The Pulau Ubin Taxi Van Service is the island’s only motorized form of public transport. While many would opt for rental bicycles to get around Pulau Ubin, the taxi van is actually not that expensive when you are in a group, and would actually make the island tour a lot less tiring than if you were to walk or cycle everywhere.
There are taxi vans parked around the Taxi Van Service hut just to the left of the Main Jetty after disembarking from the bumboat from Changi Point.
While there were no drivers around, there were some vans with phone numbers on them which you could call for a quote. After checking with a few drivers who offered similar rates to Chek Jawa Wetlands (except for 1 higher than the rest), I opted to use Ah Beh’s taxi van since he sounded the friendliest over the phone.
*Ah Beh’s contact number is published here with prior permission from him. You may wish to contact him for your Pulau Ubin taxi van needs.
The taxi van fare from Pulau Ubin Main Jetty to Chek Jawa Wetlands costs S$12 for a one-way trip and S$24 for a return trip. This fare is valid for the first 6 passengers ie. 1 to 6 passengers per trip. For the 7th passenger onwards, it will cost an additional S$2 per passenger per way.
Click here to view the official high-resolution map of Pulau Ubin.
Boarding the taxi van from Main Jetty.
The interior of the taxi van.
The taxi van travels through the Main Village, also known as Orchard Road to local Ubin residents, before being able to access the road to Chek Jawa Wetlands.
Heading on Jalan Ubin.
As Ah Beh said, a bicycle rental might cost $6 or $8 a person already, so why not just take the taxi van and you won’t have to risk falling down and having to call for a taxi van in the end anyway.
The road to Chek Jawa Wetlands after Jalan Durian gives way to an earth track.
Glad I decided not to cycle this time.
The 3.1km taxi van ride from Pulau Ubin Main Jetty to Chek Jawa Wetlands took about 10 minutes.
When asking Ah Beh if we should pay him first now or later, he said to just pay him the one way fare of S$12 first and he would arrange for his friend to drive the return trip if he’s busy.
After dropping us off at the Punai Hut, he went back to Orchard Road.
Punai Hut is the main shelter before the entrance to Chek Jawa Wetlands. If you are riding a bicycle, there are ample parking lots here. No bicycles are allowed in to Chek Jawa Wetlands, so everyone has to walk in.
Overall, a comfortable and convenient way to get around Pulau Ubin with the Pulau Ubin Taxi Van Service, leaving the sweating and calf muscles for Chek Jawa Wetlands.
Pulau Ubin Taxi Van Service Details
Operating Hours: On demand
Ride Duration: 10 to 15 minutes, depending on which part of Pulau Ubin you’re going to
Passenger Fare: S$12 per trip for the first 6 passengers; additional S$2 for each additional passenger
Bicycle Fare: Check with driver
Departure Times: On demand
If there are no taxi vans available, cycle or walk.
Thank you for the useful info! Appreciate it lots.