Let’s take a taxi from Changi International Airport to the city! Here are the details.

There are four main ways to get from Changi International Airport to the city center: the taxi we’ll be introducing here, the public bus, the airport shuttle, and the MRT train. Among these, taking a taxi is by far the most convenient option.
Singapore is about the same size as Tokyo’s 23 wards. The distance from the airport to the city is just over 17 km, so it only takes about 30 minutes. Even in Singapore, where prices are generally high, taxi fares are surprisingly reasonable. When you consider the hassle of carrying a suitcase onto a train, or having to walk from a bus stop to your hotel, a taxi that takes you directly to your destination is the most convenient choice!

Where do you catch one?

Changi International Airport currently has Terminals 1, 2, 3, and the Budget Terminal used by LCCs. Terminal 4 is scheduled to open in the second half of 2017. Outside the arrival lobby of each terminal, you’ll find a “TAXI” stand. It’s nice that “taxi” is also written in Japanese. Since this is an airport that never sleeps, taxi stands operate 24 hours a day, which is very convenient.

What’s the fare system?

The standard taxi meter fare is about S$18 to S$38, plus an airport surcharge. From Friday to Sunday between 5:00 p.m. and midnight, the surcharge is S$5; at other times, it’s S$3. This charge does not apply when traveling from the city to the airport.
From midnight to 6:00 a.m., there is a late-night surcharge of 50% on the metered fare. In addition, on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and daily (including holidays) from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, a peak-hour surcharge of 25% applies.
If you don’t know about this, you might think, “The fare is different from the meter! Is this a rip-off?”—so it’s important to be aware of the extra charges. If multiple surcharges apply, the fare can be nearly double the meter reading.
If you book at the limousine desk, you can request a four-passenger Mercedes taxi or a seven-passenger large taxi. However, the fare is higher—S$55 for the four-passenger and S$60 for the seven-passenger. If you have a large group and would need two regular taxis, this can be a worthwhile option.

2. What should you watch out for when taking a taxi?

In Singapore, trouble such as rip-offs or tampered meters is rare, and taxis are generally safe, with locals using them regularly. However, it’s wise for foreign women to avoid riding alone at night. No matter how safe it feels, overseas is still overseas.
When you get off, make sure to get a receipt—it will show the taxi number, boarding and drop-off times, and details of any surcharges. This will be useful if you encounter any problems or forget something.
Many drivers don’t carry small change, so avoid using large bills. Some taxis accept credit card payments, while others do not. Even if you can use a card, the processing fee is paid by the passenger, so be aware.
Tipping is generally unnecessary, but it’s common to add a little extra if the driver does something special, like helping with luggage.

Summary

How was that? Singapore is one of the best countries in the world in terms of taxi service quality. In many nearby Asian countries, you often hear about trouble with airport taxis—being overcharged for long distances, tampered meters, or being tricked by unlicensed taxis—but in Singapore, it’s surprisingly smooth! The fare is around 2,000 yen if there’s no traffic, so there’s really no reason not to use one.

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Let’s take a taxi from Changi International Airport to the city! Here are the details.