Last updated . Facts checked against LTA announcements.
The quickest way to pay for the Singapore MRT is to tap your contactless bank card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or NETS) or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) at the fare gantry. No registration or setup is needed beforehand.
If you prefer a dedicated transit card, pick up a SimplyGo EZ-Link card from convenience stores or station ticket offices. Visitors planning a lot of travel may want to look at the Singapore Tourist Pass, which covers unlimited rides for a fixed daily price.
Single-trip paper tickets and cash payments at the gantry are no longer accepted anywhere on the MRT network. Whether you are riding the Thomson-East Coast Line or transferring at Dhoby Ghaut, you need a tap-and-go payment method before you reach the gate.
Quick Takeaways
-
Contactless works straight away: You do not need a special transit card. Your everyday Visa, Mastercard, or mobile wallet taps in without any setup.
-
No paper tickets: Single-trip paper tickets were phased out years ago. Cash can only be used to top up physical transit cards at ticketing machines, not to enter the gates.
-
SimplyGo is the standard platform: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) runs an account-based ticketing system under SimplyGo, so you can track your journeys and fares in one app.
-
Tourist Pass considerations: The Singapore Tourist Pass covers unlimited rides, but paying by contactless card can work out cheaper if you are not travelling heavily.
Method 1: Contactless Bank Cards and Mobile Wallets (The Easiest Way)
Contactless payment is the most straightforward way to ride the MRT in 2026. The LTA’s SimplyGo platform means the network runs on account-based ticketing, so the fare gates work much like a retail checkout terminal.
You can walk up to any gantry and tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or NETS card. Mobile wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay, and Samsung Pay are fully supported too.
You do not need to download an app or register your card to travel. Tap in at your departure station, tap out at your destination, and the system calculates your distance-based fare automatically.
Pro-tip: Always use the exact same card or device to tap in and tap out. If you tap in with your physical Visa card but tap out with the same Visa via Apple Pay on your phone, the system treats them as two separate devices. You will be charged two maximum-distance penalty fares.
What About Foreign Credit Cards and Fees?
If you are visiting from abroad, your foreign-issued contactless credit or debit card will work on the Singapore MRT. There are a couple of things worth knowing before you travel.
First, your bank may apply foreign transaction fees. If your card charges a percentage on overseas purchases, these small charges can add up across multiple trips. Using a travel card with no foreign transaction fees (such as Revolut or Monzo) is a practical way to avoid this.
Second, foreign card payments are processed differently from local ones. You may see a small temporary pre-authorisation charge appear in your banking app when you first tap in. Your actual fares are typically accumulated over several days and billed as a single amount, rather than as a separate charge for every journey.
Getting around Singapore? Find any station on the interactive MRT map, or save the PDF map to use offline.
Method 2: The SimplyGo EZ-Link Card (The Local Standard)
If you prefer to keep your transit spending separate from your bank account, or if your phone battery is unreliable, the SimplyGo EZ-Link card is your best alternative.
EZ-Link has been the backbone of Singapore public transport for decades. All new cards now operate on the SimplyGo platform, which holds your balance in the cloud rather than on the physical chip. This allows for instant balance updates and remote top-ups via your phone.
You can pick up a SimplyGo EZ-Link card at TransitLink Ticket Offices at most major MRT stations, as well as at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Cheers. The card typically costs $10 SGD, which includes a non-refundable card cost and a starting amount of usable travel value.
Managing Your EZ-Link Card
Download the SimplyGo app and pair it to your EZ-Link card to get the most out of it.
The app lets you view your travel history, see fare deductions in real time, and top up your balance using a saved credit card. If you lose your card, you can block it immediately through the app to protect your remaining balance.
Method 3: The Singapore Tourist Pass (For Heavy Explorers)
If you are a visitor who wants to avoid counting the cost of every trip, the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) is worth considering.
The STP is a special EZ-Link card that gives you unlimited travel on MRT, LRT, and basic bus services for the duration of its validity. It suits travellers planning a full day of moving around the island, hopping between multiple areas rather than sticking to one or two destinations.
You can buy the STP at designated SimplyGo Ticket Offices at key stations including Changi Airport, Bayfront, and Chinatown.
