World Famous Changi Airport and other Singapore, Singapore Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Singapore Changi has been consistently one of the best airports in the world.

Airport Code = SIN

The old airport was Paya Lebar. Changi is built on reclaimed land and approaching the airport is over the sea and golf courses below with a spectacular city skyscrapper skyline in the near distance.

There are two major terminals and a third terminal is opening soon. So important to note whether your plane is in terminal 1 or terminal 2 which are coonected by a free skytrain.

There are plenty of shops and eateries, sports viewing televions, events, free online and local call service, swimming pool, etc to keep you occupied if you check in early or in transit. You can even sign up for a free city tour if you are in transit for more than 4 hours.

From the airport, use the taxi, bus or MRT to get to downtown. For taxis, there are various taxi surchages and so no worry of being overcharged by taxi drivers.

At departure, you can also get your GST refund.

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Website: http://www.changi.airport.com.sg

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: The taxis are efficient but there can be a long queue.

The MRT are fast but you have to switch lines and go through endless escalators.

I discovered the bus is a quick and easy way to get around. There are plenty of bus stops with the display of the route taken by each bus number. Also the EZ traveller prepaid card makes it easy without worrying what is the bus fare.

Also the locals are helpful if you have problem figuring out which bus number. The bus drivers were always patient in answering my queriesy whenever I double check when boarding to make sure the bus will stop at my destination.

There is a tourist hop on bus and several free bus shuttles too from MRT stations to Chinatown, Little India, Suntec City, etc.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: It is easy to drive across the Johor-Singapore Causeway from Johor Bahru, Malaysia to Woodlands, Singapore. The distance is about 1 kilometer.

If you are driving a Malaysian car, make sure you have your car registration paper as well that you have not exceeded the maximum number of days allowed for a Malaysian car to drive into Singapore. If you do have yet, at the Singapore side, you will then purchase a top up prepaid card that covered the charge of how many days in Singapore, toll charged on certain roads at certain times and you can use the card for car park too.

The causeway can be a short 10 minutes drive if traffic is light. Find out from the locals the jam hours to avoid especially on working days and office hours.

There are also many buses and taxis and even the train that will take you across the Causeway if you rather not drive.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: This is a fun family way of seeing downtown Singapore and Singapore by sea and river.

The Duck Tour will go over land and over water. This amphibious transport is a tourist version of a vehicle developed during the Vietnam War.

You will enjoy this unique experience if you have the time and the money to take a spin. Check out the time and cost and make advanced reservation to avoid disappointment especially if you are in Singapore for a short while only.

The tour statrts at Suntec. There is also a booking office on Orchard Road next to the Singapore Tourism Office near Sommerset MRT.

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Website: http://www.ducktours.com.sg/

'Mode': TO
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: There are overnight buses from Penang to Singapore where you depart around 9:30pm and arrive in Singapore in the early morning thus saving a night's accommodation.

However, I prefer to travel on bus by day as the buses tend to speed more at night and do not enjoy sleeping on buses.

Took the Super VIP - 18 seater, fully reclined seat with personal movie system from Konsortium. Fare is now RM75 from previous RM70. There were choices of cartoon, Chnese and English movies.

Bus started at 9:30 am leaving the Sungei Nibong Bus Station in Penang. The bus stopped for restroom and for dinner along the way. The bus used the less busier Second Link Bridge (the other crossing is the Causeway) to cross from Malaysia to Singapore. Dropped off at Golden Mile at about 8pm - a little late than usual because of highway repair.

From Golden Mile, it is 15 minutes walk to the nearest MRT station - Lavendar Station. Better to take a taxi if you have luggage or when it rains.

The VIP rate is cheaper RM50. Less space room and more people. Go Super VIP if you can afford more for comfort.

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Website: http://www.konsortium.com.sg/top/home.php

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: I find that using the MRT is the cheapest and the fastest way to get around most of Singapore destinations. There are many free maps showing the MRT stations and clear signs using color code and numbers of each stations.

The names of the MRT stations will be difficult to pronounce and remember as they reflect the multi-ethnic history of Singapore eg Somerset, Aljunied, Pasir Ris, Yio Chiu Kang, Serangoon.

Interestingly MRT written names and announcements are made in 4 different official languages, English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil.

Chewing gum has been banned in Singapore but not sure if rules are relaxed, why take the risk of being fined. Strictly no eating and drinking but you can talk aloud although it is annoying in a crowded train.

Some of the escalators are long and steep and so take care because some of fallen. You are expected to keep left on the escalators for those in the rush to walk pass you.

MRT Information desk is helpful in direction and getting the right change or buying tickets.

You can use MRT from airport to downtown but if you have a lot of luggage, suffering from jet lag and not sure of your hotel destination, I recommend a taxi. If you want to save, it is easy to get direction, have to change train, and get to your destination cheaper.

Singapore MRT: Clean, comfortable and efficient.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Many Malaysians do not buy their bus tickets at Golden Mile bus agencies in Singapore because it is cheaper to get tickets in Johor Bahru (JB) in Malaysia. One can take a shared taxi, bus or MRT bus combination acroos the causeway to JB, then another to Larkin Bus station and purchase bus tickets in cheaper in Malaysian ringgit to Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Bangkok, Thailand. But you will have to go through the hassle of transfering between buses if you have lots of luggage.

Alternatively, you can get your more expensive ticket and start your journey from Golden Mile area in Singapore. Your luggage will stay in the same bus all the way, cross using the faster 2nd link bridge and you do not have to wait to buy another bus ticket and connecting time at Larkin Bus station. A preferred option if you do not mind spend a little more for a little less hassle.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Found that Chinatown is now a more popular tourist destination than before.

The "NE" MRT line gets you to Chinatown if you switch from Dhoby Ghaut or Outram Station from the "NS" or "EW" MRT line. Found that the interchange is slightly long walk with steep escalators.

Another option is that there is free SMRT bus to Chinatown from Dhoby Ghaut station. The time and schedule is announced and shown at Dhoby Ghaut Station. There is similar free bus to Little India.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Driving around the roads of Singapore is easy and relaxing.

The road signs are big and everything is standardized in size.

Many of the roads have big trees which are pruned and well taken care.

Only thing is for a non-local, there is the ERP where extra charges depending on time, is quite confusing to a tourist.

The names of the roads are also varied and hard to pronounce. But I recognize "Penang Road"

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'Mode': TO
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: From Harbor Front, you can catch a boat to one of the many of off-shore Singaporean islands.

You can even catch a ferry to Batam Island, Bintan Island and other parts of Indonesia.

After all, Singapore started as a seaport and before air travel and land bridge to Malaysia, the only way in and out of Singapore was by a sampan, a perahu or a sailing boat.

Harbor Front terminal has an MRT station.

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