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Singapore | The Ultimate Travel Guide
When to do, where to stay and what to do.
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From the outside, Singapore is a unique blend of temples, skyscrapers, luxury condos, colourfully dated shopfronts, coastal promenades and bits of jungle thrown in between.
From the inside, it’s a country constantly on the move. Every time you return you’ll notice subtle differences. New buildings, new systems, new food fads, new lingo; you never know what it’ll be. Yet, while the city may innovate and reinvent itself considerably, it’s always the ideal choice for food, shopping and a city break.
Everywhere you go, the smell of spices and fried foods from a multitude of Asian countries fills the air causing you to salivate, sit down and appease your taste buds constantly.
Hungry for more? See our guide below for everything you need to know when visiting Singapore.
Singapore travel guides
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Getting around in Singapore
Singapore has an extensive and quick public transit system to all of the main attractions in the city and popular surrounding areas. Though many of the attractions are not within walking distance of each other the metro stations are walking distance to the hot spots. On a Singapore Hop-On, Hop-Off bus you can choose which tourist attractions to visit and for how long you want to be there.
Singapore public transport
- Types of transport: Get around Singapore by train or bus on the SMRT public transportation system. Daily ferries operate to take you to nearby islands such as Batam, Karimun and Bintan Islands.
- Paying for transport: A tourist pass provides unlimited travel on buses, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT). The EZ-Link tourist pass is for one, two or three days and costs as little as $6.70 SGD per day. EZ-Link passes can be purchased at the TransLink ticket office and some MRT stations.
- Getting to and from the airport: Public trains and buses can get you to and from the city from Changi Airport. Trains can be accessed from terminals two and three while buses are found in terminals one, two and three. Exact change or an EZ-Link pass is needed.
- Best apps for getting around: With SMRT Connect you get real-time train and bus information, can locate transit stops, plan your journey and see detailed station information like panoramic views of the exits.
Taxis and rideshare
Taxi: Taxis can be hailed from the side of the road or found at taxi stands. Taxis can be booked in advance.
Rideshare: Grab is currently the most widely available ride share service in Singapore. Uber is no longer available in Singapore
Car hire in Singapore
Avis, Hertz and Budget are available at each terminal's arrivals hall with the exception of Hertz, which is not available at terminal one. Singapore is a small country that's well connected by public transport. Renting a car in Singapore is not popular as the country's extensive train network has stations within walking distance of all major attractions.
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Frequently asked questions about Singapore
Where is Singapore?
Singapore is located in southeast Asia. It is located 137 km north of the equator at the southernmost tip of Malaysia.
Is Singapore its own country?
Yes, Singapore is an independent country that became a member of the United Nations in 1965.
Is Singapore expensive compared to Australia?
If you compare the prices in Australia with those in Singapore, the overall costs in Singapore can be both substantially higher or considerably lower depending on the item. Here are some examples of pricing difference for a better perspective:
In Australia we'd usually pay about $80 for a three-course meal for 2 people whereas in Singapore you'd be looking at approximately $60 for similar. However, meals in hawker centres (Singapore's open air food courts) are much cheaper.
Draught beer is higher in price. It would usually be in the region of $7 in Australia, whereas Singapore prices are closer to $10.
For coffee we'd expect to pay in the region of $4 and in Singapore you'd be more likely to pay around $5, so that's more expensive too.
Generally, public transportation and taxi services are cheaper than back home but fuel costs are significantly higher.
General groceries like beef, milk and cheese in Singapore will seem incredibly overpriced compared to Australia.
What's the currency in Singapore?
The currency used in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). While the value does change, it's usually within a 10-15% difference of the Australian dollar.
Read our guide for more information about Singapore's currency
Is Singapore safe for tourists?
Singapore is considered to be an extremely safe city for both travellers and residents. However, you should still be wary of a number of issues.
- Taxis. Before boarding a taxi, verify the company and ensure each taxi you take has cab numbers that can be tracked and properly reported if needed. Some taxi drivers will take advantage of tourists and try to charge a higher fare. Agree on the fee beforehand.
- Pickpockets. Keep all valuables concealed, even when visiting bustling markets during the daytime. Store your wallet, purse or money in a location that is not easy to extract from your person.
What language do they speak in Singapore?
There are four languages that are widely spoken in Singapore. The Singapore Government recognise these as: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. The national language is considered to be Malay.
What is Singapore famous for?
Singapore has a host of world-class attractions, with notable sites including the Marina Bay Sands complex, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island (home to resorts and amusement parks) and the Singapore Zoo.
It's also famous for its attitude towards cleanliness, which resulted in a chewing gum ban, along with its shopping, activities, dining and entertainment.
Does Singapore Zoo have pandas?
It does indeed. Kai Kai and Jia Jia are Singapore's very own giant pandas. They are located at the Yangtze River zone at River Safari. They are housed in a state-of-the-art biodome designed and landscaped to simulate their natural habitat.
Does Singapore have beaches?
Singapore is home to some utterly stunning, and completely man-made beaches. There are some authentic natural beaches for those craving the sea breeze, however, the most picturesque on offer are definitely the manufactured ones. Sentosa is an island composed of man-made activities designed for tourists and Singaporeans looking for a weekend mini-escape from the big city. The island is home to three of the best beaches on offer in Singapore.
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