What is the cheapest way from Changi Airport to the city?

The MRT. Tap an EZ-Link or contactless card and ride the East-West Line to City Hall or Raffles Place for about S$2.30, roughly 40 minutes door-to-door, changing once at Tanah Merah.

Do I need to buy a ticket or can I just tap my card?

You can tap a contactless Visa/Mastercard or your phone (SimplyGo) straight at the gate — no ticket needed. Foreign cards add a small admin fee of about S$0.60 per day; a stored-value EZ-Link card is another option.

Do I have to change trains at Tanah Merah?

Yes. The airport train runs only to Tanah Merah (about 8 minutes). Cross the same platform there onto a westbound East-West Line train towards Tuas Link — it's the same single fare.

How long does the MRT take from Changi Airport to the city?

About 40 minutes door-to-door: a short walk to the station, roughly 8 minutes to Tanah Merah, the transfer, and about 25–30 minutes on to City Hall or Raffles Place.

What time is the last MRT from Changi Airport?

The last city-bound train leaves around 23:18; the first is 05:31 (05:59 on Sundays and public holidays). Outside those hours you'll need a taxi or Grab.

What is the best way from SIN to downtown Singapore?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the MRT to City Hall or Raffles Place, about S$2.30 and roughly 40 minutes door-to-door, with one cross-platform change at Tanah Merah.

How much is a taxi from Singapore Changi Airport to the city?

About S$25–40, plus a S$6–8 airport surcharge (S$8 in the evenings) and a +50% surcharge after midnight — compared with about S$2.30 on the MRT.

How to get from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to downtown Singapore — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) into central Singapore is the MRT: tap an EZ-Link or contactless card and ride to City Hall or Raffles Place in the city centre for about S$2.30, roughly 40 minutes door-to-door. The airport train terminates at Tanah Merah, so change there — cross the platform onto a westbound East-West Line train towards Tuas Link, at the same fare. Skip the flat-fare S$10 City Shuttle sold in Arrivals and the S$25–40 taxi with its S$6–8 airport surcharge.

How to find it

AIRPORTSingapore Changi Airport
01From arrivals, follow the 'Train to City' / MRT signs down to Changi Airport MRT station (CG2), below Terminals 2 and 3 (about a 5–10 minute walk).
02Tap in with your EZ-Link or contactless card and board the airport train. It runs only two stops to Tanah Merah (EW4), about 8 minutes — the airport line does NOT go straight to the city.
03At Tanah Merah, get off and cross the same platform to board a westbound East-West Line (green) train towards Tuas Link. It's the same fare — no need to tap out and in again.
04Stay on the East-West Line about 25–30 minutes to City Hall (EW13) or Raffles Place (EW14) for central Singapore, then tap out at the gate.
CITY CENTRESingapore

Ticket

MRT single journey to City Hall / Raffles Place (EZ-Link or contactless card via SimplyGo)

Where to buy: No ticket needed if you tap a contactless Visa/Mastercard or phone (SimplyGo). Otherwise buy a stored-value EZ-Link card (about S$12, including a S$5 non-refundable card cost) at the Changi Airport MRT station Passenger Service Centre, a General Ticketing Machine, or a Changi Recommends counter.

How to pay: Tap your card or phone at the fare gate to enter and again to exit — the distance fare is deducted automatically. Foreign contactless cards add a small admin fee (about S$0.60 per day).

Local's trick: Just tap a contactless bank card or your phone (SimplyGo) at the gate — you don't need to queue for a ticket or buy the S$12 EZ-Link card for a short stay. The one catch is the transfer: the airport train ends at Tanah Merah, so cross the platform there onto a Tuas Link-bound train; it's the same single fare.

Trap to avoid: Skip the flat-fare S$10 City Shuttle sold at the Ground Transport desk in Arrivals — it's over four times the MRT and slower, stopping at several hotels first. A taxi runs about S$25–40 with a S$6–8 airport surcharge (S$8 evenings), rising further with the +50% midnight surcharge.

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Changi Airport to the city?: The MRT. Tap an EZ-Link or contactless card and ride the East-West Line to City Hall or Raffles Place for about S$2.30, roughly 40 minutes door-to-door, changing once at Tanah Merah.
Do I need to buy a ticket or can I just tap my card?: You can tap a contactless Visa/Mastercard or your phone (SimplyGo) straight at the gate — no ticket needed. Foreign cards add a small admin fee of about S$0.60 per day; a stored-value EZ-Link card is another option.
Do I have to change trains at Tanah Merah?: Yes. The airport train runs only to Tanah Merah (about 8 minutes). Cross the same platform there onto a westbound East-West Line train towards Tuas Link — it's the same single fare.
How long does the MRT take from Changi Airport to the city?: About 40 minutes door-to-door: a short walk to the station, roughly 8 minutes to Tanah Merah, the transfer, and about 25–30 minutes on to City Hall or Raffles Place.
What time is the last MRT from Changi Airport?: The last city-bound train leaves around 23:18; the first is 05:31 (05:59 on Sundays and public holidays). Outside those hours you'll need a taxi or Grab.
What is the best way from SIN to downtown Singapore?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the MRT to City Hall or Raffles Place, about S$2.30 and roughly 40 minutes door-to-door, with one cross-platform change at Tanah Merah.
How much is a taxi from Singapore Changi Airport to the city?: About S$25–40, plus a S$6–8 airport surcharge (S$8 in the evenings) and a +50% surcharge after midnight — compared with about S$2.30 on the MRT.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.