Bus Fare Singapore: 2026 Prices, Payment Methods & Travel Guide

Bus Fare Singapore is calculated according to the distance travelled and the passenger’s fare category. Adults usually pay less with an EZ-Link card, SimplyGo or a contactless bank card than with cash, while eligible students, seniors and passengers with disabilities receive concessionary rates.
The system covers regular public bus journeys across Singapore, including feeder and trunk services. Your final fare depends on the boarding and alighting points, payment method and eligibility for concessions. Below, you’ll find the 2026 fare structure, payment options, concession information, transfer conditions and ways to check the cost of a journey before boarding.

TL;DR: Bus fare Singapore at a Glance

Bus Fare Singapore — Quick Facts

• Adult card fares start at S$1.28 for journeys up to 3.2 km.
• Adult cash fares start at S$2.10 for the same distance.
• EZ-Link, SimplyGo and eligible contactless bank cards can be used for card payments.
• Eligible students, seniors, children and persons with disabilities may receive concessionary fares or free travel.
• The LTA Fare Calculator gives the card fare for a selected bus journey.Current fare rates apply until 25 December 2026. New adjustments begin on 26 December 2026.

Bus fare Singapore 2026: Prices by Distance

Singapore uses a distance-based fare system for basic public bus and train services. The fare is calculated from the total journey distance, so a longer ride generally costs more than a short trip. Feeder bus fares are capped at the 3.2 km rate, while express services have a separate, higher fare structure.
The table below shows adult fares for basic trunk bus services before the 26 December 2026 adjustment. Card prices increase gradually across distance bands, while cash fares use set price brackets. Public Transport Council

For example, a short neighbourhood ride of up to 3.2 km costs S$1.28 by card, compared with S$2.10 in cash. The exact card fare for a longer trip depends on its distance band. These figures are for basic trunk services, not express buses.

Bus Fare Singapore: Cash vs EZ-Link vs SimplyGo

You can pay for Singapore public buses with a stored-value travel card, an eligible contactless bank card or cash. Card payment is usually the cheaper option for adults. With EZ-Link or SimplyGo, tap when boarding and tap again when leaving the bus. Use the same card or device for both taps so the system can calculate the correct fare.
Contactless Visa, Mastercard, American Express and NETS cards are accepted where supported. Foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard cards incur an additional S$0.60 administrative fee per day of use. Cash passengers should tell the Bus Captain their destination and pay the exact fare; no change is given. Plan Your Journey+2

Payment method	How it works	Best suited for
EZ-Link	Tap the stored-value card when boarding and alighting	Regular commuters
SimplyGo	Use a supported card or mobile wallet	Frequent and occasional travellers
Contactless bank card	Tap an eligible bank card or device	Visitors and residents
Cash	Pay the exact fare to the Bus Captain	Occasional passengers

Bus fare Singapore for Students, Seniors and Children

Singapore has concessionary fares for eligible passenger groups. Students can use a valid Student Concession Card or School Smart Card, while senior citizens and eligible persons with disabilities can apply for their respective concession cards. The discount is applied when the correct card is used; paying cash does not automatically give you the card concession rate.
Children below seven years old and under 0.9 metres tall can travel free on basic bus and train services when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger. Children who are at least 0.9 metres tall and under seven may also travel free with a valid Child Concession Card. Public Transport Council+3

For basic trunk buses, current student card fares range from S$0.52 to S$0.78, while senior and PWD card fares range from S$0.69 to S$1.07. The applicable fare depends on the journey distance. Eligibility rules apply, so check the relevant concession card requirements before relying on a reduced fare. Public Transport Council+2

How to Calculate Bus Fare Singapore

The LTA Fare Calculator can estimate the card fare for a specific bus journey. You’ll need the bus service number and the stops where you plan to board and alight.

1. Open the LTA Fare Calculator.
2. Select Bus as the transport mode.
3. Choose your bus service number.
4. Enter your boarding bus stop.
5. Select your alighting bus stop.
6. Choose the relevant fare type and calculate the fare.
   The calculator can also include transfers between buses and MRT/LRT services. Its result is for card fares, so use the PTC fare table if you need to compare cash prices. Fare Calculator

Singapore Bus Transfer Rules: Do You Pay Again?

You may not have to pay a separate boarding fare when changing buses or moving between a bus and the MRT/LRT, provided the journey meets Singapore’s distance-fare transfer rules. The system calculates the total qualifying journey distance rather than treating every eligible connection as a completely new trip.
A journey must be completed within two hours from the first boarding, with no more than five transfers. Transfers between bus services, or between a bus and train, must take place within 45 minutes. You must use the same payment card or device, and the next bus cannot have the same service number as the previous one. Exiting and re-entering the same train station does not qualify. Public Transport Council+1
For example, if you take a feeder bus from your estate to an MRT station and continue by train, the system can calculate the combined journey fare when all conditions are met. A missed time limit or an invalid transfer can result in a new fare.

Bus fare Singapore for Tourists

Tourists can pay for public buses using an eligible contactless bank card, a SimplyGo EZ-Link card or cash. A foreign-issued Visa or Mastercard carries a S$0.60 daily administrative fee, so visitors staying several days may prefer a stored-value travel card.
The Singapore Tourist Pass offers unlimited travel on basic public buses, MRT and LRT services during its selected validity period. It does not cover every premium or express service. Cash is accepted, but it generally costs more than adult card payment. For a short visit with frequent public transport journeys, compare the pass price with the number of trips you expect to make. FAQs for Contactless Bank Cards+1

Singapore Bus Fare Increase 2026

The Public Transport Council announced the 2026 fare review on 29 September 2026. The new fares take effect on 26 December 2026. Until 25 December, the current fare table in this article applies. From the effective date, adult card fares rise by 12 cents for journeys up to 3.2 km and 13 cents for longer journeys. Public Transport Council

The adjustment applies per journey. If you commute daily, even a small fare change can add up across a month, so check the revised rates before planning your transport budget.

FAQs About Bus Fare Singapore

How much does a bus ride cost in Singapore?

Adult basic bus fares start at S$1.28 by card and S$2.10 in cash for journeys up to 3.2 km. Longer trips cost more, based on distance.

Is bus fare cheaper with EZ-Link in Singapore?

Yes. Adult card fares are lower than cash fares. EZ-Link, SimplyGo and eligible contactless bank cards use the card fare structure.

Can tourists pay cash on Singapore buses?

Yes. Tourists can pay cash to the Bus Captain, but should have the exact fare ready because no change is given.

Do you pay again when changing buses in Singapore?

Not always. Qualifying transfers are included under distance fares when the time, transfer and same-payment-medium rules are followed.

How can I check my Singapore bus fare?

Use the LTA Fare Calculator. Select the bus service, boarding stop and alighting stop to see the estimated card fare.

Are bus and MRT fares the same in Singapore?

Both use distance-based fares. The total cost depends on journey distance, passenger category and whether the journey meets transfer conditions.

Conclusion

Bus fare Singapore depend mainly on distance and passenger category. Paying by EZ-Link, SimplyGo or an eligible bank card usually costs less than cash, while concession cards reduce fares for eligible commuters. Check the latest PTC fare table before travelling, especially around the December 2026 adjustment.