Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride-Hailing in Singapore: Fares, Comparisons, Tips

A detailed breakdown of taxi and ride-hailing options in Singapore, including fare structures, comparison of operators, booking tips, and practical advice for locals and visitors.

Singapore has one of the most efficient and well-regulated transport systems in the world. Within the public transport network, taxis and ride-hailing services fill a critical role for trips that are too short, too late, or too heavy for the MRT and buses. This guide covers the major taxi companies, the two dominant ride-hailing platforms, their fare structures, surcharges, and practical tips for getting from point A to point B without overpaying.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) oversees all taxi operations in Singapore. As of 2025, there are approximately 14,000 taxis in operation, down from a peak of 28,000 a decade ago, as many drivers have moved to private-hire vehicles under Grab and Gojek. Nevertheless, taxis remain a reliable option, especially at taxi stands and during peak hours when ride-hailing surge pricing can be steep.

Taxi Operators and Fare Structures

ComfortDelGro Taxi

ComfortDelGro is the largest taxi operator in Singapore, with a fleet of about 9,000 taxis. Its taxis are predominantly white and blue. Fares are metered and regulated by the LTA. The base fare for a Comfort taxi starts at SGD 3.90 for the first 1 km, then SGD 0.25 for every 400 m thereafter (up to 10 km), and SGD 0.25 for every 350 m after 10 km. Waiting time is charged at SGD 0.25 per 45 seconds. All Comfort taxis accept cash, NETS FlashPay, and credit cards. The ComfortDelGro app (CDG Zig) allows booking with a flat booking fee of SGD 2.30 (standard) to SGD 5.00 (peak).

SMRT Taxis

SMRT operates a fleet of around 2,500 taxis, mostly in yellow and white. Its fare structure is identical to ComfortDelGro because both follow LTA guidelines. The base fare is also SGD 3.90, with the same per-distance and waiting-time rates. SMRT taxis are bookable via the SMRT app or through the SMRT taxi hotline (6555 8888). Booking fees range from SGD 2.30 to SGD 5.00 depending on demand. SMRT taxis are commonly found at Changi Airport, Marina Bay, and Orchard Road.

Premier Taxis (Limousine and London Cabs)

Premier taxis, operated by both ComfortDelGro and SMRT, are higher-end vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Volkswagen Sharan, and London black cabs. They charge a premium: base fare starts at SGD 5.20 for the first 1 km, then SGD 0.30 per 400 m. They are available for booking via the same apps and are often used for airport transfers, corporate travel, and group trips. For a detailed comparison of all taxi types, see our Taxi Types and Fleet Comparison.

Other Taxi Operators

Smaller operators include Trans-Cab (about 1,000 taxis, blue and yellow), Prime Taxi (about 400 taxis, green), and HDT Taxi (about 200 taxis). Their base fares are slightly lower: Trans-Cab starts at SGD 3.20, Prime at SGD 3.30, and HDT at SGD 3.30. However, they are less common in the central area and may be harder to flag down. Their booking apps have smaller coverage and fewer features.

Surcharges and Additional Fees

All taxis in Singapore apply surcharges during certain periods and locations. These surcharges are set by LTA and are non-negotiable. The main surcharges are:

Peak Period Surcharge: SGD 1.00 per trip, applied Monday to Friday from 6:00 AM to 9:29 AM and from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM. Also applies on Saturday from 6:00 AM to 8:59 AM.
Midnight Surcharge: 50% of the metered fare for trips starting between midnight and 5:59 AM.
Location Surcharges: SGD 3.00 for pick-ups at Changi Airport (Terminals 1-4), SGD 2.00 for pick-ups at Sentosa Island (except for hotel guests with a pass), and SGD 2.00 for pick-ups at Singapore Expo.
ERP Surcharge: If the taxi passes through an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantry, the ERP charge is added to the fare. This varies by time and location, typically from SGD 0.50 to SGD 4.00.
City Area Surcharge: SGD 3.00 for trips starting from the Central Business District (CBD) on weekdays from 5:00 PM to 11:59 PM.

For a full breakdown of all surcharges, refer to our Taxi Surcharges in Singapore article.

