Where to Get Free Wifi in Singapore – Guide to Free Internet Spots

where to get free wifi singapore

So you watched a few episodes of your Korean drama on the MRT and now you’ve gone over your data limit again. Or maybe you’re a tourist from out of town and are trying to survive without mobile data.

The good news is that there are many places in Singapore where you can connect to free wi-fi, such as the following.

 

Wireless@SG hotspots

Wireless@SG is a government initiative to offer free wifi in public places. There are scores of Wireless@SG hotspots all over Singapore.

The main problem with Wireless@SG used to be that it was a bitch to connect to. You needed a userID and password which of course you’d forget the next time you tried to log in. Now, you simply need a working Singaporean number and you’d be able to receive an OTP that enables you to connect instantly.

Or, you can connect to the internet password-free using the Wireless@SG app. If you can’t download it for some reason, you can connect to the Wireless@SG network using your phone’s wifi function, and then create a userID and password on the ensuing sign-in page.

Here is a list of Wireless@SG hotspots. The quality of the wifi really depends on the hotspot, with some being better than others. In addition, in large, sprawling spaces (eg. Gardens by the Bay), the wifi signal may be weak in certain spots.

 

MRT stations

Once you’ve downloaded the Wireless@SG app, you’ll be able to connect to free wifi at 33 MRT stations. By 2020, free wifi will reportedly be extended to all MRT stations.

These are the MRT stations with free wifi: Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bishan, Boon Keng, Bukit Batok, Buangkok, Buona Vista, City Hall, Chinatown, Choa Chu Kang, Clarke Quay, clementi, Dhoby Ghaut, Eunos, Farrer Park, Harbourfront, Hougang, Jourong East, Khatib, Kovan, Little India, Orchard, Outram Park, Paya Lebar, Potong Pasir, Punggol, Raffles Place, Sembawang, Sengkang, Serangoon, Stadium, Woodleigh, Yishun.

One drawback is that you can connect to the free wifi only at the station itself. That means that you’ll be connected when you’re standing on the platform, but once you board an MRT and it pulls out of the station the wifi signal will be cut off.

 

Capitaland malls

There is a staggering number of Capitaland malls in Singapore, and chances are, you will visit one of them in the near future even if you hate shopping, whether for food, to escape the heat or because you need to walk through it to get in and out of an MRT station.

Capitaland malls offer free wifi, but you will need to enter a password to connect. Right now the password is [freewifi], but if you desperately need to connect, check website of the mall you’re visiting ahead of time.

Here’s a list of Capitaland malls: Bedok Mall, Bugis Junction, Bugis+, Bukit Panjang Plaza, Clarke Quay, Funan, IMM, ION Orchard, Jcube, Jewel Changi Airport, Junction 8, Lot One Shopper’s Mall, Plaza Singapura, Raffles City Shopping Centre, SingPost Centre, Tampines Mall, The Star Vista, Westgate.

 

Fastfood and fast-coffee outlets

While not all cafes or restaurants in Singapore offer free wifi, fastfood and fast-coffee joints are more likely to.

Connecting to their wifi usually requires you to click through a log-in screen. Some will require you to register your email, while others will only need you to you click okay to their terms and conditions.

Here are some fast food and fast coffee joints where you can connect to free wifi.

  • McDonald’s
  • Starbucks
  • Coffee Bean
  • KFC
  • Burger King
  • Pizza Hut

 

Changi Airport

No matter how many things you might complain about in Singapore, Changi Airport is probably not one of them. The world’s most perfect airport of course offers free wifi. You will have to click through a login page and enter a password to be sent to your mobile number.

However, if you’ve got a long layover or are a local student camping out at the airport for a marathon study session, be warned that you’ll need a password in order to use the wifi for more than 3 hours. Beyond the third hour, you’ll need to install the iChangi app.

 

Singapore Museums

Wireless@SG is available at most of Singapore’s state-owned museums, including the following:

  • National Museum of Singapore
  • National Gallery of Singapore
  • Asian Civilisations Museum
  • Peranakan Museum
  • Singapore Philatelic Museum
  • Malay Heritage Centre
  • Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

 

Libraries

The Wireless@SG network is also extended to public libraries, so it’s a good thing there are so many of them in Singapore! Lots of students and remote workers stake out seats at public libraries with their laptops and hang out there all day long. It’s certainly a good alternative to a paid spot in a coworking space or hogging tables at Starbucks.

There are public libraries in just about every neighbourhood in Singapore. Here’s a list of libraries in Singapore.

 

Use Wifi map to find free internet

If you’re wandering around Singapore and suddenly need to connect to free wifi, chances are one of the above places will be within walking distance.

However, if you do find yourself at a loss, try using the WifiMap mobile app for Android and Apple phones to locate places where you can connect to free wifi.

Do you know of any places where you can connect to free wifi in Singapore? Share them in the comments!

 

 

Main image credit: chinnian via Flickr