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 right here. Including alternative transport options such as private transfers, and which is the best choice for you.
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.
Alternatives to taking an Uber in Singapore
From the airport
Private transfers are a crowd favourite when travelling to and from the airport in Singapore, as they allow you to book and pay a fixed fare in advance to avoid any hassle on the day of your flight. These services are typically more reliable and are considered the best choice if you want to ensure nothing goes wrong.
On top of that, it’s a great way to skip the queues at the taxi stand and get to your hotel as quickly as possible. So for a guaranteed fixed fare with no hidden fees, book your Singapore Airport taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups and secure a fully personalised, door-to-door service.
Alternatively, you can catch a metered taxi from the taxi stands outside the arrivals exits of Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 at Singapore Changi Airport. Your final fare will be calculated using a taximeter, which means the price varies depending on multiple factors. Plus, there’s an airport surcharge of €5.50 (SGD 8) for standard taxi rides from the airport.
Getting around the city
Whilst you can’t use Uber in Singapore, there are still a couple of popular ride-hailing apps you can use in in its place: Grab and Gojek. Grab is the most commonly used service and is also available at Changi Airport. The service allows users to request a ride through the app just like Uber.
When it comes to getting around the city, you can always take a metered taxi. They are ever-present on the streets of Singapore, making it easy to flag one down. You can also 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). 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.
Is there an Uber equivalent in Singapore?
Yes, Grab functions just like Uber and is the most popular substitute in the city. 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-€25 (SGD 25-36) | GrabCar (4 seats) – €17-€20 (SGD 24-29) |
| GrabCar Premium (4 seats) – €24-€32 (SGD 35-47) | GrabCar Premium (4 seats) – €21-€25 (SGD 30-36) |
| Standard taxi – €18 (SGD 25) | Standard Taxi – €15 (SGD 22) |
| Welcome Pickups private transfer – €35 (SGD 50) | Welcome Pickups private transfer – €18 (SGD 25) |
Grab at Changi Airport
Grab is available at Changi Airport, which means you can request a ride upon landing as long as you have downloaded the app. Once requested, you must meet your driver at the arrival pick-up points near Terminals 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Grab pick up points:
Terminal 1 – Arrivals, Basement 1, Door 3
Terminal 1 – Level 2, Pick-up Bay 8
Terminal 2 – Arrivals, Level 1, Door 6
Terminal 3 – Arrivals, B1 Pick-up, Door 2
Terminal 4 – Arrivals, Level 1 Pick-up, Door 2
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.
Grab, Taxi, or Private Transfer?
When it comes to choosing the best option, you should think about the specific needs of you or your group. We’ve gathered some of the most important factors to consider below, so that you can make an informed choice.
| Taxi | Grab | Welcome Pickups | |
| Card Payments | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 availability | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Price quote | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Subject to surge pricing | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Flight monitoring | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Meet and greet | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Guaranteed English-speaking driver | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Advance payments | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Fixed fare not subject to change | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
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.
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FAQs
Does Uber work in Singapore?
No, Uber doesn’t work in Singapore. They ceased operations in 2018. However, there are some other ride-hailing apps you can use. Grab and Gojek are the most popular and they function just like Uber.
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 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.
