SINGAPORE: RECOMMENDED CHANGI AIRPORT TRANSFERS FOR BIG GROUPS

RECOMMENDED CHANGI AIRPORT TRANSFERS FOR BIG GROUPS 

Airport transfers for big groups is always a challenge. We decided to forego taking public transportation at Changi Airport Singapore because of our arrival time and location of our hotel, which included several transfers. Booking one grab car is not an option for our family of 6 because of luggage limits per car, even if all people will fit in it. We'll end up booking 2 grab cars which will amount to the same cost of pre-booking one vehicle for all 6 of us. So we decided to pre-book airport transfers for our family of 6.

For hassle free airport transfers at Changi Airport for big groups, we booked our airport transfers here: https://bit.ly/3NTvohW

In my experience, if you're arriving with a big group, it's best to book in advance for faster service. We booked this particular Vimo service through klook for 8 passengers with 8 pcs 24 inch luggage. We were picked up immediately at the arrival pickup area at Terminal 4. Service was seamless.

The great thing about booking at Klook is you actually know how many passengers and luggage will fit in the vehicle you booked. It avoids misunderstanding with the driver regarding how many people and luggage will be accommodated.

Do you have other suggestions for airport transfers for big groups? Please share in the comments section.

SINGAPORE: CHEAPEST AIRPORT TRANSPORT OPTION if you're landing at CHANGI AIRPORT at MIDNIGHT

SINGAPORE: CHEAPEST AIRPORT TRANSPORT OPTION if you're landing at CHANGI AIRPORT at MIDNIGHT

There are many reasons why Filipino passengers take late night flights to Singapore: 

1. To avoid taking leaves from work just to take the flight. 

- They can go to work during the day on a Friday, then take a late night flight to Singapore after work to spend the weekend there, then return early Monday morning to go to work. A lot of budget airlines allow you to do that. 

2. Red eye flights and late night flights are usually the cheapest flight. 

3. The earlier flight you booked was delayed. 

If you arrive at midnight, you have only 3 options because the MRT is closed by then and the last airport bus leaves the airport at 11pm. Operating hours of the MRT is from 530am to 12 midnight. 

These 3 options are:

1.Grab car

2. Klook pre-booked private airport transfers

3. Transport service at the ground transport concierge of the airport.

As you have seen in the above examples, the cheapest option is to  book Grab. 

Changi Airport Transportation for a Family of 6

Changi Airport Transportation for a Family of 6

Below are transportation options from Changi Airport to the city for a family of 6 or a group of 4 or more adults. Compare each to see what suits your situation based on cost or configuration of passengers.

7-seater Large Taxi / Maxicab

Fixed Fare: 

60 SGD for 7 persons

Maximum Number of Passengers Allowed

The maximum number of passengers allowed for a standard taxi in Singapore is as follows:

7 adults

6 adults + 1 child

4 adults + 3 children

4 adult + 4 children

3 adult + 6 children

2 adult + 7 children
1 adult + 9 children

Note: children are aged under 12 years old.

Source: Comfort Transportation and Citycab website

Where to find:

Arrivals hall ground transportation desk

Website: Changi airport ground transport desk

Advantages: 
1. Fare is fixed. 

2. Seven (7) adults can ride together in one vehicle. This is useful for those with young children in their group or senior citizens, where separating the group into 2 vehicles is not feasible.

3. Available 24 hours.

Disadvantage: 

More expensive than the other transportation options.

Taxi

Fare to Bencoleen Street: 

19.25 SGD per taxi

Checkout Singapore taxi fare calculator for your destination.

Maximum Number of Passengers Allowed

The maximum number of passengers allowed for a standard taxi in Singapore is as follows:

4 adults

3 adults + 2 children

2 adults + 3 children

1 adult + 4 children

6 children

Note: children are aged under 12 years old. Three children passengers below 12 years old is equivalent to 2 adults

Source: Comfort Transportation and Citycab website

Where to find:
The taxi stand is located just outside the Arrival Hall on Level 1 in Terminal 1 and at the end of the Arrival Hall on Level 1 in Terminal 2 (South Wing).

Advantage: 

1. Cheaper than the 7-seater maxicab. If you have more than 4 adults in your group, you can take 2 taxis and the fare will still be cheaper.

2. Available 24 hours.

Disadvantage: 

You need to separate your group if you have more than 4 adults in your group or more than the maximum capacity of the taxi shown above.

MRT

Fare: 
Tana Merah to Bras Basah:

2.20 SGD per person

Checkout SMRT Interactive Map and Train Fare Calculator

Where to find:

From arrival hall level 1, turn left to take the elevator to Level 2 for the Skytrain. Take the Skytrain from terminal 1 to terminal 2. Arrive at Terminal 2, Level 2. Proceed to the city train.

Sample trip from Tana Merah to Bras Basah:

Take the train from Changi airport to Tana Merah. From Tana Merah take the train to Joo Koon, get off at Paya Lebar. From Paya Lebar, take the train to Dhoby Gaut; get off at Bras Basah at Exit D going to Rendezvous Hotel beside Strand Hotel

Advantage: 

Cheapest compared to the taxi and maxicab. A little more expensive than the bus.

Disadvantage: 

1. You have to monitor the group at each in every stop or transfer to make sure everyone is with you. This is especially difficult if you have young children or senior citizens with you. 

2. You need to buy an ezlink card first to board the train.

3. Limited hours of service: First train is at 5:26 AM (Mon-Sat)/5:54 AM (Sun and public holidays. Last train is at 11:18 PM.

Bus

Fare: 

1.86 SGD per person (ezlink card), 2.40 SGD per person cash

Where to find:

At the Changi Airport basement bus bays of Terminals 1, 2, 3

Sample trip from the airport to Strand Hotel, Bencoolen Street

Take the bus from Changi airport bus terminal at the basement. Ride bus 36 and get off at SMU. Then walk 350 m. or about 4 minutes to Strand hotel

Advantage: 

1. Cheapest (if you use an ezlink card)
2. You ride only ONE bus to your destination, compared to the MRT where you transfer at different stations. 
3. If you're in a group, this may be a cheap way you can ride together to your destination, provided the bus is not filled up.

Disadvantage: 

1. The bus take longest to arrive at your destination. You have make around 22 stops from the airport to the city

2. You need to have exact fare because they do not give change.

3. Limited hours of service: First bus arrives at 6:00 AM. Last bus departs is at 12:00 MN

My tip if you decide to take the MRT or the bus:

Find out the walking distance from the last train stop or the last bus stop to your hotel. If you have teenaged kids, a 250 meter walk from the last train stop to the hotel while you have carry-on luggage is possible while a 550 meter walk from the last bus stop to the hotel entrance is too burdensome already so we decided to use the MRT.