Best MRT Card for Tourists in Singapore: The Honest 2026 Comparison
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-22
Three ways to ride the MRT in Singapore as a tourist, and only one of them is a good deal for the typical Indian 4-6 day trip. This guide walks through SimplyGo EZ-Link, the Singapore Tourist Pass, and the Standard Ticket with their real prices, their real refund rules, and the exact scenarios where each one wins. For related planning, see our guides on Sea Backpacking Hub and Singapore Dollar to Indian Rupee Today.
If you only have 30 seconds: get a SimplyGo EZ-Link card at the Changi Airport MRT counter, top up ₹2,238 (~30 SGD or ~$23.23) on the spot, and ride everything with it. Skip the Tourist Pass unless you plan to take 8+ rides a day, and skip the Standard Ticket unless you literally need one ride. You may also find Singapore Money Saving Tips Indian Tourists Tipping Gst Food Sim useful for this trip.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest option for most tourists | SimplyGo EZ-Link card | ₹522 (~7 SGD or ~$5.42) |
| Best if you ride a LOT (8+ trips/day) | Singapore Tourist Pass (3-day) | ₹2,834 (~38 SGD or ~$29.42) |
| Worst option | Standard Ticket | ₹37 (~0.50 SGD or ~$0.39) + ₹7 (~0.10 SGD or ~$0.08) deposit (one-way, no refund on balance) |
| Daily cap on SimplyGo | MRT/LRT only | ₹587 (~8 SGD or ~$6.20)/day (free rides after) |
| Daily cap on SimplyGo | MRT + bus combined | ₹587 (~8 SGD or ~$6.20)/day (free rides after) |
| Bus acceptance | SimplyGo + Tourist Pass (Standard Ticket: NO) | Free same-day transfers up to ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) |
| 7-Eleven / retail payments | SimplyGo EZ-Link (via PayWave/EZ-Link) | Where terminals accept EZ-Link |
The SimplyGo EZ-Link wins for the typical tourist because of the ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) daily cap. If you ride the MRT twice a day and hop buses for touristy stuff, you’ll almost never spend more than 8 SGD/day on transit. Over 5 days, that’s a 40 SGD ceiling. The Tourist Pass costs 38 SGD for 3 days (so ~₹5,669 (~76 SGD or ~$58.84) for 5 days) and only wins if you take 8+ trips daily or take a Grab everywhere. See also: Extreme Budget Travel Guide How to Travel Southeast Asia on 1200 Day Hostels Street Food Free Activities.
How the Three Options Work
Singapore has one fare system (SimplyGo) but three products tourists can buy:
SimplyGo EZ-Link card is a stored-value contactless card. You tap in, tap out, the fare deducts automatically, and once your daily spending hits ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) on MRT/LRT or MRT+bus combined, every further ride that day is free. The card costs ₹895 (~12 SGD or ~$9.29) at the counter, which already includes ₹522 (~7 SGD or ~$5.42) of stored value and ₹373 (~5 SGD or ~$3.87) card cost. You can top up at any MRT station ticketing machine, 7-Eleven, Cheers, or via the SimplyGo app. Unused stored value is refundable at any TransitLink counter (1 SGD processing fee on returns under 100 SGD).
Singapore Tourist Pass is an unlimited-ride pass for tourists, available in 1-day (₹1,790 (~24 SGD or ~$18.58)), 2-day (₹2,312 (~31 SGD or ~$24)), or 3-day (₹2,834 (~38 SGD or ~$29.42)) versions. You collect it at any MRT station ticketing office (Pasir Ris, Changi Airport, Bugis, etc.), pay a ₹746 (~10 SGD or ~$7.74) refundable deposit on top of the pass price, and return it at any TransitLink counter when you’re done. The deposit comes back in cash if you bring the card and receipt. It works on MRT, LRT, and public buses.
Standard Ticket is the old single-trip paper ticket with a stored-value chip. You buy one at any MRT station, pay a ₹37 (~0.50 SGD or ~$0.39) minimum fare plus a ₹7 (~0.10 SGD or ~$0.08) deposit, top up to the amount you need, and the deposit is refundable only if you return the ticket itself at a ticketing machine (max ₹373 (~5 SGD or ~$3.87) balance). It works on MRT and LRT only, not on buses.
