[Update: 10 Feb 2017]  Woots! Back from Bali trip and it was awesome! Anyway, I saw signboards of useful Singapore Changi Airport Transfer information at the airport, and thought it would be useful to share with you! There are different transport options for you to consider.

Skytrain 

In case you need to get from one terminal to another (e.g. to take the public train), take Skytrain, the a free train connecting Terminals 1, 2, and 3 in the transit and public areas (5:00 am to 2:30 am). Frequency: 4 minutes.

The line connecting Terminals 2 (E Gates) and 3 (B Gates) is closed for redevelopment. There’s a shuttle bus alternative for the closed line. However, the lines connecting Terminal 1 & 3, and Terminal 2 (F Gates) and Terminal 3 (A Gates) are still operational.

Public Bus

for the budget travellers

It’s one of the cheapest option, but you need to be attentive and know where you’ll be alighting. There’s no announcement of stops, so if you’re in doubt, ask the bus driver. Do note that the bus can be crowded during the peak hours in the morning and evening and the swerving bus might make it hard for you to balance with your luggage.

• To get to the city, take public bus service no. 36/36A.
• To get to the airport, take public bus service no. 36.
• The bus stops are located at the basement bus bays of Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
• The first bus arrives at the airport around 6.00am and the last leaves just before midnight.
• A single fare is estimated to cost around S$2.50. Please prepare the exact fare as no change will be given. Alternatively, a stored-value EZ-Link card for multiple rides can be purchased from any Changi Recommends store or the Changi Airport train station. Check the Bus Fare Calculator for stored card fares.
• The ride takes about an hour.

The bus will be a good option if you are alighting at specific stops along the route, such as Suntec City, Esplanade, Orchard. > No. 36 Bus route information

Public Train / Subway (MRT)

for the budget travellers 

The public train is another affordable option. I would recommend this option over public bus. But like the bus, the train gets crowded during peak hours in the morning and evening.

• You can walk to the train station from Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.
• To get to the city, take the train on either side of the platform. Transfer at Tanah Merah station (see the red box in the system map below) and take the train heading towards Joo Koon. The last train leaves Changi Airport station at 11.18pm.
• To get to Changi, take the train to Tanah Merah station and make a transfer to Changi Airport station. The first train arrives at Changi Airport station at 5.26am (Mon-Sat) and at 5.54am (Sun and PH).

Credit: www.smrt.com.sg

• A single ride ticket can be purchased at train stations. Alternatively, a stored-value EZ-Link card for multiple rides can also be purchased from train stations or any Changi Recommends store.
• It costs about S$2.50 (single ride) to get to town, and cheaper with EZ-Link. Calculate the specific travel time and fare with this calculator: mrt.sg/fare. For the area map around each station, click on this interactive MRT Network Map: www.smrt.com.sg/Trains/NetworkMap.asp.

Changi Airport Shuttle Bus

for the single traveller who’s willing to pay more for convenience 

Airport to City

If you are a single traveller and want to save time and hassle, and taking a taxi or Uber is too expensive, airport shuttle is your best way to go.

• The airport shuttle bus provides drop-offs to most downtown hotels.
• The bus departs every 15 minutes during peak hours (6am – 9am; 5pm – 1am)  and up to 30 minutes during non-peak hours.
• From S$9 per adult and S$6 per child below 12 years of age. S$22 per adult for two way. The journey to city centre will take approximately 25 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
• Online reservation is available for advance booking of airport shuttle service to hotels. Or head to the 24-hour Ground Transport Desks at the Arrival halls for bookings or call the hotlines for more information:
  • T1: +65 6543 1985
  • T2: +65 6546 1646
  • T3: +65 6241 3818 (main booking hotline)
• Do note: Each Passenger is Only Allowed 1 Luggage & 1 Carry-on Baggage.

Changi Airport to Changi Business Park and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

• The free shuttle bus service is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Departs from Terminal 3.
• Operates only from Mon to Fri; 11:30AM – 2:30PM, (2:15PM for SUTD), excluding public holidays. 
• Please refer to the Changi Business Park timetable and SUTD timetable for detailed bus timings. Bus luggage compartment is not available for use on the Free Shuttle Bus Service.

Airport to Johor Bahru (Malaysia)

The bus coach service (Transtar Cross Border Service (TS1)) will start at coach stands at Terminals 1, 2, 3 and end at Johor Bahru CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex). One-way fares from Changi Airport to Johor Bahru are S$10 for adults and S$5 for children. Click for more information on the coach from Changi Airport to Johor Bahru.

Uber or Grab Singapore

for the ones willing to spend, but not so much

When hubby and I returned from Bali, we decided to try out uberX, which was supposedly cheaper than the normal taxi. The ultimate pull factor for us was its lower airport surcharge of S$1.50 and no midnight surcharge as compared to taxi (airport surcharge at S$3 and S$5 and 50% midnight surcharge). The S$1.50 airport surcharge for pick-ups is automatically included into the fare. Of course, there’s surge pricing for Uber and Grab at certain times. So compare prices first!

