Ride-hailing in Singapore is dominated by two apps: Grab and Gojek. Since Gojek entered the market in 2018, it has offered lower base fares and frequent promotions to challenge Grab's near-monopoly. By 2025, the pricing landscape has shifted with revised booking fees, dynamic surcharges, and new loyalty programmes. This article breaks down which platform is cheaper for common trips in Singapore, using real fare structures, surcharge rules, and promotional patterns. We compare standard rides (GrabCar vs GoCar), premium options, and factors like ERP, peak periods, and airport trips. We also flag where the difference narrows or reverses.
Base Fares and Booking Fees in 2025
The headline fare for a ride consists of a base fare, a distance charge, a time charge, and a booking fee. Grab and Gojek structure these differently.
GrabCar (Grab)
As of early 2025, GrabCar's base fare in Singapore is SGD 3.50. The distance charge is SGD 0.50 per kilometre after the first 1 km. The time charge is SGD 0.20 per minute during the ride. The booking fee is a flat SGD 1.00 for standard bookings, but can rise to SGD 3.00 during peak hours (defined as 6:00-9:30 AM and 5:30-8:00 PM on weekdays, plus weekends and public holidays).
GoCar (Gojek)
Gojek's GoCar base fare is lower at SGD 2.80. Distance charge is SGD 0.45 per kilometre after the first 1 km. Time charge is SGD 0.18 per minute. Gojek's booking fee is typically SGD 0.70, but it can increase to SGD 2.00 during high-demand periods. Gojek also occasionally runs promotions that waive the booking fee entirely for first-time users or during off-peak hours.
For a typical 10 km, 20-minute trip in off-peak conditions, the estimated fare breaks down as follows:
- GrabCar: SGD 3.50 base + SGD 4.50 (9 km x 0.50) + SGD 4.00 (20 min x 0.20) + SGD 1.00 booking fee = SGD 13.00
- GoCar: SGD 2.80 base + SGD 4.05 (9 km x 0.45) + SGD 3.60 (20 min x 0.18) + SGD 0.70 booking fee = SGD 11.15
GoCar is about 14% cheaper on this standard route. However, the gap shrinks when surge pricing applies.
Surge Pricing and Dynamic Multipliers
Both apps use dynamic pricing when demand exceeds supply. Grab typically shows a multiplier of 1.2x to 2.5x, while Gojek uses a similar multiplier but often caps at 2.0x in practice. In 2025, Grab's surge pricing has become more aggressive during rain and major events, sometimes reaching 3.0x on short trips. Gojek's surge is generally lower, but its fleet is smaller, so during peak rain at 6 PM, GoCar availability drops and surge can still hit 2.0x.
Example: The same 10 km, 20-minute trip during a 1.5x surge on both platforms:
- GrabCar: (SGD 12.00 base fare components) x 1.5 = SGD 18.00, plus SGD 1.00 booking fee = SGD 19.00
- GoCar: (SGD 10.45 base fare components) x 1.5 = SGD 15.68, plus SGD 0.70 booking fee = SGD 16.38
Gojek remains cheaper, but the absolute difference is now SGD 2.62 instead of SGD 1.85. If surge hits 2.0x on Grab but only 1.5x on Gojek, the gap widens further.
ERP Surcharges and How They Are Passed On
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries are active across Singapore's expressways and central areas. Both Grab and Gojek pass ERP charges to passengers. However, the method differs. Grab includes ERP as a separate line item in the fare breakdown, while Gojek folds it into the total fare estimate. In practice, this means Grab's upfront estimate may not include ERP if the route changes, leading to a higher final fare. Gojek's estimate is more likely to include ERP based on the planned route.
For a trip from Tampines to Raffles Place that passes through two ERP gantries (SGD 1.00 each at peak), the ERP surcharge adds SGD 2.00 to the fare. On Grab, this is added after booking. On Gojek, it is usually included in the quoted fare. For more details on how ERP affects your fare, see our article on ERP surcharges for taxis and ride-hailing.
Peak Period Surcharges
Beyond surge pricing, both platforms apply fixed peak period surcharges. Grab charges an additional SGD 3.00 for rides booked during morning and evening peak hours (6:00-9:30 AM and 5:30-8:00 PM weekdays). Gojek charges a peak surcharge of SGD 2.00 during similar hours. These surcharges stack on top of the base fare and any surge multiplier.
Example: A 10 km, 20-minute trip at 8 AM on a Tuesday (peak surcharge applies, no surge):
- GrabCar: SGD 13.00 (base) + SGD 3.00 peak surcharge = SGD 16.00
- GoCar: SGD 11.15 (base) + SGD 2.00 peak surcharge = SGD 13.15
Gojek remains cheaper by SGD 2.85. However, if you are travelling during a public holiday, both apps apply a separate surcharge. Grab adds SGD 5.00 on public holidays; Gojek adds SGD 3.00. For more about peak surcharges, read our peak period surcharges guide.
