Transit Options from Singapore Airport to Woodlands
Although most of Singapore’s visitors consider Woodlands to be just a border-side region, a gateway to reach the Malaysian Johor Bahru, many travelers set the scenic destination as their journey’s end. Thus, airport taxis and private airport transfers effectively link Changi Airport to Woodlands, while rental cars are widely favored by travelers who want to uncover all the island’s notable destinations. On the other hand, train journeys are cost-effective but indirect, whereas bus rides are direct but, even so, can be time-consuming.
| Options | Price (S$) | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 50 | 37.20 | 34.34 | 40 min |
| Train | 2.33 | 1.73 | 1.60 | 88 min |
| Bus | 2.33 | 1.73 | 1.60 | 90 min |
Changi Airport to Woodlands by Taxi
Changi airport taxis provide convenient rides to Woodlands. Besides offering door-to-door services, they are available 24/7. Thus, no matter the time or the day of landing at Singapore International Airport, you’ll find available cabs at the taxi ranks outside the Arrivals halls of all SIN terminals. Please note that all taxis aren’t similarly colored -their color depends on the taxi company they represent. However, all cab agencies have fleets consisting of three vehicle types. Standard cars are the most affordable, premium vehicles are higher-priced, and limousines are the costlier alternative. Hence, depending on your budget, you should opt for the most appropriate vehicle, even if other cabs are ahead of it in the taxi rank’s line.
Singapore taxis are metered, meaning that the final rate is formed by their taximeter. Even though each cab company has its own rates, prices are approximately the same. Thus, your taxi journey from Changi Airport to Woodlands should last about 40 minutes under normal traffic conditions, and around 55 minutes if roads are congested. The price for the 32-km/19.8-mile ride should be approximately S$50/$37.20/€34.34. It’s important to remember that taxi rides from Singapore Changi Airport are S$8/$6/€5.55 more expensive from 05:00 pm to midnight, while the airport fee is S$6/$4.46/€4.13 at other times. Moreover, night services (00:00 am to 06:00 am) are 50% pricier, and rides during peak hours (from 06:00 am to 09:30 am on weekdays, from 10:00 am to 02:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, and from 05:00 pm to 00:00 am on an every-day basis, even on holidays) are 25% more expensive. What’s more, any ERP fares (actually toll fares) should be added to the final rate. Conversely, luggage doesn’t raise the taxi fare, and tipping isn’t obligatory. Should you plan to pay for your taxi via a bank card, it’s important to keep in mind that although cash and card payments are accepted by all Singapore airport taxi drivers, electronic payments come with a 10% surcharge (plus GTS).
Our Tip: Ride-sharing services (Grab, etc.) are widely favored by SIN passengers as well.
Changi Airport to Woodlands by Train
The MRT trains are a reasonably priced and quite comfortable option for the ride from Singapore Airport to Woodlands. That being said, they don’t have designated luggage space, and rides can be tiring as two changes of lines are required to reach the final destination.
If you opt for a Changi airport train journey to Woodlands, you’ll have to reach the airport’s rail station. It is to be found at the basement levels of terminals 2 and 3. Hence, it is connected to T1 via the free SkyTrain and to T4 via the courtesy shuttle buses. Changi airport train runs from 05:31 am (05:59 am on Sundays) to 11:18 pm. It has available routes every 7-12 minutes. Although it is part of the Green East West Line, you’ll have to alight at the Tanah Merah MRT Station and hop on the East West Line heading to Tuas Link, which operates every 3-16.5 minutes. Verily, the Green MRT Line splits into two branches at the Tanah Merah Station. Your disembarking stop will be the City Hall. From that point, you’ll have to catch the Red North-South Line to Woodlands Station. The Red LRT Line runs from 06:05 am to 11:55 pm. Overall, your train ride from Changi Airport to Woodlands should last about 88 minutes.
The train fares are dependent on the journey’s distance. Thus, the airport ride to Woodlands will cost you S$2.33/$1.73/€1.60. Please bear in mind that children up to 0.9m (2ft 11.43in) travel for free.
You’ll have various options to pay for your train fares. Contactless payments are one of the most convenient alternatives if you don’t mind the admin fees imposed on foreign cards, and mobile wallets are accepted too. On the other hand, the EZ-Link Cards are rechargeable cards that can be loaded with money and used for bus and train rides, as well as for some retail purchases. They cost S$12/$8.90/€8.20. Nevertheless, the S$7/$5.20/€4.80 sum can be used for onward public rides. Moreover, Singapore’s visitors usually settle on one of the three special EZ-Link Cards, the Singapore Tourist Passes. They all allow unlimited bus and train journeys for a specific period of time and offer many additional discounts. However, they aren’t valid for journeys with Sentosa Express, premium buses, express buses, and RWS8. The three types of Singapore Tourist Passes are:
- Singapore Tourist Pass: The pass can be used within 24 hours for unlimited bus and train journeys. In that case, it costs S$22/$16.36/€15.13. You can also buy a 2-day card paying S$29/$21.56/€19.93, or a 3-day pass that is priced at S$34/$25.28/€23.35. It’s important to keep in mind that there is a rental deposit of S$10/$7.44/€6.88 included in that fare. Thus, if you return the pass to one of the SimplyGo Ticket Offices, the S$10/$7.44/€6.88 will be refunded.
