Introduction

Singapore the vibrant and energetic city where the East meets West with the traditional and modern. It is one of the world's financial centers and famous for world-class shopping, modern architecture and delicious cuisine. The Lion City offers a unique experience for every visitor from colourful ethnic festivals to lively nightlife. Singapore the city has many other highlights like the Singapore Zoo, the famous Night Safari and the tropical theme park, Sentosa Island. This city has a fantastic tourism infrastructure and great public transport making it an ideal holiday destination and the perfect gateway to other South East Asian destinations.

Travel to Singapore

Changi International Airport (SIN) is recognised as one of the best airports in the world and is the home base for Singapore Airlines, Silk Air and Tiger Airlines. With an annual handling capacity of more than 70 million passengers, Changi airport has established itself as a major aviation hub in the Asia Pacific region. During transit, Changi Airport offers a host of activities for your enjoyment - shopping, Asian and international food & beverage outlets, bars, free internet terminals, tv lounges, childrens play area, free movie theatres, rooftop swimming pool at terminal 1 and a transit hotel. If you are transiting for more than 5 hours, join a free 2-hour city tour and take in the sights and sounds of Singapore. Register at the Singapore Visitors Centres in each terminal.

Airport Transfers

MRT (subway train) departs from the station between T2 and T3 to any Singapore station. Passengers change trains at Tanah Merah Singapore station to the city-bound line (just cross the platform to the other train). Trains take about 30 mins to Orchard Road area. [Adult fare SG$2, 5:30am to 11pm, trains are very frequent]

Singapore Bus Guide Terminals are located in the basements of T1, T2 and T3. [6am to midnight, fares below $2, exact fare required]

Shuttle Mini-Bus/Coaches travel to designated areas and hotels within the city. A seat on the next coach can be booked at one of the counters in the arrival hall. [available 6am to 2am, every 15 to 30 minutes, adult fare SG$8]

Taxi is the easiest the way to get to the city. A trip to the city will be SG$20-30 (50% surcharge midnight to 6am)

Limousines are available 24 hours to anywhere in the city for a flat fee of SG$35. This is the best option for a group of persons or after midnight when taxis have a surcharge.

Coach to/from Malaysia

Singapore does not have a central Singapore bus terminal and coaches to Malaysia arrive/depart from all over the city. It is cheaper to take a Malaysian long-distance express bus from Johor Bahru (Larkin Bus Terminal) to another Malaysian destination as you will pay in Malaysian Ringgit.

Aeroline has luxury coaches with on-board meals, power sockets, lounge area etc, to KL. [Departs from HarbourFront Centre, from SGD$47 one-way]

First Coach - No frills, but the buses have good legroom and use the Second Link. Another selling point is convenient public transport: buses [depart Novena Square (Novena MRT) in Singapore, arrive Bangsar LRT in Kuala Lumpur, from $33 one-way]

NiCE have executive express buses to KL, normal buses and double-decker buses. [Departs Copthorne Orchid Hotel on Dunearn Rd]

Transnasional have direct buses from Singapore to many Malaysian destinations. [Departs Lavender St. Executive/economy buses RM60/26]

Transtar has fantastic 16 individual seat First Class coaches with massaging chairs, coach attendants with food & beverage service and LCD screen with pc games/audio/video on demand. [Online booking, SGD$98 one-way to KL, departs Lavender St. Hock Seng Building]

Train to/from Malaysia

Malaysian Railway (KTMB) - Singapore station is the southern terminus of Malaysia's railway network. There are two day trains and one night sleeper train daily to Kuala Lumpur and beyond. It is less expensive to purchase the train ticket in Malaysia than at Singapore station. Cross the border by road and then board the train at Johor Bahru.

Singapore Encounter
3 Days / 2 Nights from US$100 per person	per person US$
	Twin	Single
Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen Hotel	97	217
Rendezvous Hotel	117	247
Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore	170	347

Singapore Transport

Singapore Travel is easy with the high quality and inexpensive public transport.

Taxis in Singapore are clean, safe, reasonably priced and always use the meter.

MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) are Singapore's underground and overhead train networks covering a large part of the island. The trains are very inexpensive with single-trip tickets cost from $0.80 to $2.00 plus a $1.00 refundable deposit.

