Travel to Singapore It's probably what you have in mind if you've got here. I know either because of that or because I already have the flights or even because it is a destination that catches your attention, what we can already anticipate is that a trip to Singapore will be one of the greatest successes of your traveling life.
Although doing any route through the city like Singapore in 6 days we did, you do not need great preparations, since the city is very easy to travel, if we believe that there are certain details and observations that can make your trip much more easy and comfortable That is why we have decided to publish this post about tips for traveling to SingaporeIn which we will talk about the best time to travel, recommendations for accommodation, possible routes and places to visit, which we hope will help you with the travel arrangements.
Marina Bay Sands
Best time to travel to Singapore
If you already have dates set for travel to Singapore, do not worry, since the city has temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees that remain around the lake throughout the year, making any time of the year good to visit Singapore.
Something that is interesting to know is that between the months of November and January, there is usually the highest rainfall, although these are common in the city throughout the year and are usually heavy rains for a while, which do not represent A great impediment when it comes to enjoying the city.
If we take this into account, something interesting and what we will talk about later, is to have a plan B for each day, with which you can continue enjoying the city in case of bad weather. This includes visits to some of the city's interesting museums or the Gardens by the Bay greenhouses, for example.
With this in mind, we could say that any time is good for travel to Singapore, it is perhaps more appropriate to plan the trip according to the needs of each traveler, without looking too much at what is the best time or valuing to avoid the festivities, moments in which the city is usually much more crowded.
Visa to travel to Singapore
If you are Spanish, it is necessary to have a passport valid for more than 6 months to travel to Singapore. For stays of less than 90 days, a visa is not necessary and you cannot perform any type of paid work if you do not have the corresponding work permit.
Views from the Sky Park Marina Bay Sands
Transportation in Singapore
Although many of the places to see in Singapore are very close to each other, you probably need to use the subway at some point to get from one place to another or just to go from the airport to Singapore.
We anticipate that it is very intuitive, although it is also true that if it is the first time you are in the city, it is worth knowing a little how it works and have an idea at least of the lines that are there and where the attractions of interest are located more important.
Singapore Metro (MRT)
The first thing to keep in mind is that the Singapore Metro, known as MRT, is the most comfortable option for touring the city, since with its 5 lines, it covers practically the entire city, including tourist sites.
Keep in mind that in the subway there are some prohibitions such as not smoking or eating or drinking.
Singapore Metro Lines
NS Red Line (North South Line): From Marina Bay to Jurong East.
EW Green Line (East West Line): From Changi Airport to Tuas Link. As we will discuss later, this is the most appropriate option to go from the airport to the city center.
NE Purple Line (North East Line): From HarborFront to Punggol.
CC Yellow Line (Circle Line): From HarborFront to Marina Bay.
DTL Blue Line (Downtown Line): From Bukit Panjang to Expo.
Singapore subway schedule
The subway starts operating in Singapore from 5:30 a.m. to 00:30 p.m. and has a frequency of 5 minutes on average between one and the other.
Singapore subway price
The price of the metro in Singapore, as in other cities of the world, depends on the distance you travel or the stops you have traveled, although in general the majority of tickets have prices between 1.5 and 2.5SGD per route.
Something to keep in mind to save on transportation, is to buy the Ez-Link Card or the Singapore Tourist Pass, which we will talk about later.
Take the MRT, one of the best tips for traveling to Singapore
Singapore buses
Although in principle, with the MRT you can reach all the places of interest, Singapore has buses to get you closer to the places where the subway does not reach. The two companies that provide these services are SMRT and SBS Transit, the first with 7 night lines that operate from Friday to Sunday and holidays from 23: 30h to 2h.
Singapore bus schedule
The Singapore bus schedule is very similar to the subway, operating between 5:30 a.m. to 00:30 p.m.
Bus price
The price of the bus depends on the distance traveled, starting at 1.40SGD per way.
As in the subway, to save on transport, it is best to buy the Ez-Link Card or the Singapore Tourist Pass.
