Introduction
One of the most common questions visitors ask when planning a trip to Singapore is how to pay for public transport. Should you purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass offering unlimited rides on trains and buses, or simply use your contactless bank card or mobile wallet when travelling around the city?
The good news is that both options are easy to use. Singapore’s MRT and bus systems are designed to be visitor-friendly, making it possible to start exploring the city shortly after arrival. The best choice depends on your travel style, length of stay, group size and how frequently you expect to use public transport during your visit.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Singapore Tourist Pass
The Singapore Tourist Pass is a transport card designed specifically for visitors.
Unlike standard fare cards, the Tourist Pass allows unlimited travel on Singapore’s MRT trains and basic public bus services for a fixed period. Current options include 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day and 5-day passes, depending on the pass purchased.
The main appeal is simplicity. Once activated, you can travel as often as you like within the validity period without worrying about individual fares. This can be attractive for visitors planning to move around the city extensively during a short stay.
Understanding Contactless Card Payments
Singapore’s public transport network accepts contactless bank cards, including American Express, Mastercard, NETS and Visa, for transit fare payments.
Visitors can also use eligible cards added to supported mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. American Express cards may be used through Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
Instead of purchasing a separate transport card, visitors can simply tap their contactless card or mobile wallet when entering and exiting MRT stations or boarding buses. Fares are calculated automatically based on the distance travelled, and no registration is required.
Many international visitors prefer this option because there is no need to purchase a separate card, top up stored value or estimate transport expenses in advance.
For most travellers, the process is as simple as using a contactless card or mobile wallet to make any other payment.
What About EZ-Link and SimplyGo EZ-Link?
Visitors may also come across adult stored-value transport cards such as EZ-Link and SimplyGo EZ-Link. These cards can be purchased and topped up for use on Singapore’s MRT and bus network. Fares are deducted based on distance travelled, similar to contactless bank card payments.
A non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card works as a stored-value transport card. A SimplyGo EZ-Link card is also an EZ-Link card, but it is linked to Singapore’s account-based ticketing system and can be paired with the SimplyGo app.
The main advantage of a SimplyGo EZ-Link card is that it offers additional digital features. Through the SimplyGo app, users can top up their card, view travel history and card balance, receive low-balance alerts, block a lost card and monitor selected retail transactions.
One key difference is that SimplyGo EZ-Link cards do not display the fare charged or remaining card balance at MRT fare gates or bus card readers. Instead, travellers can view this information through the SimplyGo app or at ticketing service kiosks. A minimum stored value is also required for the card to be accepted for travel.
For short-term visitors, this distinction is unlikely to make a significant difference. However, travellers staying longer in Singapore may appreciate the added convenience of app-based top-ups, travel records and balance alerts offered by a SimplyGo EZ-Link card.
While stored-value cards remain valid options, many short-term visitors today find contactless bank cards more convenient because they do not require purchasing and managing a separate transport card.
However, EZ-Link and SimplyGo EZ-Link cards may still be useful for visitors who:
- Do not have a compatible contactless bank card
- Are staying in Singapore for an extended period
- Are travelling with family members who do not have individual payment cards
- Prefer to keep transport spending separate from their credit or debit card
For most tourists, the choice usually comes down to either a non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card or contactless payment, while the Singapore Tourist Pass is often preferred by families and visitors planning more intensive sightseeing.
Quick Comparison
The table below summarises the key differences between the Singapore Tourist Pass and contactless bank card payments.
|
✅Feature
|
Singapore Tourist Pass
|
Contactless Bank Card
|
|---|---|---|
|
Upfront purchase required
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Unlimited rides included
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Yes
|
No, pay per journey
|
|
Stored-value top-ups required
|
No
|
No
|
|
Attraction discounts
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Yes, for selected attractions
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No
|
|
SimplyGo foreign bank card admin fee
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No
|
Yes, for foreign-issued credit/debit cards
|
Mobile view: scroll right to see the full table.
Additional Benefits of the Singapore Tourist Pass
Beyond unlimited public transport travel, the Singapore Tourist Pass also includes selected discounts and partner offers.
