An enchanting and quirky multicultural melting pot
As one of Asia’s hippest and most dazzling metropolitan centers, Singapore can sometimes give travelers the impression that they’ll have to dish out big bucks to have a good time and take in all the sights of this nearly five million-strong city-state. But don’t let the bright lights and glamorous locals fool you – getting around, finding a great meal, and having a blast can all be easily done on a budget.
If you’re like most business travelers, you’re not exactly interested in hanging around the airport, but want to get everything settled so you can get down to work. That said, Singapore’s main Changi Airport – with wireless internet, gaming kiosks and plenty of places to relax – is a dream come true for tired travelers; but you can enjoy its perks on the way back.
Before heading out, consider having some money changed. Many kiosks will provide you with Singaporean dollars (US $1 is about SG $1.40, not including commission, at the February 2010 exchange rate). Try asking for a quote if changing a large amount, as you can sometimes get a better rate than advertised.
Traveling to and from the airport
To connect to your destination within Singapore from Changi Airport, you can hop on the subway between Terminals 1 and 2. A ticket is only US$1.40 with a US$1 deposit (refundable after your journey), but you’ll have to catch a city-bound train from Tanah Merah during the half-hour journey.
If navigating the city’s subway with bags and a bit of jet lag isn’t your idea of worthwhile savings, you can opt to take a taxi with relatively guilt-free rates of US$25 – 35, but keep in mind that you’ll be charged an extra 50 percent if traveling between midnight and 6 AM. Indulge in a comfortable arrival with a limousine for US$35 flat anywhere in the city, and you can postpone saving travel dollars with public transportation until you reach the city’s center, where routes are more direct.
Alternatively, the MAXICAB shuttle service offers flexible routing between the airport and most hotels in the business district. It’s a bit cheaper than taxis, and the trip takes about half an hour.
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Getting around Singapore:
Singapore’s efficient public transportation network of taxis, buses and the modern Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system ensures a hassle-free journey. By far the best value for getting around in downtown Singapore is to take advantage of the city’s impressive subway system. An “ez-link” pass (US$15 with rechargeable increments of US$10) will keep you covered as you explore, with individual trips costing about US$1. The Web site Gothere.sg provides up-to-date schedules and can produce a route within a few seconds.
It may be worthwhile investing a few dollars in the TransitLink Guide, listing all bus and MRT routes, as well as maps of outlying areas. Taxis are fairly inexpensive as well, and Singapore’s compactness helps keeps trips short.
What’s there to do between meetings?
| Whether you’d like to get a feel for Singapore’s history and culture, pick up some souvenirs, or just spend your time wandering the city and checking out its people, there’s plenty to do on your off-time in Singapore. If you’re visiting early in the year, be sure to participate in the New Year festivities, which range from parties with foam and music on Sentosa Island to Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown that will delight your senses. |  |
The HiPPO bus plies regular routes through the major points of interest for visitors. Pay one price and get two days of unlimited touring, including rides on the open-top bus, complete with tour guide.
Relax on one of several beaches at Sentosa or, if you’re an animal lover, visit the Singapore Zoo for a fun stop at US$16 per ticket or take a Night Safari.
Glimpse the city’s incredible flora at the National Orchid Garden (within the Singapore Botanic Gardens), and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, which are best enjoyed on foot in the morning (the coolest part of the day) or in the early evening.
Some of the best sites in Singapore are its religious temples and churches such as Little India’s Sri Veerama Kaliamman temple and Chinatown’s Thian Hock Keng temple; though beautiful examples of local architecture and design can be found in just about every district, Ang Mo Kio and Balestier offer some of the city’s best.
Where to eat
Famous for its street food, Singapore is a spice-lover’s dream come true with stalls in most shopping and business districts serving up steaming portions of seafood, fried vegetables, and all manner of outlandish treats. You might just find yourself wondering how many snacks can be adapted for the stick!
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This doesn’t mean that finger-food surfing is the only way to fill up in the city, however. Bugis and Kampong Glam near the city center are popular destinations for diners, and you can snag something delicious at pretty much any price. Chomp Chomp Food Center in Serangoon Gardens is a great way to rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy authentic casual cuisine from US$3 to 10. Zam Zam on North Bridge Road is a local favorite for cheap eats, with Indian-inspired dishes like pakooris and dahls on offer for around US$5. |
Step it up a bit with a boisterous yet friendly atmosphere at Seafood Harvest Restaurant on Victoria Street. You’ll find an incredible array of seafood options for lunch and dinner, including lobster, crabs, and other local delicacies, with plates hovering around US$10.
Alcohol comes at a premium in Singapore, and with unimpressive spirits often bringing in as much as US$80 per bottle, after-dinner drinks can be a quick ticket to wearying your wallet. Instead, check out one of Singapore’s many vibrant and divine-smelling teahouse cafes, many of which also features shisha, or tobacco smoked in an ornate hookah. Cafe la Caire on Arab Street can help you ease into the evening.
Shopping
Singapore is no longer the bargain-hunter’s paradise it once was, but it’s still something of a treat for most consumers. Fixed prices are the rule at department stores and bargaining is mostly confined to smaller shops and street stalls.
Head to Orchard Road for budget-friendly shopping, with plenty of retail shops, plazas and gallerias to keep you occupied, including one of the largest (and most popular) shopping centers The Centrepoint. Bugis Street contains over 600 stalls an
d offers an eclectic mix of trendy and functional street wear, cafes and street food.
If your schedule allows, then make a stop at Little India. Your senses will be greeted by the heady scent of spices and jasmine garlands, accompanied by treasure troves of silverware, brassware, ethnic jeweler and colorful silk saris. If you’re suffering from ailments then step into Chinatown – the medical halls will mix you up a potion of snake skin, herbs and spices and other exotic ingredients!