Singapore Tourist Pass, EZ Link or Contactless Bank Card? Which One is Better?

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To take public transportation in Singapore, you need either cash or card.

Paying by cash is rather inconvenient because you need to give the exact amount, otherwise no change will be given. Majority people use cards, but which card is better?

There are 3 cards that travellers can use in Singapore: Singapore Tourist Pass, EZ Link and Contactless Bank Cards. Each has its own pros and cons, and each is suited for different types of travellers.

In this post, I write about the details of each card, followed by situations when a certain card is more favourable than the other.

To learn about all the different types of transportation in Singapore, read my in-depth guide about getting around Singapore.

1. Singapore Tourist Pass

The Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) is a card that gives you unlimited travel on Singapore’s MRT, LRT and basic bus services for 1 day, 2 days or 3 days depending on which pass you purchase.

Here are what you need to know about STP.

Below are the prices of the STP:

• S$17 for 1 day
• S$24 for 2 days
• S$29 for 3 days

In the past, the STP has S$10 deposit in it and you had to return the card to get refund. However, as of 2024, the STP prices no longer has deposit portion in it. That means, you don’t need to return the card to get deposit refund.

Kids below 0.9m height travel for free on trains and buses when accompanied by a fee-paying adult.

You can buy STP at TransitLink Ticket Office only at certain MRT stations, namely: Ang Mo Kio, Bayfront, Bugis, Changi Airport, Chinatown, City Hall, Farrer Park, Harbourfront, Jurong East, Lavender, Maxwell, Orchard, Raffles Place, Somerset, Woodlands. More details on opening hours here.

Unlimited rides are not applicable for: Sentosa Express monorail, RWS8 bus, Express Services Bus, Fast Forward Bus, Night Owl bus (N bus), NightRider bus (NR bus), Chinatown Direct bus (CT bus) and other premium and niche bus services.

The pass starts when you use it for the first time. The 1-day pass ends when the last public transport has stopped operation (slightly past midnight). Eg: if you use the card for the first time at 6pm on Monday, the 1-day pass will expire on Monday’s night (when the last train and bus have stopped), the 2-day pass will expire on Tuesday’s night and the 3-day pass will expire on Wednesday’s night.

Now, STP offers various deals, from discounted attraction prices to discounted meals.

SG Tourist Pass (now defunct)

The SG Tourist Pass is similar to STP, except: it doesn’t include a deposit, you don’t need to return the card after expiry, and it’s slightly more expensive than STP.

There’s only 1 option, which is the 3-day SG Tourist Pass that costs S$29. Thus, if you’re only visiting Singapore for 1 or 2 days, this card may not be the right card for you.

The 3-day SG Tourist Pass is $5 more expensive than the 3-day STP. That means, the cost of the physical card is $5, which is equivalent to the cost of a normal EZ-Link physical card.

Should you get SG Tourist Pass?

You should get SG Tourist Pass if you want to use 3-day unlimited travel pass, and you want to keep the card and continue using it as a normal EZ-Link after the 3-day pass expires.

Singapore Tourist Pass PLUS

The Singapore Tourist Pass Plus (STP+) is an extension from STP. On top of unlimited rides on trains and basic bus services, STP+ offers additional perks.

Here are STP+ facts you should know.

At the moment, the STP+ is only sold at Changi Recommends. You can buy it online and collect at the airport, or directly buy from Changi Recommends’ counter. You can’t collect it from MRT Station.

There’s only 1 option, which is the 3-day STP+ that costs S$48. Thus, if you’re only visiting Singapore for 1 or 2 days, this card may not be the right card for you.

STP+ will give you the following perks (subjected to change without prior notice):

• Complimentary 1-hour walking tour
• Limited Edition Postcard Set
• $5 credit off for Changi Travel Concierge Service

Should you get Singapore Tourist Pass PLUS or just the normal STP? Is STP+ actually worth it?

In my opinion, STP+ is worth it only if you’re interested to join the free 1-hour walking tour.

If you’re the type of traveler who loves to DIY your travel and would avoid tours as much as possible, or if you’re a budget traveler or slow traveler, you can skip STP+.

