Changi Airport to the City: MRT, Bus, Taxi and Ride-Hailing
A taxi from Changi Airport to the city takes about 30 minutes, and the MRT station is linked to Terminals 2 and 3. This guide compares the main options using Changi Airport's and LTA's own pages, checked on 28 October 2026.
Verified: October 28, 2026
Landing at Changi soon?
Before you leave the terminal
You reach the public arrival hall after immigration, baggage claim and customs. Foreign visitors receive their e-Pass by email after immigration clearance, at the address given in the SG Arrival Card. Keep it: it shows your last day of stay.
The SG Arrival Card must be submitted before you arrive, within three days before arrival. Submitting is free on ICA's e-Service and in the MyICA app. SingaporeDigitalCard is an independent paid service, not ICA.
More on arrival: Changi arrival and automated lanes · Singapore customs rules
The options at a glance
| Option | Where to find it | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRT (train) | Changi Airport MRT Station, linked to Terminals 2 and 3 | First train 5:31 AM (5:59 AM on Sundays and public holidays); last connecting trains 11:18 PM and 12:06 AM | Fare by distance; check LTA's Fare Calculator |
| Public bus | Basement bus bays at Terminals 1 to 3; two bus stops at Terminal 4 | Most services do not run through the night | Fare by distance; cash needs the exact fare |
| Taxi | Taxi stands in the Arrival areas of Terminals 1 to 4 | 24 hours | Metered; about S$25 to S$45 to the city, plus surcharges |
| Private hire car | Book in the app, then go to the Arrival and Ride-Hailing pick-up point | 24 hours | Booked and paid through the operator's app |
| Ground Transport Concierge | Counters in each terminal, or book online or in the Changi App | 24 hours | S$70 (4-seater) or S$75 (6-seater) per trip, one drop-off |
By MRT
Go to Changi Airport MRT Station (CG2)
It is linked directly to Terminals 2 and 3. From Terminal 1, use the free Skytrain, which Changi lists as running from 5:00 AM to 2:00 AM. From Terminal 4, take the free shuttle bus from the T4 Arrival Bus Lounge to T2/MRT.
Ride to Tanah Merah (EW4) or Expo (CG1/DT35)
At Tanah Merah, change to the East West Line towards Tuas Link (EW33). At Expo, change to the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang (DT1).
Tap in and tap out with the same card or device
LTA says this makes sure you are charged the correct fare.
- First train to Tanah Merah
5:31 AM Monday to Saturday; 5:59 AM on Sundays and public holidays
- Last train connecting to Tuas Link
11:18 PM daily
- Last train connecting to Pasir Ris
12:06 AM daily
- T4 shuttle bus
Free; every 5 minutes between T2/MRT and T4 from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM, and a loop service every 19 minutes from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM
Paying for the MRT and buses
- Contactless bank cards and mobile wallets. Mastercard, Visa and NETS contactless cards work at the gates and on buses, with no registration. LTA names Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay among the mobile wallets. You pay adult fares, and an admin fee applies to cards issued outside Singapore.
- EZ-Link card. A stored-value card sold at Changi Recommends stores, the Passenger Service Centre and the TransitLink Ticket Office at Changi Airport MRT Station.
- Singapore Tourist Pass. Unlimited travel on public buses, the MRT and the LRT for one, two or three days.
- Cash. On buses, pay the exact fare, as no change is given. LTA says cash fares are higher.
- Children below 0.9 m in height travel free on basic bus services and trains when accompanied by a fare-paying commuter.
To see the fare for a trip before you travel, use LTA's Fare Calculator.
By public bus
| Terminal | Bus stop | Services |
|---|---|---|
| Terminals 1, 2 and 3 | Basement bus bays | 24, 27, 34, 36, 53, 110, 858 |
| Terminal 4 | Next to Car Park 4B | 24, 34, 36, 110 |
| Terminal 4 | Near SATS Inflight Catering Centre 1 | 27, 53, 858 |
Changi's page lists these services but not where each one goes. Check the route in LTA's MyTransport app, which shows bus services and arrival times, or on the information boards at the airport bus stops.
