Singapore Airport Train
Singapore Changi airport train lines, mostly running above the ground yet with some parts of their routes being underground, efficiently connect SIN Airport to the city of Singapore and other surrounding regions. Their main perk is being utterly independent of the traffic conditions. Still, they don’t have luggage storage space, which can be rather inconvenient, especially for passengers traveling with lots of luggage. Moreover, unless heading to the Singapore Expo or the Tanah Merah Interchange Station, a change of trains will be required to reach the final destination.
The Singapore Changi Airport Train Lines
The Singapore airport train lines depart from the Changi airport MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Station (CG2). Verily, the East West MRT Line terminates at Singapore International Airport. However, the train from Changi Airport splits into two branches at the Tanah Merah MRT Station (EW4), one going to Tuas Link Station (EW33) and the other heading to Pasir Ris MRT Station (EW1). The traveling time from Singapore International Airport to Tanah Merah Interchange Station is about 7 minutes. Thus, passengers heading downtown have to alight at the Tanah Merah MRT Station and catch the west bound train traveling to Tuas Link, whereas those wishing to reach Pasir Ris can board the line towards that station. Please note that if you are traveling to the city center, you can also disembark at the Expo MRT Station (CG1/DT35) and catch the Downtown Line to Bukit Panjang (BP6/DT1).
The East West Green Line is the longest MRT line and calls at several stations on its way. The more convenient stops for travelers heading downtown (depending on the exact location of their destination in the city center) are Kallang, Bugis, City Hall, and Raffles Place. On the other hand, the Downtown Line stops at Bugis, Promenade, Bayfront, Downtown, and Chinatown.
The First and Last Train from Changi Airport
The first train from Changi Airport travels to Tanah Merah MRT Station at 05:31 am on weekdays and Saturdays and at 05:59 am on Sundays and public holidays. Overall, Changi airport trains run every 7-12 minutes, depending on the time of the day (rush hours vs non-peak hours) and the day of the week. Moreover, the East West Line from Tanah Merah Station operates on a 3-16.5-minute frequency, and the Downtown Line traveling from the Expo Station to Bukit Panjang is available every 2.5-5.5 minutes.
On the other hand, if you want to catch the train running from Tanah Merah Station to Tuas Link, you’ll find the last train from Changi Airport leaving the CG2 Station at 11:18 pm. Are you heading to Pasir Ris? The last train from Changi Airport with a connection to the East West Line to Pasir Ris departs from SIN Airport at 00:06 am.
Where is the Singapore Airport Train Station
The Changi Airport train station (CG2) is to be found on the basement levels of terminals 2 and 3. You’ll find plenty of signs showing the way to the airport’s MRT Station, while both escalators and lifts link the railway station to the other terminals’ levels. As a result, travelers arriving at T2 or T3 can easily make their way to the train station on foot. Alternatively, passengers landing at T1 will have to catch the free SkyTrain to T2, and those arriving at T4 will have to take the courtesy airport shuttle buses to T2/MRT.
Changi Airport Train Fares
The Singapore airport train tickets are priced according to the traversed distance. Thus, the distance from the departure station to the destination railway hub forms the final train fare. Overall, the train ride from SIN Airport to downtown Singapore costs around S$2/$1.50/€1.38. The actual price depends on the specific alighting station. Moreover, it’s important to know that up to 5 bus or train rides within a 2-hour period of time come with no extra charge, as long as passengers don’t exit and re-enter the same station. The 2-hour time frame counts from the first boarding to the last boarding (not the last disembarking). What’s more, travelers have to change between a train and a bus line within 45 minutes and between train stations within 15 minutes.
How to Pay for your Singapore Airport Train Tickets
You have various options to pay for your Changi airport train ticket. Contactless payments and rechargeable cards are accepted, while tourist passes are ideal for travelers planning to move around using Singapore’s modes of mass transit.
Children shorter than 0.9m (2ft 11.43in) travel out of charge.
