Singapore Tourist Pass vs EZ Link: 7 differences explained
The Singapore Tourist Pass advertised heavily as you first step off the plane and enter Singapore, with its offers of unlimited travel and a stack of perks and discounts. EZ Link is the regular prepaid travel card that people use in Singapore, so you might be wondering what the differences are: That’s why I put together this guide to list the differences between Singapore Tourist Pass and EZ Link.
The biggest difference between the Singapore Tourist Pass and an EZ Link card is the unlimited rides feature of the Singapore Tourist Pass. For a daily charge, the Singapore Tourist Pass provides you with an unlimited number of rides on buses and trains across Singapore.
Here are a few things the Singapore Tourist Pass has in common with an EZ Link card:
- Underlying technology - both use the same chip and reader technology
- Who can buy - both cards can be purchased by anyone, you don’t have to be a local to buy an EZ Link card
- Topping up
In this guide I’ve gone into further detail on the differences between STP and EZ Link to help any visitor to decide if they should buy a Singapore Tourist Pass.
If you’re interested in the how much you can save with the Singapore Tourist Pass I wrote a whole guide to that here: reachingsingapore.com/is-stp-worth-it
Note: The Singapore Tourist Pass is different from the SG Tourist Pass; the biggest differences are that you do not need a deposit when buying the SG Tourist Pass, and that you can only buy the SG Tourist Pass from Cheers outlets at Changi Airport. Otherwise the SG Tourist Pass functions as a 3-day Singapore Tourist Pass.
1. Additional cost
The upfront cost of the Singapore Tourist Pass is higher than an EZ Link Card.
| Card | Initial Purchase Price |
|---|---|
| EZ Link (with S$5 credit) | S$10 |
| 1-Day Unlimited Rides | S$22 |
| 2-Day Unlimited Rides | S$29 |
| 3-Day Unlimited Rides | S$34 |
Note that some stores may charge more than S$10 for an EZ Link card (it still only comes with S$5 credit). MRT stations, including Changi Airport station, sell the card for S$10.
A refundable deposit of S$10 is included in that initial purchase price of the Singapore Tourist Pass. It can be claimed by taking your pass to a SimplyGo ticket office. The most convenient SimplyGo ticket offices are located at Changi Airport, Orchard, Raffles Place, and City Hall MRT stations.
NOTE: SimplyGo ticket offices only issue refunds during customer service hours (e.g. for Changi Airport this is 8am to 9pm daily). Please bear this in mind if you are flying late or early in the day. A full list of ticket offices and their hours can be found here.
You also need to refund your pass within 6 days of your initial purchase of it (including the day you bought it on).
2. Only available for purchase in limited locations
The Singapore Tourist Pass is not available for purchase in as many locations as the EZ Link card. That said, you can buy a Singapore Tourist Pass from MRT stations which are located extensively island wide.
The difference in purchase locations between the EZ Link and the Singapore Tourist Pass is outline below:
| Location | EZ Link | Singapore Tourist Pass |
| SimplyGo ticket offices | YES | SOME |
| Convenience store (e.g. 7/11) | YES | NO |
| Retail shops (e.g. SIM card shops) | YES | NO |
There are also dedicated vending machines for EZ Link (shopping malls and bus interchanges) and Singapore Tourist Pass (Changi Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, and Orchard MRT station).
Note that the SG Tourist Pass is different to the Singapore Tourist Pass; the SG Tourist Pass can only be purchased at Cheers outlets located in the airport.
3. Offers unlimited rides
The defining feature of the Singapore Tourist Pass is that it offers unlimited rides on MRT, LRT, and buses across Singapore (with a few exceptions - see below). Normal EZ Link cards can never have this unlimited rides feature added.
Unlimited rides includes all MRT journeys, all LRT journeys, and most bus journeys in Singapore. Notable exceptions are the Sentosa Express, the RWS buses, and express buses (marked with an e after their route - express buses typically only run during peak hours).
A typical public transport journey in Singapore costs between S$1.10 and S$2.00 depending on distance travelled. If you take half a dozen of these in a single day then you might find the Singapore Tourist Pass unlimited rides feature to be worth it.
Unlimited rides might not be worth it depending on how far you plan to travel over 2 or 3 consecutive days (I’ve never found the 1-Day pass to be worth it). Check out my guide here for more detail about how much travel you have to do to make the Singapore Tourist Pass worth it: reachingsingapore.com/is-stp-worth-it
4. Cannot be used on the Sentosa Express
The Singapore Tourist Pass does not include rides on the Sentosa Express, while EZ Link cards are valid for use on the Sentosa Express.
