Shuttle bus services in Singapore

Don’t let rising petrol prices, ERP gantries, and increased cab fares keep you from leaving the house. There are many shuttle bus services in Singapore out there that can get you to your favourite places from the heartlands and nearby MRT stations.

Are all shuttle bus services in Singapore free?

Shuttle bus services in Singapore are generally quite affordable, with many of them even being free for the general public.

As for the boarding procedures, some shuttle bus services work on a first-come, first-served basis, while others require you to book a seat online through an app. Don’t worry, we’ll mention exactly which services require booking as we go along.

Breakdown of shuttle bus services in Singapore

Not all of these services operate all day every day. To make things easy, we’ve provided a table breaking it down below.

Note: Information is accurate at the time of writing and may be subject to change.

1. Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Shuttles from Khatib MRT

Seeing the pandas at the Zoo is just a shuttle journey away.
Image credit: @mandaiwildlifereserve via Instagram

Mandai Wildlife Reserve is home to 5 nature and wildlife parks, namely the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise, and Rainforest Wild ASIA. To get there, just board the Mandai Khatib shuttle from Khatib MRT station. It runs daily and costs just $2.50 per trip, with kids under 7 riding for free.

On weekends and public holidays, you can also opt for the Mandai City Express, which picks up passengers from these hotels:

• Orchard Hotel
• Wheelock Place
• Hilton Plaza
• Rendezvous Hotel
• Raffles Hotel
• Suntec Hub

Find out more about Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s shuttle bus service.

2. IKEA Tampines

Free shuttles for your meatball, chicken wing & furniture fix

Image credit: IKEA

IKEA Tampines is a little off the beaten path, but the free shuttle services from Serangoon and Tampines MRT stations have got you covered. This branch is the biggest in Singapore, so you’ll have plenty of time to browse around and enjoy your favourite chicken wings and meatballs after shopping for furniture to deck out your new BTO.

Find out more about IKEA Tampines’s shuttle bus service.

3. Downtown East 

Daily shuttle from Pasir Ris MRT

Wild Wild Wet is a great place for an exciting outdoor adventure, especially during the school holidays. To make your trip hassle-free, hop on the free daily shuttle from Pasir Ris MRT to Downtown East – the mall and resort where the water park is. It runs daily from 11am-11pm.

Once done, you can swing by Pasir Ris Mall to refuel, since it has over 150 shops to choose from.

Find out more about Downtown East’s shuttle bus service.

4. Sentosa

Free shuttles within the island

Image credit: @taureantraveler via Instagram

If you’re planning a weekend getaway without having to dust off your passport, Sentosa is a great place to hang out. There are 3 free shuttle bus loops within the island connecting hotspots like Beach Station, Fort Siloso, and Village Hotel. The shuttles run daily, but be sure to check the respective sections for timings and exact pick-up and drop-off locations.

Find out more about Sentosa’s shuttle bus service.

5. HarbourFront 

Free shuttles from Sentosa from Fridays to Sundays

No more having to pay surcharged prices or heck, any prices at all.
Image credit: Grab

We’ve all been there –  the fun from a day out in Sentosa dies down and you’re hit with the reality of booking a ride home during peak hours. Fret not, as Grab has recently launched a free shuttle bus service that operates from Sentosa to HarbourFront Bus Interchange.

Find out more about Grab’s shuttle bus services and updated pick up and drop-off points.

6. Sembawang Shopping Centre 

Daily buses to this eclectic mall in the North

Image credit: Wikipedia

Sembawang Shopping Centre may be tucked away in a quiet private estate up north, but it’s well worth the trip. This heartland mall has a diverse mix of shopping, dining, education, and fitness stores. Hop on their free shuttle buses, which run daily on weekdays from Sembawang MRT and residential areas around Yishun.

On weekends and public holidays, there are additional routes covering Woodlands and Canberra, as well as lunchtime weekday routes to and from office and industrial areas in those same areas.

Find out more about Sembawang Shopping Centre’s shuttle bus service.

7. Hospital shuttles  

Free shuttles from MRTs for convenient check-ups & visits

Image credit: Singapore General Hospital

If you have a checkup or need to visit a relative at a hospital, using their free shuttle bus services can make your journey more convenient and cheaper. Make sure you check their respective websites for exact timings and pick-up/drop-off locations:

• Singapore General Hospital (SGH): From Outram Park MRT station to various locations in the huge SGH campus. It also operates a free wheelchair shuttle service for those with mobility issues.
• Alexandra Hospital (AH): From Queenstown MRT station and AH; and another between National University Hospital and AH.
• Changi General Hospital (CGH): From Simei MRT and CGH’s Main Building, and another stop at The Integrated Building.
• Institute of Mental Health (IMH): From Hougang MRT station and Buangkok Green Medical Park.
• Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH): From Yishun Bus Interchange, Yishun MRT and KTPH.
• Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH): Within the HealthCity Novena campus.
• Thomson Medical Centre (TMC): From Thomson Medical Centre and Novena MRT Station.
• KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH): From Novena and Bugis areas to the hospital.
• Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC): From Outram Park MRT and SNEC.

8. Changi Airport 

Free shuttles on weekdays during lunch time

Image credit: Changi Airport

For Easties or employees in the Changi Business Park district looking for a change of scenery during their lunch break, hop on the free shuttle bus service to Changi Airport. It runs on weekdays from 11.30am-2.30pm, and stops at Terminals 2, 3, and 4. The “catch” is that you must be a Changi Rewards member. Signing up is free, and can be done easily on their website.

For weekend getaways right after work, just board their shuttle bus service to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, aka the getaway to beautiful beach destinations like Batam and Bintan. A one-way ticket will set you back $5, and you can purchase them on the City Shuttle website.

Find out more about Changi Business Park and Changi Airport’s shuttle bus services.

9. Marine Parade

Connects to markets, polyclinics & food centres in the neighbourhood

Image credit: Dr Tan See Leng

Residents from Marine Parade GRC – which encompasses Kembangan-Chai Chee, Geylang Serai, Braddell Heights and Joo Chiat – as well as Mountbatten SMC and MacPherson SMC – can make full use of the WeCare Shuttle Service. The service operates a fleet of 7 buses that ferry residents to places like polyclinics, hawker centres, and MRT stations.

Some noteworthy places to check out along the route include Kinex Mall, Haig Road Food Centre, and Marine Terrace MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line.

Find out more about Marine Parade’s shuttle bus services.

Best shuttle bus services in Singapore

Singapore may be a relatively small island with a good public transport system. But there are some places that are still a little hard to get to, and it’s always great to be able to save time and money by taking a more direct route to your destination.For more cool hacks, check out:

• Free parking in Singapore
• MRT hacks
• Hacks to use in Singapore

Cover image adapted from: Tiquets, Wikipedia, IKEA, The Smart Local
Originally published on 31st March 2022. Last updated by Syahiran Sean on 6th May 2025.