In detail, you can use one of the following payment methods for your rail fares:
- Contactless Payments: Your debit or credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, or NETS Contactless ATM Card) can be used to pay for your Changi airport train ride. It is actually one of the most convenient options. However, foreign cards come with administration fees.
- Mobile Wallets
- SimplyGo EZ-Link Cards: The reloadable EZ-Link Cards can be topped up with money. Thus, you can load them every time you want to travel via a bus or a train. They are priced at S$12/$8.90/€8.20, but their cost is S$5/$3.70/€3.40, as the S$7/$5.20/€4.80 sum is credit for onward journeys.
- NETS Prepaid Cards/EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay Cards
- Singapore Tourist Pass: The city visitors who will use the buses and trains as their main way of transit will certainly benefit from the Singapore Tourist Passes. There are three types of these special EZ-Link Cards, which can all be used as a typical EZ-Link Card after their period of validity. Thus, travelers can load them with money or keep them as a Singapore’s souvenir. However, the rental deposit included in one of the three card types won’t be refunded in both cases.
| Singapore Tourist Passes | Where They Can Be Used | But Not Accepted | Period of Validity | Cost | Rental Deposit | Any Additional Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Tourist Pass | Unlimited bus, MRT and LRT train rides. | Sentosa Express, Express Buses Premium Buses RWS8 | 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days. Each day counts from the first usage to the end of the day's shift. | 1-Day Pass: S$22/$16.36/€15.13 2-Days Pass: S$29/$21.56/€19.93 3-Days Pass: S$34/$25.28/€23.35 | S$10/$7.44/€6.88: Refundable rental deposit. At the end of the time of validity, the deposit is refundable as long as the card is returned to any SimplyGo Ticket Office. | Many Benefits and Discounts |
| SG Tourist Pass - SG Tourist Pass (Red) | Unlimited bus, MRT and LRT train rides. | Sentosa Express, Express Buses Premium Buses RWS8 | 3 consecutive days. Each day counts from the first usage to the end of the shift. | S$29/$21.56/€19.93 | No Rental Deposit | Many Benefits and Discounts |
| Singapore Tourist Pass Plus | Unlimited bus, MRT and LRT train rides. | Sentosa Express, Express Buses Premium Buses RWS8 | 3 consecutive days. Each day counts from the first usage to the end of the shift. | S$29/$21.56/€19.93RWS8 | No Rental Deposit | Benefits and Discounts Including: Xplore 1-hour Tour - Post Cards - S$5/$3.72/€3.44 Credit for Changi Travel Concierge Service |
EZ-Link Cards and Singapore Tourist Passes are available at various points of sale at Changi International Airport. Hence, they can be purchased from the Changi Recommends Stores, the Cheers Outlets, the Passenger Service Center, and the SimplyGo Ticket Offices lying at the Changi Airport MRT Train Station.
Please bear in mind that if you want to avoid getting extra charged, you should always tap in and out from the train stations using the same card or the same device.
FAQs
Is there a train from Singapore Airport to the city?
Changi airport train runs from Singapore Airport to downtown. However, it splits into two branches at Tanah Merah MRT Station. Thus, passengers have to catch the East West Line heading to Tuas Link to reach the city center. Alternatively, they can board the train at Singapore Airport, alight at the Expo Station, and hop on the Downtown Line heading to the heart of the city.
How do I pay for MRT in Singapore?
Contactless payments and mobile wallets are some of the available payment methods for Changi airport train fares. Alternatively, EZ-Link Cards and Singapore Tourist Passes can also be used to pay for train tickets from Singapore Airport.
How to take the MRT from Singapore Airport?
The Changi Airport Train Station is to be found at the basement level of SIN terminals 2 and 3. Hence, T2 and T3 passengers can reach it on foot, whereas those landing at T1 have to catch the free SkyTrain and disembark at T2, and those arriving at T4 have to use the complimentary airport shuttle bus to T2/MRT.