Your handy guide to catching taxis in Singapore

Taxis are arguably the easiest way to get around Singapore. They're clean, comfortable, air-conditioned and incredibly affordable.

But they can also be a little confusing, as the city has three different grades of cabs – each with different flagfall rates and per-kilometre fees.

Here’s what you need to know before your next business trip to Singapore.

Standard taxis

These are by far the most common taxis you’ll see on the streets of Singapore and are easily distinguished by the mid-range Toyota, Hyundai or Kia models used and the colour of each cab company.

These operators are Comfort (blue), Citycab (yellow), SMRT (maroon), Transcab (red), Silvercab (silver), Prime (pink) and Yellowtop (black with yellow roof).

The typical flagfall is S$3 to S$3.50 and includes the first kilometre of your journey; after that, the meter ticks over at 22c per 400 metres.

Premium taxis, maxicabs and MPVs

These are larger ‘people-mover’ minivans and imported London cabs (which in Singapore are white instead of black) with seating for as many as seven passengers.

The initial flagfall and first kilometre is S$3.90, with 22c per 400m after that. You’ll also be charged an additional $2 per head if there are more than four adult passengers.

Limousine taxis

Singapore’s limousine taxi fleets – which comprise mainly of white or ‘champagne gold’ Mercedes-Benz and black Chrysler 300C sedans – range from S$3.90 to S$5 in flagfall (which also covers the first kilometre) and 22c to 33c per 400m thereafter.

These cars can also be booked for chauffeur-driven rides and airport/hotel transfers.

Three top tips for catching a taxi in Singapore

Within the CBD, use a taxi stand: unlike Australia (and many other countries), drivers aren’t allowed to stop anywhere along the road for a passenger who hails them down – in fact, they face severe fines for doing so.

By law, passengers can only get into or out of a cab within the greater city centre area at signposted taxi stands.

Can’t see a taxi stand? Make a beeline for the nearest hotel or shopping mall.

Where possible, pay cash: Singapore taxis don’t accept Visa cards (Visa withdrew the service due to a long-running dispute over payment of card transaction fees).

Other cards are accepted but attract a 10% surcharge, and most drivers prefer cash due to delays of several weeks in reimbursement for card receipts. Drivers will happily print out an invoice even if you pay cash.

Be aware of surcharges: and there are plenty of them! This includes an extra S$3 charge for catching a taxi after 5pm in the CBD; S$3 for pickups from Gardens by the Bay and Resort World Sentosa; S$3 for Marina Bay Sands pickups on Sundays and public holidays from 6am to 4.59pm; and S$3-5 for pickups at Changi Airport.

You also need to be prepared for the flat 25% ‘peak hour surcharge’ between 6am and 9.30am weekdays and 6pm to midnight every evening, and a whopping 50% loading on hires between midnight and 6am.

Winston Khong

Winston is a Sydney-based HR advisor in the hospitality and public transport industries, but his family ties to Singapore provide a convenient excuse to regularly return and feast on pork belly satay, popiah and his mother's chicken curry.