By The Diary desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
A metered taxi starts at S$4.40 to S$4.80 for the first kilometre and adds 26 cents for every 400m after that. The extras are where the bill grows. Peak hours add 25 per cent, and midnight to 6am adds 50 per cent. Trips starting at the airport, in the CBD in the evening, or at a few attractions carry flat surcharges on top. Ride-hail apps quote you a price before you confirm, and that price moves with demand.
Quick facts
- Flag-down is S$4.40 to S$4.80 for the first kilometre, then 26 cents per 400m up to 10km.
- The peak surcharge is 25 per cent; the late-night surcharge is 50 per cent.
- Changi Airport adds S$8 in the evening and S$6 at other times.
- The CBD adds S$3 in the evening.
- Ride-hail platform fees rose in 2025; Gojek’s reached S$1.50.
- A 10km MRT trip costs S$1.86 on a card.
How does the meter work?
The flag-down covers the first kilometre, at S$4.40 to S$4.80 depending on the car. After that, the meter adds 26 cents for every 400m up to 10km, with waiting time charged on top.
What are the surcharges?
These are ComfortDelGro’s published rates; other operators’ are similar.
| Surcharge | When | How much |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | Weekdays 6–9.29am; daily 5–11.59pm; weekends and public holidays 10am–1.59pm | 25% of the metered fare |
| Late night | Midnight–5.59am | 50% of the metered fare |
| City (CBD) | Daily 5–11.59pm | S$3 |
| Changi Airport | 5–11.59pm / other times | S$8 / S$6 |
| Gardens by the Bay, Resorts World Sentosa, Seletar Airport, Tanah Merah Ferry | Any time | S$3 |
| Mandai | 1–11.59pm | S$5 |
Booking a taxi through an app also adds a booking fee, which is higher at peak times and higher again for advance bookings.
How do Grab and Gojek price?
You see a price before you confirm, and that’s what you pay. It already includes the surcharges, any road-pricing charges on the route, the booking fee, the platform fee and GST. The price rises with demand, which is why a wet Friday at 6pm costs more than a dry Tuesday at 3pm. Several apps raised their platform fees in 2025, with Gojek’s reaching S$1.50.
What does a typical ride cost?
On the rates above, a 10km off-peak ride on the meter comes to about S$10 to S$11 before waiting time or surcharges. At peak, add a quarter. The same distance by MRT is S$1.86 on a card.
Which should I use?
- Flag a taxi off-peak for a short ride, when the meter is predictable.
- Book through an app when it’s raining, at peak or after midnight, and compare the quote with what the meter would come to.
- Take the MRT whenever the station is on your way.
The WahLiao Verdict
Flag off-peak, book when the sky turns black, and take the MRT whenever it goes where you’re going. After midnight the meter runs 50 per cent higher, so always check the app’s quote first.
Questions people ask
Do I tip the driver?
No. Rounding up is a kind gesture, not an expectation.
Is there an airport surcharge if I book?
Yes. Location surcharges apply to trips that start there, however you book.
Why is there road pricing on my fare?
Electronic Road Pricing charges on your route are passed on to you.
Can I pay by card in a taxi?
Most taxis take cards and e-payments. Check before you set off if you’re relying on it.
Sources: Zig by ComfortDelGro, published fares; ComfortDelGro, taxi fares; Zig help centre on trip fees; Time Out Singapore on 2025 platform fee rises; PTC, fare dataset (27 December 2025). The ride estimates are the desk’s own arithmetic from those rates.
Read next: MRT and Bus Fares in Singapore · How to Pay for the MRT and Buses · Do You Tip in Singapore? · Back to The Diary
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