By taxi
Taxis wait at the taxi stands in the Arrival areas of Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4. Changi says a ride to the city takes about 30 minutes and costs between S$25 and S$45. All fares are metered. The flag-down charge and the distance and waiting charges differ between taxi companies. Surcharges are added to the meter:
| Surcharge | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge (trips from the airport) | Monday to Sunday, 5:00 PM to 11:59 PM | S$8 |
| Airport surcharge (trips from the airport) | All other times | S$6 |
| Midnight surcharge | Every day, 12:00 AM to 5:59 AM | 50% of the final metered fare |
| Peak-hour surcharge | Monday to Friday except public holidays, 6:00 AM to 9:29 AM | 25% of the final metered fare |
| Peak-hour surcharge | Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 10:00 AM to 1:59 PM | 25% of the final metered fare |
| Peak-hour surcharge | Monday to Sunday, 5:00 PM to 11:59 PM | 25% of the final metered fare |
By private hire car (ride-hailing)
- Book a car in the app of one of the operators Changi lists: Grab, Gojek, Zig, Tada Mobility, Ryde or Geolah.
- Go to the Arrival and Ride-Hailing pick-up point at your terminal (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 all have one).
- Meet the driver there. Taxis and private hire cars are available 24 hours a day from all terminals.
You need mobile data to book. Changi says pre-paid SIM cards are sold at the Changi Recommends booths and money changers in every terminal.
Booked transfers and hotel pick-ups
Changi's Ground Transport Concierge (GTC) runs 24-hour transfers to any destination in Singapore. You can book ahead online or in the Changi App, or at a GTC counter on arrival. Changi lists S$70 per trip for a 4-seater and S$75 for a 6-seater, with one drop-off location. Extra destination surcharges apply for Sembawang Shipyard, Jurong Island, Changi Airfreight Centre and the Tuas port area.
| Terminal | GTC counter |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Arrival Pick-up, Basement |
| Terminal 2 | Arrival hall, level 1, door 6 |
| Terminal 3 | Arrival hall, level 1, next to the information counter |
| Terminal 4 | Arrival hall, level 1, next to the information counter |
Changi's transport pages do not list hotel shuttle buses. If your hotel or a friend picks you up by car, Changi asks passengers to meet the car at the Arrival pick-up points. Ask your hotel in advance where its driver will wait.
Arriving late at night
- The last train that connects towards Tuas Link, the city direction, leaves Changi Airport at 11:18 PM.
- Most bus and MRT services do not run through the night. Check bus times on the boards at the bus stop.
- Taxis, private hire cars and GTC transfers are available 24 hours a day. Taxis add the midnight surcharge from 12:00 AM to 5:59 AM.
Changing planes instead? See the Singapore transit guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a taxi from Changi Airport to the city take?
About 30 minutes, according to Changi Airport. The fare is metered and Changi gives a range of S$25 to S$45, plus an airport surcharge of S$6 or S$8 and any midnight or peak-hour surcharge.
Can I pay for the MRT with a foreign credit card?
Yes, with a contactless Mastercard or Visa card, or a mobile wallet. No registration is needed. LTA says you pay adult fares and an admin fee applies to cards issued outside Singapore.
What time is the last train from Changi Airport?
Changi Airport lists 11:18 PM daily for the last train connecting to Tuas Link, the direction for the city, and 12:06 AM daily for the last train connecting to Pasir Ris.
Is there an MRT station at Terminal 4?
No. Changi Airport MRT Station is linked to Terminals 2 and 3. From Terminal 4, take the free shuttle bus from the T4 Arrival Bus Lounge to T2/MRT.
Where do I meet a Grab or Gojek driver at Changi?
At the Arrival and Ride-Hailing pick-up point of your terminal. Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 each have one.
Sources checked
- Changi Airport: Leaving the airport · October 28, 2026
- Changi Airport: Transfer between terminals and Jewel · October 28, 2026
- Changi Airport: Getting to the airport · October 28, 2026
- Changi Airport: Getting started in Singapore · October 28, 2026
- LTA: Plan your journey (fares and payment) · October 28, 2026
- ICA: Retrieval of Electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) · October 28, 2026
- ICA: SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with Electronic Health Declaration · October 28, 2026
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