Hop-on Hop-off HiPPO Tour is an open-top Singapore bus for visitors to enjoy Singapore's vibrant sights and sounds with live commentary provided. With 3 tours and 35 stops, HiPPO connects visitors to major hotels, shopping malls, attractions and sights. [Available 9.00am to 6.00pm, at 25 minute intervals, one-day or two-day passes available]

Car rental is not recommended in Singapore as the public transport systems are excellent. Car rental and fuel are very expensive, not to mention the electronic road pricing (ERP) charges. If driving in Malaysia, hire a car across the border in Johor Bahru where the rental and fuel are half price and the car can be handed back at other locations in Malaysia.

Singapore Weather

Singapore is located almost on the equator and has a hot and humid tropical climate. The wet season is November to January but rain falls throughout the year, usually in a short afternoon storm that lasts up to one hour, so carry an umbrella both as cover from the rain and shade from the sun. The high temperature and humidity can be uncomfortable for visitors but all shops, hotels and public transport is air-conditioned.

Singapore Things To Do

Sentosa Island is a tropical theme park with sandy beaches and only ten minutes away from Singapore. Connected to the mainland by a causeway bridge, it's a popular day trip for all. All bus and monorail transportation around Sentosa is included in the entrance fee. Take the MRT train to HarbourFront station. On Level 3 of Vivocity, the Sentosa Express monorail goes over the causeway to the island. [Monorail operates every 5-8 minutes from 7am-11.45pm daily, all-day ticket costs $3, island admission included]. Alternatively, from HarbourFront you can ride the Cable Car for scenic views of the city and the island [Adult SG$16, child SG$8 one-way, island admission included]. Or take a taxi directly to Sentosa Island.

Sky Tower is an observation tower located at the top of the hill near the Cable Car station. It takes you up to a height of 131m above sea level and offers a 360-degree view of Sentosa, Singapore and the Southern islands. Day or night, views from the tower promise to be both scenic and breathtaking. [open daily 9am-9pm, $12 adult / $8 child].

Sentosa Merlion is a 37m high statue of the Merlion (half fish, half lion and national symbol of Singapore). Visitors can take the elevator up to the mouth and head lookouts for great views over Sentosa Island and Singapore's Port. [Monorail Imbiah station, open 10am-8pm, $8 adult / $5 child]

Fort Siloso is the former WW2 British Naval Base and fortress where the British waited to defend a seabourne Japanese invasion. The guns were pointed out towards the sea in preparation for an attack. However, the Japanese came through the jungle down the Malay peninsula and caught the British by surprise. [Located next to Underwater World, open 10am-6pm. $8 adult / $5 child]

Sentosa Luge is a fun-filles luge ride safe for all ages. Travel up the hill in a ski lift and down in a steerable luge. [10am-9.30pm, Skyride SG$6, Luge & Skyride $10 single ride]

Images of Singapore is a wax museum with displays depicting the story of Singapore's history, located at the top of the hill (Imbiah lookout) near the Cable Car station. [open 9am-7pm, $10 adult / $7 child].

Songs of the Sea at Beach Singapore Station is a nightly extravaganza set in the sea with a live cast, pyrotechnics, water jets and lasers.[Nightly at 7:40pm and 8.40pm, $6]

Underwater World takes visitors into the ocean depths via a moving travellator that ferries you through an 83-metre-long acrylic tunnel. All around you are sharks, stingrays, eels and schools of fish. [Open 9am-9pm, $23 adult/ $15 child, includes admission to Dolphin Lagoon]

Dolphin Lagoon at Palawan Beach Singapore has highly intelligent and loveable pink Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins demonstrating their natural abilities. You can also swim with the dolphins. [Open 10am-6pm, $23 adult/ $15 child, includes admission to Underwater World]

Singapore Flyer is the world's largest Giant Observation Wheel and is located at Marina Bay. At a height of 165m and featuring fixed capsules the size of a bus, Singapore Flyer provides panoramic views that capture Singapore's skyline glimpses of Malaysia and Indonesia. [Open 8.30am-10.30pm, Adult $30, child $20, City Hall MRT Station & free shuttle from bus stop next to St. Andrew's Cathedral]

The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Bird Park offer joint tickets valid for one month, adult tickets to any two attractions cost $30, all three are $40.

