Changi Airport taxi or private transfer? Fares compared
What a taxi from Changi costs once every surcharge is on the meter, and when a fixed price makes more sense.
What surcharges apply to a taxi from Changi Airport?
Four can apply, all set out by the Land Transport Authority, plus a fee if you book instead of joining the queue.
| Surcharge | When | How much |
|---|---|---|
| Changi Airport | Trips from the airport, 17:00 to 23:59 | S$8 |
| Changi Airport | At all other times | S$6 |
| Peak hours | Weekdays 06:00 to 09:29 (not public holidays), weekends and public holidays 10:00 to 13:59, and every day 17:00 to 23:59 | 25% of the meter |
| Late night | Every day, 00:00 to 05:59 | 50% of the meter |
| Booking fee | Booked by phone or app, outside peak hours | S$2.30 (S$2.50 with Prime) |
So a taxi you join at 18:00 pays the S$8 airport surcharge and 25% on the meter. One you join at 01:00 pays S$6, with half again on the meter.
How is the taxi meter worked out?
A standard taxi starts at S$4.40 to S$5.20 when you get in, depending on the company. After the first kilometre the meter adds 26 cents every 400 metres up to 10 km, then every 350 metres, plus 26 cents for every 45 seconds of waiting in slow traffic. Premium taxis start at S$5 to S$5.50, and each company sets its own fares within this (LTA).
What would your ride cost?
Pick when you leave the airport and where you're going.
Leaving Changi at 18:30 on a weekday, to Marina Bay: a taxi is likely S$30 to S$37. Our fixed price is S$110 for up to 5 guests.
Taxi from the rankOur estimate
- MeterAbout 20 km, up to 12 min in slow traffic
- S$17 to S$23
- Peak hours, 25% of the meter
- S$4 to S$6
- Changi Airport surcharge17:00 to 23:59
- S$8
- Likely total
- S$30 to S$37
Booked by phone or app instead? Add a booking fee from S$2.30.
Auspicious JourneysFixed when you book
- Airport arrival
- S$110
- Fixed price
- S$110
Meets you inside arrivals. 60 minutes' free waiting and ERP included.
The taxi side is our estimate from LTA's published fares and surcharges and typical road distances. Your meter may differ with traffic and route. Our side is the live price from our rate card.
What does a private transfer include?
One price, fixed when you book. With Auspicious Journeys that covers the car, your chauffeur and ERP, and at the airport your chauffeur meets you inside the arrival hall with your name. The first 60 minutes after landing are free; after that, waiting is S$15 for each started 15 minutes.
What changes the price is written down: S$20 for pickups from 23:00 to 06:59, S$15 on public holidays, S$10 for each child seat and S$20 for a stop on the way. Traffic and a late flight don't. Every rate is on our questions page.
Which is better for your arrival?
A taxi is hard to beat for one or two people with light bags in the daytime. The fixed price pulls ahead when:
- you land between 00:00 and 05:59, when the meter adds half again;
- you are four or five with cases: one Alphard takes 5 guests, with two large cases and cabin bags when every seat is full;
- the trip goes on a company account, with one statement a month;
- your guest should walk out to their name, not a queue.
For the MRT, bus 36 and ride-hailing too, read every way from Changi to the city.
From our own trips
Your price is set when you book. A two-hour delay doesn't change it.
We track every flight and move your chauffeur's meeting time to match. The 60 free minutes start when your flight actually lands.
Questions
Is there an airport surcharge on taxis at Changi?
Yes. Every taxi trip that starts at Changi Airport adds S$8 from 17:00 to 23:59 and S$6 at other times, according to LTA.
Is there a midnight surcharge on Singapore taxis?
Yes. From 00:00 to 05:59 the meter adds 50%, every day (LTA). Auspicious Journeys adds a flat S$20 for pickups from 23:00 to 06:59.
Is a private transfer more expensive than a taxi?
For one or two people, usually: a daytime taxi to the city is often under S$30 (our estimate), against our fixed S$110. For four or five with cases, or a landing after midnight, the gap narrows, and you are met inside arrivals.
Do I pay more if my flight is late?
Not with us. We track your flight, and the 60 free minutes start when it actually lands. A taxi meter only starts when you get in, but late-night surcharges may apply.
Sources
- Leaving Changi Airport: transport optionsChangi Airport Group. Accessed 09/10/2026.
- Taxi fares and payment methodsLand Transport Authority. Accessed 09/10/2026.
Prices for Auspicious Journeys come from our live rate card. Figures marked as estimates are ours.