Singapore taxis are operated by seven main taxi fleets and a handful of licensed, private companies. Taxis in Singapore can be flagged down at the roadside, caught at designated taxi stands outside of shopping centers and other public buildings, or booked via telephone or SMS at an extra booking fee of $2.50-5.20, depending on your location and how far in advance you wish to book. You’ll be told the exact fare at time of booking. Public taxi stands are always marked by clear signage, and standing queues also usually make them pretty obvious.
In the CBD, special circumstances apply to taxis. On Mondays to Saturdays 7am to 10pm, taxis are not allowed to stop in most roads in the CBD to pick up passengers. Therefore the only way to get a taxi in the CBD during the stipulated hours is to wait at a taxi stand or book a taxi.
Comfort Cab and CityCab are two taxi operators belonging to the same parent company, ComforDelgro corporation. It is the biggest operator in Singapore with a fleet of more than 15,000 blue taxis. It is also the most high-tech group, with an efficient booking system, credit card / NETS payment, and tourist navigation systems for the passenger in the rear seat (in newer cabs).
Booking Hotline: 6552 1111, Website: http://www.cdgtaxi.com.sg
The rest of the operators offer relatively small fleets and mostly take only cash payment:
| Advance Booking | Phone Numbers |
|---|---|
| Dial-A-Cab | +65 6342 5222 |
| Comfort Taxi | +65 6552 1111 |
| Comfort Premier Cabs | +65 6552 2828 |
| SMRT Taxis | +65 6555 8888 |
| Smart Cab | +65 6485 7777 |
| TransCab | +65 6555 3333 |
| Premier Taxis | +65 6363 6888 |
| Prime Taxi | +65 6778 0808 |
| Yellow-Top Taxi | +65 6293 5545 |
| Uber | Taxi booking app |
The Land Transport Authority has also implemented a one number booking for all taxi services (excluding Uber). The Dial-A-Cab number 6342 5222 can be used universally as it is linked to all the cab company databases and will ensure the cab’s arrival in the shortest possible time.
Telephone bookings usually bring a car to your location within 5-10 minutes, unless you are calling during peak hours or in bad weather. There are surcharges for advanced bookings:
| Booking fees | Normal | Limousine | Chrysler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon – Fri: 6.00am to 9:30am | $3.30 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Mon – Sun & Public Holidays: 6.00pm to midnight | $3.30 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| All other times (including Sat, Sun & Public Holidays) |
$2.30 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Advanced Bookings (at least half an hour in advance) |
$8.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 |
Rates are as follows:
| Basic fare | Normal | Limousine | Chrysler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flag-Down (inclusive of 1st km or less) | $3.00-$3.40 | $3.90 | $5.00 |
| Every 400m thereafter or less up to 10km | $0.22 | $0.30 | $0.33 |
| Every 350 metres thereafter or less after 10 km | $0.22 | $0.30 | $0.33 |
| Every 45 secs of waiting or less | $0.22 | $0.30 | $0.33 |
If you wish to transport an animal it is best to book a taxi and to inform the operator that you have an animal, as religious beliefs entail that some drivers do not wish to allow animals in their car, especially dogs.
Seatbelts are mandatory in taxicabs.
Limousine / Chauffered Services
Limousine cabs and ‘Maxicabs’ offer nicer or larger vehicles for both short trips and hourly, daily, or weekly bookings. Maxicab service, available through a number of companies including Limousine Cab, offers vans well suited for larger groups or trips to and from the airport.
- Limousine Cab: 6535 3534
- Ultima Luxury: 3150 0190
- Urban Spirit: 6323 7166
- Anglo-American: 6336 7689
- Canary Agencies: 6741 2092
- Friendly Limo: 6736 0477
- Global Mirage: 6220 9303
- HL Limousine: 9740 7371
- Imperial Limo: 6734 0428
- Limousine Fleet: 9276 0003
- Lion Tourist Svcs: 6733 9897
- R&K Limousine: 9182 9498
- Roset Limousine: 6425 9193
- Royal Limousine: 6532 2666
- Limo Maxi: 9008 7079
