Taxis and Private Rides in Singapore: A Comprehensive Travel Guide
- Damian Brzeski
- 5 hours ago
- 7 min read
Planning a trip to Singapore and wondering what the easiest and cheapest way to get around is? You've come to the right place!
Singapore's transportation system – from traditional, colorful taxis to modern apps like Grab – is super efficient, but can be financially complex.
The key to saving money? Understanding why the same route might cost S$25 one time and S$40 the next.
How to recognize legal taxis and private rental vehicles (PHVs)? 🇸🇬
Before you book a ride, it's important to know how to distinguish a licensed operator from an illegal one. Fortunately, in Singapore, thanks to strict regulations from the Land Transport Authority ( LTA ), this is very easy!
Street taxis (traditional)
Taxis in Singapore are easily recognizable because they must meet certain visible criteria that distinguish them from private vehicles:
Color scheme: Although they belong to different operators (e.g. ComfortDelGro, Trans-cab), they are always uniform in color and clearly marked.
Roof Signage: An illuminated sign with the operator's name must be present. Note the color:
Green/Highlighted: Taxi is available ( Available ).
Red/Highlighted: Taxi is Hired .
License plate: The plates are white, but the numbers are orange or yellow . This immediately distinguishes them from private vehicles.
Taximeter: There must be a legalized taximeter inside that calculates the meter fare and all additional fees ( Surcharges ).
Private Hire Vehicles (PHV)
PHVs (like those ordered by Grab or Gojek ) look like regular cars, but they also need to be marked.
LTA Sticker: This is the most important item! All licensed PHVs must have two special, non-removable LTA stickers (black and yellow or black and white) on the front and rear windows.
What does the sticker confirm? That the vehicle is registered for commercial use, has passed safety inspections, and is properly insured.
Remember: If you get into an unmarked car that doesn't have a PHV sticker or a taximeter, you're likely using an illegal service. In Singapore, thanks to strict enforcement, this is rare, but it's still worth being vigilant.
Two Pricing Models: Taximeter vs. Fixed Price
Singapore offers two transportation models: traditional ( metered fares ) and modern (app-based pricing). Understanding the difference is key to cost-effective travel!
Traditional taxis: Variable prices (meter fare)
The basis is two components:
Flag-down Fare: Covers the first kilometre. Ranges from S$4.40 (approx. €2.90) to S$5.50 (approx. €3.63) depending on vehicle type.
Unit Fees: Charged for each distance traveled and waiting time.
Upfront pricing – applications
In apps like Grab or Gojek, the price is fixed and known before the ride is confirmed.
Criterion | Meter fare (street taxis) | Fixed Price (PHV Applications) |
Price transparency | None (unknown before crossing) | Full (guaranteed before booking) |
Additional fees | All Surcharges and tolls are added at the end | All expected fees are included in the final price |
My advice: Always choose a fixed price when: It's peak travel time (morning/evening). It's the middle of the night. You're exhausted at the airport. You eliminate the risk of a "surprise" bill.
A complicated system of surcharges – there's a trap lurking here!
Singapore Surcharges is a system of additional fees that can dramatically increase the price of a taxi ride.
Percentage Surcharges (Bill Goes Up!)
Peak Period : 25% extra on top of the meter fare. Applies to weekday mornings (6:00–9:29) and evenings (17:00–23:59) and weekends/public holidays.
Nighttime travel: The highest fare – a whopping 50% of the fare! Charged from midnight to 5:59 a.m.
Fixed location surcharges (for starting a journey)
Changi Airport: S$8.00 (approx. €5.28) in the evening (5:00pm - 11:59pm) and S$6.00 (approx. €3.96) at other times.
Central Business District (CBD): S$3.00 (approx. €1.98) , valid from 5pm to midnight.
Fees for entering paid zones (ERP)
Singapore uses an advanced ERP ( Electronic Road Pricing ) toll system that changes dynamically depending on traffic flow (even every half hour!).
In a traditional taxi, these fees are automatically added to your bill. This is another factor you can't anticipate when ordering a ride on the street.
Example of a cost spiral: A trip from the airport to the CBD at 2am might combine a 50% night surcharge, a fixed airport surcharge ( S$8.00/approx. €5.28 ), and dynamic ERP charges. A bill that would be S$26 (approx. €17.16) during the day could rise to over S$40 (approx. €26.40) .
The most popular ride-hailing apps in Singapore
One app dominates the Singapore market, but it's worth having two or three installed to compare prices!
Hornbeam: King of the Market
Grab is the undisputed leader. It offers the widest range of services, the largest fleet, and the highest guarantee that you'll find a car, even in heavy rain.
Versatility: Offers both JustGrab ( PHV or taxi with a pre-determined price) and the ability to book traditional taxis .
Disadvantages: It is usually the most expensive , especially when demand increases (so-called surge pricing ).
