Singapore Transport System - MRT: A comprehensive guide (2025)

Singapore Singapore prides itself on having one of the most modern and best public transport systems in the world. The public transport system in Singapore is considered convenient, comfortable, safe, reliable and affordable.

Singapore has been voted by the World Bank as the most ideal destination for business for 10 consecutive years. In addition to preferential tax policies and government support for businesses established in Singapore, the infrastructure and transportation system is a factor that the Singapore government always pays great attention to developing.

Singapore's Ministry of Transport aims to build an integrated transport system to create a seamless transport network - a well-connected network of trains, buses and taxis that meets the travel needs of people and is also a strategic reason for business and environmental development. 

Thanks to that, the public transport system in Singapore is constantly developing, both in terms of infrastructure and customer service quality.

As evidenced by Mercer's city infrastructure rankings, Singapore ranked highest out of 49 cities worldwide, and a 2008 Gallup report also found that Singaporeans were more satisfied with public transport than citizens of 20 other popular cities worldwide. Therefore, getting around the city in Singapore is very easy.

This series of articles by GLA is divided into 3 parts, which will provide information about the bus, MRT and taxi systems in Singapore as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each type of transport, to help make traveling in Singapore easier and more convenient.

1. Getting around Singapore by MRT

Singapore is famous for its modern high-speed train service with many stops throughout the city. Not only is it one of the cleanest transportation systems in the world, the MRT also gives passengers great views of the city center and areas, this system goes to almost every corner of Singapore.

In fact, the subway system in Singapore has 2 types: MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Rapid Transit). Simply put, MRT runs faster, has longer, smoother cars, and is used for main traffic routes, while LRT is a shorter, slower train, often used for peripheral traffic routes (transfers between MRT and neighboring areas). However, they are collectively called the MRT system.

Singapore’s trains are operated by SMRT and SBS Transit. The MRT is the fastest and most cost-effective way to get around Singapore and is great for long-distance travel. Because it is fast and cost-effective, the trains can be very crowded during peak hours and there is sometimes a risk of not being able to get on.

Passengers can download MRT/LRT system maps on their phones or pick up paper maps at subway stations.

2. Train lines

2.1. MRT lines

Singapore currently has 5 train lines, which intersect at many locations. These train lines go to most tourist destinations:

1. North-South Line (NS – Red): Starts from Marina Bay (NS28) to Jurong East (NS1), has 28 stops
2. East-West Line (EW – Green Season): Starting point is Changi Airport/Pasir Ris and ending point is Boon Lay, with 31 stops
3. North East Line (NE – Purple): Travels from Harbour Front (NE1) to Puggol (NE17); and from Harbour Front (NE1) to its final stop Puggol (NE17), with 17 stops
4. Circle Line (CC – Orange): Starts from Dhoby Ghaut (CC1), ends at HarbourFront (CC29), has 30 stops
5. Downtown Line (DT – Blue) abbreviated as DT, the journey from Bugis to Chinatown, currently has 6 stations: Bugis DT14, Promenade DT15, Bayfront DT16, Downtown DT17, Telok Ayer DT18 and China Town DT19.
6. The East Coast Thomson Line (Brown) is currently under construction and is expected to be operational from 2019. 

2.2. LRT lines

There are currently 3 LRT lines operating in areas adjacent to Singapore:

1. Bukit Panjang LRT (Northbound): line connecting Bukit Panjang Town with Choa Chu Kang MRT station.
2. Sengkang LRT (North East): line connecting Sengkangl residential area to Punggol MRT station.
3. Punggol LRT (North East): line connecting Punggol residential area to Punggol MRT station.

3. Operating time and frequency of movement

Trains operate daily from 5:30 am to 0:30 am with a frequency of .3-8 minutes/trip, depending on whether it is rush hour or not. Each MRT station will have an announcement of the exact time of train arrival.

4. Ticket price

4.1. Traditional tickets

Train tickets are cheaper than bus tickets.

The normal one-way fare ranges from 1-2 SGD and from 0.68- 1.82 SGD if using Ez-link card. Seniors using Ez-link card get a discount of 0.68- 0.73 SGD per trip, similar to 0.39- 0.49 SGD for students.
Similar to buses, MRT can also be paid for with an Ez Link card or an STP (Singapore Tourist Pass) card if you are a tourist.
Alternatively, MRT passengers can purchase standard tickets (ST) at the public ticket vending machines (GTM) at all SMRT stations, which cost between SGD0.8 and SGD1.8. The touch screen will ask passengers to select which station they are buying tickets to, then ask them to insert coins (10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1SGD) or notes (2SGD and 5SGD) into the machine.

The machine will issue a magnetic card similar to a telephone card and the passenger will use it when passing through the security gate at the departure terminal and the security gate at the arrival terminal. At the arrival terminal, the passenger will insert the card into the machine again to receive back the 1 SGD deposit.

