TIPS FOR VISITING SINGAPORESingapore was so different than Malaysia, in almost every way possible - and nothing was easy. Once you arrive at the airport, it doesn't take long to go through customs, although they do make you fill out a form and actually present it before exiting. Once you exit, you arrive into a huge open space that consists of beautiful architecture, a few food places (ie subway and 7 eleven) and TONS of tourist information booths for rental cars, SIM cards, and local attractions in Singapore. There are also a few ATM's located at each end of the terminal. Nothing too crazy, pretty self explanatory...however, here's the part that becomes a little frustrating. When I said that nothing was easy at this airport, what I meant was that in Malaysia, you could get a SIM card, free WIFI, and jump on a train all within 20 minutes of arriving. In Singapore, this was not the case. In order to connect to the airport WIFI, you needed to register your phone at a local kiosk....which, let's be honest, who really has time to do that? As for the SIM cards, there was only one place to purchase them, and they were EXPENSIVE!!!! Below I will provide a few tips for making the best out of your arrival into Singapore airport. SIM CARD: The SIM cards start at a flat rate of $30 if purchased at the airport. My advice would be to wait until you reach town and purchase one at a local 7 eleven. However, in order to do so, you will need to provide a valid passport (an ID card is not acceptable) and they will need to scan it into the computer in order to issue you a SIM card. Mine was 2 GB and I paid $15...it lasted the entire 4 days I was visiting, which was enough. SINGAPORE TOURIST PASS: This was pretty much a life savor and super essential if you are planning on spending more than 2 days in Singapore. This pass provides you with unlimited travel using the basic bus services, MRT and LRT trains, all of which can take you anywhere you need to go while exploring this beautiful city! There are 3 options to choose from: 1 day pass for $10, 2 day pass for $16, and a 3 day pass for $20...plus they add on an additional $10 deposit for the card itself, which can be refunded to you once you return your card to the ticket counters. LINK: thesingaporetouristpass.com.sg/ (Side Note: The line at the airport to purchase a card is ridiculously long and unfortunately it is the only place they can be purchased before entering into the metro station platform. Also, they only accept cash or Mastercard, nothing else.) ACCOMMODATION IN SINGAPORERENDEZVOUS HOTEL Location: 9 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore 189559 Cost: Superior Room starts at $98.00 per night Hours: check in time is 2:00 p.m. Website: http://www.stayfareast.com/en/hotels/rendezvous-hotel TOP PLACES TO EAT IN SINGAPOREOne of the most difficult parts about visiting Singapore was trying to find places to eat that weren't going to burn a hole through your wallet. I mean...this place was way more expensive than I ever imagined a country in Southeast Asia being. When it comes to selecting a place to eat, you basically have two options: 1) eat at a fancy restaurant that offers a fixed price menud for 3-5 course meals, OR 2) find a cheap local food court and hope that you don't end up with food poisoning. Unfortunately, I only came across a handful of quality food places (okay, perhaps quality is a stretch) but they definitely weren't too expensive. Below, I will provide the name of each restaurant along with a valid link. TOP THINGS TO DO & SEE IN SINGAPOREI'm going to be honest...I didn't have a clue as to what there was to do before arriving in Singapore. Other than the obvious Gardens by the Bay, my itinerary was pretty much empty. If there's one place in Southeast Asia that really surprised me the most - it was Singapore. Not only because I was taken back by how expensive the city was in general, but I just wasn't expecting it to have such a 'Metropolitan' feel as it did. There was actually SO much to do in Singapore that I literally ran out of time doing it all. I'm not entirely certain if I could ever see myself going back to this city, but if I ever do, I know there will always be something fun going on. Below I will provide some recommendations for nightlife, day-time explorations & activities, and of course shopping! gardens by the bay
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Opening hours: Daily at 8:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday: also at 10:00 p.m. Location: 2 Bayfront Avenue, Event Plaza, Singapore 018972 Admission: free to the public Website: https://www.marinabaysands.com/ |
singapore flyer
Opening hours: Daily at 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Location: 30 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039803 Admission: 33.00 SGD (adult ticket) Dining Flight - 229.00 SGD per couple Champagne Flight - 69.00 SGD Sling Flight - 69.00 SGD (1 hour) Website: http://www.singaporeflyer.com/ |
sands skypark observation deck
Opening hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Friday - Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Location: Level 57, Tower 3, 10 Bayfront Ave, Sands Sky Park, Singapore 018956 Admission: 23.00 SGD (adult tickets) Free to hotel guests Website: https://www.marinabaysands.com/ |
botanic gardens
Opening hours: Daily from 5:00 a.m. 12:00 a.m. Location: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569 Admission: Free (Botanic Garden) Free (Learning Garden) Free (Healing Garden) 5.00 SGD (Orchid Garden) Website: https://www.sbg.org.sg/ |
sultan mosque
Opening hours: Saturday - Thursday from 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday - 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: 3 Muscat St, Singapore 198833 Admission: Free entry *must be covered upon entering Website: http://sultanmosque.sg/ |
little india
Opening hours: varies by store - Mustafa mall is open 24/7 Location: Serangoon Road, Singapore 198833 Admission: Free entry Website: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ *Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple *House of Tan Teng Niah *Little India Arcade |
bugis street market
Opening hours: Daily from 11:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m Location: 4 Bugis Street, Singapore 198833 *MRT - Bugis Admission: Free entry Website: http://www.singapore-guide.com *Over 800 shops of all shapes and sizes which makes this the largest market in Singapore |
orchard road
Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. 9:30 p.m Location: 437 Orchard Road, Singapore 198833 *MRT - Orchard Admission: Free entry Website: http://www.visitsingapore.com *Lots of shopping, restaurants, movie theater, art galleries, hotels, and most of all department stores. |
clarke quay
Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m Location: 3 River Valley Road, Singapore 198833 *MRT - Clarke Quay Admission: Free entry Website: https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/clarkequay/en.html *Dining and Party destination - lots of bars and fun night life scene |
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West Coast blogger with a love for traveling and adventure seeking.
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