Singapore’s public transport is one of the safest, cleanest and easiest systems in the world, making it the best way for tourists to plan and execute a stress‑free itinerary across the city.
In this Singapore Public Transport Guide for Tourists Itinerary: Planning Your Visit, you will get a practical, step‑by‑step framework to build your daily plans around the MRT Singapore, buses, and contactless cards like the EZ-Link card, so you can focus on enjoying the city while moving around confidently and safely.
This article is a focused companion to Homejourney’s main 2025 overview, Singapore Public Transport Guide for Tourists Singapore Public Transport Guide for Tourists (2025) | Homejourney , and to our detailed Tickets & Hours Guide Singapore Public Transport Tickets & Hours Guide | Homejourney . Here, we zoom in specifically on itinerary planning and how to structure your days around Singapore transport like a local.
Quick Starter: How Tourists Should Get Around Singapore
If you want the simplest safe and efficient approach:
Use the MRT as your backbone, buses for short hops, and taxis/Grab only when carrying luggage or traveling late at night. Buy an EZ-Link card or use contactless bank cards, start your days by 9–10am, and avoid MRT/bus peak hours (7–9am, 5:30–7:30pm) for a more comfortable ride.[6][8]
From a local perspective, planning your itinerary around MRT interchanges like City Hall, Dhoby Ghaut, Bugis, and Outram Park keeps your days compact and efficient. This is also how many long‑term residents choose where to rent or buy homes—proximity to reliable MRT and bus routes is a key property value driver, which is where Homejourney’s verified property search tools Property Search come in for buyers and investors who later decide to stay longer.
Essential Transport Basics for Visitors
Singapore’s public transport is built around three main pillars:[6][8]
- MRT Singapore (Mass Rapid Transit) – Fast, frequent, air‑conditioned trains linking almost all major attractions.
- Public buses – Extensive coverage and more scenic; useful when the MRT doesn’t go door‑to‑door.
- Contactless payment – EZ-Link card, NETS FlashPay, or contactless Visa/Mastercard/Apple Pay/Google Pay.
As of 2025, the MRT network consists of six main lines (North–South, East–West, North East, Circle, Downtown, Thomson–East Coast) connecting residential towns, CBD, and tourist zones.[3][4] Trains typically run from around 5:30am to midnight, with frequencies of 2–5 minutes in peak periods.[1][3]
Essential Information Box: Core Tourist Transport Info
Primary ‘hub’ for first‑timers: City Hall / Dhoby Ghaut / Bugis MRT area (central, walkable, connected). These are excellent bases both for hotels and for long‑term rental searches via Homejourney’s projects directory Projects Directory .
- How to get around: Use MRT for long hops (Changi–City–Sentosa), buses for neighbourhood exploration, and taxis/Grab for late‑night or if traveling with bulky luggage.[3][4][6]
- Operating hours: MRT and public buses ~5:30am–midnight (check last train/bus timing in apps or station posters before you start a late evening).[1][3][6]
- Typical fares (2025): Most tourist journeys cost about S$0.95–S$2.20 per trip depending on distance when using EZ-Link/contactless.[3][6] Airport–city by MRT is usually under S$2.
- Cards & passes: EZ-Link card (from around S$10 with stored value), Standard contactless bank cards, or Singapore Tourist Pass for 1–3 days of unlimited rides (from about S$22 including card deposit).[3][6]
- Best time to travel: 9:30am–4:30pm and after 7:30pm for less crowded trains and more comfortable journeys.[3]
- Recommended daily time budget on transport: Compact city; most tourist itineraries average 30–60 minutes of travel between zones per day if planned well.
- Official info: Land Transport Authority (LTA) journey planner and SimplyGo app provide routes, real‑time data, and fare estimates.[8][9]
Note: Prices and operating hours may change. Always verify on official LTA, TransitLink or SimplyGo channels before your trip.
How to Pay: EZ-Link Card vs Tourist Pass vs Contactless
From a local’s perspective, the easiest and most flexible options for tourists are:
- Contactless bank card / mobile wallet – Tap in and tap out directly at MRT gates or bus readers. Ideal if you already have a Visa/Mastercard with no or low foreign transaction fees.
- EZ-Link card – Prepaid card widely used by locals; good if you prefer a fixed travel budget, or are traveling with teens who don’t have their own credit cards.[3][6]
- Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) – Best if you are doing very intensive sightseeing (4–6 rides per day or more) on consecutive days.[3]
Insider tip: If you are also viewing properties or showflats while in town, an EZ-Link or STP is handy for shuttling between different neighbourhoods and MRT‑linked condos. You can shortlist projects with direct station access on Homejourney’s projects section Projects .
Sample 3‑Day Public Transport Itinerary (First‑Time Visitor)
This is a practical 3‑day structure built entirely around MRT and buses, assuming you stay near City Hall/Bugis/Dhoby Ghaut.
Day 1 – Marina Bay, Civic District & Orchard
Morning:
• Take MRT to City Hall (EW13/NS25). Use Exit B to reach the Padang and National Gallery area in about 5–7 minutes on foot.
• Explore National Gallery Singapore, walk towards Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay via the underpass.
Lunch:
• Walk or take one stop on the Circle Line to Esplanade (CC3) or Promenade (CC4/DT15). Suntec City and Marina Square have lots of food choices, including affordable food courts.
Afternoon & sunset:
• From Promenade, transfer to the Downtown Line if needed and head to Bayfront (CE1/DT16) using the underground link.
• Visit Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands area. Expect 10–15 minutes of mostly sheltered walking from the station to Supertree Grove.
Evening:
• Watch the light show at Gardens by the Bay or at Marina Bay Sands waterfront.
• Return by MRT from Bayfront to your hotel.
Insider transport tips:
• Use underground links between City Hall, Esplanade and Promenade to escape the heat and traffic crossings.
• If you stay along the Downtown Line (e.g., Bugis, Bencoolen, Rochor), your access to Bayfront, Chinatown, and Little India is especially fast.[3][4]
Day 2 – Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Gelam
Morning: Chinatown
• MRT to Chinatown (NE4/DT19). Use Exit A for Pagoda Street (heritage shophouses, souvenirs) and Exit C for Chinatown Complex & Maxwell Food Centre.
• Walking distances in the old town are short—5–10 minutes between temples, markets and hawker centres.
Lunch:
• Try Maxwell Food Centre or Chinatown Complex Food Centre. These are easy 5–8 minute walks from Chinatown station.
• See dining ideas in our food‑focused transport guide Best Food Near MRT Singapore: Tourist Transport Dining Guide | Homejourney .
Afternoon: Little India
• From Chinatown, take the Downtown Line directly to Little India (DT12/NE7). Journey is about 10 minutes, no line changes.
• Use Exit E for Mustafa Centre (24‑hour shopping) or Exit C for Tekka Centre and Serangoon Road.
Evening: Kampong Gelam / Bugis
• Walk about 10–12 minutes from Little India MRT down towards Bugis (DT14/EW12)