Examples may include:
- 20% off Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony (standard seat)
- 10% off admission to Canopy Park at Jewel Changi Airport
- 10% off storewide purchases at Kele
- 20% off a Singapore Cable Car Sky Pass (round trip)
For visitors who already plan to visit these attractions or make purchases from participating merchants, these discounts can increase the overall value of the pass. As promotions and participating merchants may change over time, it is worth checking the latest offers before purchasing.
What Is Not Included in the Singapore Tourist Pass?
While the Tourist Pass covers standard MRT and public bus services, some transport services are excluded.
These typically include:
- Sentosa Express
- RWS8 shuttle services
- Certain express bus routes
- Premium bus services
- Other specialised transport services
Visitors planning to use these services should budget separately for those fares.
Foreign Card Fees: An Important Consideration
According to SimplyGo, a S$0.60 Foreign Bank Card Administrative Fee is charged per day when foreign-issued Mastercard or Visa debit or credit cards are used directly on Singapore’s public transport network. SimplyGo also notes that while contactless payment is supported with American Express, Mastercard, NETS and Visa cards, as well as eligible cards added to mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay, Maestro, Cirrus and NETSPay are not accepted for public transport payments.
Depending on your bank, additional overseas transaction fees may also apply.
Families and Group Travel
One important detail that visitors may not realise is that each traveller must use their own payment method when travelling on Singapore’s public transport network.
For example, a family of three cannot use the same contactless bank card for all three passengers on a single MRT or bus journey. Each traveller must tap in and out using their own contactless bank card, debit card or eligible mobile wallet.
Likewise, each traveller using a Singapore Tourist Pass requires their own pass. Selected Singapore Tourist Pass bundle options may allow multiple passes to be purchased together, but each traveller still needs their own pass for travel.
Families travelling with younger children or family members who do not have individual payment cards may therefore find the Singapore Tourist Pass, non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card or SimplyGo EZ-Link card a simpler solution.
Which Option Is More Cost-Effective?
For many visitors, contactless payment is often the most economical option.
Singapore is a relatively easy city to move around, and many popular attractions are clustered together. Once visitors arrive in areas such as Chinatown, Marina Bay, Little India or Kampong Glam, much of the sightseeing can be done on foot.
A typical day may involve only a few MRT journeys. In these situations, paying individual fares using a contactless card can sometimes cost less than purchasing an unlimited travel pass.
However, visitors planning to travel extensively across different parts of Singapore throughout the day may find greater value in the Tourist Pass.
The exact break-even point depends on current pass prices, the number of journeys made, SimplyGo’s foreign card administrative fee, any bank-imposed overseas transaction fees and any attraction discounts used.
When the Singapore Tourist Pass May Be Worth It
Key Takeaways
The Tourist Pass may be a good option if you:
- Plan to make numerous MRT and bus journeys each day
- Intend to visit multiple neighbourhoods across Singapore
- Prefer the certainty of unlimited travel
- Are staying for three days or more and want to maximise sightseeing
- Expect to use some of the included attraction discounts
- Are travelling with family members who do not have individual payment cards
When a Contactless Card Is Usually Better
A contactless bank card is often the better option if you:
- Prefer the simplest payment method
- Already carry a compatible contactless bank card
- Expect moderate rather than intensive public transport usage
- Plan to spend significant time exploring attractions on foot
- Are staying in Singapore for more than a few days
- Have an individual card or mobile wallet available for each traveller
Many experienced travellers choose this option because it requires no additional purchases, no top-ups and no separate transport card to manage.
Which Option Is Right for You?
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Traveller Style
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Recommended Option
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|---|---|
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Solo traveller on a short trip
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Contactless bank card
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|
Couple with compatible bank cards
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Contactless bank card
|
|
Family with children
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Singapore Tourist Pass or non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card
|
|
Heavy sightseeing over 1–5 days
|
Singapore Tourist Pass
|
|
Longer-stay visitor
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Contactless bank card, non-SimplyGo EZ-Link or SimplyGo EZ-Link card
|
|
Visitor without a compatible contactless bank card
|
Non-SimplyGo EZ-Link or SimplyGo EZ-Link card
|
|
Visitor planning to use Tourist Pass discounts
|
Singapore Tourist Pass
|
Mobile view: scroll right to see the full table.