Airport Surcharges and Changi Trips
Trips to or from Changi Airport incur specific surcharges. Grab charges a flat SGD 6.00 airport surcharge for all rides that start or end at Changi Airport. Gojek charges a lower SGD 4.00 airport surcharge. This makes Gojek significantly cheaper for airport trips, especially for longer distances where the base fare difference also applies.
Example: A 20 km, 30-minute trip from Changi Airport to Jurong East at off-peak (no surge):
- GrabCar: SGD 3.50 base + SGD 9.50 (19 km x 0.50) + SGD 6.00 (30 min x 0.20) + SGD 1.00 booking fee + SGD 6.00 airport surcharge = SGD 26.00
- GoCar: SGD 2.80 base + SGD 8.55 (19 km x 0.45) + SGD 5.40 (30 min x 0.18) + SGD 0.70 booking fee + SGD 4.00 airport surcharge = SGD 21.45
GoCar is SGD 4.55 cheaper, a saving of 17.5%. For a full breakdown of airport-related charges, see our airport surcharges at Changi article.
Promotions, Vouchers, and Loyalty Programmes
Price comparisons are incomplete without considering promotions. In 2025, Grab and Gojek run different promotional strategies.
Grab
Grab relies on its GrabRewards loyalty programme. Members earn points per dollar spent. Points can be redeemed for ride vouchers. For frequent users, the effective discount is 3-5% after redemptions. Grab also offers occasional flash sales, such as SGD 3 off rides above SGD 15, but these are less frequent in 2025. New users get SGD 5 off first three rides.
Gojek
Gojek is more aggressive with direct discounts. In 2025, Gojek regularly offers SGD 4 off rides above SGD 10 for existing users, often once a week. New users get SGD 7 off first five rides. Gojek also has a referral programme that gives both parties SGD 5. Gojek's GoPayLater credit feature sometimes provides SGD 2 cashback per ride for users who pay within 7 days.
If you use one weekly SGD 4 voucher on a SGD 13 trip, the effective fare becomes SGD 9, which is lower than Grab's base fare even without a voucher. However, vouchers have expiry dates and cannot be combined. For users who rarely use ride-hailing, Gojek's sporadic vouchers can make it cheaper per trip. For daily commuters, Grab's loyalty points may accumulate to a meaningful discount over a month.
Fleet Size and Waiting Time
Price is not everything. Availability affects the effective cost when you factor in waiting time. Grab has a larger fleet in Singapore, estimated at over 100,000 drivers in 2025. Gojek has around 40,000 drivers. During peak hours or in suburban areas like Sengkang or Woodlands, Grab's wait time averages 3-5 minutes, while Gojek's can be 7-10 minutes. If you are in a hurry, the extra wait time on Gojek may offset the fare savings. For shorter trips, a 5-minute wait might not matter, but for a 10-minute trip, it doubles your total journey time.
Grab also offers GrabCar Plus (slightly larger cars) and GrabCar Premium (luxury sedans) at higher prices. Gojek has GoCar+ and GoCar Premium, but the price difference between tiers is similar on both platforms. For most users, the standard economy tier is the relevant comparison.
Hidden Costs: Cancellation Fees and Tolls
Both apps charge cancellation fees if you cancel after the driver accepts. Grab charges SGD 4.00 for cancellation after 5 minutes. Gojek charges SGD 3.00 for the same. Tolls (e.g., Marina Coastal Expressway, Tuas) are passed on to passengers. Grab includes tolls in the fare estimate, while Gojek adds them as a separate line item. In practice, tolls are similar on both, but Gojek's separate line means you see the exact amount.
For a trip that uses the KPE (Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway) with a SGD 1.00 toll, the final fare on both is the same after the toll is added. However, if you take a route with multiple tolls, Gojek's itemised breakdown helps you verify charges more easily.
Which Is Cheaper for Common Trip Types?
We summarise typical savings for four common trips in Singapore in 2025. Prices assume off-peak, no surge, no promotions, and standard booking fee.
- Short trip (3 km, 10 min): GrabCar SGD 7.50; GoCar SGD 6.15. Gojek saves SGD 1.35 (18%).
- Medium trip (10 km, 20 min): GrabCar SGD 13.00; GoCar SGD 11.15. Gojek saves SGD 1.85 (14%).
- Long trip (25 km, 40 min): GrabCar SGD 24.50; GoCar SGD 20.95. Gojek saves SGD 3.55 (14.5%).
- Airport trip (20 km, 30 min): GrabCar SGD 26.00; GoCar SGD 21.45. Gojek saves SGD 4.55 (17.5%).
In all standard scenarios, Gojek is consistently cheaper by 14-18%. The savings are largest for airport trips and smallest for very short trips where the base fare difference is less pronounced.
When Grab Might Be Cheaper
There are situations where Grab can be cheaper or equal to Gojek.