Comparison of Popular Options
| Feature | SimplyGo EZ-Link | Tourist Pass (3-day) | Standard Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | ₹522 (~7 SGD or ~$5.42) | ₹2,834 (~38 SGD or ~$29.42) + ₹746 (~10 SGD or ~$7.74) deposit (refundable) | ₹7 (~0.10 SGD or ~$0.08) deposit + fare |
| Per-ride fare | ₹74-₹186 (~0.99-2.50 SGD or ~$0.77-$1.94) | 0 SGD (unlimited) | ₹74-₹186 (~0.99-2.50 SGD or ~$0.77-$1.94) |
| Daily cap | ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) | Unlimited | None |
| Works on buses | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Works on Sentosa Express | Yes | Yes | No (pay separately) |
| Refund of stored value | Yes (1 SGD fee under 100 SGD) | Deposit only | Yes (return ticket, max ₹373 (~5 SGD or ~$3.87)) |
| Best for | 4-6 day trip with mixed MRT + bus | Heavy rider (8+ trips/day) | One ride only |
| Where to buy | MRT counter, SimplyGo app | MRT ticketing office | Any MRT station |
| Where to refund | Any TransitLink counter | Same counter you used | MRT ticketing machine |
The Tourist Pass only pays off if you’re going to ride 8+ times a day. At ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) daily cap on SimplyGo, you’d need to ride 8+ paid trips per day (each averaging ₹149 (~2 SGD or ~$1.55)) for the unlimited pass to save you money. That means MRT hop-on-hop-on sightseeing plus bus rides plus Sentosa Express plus late-night MRT, every single day. For a typical tourist doing maybe 4-6 trips per day, SimplyGo is cheaper.
The Standard Ticket is the worst option unless you literally need one trip. You can’t add bus rides, the daily cap doesn’t apply, and the refund process is annoying.
Where Each Card Is Accepted
The big practical difference, beyond price, is where each card works outside the MRT system.
SimplyGo EZ-Link accepted at:
- All MRT stations and LRT stations
- All public buses (SBS Transit, SMRT, Tower Transit)
- Sentosa Express (the monorail from HarbourFront to Sentosa)
- Sentosa Island buses (Beach tram, Sentosa buses)
- Most taxis (tap the EZ-Link on the card reader, fare deducts)
- Many 7-Eleven and Cheers stores (top-up and small purchases)
- Some hawker centre stalls and kopitiams with EZ-Link terminals
- Some parking gantries (casual visitor parking)
Singapore Tourist Pass accepted at:
- All MRT stations and LRT stations
- All public buses
- Sentosa Express
- Sentosa Island buses
- Not accepted at retail or convenience stores
Standard Ticket accepted at:
- MRT and LRT only
- No buses, no Sentosa Express, no retail
So if you’re planning to take the Sentosa Express (₹298 (~4 SGD or ~$3.10) return), grab a public bus to Mount Faber or the zoo, or use the EZ-Link at 7-Eleven, the Standard Ticket forces you to pay separately for every one of those.
For a 5-day trip with one Sentosa visit, one bus hop, and one MRT-to-MRT day: the SimplyGo EZ-Link covers everything on one card with one daily cap. The Tourist Pass covers it but at ₹5,669 (~76 SGD or ~$58.84) for 5 days versus a likely ₹2,387-₹2,984 (~32-40 SGD or ~$24.78-$30.97) on EZ-Link. The Standard Ticket forces you to buy 3-4 separate tickets and a separate Sentosa Express ticket.
Real Cost: 5-Day Singapore Trip for an Indian Tourist
Let’s run a typical itinerary. Day 1: arrive at Changi, take MRT to hotel, evening walk around Marina Bay. Day 2: Sentosa full day (MRT to HarbourFront, Sentosa Express, multiple rides inside). Day 3: Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, Little India (MRT + bus). Day 4: Singapore Zoo (bus), Night Safari (bus + MRT). Day 5: Orchard Road shopping, Bugis, fly out (MRT).
Estimated rides and fares:
| Day | Rides | Estimated fare |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 2 MRT rides (airport + evening) | ₹261 (~3.50 SGD or ~$2.71) |
| Day 2 | MRT + Sentosa Express + 2 Sentosa rides | ₹522 (~7 SGD or ~$5.42) |
| Day 3 | MRT + MRT + bus | ₹448 (~6 SGD or ~$4.65) |
| Day 4 | MRT + bus + bus + MRT | ₹522 (~7 SGD or ~$5.42) |
| Day 5 | MRT + MRT | ₹224 (~3 SGD or ~$2.32) |
| Total | 13 rides over 5 days | ~₹1,977 (~26.50 SGD or ~$20.52) |
That’s well under 8 SGD/day on every day except Day 4. With SimplyGo EZ-Link, you’d pay roughly ₹1,977 (~26.50 SGD or ~$20.52) plus the ₹373 (~5 SGD or ~$3.87) non-refundable card cost = ₹2,350 (~31.50 SGD or ~$24.39) out of pocket. Unused stored value refundable at the end (minus 1 SGD processing fee).
