Singapore, a city-state slightly larger than Seoul but smaller than Busan, boasts a well-developed public transportation system. Despite its compact size, exploring key areas in Singapore is easily achievable by relying on public transport, mainly the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) subway and buses.
To utilize public transportation, one can either pay with cash, use a reloadable card, or opt for cards like the Tourist Card, allowing unlimited rides for a specific duration. Below, I’ve summarized three transport cards available in Singapore, focusing this time on the second option, the “EZ-Link.”
- MRT Standard Card : Singapore Subway MRT Ticket: Standard Ticket
- EZ-Link Card : Singapore, Reloadable Transport Card ‘EZ-Link’
- Tourist Pass : Singapore, Unlimited Travel Card for Tourists ‘Tourist Card’
“EZ-Link: Reloadable Transport Card in Singapore”
In Singapore, not only are there unlimited travel cards designed for “travelers,” but there are also reloadable transport cards used by the general public. Comparable to South Korea’s “T-money” card, Singapore labels this card as “EZ-Link.”
Advantages of Singapore’s Transport Card, EZ-Link
Using EZ-Link has several advantages over cash payments. Firstly, it offers convenience by allowing you to handle all public transportation with a single card. Additionally, using EZ-Link for boarding provides discounted benefits, making public transportation more economical.
This discount is particularly beneficial when taking the bus. If you pay in cash for a bus ride in Singapore, you won’t receive change even if you overpay. This system resembles the old bus system in South Korea. However, when using the EZ-Link card, you don’t need to worry about not getting change.
Therefore, if you plan to stay in Singapore for an extended period, using EZ-Link or the Tourist Card would be more convenient.
“EZ-Link Card Price”
Now, let’s explore the cost of the EZ-Link card, Singapore’s reloadable transport card. The purchase price may vary depending on the seller, but when closely examined, it usually amounts to the same total.
If bought at an MRT or bus transfer station, it can be purchased for a total of 12 dollars. This includes a 5-dollar card fee, with a basic charge of 7 dollars or 5 dollars. Therefore, you have 7 dollars to use freely. The 5 dollars are the card purchase amount, and this cannot be refunded.
If purchased at a 7-Eleven, it can be bought for a total of 10 dollars. In this case, the card price is 5 dollars, and the charge is 5 dollars. The prices differ slightly, but in the end, they have the same structure.
“EZ-Link”
- Card Price: 5 dollars (approximately 4,000 won)
- Basic Charge: 5 dollars or 7 dollars
- Card Refund: Only the remaining charge can be refunded (Note: Some places may collect the card while others may not.)
Regarding EZ-Link, we can summarize as mentioned above. It’s worth noting that you can potentially receive a refund later. If you choose to refund the card, however, the 5-dollar card purchase fee cannot be returned. The remaining balance on the card can be refunded.
Depending on the ticket office, there may be places that return the refunded card and places that don’t. Therefore, if you want to keep the card as a souvenir, it’s advisable to inquire about it before the refund.
“EZ-Link Card Purchase Locations”
As mentioned earlier, you can purchase the EZ-Link card at 7-Eleven and MRT stations. When buying at a subway station, you can get it at the Ticket Office. Here are the details of some major stations with Ticket Offices and their operating hours:
- Changi Airport: 8:00 – 16:00 / 17:00 – 21:00
- Orchard: 10:00 – 21:00
- Chinatown: 12:00 – 15:45 / 16:45 – 19:30
- City Hall: 9:00 – 21:00
- Raffles Place: (Weekdays) 8:00 – 21:00 / (Saturday) 8:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Sundays/Public Holidays)
- Ang Mo Kio: 8:00 – 21:00
- Harbourfront: 10:00 – 21:00
- Bugis: 10:00 – 21:00
- Jurong East: 12:00 – 15:45 / 16:45 – 17:30
- Bayfront: 12:00 – 15:45 / 16:45 – 20:00 (Operational only on weekends and public holidays)
- Lavender: 12: 00 – 15:45 / 16:45 – 17:30
- Farrer Park: 12:00 – 15:45 / 16:45 – 19:30
- Somerset: 10:00 – 14:00 / 15:00 – 18:00
“If Not Refunding the Card Before Returning to Your Home Country”
Suppose you return to your home country without refunding the EZ-Link card. In that case, you can still use the card if you visit Singapore again within five years. If you plan to revisit Singapore in the future, keeping the card without refunding might be useful for your next trip.
In conclusion, we’ve explored the reloadable transport card in Singapore, EZ-Link. While the information may not be groundbreaking, it’s hoped to be helpful for those planning a trip to Singapore.