Planning your first independent trip to Singapore and feeling a little confused about getting around?
“Can I just tap my Taiwanese credit card on the MRT?”
“Which works out cheaper, Apple Pay or EZ-Link?”
“Do I really have to tap my card when I get off the bus?”
“How do I take the MRT from Changi Airport into the city?”
The good news is that Singapore’s public transport is incredibly convenient, and most of the time you don’t even need to buy a physical transit card!
To put it simply: if you’re visiting Singapore for 3–5 days and carry a Visa or Mastercard that supports contactless payment, you can usually ride the MRT and buses with it directly. Only if you’re worried about overseas transaction fees, or you’ll be riding a lot every day, is it worth comparing EZ-Link and the Singapore Tourist Pass.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Singapore’s MRT, buses, transit cards, Grab, and staying connected after you land.
1. How to Get Around Singapore: MRT vs. Bus vs. Grab at a Glance
There are three main ways most visitors get around Singapore.
| Transport | Best for | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| MRT / LRT | Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Chinatown | Reliable speed and easy transfers |
| Public buses | Hotel to station, neighborhoods, or attractions | Dense route network; credit cards accepted |
| Grab | Late nights, groups, or lots of luggage | Book through the app and see the price before you go |
For a first independent trip, I’d recommend relying on the MRT, filling in the gaps with buses, and keeping Grab as your backup.
Which Station for Popular Attractions?
| Attraction | Suggested MRT station |
|---|---|
| Marina Bay Sands | Bayfront |
| Gardens by the Bay | Bayfront or Gardens by the Bay, depending on which entrance you’re using |
| Chinatown | Chinatown |
| Orchard Road | Orchard |
| Little India | Little India |
| Sentosa | HarbourFront, then transfer to the applicable transport |
For detailed train routes, check the official LTA journey planning info.
2. Can You Use a Taiwanese Credit Card on Singapore’s MRT?
Yes, you can!
Singapore’s SimplyGo system accepts eligible contactless Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and other cards, as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
If your Taiwanese credit card is supported, you usually don’t need to buy an EZ-Link card first or register a SimplyGo account on the spot. Just tap and ride.
3 Steps to Ride the MRT with a Credit Card
Step 1: Tap in at the entrance
Take out your credit card, or use Apple Pay on your phone, and tap it at the fare gate.
Step 2: Ride as normal
Check the line color, the direction of your destination, and your transfer station.
Step 3: Tap out again at the exit
Use the same card you tapped in with, or the same phone and the same wallet card, to exit.
Whatever you do, don’t tap in with your physical credit card and then tap out with Apple Pay!
Even if both are linked to the same credit card, the system may treat them as different payment methods, and you could end up paying extra fares.
3. Are There Fees for Using a Taiwanese Credit Card on the MRT?
This part is really important.
Under SimplyGo’s current official rules, if you pay public transport fares with an overseas-issued Visa or Mastercard, you’ll be charged the following for each day of use:
An S$0.60 foreign card administrative fee.
It isn’t S$0.60 per ride. It’s charged according to the rules on any day you use the card.
For example, if you use the same Taiwanese Visa card to ride for five days in a row, the extra administrative fees add up to S$3.00.
On top of that, your Taiwanese card issuer may still charge fees under its overseas transaction terms.
Can Apple Pay Get You Around the S$0.60 Fee?
No. Adding your Taiwanese Visa or Mastercard to Apple Pay doesn’t turn it into a Singapore-issued card.
If you’re only on a short three-day, two-night trip, the fee may not be worth buying a transit card just to avoid.
But if you’re staying ten days or longer, it’s worth comparing the total cost of the two payment options.
4. What Is an EZ-Link Card, and Is It Still Worth Buying?
EZ-Link is a common physical stored-value transit card in Singapore.
You can use it on supported MRT, LRT, and bus services, and fares are deducted automatically when you ride.
A standard EZ-Link card has an official reference price of S$10, of which S$5 is the non-refundable card cost and the other S$5 is usable stored value.
So buying the card doesn’t give you the full S$10 to spend on rides.
Credit Card or EZ-Link: Which Should You Choose?
| Comparison | Taiwanese credit card / Apple Pay | EZ-Link |
|---|---|---|
| Need to buy a card | No | Yes |
| Need to top up | No | Yes |
| Daily foreign card administrative fee | Visa / Mastercard S$0.60 | No such fee for regular rides |
| Extra costs | Your card issuer may charge overseas fees | Card cost and top-up fees |
| Best for | Short independent trips | People who want a physical transit card or are staying longer |
Heads up! If you use an overseas credit card to top up a stored-value card at a SimplyGo ticketing machine, you may also be charged an extra convenience fee, so don’t just compare the S$0.60 fee for riding.
5. Is the Singapore Tourist Pass Worth It?
If you plan to take a lot of MRT and bus rides every day, the Singapore Tourist Pass is worth considering.
Based on current official prices:
| Number of days | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | S$17 |
| 2 days | S$24 |
| 3 days | S$29 |
| 4 days | S$37 |
| 5 days | S$45 |
It gives you unlimited rides on regular public buses and the MRT / LRT during the valid period, but it doesn’t cover Grab, Sentosa Express, or other excluded services.
Also, a “day” on the pass is based on that day’s public transport operating hours, not a rolling 24 hours from your first tap.
