Whether you need a transfer to and from the airport or an in-city ride – you can find all the information you need about Uber in Singapore, alternative transport options, and which is the best choice for you right here.
Is there Uber in Singapore?
Unfortunately, as of 2018, you can’t use Uber in Singapore. The company operated in Southeast Asia (SEA) for a short time. Still, as it focused on its global expansion plans, other ride-hailing apps began gaining market dominance in the region. As a result, Uber sold its operations to Grab – which later became the leading transport app in SEA.
Is there an Uber equivalent in Singapore?
From the airport
While you can’t use Uber in Singapore, there are still a couple of popular ride-hailing apps you can use in its place: Grab and Gojek. Grab is the most commonly used service and is available at Changi Airport, allowing passengers to request a ride through the app just like Uber.
Once requested, you must meet your driver at the arrival pick-up points outside Terminals 1, 2, 3 or 4. It’s worth noting that Singapore is one of the busiest airports in the world, so you may end up waiting a while and be subject to surge pricing as a result.
Alternatively, you can still catch a metered taxi from the taxi stands in each terminal at Singapore Changi Airport. Just bear in mind that there’s an airport surcharge of €5.50 (SGD 8) for standard taxi rides from the airport.
Private transfers are also a crowd favourite when travelling to and from the airport in Singapore, as they allow travellers to book and pay in advance to avoid any hassle on the day of their flight. For a guaranteed fixed fare with no hidden fees, you can book your Singapore Airport taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups and secure a fully personalised, reliable service.
Getting around the city
When it comes to getting around the city, you can still use Grab and other known apps mentioned above. However, there are other ways to get from A to B in Singapore, such as taking a metered taxi.
You can flag down a local taxi in the street, call a company and arrange a pickup, or head to the closest taxi rank. The main taxi company you can call in Singapore is ComfortDelgro (+65 65 521 111), whilst taxi ranks are outside of major hotels, shopping centres, and popular tourist attractions.
Likewise, you can book your in-city ride with Welcome Pickups if you’d prefer a reliable English-speaking driver and a competitive fixed fare.
Using Grab in Singapore
Just like Uber, Singapore’s Grab offers several services and vehicle types in their app including GrabCar, GrabCar Premium, GrabFamily, GrabExec, GrabCoach, GrabShare, and GrabHitch.
The cheapest option is the GrabCar service and you choose between 4-seater vehicles or 6-seater vehicles. GrabCar Premium and GrabExec are slightly pricier but provide business or leisure travellers a more luxurious experience, with vehicles for groups of up to 4 or 6.
Additionally, GrabFamily is a kid-friendly service providing child seats and spacious vehicles for up to 6 people. Finally, for big groups with plenty of luggage, you can choose between a few different-sized coaches, with the largest options seating up to 40 passengers.
If you’re after something more affordable, GrabHitch is a carpooling service that matches drivers with travellers in need of a ride, whilst GrabShare is a ride-sharing service for solo travellers. Both of these services are cheaper than hiring a private GrabCar and are especially popular amongst solo travellers and backpackers.
Grab prices
Grab is Singapore’s leading ride-hailing service and its pricing model is similar to that of Uber. The app provides users with a final fare estimate before the ride is requested and allows card payments through the app once the ride is terminated.
Rates are marginally cheaper than standard taxi prices. However, just like Uber, Singapore’s Grab service implements surge pricing during periods of high demand and the estimated fare excludes extra costs such as tolls and surcharges. This means that you may end up paying more for a Grab ride than a local taxi a lot of the time.
Nevertheless, the cost of a Grab in Singapore varies depending on the type of vehicle and service, the time of day, and the distance travelled. For example, a standard 4-seater GrabCar usually costs around €18 (SGD 25) for a ride from Singapore Airport to the city centre. Likewise, you’ll pay around €17 (SGD 24) for a 5 km ride within the city.
| Singapore Airport to the city (Orchard Rd) | Orchard Road to Botanic Gardens (5 km) |
| GrabCar (4 seats) – €18 (SGD 25) | GrabCar (4 seats) – €17 (SGD 24) |
| GrabCar Premium (4 seats) – €24 (SGD 35) | GrabCar Premium (4 seats) – €21 (SGD 30) |
| Standard taxi – €18 (SGD 25) | Standard Taxi – €15 (SGD 22) |
| Welcome Pickups private transfer – €35 (SGD 50) | Welcome Pickups private transfer – €18 (SGD 25) |
Are taxis safe in Singapore?
Singapore is notorious for its strict laws and regulations and it’s no different for taxis and ride-hailing services. Taxis in Singapore, as well as services like Grab, are heavily checked and regulated by the government, so you shouldn’t run into any issues. Drivers can lose their licences and even face jail time if they are found to have scammed customers, which acts as a good deterrent.
With that being said, if you run into any issues during your ride, simply write down the driver’s name and details and keep your receipt. That way you can contact the taxi company or local police if you experience any hiccups. Or, better yet, book a private transfer with a trusted global provider like Welcome Pickups to secure a reliable, world-class service with 24/7 customer support.
–
FAQs
What happened to Uber in Singapore?
It was possible to use Uber in Singapore for a few years but the company sold its operations to its Southeast Asian competitor, Grab. This means that since 2018, you cannot use Uber in Singapore.
What can I use instead of Uber in Singapore?
There are a few popular apps to use instead of Uber in Singapore. Top choices include Grab, Gojek, and Ryde.
Can I pay by card?
Ride-hailing apps like Uber allow you to pay by card through the app once the ride is terminated. Ride-hailing apps in Singapore accept card payments through the app, once the ride is finished. You can also pay by card if you book a transfer in advance.
Do I need to tip my taxi driver?
In Singapore, it’s usual to tip 10% for a longer journey or if you were helped with your luggage. For shorter rides, it’s acceptable to round up the fare. If you’re using apps like Grab, you can leave a tip in the app.
