Transit Options from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is one of the most popular attractions in the city of Singapore. Being an oasis for nature lovers and the ideal location for unmatched Insta pics, the vast site is an actual horticultural miracle, featuring three cooling conservatories, the famous vertical gardens (Supertrees), and countless plants and flowers from every corner of the world.
There are various ways to travel from Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay. Travelers looking for a convenient transit option usually catch an airport taxi or opt for a private airport transfer. On the other hand, airport car rentals guarantee seamless autonomous journeys while train rides are cost-effective but indirect, and bus journeys aren’t widely chosen as, despite being cheap, they can be tiring and very time-consuming.
| Options | Price (S$) | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 30 | 22.30 | 20.70 | 20-30 min |
| Train | 2.13 | 1.58 | 1.46 | 70 min |
| Bus | 2.10 | 1.56 | 1.44 | 80 min |
Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay by Taxi
A Changi airport taxi is one of the most convenient ways to travel from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay. Apart from being always present at Singapore Changi Airport, taxis provide comfortable rides to the exact location of the passengers’ destinations and are known for their reliability. Verily, taxi scamming incidents are rare occasions in Singapore. Airport taxis are queueing up at the taxi ranks located just outside the Arrivals halls of all four SIN airport terminals. Please note that they can be of different colors, while there are three types of cabs in Singapore Airport: the standard taxis, the premium vehicles, and the limousines. If you are looking for the cheapest option, you should catch the first standard cab in line.
Your taxi ride from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay should last about 20 minutes. Still, when the traffic levels are high, the traveling time might be up to half an hour. Taxis in Singapore are metered, while fares differ from taxi company to taxi company. In general terms, the taxi rates are somewhat the same. Hence, SIN airport taxis charge about S$30/$22.30/€20.70 for the 20-km/12.5-mile distance to Gardens by the Bay. An airport fee of S$8/$6/€5.55 adds to journeys from 05:00 pm to midnight, while the fare at other times is S$6/$4.46/€4.13. During peak hours, taxi services are 25% costlier. Thus, if you pick up your airport taxi from 06:00 am to 09:30 am on weekdays, from 05:00 pm to 00:00 am from Monday to Sunday and on public holidays, and from 10:00 am to 02:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, your journeys will end up more expensive. Similarly, night rides (midnight to 06:00 am) bring a 50% surcharge. Moreover, any ERP fees (toll fees) are included in the final price. You can pay in cash or use a bank card, as long as you have in mind that electronic payments increase the final rate by 10%. That being said, luggage is free of charge, and tipping the driver isn’t obligatory.
Our Tip: Have you settled on a ride-sharing service to make your way from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay? Various agencies operate at Changi International Airport, including Grab.
Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay by Train
If you are looking for an affordable and fast way to get from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay, you should opt for a Changi airport train ride. Although the train journey can be tedious as it requires two changes of lines and is far longer than a car ride, it still remains a value-for-money option. Hence, if you want to reach Gardens by the Bay by train, you should reach the airport’s train station. The Changi Airport MRT Station lies below terminals 2 and 3 and can be accessed from T1 via the SkyTrain and from T4 via the free airport shuttle services. The Changi airport train operates at a 7-12-minute frequency from 05:31 am on weekdays to 11:18 pm. On weekends and public holidays, the first train from Changi Airport departs at 05:59 am. It runs to Tanah Merah MRT Station, where the line splits into two branches. Thus, you’ll catch the train traveling to Tuas Link. It is available every 3-16.5 minutes. You’ll have to alight at the Outram Park Station and hop on the Thomson-East Coast Line to Gardens by the Bay Station.
You should expect an about 70-minute ride from Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay. As far as the cost of your journey is concerned, it’s important to remember that the train fares are calculated based on the traveling distance. Hence, you’ll pay S$2.13/$1.58/€1.46. On the other hand, children (up to 0.9m (2ft 11.43in) don’t pay a train fare.
Contactless payments (admin fees usually apply to transactions via foreign cards) and mobile wallets are two widely used payment methods. Alternatively, EZ-Link Cards are reloadable cards that can be used for bus and train rides and certain retail purchases. They cost S$12/$8.90/€8.20, but the S$7/$5.20/€4.80 amount is actually credit. Finally, you’ll find three special EZ-Link Cards, mainly addressed to Singapore’s visitors. The three types of passes are:
- Singapore Tourist Pass: valid for unlimited bus and train rides for 1 day (costing S$22/$16.36/€15.13), for two days (costing S$29/$21.56/€19.93), and for three days (priced at S$34/$25.28/€23.35). The S$10/$7.44/€6.88 amount is actually a rental deposit, refundable once the card is returned to one of the SimplyGo Ticket Offices.
- SG Tourist Pass / SG Tourist Pass (Red): It is priced at S$29/$21.56/€19.93 and offers unlimited journeys for a 3-day time frame.
