How to Get from Changi Airport to Singapore City Centre
Four transport options, ranked by cost: MRT at SGD 2, buses from SGD 2, taxis SGD 25–45, private transfers SGD 50–90. Pick speed or money.
You've cleared immigration at one of the world's best airports. Now the question: train, bus, taxi, or transfer—and what's the actual price and time? The answer depends almost entirely on what you're carrying and when you landed. The MRT is genuinely cheap (under SGD 3) and takes 30–40 minutes with a transfer. Buses cost similar money but take up to two hours. A taxi or Grab costs three to five times more but cuts your arrival time to 20–30 minutes. For late arrivals (after 11:18 PM when trains stop), a taxi or ride-hail is your only option. The sections below are ordered by what most travellers choose: train first (it's the most time-predictable), then buses and taxis as alternatives depending on luggage and arrival time.
All prices below are current as of September 2026. Operating hours and surcharges can change; verify on the official Changi Airport website or LTA's MyTransport app before you travel.
Airport MRT to Raffles Place, City Hall or Marina Bay
Terminals 2 & 3 basement · Train/MRT · SGD 2–3, 05:31–23:18 Mon–Sat; 05:59–23:18 Sun/PH
All three main terminals (T1, T2, T3) are connected to the Changi Airport MRT station by the free Changi Airport Skytrain. You can travel from the airport to Orchard Road or the city centre in 30–40 minutes for just SGD $2.00–$2.50. The train operates from 05:31 to 23:18 (Monday to Saturday) and 05:59 to 23:18 (Sundays and public holidays). The trains are clean, safe, and air-conditioned. Best for solo travellers and couples with carry-on luggage only; no uncertainty about surge pricing or waiting time. Pay by tapping an EZ-Link card or Singapore Tourist Pass.
Taxi from Changi to City Centre
All four terminals, taxi rank in Arrival hall · Metered taxi · SGD 25–45 daytime, 24 hours
A ride to the city takes about 30 minutes and costs between S$25 and S$45. An additional airport surcharge applies when you start your trip at Changi Airport: S$8 from 17:00 to 23:59 daily, and S$6 at all other times. Taxis are found at dedicated taxi stands on Basement 2 (B2) of the arrival halls in all four terminals. The queue system is orderly and moves quickly — even at busy times, waits are rarely more than 10–15 minutes. The total cost ends up similar to Grab for most journeys. Grab's advantage is the upfront price transparency. Use taxis when you have checked baggage or arrive after the last train departs.
Public Bus Route 36 to Orchard Road and City Hall
Terminals 1, 2, 3 basement bus bay · Public bus · SGD 2–3, 06:00–00:00
Bus 36 runs from Changi Airport Bus Terminal (between T1 and T2) to Orchard Road, stopping at major points along the way. Cost: SGD 2.10–2.50, requires EZ-Link or SimplyGo. Journey time: 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. The ride can take longer—up to 90 minutes—but it's cheap, reliable, and gives you a glimpse of daily life in the neighborhoods outside the usual tourist spots. Only use this if you have time, light luggage, and are comfortable with multiple stops and possible delays. You can pay using contactless bank card, EZ-Link card or exact cash fare (no change is given if paying cash).
Grab Ride-Hailing (app-based)
Designated pick-up zone in Arrival hall, all terminals · App-based ride · SGD 20–40, 24 hours
Typical fares from Changi to city center: SGD 20-35. There is no airport surcharge, no peak hour multiplier built in separately — the price you see is the price you pay. Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app in Singapore and operates from designated ride-hailing pick-up zones at Changi. Grab's advantage is upfront pricing — you see the full fare before booking, with no meter uncertainty. Use Grab when you want certainty about the price upfront and don't mind waiting a few minutes for the car to arrive. Avoid Grab during peak demand periods (6–11 PM) when surge pricing can exceed taxi fares.
Airport Ground Transport Concierge Shuttle
Ground Transport Concierge counters, Arrival hall · Shared shuttle van · SGD 10 per adult, 07:00–23:00 hourly
The Airport City Shuttle (SGD 10 per adult) drops you directly at most major central hotels — a practical middle ground for solo travellers with heavy luggage. To find a city shuttle, just head to the 24-hour Ground Transport Concierges (GTC) at the airport's arrivals hall. You can expect a departure every hour from 07:00 to 23:00. The city shuttle is the quickest option at 30 minutes. This works well if your hotel is one of the major properties in the CBD and you want door-to-door service without the cost of a private transfer.
Private Pre-Booked Airport Transfer
Book via Changi App or GTC counter · Private minivan or sedan · SGD 50–90, 24 hours
For a group of four splitting a minivan, it works out to SGD 18-28 per person, which is competitive with taxis. Click here or download the Changi App to book a ride in advance. These prices are flat — no surcharges, no tolls to add, no time-of-day adjustments. Best for groups of three or more, families with multiple bags, or business travellers who want a driver holding a name sign at arrivals. Book well ahead to lock in the fixed rate; last-minute bookings at the GTC counter can have long queues.
Terminal 4: Get to the MRT or Taxi
Terminal 4 · Shuttle or walkway · Free inter-terminal shuttle, 24 hours
Terminal 4 has no direct MRT connection — take the free inter-terminal shuttle bus to Terminal 3 first before heading to the train station. Taxis at Changi are found at dedicated taxi stands on Basement 2 (B2) of the arrival halls in all four terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4). If you land at T4, your choices are the same as the other terminals—just add 10–15 minutes to reach the MRT at T3, or take the shuttle to grab a taxi from T2/T3. The inter-terminal shuttle runs continuously and is free.
Payment Options: Which Card or App to Use
All terminals, MRT station and bus stops · Payment · Contactless card, app, or EZ-Link
SimplyGo App: This has officially replaced the old ez link singapore app as of early 2026, serving as the unified hub for all balance checks and top-ups. You can also use any contactless Visa or Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay directly at the gates. Stored-value EZ-Link cards can be purchased from any Changi Recommends store, and at the Passenger Service Centre or TransitLink Ticket Office at Changi Airport MRT Station. For the MRT, a small administrative fee (approx. $0.60 per day) is applied to foreign cards. If you'll use public transport more than once, buy an EZ-Link card to avoid this fee.
Late Arrivals: When Trains Stop Running
After 23:18 (Mon–Sat) and 23:18 (Sun/PH) · Taxi or Grab only · 24/7 availability
The last MRT from Changi departs around 11:18 PM on weekdays. If public transport services have ended, taxis and private hire cars remain available 24 hours a day from all terminals. Late-night fares (midnight–6am) are SGD $35–55 due to the SGD $8 night surcharge. If you land after 11:30 PM, expect to pay a 50% midnight surcharge on top of the metered fare. Budget SGD 40–60 for a taxi or use Grab, which won't charge extra for the hour but may surge during peak demand.
The Choice in One Sentence
All options · Decision guide · See the table above
If you have only carry-on luggage and arrive before 11:18 PM, take the MRT. If you have checked bags or arrive after that time, take a taxi or Grab. If you're with a group of three or more, a pre-booked transfer is worth it. If speed matters more than money and you're solo, a taxi is faster than the MRT by about 10 minutes and costs SGD 22–30 more. Do not take the bus unless you genuinely have time to spare and want the cheapest possible option.
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