Gojek, TADA and Ryde: The Alternatives
Platform | The biggest advantage | Disadvantages and risks |
Gojek | High availability and competitive prices (slightly lower than Grab) | Fewer options and additional services than Grab |
TADA | Usually the cheapest , thanks to a lower commission model for drivers | Moderate driver availability, especially outside the city center |
Ryde | Can offer attractive prices outside peak times | Hardest to find a driver, lowest reputation for availability |
Tip: Always open both the Grab and TADA/Gojek apps at the same time and check whichever offers the lower fixed price . You could save as much as S$10–15 on a longer ride!
Transfers from Changi Airport (SIN) – Organize it wisely
Changi Airport is super organised, but you have to remember about surcharges!
Traditional taxis from the airport
Taxis are available at the airport's taxi ranks . Please note that the mandatory Airport Taxi Fee is always added to the meter price: S$8.00 (approximately €5.28) in the evening and S$6.00 (approximately €3.96) at other times.
The total cost of a trip from Singapore Airport to the city centre is usually between S$25 (approx. €16.50) and S$45 (approx. €29.70) .
Airport Apps
Using Grab or Gojek from the airport is the most convenient option. The fixed price shown already includes the airport tax and all expected tolls. You know what you're paying for!
Payment habits and travel culture
Payments: Cash or card?
In traditional taxis this is very important:
When paying by credit or debit card, an administration fee of 10% of the total tariff is added.
When you pay cash, you don't pay any additional fees.
Bottom line: If you're using a taximeter, always pay cash to save money. In PHV apps ( Grab , Gojek ), card payments are standard and included in the fixed price .
Tipping – should you give it?
There's no obligation or common practice to tip in Singapore. The driver's pay system doesn't rely on it. Of course, if the driver helped you with heavy luggage or was particularly kind, rounding up the fare is appreciated but not expected.
Communication – Singlish
Don't be surprised if the driver uses the words lah or can . This is Singlish , a colloquial dialect of English.
Addressing older drivers as Auntie or Uncle is a nice, polite way to say hello.
Best alternative to taxis: MRT (subway)
If you're on a time and money budget, your best option is the MRT ( Mass Rapid Transit ) – Singapore's metro and bus system.
Cost: Low fare, usually between S$1 (approx. €0.66) and S$3 (approx. €1.98) per ride.
When to choose MRT? Always during rush hour! In the morning (7:00–10:00) and evening (17:00–19:30), the MRT is definitely faster than any taxi because it doesn't get stuck in traffic.
Taxis and PHVs are mainly used for last mile journeys, at night or to less accessible destinations (e.g. the Zoo).
Singapore is a great place to travel. To avoid stress and overpaying:
Compare prices: Always check the upfront price on Grab and alternatives (TADA, Gojek) before ordering.
Pay cash in a traditional taxi: If you already hail a taxi on the street and use the meter fare, you'll save 10% on the fare by paying with banknotes.
Choose the MRT during peak hours: It's the fastest and cheapest option and always works.
Have a nice trip!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Before you embark on your journey in Singapore, you likely have many questions about pricing, safety, and convenience. Below, you'll find quick and specific answers to the most important questions about on-demand transportation (taxis and PHVs).
Do I need Singapore currency to pay for a taxi? Yes. If you're hailing a taxi on the street and using the meter fare , paying in cash in S$ is strongly recommended. This allows you to avoid the 10% administration fee that applies to credit card transactions.
What's the cheapest ride-hailing app? TADA is typically the cheapest option, offering lower commissions to drivers, which translates into lower fixed prices for passengers. However, keep in mind that TADA often has poorer availability than Grab during peak hours or during rain.
Can you tip a driver in Singapore? No, tipping is neither mandatory nor widely expected in Singaporean culture. While a kind gesture is appreciated (e.g., rounding up the fare), drivers don't rely on tips as a source of income.
How to recognize a legal private hire vehicle (PHV)? A legal PHV must have two mandatory, non-removable, black, yellow, and white LTA identification stickers affixed to the front and rear windows. The absence of these stickers indicates the vehicle is unauthorized.
What is the biggest surprise cost in a meter taxi fare? The biggest source of unexpected costs are surcharges , which are cumulative: 50% for night travel (0:00–5:59), plus fixed airport fees ( S$6 or S$8 ) and dynamic ERP tolls.
Is the MRT (subway) faster than a taxi during rush hour? Yes, the MRT is almost always faster than a taxi during peak hours (7:00–10:00 a.m. and 5:00–7:30 p.m.) because it operates independently of traffic. The MRT is also the cheapest option.
Does the upfront pricing in the app include airport taxes? Yes. The advantage of booking through apps ( Grab , Gojek ) is that the fixed price shown is the total price and already includes all expected surcharges , including airport taxes and ERP tolls.
What should I do if I've left something in the taxi? Under LTA regulations, drivers are legally obligated to search the vehicle for any property left behind by passengers immediately after the ride. Contact the operator (e.g., ComfortDelGro) or platform ( Grab , Gojek ) as soon as possible with the details of your ride.
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