- Singapore Tourist Pass Plus: Also valid for 3 days, it costs S$48/$35.69/€33. Although all passes offer several benefits and discounts, the Singapore Tourist Pass Plus comes with some extra perks (a free Xplore 1-hour Tour, postcards, and a S$5/$3.72/€3.44 credit for Changi Travel Concierge Service).
All passes can’t be used for rides with premium buses, express bus lines, Sentosa Express, and RWS8. Furthermore, they all can be used as EZ-Link Cards and be topped up with money as soon as their period of validity is over. However, in that case, the rental deposit of the Singapore Tourist Pass isn’t refunded.
If you want to buy an EZ-Link Card or a Singapore Tourist Pass, you should head to one of the airport’s Cheers Outlets and Changi Recommends Stores or reach the Passenger Service Center. What’s more, cards and passes can be purchased from the SimplyGo counters on the MRT Station.
Cards or electronic devices must be tapped once entering and exiting each train station. Please keep in mind that if you don’t use the same card or device, you might be charged extra.
Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay by Bus
Changi airport buses are a cheap way of traveling around. Still, although they directly link Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay, they are regarded as a wearisome mode of transit as they require a 12-minute walk from the alighting stop to the final destination.
Bus 36 stops at all SIN airport terminals. Hence, you can catch it from the basement levels of T1, T2, and T3 or take the bus from the T4 bus stop lying next to Car Park 4B. You’ll find available routes from 06:00 am to 11:58, running every 8-12 minutes. Your alighting point will be The Float @ Marina Bay. The bus takes about one hour to reach that location, while you’ll have to walk for about 12 minutes to get to Gardens by the Bay’s entrance.
The fares for the bus ride also depend on the destination’s location. Thus, they are distance-dependent. The journey from Changi Airport to The Float @ Marina Bay costs S$2.10/$1.56/€1.44. Children up to 0.9m (2ft 11.43in) still don’t pay for the bus ride. You can pay contactless for your transit, use your mobile wallet, or buy an EZ-Link Card or a Singapore Tourist Pass. Thus, the same payment methods apply to both bus and train rides. That being said, cash payments are also accepted for bus journeys. Hence, you can pay in cash onboard. However, the fare will be pricier (S$2.90/$2.16/€1.99), and you’ll have to pay the exact amount of money as change isn’t an option.
If you tap on with a bank card or an electronic device, you’ll have to tap off with the same card or device to avoid paying extra fees.
Car Rental from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay
Changi airport car rentals are widely favored by SIN passengers. Verily, the satisfactory condition of Singapore’s road network and the overall tolerable traffic levels make Singapore rental cars an ideal option, especially for travelers who want to fully explore the island. Several providers are present at Singapore Changi Airport, offering top-rated services and tempting rates. Thus, if you want to rent a car from SIN Airport, all you’ll have to do is check your options. Still, you should always keep in mind that the sooner you book your rental car, the greater the chance of benefiting from premium fares and offers.
Once you collect your rental vehicle, you’ll begin your ride from Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay. The traveling time will be around 20 minutes. During rush hours, you might need 30 minutes to reach your destination. Fortunately, parking won’t be a problem either. Verily, various car park facilities surround Gardens by the Bay.
Private Airport Transfers from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay
If you want to travel from Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay in comfort without worrying about a thing, a private airport transfer should be your final choice. All private transfer companies have fleets consisting of as-good-as-new vehicles, while drivers are cherry-picked and area-knowledgeable. Moreover, the biggest perk of a private airport transfer is the provided extra amenities. Indeed, you can make your pick among the add-ons and customize the ride to your needs and preferences. Overall, private airport transfers are slightly more expensive than ordinary taxis and ride-sharing services. Still, they are, without a doubt, the ultimate way to travel from Singapore Changi Airport.
FAQs
How to get to Garden by the Bay from the airport?
Airport taxis and private airport transfers provide safe and comfortable services from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay. On the other hand, trains are an affordable but indirect alternative, while buses don’t require a change of lines but their stop lies 12 minutes away on foot from Gardens by the Bay. Finally, car rentals are always available at SIN Airport, ideal for travelers who enjoy independent journeys.
Are Gardens by the Bay close to the airport?
The distance from Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay is about 20km/12.5 miles. Thus, a car ride (via a rental car, a taxi, or a private airport transfer) should last about 20 minutes under normal traffic conditions and around 30 minutes if roads are congested.
How much is a taxi from Changi Airport to Gardens by the Bay?
The taxi ride from Singapore Airport to Gardens by the Bay costs about S$30/$22.30/€20.70. Moreover, an airport fee applies to taxi journeys from Changi Airport, while other surcharges (peak-hour rides, night journeys, etc.) might also raise the final price.