4.2. Ez-Link Card

Ez-link card:

This is a prepaid, multiple-use card that can be purchased from any Transitlink ticket office at selected SMRT stations. The initial cost of the card is SGD 15, which includes SGD 10 top-up value and SGD 5 non-refundable cash.

With an Ez-link card, passengers can board any train and swipe the card into the automatic fare box mounted on the front and back doors of the train for the system to automatically deduct money. Note that when you swipe the card on the train, you should also swipe the card when you get off, otherwise it will be considered as having traveled the entire distance from the first stop to the last stop and the fare will be calculated for this distance.

Top up (minimum SGD10 and maximum SGD100) can be done at Transitlink ticket offices or via top-up machines located at MRT stations, 7-Eleven stores or SingPost locations. Refunds can be obtained at SingPost counters if funds are not used up.

4.3. Singapore Tourist Pass (STP)

If you are only in Singapore for 3 days or less but travel a lot, you can buy a Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) for unlimited travel on the MRT and buses.

There are 3 types of Singapore Tourist Pass prices: 8 SGD (1 day), 16 SGD (2 days) and 24 SGD (3 days). The condition is to deposit an additional 10 SGD when getting the card, return the card within 5 days after the expiration date and get the deposit back.

This card is sold at ticket counters at major MRT stations including Changi MRT, Orchard, Chinatown, City Hall, Raffles Place, Ang Mo Kio, Harbourfront, Bugis and Lavender.

5. Characteristics of MRT in Singapore

Each country has its own laws governing the operation of the MRT, and Singapore is no exception. 

1. There is an elevator to the platform.
2. Tactile floors (for the visually impaired).
3. There are aisles for wheelchair users, families with small children in strollers, people with disabilities and travellers with bulky luggage or suitcases, ensuring that all passengers' needs are well taken care of while travelling on the metro.
4. The passenger information system will provide estimated train arrival times on display screens and boards on routes.
5. On-board communication system so passengers can talk to MRT staff in case of emergency.
6. A closed-circuit TV camera system is installed at each station and carriage so that staff can check for problems arising at the station and in the train to respond to and handle situations.
7. Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed on board. Violations will result in heavy fines.

6. Instructions for traveling by MRT

Traveling by MRT is not too complicated, however, for many people traveling or starting to use the MRT, traveling can be difficult at first. Normally, the process of traveling by MRT will go as follows

Step 1: Buy Ez Link card or Tourist Pass card

Step 2: Swipe the card to enter the platform (where you wait for the train)

Step 3: Choose the correct departure station (Most important).

Stations of a line (one color) only have trains of that color running through them. Interchange stations (for example, the green line intersects the yellow line) have 2 floors (1 floor for the green line train, 1 floor for the yellow line train), passengers need to look at the sign to get to the right place to wait for the train of the line they want to take.

You need to determine the MRT station you will go to and plan your route. Each platform has an MRT map. If the departure and destination are on the same line, there is no need to change lines, but if the departure and destination are on 1 different lines, you need to change. For example, if a passenger wants to go to a station on the red line from where he is standing (on the yellow line), he needs to continue to the Yellow-Red intersection station, from there he can change to the red line train to continue to the destination.

After determining the route, determine which train to board to go in the right direction as well as remember the name of the stop to get off. Note that a line always has 2 trains running in opposite directions, located on two opposite tracks (platforms) on the same platform. Which train is going in which direction is indicated on the sign and on the train door. If you get on the wrong train (going in the opposite direction you want), you need to get off immediately at the next station to change to the opposite platform to board the train going in the opposite direction.

There are always maps, lights and speakers announcing the next station on the train. At interchange stations, there will be signs indicating which floor to go up or down to change lines as well as exits from the MRT.

Step 4: When leaving the station, passengers must swipe the card again, the system will deduct the amount from the card. 

7. Some notes when taking the MRT

When approaching the station you want to get off at (to change lines or leave the station), you should move to stand near the train door to get off quickly.
There is a train every 3 minutes, when the train is about to arrive, you should stand near the doors to get on/off quickly. However, remember to stand aside to let people on the train get off before people at the station get on.
The subway in Singapore is usually very punctual.
Remember to always swipe your card when leaving so the machine can deduct money. If for some reason you have not swiped your card, the next time the system will detect it and deduct the maximum amount for that trip.

As one of the countries with the greenest and cleanest living environment in the world, along with a stable and developed economy and politics, Singapore is a top choice for foreigners to live, work and settle.

8. FAQs about Singapore MRT

Highlights

• MRT is one of the three most popular means of transportation in Singapore, besides bus , and taxi.
• You can buy MRT tickets at ticket offices located at each station, or through an EZ-Link card or Tourist Pass.
• Singapore has 6 railway lines, allowing you to travel all over Singapore. Some railway lines will have a certain color. For intersecting lines, each line will be on a different floor at a station.
• MRT operates from 5:30am to 12am or longer depending on holidays.