2. EZ-Link

EZ-Link card is the most commonly used travel card by residents and returning visitors. In the beginning, you store a certain value inside the card. Your card’s value will be deducted only when you use it.

The price of an EZ-Link depends on where you buy it from.

You can buy EZ-Link from TransitLink Ticket Offices, Concession Card Replacement Offices and Passenger Service Centres located at all MRT stations as well as 7-Eleven.

A new EZ-Link costs S$10 which consists of S$5 value + S$5 non-refundable card fee.

You need to maintain a minimum $3 balance in your EZ-Link in order to be able to board MRT and buses. When your balance falls below $3, you need to top up to continue using it.

Minimum top-up amount is $2. You can top up with Cash as well as Debit/Credit card.

IMPORTANT: with the initial credit of $5, you can only take public transport for about 2 times (assuming $2/ride), then your credit will fall below $3 (you need to maintain at least $3 in your EZ-Link). You have to top-up before you can use the card again. The minimum top up is $10. Therefore, your total cost becomes $10 + 10 = $20 at the minimum.

To get refund of the unused portion of your EZ-Link, you can return it to any Passenger Service Centre at MRT stations, Ticket Office at MRT stations, Ticket Office at bus interchanges. However, you can’t get back the S$5 non-refundable card fee. Immediate refund is possible for the old EZ-Link without Simplygo.

It was announced on 9 Jan 2024 that everyone will have to upgrade to the new EZ-Link with SimplyGo from 1 June 2024 in order to ride the bus and MRT. However, on 22 Jan 2024, LTA (Land Transport Authority) has canceled the mandatory switch to Simplygo. Therefore, you will continue to be able to use the old EZ-Link.

EZ-Link can be used at MRT, LRT and most public buses. Furthermore, you can also use EZ-Link for SMRT & TransCab taxis, F&B outlets, and many places you can’t even imagine.

Here’s the full list of places where payment by EZ-Link is accepted. To be honest, the list is too long! For simplicity, at the shop where you’re going to make payment, just look for EZ-Link logo . If there’s EZ-Link Logo, it means you can use EZ-Link to pay.

EZ-Link is valid for 5 years from the date of encoding. At the end of 5 years, you can exchange the card at Ticket Office.

EZ-Link cards can be reloaded (topped up) at all General Ticketing Machines at all MRT Stations, certain bus interchanges, 7-Eleven, ATMs, and other places. Here’s the complete list of places where you can top up your EZ-Link.

You can store a maximum value of S$500 in the EZ-Link.

You can download SimplyGo app to check your current remaining balance, transaction history, as well as to earn points that you can use to redeem freebies or discounted items!

EZ-Link for children under 7 years old

Children under 7 years old can travel for free. If  they are below 0.9m in height, they do not need any card. However, if they are above 0.9m, they need a special card called Child Concession Card. If children are below 7 years old but don’t have these card, they need to pay for the adult fare.

The Child Concession Card can be used for MRT, LRT, basic bus services and express bus services (express buses are those with “e” behind the service number, such as Bus 174e). Do take note that it can’t be used for Premium buses (these buses usually serve residents going to work during peak hours) and Night Riders (these buses only operate in the evening during weekend, such as NR1, NR2, etc).

To apply for Child Concession Card, bring your child’s passport to any TransitLink Ticket Offices.

More information about Child Concession Card can be found here.

NETS FlashPay

If you haven’t heard about NETS FlashPay, it’s basically similar to EZ-Link. The price is $12, which consists of $5 non-refundable card fee and $7 stored value. It can be used for public transportation, taxi as well as F&B, retail shops, etc.

You can top up via app (with debit/credit card) or by other offline means such as the General Ticketing Machine (GTM) located in every MRT stations, 7-Eleven, etc.

So, is there any difference with EZ-Link at all? Yes there is. The company that issue them are different. EZ-Link was started by Authority while NETS was started by a group of banks in Singapore.

Another difference is the merchants that accept EZ-Link are different from the retail merchants that accept NETS FlashPay. Personally, I feel that I see more NETS FlashPay logo in the shopping malls than EZ-Link logo.

