Getting a taxi service in Singapore
Singapore is a large and busy city, so one of the easiest and safest ways to navigate it is by taking a Singapore taxi. There are just over 26,000 taxis in Singapore that are ready to pick you up and take you anywhere in the city 24 hours a day. When it comes to choosing a Singapore taxi, you have three options
Standard – The most common taxi. These come in all different colors depending on the company but are usually Toyota, Hyundai or Kia models and can carry up to 3 passengers.
Premium – Made to carry up to 7 passengers. These taxis are imported London cabs and are almost always white.
Limousine – The most luxurious taxi option. They are usually a white or champagne-gold Mercedes-Benz or black Chrysler 300C sedan and can carry up to 3 passengers.
You can easily hail a standard taxi in Singapore in the street, head to a designated taxi rank, book through a Singapore taxi app, call one of the local companies, or pre-book key rides, such as your Singapore Airport taxi in advance.
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Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM AIRPORT TO CITY | 15 € | 22.50 € | 23 MIN |
| FROM AIRPORT TO MARINA BAY | 12 € | 18 € | 17 MIN |
| FROM CBD TO MARINA BAY | 4 € | 6 € | 5 MIN |
| FROM CITY CENTER TO JOHOR BAHRU | 40 € | 60 € | 35 MIN |
| FROM CITY CENTER TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS | 7 € | 10.50 € | 10 MIN |
| FROM VIVOCITY MALL TO CITY SQUARE MALL | 12 € | 18 € | 17 MIN |
Average taxi prices in Singapore
Compared to many other major cities around the world, Singapore’s taxi rates are relatively cheap. All prices are heavily regulated by the government and are enforced by a taximeter based on distance traveled. Depending on the type of Singapore taxi you choose, there will be a different base fare and price per km. Premium and limousine taxis can choose their fares based on a higher taximeter system, but standard taxis must calculate their prices as follows:
Base fare: €2.80 (SGD 4.10)
Price per km (first 10 km): €0.40 (SGD 0.60)
Price per km (after first 10km): €0.50 (SGD 0.70)
Extra Charges:
Although the base rates are cheap, the extra charges on top of your taxi fare in Singapore can add up. If you travel during the peak hours of 06:00 to 09:30 on weekdays or 18:00 to 00:00 midnight on weekends, you will be charged an extra 25% on top of your final fare. If you take a taxi between 00:00 midnight and 06:00 in the morning on any day of the week, your fare will increase by 50%. There is also a pick-up surcharge for Marina Bay, the Central Business District (CBD), and Singapore Airport of €4.10 (SGD 6) during the day and €5.50 (SGD 8) from 17:00 to 00:00 midnight.
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How to get a taxi in Singapore
Getting a taxi in Singapore couldn’t be easier. There are so many different ways to book, making it easy for every type of traveler and group size to get a taxi in Singapore. You can easily hail a standard taxi in the street, walk to a taxi rank, call a phone dispatch taxi company, book through a Singapore taxi app, or pre-book your journey with a private company. If you choose to hail a taxi in the street, make sure it’s empty and that you’re not standing on double zig-zag lines or near a bus stop, as taxis are not allowed to stop there.
Both premium and standard taxis can be found at taxi ranks in Singapore. There are many designated taxi ranks around the city, outside major hotels, shopping malls, premium offices in the CBD, Singapore Airport, some major MRT stations, and Marina Bay.
How to get a taxi from Singapore Airport
There are four terminal buildings at Singapore Airport, each with its own designated taxi rank. Taxis from these ranks are available 24 hours a day and will use a taximeter to calculate their Singapore taxi prices. You can expect to pay around €15 (SGD 22) for a taxi from Singapore Airport to the city center during the day and €22.50 (SGD 33) at night.
How to get a taxi from Marina Bay
Marina Bay is one of Asia’s most iconic resort and entertainment destinations. The complex has multiple taxi ranks: Bayfront Avenue at the exit of Tower 2, outside Gardens by the Bay, The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Sands Expo’ and Convention Center, Casino, Shearess Link exit of Tower 1, and the entrance to Sands Skypark. All taxis departing from Marina Bay taxi ranks will use a taximeter to calculate the cost of your journey.
Using a Singapore taxi app
There are countless options when it comes to choosing your Singapore taxi app. From international companies that you may already have downloaded on your phone, to local taxi apps that will get you the best fare, you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you are traveling during one of Singapore’s frequent thunderstorms or late at night, you can use apps like Taxi Singapore, CDG Zig, Ryde, or TADA Taxi.
It’s important to note that during bad weather or peak times, you may experience long waits for your taxi service in Singapore. To avoid the frustration of waiting for an available taxi, you can pre-book your trip with a private company.
Calling a Singapore taxi number
To avoid having to download another app on your phone, you can always call a phone dispatch taxi in Singapore. There are many different companies offering this service and most of them charge a €1.95 (SGD 3) surcharge for convenience. Some of the most reputable taxi numbers in Singapore are:
- Comfort CityCab: +65 6552 1111
- Prime Taxi: +65 6778 0808
- SMRT Taxi: +65 6555 8888
- Trans-Cab: +65 6555 3333
- Premier Taxis: +65 6363 6888
However, as not all operators speak English, it’s recommended to ask your hotel or restaurant to call a taxi on your behalf.
Pre-book your taxi in Singapore
There’s nothing better than being able to budget and plan your trip with ease because you’ve booked your transport in advance. When you pre-book your Singapore taxi service, you don’t have to worry about wandering the streets late at night or in bad weather. Instead, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your driver will always be on time to take you directly to your destination.
Booking your Singapore Airport taxi with a trusted company like Welcome Pickups also guarantees competitive fixed rates, local English-speaking drivers, exciting travel extras, and 24-hour customer support.
Singapore taxi tips
- Make sure your driver has set the taximeter to the correct base fare before you start your journey.
- Most standard taxis in Singapore seat four adults. For groups of more than 4 passengers, you will need to book a premium taxi.
- Most taxi drivers in Singapore only know the major hotels and shopping malls in English. Make sure you have directions or you know a landmark near your destination.
- To avoid being overcharged, you can check that your driver is taking the best route on Google Maps.
- Tipping your Singapore taxi driver isn’t common or expected.
- Make sure you wear your seatbelt, otherwise you could be fined SGD 300.
- Ask for your receipt at the end of your journey, you will need it if you want to make a complaint or retrieve any personal belongings left in the taxi.
- Pre-booking your taxi in Singapore will offer you guaranteed on-time pickups, fixed fares, English-speaking drivers and 24-hour customer support.
Wheelchair-accessible taxi in Singapore
Almost all premium taxis in Singapore are wheelchair accessible, so you can stay seated in your chair for the journey. Although premium taxis usually can’t be hailed in the street, you can wait for one at a taxi rank or contact one of the companies that offer this service. SMRT (+65 6555 8888) and Comfort CityCab (+65 6552 1111) both offer fully wheelchair-accessible taxis that can be booked in advance for your convenience.
Singapore taxi safety and complaints
Taxis in Singapore are monitored and regulated by the government. If a taxi driver is found to be scamming a customer, they will lose their taxi license and even face jail time. So, these deterrents make for a very safe and enjoyable experience for customers. However, if you do have any problems, feel you have been overcharged, or have left personal belongings behind, we suggest you ask your driver for a receipt, write down the driver’s ID number and taxi number, and call the taxi company that you traveled with.