Learn how to take a bus in Singapore with this guide. Find out routes, fares, payment methods, best apps, and insider tips for exploring the island easily and affordably.
Singapore is a big city in a small space. One of the things that makes the country so famous for its efficiency is its excellent public transportation system. There are two main components to our public transportation system: the MRT system and the bus network.
While many people may think that taking a bus in a country that you have never lived before is hard. It isn’t true in Singapore.
Taking a bus in Singapore is extremely easy, even for first-time visitors and tourists. Countless buses will take you almost anywhere on the island, there are numerous apps to help you navigate, and you can pay in several ways.
In this blog post, I’ll explain what the buses in Singapore are like and walk you through all you need to know to start exploring the country using them.
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Contents
Why Take a Bus in Singapore?
There are just many reasons that you may want to take a bus here. Of cause, the MRT in Singapore is cheap, fast, and covers in many parts of the city, but there are many benefits that you might want to take a bus too.
In my opinion, there are two main reasons why you might want to take a bus here:
- Bus is very well connected in Singapore. No matter which neighborhood you are in the city, it’s going to take you only around 5 to 10 minutes to the the nearest bus station.
- There are many great places in Singapore that you can’t go by the MRT. For example, the Tree top walk, Singapore Zoo, and Henderson Wave Bridge.
- It’s required less walking. For example, if you are in Gaylang and want to go to Vivo City for transit to Sentosa, you can just take a bus number 80 there. If you go by the MRT, you need to take 2 lines. And you definitely don’t want to walk in Singapore during the day time. It can be very hot and humid.
Also, Singapore buses are extremely comfortable. They are only AC bus with comfortable seats. It’s easy to check routes though apps. And traffic isn’t much a problem here except early morning rush.
What Are Buses in Singapore Like?
They can be a single-decker bus, a double-decker, and, less commonly, an articulated bus. However, because of manoeuvrability and space constraints, these are increasingly rare and are being phased out and replaced by double-deckers.
Some buses are newer and come with all the bells and whistles, like a seat counter which shows you the availability of seating upstairs. Almost all buses are also wheelchair-accessible, with the lower floors having ramps that the driver can operate. All buses are air-conditioned, which is a definite plus in Singapore’s brutally hot and humid weather.
Note on the air-conditioning: AC on buses can be powerful. And it isn’t always comfortable to have a powerful blast of frigid air right on you the whole ride. Many Singaporeans, including myself, have been known to bring a light sweater on board a bus, especially during night rides.
How to Get On and Off A Bus
It’s easy to get on and off a bus. To get on your bus, go to a bus station. You will see numbers of buses on the stop. When the bus come, stick an arm out to flag it down as it approaches the bus stop you are waiting at. If it’s a popular bus, you may see Singaporeans wait in line.
To get off, hit the buzzer well before your stop to give the driver time to react.
The buzzer is a big, square button located on each stanchion (the poles that run from the ceiling of the bus to the floor). Some buttons are also located along the walls on each side.
How to Find Your Bus Route
Now you’re ready to take a bus ride, you’ll have to find out exactly which number you’ll need. Singapore buses have one, two, and three-digit numbers. There is also the express service, which only runs at certain times and is denoted by a suffix, E. For example, the express service of bus number 14 would be 14E.
Bus Apps
There are several apps that you can use, like MyTransport SG, SG Buses, and even Google Maps. However, my personal favourite and go-to is Singabus. All these apps are readily available in the App Store and Google Play.
Using the Bus App
Be sure you have location services turned on. That way, whatever app you’re using can pinpoint your location and help you map your route. Then, key in your destination using either the address or the six-digit postal code.
Your app will then tell you which bus stop to wait at, what number to take, your estimated travel time, when the next bus is coming, and when your estimated time of arrival is.
Bus Stop
Note that each bus stop has a five-digit number, so be sure you’re waiting at the right one. If you’re off by a number, you could end up going the wrong direction.
Most apps will even tell you how many seats are available on the bus you want, or if the bus is full and there’s only standing room left. Many apps will also show you where you are on the map, so you can follow your journey and keep an eye out when you get close to your destination.
Bus Time
The app information for Singapore buses is extremely accurate when it comes to the timing of the next bus. In fact, I go by the timing so much that I don’t leave the house unless my Singabus app tells me that my bus is 5 minutes away, as it takes me 2 minutes to get out the door, down the stairs, and to the bus stop, which is almost directly in front of my gate.
Extra Tips
While standing is a safe way to ride the bus, as there are handrails everywhere to hang on to, it might not be so comfortable if you are planning a long ride. To avoid getting squashed in a full bus, avoid travelling during the office peak hours of roughly 8 to 10 am, and 5 to 7.30 pm.
First and Last Buses
Singapore buses don’t run 24/7. We used to have a night bus called the NightRider, but that unfortunately was cancelled in 2022. As of today, the only way to get around is with taxis or ride-hailing apps like Grab, which can add up if you’re travelling frequently at night.
Depending on the bus number and the bus stop you are taking it from, the first and last bus service can vary greatly. However, as a general rule, most buses run from about 6 am to midnight every day. During weekends, you might get a few later buses.
The easiest way of finding the timings of the first or last bus services is through your bus app of choice. You can also check the bus guide pages on the SMRT or SBS Transit websites, two of the main operators.