Orchad Road
How to get from the airport to the city center
There are several options to go from the airport to the city center, the most common being the following:
- MRT: Given that Changi Airport is very well connected to the center of Singapore, the best option, provided that you arrive between 5:30 and 23: 15h, is to opt for the Singapore Metro (MRT - Mass Rapid Transit ), with which in approximately 30 minutes and for 2.40SGD you will make the journey from the airport to the city center.
- Bus: Another option is to opt for the bus, taking the number 36 for 2.10SGD and in one hour, it will take you to the city center.
- Taxi: This is the most expensive option, but also more comfortable than the previous ones, especially if you arrive at a time outside the use of public transport. The price is between 28 and 38SGD depending on the destination.
How to get from the airport to Singapore
Buy the Singapore Tourist Pass Card and the Ez-Link
If you are going to travel to Singapore it may be useful to buy the Singapore Tourist Pass Card and the Ez-Link, two cards with which you can save a lot of money if you are going to use public transport on a regular basis.
We tell you the characteristics of each of them, so you can assess which one best suits your needs.
Singapore Tourist Pass
The great advantage of the Singapore Tourist Pass card is to be able to use Singapore public transport, buses and MRT (Metro) unlimitedly. In addition, like other cards of this type from other countries, some discounts are included in some of the stores in the city.
There are 3 types of Singapore Tourist Pass:
- Singapore Tourist Pass 1 day - 10SGD
- 2-day Singapore Tourist Pass - 16SGD
- 3-day Singapore Tourist Pass - 20SGD
You should keep in mind that once you buy them, the period of validity starts counting and ends at 00:30 on the last day of validity (depending on what you purchased).
At the time of purchase, whatever the variant, you must leave in deposit 10SGD, which will be returned when you return the card. Remember that you have 5 days to do so and have your deposit refunded.
You have two options to acquire the Singapore Tourist Pass, the first one being the most appropriate, if you arrive at the airport and you will make the journey to the center by public transport:
- Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) offices at Changi Airport.
- Transit Link offices, located at all MRT stations (subway) or at tourist information offices (Singapore Visitors' Center).
Ez-Link
The Ez-Link, instead of being a transport voucher to use, is a rechargeable card with which in addition to paying for Singapore public transport (bus and subway), you can pay at some shops.
Like Japan's wallet cards, you should use it by bringing it close to the machines before entering transport and after, once you leave. The machine will adjust the ticket price per distance traveled and will be the price charged.
The price is 12SGD, but you have to take into account that of that amount, since 5SGD are for the purchase of the card, which is not returned, so you will only initially have 7SGD to pay for the transport.
Once you consume them or before, you can recharge the card in any of the machines that are in the offices of Transitlink or in the subway stations.
In our experience, the Ez-Link is more suitable for long stays in the city, since it is when it compensates more and you can see that you are saving.
In case you make a trip to Singapore for a few days, we believe that it is best to opt for the Singapore Tourist Pass, much more comfortable and with which in addition, you will be returned the deposit once you have returned it.
To take into account that each person must buy a card. It cannot be shared.
Singapore
Singapore travel insurance
Another of the tips for traveling to Singapore, refers to health and is that if there is something important in any trip, is to make it safe. For that nothing better than having good travel insurance.
We always travel insured with Mondo, with whom we carry a totally adequate insurance to the needs that we will have on the trip.
The hiring process is very easy and intuitive and also, just for being a reader of Street Travelers, you have a 5% discount.
Accommodation in Singapore
We know that one of the things that take longer to organize a trip is the choice of accommodation. And to travel to Singapore is no less, since you are probably several days and want to enjoy a hotel with city views.
After our experience, we can only recommend staying even one day at the Marina Bay Sands, the best accommodation in Singapore. In addition to having incredible infrastructure, the hotel has the most impressive infinity pool in the world, located on the 57th floor, with extraordinary views and which only hotel guests can access.
If you decide to spend a night here, we assure you that you will not regret it!
- You can book the Marina Bay Sands here.
- Book your accommodation in Singapore here.
Infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands
Money in Singapore
One of the questions you ask us most, especially when we are traveling, is how to get money abroad. To avoid paying commissions and always having the current change, we recommend using the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
Something to keep in mind is that in Singapore, especially in tourist places, you can pay by card in practically all places, so having a card without commissions can be the best travel companion.
