Singapore: EZ-Link Card Airport Pickup & MRT Transit Pass

3.00

(3 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I almost walked straight past the Changi Recommends counter after my flight — I was bleary-eyed and just wanted to find coffee. But then I remembered everyone online saying to grab an ez-link card first thing in Singapore. The lady at the counter smiled when I fumbled with my booking confirmation (“Long flight?” she asked), and handed me this slim little card that locals seem to treat like a house key.

The first time I tapped it at the MRT gate, there was this tiny beep — barely a sound — and the barrier slid open in less than a second. No paper tickets, no coins, just a smooth shuffle into the cool, humming station. It’s weird how something so simple can make you feel like you’re not just visiting but actually living here for a bit. I saw school kids tapping their cards without even looking up from their phones, aunties carrying groceries doing the same. The whole city moves on these cards.

I didn’t expect to use it for snacks too (the curry puff stand near Bugis let me pay with ez-link; Li laughed when I tried to say “thank you” in Mandarin — probably butchered it). Topping up was easy enough at the SMRT station machines, though I did have to ask a staff member for help because my brain was still jetlagged. She didn’t mind, just pointed out which button to press and gave me a thumbs up.

Honestly, it’s not glamorous or anything — but having that ez-link card from the airport meant I never had to stress about change or tickets or missing a bus because I couldn’t figure out payment. It’s one of those small things that makes traveling in Singapore feel less like work and more like… well, being part of the city for a few days. Still think about how easy it all felt.