Our Recommendation
Based on our experience hosting visitors from around the world, our recommendation at Culture Curious is simple: choose the option that best matches your travel style rather than the one with the most features.
The two most popular ways to pay for public transport in Singapore are using a contactless bank card or purchasing a non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card.
For many visitors, a contactless bank card or mobile wallet is the simplest and most convenient option. Singapore’s MRT and bus systems fully support contactless payment, allowing visitors to start travelling immediately without purchasing a separate transport product.
For visitors who prefer a dedicated transport card, a non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card remains a practical choice. It offers a straightforward, fuss-free way to travel on Singapore’s MRT and public buses. Simply top up the stored value as needed and continue your journey.
Non-SimplyGo EZ-Link cards are available from SimplyGo Ticket Offices, SimplyGo Ticketing Service Centres, Passenger Service Centres and selected 7-Eleven stores. The card costs S$10, of which S$5 is stored value for travel. The remaining S$5 is the purchase price of the card and is non-refundable.
The Singapore Tourist Pass may offer better value for travellers planning intensive sightseeing over one to five days, particularly if they expect to make frequent MRT and bus journeys or intend to use some of the included attraction discounts.
Families travelling with children, or visitors who do not have compatible contactless bank cards, may also find the Singapore Tourist Pass or a non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card more convenient. Longer-stay visitors may appreciate the additional app-based features offered by a SimplyGo EZ-Link card, including digital top-ups, travel history and balance alerts.
Ultimately, there is no single “best” option. The right choice depends on your itinerary, travel style and personal preferences.
Why We Recommend These Options
At Culture Curious Singapore Tours, we’ve helped many visitors from around the world explore Singapore using the MRT, public buses and other transport options as part of our private walking tours. Because we regularly help first-time visitors navigate the city, our recommendations are based not only on official transport information but also on first-hand experience of what works best for different travel styles.
Whether you’re planning an intensive sightseeing itinerary, travelling as a family or simply looking for the easiest way to get around Singapore, our aim is to help you choose the payment option that best suits your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Singapore Tourist Pass worth it?
The Singapore Tourist Pass can be worthwhile for visitors planning to make frequent MRT and bus journeys over one to five days. It may also offer additional value through attraction discounts and partner promotions.
Can tourists use foreign credit cards on Singapore’s MRT?
Yes. Singapore’s public transport network accepts contactless bank cards including American Express, Mastercard, NETS and Visa, as well as eligible cards added to supported mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. According to SimplyGo, foreign-issued Mastercard or Visa debit or credit cards are subject to a S$0.60 Foreign Bank Card Administrative Fee per day when used directly on public transport.
Can a family use the same credit card for multiple passengers?
No. Each traveller must use their own contactless payment method. A family of three, for example, would need three separate cards or eligible payment methods.
Does the Singapore Tourist Pass include Sentosa Express?
No. Sentosa Express is one of the transport services not covered by the Singapore Tourist Pass.
What is the difference between a non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card and a SimplyGo EZ-Link card?
A non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card works as a stored-value transport card. A SimplyGo EZ-Link card is also an EZ-Link card, but it is linked to Singapore’s account-based ticketing system and can be paired with the SimplyGo app. This allows users to top up digitally, view travel history and receive balance alerts, though fares and remaining balance are not shown at MRT fare gates or bus card readers.
What is the easiest way to pay for public transport in Singapore?
For most visitors, contactless bank cards and mobile wallets are the simplest options because no separate card purchase or registration is required. Visitors who prefer a dedicated transport card may find a non-SimplyGo EZ-Link card straightforward and easy to use.
Learn More About Public Transport in Singapore
For a complete overview of Singapore’s MRT network, bus services, fares, payment options and practical tips for visitors, read our Ultimate Guide to Public Transport in Singapore.
You may also find our guides to Singapore for first-time visitors, best hotels in Singapore and City Tour Guide helpful when planning your itinerary.
Planning a private Singapore City Tour? Contact us to discuss a customised experience.