Enjoy hassle-free rides in Singapore when you purchase an EZ-Link card here.
Highlights
- Singapore’s EZ-Link is a stored-value card that is widely used by locals for transportation and retail.
- If you’ll travel to Singapore as a tourist soon, you should get an EZ-Link to have smoother and faster access to the MRT, buses, and taxis.
- You can also use the same card for your purchases at hawker centers, 7-Eleven, Koi Café, and more stores!
- The list price of a Singapore EZ-Link card is around S$12, but you have the option to book online via WAUG here to score a discount!
- By purchasing online, you’ll also get the nice perk of picking up your EZ-Link card at Changi International Airport shortly after you arrive.
- Finally, if you have not done so yet, make sure to download WAUG — the #1 travel activity booking platform from South Korea! Use the app to book your SIM card, Gardens by the Bay pass, and Universal Studios Singapore™ ticket at discounted prices as well.
Explore more: PROMO: Enjoy 9% Off on Universal Studios Singapore Tickets
Getting Around Singapore with an EZ-Link
You know how, sometimes, when you travel to a country, you find yourself having to skip one or a few attractions because they’re too far or inaccessible? Well, you won’t have to worry about that in Singapore. As you may have heard already, their public transit system — the trains and buses, specifically — cover almost all key points in the country and can get you to your destination efficiently. This is something that I fully realized when I had to take an unscheduled trip from a place near Changi airport to Jurong East to meet with colleagues. As some locals pointed out, traveling to and from these places is almost like traversing Singapore’s ends, but what fascinated me more is that I made it work despite being unfamiliar with the area and that the one-way train ride only took a little more than an hour (yes, the country is this small!).
For first-time tourists who’ll spend 3 days or less in Singapore, what this means is that you can definitely achieve all of your travel goals, be it visiting the Wild Wild Wet in the east, the National Museum of Singapore in the center, the Universal Studios Singapore™ in Sentosa, or the Jurong Bird Park in the west.
To make your commutes as smooth as possible, I highly recommend getting an EZ-Link card, which is a stored-value pass used by locals and tourists for payment. This Singapore travel card let me utilize the public transit system easily, without having to pay for individual fares each time I took a trip. You too can make good use of the pass on the following modes of transportation:
Trains (MRT and LRT)
You can use your Singapore EZ-Link card to access over 170 train stations of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines. These are two major networks that span areas of interest like Changi Airport, Clarke Quay, Tiong Bahru, Esplanade, Chinatown, Marina Bay, and so many others. With the metro rail system dubbed as the “backbone of the public transport network” in Singapore, I’m pretty sure that you’ll be using it as your primary means of commute, so make sure that you equip yourself with a handy EZ-link. You can check if the card is available for pre-booking on your travel dates here.
Public Buses
Similar to the train system, the public buses in Singapore also have extensives routes that cover key areas in the country. If you prefer taking buses over trains, know that you’re supposed to pay the exact amount of fare to the driver. If you don’t want to worry about handing the exact change every time, be sure to get an EZ-link card so you can just tap your way in.
Taxis (SMRT and TransCab)
If you want to have a more comfortable ride, you may hail a taxi by the roadside or at stands found in major establishments. You can pay the fare and surcharges conveniently with your EZ-Link card.
Using Your EZ-Link Card for Dining and Shopping
This seems to be a feature or benefit that many tourists are unaware of, but aside from public transportation fares, you can actually also use your EZ-Link to pay for your purchases in restaurants, stalls, and stores. Here are some of the partner merchants:
Hawker Centers and Cafes
Try all the delicious food that you made you visit Singapore! You can use your EZ-Link card in over 140 hawkers, including the more popular ones like Chomp Chomp, Maxwell, Old Airport Road Food Centre, Golden Mile, and Chinatown Complex. Make sure to get a taste of the Chicken Rice, Bak Kuh Teh, Hokkien Mee, and Chili Crab!
Restaurants and Drink Shops
If your travels take you to a nearby Koi Cafe, Gong Cha, Aji Ichi, Astons Steak & Salad Bar, KFC, Chic-a-Boo Fried Chicken, McDonald’s, or Sweet Talk Dessert, you can easily get your fill by using your Singapore EZ-link card.
Stores & Vendos
Of course, should you want to drop by a convenience store like 7-Eleven or Cheers, you can leave your wallet behind and pay for the items using the same stored-value card. EZ-link is also accepted in IEcon minimarts, Vale Store, and Unity Pharmacy.
Vending machines that are operated by Apex Vending, Mister Wash, and Rest & Go also accept EZ-Link as a method of payment.
Buy an EZ-Link Card Online!
The best way to get your EZ-Link card for your Singapore trip is by booking online. Aside from scoring a discount, you’ll also be able to pick up the pass at Changi airport and get a head start on your itinerary. Here are the details:
Price
The EZ-Link costs S$12 when purchased from a TransitLink Ticket Office or a Passenger Service Center. That is S$5 for the card and S$7 for the preloaded amount. If you buy from a 7-Eleven store, the EZ-Link will set you back S$10, with half of the price already loaded to the card.
However, if you book online using WAUG, you can get your Singapore EZ-Link pass at a discounted rate! As of writing, it sells for only S$10 (with a preloaded amount of S$5).
How to Book an EZ-Link Card Online
To book your EZ-Link card on WAUG, follow these steps:
- Download WAUG here and create an account using your email address, Facebook, or Google account.
- Visit the EZ-Link booking page here.
