If you haven’t been to Singapore yet this is key info because there isn’t a transport system as good as this, except in Switzerland. The busses are regular and in 10-15 minute intervals everywhere I went. The trains are only ever 5 minutes away and the stops are comprehensive to the point where you are always a hop and a skip away from anything. Taxis are reasonable with their SGD3.40 initial charge but with the train and bus combo it’s virtually unbeatable, why would you need a cab?

Tickets Please!
If you’re going to be here for a couple of days get yourself an EZ-Link card. It is like London’s Oyster card where the public transportation system is open to you. All you do is top it up with your hard earned cash at any station before travel and you’re set. Stick it in your wallet or lanyard and when you get to the station you place the card on the contact point to tell you how much credit remains. Remember to always check in and check out of the bus or the train station or you might have explaining to do. Just listen out for the *beep* and you’re set.

Cough Up kiddo
Now that you have the EZ-Link card you’re moving but how much does it cost to get around? This is one of the easiest and best value transportation systems around at approx SGD1.20 for the longest bus route A to B or SGD1.88 for the run between Punggol and Harbourfront which are on the opposite sides of the North East line that I frequent daily. I think the most I’ve spent in a day is approx SGD5.00 for bus and train travel… pretty good huh?

Trains
The carriages are clean and similar to the London tube except:
– It’s cleaner
– The seats are not soft, they are hard fibreglass
– It’s bigger and shaped for people who stand upright
– It’s always on-time (I’m serious always)
– The drive is automated, you can stand in the front of the train and fulfil your conductor fantasies.

Busses
They come in the single and double decker variety. All are airconditioned (A must in this heat) and are clean and comfortable, just remember to enter in the front next to the driver to buzz in and then buzz out the side of the bus when you leave or you haven’t validated which is bad.

I keep saying the transport is clean and that is because there is no eating or drinking or smoking or durians allowed on them. It’s illegal and I don’t know the fine (maybe a massive spanking) so just don’t do it.

All in all this is a fantastic system, get on it!

Check out this handy info provided by Changi Airport for info on the EZ-Link card as well as other things you need to know:

Click Here -> Changi Travel Guide!