using a MasterCard, but Visa would get a little pricey. We go there two or three times a year (wife has extended family), so the EZ-Link card works best for us.

[@deasychristin209]

My husband and I are coming to singapore in the next 3 days with 2 kids. What do you suggest using credit cards or ez link? We only stay for 3days and visa is all we have.

[@stevenelson3515]

@@deasychristin209 The most you’d pay with the credit cards is $2 per person. I believe, but I’m not sure, that the basic EZ-Link card is $5. EZ-Link works better for us because we’re in Singapore quite often. I think the credit cards would work better for you. @dashingheights might have a better answer.

[@dashingheights]

Hi @@deasychristin209 , each person will need 1 card for payment. In my opinion, your husband and yourself can use your own credit cards. For your 2 children might be safer to get them ez-link cards, just in case they might misplace it. Have fun!!

[@wazuyumi]

tampines also need tap out to change need to walk in bus interchange too

[@dashingheights]

Ohhhh right!! Thanks for the add on!

[@ayahnadifa]

Hi, can we bring big luggage into the bus?

[@dashingheights]

Technically not disallowed, so yea can. However take care when travelling during PEAK hours because the bus might be full of people.

[@sieandknsproductions3491]

Hello guys I like SMRT

[@dashingheights]

Me too

[@jasperwin]

Sbs better lah

[@vibebliss1515]

Can i use same card for family?

[@dashingheights]

Each person need to have 1 card when getting on the bus/train

[@lord_raindrops237]

Isn't the circle line orange and not yellow???😭

[@dashingheights]

Let’s just agree it’s not red :x

[@christopheryongmenglee7569]

TEL4 is coming

[@dashingheights]

hahah next video!

[@isaac2697]

Correction : most Buses do follow a specific schedule as best they can. 2:23

[@dashingheights]

thanks for the correction! yes i do remember sometimes at off-peak hours, bus will wait at bus stops to avoid being too ahead of schedule

[@SBS8123C]

Bro uses a c651 for a video

[@dashingheights]

hahah which train would you prefer to see? I was looking for an open air well lit train and happen to find a good angle here :)

[@SBS8123C]

@@dashingheights this train is the best sounding-melodious train in singapore ,retiring in 2026🙂

[@dashingheights]

Ohhh i didnt notice the sound before, now that you mention it, i'll keep an ear out!@@SBS8123C

[@pakan357]

Yeah, and don't make a fool of yourself and use the front door to enter the bus. Ask me how I know. But is it really you just tap your debit card and it will work without buying EZ Link?

[@dashingheights]

ohno.... it must have felt terrible!! yes really, but your debit card need to have supported contactless payment feature. the quick way to check is visa/master logo on it

[@pakan357]

@@dashingheights Yes, it's contactless. I will try it again I visit Singapore, I never knew it works like this too (prehistoric public transport in my country).

[@meianghel_99]

This is very helpful 😭 Thank you and thank you to the person who shared about your video 🥹

[@dashingheights]

You are very welcome! I'm glad to be of help :)

[@unown293]

4:21 rookie mistake could have made it in before the doors closed 🫢

[@dashingheights]

Ya he slowed down 🤣