Connecting the HarbourFront station with Sentosa island, the Sentosa Express is Singapore’s only monorail. It costs S$4 for the short ride on the monorail.
The Sentosa Express accepts the following payment methods:
- EZ Link
- Visa or MasterCard
- American Express
These cards can be tapped on readers at the station entrance to ride the monorail. Tickets can also be purchased online.
Notably, Singapore Tourist Pass is not accepted as a payment method.
If you add value to your Singapore Tourist Pass card, that value can be spent on the Sentosa Express. Value can be added at MRT stations, ticketing offices are probably the easiest way to do it.
I have it on good authority that the Sentosa Express will be replaced “soon” (10 years?) with a tram - so get in and ride it while you can!
5. Has a refundable deposit
When you first buy a Singapore Tourist Pass, the purchase price includes a refundable deposit. This means that you can get back the deposit by returning the card.
The deposit is currently S$10. Meaning that the S$22 1-Day Pass will only have cost you S$12 when you refund the S$10 deposit.
There are some conditions to getting the deposit back:
- Must be returned at a SimplyGo ticketing office
- Must be within 6 days of the original purchase (including the day of purchase)
- Unused unlimited rides value is not refunded (e.g. if you buy a 3-Day Pass but only use 2 days, the remaining day is not refunded)
Singapore Tourist Pass claims every ticketing office, during its hours of service, will refund the deposit for a Singapore Tourist Pass. I only have limited experience with refunding deposits, so I can only confirm Changi Airport ticketing office does. In general, ever MRT station has a ticketing office. Hours vary and refund requests must be made during that office’s hours. The full list can be found here).
I don’t often recommend the Singapore Tourist Pass to visitors because of the inconvenience of getting the deposit back. The small savings the Singapore Tourist Pass can generate for you would be entirely wiped out if you do not return the card to get the deposit back.
EZ Link does not have a refundable deposit. The card fee paid when purchasing an EZ Link card is not refundable. The balance on an EZ Link card should be refundable, and this can be done at any ticketing office (MRT stations).
6. Does not come with an initial balance
The Singapore Tourist Pass does not have an initial balance loaded onto the card, unlike an EZ Link card which comes with S$5 of credit.
When first purchased the Singapore Tourist Pass only has the specified number of unlimited days travel applied. It does not have any cash balance.
EZ Link cards, when they are first purchased, come with an S$5 balance that can be used immediately to pay for public transport and small purchases (e.g. convenience stores).
Singapore Tourist Pass AND EZ Link can both be topped up with additional credit. The Singapore Tourist Pass in this way functions like the EZ Link card, where it can be topped up and have its value spent.
Unlimited travel days CANNOT be added to a Singapore Tourist Pass. If you need more unlimited travel (I was exhausted enough after 1 day, I can’t imagine anyone wanting more than 3…) then you will have to buy a new Singapore Tourist Pass.
7. Includes perks and discounts
Discounts on attractions around Singapore are available when you present a Singapore Tourist Pass. These discounts are not available with an EZ Link card.
Some of the discounts available with the Singapore Tourist Pass include:
| Activity | Discount |
|---|---|
| Hell’s Museum | 10% off ticket price |
| Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck | S$4 off admission |
| Singapore Cable Car | 25% off round trip ticket |
| Wildlife Parks | S$7.50 off when bought with a full-priced adult |
If Hell’s Museum sounds intriguing, I rated it as NUMBER 1 on my list of TOP museums in Singapore. Check out the full list here for more details: reachingsingapore.com/top-rated-museums
Wildlife parks include the Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Bird Paradise. The Bird Paradise is my personal favourite and I highly recommend every get out there to check it out! Tickets to the Bird Paradise normally cost S$49 for an adult before discount, and S$34 for a child.
For making bookings using the Singapore Tourist Pass discount make sure you check out their website here.
References and Further Reading
Throughout this guide I made reference to information published on the Singapore Tourist Pass website, you can find that website here.
Interested in knowing more about whether or not the Singapore Tourist Pass is worth it? I generally don’t recommend it for most people, but check out my guide here to help you figure out if it is worthwhile for you: reachingsingapore.com/is-stp-worth-it
Need help getting around Singapore? Check out my complete guides to train, bus, and taxi (costs included).
