INTRODUCTION:
In Singapore, taking a taxi is a quick, accessible, and convenient mode of transportation. It saves money, but when peak hours hit, your fare unexpectedly jumps! Why do you think this happens? As it seems to be a normal time, these unexpected costs can turn your smooth ride into a hard-to-handle, frustrating situation.
This occurs due to Singapore’s complex system of surcharges, which can be challenging to understand. They also apply to late-night hours, at airports, in central business districts, or when using ride-hailing apps or booking services, as well as during adverse weather conditions. It may also vary depending on the time of day and the day of the week. Skimming over the fare rules might lead to a pricey surprise.
But here is the good news! This guide will walk you through all the key surcharge periods, amounts, and smart tips to help navigate and avoid confusion. It is your go-to tool for unlocking peak-hour puzzles.
This guide clarifies:
- When peak hours apply and how to avoid them.
- How surcharges stack with other fees.
- Operator-specific rules
- Pro tips to save money during high-demand periods.
STANDARD PEAK HOUR TIMINGS
Peak hours are designated periods when taxi demand surges significantly.
A mandatory 25-35% surcharge is added to the metered fare, are added to incentivize drivers to operate and balance passenger demand during
Weekdays (MONDAY TO FRIDAY, excluding public holidays)
Time: 6:00 am to 9:29 am
5:00 pm to 11:59 pm
Weekends And Public Holidays
Afternoon: 10:00 am to 1:59 pm
Evening:5:00 PM to 11:59 pm ( varies by operator)
| TERM | DESCRIPTION |
| Peak Hours | Specific periods with high taxi demand during which surcharges apply. |
| Surcharge: | An additional fee (Percentage or flat rate) added to the standard meter fare during specific conditions (e.g., peak hours, late night, specific location).25% extra (Comfort DelGro)35% extra (Trans-Cab) |
| Metered Fare: | Metered Fare: The base fare is calculated based on distance travelled and waiting time. |
| Flag-Down Fare: | The initial fare charged at the start of the journey. (varies by operator)$3.90-$4.10 for most regular taxisShows on the meter immediately. |
Popular Taxi Operators in Singapore:
- ComfortDelGro (largest operator)
- SMRT Taxis ( Singapore Mass Rapid Transit)
- Prime Taxi
- Trans-Cab
- MaxiTaxi
- HDT Electric Taxi ( Premier electric cab
CURRENT PEAK HOURS ( 2024 Standards):
From LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY (LTA) and OPERATOR WEBSITES
| OPERATOR | MORNING PEAK | EVENING PEAK | WEEKEND PEAK |
| ComfortDelGro | 6am-9:30am | 6pm-midnight | 6pm-midnight |
| Trans-Cab | 7am-9:30am | 5pm-8pm | 6pm-midnight |
| City Cab | 6am-9:30am | 6pm-midnight | 6pm-midnight |
| SMRT Taxi | 6am-9:30am | 6pm-midnight | 6pm-midnight |
| Premier Taxis | 6am-9:30am | 6pm-midnight | 6pm-midnight |
Some limousine or premium taxi services may have fixed peak hour surcharges or flat fares
Types Of Taxi Fares:
In Singapore, taxi fares are typically calculated on a metered account. Taxi fares can vary based on the taxi company, type of vehicle, and additional surcharges. Here are the main components of taxi fares in Singapore.
FLAG-DOWN FARE:
- Standard Taxis (ComfortDelGro, Prime, SMRT)S$3.90-S$4.50
- Luxury/ Premium Taxis (Mercedes, London Cab)S$4.50-S$6.00
- Large Taxis (MaxiCab, Stretch Limo)S$6.00-S$10.00
DISTANCE FARE:
Charged per kilometre after the flag-down distance ( usually the first km)
- Standard Rate: S$0.22-S$0.30 per 400km (after first km)
- Premium Taxis: Higher per km rate.
WAITING TIME / TIME BASED FARE:
When the taxi is stuck in slow-moving traffic or comes to a stop.
- Standard Rate: S$0.22-S$0.30 per 45 seconds.
Types Of Taxi Surcharges In Singapore:
- PEAK HOUR SURCHARGE:
- Morning Peak (6:00 am – 9:30 am) 25% of metered fare.
- Evening Peak (6:00 pm – 12:00 am) 25% of metered fare.
