Transportation in Singapore: Taking taxi
Few information about taking taxis in Singapore which may be useful for first-time visitors.
1. Maximum number of passengers
There are a limit of how many passengers can ride one taxi (yes, not like in Indonesia or other countries where there is a practice of squeezing as many as you can in one taxi). The maximum number of passengers in one Singapore taxi is as follows:
- 4 adults; or
- 3 adults + 2 children; or
- 2 adults + 3 children; or
- 1 adult + 4 children; or
- 6 children
Children here refers to kids under 12 years old.
2. Waiting area for taxi
While you can just simply wave for a taxi at some area in Singapore, most area needs you to queue for a taxi properly at the designated taxi stand. Especially in Orchard.
3. Difficult period to get a taxi
While it is relatively easy to get a taxi, there are some difficult timings to get a taxi. For instance:
- when it rains (cause everybody will start calling for a cab to avoid getting wet)
- peak morning hour i.e. 7 - 9 am on a weekday
- peak evening hour i.e. 6 - 7 pm on a weekday
4. Taxi fare
All taxis are metered in Singapore (not like those in Malaysia). If you flag down a taxi, you will be charged S$3.00 - S$3.40 immediately after you sit on that taxi seat. If you book a taxi, booking fees of S$2.30 - S$3.30 will be added to your taxi fare. If you do an advance booking (minimum 30 mins before taxi ride), advance booking fee of S$8.00 will be added to your taxi fare.
5. Taxi fare surcharge
If you take taxi from the places such as Changi Airport, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World of Sentosa, there will be surcharge ranging from S$3.00 to S$5.00.
6. Useful taxi booking application
ComfortDelGro Taxi Booking app -> for Comfort and City Cab
GrabTaxi Booking app -> this app is useful if you need taxi immediately as it works by contacting taxis located near your pick-up location, but you can't book via advance booking function for this app
Alternatively, you can book a taxi by calling 6552 1111 for Comfort and City Cab.
1. Maximum number of passengers
There are a limit of how many passengers can ride one taxi (yes, not like in Indonesia or other countries where there is a practice of squeezing as many as you can in one taxi). The maximum number of passengers in one Singapore taxi is as follows:
- 4 adults; or
- 3 adults + 2 children; or
- 2 adults + 3 children; or
- 1 adult + 4 children; or
- 6 children
Children here refers to kids under 12 years old.
2. Waiting area for taxi
While you can just simply wave for a taxi at some area in Singapore, most area needs you to queue for a taxi properly at the designated taxi stand. Especially in Orchard.
3. Difficult period to get a taxi
While it is relatively easy to get a taxi, there are some difficult timings to get a taxi. For instance:
- when it rains (cause everybody will start calling for a cab to avoid getting wet)
- peak morning hour i.e. 7 - 9 am on a weekday
- peak evening hour i.e. 6 - 7 pm on a weekday
4. Taxi fare
All taxis are metered in Singapore (not like those in Malaysia). If you flag down a taxi, you will be charged S$3.00 - S$3.40 immediately after you sit on that taxi seat. If you book a taxi, booking fees of S$2.30 - S$3.30 will be added to your taxi fare. If you do an advance booking (minimum 30 mins before taxi ride), advance booking fee of S$8.00 will be added to your taxi fare.
5. Taxi fare surcharge
If you take taxi from the places such as Changi Airport, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World of Sentosa, there will be surcharge ranging from S$3.00 to S$5.00.
6. Useful taxi booking application
ComfortDelGro Taxi Booking app -> for Comfort and City Cab
GrabTaxi Booking app -> this app is useful if you need taxi immediately as it works by contacting taxis located near your pick-up location, but you can't book via advance booking function for this app
Alternatively, you can book a taxi by calling 6552 1111 for Comfort and City Cab.