Late-Night Transport Guide: Getting Home After Midnight

The Reality: Singapore is NOT a 24-Hour Public Transport City

Let's address the elephant in the room: Singapore does not operate 24-hour public bus services. The famous NightRider bus routes (NR1 through NR8) were discontinued in 2022 due to low ridership, leaving a significant gap in late-night public transportation options.

While this might disappoint those hoping for comprehensive late-night bus coverage, understanding your actual options—and planning accordingly—will save you both money and frustration when the clock strikes midnight.

What Happened to NightRider Buses?

From 2009 to 2022, Singapore operated eight NightRider routes (NR1-NR8) that served various heartland areas after the MRT stopped running. However, consistently low ridership—averaging just 30-40 passengers per bus on most routes—led to their discontinuation in 2022.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) cited changing commuter patterns and the rise of ride-hailing services as key factors. While the government remains open to proposals from private operators for new late-night services, none have materialized as of 2025.

Current Late-Night Transport Options in 2025

Private Late-Night Bus Services (Limited Operation)

Two private bus services currently operate, but with VERY limited schedules:

NS-1 (NightLink Service 1)

Route: City (Orchard/Somerset area) to selected northern heartlands
Operating Days: Friday nights, Saturday nights, and eve of Public Holidays ONLY
Hours: Approximately midnight to 2:30 AM
Fare: Around SGD 5-7 (significantly more expensive than regular buses)
Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes (limited departures)

NS-2 (NightLink Service 2)

Route: City areas to selected eastern and western heartlands
Operating Days: Friday nights, Saturday nights, and eve of Public Holidays ONLY
Hours: Approximately midnight to 2:30 AM
Fare: Around SGD 5-7
Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes

Important Note: These services are operated by private companies (not SBS Transit or SMRT), so they do NOT accept regular bus cards or SimplyGo. Cash payment or specific payment methods required. Check current operators for exact details.

Late-Running Regular Bus Services

While not true night buses, several regular bus services operate until midnight or later:

Bus 36 - The Airport Connection

Operating Hours: 6:00 AM - Midnight
Route: Sims Avenue through city center to Changi Airport (all terminals)
Last departures: Around 11:30-11:45 PM from city areas
Useful for: Airport workers, late arrivals, those along the route

Bus 960 - North-South Express

Operating Hours: Until approximately 11:30 PM - Midnight
Route: Woodlands to Marina Centre (express service)
Last departures: Around 11:15 PM from terminals
Useful for: Northern residents working late in the city

Strategy: If you can leave your destination by 11:00-11:30 PM, you can still catch these late-running regular buses home. Check the BusGoWhere app for exact last bus timings from your specific stop.

Ride-Hailing Services: The Primary Late-Night Option

Since the end of NightRider services, ride-hailing has become the de facto late-night transport solution for most Singaporeans.

Grab

Availability: 24/7, extensive driver network
Service Types: GrabCar, GrabShare (if available late night), GrabCar Plus
Typical Fares (after midnight):
- Short trip (5km): SGD 12-18
- Medium trip (10km): SGD 20-30
- Long trip (20km): SGD 35-50
Surge Pricing: Expect 1.5x-2.5x surge after midnight, especially Friday/Saturday nights and after major events

Gojek

Availability: 24/7
Service Types: Similar to Grab with multiple car categories
Typical Fares: Comparable to Grab, sometimes slightly lower
Surge Pricing: Also applies surge pricing during high-demand periods

Tada

Availability: 24/7 but smaller driver network
Pricing: Often competitive with Grab/Gojek
Caveat: Fewer drivers available late night; longer wait times possible

Cost-Saving Tips for Ride-Hailing:

• Compare prices across all three apps before booking (prices can vary significantly)
• Share rides with friends heading the same direction to split costs
• If possible, wait 15-30 minutes for surge pricing to decrease after major event ends
• Book from a nearby hotel or major landmark rather than event venue to potentially avoid surge zones

Taxis: The Traditional Fallback

Availability: 24/7 at taxi stands, via street hail, or booking apps
Midnight Surcharge: 50% surcharge added to metered fare from midnight to 6:00 AM
Typical Fares (with surcharge):
- Short trip (5km): SGD 10-15
- Medium trip (10km): SGD 18-25
- Long trip (20km): SGD 30-45

Where to Find Taxis:

• Major taxi stands at Orchard Road, Marina Bay, shopping malls
• Hotels (usually have dedicated taxi queues)
• Street hail along main roads (less common late night)
• ComfortDelGro, SMRT Taxis, and other operator apps

Taxi vs Ride-Hailing Cost Comparison:
Taxis often cost similar or slightly less than Grab/Gojek during high surge periods. During normal surge (1.5x or less), ride-hailing is typically cheaper.