Singapore Tourist Pass Pricing (2026)
| Pass Type | Price (SGD) | Rental Deposit | Total Upfront Cost |
| 1-Day Pass | $10.00 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| 2-Day Pass | $16.00 | $10.00 | $26.00 |
| 3-Day Pass | $20.00 | $10.00 | $30.00 |
Note: The deposit is fully refundable if you return the card to any SimplyGo Ticket Office within 5 days of issuance.
Is the Tourist Pass Actually Worth It?
Honestly, it depends on how much ground you plan to cover. MRT fares in Singapore are low, so unlimited rides only save you money if you are taking a lot of them throughout the day.
For most visitors who take a handful of rides to a few attractions, tapping in with a contactless bank card will cost less overall. The Singapore Tourist Pass makes sense if you are doing a packed day of sightseeing with many separate trips. If you are taking it easy, pay-as-you-go is the better option.
The Myth of Cash and Paper Tickets
If you have been reading older travel blogs, you might assume you can buy a single-trip paper ticket with cash at the station. That has not been the case since 2022.
The Land Transport Authority phased out standard paper tickets that year. The ticketing machines at MRT stations no longer dispense them.
Can you still use cash at all? Yes, but only in one specific way. You can use cash at the General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) in every station to top up a physical EZ-Link or Concession card. You cannot pay cash directly at the gantry, and station staff cannot let you through in exchange for cash.
Tip for cash-only arrivals: If you land at Changi Airport with only cash and no bank card, head to the passenger service centre at Changi Airport MRT station or a nearby 7-Eleven. You can buy a physical SimplyGo EZ-Link card there, top it up with cash, and you are good to go.
How Fares Are Calculated and Transfer Rules
Understanding how you are charged matters just as much as knowing how to pay for the Singapore MRT. Fares are distance-based, so you pay according to how far you travel, not how many vehicles you board. This applies whether you take the MRT, a bus, or a combination of both.
The 45-Minute Transfer Rule
You will not be penalised for switching MRT lines or changing from the MRT to a bus. The system is designed to treat connected trips as a single journey.
As long as you tap in for your next leg within 45 minutes of tapping out, and your entire journey takes under two hours, the system groups all your rides together. You are charged one continuous distance fare rather than a fresh boarding fee each time. Up to five transfers per journey qualify under this rule.
Early Bird Discounts
Commuting early can save you money. If you tap in at any MRT station before 7:45 AM on weekdays (excluding public holidays), you automatically receive a discount of up to $0.50 off your fare.
Fare schemes change from time to time, so check the latest terms on the TransitLink or LTA website. Setting off early also gets you a far more comfortable ride, for example on the North East Line.
Final Thoughts on Paying at the Gantry
Paying for the MRT today takes almost no thought. The old routine of queuing for tickets and counting exact change has been replaced entirely by a tap of your card, phone or watch.
Keep your devices charged, hold your card flat against the reader until the screen confirms, and avoid stacking multiple transit cards in the same wallet as this can cause card clash at the gantry. Get those basics right and you will move through the stations just like everyone else.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I pay cash for the MRT in Singapore?
No. Cash cannot be used to pay directly for an MRT ride, and single-trip paper tickets are no longer sold. The only use for cash at a station is topping up a physical EZ-Link or Concession card at a General Ticketing Machine.
Does Apple Pay work on the Singapore MRT?
Yes. Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay all work on the Singapore MRT. Make sure your mobile wallet is linked to a valid Mastercard, Visa, AMEX or NETS card, then tap your phone at the fare gantry as you would a physical card.
Do I need to buy an EZ-Link card as a tourist?
No, you do not need an EZ-Link card if you already have a contactless Visa or Mastercard bank card. Tapping your existing card or mobile wallet at the fare gates works just as well, and you avoid having to top up or return a card at the end of your trip.
What is the penalty for not tapping out of the MRT?
If you forget to tap out, or your phone dies before you reach the exit, the SimplyGo system cannot calculate the distance you travelled. It will charge you a maximum flat fare penalty for that incomplete trip instead of your actual fare.
How much does an average MRT ride cost?
Singapore MRT fares are distance-based. A short hop of a few stations costs roughly a dollar, while a long journey such as Changi Airport to Jurong East comes to about two dollars or a little more.