Singapore Zoo is located at Mandai Lake Road next to the Seletar Reservoir and is one of the best zoos in Asia, if not the world. The animals are kept in spacious, landscaped enclosures, separated from the visitors by dry or wet moats. There is a zoo train that takes visitors through the park and children can play at Rainforest Kidzworld, a water play area themed like a wet animal wonderland. [Open daily, 8:30am-6pm, Adult $18, child $9, take bus 138 from Ang Mo Kio MRT station]

Jungle Breakfast is a very popular buffet breakfast, at the zoo, hosted by a range of animals such as orangutans, otters and elephants. [Daily at 9am, adults $18, child $12, must book in advance]

Night Safari is part of the Zoo and is the world's first wildlife park built to be viewed at night with geographic zones like the Southeast Asian rainforest, African savanna, Nepalese river valley, South American pampas and Burmese jungle. At the amphitheater, the 30 minute ‘Creatures of the Night' show runs three times per night. The tram tour is highly recommended otherwise visitors will do a lot of walking and the eastern part of the park is not accessible by walking. At the second tram station there is a walking path ‘The Leopard Trail' for viewing giraffes, flying squirrels, lions and other animals. Flash photography is not allowed. [Open 7:30pm-midnight, adult $22, child $11, tram $10]

Jurong Bird Park is a open-concept park and its collection of more than 8,000 birds from 600 species is among the largest in the world. The Park specialises in birds from Southeast Asia. The Park has four walk-in aviaries, among which is the world's largest walk-in aviary with the tallest man-made waterfall. Bird shows, staged at the Pools Amphitheatre and Fuji Hawk Walk are entertaining and informative and have thrilled visitors from all over the world. [open 8.30-6pm, Adult $18, child $9, taxi from Boon Lay MRT]

Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden is located next to Lakeside MRT. A very pleasant place to for visitors to relax and during Sept/Oct each year there is a Lantern Festival where the garden is lit up with thousands of lanterns making a wonderful night-time experience.

Singapore Science Centre houses more than 850 science and technology exhibits. [open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, $6 adult / $3 child, 15 Science Centre Road]

Omni-Theatre is an Omnimax movie cinema and Planetarium located next to the Science Centre [open Tue-Sun 10am-8pm, $10 Adult / $5 child,MRT to Jurong East station, walk 8 minutes]

Snow City is a permanent indoor snow center in Singapore. If you need a break from the hot and humid Singaporean climate this is the place to be. Skiing, snowboarding or sleds are available for hire. Check out the subzero bar. [open Tue-Sun 10:30am-6:30pm, 21 Jurong Town Hall Road]

Botanic Gardens are located on Bukit Timah Road and feature trees and plants from tropical climates around the world. [Open 5am-midnight, Free entry]

National Orchid Garden is located in the Botanic Gardens and the home of Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, and many others. [Open 8:30am-7pm]

Singapore Grand Prix is a formula one night race held in late September every year on the street circuit at Marina Bay.

Marina Barrage is a dam built across the 350m mouth of the Marina Channel. Keeping out seawater, it transforms the Marina Basin into a freshwater body. The Marina Basin waters are constant all year round, making it ideal for water sports. There are an assortment of F&B outlets. [MRT to Marina Bay station, free shuttle bus service to Marina Barrage, open 9am to 6pm,closed Tuesdays, free]

Bumboats are small tourist-oriented boats that cruise the Singapore River offering short rides and cruises with nice views of the Singapore CBD skyline [starting from $5].

Battle Box Fort Canning Park is the former headquarters of the British army during World War 2 and is an interesting museum covering the events leading up to the fall of Singapore to the Japanese. [MRT Dhoby Ghaut station, up the hill to Fort Canning, open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, $8]

National Museum of Singapore houses many exhibits covering the history of Singapore. [MRT Dhoby Ghaut station, 93 Stamford Road, open Tue-Sun 10am-9pm, $10]

Singapore Art Museum houses exhibitions of modern art from both Singapore and the Asia. [MRT Dhoby Ghaut station, 71 Bras Basah Road, open daily 10am-7pm $3]

Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan) is the largest mosque in Singapore with its golden domes. Visitors must be appropriately dressed (shorts, short skirts & sleeveless shirts are not permissible). [Muscat St (off North Bridge Rd), daily 9am-1pm, 2-4pm, free]

Hajjah Fatimah Mosque is the second most important mosque in Singapore named after an aristocratic Malay woman who donated money to build it. It was build with a mix of local Malay Muslim and British colonial architecture. [4001 Beach Road, Appropriate dress required, free]

