bento.travelBento
EssentialseSIMBlogAppsSuggestAbout
bento.travel

bento.travel

Know what to download before you land.

Instagram

Pages

AboutEssentialsGuidesCompareeSIMSuggestPrivacyGuac eSIM

Popular Guides

Ride Hailing in ThailandPayments in JapanRide Hailing in VietnamPayments in BrazilRide Hailing in IndiaTransit in South Korea

Regions

Southeast AsiaEast AsiaSouth AsiaMiddle EastEuropeLatin AmericaAfricaCaribbeanCentral AsiaOceaniaNorth America
bento
  1. Home
  2. Southeast Asia
  3. Singapore

Singapore

A cashless, hyper-connected city-state where the right apps unlock seamless travel

9 apps5 essentialSoutheast AsiaLast updated: July 2026

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.

The essentials

  • WhatsApp app iconWhatsAppMessaging
  • Google Maps app iconGoogle MapsNavigation
  • Grab app iconGrabSuper Apps
  • SimplyGo app iconSimplyGoTransit
  • MyTransport.SG app iconMyTransport.SGTransit
  • Food Delivery
  • Payments
  • Messaging
  • Navigation
  • Super Apps
  • Transit

Food Delivery1 app

View Food Delivery guide→
Foodpanda app icon

Foodpanda

Major food delivery platform alongside GrabFood, with local hawker-style meals, restaurants, and Pandamart grocery delivery.

Pro tip: Check both Foodpanda and GrabFood for the same restaurant. Prices and delivery fees can differ.

App StorePlay Store

Payments2 apps

View Payments guide→
SimplyGo app icon

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 StorePlay Store
DBS PayLah! app icon

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 StorePlay Store

Messaging2 apps · 1 essential

View Messaging guide→
WhatsApp app icon

WhatsAppEssential

The primary messaging platform for locals, businesses, hotels, and tour operators in Singapore.

Pro tip: Many hawker stalls take pre-orders via WhatsApp. Look for the number posted at the stall.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
Telegram app icon

Telegram

Widely used alongside WhatsApp for group chats and community channels with local deals and promos.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Navigation1 app · 1 essential

View Navigation guide→
Google Maps app icon

Google MapsEssential

Excellent coverage of Singapore's MRT lines, bus routes, and walking paths, including indoor mall connectors.

Pro tip: Models Singapore's underground MRT pathways. Useful for navigating between connected stations.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Super Apps1 app · 1 essential

View Super Apps guide→
Grab app icon

GrabEssential

Southeast Asia's dominant super app covering ride-hailing, food delivery, grocery runs, and GrabPay wallet. All in one.

Pro tip: Link an international Visa or Mastercard to GrabPay. It works instantly and is accepted at thousands of hawker stalls via QR code.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Transit2 apps · 2 essential

View Transit guide→
SimplyGo app icon

SimplyGoEssential

Official LTA app for Singapore's MRT and bus network. Link a contactless bank card to pay fares and track spending.

Pro tip: Tourists can tap their contactless Visa or Mastercard directly on fare gates without opening the app.

App StorePlay Store
MyTransport.SG app icon

MyTransport.SGEssential

LTA's official journey planner with real-time bus arrivals, MRT timetables, and crowdedness levels.

Pro tip: Use the Near You feature to instantly see approaching buses. Faster than searching bus stop codes.

App StorePlay Store

Internet in Singapore

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac app icon

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

App StorePlay StoreSee plans

Airalo

One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.

Holafly

Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.

Buying a local SIM card ID registration required

Registration
Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.
Tourist plans and prices
Airport tourist SIM includes 100 GB for 14 days and costs around 12 SGD.
Where to buy
Airport counters and city carrier stores are the easiest places to buy; confirm activation before leaving.
Airport prices
Airport and city prices are generally similar for official carrier offers.
Local eSIM
Local eSIM is available and follows the same identity rules as a physical SIM.

Good to know

Ask for the lower-cost tourist option instead of accepting the first premium bundle offered.

Local carriers

  • Singtel

    Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.

  • StarHub

    A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.

  • M1

    Good-value option when price matters most.

  • SIMBA

    Good-value option when price matters most.

Full SIM card and eSIM guide for Singapore→eSIM and SIM cards by country→
Sources and how current this is

Data checked July 2026

Source dates: Changi Airport official SIM page: undated, retrieved 30 Jul 2026 (OFFICIAL AIRPORT SOURCE) | M1 official Tourist SIM page: undated, retrieved 30 Jul 2026 (OFFICIAL CARRIER, source of the 30-day passport rule) | StarHub official Tourist SIM page: undated, retrieved 30 Jul 2026 (OFFICIAL CARRIER) | WhatsDaveDoing: ~25 Jul 2026 (FIRST-HAND, project-approved source) | Traveltomtom: 8 Jun 2026 | MoneyBees Singapore expat guide: 21 Jun 2026, cites IMDA and the 15 Jul 2024 date | Holafly: ~9 Jul 2026 (eSIM seller, used only as a cross-check)

Sources disagree: Registration practice or tourist eligibility still varies between published accounts. Quoted prices or bundle details vary by seller and may change at short notice.

Sources

  • changiairport.com
  • m1.com.sg
  • starhub.com
  • whatsdavedoing.com
  • traveltomtom.net
  • themoneybees.co
  • esim.holafly.com

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-have apps for traveling in Singapore?

The essential apps for Singapore are WhatsApp, Google Maps, Grab, SimplyGo, MyTransport.SG.

How many travel apps does Singapore have?

We've curated 9 apps across 6 categories for traveling in Singapore, including 5 essential apps.

What is the best food delivery app in Singapore?

Foodpanda is the top-rated food delivery app in Singapore. Major food delivery platform alongside GrabFood, with local hawker-style meals, restaurants, and Pandamart grocery delivery.

Keep exploring

How to Pay in Singapore

Payment apps and cashless travel tips

Traveling to Singapore from abroad?

United States → SingaporeUnited Kingdom → SingaporeGermany → SingaporeAustralia → SingaporeCanada → Singapore

Also traveling in Southeast Asia?

Indonesia

Navigate the archipelago like a local

9 apps · 6 essential

Cambodia

Ancient temples, golden sands, and a kingdom that rewards the curious traveler

8 apps · 5 essential

Laos

Slow travel, golden temples, and river life

9 apps · 6 essential

Myanmar

Ancient temples, golden pagodas, and warm smiles await

9 apps · 6 essential

Malaysia

Your digital toolkit for navigating the Pearl of the Orient

15 apps · 7 essential

Philippines

Island paradise made easier with the right apps

13 apps · 7 essential

See something wrong? Suggest an edit

These apps need data

Set up a data eSIM before you fly. Land with mobile internet already working.

See plans

On this page

  • Food Delivery
  • Payments
  • Messaging
  • Navigation
  • Super Apps
  • Transit
  • Internet in Singapore
  • Frequently asked questions