Uber and Grab Options

Pick Up Points

The cars are unable to wait for you, hence only request your ride after you’ve collected your luggage from baggage claim and are ready to step outside. To take your Uber or Grab, head towards the terminals’ Arrivals Pick-Up points: 

(T1: located past Burger King at a sheltered outdoor waiting area)

(T3: Head to basement 1)
Credit above maps to Grab Singapore

Our UberX experience 

The car that picked us up was not comfy and the engine felt like it was going to die any minute.  Moreover, the car boot was packed with stuff because the driver was heading to Malaysia the next day. But… the driver should have expected luggage and made space when picking up passengers from the airport. In the end, we carried few pieces of our luggage with us in our seats. Imagine if we had more passengers?

And then, we weren’t paying much attention to where he’s going because we were tired after our flight. So it’s after a long while that we realised he took a wrong route! He had to U-turn back to the airport and this mistake made the fare more expensive than if we had taken a taxi (there wasn’t fixed upfront fee then). We reached home later than expected. But the horrible experience ended here.

We feedback to uberX, and their support was superb. They replied us within 1-2 hours, although it was already late in the night. They assessed that the route taken was not perfect and reduced our fare, more than we had expected. Though our first uberX experience wasn’t perfect, we were willing to give uberX a second try from Changi Airport. And do note that, different uberX drivers have different cars.

Uber and Grab 

UPDATE (14Feb19): Uber is now operating under Grab. Other than Grab, there’s GoJek in Singapore.

You can use Uber calculator to estimate your fare or Shopback.sg APP* to compare fares between Grab and Uber at any one time. Tip: Download Uber and Grab Apps and register with them before you come to Singapore. In this way, you can start using them once you have arrived in Singapore.

*Click through this referral link, sign up and get S$5 for yourself.

Taxi / Cab

for the ones willing to spend without hassle

If you have cash to spare, and find it bothersome to download Uber and Grab Apps, it’s best to get a taxi ride. Head to the taxi stand at the Arrival levels of each Terminal and join the queue. It’s usually not a long wait because many taxis will be available. Be careful to join the right queue. If you joined the queue for premium cab (such as Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, MaxiCab or London Cab) be prepared to pay about S$4 more than normal cab.

A ride to the city takes about 30 minutes and costs between $20 and $40. 

Fares are metered, and taxi touting is illegal in Singapore. But note the additional Airport surcharge for all trips from the Airport:

• $5 Airport surcharge: 5.00pm – midnight (Fri – Sun)
• $3 Airport surcharge: All other times
• Midnight surcharge of 50% of final metered fare: midnight – 6.00am
• Peak hours surcharge of 25% of final metered fare: 6.00am – 9.30am (Mon – Fri) and 6.00pm – midnight (Mon – Sun)

Midnight and peak hour surcharge is applicable to the portion of the fare that falls within the time frame. Click for more information on the flag down rate and other surcharges.

To get back to Changi Airport, simply hail a taxi on the street or make a booking through your hotel or call one of the following taxi operators (comes with a booking surcharge):

Comfort or Citycab Tel: +65 6552 1111
Premier Taxi Tel: +65 6363 6888
Prime Taxi Tel: +65 6778 0808
SMRT Taxi Tel: +65 6555 8888
Transcab Tel: +65 6555 3333

Limousine / Large Taxis 

for the comfort / style creatures, or those travelling in groups

 Credit: columbinesmille.com/2011/09/18/london-6

If you have a large travel party, here are a few options:

• Uber Singapore: uberXL or ExecLarge (Premium) for up to 6 riders.
• Grab Singapore: 6-seater (Economy/Premium), GrabCoach (13-seater, 23-seater, 40-seater)
• Limousine and large taxi:
  • 4-seater limousine: $55.00* per departure from airport
  • 7-seater large taxi – $60.00* per departure from airport
  • *$15.00 per additional stop along the shortest possible route to the final destination. Please request and confirm fares with the driver before boarding.
  • There should be no other surcharges. You can confirm again with the desk personnel when booking.

For the last option, approach 24-hour Ground Transport Concierges at the Arrival Halls or call the following numbers:

• T1 – Tel: +65 6543 1985
• T2 – Tel: +65 6546 1646
• T3 – Tel: +65 6241 3818 (main booking hotline)

A ride to the city takes about 30 minutes.

Car Rental

for the one who loves to drive

There’s really no neeed to drive because Singapore’s transport system is good enough for you to get around, especially around city centre. And with driving, you need to pay at almost every carpark you park at. Even if you can afford these charges, I would recommend you to use that money to take a taxi.

If you must, here’s the car rental details.

Do you know of other ways? :) Tell us below or on our Facebook Page or Instagram. Travelling around Singapore? Singapore Sentosa Itinerary might be useful for you.