Sri Krishnan is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. [152 Waterloo St, free]

Sri Mariamman Temple at 244 South Bridge Rd is Singapore's oldest and most important Hindu temple and worth a visit for the intricately carved entrance. Remember to take off your shoes and don't disturb the worshippers. [Free admission]

Chinatown lies behind the soaring skyscrapers of Singapore's financial district contrasting the old with the new. In the crowded and colourful network of streets and alleyways Chinese merchants sell their goods from the ground floor of quaint pre-war shophouses. This cultural hub of Chinese migrants is bounded by Upper Pickering Street, Cantonment Road, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road. Take the MRT to Chinatown station arriving on Pagoda walking street. Walk along Pagoda Street and explore the parallel streets of Mosque Street, Temple Street, Smith Street and Sago Street. It's a great place to visit day or night.

Universal Studios theme park is under construction on Sentosa Island and due to open mid 2010.

Singapore History

According to legend, a Srivijayan prince arrived on the island in the 13th century and saw what he thought was a lion (lions are not native to the Malay peninsula). He decided to found a new city called Singapura (Lion City in Malay).

In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles realised the island was geographically well placed at the junction of the trade routes between Europe, China, India and Australia. He made a deal, with a claimant to the throne of the Sultan of Johor, that the British would support his claim to the throne in exchange for the right to set up a trading post on the island.

Raffles declared Singapore a free port (no taxes on trade) and traders flocked to Singapore to escape the taxes imposed at other trading posts in the region. As a result, Singapore rapidly grew into one of the busiest ports in Asia.

In 1867, Singapore was formally made into a British Crown Colony.

During World War II Singapore became a British Naval Base and was heavily fortified guarding against an attack from the sea. However, the Japanese came across the Malaya peninsula (using bicycles) instead. Despite turning the guns around, the British were cornered and surrendered on 15 February 1942 with thousands of men being captured and held in prisoner-of-war camps.

In 1955, the British granted self-rule to Singapore. On 9 August 1965 Singapore gained its independence as a country. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister, led the country to economic and social prosperity over the next forty years. As a result of superior economic management, Singapore became one of the wealthiest and most developed countries in Asia. Lee Hsien Loong (Lee Kuan Yew's son) is the current leader of the government's People's Action Party (PAP).

Singapore tourism has grown to become one of the main industries of Singapore the country. There are many Singapore tours making a great vacation Singapore destination.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Boat Quay, Clarke Quay & Robertson Quay is the riverside district of Singapore and has become the center of Singapore's nightlife. The area has many restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs. And there are more establishments on nearby Mohammed Sultan Road.

Orchard Road Singapore has a many restaurants, bars and clubs scattered throughout the area. (eg The Hard Rock Cafe is located at the beginning of Orchard Road Singapore at Cuscaden Road).

Raffles Hotel Singapore located at One Beach Road is the world-famous hotel that opened in 1887 and was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore. Visit the famous Long Bar which is best known for the popular cocktail drink "Singapore Sling".

Emerald Hill has a cluster of bars just off Orchard Road. [Emerald Hill Road, near Orchard Road's Somerset MRT station]

Holland Village, Rochester Park and Tanglin Village offer a multitude of bars and dining outlets for drinks and entertainment and is a favourite place for residents and expats.

Civic District encompasses City Hall and CHIJMES and retains its historical charm from Singapore's colonial past despite the towering presence of modern skyscrapers. City Space and New Asia Bar (Swissotel the Stamford hotel) provide a top-of-the-world experience and view from 70 floors above the bustling roads beneath. CHIJMES is a national heritage site with restaurants, pubs and clubs. Muse Bar and Novus are at the newly refurbished National Museum of Singapore.

St. James Power Station is a former power station that has been transformed into Singapore's largest one-stop nightlife destination with 9 clubs and bars with different themes. After paying the cover charge for one club, you can enter all others. [Sentosa Gateway, opposite Vivocity, Open Wed-Sun, $10-20 cover charge including one drink]

Sentosa Island (Siloso Beach Singapore) has several beach bars.

Casinos - There are two casinos under construction due for completion 2010-11.

Dining

Boat Quay, Clarke Quay & Robertson Quay is the riverside district of Singapore and has become the center of Singapore's nightlife. The area has many restaurants, cafes and bars.

