By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
The cheapest way from Changi Airport to the city is the MRT: about S$2 and roughly 35 to 45 minutes to City Hall or Raffles Place, with one change. A taxi takes about 30 minutes and costs S$25 to S$45 on the meter, plus an airport surcharge of S$6, or S$8 between 5pm and midnight. With a family, heavy bags or a flight landing after 11pm, the car wins.
That is the whole decision in three sentences. The rest of this page is the detail you need at the moment you need it: which basement, which line, which surcharge, and what to do when the trains have stopped.
Changi to the city: quick facts
| Option | Cost to the city | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRT (train) | About S$2 | 35 to 45 min | Light luggage, daytime arrivals |
| Public bus | About S$2 | 60 min or more | Tight budgets, one small bag |
| Taxi | S$25 to S$45 on the meter, plus S$6 or S$8 airport surcharge | About 30 min | Families, heavy bags, late arrivals |
| Private hire (Grab, Gojek, Zig, Tada, Ryde, Geolah) | Shown upfront in the app; close to a taxi, more at peaks | About 30 min | Anyone who wants a fixed price before getting in |
| Ground Transport Concierge | S$70 (4 seats) or S$75 (6 seats), flat, anywhere in Singapore | About 30 min | Groups, after-midnight arrivals |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Cost | S$2 by train, about S$35 to S$55 all-in by taxi. |
| What you get | By train, the city’s best bargain. By taxi, your bags carried to the door. |
| The alternative | A pre-booked private transfer, which rarely beats Changi’s own flat-fare counter. |
| Worth it for | The train, if you travel light and land before 10pm. |
| Skip it if | You have more suitcases than hands; take the taxi and do not look back. |
Changi Airport MRT: the cheapest way in
Changi Airport MRT station sits in the basement between Terminals 2 and 3. From Terminal 1, follow the “Train to City” signs. From Terminal 4, take the free shuttle bus from the Arrival Hall to Terminal 2 first; it runs every few minutes from 6am to midnight.
There are two ways into town. Ride to Tanah Merah and change to the East West Line towards Tuas Link, for City Hall, Raffles Place and Bugis. Or ride to Expo and change to the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang, for Bayfront, Downtown and Chinatown. The Downtown Line route is the one for Marina Bay Sands.
| Train times from Changi Airport station | |
|---|---|
| First train, Monday to Saturday | 5.31am |
| First train, Sunday and public holidays | 5.59am |
| Last train connecting towards the city (Tuas Link) | 11.18pm, daily |
| Last train connecting towards Pasir Ris | 12.06am, daily |
To pay, tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express card, or a phone wallet, at the gantry. There is no ticket to buy. Foreign-issued bank cards pay an admin fee of S$0.60 per day of use, on top of the fare. MRT and Bus Fares in Singapore explains how distance fares work.
You can also buy an EZ-Link card at Changi Recommends stores or the ticket office in the station, or a Singapore Tourist Pass (S$17 for one day, S$29 for three). Unless you ride a lot, your own card is simpler.
Taxi from Changi Airport
Taxi stands sit in the arrival areas of all four terminals, and every fare is metered. The ride to the city takes about 30 minutes and costs S$25 to S$45 on the meter, according to Changi Airport. Three surcharges can sit on top.
| Taxi surcharge | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | Every day, 5pm to 11.59pm | S$8 |
| Airport surcharge | All other times | S$6 |
| Peak hour | Mon to Fri 6am to 9.29am; Sat, Sun and public holidays 10am to 1.59pm; daily 5pm to 11.59pm | 25% of the metered fare |
| Midnight | Daily, midnight to 5.59am | 50% of the metered fare |
Here is how it stacks, as an illustration. Land on a weekday at 10pm with S$28 on the meter: add S$7 for peak hour and S$8 for the airport, and you pay S$43. Land at 1am with the same meter: add S$14 for midnight and S$6 for the airport, and you pay S$48. For every surcharge and platform fee in the city, see Taxi, Grab or Gojek in Singapore.
Grab and other ride-hailing apps
Grab, Gojek, Zig, Tada, Ryde and Geolah all pick up at Changi. Book in the app, then walk to the ride-hailing pick-up point in your terminal’s arrival hall. The price is shown before you confirm, which is the main reason visitors prefer it.
App fares often land close to a taxi, but they surge at busy times. Check the app and the taxi queue together; whichever is shorter and cheaper wins. Download the app and add your card before you fly, while you still have your home data plan.
Ground Transport Concierge: the flat fare
Changi’s own 24-hour Ground Transport Concierge charges a flat S$70 for a four-seat car and S$75 for a six-seat car, to any address in Singapore with one drop-off. Book at the counters in the arrival halls or ahead in the Changi App.
For two travellers in the afternoon, it costs more than a taxi. For a family of six landing at 1am, it is often the cheapest way to arrive together, with every bag in one boot.
Public bus from Changi Airport
Buses 24, 27, 34, 36, 53, 110 and 858 leave from the basement bus bays at Terminals 1, 2 and 3. At Terminal 4, buses 24, 34, 36 and 110 stop beside Car Park 4B. Bus 36 is the one for the city: it loops through Marine Parade, Marina Centre and Orchard Road. Tap a contactless card, or pay the exact fare in cash; drivers give no change.
It is cheap and slow, and the luggage racks are small. Take it only if you travel light and have time to watch the city arrive.
Landing after midnight
Most trains and buses stop around midnight, and the MRT towards the city stops earlier. After that, taxis and private hire cars run all night from every terminal. Expect the 50% midnight surcharge until 5.59am. For three or more people, compare that with the flat S$70 or S$75 at the Ground Transport Concierge.
Which should you choose?
Solo or a couple, light bags, landing before 10pm: take the MRT. It is S$2, it is air-conditioned, and it goes where your hotel is.
A family of four with suitcases: take a taxi or Grab. Split four ways, about S$10 to S$14 each is a fair price for sanity.
Six people, or anyone landing at 1am: go to the Ground Transport Concierge counter and pay the flat fare.
Heading to Marina Bay Sands: by train, change at Expo for the Downtown Line to Bayfront. By car, allow 25 to 35 minutes.
Changi Airport to the city: FAQ
How much is a taxi from Changi Airport to the city?
About S$25 to S$45 on the meter, plus an airport surcharge of S$6, or S$8 from 5pm to midnight. Peak-hour and midnight surcharges can add 25% or 50%.
How long does the MRT take from Changi Airport to the city?
About 35 to 45 minutes to City Hall or Raffles Place, including one change at Tanah Merah or Expo.
Can I pay for the MRT with my credit card?
Yes. Tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express card at the gantry. Foreign-issued cards pay a S$0.60 admin fee per day of use.
What time is the last train from Changi Airport?
The last train connecting towards the city leaves Changi Airport station at 11.18pm daily. After that, take a taxi or a ride-hailing car.
Is Grab cheaper than a taxi from Changi?
Sometimes. Grab shows its price upfront but surges at busy times, while taxis add surcharges. Compare both before you choose.
Read next
This page belongs to Visiting Singapore, our guide for first-time visitors. Before you fly, file your SG Arrival Card. Once you are in, start our 3-day Singapore itinerary, and see what a trip to Singapore costs.
Sources checked 28 September 2026: Changi Airport, Leaving Changi Airport (routes, train times, taxi fares and surcharges, bus services, Ground Transport Concierge fares); Land Transport Guru, Terminal 4 shuttle bus and bus 36 route; SimplyGo, payment and admin fee; Singapore Tourist Pass. The surcharge arithmetic uses an illustrative meter reading. Last updated 28 September 2026.
