Singapore is compact and easy to get around, which makes a card-buying trip straightforward. This guide covers where to stay, getting in from Changi Airport, reaching Singapore EXPO, paying for public transport, and — importantly for families — child-restraint rules. Fares, routes and rules can change, so check the official sources below before you travel.
Where to stay
- Near Singapore EXPO / Changi — most convenient if your days centre on the EXPO area or the airport. Quieter in the evenings, with fast MRT access to town.
- City centre — more dining and nightlife and central for sightseeing, with a longer but simple ride to EXPO.
- Family-friendly areas — consider proximity to the MRT, food options and space; see our family visitor guide.
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From Changi Airport
Options include the MRT, taxis, ride-hailing apps and private transfers. Changi Airport MRT station is linked to Terminals 2 and 3 and connects to the rest of the network; you can reach the city by train, or take a taxi or booked car. Approximate travel times vary with traffic and time of day, so treat any estimate as approximate and check a journey planner on the day.
To Singapore EXPO
Expo MRT station (CG1 / DT35) is an interchange served by the Downtown Line and the Changi Airport branch of the East-West Line, and it is a short ride from Changi Airport. Singapore EXPO connects directly to the station. If you are carrying card cases or luggage, allow extra time and avoid the busiest commuter periods.
Paying for public transport
Singapore's public transport uses the SimplyGo system. You can tap in and out with a contactless bank card (American Express, Mastercard, NETS or Visa) or a supported mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and others) without buying a separate card, or use a stored-value travel card. Buses also accept cash. Overseas-issued cards work for tapping, but your card issuer may apply its own foreign-transaction fees, so check with your bank.
Ride-hailing, taxis and private transfers
Ride-hailing apps and street or stand taxis are widely used, and private airport transfers can be booked in advance. Optional local transport providers such as sgcab.com and citylimo.sg exist; they are listed only as options, with no affiliation, exclusivity, guaranteed capacity or official-event role implied.
Do not simply book a standard ride-hailing car with a young child without arranging appropriate restraint. Under LTA rules, passengers below 1.35 m in height in a private-hire car must be secured by an age- and size-appropriate child restraint (or a booster with the seat belt). Because private-hire rides are booked, indicate that you need a child seat or larger vehicle at the time of booking — Grab, for example, offers child-seat options (such as GrabFamily) which may carry a surcharge — or bring your own restraint. Taxis are exempt from the child-seat requirement because they can be street-hailed, but a child seat is still safer. Verify the current rules with LTA and your provider before you travel.
Travel and transport information can change. Confirm fares, routes and rules with LTA, SimplyGo and Changi Airport before travelling.