- Check out using your debit, credit, or prepaid card.
Booking and Pick-Up Info
Once you’ve made your purchase, you’ll receive a voucher that you can use to collect the EZ-Link card at Changi International Airport (Terminals 1 and 3). The voucher is valid for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
Reviews for EZ-Link
To help you decide if you should get this handy stored-value card, here are some reviews from those who booked with WAUG:
“It was a card that could be used as much as the Hong Kong Octopus. [So if you are traveling to Singapore, you can use it well].”
CUSTOMER REVIEW ON WAUG.COM
“Perfectly recommended! When you go to Sentosa Island, subways and buses are all [easily available]! I think it is absolutely necessary to take a lot of public transportation when backpacking in Singapore!”
CUSTOMER REVIEW ON WAUG
“There were plenty of places [where you can use the EZ-Link, and charging was easy and convenient]. I bought [the] product with a SIM card, [which we were able to use without a problem].”
EZ-LINK REVIEW ON WAUG
You can check out all reviews by visiting the Singapore EZ-Link card booking page here.
Checking Your Balance and Reloading
To view your EZ-Link’s balance or top up your card, you can use a General Ticketing Machine that’s found in the train or bus station. You may also visit any 7-Eleven, Cheers, or Capitaland mall, but kindly note that top-up fees may be charged.
How much money should you add or top up?
The physical EZ-Link card that’s offered by WAUG is already preloaded with S$5, which you can use to get to your first destination. Say you want to go to Jurong East (the “other end”), the fare cost for EZ-Link cardholders is estimated to be S$2.09 per adult, S$0.63 per child, and S$0.92 per senior citizen. (Standard ticket fare for this route is priced at S$2.80, so, yes, you actually pay less when you use EZ-Link!).
If you want to budget for your transportation, you can use this MRT Fare Calculator or visit the SBS Bus website. Below are some general information for a quick reference:
Average one-way TRAIN fare in Singapore
That would be S$1-2, which is roughly equivalent to:
- $0.7-1.4
- ₱37-73
- HK$5.7-11.2
- NT$21.6-43
Average one-way BUS fare in Singapore
Typically, travelers spend S$0.7-1.7 for a bus ticket. When converted, that’s around:
- $0.5-1.2
- HK$4-9.5
- NT$15-37
- ₱26-62
Average MEAL PRICE in Singapore
The average traveler spends S$10-15 per meal or S$30-45 per day (drinks may be included), but, of course, this would depend on how small or big of an eater you are! Here’s the conversion for the average daily spend (3 meals a day):
- $22-32
- ₱1,100-1,650
- HK$170-252
- NT$647-970
Maximize your Singapore EZ-Link Card!
To make good use of your stored-value travel card in Singapore, check out these recommended tourist attractions and activities:
1. Water B Cruise
Perfect for families, the Water B Cruise is an exciting way to see Singapore’s landmarks, such as the Riverside Point, House of Parliament, and Merlion Park. Here’s you’ll ride a river cruise that’ll let you experience and learn about the country’s historic waterway. Water B is easily accessible via the following train stations, as shown in this map: Bayfront MRT, Marina Bay MRT, Raffles Place MRT, Clarke Quay MRT, Fort Canning MRT, and Promenade MRT.
2. Skyline Luge Sentosa
Want to try something exhilarating with your friends? Make your way to Sentosa and “luge” your way down along the Dragon or Jungle trail! Couples who plan to visit are encouraged to take the evening cable car for some spectacular views of the city. To get to the Skyline Luge, use your EZ-link and ride a bus that stops at the Beach Station or Imbiah Lookout.
FAQ: EZ-Link Card for Tourists
1. How can I use the EZ-Link for payment?
Simply tap the card on the sensor to make the transaction.
2. What is the maximum amount that I can load on my EZ-Link card?
You can charge up to S$500.
3. How long before my EZ-Link reloadable card expires?
The card is valid for use for up to 5 years from the date of encoding (not date of purchase!)
4. What’s the difference between the EZ-Link, NETS FlashPay, and Singapore Tourist Pass?
The EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay actually work in a similar same way, except that they are developed and offered by different companies.
The Singapore Tourist Pass is a special type of EZ-Link card that provides unlimited travel for tourists for 1, 2, or 3 days. Price starts at S$20, which is inclusive of the refundable rental deposit. To know which one is the right card for you, consider your itinerary and use the MRT Fare Calculator.
5. What can the EZ-Link app do?
If you want to check your transaction history, earn rewards, and possibly top up using your phone, you may check out and download the EZ-Link app (available for iPhone and Android devices). To sign up, you can use the NFC function of your phone or input the number located on the back of your card.
6. Are there other forms of EZ-Link?
Aside from the regular card type, the EZ-Link is also available in the form of a charm (or EZ-Charm). Previously-released designs include Hello Kitty, Spiderman, Superman, Captain America, Pokemon, and Doraemon, which are all sold out! You can view more information here.
EZ-Link is also available in the form of wearables (like the Batman v Superman Fitness Tracker x EZ-Link) and co-brand cards.
7. Where else can you use your EZ-Link?
Partner stores that accept EZ-Link as a method of payment usually display the card’s logo on their storefront or counter. If you want to see the full and updated list of merchants (and the plans of having the EZ-Link payment method available in Japan!), you may visit the official website.
8. Can you return and get a refund for your EZ-Link card?
If you don’t want to keep your stored-value pass as a souvenir, you may proceed to any ticket office or Passenger Service Center at most MRT stations for refund.