Orchard Road has a many restaurants, bars and clubs scattered throughout the area

Holland Village, Rochester Park offer a multitude of bars and dining outlets.

Tanglin Village just off Holland Road and outside the Orchard Road precinct is a popular dining area.

Chinatown's Smith Street has many outdoor restaurants in the evening.

Civic District encompasses City Hall and CHIJMES and retains its historical charm from Singapore's colonial past despite the towering presence of modern skyscrapers. Many restaurants here.

VivoCity Harbourfront is a great venue for shopping, dining, movies and more.

East Coast Parkway on the East Coast is the beachfront recreation and relaxation district for many Singaporeans and visitors.

Singapore Shopping

Orchard Road Singapore is Singapore's Premier Shopping Street attracting more than seven million visitors each year. Its name comes from the nutmeg, pepper and fruit orchards that used to lie on either side of the street in the 1800s. Orchard Road is a lush tree-lined boulevard hosting many shops, restaurants and large malls and is serviced by Dhoby Ghaut, Somerset and Orchard MRT stations.

Ngee Ann City/Takashimaya/Wisma Atria Shopping Complexes are located on Orchard Road Singapore above the Orchard MRT station. The centers are all connected through underground shopping malls and the MRT station. The malls host many stores merchandising internationally branded goods, designer boutiques and features Kinokuniya, Southeast Asia's largest bookstore. Takashimaya's basement contains more affordable shops and a fantastic gourmet food hall including a small Harrods shop.

Plaza Singapura is a large centre on Orchard Road Singapore near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Tennants include Carrefour hypermarket, food court and a large cinema complex on the top floors.

VivoCity Harbourfront is a large shopping mall complex on the mainland and is the gateway to Sentosa Island. The Sentosa Express monorail station is integrated into the mall, and the Singapore Cruise Centre is connected to VivoCity via a bridge to the HarbourFront Centre. The HarbourFront MRT station connects the complex with the rest of Singapore. The centre also connects to the Sentosa Skyway cablecar to Sentosa Island.

Parco Bugis Junction at 200 Victoria Street (MRT Bugis) is Singapore's first glass-covered air-conditioned shopping street featuring a delightful mix of clusters of shophouses, modern retail outlets, a department store, and a cineplex.

Bugis Street opposite Bugis Junction has sheltered walkways and air-conditioned shopping zones housing over 600 stalls. It offers a mix of trendy and functional street wear, cafes, hawker food.

OG Albert (Bugis MRT station) is a household name in Singapore. OG has fashion, jewellery, cosmetics, watches, toys, things for the home and great food.

Golden Mile Complex on Beach Rd is favored by the local Thai population and consequently serves the cheapest and most authentic Thai food in town.

Raffles City Plaza is a large shopping complex located in the Civic District bounded by Stamford Road, Beach Road, Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, it houses two hotels, an office tower and a convention centre. [MRT City Hall station]

Mariner Square has over 300 shops, cafes and restaurants and gives access to Suntec City, CityLink Mall, Millenia Walk, Convention Centre MRT station and the Singapore Flyer.

Little India is like stepping into another world where merchants sell jewellery, silk garments and aromatic spices. Explore along Serangoon Road and the surrounding streets [MRT Little India or Farrer Park stations]

Chinatown is a great place to explore for shopping bargains. Explore Pagoda street and the surrounding streets.

Beyond Singapore

Bahru Jahor is across the Causeway in Malaysia and makes a good day trip. The shopping in Jahor can be cheaper than Singapore. The Causeway is a very popular and congested entry point connecting Woodlands in the north of Singapore directly into the heart of Johor Bahru. The Causeway can be crossed by bus, train, or car.

Malacca is an original colonial trading town a pleasant 3 hour coach journey north of Singapore. The journey will take you past lush tropical jungle, rubber and palm oil plantations as well as Malay villlages. Malacca's major attractions are St Paul's Hill, the renowned Porta De Santiago, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Jonkers Street (or Antique Street).

Bintan Island is just 45km southeast of bustling Singapore. It is actually part of Indonesia but the easiest way to access the island is from Singapore. Take a ferry or catamaran and in less than one hour, discover the Indonesian resort island with stunning beaches and a wide range of water activities and golf.

Singapore's Southern Islands are largely uninhabited and accessible by ferry (SG$15 round-trip). They make a good picnic spot and there is lagoon swimming, however there are very limited facilities and no shops on the islands.