Regardless of what we mentioned earlier, carrying cash is also necessary, since in some places they do not accept a card, so it is always important to carry some money.
Internet in Singapore. Buy a SIM card to connect to the internet
Although in Singapore you will find Wi-Fi in most accommodation and restaurants in the city, as well as in many places enabled with free Wi-Fi, in case you want to be permanently connected, we advise you to purchase a free SIM card, which is for us, the best option to have internet when traveling and one of the best tips for traveling to Singapore.
Of the several options that exist, we buy a SIM card from the company SINTEL for seven days, with 100GB, local and international messages, local calls and 15 minutes of international calls for 10SGD.
Tips for buying a SIM card at the Singapore airport
- You can find the stores of the different existing companies right at the Departures Terminal, which you will access after collecting the luggage.
- The most recommended card is that of the company SINTEL. If your trip is only a few days, we recommend that you buy this, as it is the one that offers the best plan.
- Be careful since some of the stores offer cards from this same company but at much higher prices. This is because the cards are for frequent travelers and therefore, the prices are more expensive.
- If you do not want to buy a card or your phone is not free, do not worry, there is Wi-Fi practically throughout the city, you just have to register to use it and connect to the Wireless @ SG line
SIM card. How to have internet in Singapore?
Holafly prepaid SIM card
Another option is to buy a Holafly SIM card, with which you will have internet from the moment you land, saving you all the time of the negotiations and making the whole process to have internet in Singapore much more comfortable, fast and easy.
In this case, with the Holafly SIM you will have several Gb to surf the Internet (depending on the option you choose), they will send it to you for free at home, you will keep your WhatsApp number and you will have assistance service in Spanish. You can buy your Holafly prepaid SIM card here with a 5% discount for being our reader.
More information on the Holafly post, the best prepaid SIM card for travel
Recommended excursions in Singapore
Although all the places that we have known in Singapore can be visited perfectly for free, if you want to know this city more thoroughly, in a more comfortable way and to know its history, we leave you a series of guided tours in Spanish, perfect for traveling to Singapore
- Singapore private tour with guide in Spanish
- Singapore tourist bus
- Entrance to the Marina Bay Sands viewpoint
- Entrance to the Bay Gardens
- Entrance to the Museum of Art and Science
- Many more excursions and tours in / from Singapore here
Gardens by the Bay
Singapore Routes
As we discussed earlier, it is important to have that when traveling to Singapore, it is likely that some of the days are not as good as you thought. That is why it is interesting to have flexible planning, which you can modify depending on the weather.
We leave you linked the routes we did in Singapore in 6 days, which can be perfectly exchanged with each other and modified depending on the weather.
- Singapore in one day
- Singapore in 2 days
- Singapore in 3 days
- Best photos of Singapore. We leave this post in which in addition to reviewing the places you can not miss in the city, in the end we leave our recommendations with different routes around the city, depending on the days you have.
Singapore Museum of Art and Science
Chinatown neighborhood in Singapore
Security in Singapore
Singapore is considered one of the safest cities in the world. Despite this, it is advisable to maintain some basic security measures, such as not carrying valuable objects at night or going cautiously in tourist places without losing sight of belongings. In addition to this, in case of leaving the tourist areas of the city, at night, it is worth asking at the hotel, if these are safe.
As we always say, common sense is the greatest security we can carry with us when we travel.
Boat quay
Recommendations and tips for traveling to Singapore
We leave you a series of recommendations and tips for traveling to Singapore, in addition to some basic aspects, of a country that we are safe, will surprise you and make you fall in love equally.
- During much of the year, in Singapore they are 7 hours more than in Spain.
- Although business hours may vary from one location to another, they generally open from 10am to 6pm. Supermarkets usually open until 8-21pm and on Sundays, most shops close. There are also stores that open 24 hours, so you will not have problems if you must buy something urgently.
- Singapore has 4 official languages, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English, so if you have basic notions of the latter, you will have no problem traveling around the country.
- In Singapore the common voltage is 230V, the frequency 50Hz and the plugs and plugs of type G. Normally in the hotels there are adapters, although it is not too much to carry a universal one just in case.
