Overview
Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is the island's principal railway system and the backbone of its public transportation network. The fully automated, driverless system serves as your primary way to move around the city-state quickly and reliably. To ride end to end, you will purchase a stored-value card or use contactless payment, enter through the station gates, board a train, and exit at your destination—the journey is straightforward, clean, and efficient, with trains arriving every 2–7 minutes. The MRT operates from 5:30 AM to midnight daily and averages over 3.4 million daily riders, making it one of Southeast Asia's busiest metro systems.
The network
As of July 2026, the MRT network spans approximately 246.6 km across six operational lines with 146 stations. Two additional lines and 44 more stations are under construction; the network is scheduled to double in length to about 460 km by 2040. The system is complemented by the Light Rail Transit (LRT)—a series of automated guideway networks serving select suburban towns—and an extensive bus network, both of which provide last-mile connectivity to housing estates and areas not directly served by heavy rail.
The six operational MRT lines are:
- North–South Line (NSL): The system's first line, opened in November 1987. It runs from Yishun in the north through the central business district to Jurong in the west, and includes extensions to Woodlands.
- East–West Line (EWL): Connects the eastern sector, terminating at Tanah Merah station, and extends westward with the Boon Lay Extension serving Pioneer and Joo Koon stations.
- Circle Line (CCL): Opened in phases between 2009 and 2011, providing orbital connectivity around the island.
- North East Line (NEL): Operated by SBS Transit, opened in June 2003 as one of the world's first fully automated heavy rail lines. Stations include Buangkok (opened 2006) and Woodleigh (opened 2011); an extension to Punggol Coast opened in December 2024.
- Downtown Line (DTL): Part of the network's expansion, providing additional coverage to central areas.
- Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL): One of the more recently developed lines, expanding the network's reach.
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system includes the Bukit Panjang LRT, which commenced operations in November 1999 and connects residential areas to MRT stations. LRT lines provide automated, localized transit serving suburban towns and housing estates, acting as feeders to the main metro network.
Tickets & fares
You have several payment options for riding Singapore's public transport. All fares below are approximate and subject to change.
Stored-value smartcards: The primary payment method for regular visitors is the EZ-Link Card or NETS FlashPay Travel Card, both rechargeable cards accepted on the MRT, buses, and at some retailers. An EZ-Link Card costs 10 SGD (5 SGD for the non-refundable card plus 5 SGD in consumable credit) and is valid for five years. A NETS FlashPay Travel Card costs 12 SGD (including a 7 SGD load). You can purchase and top up these cards at SimplyGo Ticket Offices and Kiosks located in stations and bus interchanges, at 7-Eleven convenience stores, vending machines, and select bookstores.
Contactless payment: Foreign-issued Mastercard and Visa contactless bank cards and mobile wallets are accepted directly on readers at station gates and on buses, with no registration required. Note that administrative fees apply when using foreign-issued bank cards.
Singapore Tourist Pass: Ideal for short-term visitors, this unlimited pass covers all MRT and bus travel. A 1-day pass costs 17 SGD (valid until the end of service on the same day), a 2-day pass costs 24 SGD, and a 3-day pass costs 29 SGD. The pass excludes premium services such as the Night Owl bus service, Sentosa Express, and RWS8. You can purchase the Tourist Pass at SimplyGo Ticket Offices at selected MRT stations.
Cash payment: Buses accept exact cash fare only with no change given. MRT stations no longer issue paper tickets; credit/debit cards or a stored-value card is required for entry.
Child fares: Children aged 0.9 m or taller and under 7 years travel free on basic bus and train services with a Child Concession Card, available at SimplyGo Ticket Offices. Children under 0.9 m in height travel automatically free when accompanied by a paying commuter.
From the airport
Singapore Changi Airport, the main international gateway, is well connected to central Singapore by public transport. The MRT offers the most economical option: take the Airport Line from Changi Airport station to Tanah Merah station (roughly 20 minutes), where you will make an easy cross-platform transfer to your destination line. The total journey to the city centre takes approximately 45 minutes. You will need a stored-value card or must purchase a ticket using a credit or debit card, as paper tickets are no longer available.
Alternatively, Grab or Gojek rideshare services or metered taxis cost approximately 20–30 SGD including a 5 SGD airport surcharge (3 SGD off-peak). An additional 50% surcharge applies between 1 AM and 6 AM.
Etiquette & customs
Singapore's public transport culture is orderly and respectful. Observe the following local customs to ride courteously:
- Queuing and boarding: Queue in designated areas and wait for passengers to exit before boarding. This is standard practice at all MRT stations.
- Priority and reserved seating: Seats near doors are reserved for the elderly, disabled passengers, and pregnant women. Even if a seat is not explicitly marked, offering your seat to elders is culturally expected and appreciated.
- Eating and drinking: A strict no eating and drinking policy applies throughout the MRT system. Beverages and food are not permitted; violating this rule can result in fines.
- Quiet zones: Keep noise levels low on trains and in stations. The MRT is designed to be a calm, clean environment; loud conversations or phone calls are discouraged.
- Rush hour behaviour: During peak hours (typically 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM on weekdays), trains are crowded. Stand clear of closing doors and move to the centre of the carriage if space permits to allow others to board.
- Escalators: While the source material does not specify which side to stand on Singapore's escalators, it is good practice to follow what local commuters do—generally standing on one side to allow faster-moving passengers to pass on the other.
Official links
Download an offline MRT map before your arrival or use Google Maps' offline feature to navigate the network when you are not connected to the internet, ensuring you can plan your route confidently even in areas with spotty signal coverage.