Same itinerary on a Tourist Pass (3-day + 2-day extension):
- 3-day Tourist Pass: ₹2,834 (~38 SGD or ~$29.42) + ₹746 (~10 SGD or ~$7.74) deposit
- 2-day extension via EZ-Link top-up on the same card: ~₹1,044 (~14 SGD or ~$10.84)
- Total: ₹4,625 (~62 SGD or ~$48) + ₹746 (~10 SGD or ~$7.74) refundable deposit
Same itinerary with Standard Tickets (assume you buy a fresh ticket for each MRT leg):
- Day 1: 2 tickets = ₹149 (~2 SGD or ~$1.55) + deposits
- Day 2: MRT ticket (₹298 (~4 SGD or ~$3.10)) + Sentosa Express separately (₹298 (~4 SGD or ~$3.10))
- Day 3: 3 tickets = ₹448 (~6 SGD or ~$4.65)
- Day 4: 4 tickets = ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19)
- Day 5: 2 tickets = ₹298 (~4 SGD or ~$3.10)
- Total: ~₹2,089 (~28 SGD or ~$21.68) but no bus access and refund hassles
For a typical Indian tourist on a 4-6 day trip, SimplyGo EZ-Link is the cleanest answer: cheaper than the Tourist Pass, more flexible than Standard Tickets, and the only one of the three that handles the bus-to-the-zoo day or the Sentosa Express ride without a separate purchase.
How to Buy It
At Changi Airport, the MRT station is on the basement levels of Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (follow the MRT signs after immigration). At any station ticketing machine, you can buy a SimplyGo EZ-Link card with cash or card, but the passport photo is not required (that’s only for Singapore citizens and PRs). The ₹895 (~12 SGD or ~$9.29) price is fixed: ₹522 (~7 SGD or ~$5.42) stored value, ₹373 (~5 SGD or ~$3.87) non-refundable card cost.
You can also pre-buy online via the SimplyGo app or Klook, but the price is the same and you’re just collecting it at the counter on arrival.
Top-up locations during your trip:
- Any MRT station ticketing machine (cash or card)
- 7-Eleven and Cheers (cash)
- The SimplyGo app (NFC tap with phone to add value to physical card)
For Indian travellers, the SimplyGo app also lets you check your balance, see your ride history, and top up via credit card. Handy if you want to track daily spend against the ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) cap.
The Refund Process (The Annoying Part)
The ₹373 (~5 SGD or ~$3.87) card cost on the SimplyGo EZ-Link is non-refundable. The stored value is refundable at any TransitLink counter (the staffed ones, not the machines), with a 1 SGD processing fee if the returned value is under ₹7,459 (~100 SGD or ~$77.42). So if you load ₹2,238 (~30 SGD or ~$23.23), spend ₹1,939 (~26 SGD or ~$20.13), and try to refund the ₹298 (~4 SGD or ~$3.10) remaining, you’ll get ₹224 (~3 SGD or ~$2.32) back.
For most tourists, the leftover stored value is small enough that it’s not worth the queue at the refund counter. Travellers report they often just keep the card, top it up on a future Singapore trip, or hand it to another traveller. The card doesn’t expire.
The Tourist Pass deposit (₹746 (~10 SGD or ~$7.74)) is fully refundable if you return the card at any TransitLink counter with the original receipt and the card itself. No processing fee, just show your passport and you’re done. The catch: if you lose the Tourist Pass card, you forfeit the deposit. EZ-Link is the same way (lose the card, lose the stored value).
When the Tourist Pass Does Win
There are three scenarios where the Tourist Pass is the right call:
-
You’re a hardcore sightseer who plans 10+ rides per day. Hop-on-hop-off style exploration across all corners of Singapore, with constant MRT and bus use. At 10+ rides/day, the ₹2,834 (~38 SGD or ~$29.42) 3-day pass pays for itself in a single day versus SimplyGo’s ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) cap.
-
You’re traveling with family and need simplicity. One Tourist Pass per person, no top-up decisions, no balance checking. Kids count too (child Tourist Pass: ₹1,790 (~24 SGD or ~$18.58) for 3 days).
-
You’re doing a pure 1-day or 2-day Singapore stopover. A 1-day pass at ₹1,790 (~24 SGD or ~$18.58) or 2-day at ₹2,312 (~31 SGD or ~$24) makes sense if you arrive in the morning and leave the next evening. The math vs SimplyGo is roughly break-even at 6-8 rides/day.
For everyone else, the SimplyGo EZ-Link is the better deal.
