Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs (2025): Homejourney’s Safe & Smart Travel Guide
If you’re planning a trip to Singapore, having the right Singapore apps on your phone can make the difference between feeling lost and moving around like a local. This definitive Homejourney guide focuses on safe, trustworthy travel apps – from the best MRT app and Grab for rides, to official tourist apps that help you plan your days, avoid scams, and explore neighbourhoods you might one day want to buy property in.
I’ve lived in Singapore for years, and like most locals I rely on a combination of transport, payments, food, and government apps every single day. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly which apps tourists really use, how to set them up safely, and how these same tools help serious property buyers and investors understand Singapore’s neighbourhoods before they commit to a purchase with Homejourney.
Table of Contents
- 1. Overview: Why Singapore Apps Matter for Tourists (and Property Seekers)
- 2. Essential Information Box: Must-Have Apps at a Glance
- 3. Transport Apps: MRT, Bus, Taxi & Walking
- 4. Ride-Hailing in Singapore: Grab and Alternatives
- 5. Tourist Guide & Itinerary Apps
- 6. Payments, Connectivity & Tourist SIM Companion Apps
- 7. Food, Hawker Centres & Restaurant Apps
- 8. Weather, Air Quality & Safety Apps
- 9. Language, Communication & Everyday Utilities
- 10. How These Apps Help Future Buyers & Investors Understand Singapore
- 11. Practical Tips: What to Install, When, and How to Use Safely
- 12. Money-Saving Tips, Passes & Bundles
- 13. Using Apps to Plan Nearby Attractions & Walking Routes
- 14. Seasonal & Event Apps: F1, National Day & Festive Light-Ups
- 15. Accommodation & Neighbourhood Exploration with Homejourney
- 16. FAQ: Singapore Apps Every Tourist Asks About
1. Why Singapore Apps Matter for Tourists (and Property Seekers)
Singapore is one of the world’s most connected cities. Public transport, payments, government services and even hawker centre queues increasingly run through apps. According to app analytics platforms, local transport apps like Grab, SimplyGo and MyTransport.SG consistently rank among the most-downloaded travel tools in Singapore’s app stores.[4]
For tourists, the right apps help you:
- Navigate the MRT and bus system without getting lost
- Estimate real travel times between attractions and future viewing areas
- Book safe, traceable rides via registered operators
- Check weather and air quality before heading out
- Discover local food, malls and parks around your hotel or short-term accommodation
For potential property buyers and investors using Homejourney, these same apps let you “test-drive” neighbourhoods: track commute times from a condo to Raffles Place, see how crowded a bus corridor is at 8.30am, or find out if everyday amenities really are within a 10-minute walk. When combined with verified listings and project data from Projects Directory , this gives you a much fuller picture than brochures alone.
2. Essential Information Box: Must-Have Singapore Apps at a Glance
This quick-reference table lists the core apps every tourist should consider installing before landing at Changi.
Most of these apps are free. Where in-app purchases or memberships exist (e.g. Burpple Beyond), they are usually not necessary for short-term visitors.[2]
3. Transport Apps: Your MRT, Bus & Walking Toolkit
3.1 MyTransport.SG – The Official Public Transport Companion
Operated by Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA), MyTransport.SG is the most comprehensive official transport app for visitors.[2][4] It covers:
- MRT & LRT route maps
- Bus route planning and real-time arrival times
- Nearby bus stops and stations using GPS
- Travel time and estimated fares
Insider example: If you’re staying near Bugis and want to visit Gardens by the Bay, you could use MyTransport.SG to plan: Bugis MRT → Bayfront MRT via Downtown Line, 9–12 minutes, about S$1.10–S$1.50 using an EZ-Link card or SimplyGo. During peak hours (8–9am), MyTransport will also show increased crowding; consider leaving after 9.30am for a more comfortable ride.
For property seekers, this app helps you test commute times from potential projects listed on Projects to key employment nodes like Raffles Place, Marina Bay and One-North.
3.2 SimplyGo (Transit App) – Cardless Fare Payments
LTA’s SimplyGo ecosystem (via the SimplyGo app and compatible bank cards) lets you tap in/out on MRT and buses using contactless credit or debit cards, instead of buying separate cards or tickets.[4] For short-term tourists with international Visa/Mastercard, this is often more convenient than getting a separate stored-value card.
How to use safely:
- Enable contactless on your card before arrival.
- Register your card in the app only if you want to track trip history; otherwise you can ride without registration.
- Watch out for foreign transaction fees from your home bank – sometimes a prepaid tourist card or wallet can be cheaper over multiple trips.
3.3 Citymapper – For Walkability and Multi-Modal Journeys
If you already use Citymapper in other cities, you’ll find the Singapore version intuitive. It offers similar functions to MyTransport.SG – trip planning, real-time bus/MRT info and fares – with an extra focus on walking radiuses (e.g. 5-minute, 15-minute zones).[2]
Insider tip: When viewing properties with Homejourney, use Citymapper’s walk sheds around a potential condo to see if the “10 minutes to MRT” marketing claim is realistic in the heat and humidity.
3.4 Google Maps – Still the Default Navigation Tool
Despite the strong local apps, Google Maps remains the everyday navigation tool for most visitors and many locals.[2] It covers driving, walking, bus and MRT directions, plus:
- Restaurant and attraction reviews
- Photos of entrances (very helpful in malls and MRT labyrinths)
- Estimated wait times at popular spots
Local navigation hack: In huge interlinked malls like Orchard (ION, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City) or Suntec City, use Google Maps to search for the nearest MRT exit letter (e.g. “Orchard MRT Exit B”). From there, follow the underground signs; this is the fastest air-conditioned route, especially in rainy weather.
4. Ride-Hailing in Singapore: Grab and Alternatives
4.1 Grab – The Default Ride & Taxi App
Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app in Singapore and consistently ranks as the top travel app locally.[2][4] You can use it to:
- Book GrabCar (private hire) or standard taxis
- Estimate fares before booking and avoid meter surprises
- Pay by card in-app (no need for cash)
- Order food delivery (handy if you arrive late at night)
Typical fares (indicative, 2025):
- Changi Airport → Marina Bay Sands: S$20–S$35 off-peak, up to S$45+ during heavy surcharges
- Orchard Road → Chinatown: S$9–S$15 depending on time and vehicle type
Safety and trust tips:
- Always verify the car plate and driver photo before boarding.
- Use the in-app share-trip function if travelling alone at night.
- Check that child seats are available if travelling with small children; Singapore law requires proper restraints for young children in private vehicles.
For Homejourney users visiting multiple showflats in one day, Grab is the most efficient way to hop between locations that are not within easy MRT walking distance, especially in landed or fringe areas.
4.2 Other Ride Apps: TADA and Traditional Taxis
Local visitors sometimes also use TADA as an alternative ride-hailing app, and there are official taxi booking apps by major taxi companies. A YouTube guide for visitors lists TADA among the must-have Singapore transport apps, particularly for price comparisons.[5]
Local practice: Most tourists and many locals still default to Grab because it aggregates both private hire and regular taxis in one interface. Use alternatives mainly for price benchmarking during peak events like F1 or heavy rain when surge pricing kicks in.
5. Tourist Guide & Itinerary Apps
5.1 Visit Singapore Travel Guide – Official Tourism Board App
The Visit Singapore Travel Guide app is the official tourism app by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), essentially a mobile version of the VisitSingapore website.[2] It helps you:
- Discover current events, exhibitions and seasonal festivals
- Find Wireless@SG hotspots for free public Wi-Fi
- Create wishlists in the "My Trip" section