First, if you are a heavy user of GrabRewards and have accumulated enough points to redeem a SGD 10 voucher, your effective cost per ride can drop below Gojek's. For instance, if you ride 50 times a month and earn 500 points (10 points per SGD 1 spent), you can redeem a SGD 10 voucher every 10 rides, effectively giving a 7-8% discount. Gojek's loyalty programme is weaker, offering only occasional cashback.
Second, during major events like the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Gojek's smaller fleet may cause surge multipliers of 2.5x or higher, while Grab's larger fleet may keep surge at 1.8x. In that case, Grab can be cheaper by 10-15%.
Third, if you use Grab's subscription plan (GrabUnlimited, SGD 9.99 per month), you get 10% off every ride (capped at SGD 3 per ride). For a user taking 20 rides per month of SGD 15 each, the discount is SGD 2.50 per ride on average, which beats Gojek's base fare even with a voucher.
Fourth, for rides that start or end in areas with very few Gojek drivers (e.g., Lim Chu Kang, Tuas), Gojek may show no available cars, forcing you to use Grab. In that case, Grab is the only option regardless of price.
Premium and XL Rides
For groups or those needing more space, Grab offers GrabCar 6-Seater and GrabCar Premium. Gojek offers GoCar XL and GoCar Premium. Pricing for these tiers is less transparent, but our observations in early 2025 show that Gojek's XL is about 10% cheaper than Grab's 6-Seater for the same route. For premium sedans (e.g., Mercedes-Benz E-Class), the price difference narrows to 5%, with both apps charging around SGD 40 for a 20 km trip.
For a full overview of all ride options and how they compare to taxis, see The Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride-Hailing in Singapore.
Fare Breakdown Comparison Table
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the key fare components for standard rides in 2025.
- Base fare: Grab SGD 3.50; Gojek SGD 2.80
- Distance charge (per km after 1 km): Grab SGD 0.50; Gojek SGD 0.45
- Time charge (per minute): Grab SGD 0.20; Gojek SGD 0.18
- Booking fee (standard): Grab SGD 1.00; Gojek SGD 0.70
- Booking fee (peak): Grab SGD 3.00; Gojek SGD 2.00
- Airport surcharge: Grab SGD 6.00; Gojek SGD 4.00
- Peak surcharge: Grab SGD 3.00; Gojek SGD 2.00
- Public holiday surcharge: Grab SGD 5.00; Gojek SGD 3.00
- Cancellation fee: Grab SGD 4.00; Gojek SGD 3.00
These figures are based on publicly available fare tables and our own test bookings as of January 2025. They do not include dynamic surge multipliers, which can change the comparison.
Factors That Can Change the Outcome
Several factors can tip the cost balance in either direction.
Time of day: Late-night rides (midnight to 6 AM) on both apps have a midnight surcharge. Grab adds SGD 5.00; Gojek adds SGD 3.50. Gojek remains cheaper.
Rain: Heavy rain triggers surge on both, but Gojek's smaller fleet often leads to longer wait times and higher surge multipliers. In such conditions, Grab may be only SGD 1-2 more expensive but with a 5-minute shorter wait.
Promotion stacking: If you have a Grab voucher from a partner (e.g., DBS card discount of SGD 5 off), the effective fare can drop below Gojek's. Similarly, Gojek occasionally partners with OCBC or Maybank for SGD 3 off.
Distance and route: For very short trips under 2 km, the base fare difference is minimal (SGD 0.70), and the booking fee difference is only SGD 0.30. In such cases, the difference is less than SGD 1. For very long trips over 30 km, the distance charge difference of SGD 0.05 per km adds up to SGD 1.50, making Gojek cheaper by about SGD 2.50 overall.
For a deeper dive into how distance and time charges are calculated, see our distance and time charges article.
Verdict: Which Is Cheaper in 2025?
For the majority of single, unplanned rides in Singapore, Gojek is cheaper than Grab by 14-18% on base fares, after accounting for booking fees, surcharges, and airport fees. The savings are most pronounced for airport trips and medium-to-long rides. For short trips under 3 km, the difference is small (SGD 1-2) and may not be worth the longer wait time if you are in a hurry.
However, if you are a frequent rider who can leverage GrabUnlimited subscriptions or GrabRewards points, or if you have a credit card that offers Grab discounts, the effective cost of Grab can match or undercut Gojek. Additionally, during periods of very high demand (e.g., rain at 6 PM), Grab's larger fleet may mean lower surge and shorter wait times, making it the better value despite a nominally higher fare.
For budget-conscious riders who plan ahead and can use Gojek's weekly vouchers, Gojek is the clear winner. For convenience and reliability, Grab still holds an edge, but the price gap has narrowed considerably since 2023. We recommend installing both apps and comparing the quoted fare for each trip before booking. For more details on the full range of ride-hailing and taxi options in Singapore, refer to our complete guide.
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