Late Night (12:00 am – 6:00 am) 50% of the metered fare
LOCATION-BASED SURCHARGES:
- CBD (Central Business District) Pickup: S$3 (5 pm–12 am daily)
- Changi Airport Surcharge: S$8 Terminal Pickup. ( Friday –Sunday 5:00 pm-12:00 am)
Other times: S$6:00
- Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa: S$8:00 (7:00 am-11:00 am), 3:00 at all other times.
- Mandai Wildlife Reserve: S$3:00 for trips from (4:00 pm-12:00 pm)
ERP Charges:
Automatically added if your route passes through toll gantries.
ERP ( Electronic Road Pricing) is Singapore’s congestion management system that charges vehicles for using busy roads during peak hours.
ADVANCE AND SAME DAY BOOKING FEES:
Same-Day Booking (Immediate or Within the Day):
Approx. S$3.20 – S$8.00
· Advance Booking (For Next Day or Later):
Approx. S$8.00 – S$18.00
Usually higher due to priority scheduling.
ADDITIONAL PASSENGER AND LUGGAGE CHARGES:
Extra Passengers (More than four passengers):
Larger taxis (e.g., 7-seaters) may charge an additional S$2.00 to S$5.00 per person for each passenger beyond 4.
Oversized Luggage or Bulky Items:
Some taxis may impose a small additional fee for large or heavy items (e.g., bicycles, strollers, or large suitcases).
DYNAMIC PRICING ON RIDE-HAILING APPS:
Surge Pricing:
Platforms like Grab, Gojek, and CDG Zig employ dynamic pricing, where fares increase during peak hours, adverse weather conditions, or high demand, similar to Uber’s model.
| Surcharge Type | When Applied | Typical Charges |
| CBD Surcharge | Weekdays 6pm-12am | SGD3.00 |
| Airport Surcharge | All days | SGD 3-5 |
| Midnight Surcharge | 12:00 am– 6:00 am | 50% of metered fare |
| Advance Booking | More than 30 minutes in advance | SGD 8.00 (varies) |
| Current Booking | Immediate ride request | SGD 3.30 – 4.00 |
| ERP Charges | Based on ERP gantry charges during travel | Varies by route |
Payment Method for Fares:
1. Cash
- Singapore Dollars (SGD) only.
- Widely accepted by all taxis. NOTE: Ideal to carry small change.
2. Credit and Debit Cards
- Visa, Mastercard, and American Express (AMEX) are commonly accepted.
- Some taxis may charge an administrative fee (around 10%) for card payments.
- Not all taxis accept cards — look for the card payment decal on the vehicle.
3. Mobile Wallets / Contactless Payments
- PayNow, PayLah!
- NETS (via contactless or mobile)
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
- Availability may vary by taxi operator and driver
4. Taxi Booking Apps
- ComfortDelGro (CDG Zig)
- Grab
- Gojek
- These apps allow in-app payment using:
- Credit/debit cards
- GrabPay
- Google Pay / Apple Pay (via cards or wallet linked directly to app)
5. QR Code payment
- Increasingly common
- Scanned by PayNow or apps
6. EZ-LINK/NETS FlashPay
- On selected taxis
- Tap card like MRT; Confirm with driver first
Tips For Smooth Payment:
- Always check with the driver before starting your ride if you plan to use a card or PayNow.
- App rides are prepaid via your selected method and don’t require in-person transactions.
- Receipts are typically available upon request or automatically provided via apps.
- Some older taxis may have malfunctioning card readers, so it’s safe to carry cash.
- Tourists use Visa/ Master Card or PayNow, so no need to worry about local bank cards.
What passengers and drivers gain from peak pricing ( Win-Win ANGLE)
FOR PASSENGERS:
Ensures taxis are available when needed most.
Covers the driver’s time in heavy traffic.
FOR DRIVERS:
Extra pay for working busy shifts.
Compensates for slower trips during rush hours.
How are surcharges calculated?
Percentage-based:
Surcharges are calculated as a percentage of the total metered fare.
Example: If your metered fare is SGD 20 and you’re travelling during the evening peak hour (50%), you’ll pay a total of SGD 30.
Booking Apps (e.g., ComfortDelGro, Grab, Gojek) often show the estimated fare inclusive of all surcharges.
How will you know if surcharges apply?