- The currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar (SGD) and its value in 2019 is approximately 0.65 euros.
- As we mentioned earlier in the money section, in Singapore the use of a card, whether Visa or Mastercard, is very widespread for both payments and money withdrawals.
- The prefix to call Singapore is +0065 plus the 8-digit phone number.
- Holidays in Singapore:
1 of January New Year
January-February - Chinese New Year
May 1 - Labor Day
May - Vesak. The date depends on the full moon.
June - Hari Raya Puasa (end of Ramadan)
August - Hari Raya Haji (For four days the faith and complete trust of the Prophet Ibrahim in God is commemorated)
August 9 - Singapore Independence
25th December, Christmas
Tips for traveling to Singapore
Recommended restaurants in Singapore
One of the most important aspects when traveling to Singapore, is to know its gastronomy. This is something that in our case we value very much in all destinations, but we believe it is something even more special in Singapore, since this city is considered one of the best gastronomically speaking.
Given this, we want to leave you a series of recommendations and advice, both of the restaurants we have tried throughout the trip, as well as the remarkable things that have caught our attention.
- Keep in mind that in Singapore, in most restaurants or coffee shops, you can pay by credit card.
- The price of restaurants in Singapore, in general, is above average, although you can always go to a food court or food court, where in general, prices are much more adjusted.
- If you do not want to spend a lot on meals, we recommend you to escape from the Marina Bay Sands area, including the food court in The Shoppes, since the prices are more similar to a normal restaurant than to a food court. foods.
- In Singapore it is not very common to leave a tip, although in some restaurants this is included with the concept "service" in the account and in others, you can include it directly in the ticket, so that they make the direct charge on your card.
Craft Burger: One of The Shoppes' most recommended restaurants, the Marina Bay Sands shopping center. We ordered a salad with falafel and a salad with wagyu burger, water and coffees for 57SGD, which we have to say, they are spectacular!
Eating at The Shoppes
Makansutra Gluttons Bay: This food court, located very close to the hotel, is one of the most recommended places to eat in Singapore. Especially recommended is the local Hong Kong Street Old Chun Kee, famous for its chilli crab, one of the star dishes of the cuisine of Singapore, where we ordered a pineapple rice for 8 dollars and a chilli crab for 32 dollars, which is one of the most brutal dishes we have ever eaten.
Makansutra Gluttons Bay
Chilli Crab in Makansutra Gluttons Bay
Keep in mind that you can only pay in cash, something to keep in mind since the only option to get money around would be to return to the Marina Sands Bay shopping center.
No Signboard Seafood: Without a doubt, one of the best places to try chilli crab, one of the star dishes of Singaporean cuisine. We ordered two chili crab, 3 dishes of mantous, the bread with which the sauce is wet, and two waters for 177SGD.
We know that it is not exactly economical, but we have to say that it is one of the most brutal dishes we have ever tasted and that this is also one of the most recommended restaurants to try this dish, so after the experience, we believe it deserves It is worth paying every dollar and making it an experience to add when traveling to Singapore.
Chilli Crab at No Signboard Seafood
Keep in mind that the price of crab is 90SGD per kilo, you can choose the piece yourself and also choose between several spicy levels.
Another thing you should know is that No Signboard Seafood has three branches in Singapore, although the most recommended is the one located at 414 Geylang Road, which is the original and to which we have come.
Another one is located in The Esplanade area, very close to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, perfect location if you stay there and you can take advantage of dinner after watching the night show.
Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodles: Known for being the cheapest Michelin star restaurant in the world, this place has managed to be one of the most frequented restaurants thanks to the chicken served by its chef, Chan Hon Meng for only 3.80SGD the dish.
In honor of the truth and without being experts, we have to say that after the experience, we do not understand the reason very well since it is not a place we would return to either for food or especially for cleaning.
That said, as a curiosity, it is worth a visit and considering that the dishes are not very abundant, it can be taken as a appetizer.
Soy Sauce Chicken Rice
Soy Sauce Chicken Rice
DePizza: This is one of the most recommended restaurants in Singapore. We ordered a cheese pizza and a pepperoni pizza plus beer and water for 55SGD. Highly recommended!
Recommended restaurants in Singapore
