Find out how easy it is to explore around vibrant Singapore.
My personal list of handy Singapore travel tips. All first hand knowledge - written during my travels in Singapore.
All the tips have been categorised into sections. Just click on each tab to fully open and start reading.
Singapore travel tips:
BANKING AND CURRENCY
- There is not much difference in currency exchanges between Singapore airport and city centre locations, including hotels. There were no commission fees either (Feb 2016). Therefore, it doesn’t really matter where you change money.
eg. The currency exchange AUD to SGD on 25 Feb 2016
- 2 banks inside airport customs – 0.984
- 2 banks outside airport customs – 0.984
- Novotel Hotel – 0.98 - Credit cards are widely accepted everywhere.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
- Although the airport shuttle bus is only SG$9.00 per person, if there is two or more people travelling together it is worthwhile getting a taxi instead. Its SG$20.00 from airport to Clark Quay during non-peak hours. (prices based on Feb 2016)
- I do recommend having some Singapore cash on you to pay for taxi fares, unless you don’t mind being slugged 4-5% extra for the credit card fee.
- Taxi fares are quite cheap for travel within the city centre. If you’re a solo traveller, then the cheapest way to travel is by MRT, the metro as ticket prices range from SG$1.60 to SG$2.00 (Feb 2016). However, the same distance by taxi will cost approx SGD7.00, so it’s worth getting a taxi instead if you are travelling in a small group.
SHOPPING
- If you only have one day in Singapore and are a shopaholic – want to see all the shops on offer – then I would go to Vivocity at Harbourfront Centre. This is where cruise-ships depart from and where the cable car is located for Sentosa Island. This shopping centre is so huge that you will need one whole day there just to see every shop. This mall has just about every brand you can think off in the one place. Be aware that if a cruise ship has docked into town, expect a lot of people/crowds in this shopping mall.
- Dining and drinking in Singapore can be quite expensive. So the cheapest way to eat is at the foodcourts in the shopping malls. We had some good, tasty meals!
CITY SIGHTSEEING - Sentosa Island
- Three ways to get to Sentosa Island from Harbourfront Centre:
1. By Cable Car
Scenic cable car ride – prices start from SG$29 for an all-day pass (which includes the monorail and cable car line on the island)
2. By Monorail
Sentosa Express – the monorail from Harbourfront Centre. Approx SG$4.00.
3. By Foot
8 minute walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk, includes travelators – free! - Prepare for an expensive day as you have to pay for each attraction separately – prices range from SG$12 – SG$40. You can purchase the Cable Car ticket to include 2 attractions (approx. SG$49) but they limit on which attractions you can use. Therefore study the list first to ensure you want to go on any of those listed attractions. I found it included the ‘lower’ quality attractions plus it didn’t include full benefits if I had paid directly. For example, you get 1 minute at the Wave Pool instead of 1 hour or you’re not entitled to any free gifts offered by the attraction (only to the full price paying guests).
Better still, look at the option of buying bundles or a 1, 2 or 3 day pass for the island.
GENERAL TIPS
- At Singapore airport, there are sleeping lounges upstairs, located near the food court.