My tip: if you only take two or three rides a day, just tapping your card is usually the way to go. If you’ll be crossing town many times a day, then do the math on the pass.
6. How to Ride Buses in Singapore: Tap On and Tap Off!
Paying for buses in Singapore works a little differently from some buses back in Taiwan.
Here’s what to remember when you ride:
- Check the route number and direction at the bus stop.
- Tap your credit card, Apple Pay, or EZ-Link when you board.
- Keep an eye on the next-stop information.
- Press the bell when you’re getting ready to get off.
- Tap the same card or device again when you get off.
Because regular buses in Singapore charge by distance, forgetting to tap off could mean you’re charged a higher fare.
If you pay in cash, different conditions and fares apply, and you should have the exact amount of cash required.
7. How to Take the MRT from Changi Airport to the City
Changi Airport has its own MRT station, which mainly connects to Terminals 2 and 3.
There are two common ways to head into the city:
Route A: Changi Airport (CG2) → Tanah Merah (EW4) → transfer to the East West Line.
Route B: Changi Airport (CG2) → Expo (CG1 / DT35) → transfer to the Downtown Line.
Which one you take really depends on where your hotel is.
If you’re arriving late at night, be sure to check the last train time. The MRT doesn’t run 24 hours.
If trains have stopped for the night, compare a taxi and Grab.
8. How to Book a Grab in Singapore
If you’re traveling with older family members, kids, or big suitcases, Grab is a real lifesaver.
Before you go, download the Grab app, complete phone verification, and set up a payment method that works.
How to book a ride:
- Open Grab and select Transport.
- Enter your pickup point and destination.
- Confirm the vehicle type, number of passengers, and estimated fare.
- Choose a supported payment method.
- Confirm the booking and double-check the license plate.
Grab Singapore supports payment options such as cash and eligible credit cards; the actual fare, surcharges, and payment restrictions are whatever the app shows.
Especially at Changi Airport, shopping malls, or hotels, make sure you head to the designated pickup point instead of relying only on your phone’s GPS.
9. Is There Mobile Signal Underground on the MRT? How to Choose an eSIM
Some travelers ask me: “Singapore’s MRT runs underground, so will I have no signal at all?”
Actually, Singapore’s IMDA regulates and measures mobile operators’ 4G coverage, including in MRT tunnels, and the relevant standard requires tunnel coverage of more than 99%.
That said, this doesn’t guarantee that every travel eSIM will get full 5G bars or the same speeds at every underground station.
It also depends on the partner carrier, your device, your roaming settings, and the network conditions.
For a typical independent trip to Singapore, you’ll need data for:
- Google Maps to find MRT exits and transfers.
- MyTransport.SG to check bus arrival times.
- Grab to contact your driver.
- LINE and WhatsApp to keep in touch with your travel companions.
- The SimplyGo app to check your ride history.
If you mainly need data for navigation and messaging, you usually don’t need the biggest data plan just for riding the MRT.
But if you’ll also be scrolling Reels, watching YouTube, or uploading videos every day, you’ll want to think about how much high-speed data you need.
JEKO eSIM Travel Data Tips
If your phone supports eSIM, you can set up your Singapore travel data in Taiwan ahead of time, following the product terms.
Once you land, check your mobile data, data roaming, and network settings, then test your maps and ride-hailing apps.
See JEKO eSIM travel data plans
When choosing a plan, go by the actual partner carrier, data allowance, validity, and speed limit conditions, not just the “5G” label.
Singapore Transport FAQ
Can I use a Taiwanese credit card on Singapore’s MRT?
You can use contactless Visa, Mastercard, and other credit cards that meet SimplyGo’s requirements and have overseas transactions enabled, but there’s no guarantee every card will be accepted.
Is there a fee for using Apple Pay on the MRT?
If you’re using an overseas-issued Visa or Mastercard, there’s currently a daily usage administrative fee of S$0.60, and your Taiwanese bank may charge a separate overseas transaction fee.
Do I have to buy an EZ-Link card?
No. Short-term visitors can ride directly with a supported credit card or mobile wallet.
Do I need to tap my card when getting off the bus?
Yes. Use the same card or the same device to tap on and tap off so you’re charged correctly.
Can I use a Taiwanese credit card on Grab?
You can try linking an eligible Taiwanese credit card, but whether payment actually goes through depends on verification by Grab and your card issuer.
Can I eat on Singapore’s MRT?
Eating and drinking, including drinking water, are prohibited in applicable MRT station and train areas, and you could be fined for breaking the rules.
Final Thoughts
For your first independent trip to Singapore, you really don’t need to overthink transport.
MRT: For a short trip, start by simply tapping your Taiwanese credit card or Apple Pay.
Buses: Remember to tap the same card when you get on and off.
Grab: Super handy when it’s raining, late at night, or when you have big luggage.
Your phone’s data is the key tool for checking routes, booking rides, and keeping in touch with your travel companions. Sort out both your transport and your eSIM before you leave, and you’ll save yourself a lot of time trying to find your way around!
Official sources
- LTA (Land Transport Authority of Singapore)
- SimplyGo contactless cards and foreign card fees
- Singapore Tourist Pass
- Changi Airport transport guide
- Grab Singapore
- IMDA mobile network coverage quality
Information checked: October 2026. Fares, payment fees, and operating hours may change, so please refer to the latest official announcements.