One of the main reasons I usually check the first and last bus timings is when I’m catching or getting off a flight, as a taxi can cost about $25 to $45, while a bus ride costs a fraction of that.
The first buses, 34 and 36, depart Changi Airport at about 6 am daily, and 858 departs at 5.15 am. These three services run to the north eastern, central eastern, and northern parts of Singapore, respectively, but you can always hop off somewhere along the way and switch to another bus service that will bring you into the city centre or elsewhere around the island.
* This information can change, so be sure to check one of the apps before you travel.
Bus Fares
Bus fares in Singapore are distance-based, which means you only pay for how far you travel, and not a flat rate. The starting fare is SGD$1.19 for a normal service and SGD$1.79 for an express bus, while the maximum fare is SGD$2.47 (normal) and SGD$3.07 (express).
If you want to calculate the exact bus fare for a specific distance, head to the LTA (Land Transport Authority) site.
While as an expat, this doesn’t apply, but it might be of interest to you that our students, seniors, and persons with disabilities get concession rates.
Paying For Your Ride
Singapore is becoming a cashless society. In most cases, you should do cashless payment when taking a bus here. Depending on your mode of payment, when you enter the front of the bus, you simply tap your card, mobile phone, or watch, and when you exit, tap it again. Remember to tap yourself out, or you will be charged the maximum fare.
Here are the many ways you can pay for your bus fare.
SimplyGo EZ-Link
For a long time, many Singapore residents like me were solely relying on the EZ-Link stored-value card. You can purchase the SimplyGo EZ-Link card at SimplyGo offices that are usually located within bus interchanges or MRT stations. You can also use any of the self-service kiosks scattered throughout the country to top up your card.
If you plan on using the EZ-Link Card, you can also download the SimplyGo app, where you can view your past travel and transactions, top up your balance, or accumulate points which you can use to redeem for products.
You can also purchase a monthly concession pass, which costs S$128 for unlimited travel on the MRT and bus network. However, this is only available to Citizens and Permanent Residents.
Tip: If you travel to Singapore, you should get the SimplyGo EZ-Link card or the tourist pass at the Changi airport MRT. It’s a key card to help you get around Singapore, including at the MRT and public buses cashless.
Contactless Credit or Debit Card
You can also use a foreign-issued contactless credit or debit card to pay your bus fare. However, an administrative fee of up to S$0.50 will be charged per transaction, and you might also have to pay foreign transaction fees imposed by your issuing bank, so be sure before you start tapping.
Usage of cards from Singaporean banks is free.
Mobile Wallet
If you’ve got Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay already on your phone and operational, you can also use your mobile wallet to pay for your bus fares by tapping your phone or watch when you enter.
There are no fees charged by SimplyGo or the transportation system, but similar to using a foreign-issued credit card, your bank might charge an admin fee.
NETS FlashPay
NETS FlashPay is a multi-purpose stored value card that you can use on buses, MRTs, and shopping at retail outlets throughout Singapore. It can be easily topped up through the NETS app or with the auto top-up function if you opt in.
This card is great if your bank charges you fees for foreign transactions and you want to avoid using it, yet don’t want to carry around excessive amounts of cash. You can buy it in Singapore at many places like MRT stations, SimplyGo Ticketing Offices, 7-Eleven, most petrol stations, and many convenience stores.
Most places like restaurants, cafes, and retail stores will accept NETS FlashPay, and you’ll also get to use the card when using the public transportation system.
Singapore Tourist Pass
If your trip to Singapore is just a short one, you can look at the Singapore Tourist Pass, which gives you unlimited rides on the public transportation system as well as other perks like discounts on attractions. You can buy the pass from SimplyGo offices, automated kiosks at Changi Airport and certain MRT stations, and certain Cheers outlets. Here’s a full list of where you can get the pass.
Depending on the number of days you want to spend, the cost starts at $17 for a one-day pass and $45 for a five-day pass. There are also bundles that you can get that include other popular perks like Sentosa entry or a one-hour tour. Check here for the latest promotions.
Cash
Many buses still accept cash, but you pay a slightly higher fare, and no change will be given, so be sure you have the exact fare. For years now, if not decades, I haven’t seen anyone paying cash for a bus ride, and some of the newer services may have already stopped accepting cash.
Can I use my foreign credit card on Singapore buses?
Yes, you can use a foreign-issued contactless credit or debit card to pay for your bus fare. However, I don’t generally recommend since there’s usually an administrative fee of up to S$0.50 per transaction, and your bank may also charge a foreign transaction fee.
The better way is to get a SimplyGo EZ-Link card once you arrive.
Are Singapore buses 24 hours?
No, most buses in Singapore run from about 6 am to midnight.
While there used to be a night bus service called NightRider, it was discontinued in 2022. If you need to travel after midnight, your best options are taxis or ride-hailing apps like Grab.
How do I know which bus to take?
The easiest way is to use an app like MyTransport SG, SG Buses, or Singabus. Just turn on your location, enter your destination, and the app will tell you which bus to take, where to board, and when it will arrive.
Or you can use Google Maps.
Now, on to You
The Singapore bus system kept the country running way before the MRT system opened its doors in 1987. It’s a great way to get around Singapore that locals have been using in their daily lives. It’s easy to use and a convenient way to get around the island.
I hope I made it easier for you to figure out the bus system in Singapore. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy my small but fascinating country.
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