Singapore’s Bus Network: A Definitive How-To for Tourists

On my first visit, I felt overwhelmed by the expansiveness of Singapore’s bus network. There were buses everywhere, yet I felt so helpless as I tried to catch a bus.

And I realized that it’s not just me, it could happen to any tourist who’s in Singapore for the first time.

That’s when I realized the importance of conducting a thorough research, navigating Singapore’s extensive bus network, and documenting my experiences to assist fellow tourists.

Singapore’s Well-Developed Bus Network

Singapore does have a relatively extensive and well-developed bus network. The cities’ public transportation system includes a comprehensive bus network that covers various areas and neighborhoods.

Buses in Singapore are an essential mode of transportation, providing connectivity to areas not directly served by the train (MRT) network.

Singapore’s bus network offers convenient access to residential areas, business districts, shopping centers, and other important locations throughout the city.

Frequency and Accessibility

The buses in Singapore are known for their frequency and accessibility, making them a popular choice for both residents and tourists to navigate Singapore efficiently.

Moreover, they are way cheaper than taking a taxi. But most of all, what I realized was the buses in Singapore are the best way to escape the heat as well.

So let’s get into the details of how to get around Singapore’s Bus network and catch a bus.

Planning Your Route: Using Tools to Navigate Singapore’s Bus Network

In Singapore, you can find a list of stops for a bus at every bus stop, for every route that uses that stop.

Personally, Google Maps is the most convenient way I’ve found for getting around Singapore.

It can help you plan out your journey and even tells you when the next bus is coming. It also tells you alternative routes that you can take to get there and includes any interchanges or walking that you might need to do.

Another website that can prove to be immensely helpful is busrouter.sg. This website details bus stops, routes, and bus timing for all bus services in Singapore’s bus network, with real-time bus arrival times and per-bus-stop passing routes overview.

Ticket Options and Fare Insights for Singapore’s Bus Network

Credit cards and debit cards are the most common tickets used on Singaporean buses.

Foreign credit cards and foreign debit cards will work in Singapore as long as they’re on the Visa or MasterCard network.

A prepaid ticket can be bought for every bus operating within the Singapore bus network. It’s called, and it can be purchased from MRT stations.

It costs $10 and comes with $5 of credit. It can be utilized across Singapore’s bus network.

You can also choose a Singapore Tourist Pass, a special EZ-Link card that offers tourists public transport travel on Singapore’s basic bus services, MRT and LRT trains within the validity period.

It’s currently also possible to pay cash for a bus ride. The cash fare is slightly higher, and you must know your destination stops so that you can give the correct fare to the driver. No change will be given.

I personally recommend using a credit card or debit card for the bus in Singapore, as it’s far more convenient.

Embracing the Experience: Exploring Singapore on a Bus

In Singapore, it is common to signal the bus driver to stop even if you are waiting at a bus depot.

Bus drivers are normally signaled with one arm held flat, or you can wave if you want. If you want to get on the bus behind, you have to look at the driver’s face and signal.

Once the door opens and you step in, tap your card. The fare will be calculated at the end of your journey.

Fares are charged based on the distance that you travel, even if you change buses. Make sure you ride the correct bus number, including the letter.

I have discussed the Letters used on Singapore’s Bus Network in the Different Bus Types section below.

You can sit anywhere on the bus, though sitting in the low floor area should be offered to the elderly, disabled, and to children. Many buses have an upper deck as well.

This can be a great way to get a view of the city without paying for a tour bus.

Once the bus is stopped, the doors will open and you can get out. Make sure you tap your card when you leave.

To calculate the correct fare for your journey, you can often tap out just before the doors open, as soon as the reader shows that it is possible.

If you’re using Easy Link, the amount of your fare will be shown.

While tapping your card, remember to tap on the blue portion below the screen and NOT on the screen.

Also, remember to board from the front door and exit from the rear door.

Singapore Bus Fare Information

Typically, you’ll be paying between a dollar 10 and $2 for a single journey, depending on how far you travel.

The minimum fare is just under $1 so this will only cover you for a few stops at most. Your pay is $2.26.

Buses that have an E in their route cost a little more, as these are express buses.

Cash fares are also slightly higher, costing around 2 to $3 and there’s no cap on the daily fare in Singapore.

So if you’re using the bus a lot, if you’re taking a lot of journeys, it can really add up.

Catching a train is also a great way to escape the heat and a cheap way to travel around the city.

Know the Different Bus Types in Singapore

Just like elsewhere in the world, Singapore’s bus network consists of a wide variety of buses, that can be identified by the letters associated with them.

For a first-time tourist, it is really important to know the difference between all these buses so that you can choose the best bus for your journey.

Here are the different types of buses plying in Singapore:

• Bus numbers with E/e are express services. These buses have limited stops and may skip smaller stops to reach their destination on time. For longer journeys, these are the best options as they are the quickest.
• Bus numbers with A/B/C are short-trip services. They do not ply the full primary route, but instead, only a section of the entire route is served.
• Bus numbers with T are terminating buses. They will end their services at the interchange or bus terminals.
• Bus numbers with M are supplementary bus services to their primary route. They may serve additional bus stops or detours to serve more areas from their primary route.

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