Commuting in Singapore: How the Nation Moves in 2025 – Powered by Budget Direct’s Latest Survey

Ever feel like your commute defines your day? You’re not alone. Budget Direct Insurance, in collaboration with YouGov, has peeled back the layers of Singapore’s travel-to-work habits with a revealing new survey of over 1,000 working Singaporeans. From MRT preferences to the rise of hybrid work, here’s what the 2025 commuter landscape looks like.

The New Commute Culture: Back to the Office… Mostly

Despite the pandemic’s long-term impact on work culture, 57% of Singaporeans are fully back in the office. Hybrid arrangements are growing, but the traditional 9-to-5 is making a comeback.

Hybrid Work Still Has a Pulse:

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Hybrid workers tend to cluster their in-office days early in the week, with Wednesdays being the most popular (69%).
Office presence drops to 41% by Friday, signaling a widespread shift to remote work at the end of the week.

This evolving structure isn’t just shaping where we work—but how we get there.

How Singapore Moves: A Nation on Rails (and Foot)

Top Modes of Transport:

MRT/LRT (60%) and public buses (56%) dominate.
Walking remains a significant mode at 25%.
Private cars (23%) and ride-hailing services like Grab or Gojek (12%) are used far less frequently.

Other modes like bicycles, motorcycles, vans, and carpools each hold small shares. Overall, Singapore remains a public transport-centric nation, thanks to its efficient and extensive network.

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What Matters Most to Commuters?

Convenience, Time, and Cost Lead the Pack

When choosing how to get to work, Singaporeans are practical:

69% prioritize convenience.
66% care about commute time.
60% look at cost.

Waiting time (52%), accessibility (44%), and comfort (39%) also influence decisions, while safety (33%) and sustainability (18%) trail behind.

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In a fast-paced city like Singapore, efficiency trumps eco-friendliness—at least for now.

Timing the Tides: When Singapore Commutes

Peak hours are still the norm:

To work: 67% travel between 8 AM and 6 PM; 29% commute during early mornings (12 AM–8 AM).
From work: Nearly half (48%) return home between 6 PM and 12 AM, reflecting traditional working patterns.

The overlap with off-peak hours—especially in the evenings—suggests some flexibility in schedules, likely driven by hybrid work models.

How Long Is Too Long? Commute Durations in Detail

To Work:

32% take 31–45 minutes
26% spend 46–60 minutes
23% travel 16–30 minutes
Only 5% enjoy a brisk 1–15-minute journey

From Work: Similar patterns emerge, reinforcing that most workers spend 30–60 minutes commuting each way.

How Do We Feel About Our Commutes?

Shorter = Happier

Among those with a 16–30-minute commute:

73% say it’s “just right”
21% find it “short”

Even at 31–45 minutes, over half are satisfied, though nearly a third feel it’s too long.

But for those clocking 46–60 minutes or more:

Over half (56%) say it’s too long
For commutes of 61–75 minutes, 77% call it excessive

The verdict? Around 45 minutes is the sweet spot. Cross that line, and satisfaction drops sharply.

Commute Time and Career Choices

95% of Singaporeans say commute time is crucial when considering a new job.

That’s a resounding message to employers: If your office isn’t conveniently located—or if you’re not offering flexible arrangements—you’re likely losing talent.

In today’s workforce, a long commute is more than an inconvenience; it’s a dealbreaker.

The Future of Commuting in Singapore

The Rise of Hybrid Habits

Singaporeans are rethinking their routines. With hybrid work slowly reshaping when and how people travel:

Mondays to Wednesdays are peak office days.
Fridays and weekends are becoming less congested.

This not only spreads the commuter load but also offers a glimpse into a more balanced work-life structure.

Public Transport Is Here to Stay

Despite private vehicle ownership and ride-hailing options, MRTs and buses still reign supreme. Their affordability, accessibility, and efficiency make them indispensable—especially in a land-scarce city like Singapore.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for Singapore’s Urban Future

Budget Direct’s 2025 commuter survey paints a picture of a nation in transition. The days of uniform 9-to-5 routines are giving way to a flexible, preference-driven era. Yet some constants remain: public transport, the need for convenience, and the universal disdain for long commutes.

So, what does your commute say about your lifestyle—and your job? If you’re like most Singaporeans, it says quite a bit.

In the years ahead, expect more conversations about work-from-anywhere flexibility, investments in transport infrastructure, and maybe even policies that reward shorter commutes.

Because in Singapore, how we get to work may soon be just as important as the work itself.

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