So, why even bother to get NETS FlashPay? Well, if you like the idea of having a prepaid card to pay for your transport, F&B and shopping instead of carrying too much cash (notes & coins) around and you don’t like to use credit/debit card overseas, then you can consider NETS FP.

From 1 June 2024, NETS FlashPay will be replaced by NETS Prepaid Card. It is similar to NETS FlashPay but it is account-based. So, you will need to download NETS app to check transaction history and to top up.

If you have the old NETS FlashPay, you can upgrade it to the new NETS Prepaid Card at any TransitLink Ticket Office.

Where to get NETS FlashPay?

• Pre-order online and collect at Thailand’s BKK Airport or Centralworld, or Singapore
• TransitLink Ticket Office. Note: A lot of MRT stations have a TransitLink Ticket Office, but NOT ALL MRT stations have TransitLink. Changi Airport MRT station does have TransitLink Ticket Office.
• Convenience stores, such as: 7-Eleven, Buzz Pods, Cheers, FairPrice Xpress, Star Mart at all Caltex Petrol Stations
• Travelex Moneychangers at Changi Airport.

3. Contactless Bank Cards / Mobile Wallets

Contactless bank cards refers to any bank cards (debit/credit card) that has contactless logo. It also includes mobile wallets (eg: Apple Pay, GPay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, etc).

To use contactless bank cards or mobile wallets on public transport, simply tap it on the card reader when entering a bus or MRT station.

Most contactless bank cards can be used for traveling on bus and MRT in Singapore. However, some cards are not accepted (see section 1c of this FAQ on Contactless Bank Card tab).

No registration is required to use contactless bank cards. Train and bus fares will be processed and charged to the bank account or credit/debit card bill directly.

If you want to check your usage history, you can sign up and download TL SimplyGo app. This step is optional. Even if you do not have TL SimplyGo app, you still can use your physical contactless bank cards on Singapore’s public transport.

For mobile wallet usage, simply add your bank cards to your mobile wallet, and ensure your phone is compatible (see section 5a of this FAQ on Contactless Bank Card tab).

If your bank cards are issued by foreign banks, you will incur 2 fees:
1. An administrative fee of $0.60 per day of use
2. Your bank’s currency exchange and/or admin fee

As someone living in Singapore and travel mostly by public transport, my preferred payment method is mobile wallet.

When should you buy Singapore Tourist Pass?

You want to visit a lot of places.

You don’t need the cab, you’re comfortable with using public transport.

You don’t know when you will visit Singapore again.

For 1-day STP, it is worth it if you use public transport at least 9 times a day.

For 2-day STP, it is worth it if you use public transport at least 6 times a day (or 12 times over 2 days)

For 3-day STP, it is worth it if you use public transport at least 5 times a day (or 15 times over 3 days)

When should you buy EZ Link?

You use public transport less than 5 times a day.

You visit Singapore for more than 3 days.

You are a budget traveler and you don’t mind walking or cycling to save money.

You travel slowly. In a day, you might be visiting less than 3 attractions.

You come to Singapore often and you’d like to keep the EZ link card so you don’t have to purchase again when you come next time.

When NOT to buy STP & EZ-Link, and just use Contactless Bank Card / Mobile Wallet?

You prefer the convenience of not having to carry too many cards when traveling.

If your card is issued by foreign bank and you don’t mind paying the currency exchange fee for convenience.

For mobile wallet: You’re comfortable with technology. You have a compatible mobile phone with NFC capability.

You don’t have problems paying your card spending on time.

How to find out the fares?

The easiest way to calculate the public transportation fare is by using the calculator provided by MyTransport.SG.

For your info, if you use EZ Link and you make a transfer from train to bus, bus to train, or bus to bus, within 45 minutes, you will pay for discounted fare due to the new “distance fare scheme.” You don’t need to do anything, it’s automatically adjusted by your EZ Link.

Planning a trip to Singapore? Read my best articles about Singapore.

PS: Have any questions regarding traveling in Singapore? Join All About Singapore Travel Group on Facebook where we discuss about traveling in Singapore.

First published: 31 Mar 2018. Last updated: 12 Apr 2023

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