How to Pay in Singapore

Singapore is one of the world's most cashless societies. Most hawker stalls, shops, and transit systems accept QR or contactless payment. Download Grab and SimplyGo before you land, and you'll cover 80% of your daily needs.

Payment & Finance Apps

SimplyGo

Singapore's official transit payment app from the Land Transport Authority. Track your MRT and bus fares whether you tap an EZ-Link card or your own contactless bank card.

Pro tip: You can tap a foreign contactless Visa or Mastercard straight at MRT gates with no setup, but foreign cards pay a S$0.60 daily admin fee. Riding a lot on a longer stay? An EZ-Link card avoids that fee and earns transfer rebates.

App Store Play Store

DBS PayLah!

The wallet Singaporeans use for PayNow transfers and SGQR codes at hawker stalls, taxis and shops. Run by DBS, Singapore's largest bank.

Pro tip: PayLah! and PayNow require a Singapore bank account, so tourists cannot realistically sign up. At hawker centres the SGQR codes mostly serve local apps, but many stalls now take contactless cards too, and cash still works everywhere.

App Store Play Store

App details

SimplyGo in other countries DBS PayLah! in other countries

These apps need data

Guac eSIM covers Singapore with plans from $1.50 per GB. Install it before you land and activate instantly.

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