Singapore

Getting around Singapore

Public transport in Singapore is easy to navigate and great value for money. There are various options you can take when travelling around Singapore.

Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) (my favourite way to get around!): 

The MRT is the fastest way to get around Singapore and is one of the cleanest transport systems in the world. Fares are charged according to the total distance travelled. You can use your Mastercard and Visa contactless bank cards for payment.

The last train from Changi Airport is at 12.06am. 

Alternatively, purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass, which allows you unlimited travel on Singapore's public buses and MRT trains. There are 3 options, each pass has a refundable deposit of SGD 10. The prices are as follows:

•    1 Day Pass: SGD 20 
•    2-Day Pass: SGD 26
•    3-Day Pass: SGD 30

Taxi: Hailing a taxi is quite easy in most parts of Singapore. It is always best to get a taxi from one of the numerous taxi stands in Singapore, such as at hotels and shopping centres. All taxis in Singapore are metered and the fare system will vary slightly dependent on the taxi operator.

There is no Uber in Singapore, however you can download the GrabTaxi app which is very similar. You can also use Gojek or Ryde.

When to Visit Singapore

Lying close to the equator means Singapore enjoys a sunny tropical climate all year round. The climate tends to be warm and sunny, with average daytime temperatures of 31C, dropping to around 24C in the evenings.

High Season -  December to May

• Expect  expensive flight prices and high hotel occupancy during the high season.

Shoulder Season - June and November

• The best times to visit are in the inter-monsoon periods when the weather is less rainy and crowds are manageable.

• Hotel and restaurant prices are high, but they are more easily acquired during the shoulder season.

Low Season -  July to October

• In general, the weather is quite wet with a few sunny days intermittently.

• If you don't mind the rain you will be rewarded with fewer tourists and less queuing at top tourist attractions.

• Off-season tourists will find great deals on flights and hotels.

Top Attractions 

• Marina Bay Sands

• Singapore Zoo

• Night Safari

• Singapore Botanic Gardens

• Gardens by the Bay

• Universal Studios

• SEA Aquarium

• Singapore Cable Car

• Singapore Flyer

• Adventure Cove Waterpark

• River Wanders

• Bird Paradise

Foodies

Singapore is known as the food capital of Asia. Eating is the favourite pastime for Singaporeans and is a big part of their culture. You will also find culinary influences from Chinese, Indian, Malay and Peranakan cuisine. 

Here are some popular dishes to try:

• Chilli Crab - one of Singapore's famous and unofficial national dish.

• Hainanese Chicken Rice – found at most hawker centres, this simple dish consists of poached chicken, rice cooked in chicken stock and a chilli dipping sauce.

• Laksa – a spicy, coconut milk-based, noodle soup.

• Roti Prata – an Indian speciality, this savoury flat bread dish is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. 

• Rojak – a dark and sticky salad which is sweet and savoury.

• Kaya Toast – a popular breakfast for locals. Kaya is a traditional jam made from coconut and eggs which you can have with toast and butter. 

Hawker Centres 

Hawker centres or food courts are a way of Singaporean life and is the best way to sample authentic, local dishes at extremely affordable prices. Did you know that one of Singapore’s hawker stalls actually has a one-Michelin star (Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle), which means you can buy a Michelin meal for less than £5! Join the stall with the longest queue and you’ll be guaranteed an amazing meal!

Here are some popular hawker centres:

Lau Pa Sat – a historic market in the heart of the civic district. Beyond the usual stores, it is also now home to Food Folks, a space that brings together heritage brands, modern-Singaporean food concepts and locally produced retail items under one roof. Outside is also the famous Satay Street, where stalls sell the best of the street’s namesake chicken and beef skewers.

Maxwell Food Centre – located in the heart of Chinatown and a favourite of many locals. You will find many recommended stalls by Michelin’s Bib Gourmand guide such as Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and Popo & Nana’s Delights.

Newton Food Centre – you will probably recognise this place from Hollywood hit Crazy Rich Asians. This buzzing hawker centre is another favourite with close to 100 hawker stalls. Make sure to try the sambal stingray.

Tekka Centre – located in Little India, Tekka is Singapore’s largest indoor ‘wet’ market where you can fill your tummy with South Indian vegetarian food, North Indian tandoori dishes and local fare like roti prata (round pancakes) and teh tarik (pulled tea).

Old Airport Road – another local favourite, here you will find multiple lor mee or char quay teow hawkers touting their versions of local staples. 

Nightlife

Clarke Quay and Boat Quay – If you’re looking to dance the night away or indulge in a pint or two, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay are bound to slake your thirst for entertainment. Clarke Quay is one of Singapore’s key entertainment districts, a colourful kaleidoscope of buildings housing an array of clubs, pubs, bars and eateries. Ultra-popular venues include F.Club x Attica SG –a stylish institution known for its amazing ladies' night deals and Crazy Elephant, for those who like live covers or rock and roll hits. Just round the corner, Boat Quay offers a more relaxed experience, with its stretch of bars and restaurants along the river.

Dempsey Hill – For those who prefer a quieter watering hole, you will find a hip cluster of establishments set amid lush, quiet surroundings that evoke old world charm in Dempsey Hill. Once the site for the British army barracks in colonial times, you will now find multiple food and drink options hidden within these conserved black-and-white buildings. Check out The Rabbit Hole, a beautiful garden bar specialising in gin concoctions or the RedDot BrewHouse for craft beer enthusiasts.

Ann Siang Hill and Club Street – This L-shaped enclave in Chinatown comes alive after dark and is known for its hip little watering holes and laid-back hangouts. There are lots of cool joints in the district which is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of bar-hopping. Make a stop at The Screening Room for a unique combination of movies and drinks and then head to Gem Bar, where crowds of people spill out into the streets.

Fullerton and Marina Bay – Classy watering holes, rooftop bars and elegant drinking spots line the Fullerton and Marina Bay area. Start at OverEasy for its potent concoctions, admire the view at rooftop bar Lantern or LeVeL33 (the world’s highest urban craft brewery) and end the night at Marquee at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore’s largest nightclub that is home to a three-storey slide and giant Ferris wheel.

Where to Stay

• Marina Bay Sands (can personally recommend!)

• QT Singapore (can personally recommend!)

• Raffles Singapore 

• The Fullerton Hotel

• Mandarin Oriental

• Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

• The Singapore EDITION

• The Warehouse Hotel

• The Fullerton Bay Hotel 

• PARKROYAL on Pickering

• Capella Singapore

• W Singapore Sentosa Cove

• Shangri-La Singapore

• Mondrian Singapore Duxton

• Pan Pacific Orchard

• JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

• The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia

CRUISE

Want to explore more of Southeast Asia?  Singapore is ideal for travellers looking to experience more of the region by combining a cruise with a pre or post stay in Singapore.

Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore

The Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) is one of the largest cruise terminals in Asia. Since its opening in 2012, MBCCS has welcomed numerous cruise ships, including some of the world’s largest cruise ships at its two-berth facility. Being conveniently located on the waterfront at Marina Bay, MBCCS offers impressive views of downtown Singapore skyline. Cruise passengers can also visit nearby attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands and Marina Barrage.

Singapore Cruise Centre

Strategically located in the Sentosa Harbourfront lifestyle precinct, the award-winning Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) offers a VIP check-in lounge for cruise lines and passenger service counters for direct tour and limousine bookings. Cruise passengers can explore key tourism offerings such as Vivocity, one of Singapore’s largest shopping malls and Sentosa island which houses SEA Aquarium, Universal Studios and Resorts World Sentosa.