Ride-Hailing Platforms: Grab and Gojek

Grab

Grab is the dominant ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia, and in Singapore it processes over 3 million rides per day. Grab offers several service tiers: GrabCar (standard sedan, dynamic pricing), GrabCar Plus (larger vehicle, higher comfort), GrabCar Premium (luxury cars like Mercedes E-Class), GrabHitch (car-pooling, fixed lower price), and GrabShare (shared ride with other passengers, lower fare). Fares are calculated based on base fare, distance, time, and a surge multiplier that can range from 1.0x to 3.0x during high demand. A typical 10 km trip from Orchard to Changi Airport might cost SGD 15 to SGD 25 on GrabCar, but during peak rain or after midnight it can exceed SGD 40. Grab accepts credit cards, GrabPay wallet, and cash.

Gojek

Gojek, originally from Indonesia, entered Singapore in 2018 and now holds about 20% of the ride-hailing market. Its fare structure is similar to Grab: GoCar (standard), GoCar XL (for 4-6 passengers), and GoCar Premium. Gojek often offers lower base fares and less aggressive surge pricing. For the same 10 km trip, Gojek may charge SGD 12 to SGD 20. Gojek also has a GoFood delivery service and GoSend for parcels. Payment options include credit card, GoPay, and cash.

Both platforms allow you to see the fare estimate before booking. However, the final fare on Grab can change if the route changes or if traffic extends the time. Gojek gives a fixed upfront fare for most rides, which is a key difference.

Comparing Taxis vs. Ride-Hailing: Which Is Cheaper?

The answer depends on time, location, and demand. Under normal conditions (off-peak, non-rainy, non-event), a metered taxi is often cheaper than a ride-hailing car because there is no surge. For example, a 5 km trip from Bugis to Toa Payoh on a Tuesday at 2 PM: a Comfort taxi would cost about SGD 8.50 (including booking fee and surcharges), while a GrabCar might be SGD 10 to SGD 12. However, during a sudden downpour or after a concert, taxis remain at standard meter rates (plus a possible peak surcharge of SGD 1), while Grab and Gojek can double or triple. In those cases, a taxi is significantly cheaper.

For longer trips (over 15 km), taxis become relatively more expensive because the per-km rate after 10 km drops only slightly, while ride-hailing fares are distance-based but may have a lower per-km rate. A 20 km trip from Changi to Jurong East: taxi about SGD 28, GrabCar about SGD 22 to SGD 26. For trips with multiple stops, taxis are more convenient as the meter runs continuously, while ride-hailing apps typically charge per stop or require a new booking.

For a detailed fare comparison table, see our Taxi vs Grab Comparison.

Booking Methods and Technology

Street Hailing and Taxi Stands

You can still flag down a taxi on the street, especially in the city centre. Taxi stands are located at all major shopping malls, hotels, MRT stations, and tourist attractions. At Changi Airport, taxi queues are managed by LTA and you can choose between standard taxis (Comfort, SMRT) and premier taxis. The queue at Terminal 1 typically takes 5 to 15 minutes during off-peak hours.

Mobile Apps

All major operators have their own apps. CDG Zig (ComfortDelGro) and SMRT Taxi Booking are the most reliable. They allow you to book a taxi, track it on a map, and pay via credit card or mobile wallet. Booking fees apply but are lower than ride-hailing surge. Grab and Gojek apps are more feature-rich, offering multiple transport modes (car, taxi, bike, bus) and integrated payment. For airport trips, you can also book a fixed-price airport transfer via Grab (GrabAirport) or Changi Airport's own booking platform.

Phone Booking

Traditional phone booking is still available: ComfortDelGro (6552 1111), SMRT (6555 8888), Trans-Cab (6555 3333). This is useful if you do not have a smartphone or are in an area with poor data. Phone bookings incur a fee of SGD 2.30 to SGD 5.00.

Tips for Tourists and New Residents

Use the MRT for short distances: For trips under 3 km, the MRT or bus is usually faster and cheaper. Taxis and ride-hailing are best for door-to-door convenience, luggage, or late-night travel.
Avoid ride-hailing during rain: Surge pricing can make a 10-minute trip cost SGD 25 or more. If you must travel, walk to a taxi stand or use the CDG Zig app to book a taxi at a fixed booking fee.
Check for promo codes: Grab and Gojek frequently offer discounts for new users, or during off-peak hours. For example, Grab often has