- SG Tourist Pass / SG Tourist Pass (Red): Valid for 3 days at a S$29/$21.56/€19.93 price.
- Singapore Tourist Pass Plus: A 3-day pass as well. It costs S$48/$35.69/€33 and includes an Xplore 1-hour Tour, free postcards, and a S$5/$3.72/€3.44 credit for Changi Travel Concierge Service.
You can use all three types of passes as ordinary EZ-Link Cards once they expire. Nevertheless, in that case, you won’t be given back the rental deposit of the Singapore Tourist Pass.
If you want to use an EZ-Link Card or a Singapore Tourist Pass for your train ride from Changi Airport to Woodlands, you can purchase them from one of the airport’s Cheers Outlets or Changi Recommends Stores, or head to the Passenger Service Center or the ticket counters of the Singapore Airport MRT Station.
Tapping in and out when entering and when exiting the train station is obligatory. Please remember to use the same card or device. Otherwise, you might be overcharged.
Changi Airport to Woodlands by Bus
Changi airport buses directly link Singapore Airport to Woodlands. That being said, their routes can be time-consuming as they make several in-between stops and are dependent on the traffic levels. Still, they are cheap and guarantee a straightforward journey without having to change between lines.
Bus 858 travels directly from Changi Airport to Woodlands. As a matter of fact, it calls at various stops around the area. Hence, depending on your final destination, you should hop off at the most convenient bus stop. Bus 858 runs from 05:15 am to 00:30 am every 5-9 minutes. It stops at the basement levels of Changi airport terminals 1, 2, and 3, but not at the T4 bus stop. Thus, T4 passengers have to catch the complimentary airport shuttle bus to get to one of the other three SIN terminals. The bus journey from Changi Airport to Woodlands usually lasts about 90 minutes and costs S$2.33/$1.73/€1.60. Children with an up-to-0.9m (2ft 11.43in) height travel out of charge.
The same payment methods accepted for train rides apply to bus journeys, too. Thus, you can use a bank card or mobile wallet or buy an EZ-Link Card or a Singapore Tourist Pass. Nevertheless, you can also pay in cash. Verily, cash payments are accepted onboard. Still, they are pricier. Therefore, if you pay for your train ride from Changi Airport to Woodlands in cash, the fare will be S$3/$2.23/€2.06, while you won’t be given back change in case you don’t carry the exact amount of money with you.
Unless you opt for a cash-paid ride, you’ll need to tap your card or device when boarding the bus at the front and tap out when you disembark at the back of the bus. Please make sure to use the same card or device to avoid being overcharged.
Car Rental from Singapore Airport to Woodlands
Numerous SIN passengers book a Changi airport car rental to travel from Changi Airport to Woodlands. There are various reasons behind that choice. To begin with, several car hire companies are present at Singapore Changi Airport, providing satisfactory services at reasonable prices. Moreover, Singapore car rentals are widely preferred as the island’s roads are in excellent condition, and the local drivers are known for their respectful driving behavior. What’s more, the island is small. Thus, rides are, in general terms, short, while the traffic is overall tolerable.
Once you pick up your rental car from Changi International Airport, you should expect a 40-minute journey from the airport to Woodlands. Still, during peak hours, the traveling time might be up to 55 minutes. As soon as you reach your destination, you’ll have to park your vehicle. Chances are that your accommodation will offer parking services. However, if this isn’t the case, you’ll find several car parks around the town.
Private Airport Transfers from Singapore Airport to Woodlands
If you want to elevate your traveling experience and travel from Changi Airport to Woodlands in comfort and style, you should consider booking a private airport transfer. Private airport transfers are known for their quality services as well as their numerous side amenities. Verily, passengers can customize their rides simply by adding extra products to their journey during the booking process. Expectantly, ordinary taxis offer more affordable rates than private airport transfers. Still, it comes without a doubt that the extra cost is utterly reflected in the provided services.
FAQs
How much is the bus from Changi Airport to Woodlands?
Bus 858 travels directly from Changi Airport to Woodlands. Its fare is S$2.33/$1.73/€1.60. However, if you choose to pay onboard in cash, your bus journey will be more expensive. Thus, cash-paid bus rides from Singapore Airport to Woodlands cost S$3/$2.23/€2.06.
How much is the MRT ticket from Woodlands to Changi Airport?
Singapore train fares are distance-dependent. Thus, the train journey from Changi International Airport to Woodlands usually lasts about 88 minutes (two changes of lines are also required), and it is priced at S$2.33/$1.73/€1.60.