India-Specific Gotchas
Cash vs card top-up: Singapore MRT top-up machines accept Visa, Mastercard, and NETS. Indian Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards work at the machines, but your bank will charge a foreign transaction fee of 1-3.5% plus an FX markup of 2-3% on top of that. So a ₹3,729 (~50 SGD or ~$38.71) top-up costs you effectively ₹4,102-₹4,326 (~55-58 SGD or ~$42.58-$44.91) on your bank statement. Cash top-up at the MRT counter or at 7-Eleven avoids all card-side fees, just pay with the cash you already exchanged.
For a deeper look at which Indian banks charge what, our Indian ATM and forex card guide for Singapore covers the markup math in detail.
Currency conversion gotcha: When your Indian bank asks whether to charge in SGD or INR at the MRT machine or at retail, always choose SGD. Choosing INR triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), which adds 3-5% to the rate. This applies to MRT top-ups, 7-Eleven purchases, and any retail tap.
Stay duration: Singapore tourist visa for Indians costs ₹2,119 (~22 USD) and gives a 30-day single-entry stay. Most Indian tourists do 4-6 days on a Singapore-only trip, which fits the SimplyGo math perfectly. Our Singapore visa guide for Indians walks through the application if you haven’t sorted yours yet.
Sentosa Express separately: The Sentosa Express monorail is integrated into SimplyGo and Tourist Pass, but if you use a Standard Ticket on the MRT, you need a separate Sentosa Express ticket at ₹298 (~4 SGD or ~$3.10) return. Sentosa also runs its own internal bus (Routes A, B, C) and a beach shuttle, both free. See our Sentosa ticket prices guide for full attraction pricing.
What Bananarchy Travellers Use
On our trip, we standardise on SimplyGo EZ-Link for every Singapore stop. The setup is: each traveller buys a card at Changi on arrival, tops up ₹2,238 (~30 SGD or ~$23.23) at the counter in cash (avoiding card fees entirely), and rides everything for the duration. Most come home with ₹224-₹597 (~3-8 SGD or ~$2.32-$6.19) of unused value, which they either forfeit or roll into the next trip. The ₹373 (~5 SGD or ~$3.87) card cost is treated as the price of convenience, and it is.
The Tourist Pass came up once as an alternative for a traveller planning a zoo-plus-Night-Safari-plus-Sentosa-plus-Universal-Studios mega-day. They ran the math on a single day and the Tourist Pass still lost: their actual fare usage for that day, capped at ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) on SimplyGo, was ₹567 (~7.60 SGD or ~$5.88). The Tourist Pass would have cost ₹1,790 (~24 SGD or ~$18.58) for that single day (1-day pass). They used SimplyGo and pocketed the difference.
The main thing that goes wrong: people load too little, run out by Day 3, and end up queuing at the top-up machine with a foreign card. Solution: load ₹2,984-₹3,729 (~40-50 SGD or ~$30.97-$38.71) upfront if you’re doing 5+ days, or load ₹2,238 (~30 SGD or ~$23.23) and top up at 7-Eleven with cash midway.
Getting Connected
You’ll want data on your phone to check MRT maps, ride the SimplyGo app for top-ups, and translate hawker stall menus. Get Nomad eSIM gives you Singapore data before you land. A physical Singtel or StarHub tourist SIM also works, sold at Changi for ₹1,343-₹1,865 (~18-25 SGD or ~$13.94-$19.36), but the eSIM is faster to activate and you don’t need to find the SIM counter after a long flight.
FAQ
Can I use the SimplyGo EZ-Link card for Grab or taxis? Yes, most Singapore taxis accept EZ-Link tap-to-pay. Grab uses credit card or PayLah by default, so EZ-Link doesn’t apply there.
Does the ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) daily cap apply across MRT and buses? Yes, the cap is combined across MRT, LRT, and public buses in a single calendar day. Once you’ve spent ₹597 (~8 SGD or ~$6.19) across any combination of those, every further ride that day is free until midnight.
What if I lose my EZ-Link card? The stored value is gone. The ₹373 (~5 SGD or ~$3.87) card cost is also gone. You can buy a new card at any MRT counter. To minimise risk, register your card on the SimplyGo app (you’ll need the card’s CAN ID printed on the back), which lets you block the card and recover the balance if it’s lost.
Can I share one card across multiple people? No. Each person needs their own card because the tap-in/tap-out system tracks individual journeys. Trying to share means fare mismatch errors at the gantry.
Where do I get a refund at Changi before flying out? TransitLink counters are at most MRT stations. At Changi, the counter is in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 near the MRT station. Arrive 30 minutes before your refund need to allow for queue time.
Is the Tourist Pass worth it for kids? Yes, the child Tourist Pass at ₹1,790 (~24 SGD or ~$18.58) for 3 days is a good deal if your kids are doing the same heavy riding you are. Otherwise give them SimplyGo EZ-Link top-ups like everyone else.