Special Case: Getting Home from Changi Airport After Midnight

If you arrive at Changi Airport after the MRT has stopped (last trains around midnight), your options are:

1. Ride-Hailing: Grab/Gojek pickup at designated zones (SGD 25-50 to city depending on destination)
2. Taxi: Dedicated taxi queue (SGD 20-45 with midnight surcharge plus airport surcharge)
3. Wait Until MRT Opens: First trains start around 5:30-6:00 AM; airport terminals open 24/7 with seats, charging points, and amenities
4. Airport Hotel: If arrival is very late (2-4 AM), sometimes a transit hotel makes sense vs expensive late-night ride

Money-Saving Hack: If you arrive around 11:30 PM - midnight, you might catch the last MRT trains home. Check the train operating hours against your arrival time.

Alternative Strategies for Late-Night Situations

1. Plan Your Exit Timing

If the event/activity ends around 11:00-11:30 PM, leaving 15-20 minutes early can get you on the last regular buses or MRT trains home, saving SGD 15-30 in ride-hailing costs.

2. Strategic Accommodation

For very late nights (after 2:00 AM), consider:

• Budget hotels near entertainment districts (SGD 40-80/night) vs SGD 30-50 ride-hail home
• Friend's place if they live centrally
• 24-hour establishments (though less common in Singapore than other Asian cities)

3. Group Cost-Sharing

If 3-4 friends live in the same general direction, sharing a 6-seater GrabCar or taxi can reduce individual costs to SGD 8-15 per person instead of SGD 25-40 solo.

4. Stay for Breakfast

If out past 3:00 AM, sometimes it makes sense to wait until 5:30-6:00 AM when:

• First MRT trains begin operating (around 5:30 AM on weekdays)
• First regular buses start their routes (5:00-5:30 AM)
• Surge pricing typically decreases significantly
• 24-hour food courts and hawker centers provide shelter and breakfast

Cost Comparison: Full Breakdown

Scenario: Getting home from Orchard Road to Tampines (15km) at 1:00 AM

The Harsh Truth About Late-Night Costs

Getting home after midnight in Singapore is expensive—there's no way around it. Where a daytime journey costs SGD 2, the same trip at 1:00 AM will cost SGD 20-50. This 10-25x price increase is the reality of limited late-night public transport.

Budget Accordingly: If you're planning a night out, factor in SGD 20-40 per person for late-night transport home. This realistic budgeting prevents the shock of seeing surge pricing when you're tired and just want to get home.

Future Prospects: Will Late-Night Buses Return?

As of 2025, the LTA has stated it remains open to new proposals from private operators for late-night bus services, but none have materialized. The economics are challenging:

• Low ridership (NightRider averaged 30-40 passengers per bus)
• High operational costs (driver wages, fuel, maintenance)
• Competition from ride-hailing services that offer point-to-point convenience
• Singapore's relatively compact size makes taxis/ride-hailing viable

The 2023 trial by private operator A&S Transit ended after six months without continuation, suggesting the business model remains difficult.

Practical Tips for Late-Night Travel

• Download Multiple Apps: Have Grab, Gojek, and Tada installed to compare prices
• Check Last Bus Times: Use BusGoWhere app to see if any regular buses still running
• Know Taxi Stands: Locate nearest taxi stand before going out
• Charge Your Phone: Essential for ride-hailing bookings
• Bring Cash: Some taxis and private bus services prefer cash payment
• Travel in Groups: Share rides to reduce individual costs
• Plan Ahead: Decide on transport strategy before drinking/partying
• Set Alerts: If trying to catch last bus/MRT, set phone alarm for departure time

Final Thoughts: Managing Expectations

Singapore's lack of comprehensive 24-hour public transport is one of the few areas where the city-state lags behind its never sleeps Asian counterparts like Seoul, Tokyo, or Hong Kong. While this is frustrating for night owls and late-shift workers, understanding the reality helps you plan better.

The key is expectation management and smart budgeting:

• Accept that late-night travel will cost significantly more
• Build transport costs into your night-out budget from the start
• Use ride-hailing price comparison to find the best deals
• Consider timing your departure to catch the last regular transport
• Share rides whenever possible to reduce individual burden

While we may hope for the return of affordable late-night bus services, the current reality requires adaptability and realistic financial planning. The good news? Singapore's ride-hailing services are reliable, safe, and available 24/7—you'll always get home, even if it costs more than you'd like.