1. The taxi meter will:
Show base fare first
Add surcharges automatically
Display final total
2. Booking apps will:
Show “Peak Surcharge” in price breakdown
Give a total estimate before you book
PRO TIP:
When Boarding, ask the driver, “Any surcharge now?” (if unsure)
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS: SINGAPORE TAXI FARE STRATEGIES
| FEATURE | MAXITAXI SG | COMFORTDELGRO |
| Business Type | Private, premium transport service | Traditional taxi operator |
| Peak Hour Surcharge | None (fixed-rate pricing by passes surcharges) | 25% added during:Weekdays 5:00PM -11:59PMWeekends/Public Holidays 10:00 AM–1:59 PM |
| Midnight Surcharge | None | 50% added from 12:00 AM–6:00 AM |
| Location-Based Surcharges | Avoided through direct service | Applied:Changi AirportMarina Bay Sands Mandai Wildlife Reserve |
| Payment Method Fees | +10% for credit card+$0.30 for NETS | Varies depending on card/payment method |
| Fare Transparency | High — fixed pricing shown before booking | Moderate –fare calculated based on meter, surcharges apply |
| Target Audience | Passengers seeking comfort, reliability, and fare certainty | Passengers relying on readily available, metered taxis |
| Competitive Strategy | Avoid surcharges entirely; promote comfort and predictability | Extend surcharge windows to meet peak demand and optimize revenue |
| Industry Alignment | Independent model not tied to traditional taxi trends | Followed by Prime Taxi,Stride Premier, TransCab |
Pro Tip
During peak hours, ride-hailing apps may offer lower fares than taxis—but not always.
Always compare before booking.
Real World Peak Hours Scenarios:
1. Smooth Travel
- Scenario: You’re leaving Marina Bay Sands after dinner.
- Use the ComfortDelGro app to book a taxi in seconds.
- The cab arrives on time and knows the fastest route.
- No detours, no surprises—just a direct drop-off at your destination.
- Outcome: Hassle-free journey with zero stress.
2. Affordable Travel
- Scenario: You need to reach Changi Airport on a weekday morning.
- Morning ride to Changi Airport.
- Book MaxiTaxi SG with a fixed-rate fare.
- Share the ride and split the fare for extra savings.
- Outcome: Predictable costs, budget-friendly trip.
3. Stress-Free Travel
- Scenario: You have an urgent meeting in the CBD during peak hours.
- Check real-time traffic and surcharge info on LTA’s site.
- Choose Grab for upfront pricing and live route tracking.
- No guessing about charges—fare and ERP shown in the app.
- Outcome: Controlled travel, clear expectations, calm arrival.
Tips for Travelling During Peak Hours:
Use Fare Comparison Apps
Apps like ComfortDelGro, Grab, and Gojek allow you to compare fares and view surcharges before booking.
Check Official Sources
Visit the Land Transport Authority (LTA) website or the pages of your taxi operator for the latest updates on surcharge timings and policies.
Account for Traffic Delays
Even if surcharge percentages are fixed, metered fares can increase due to traffic congestion and waiting time.
Understand Booking Fee Rules
Confirm whether booking fees apply based on the time of booking or the actual pickup time, as this can affect your total fare.
Save Peak Hour Timings
Keep a screenshot or note of current peak hour timings from a reliable source for quick reference during travel.
Consider Public Transport
MRT and buses are exempt from peak hour surcharges and can be a budget-friendly alternative during busy periods.
Watch for Stacked Surcharges
If you’re travelling from high-demand locations like Changi Airport or Marina Bay Sands, expect additional location-based surcharges on top of peak hour fees.
Common Myths About Peak Hours
❌ Myth: All Taxis Charge the Same Surcharge
Reality: Surcharge percentages and timings vary by operator.
❌ Myth: Ride-Hailing Is Always Cheaper
Reality: Surge pricing during peak demand can make ride-hailing more expensive than taxis.
❌ Myth: Surcharges Apply Only at Boarding
Reality: Some booking fees are based on pickup time, not when you book.
CONCLUSION:
In Singapore, one can save time and money by understanding surcharges and comparing ride options, using innovative tools. A little planning can lead to a cost-effective and smoother journey. It doesn’t have to be a guessing game! Instead, navigating Singapore’s taxi landscape is more about strategy, to ensure your journey is smooth, affordable and stress-free.
Ultimately, the choice between taxis and ride-hailing services during peak hours depends on your priorities: cost certainty, convenience, comfort, or availability.