Day 1: Lloret de Mar - Barcelona Airport - How to get from the airport to Singapore
The butterflies return to the stomach. Those nerves that invade us hours before embarking on a plane return and that need we have movement and that this time will take us to enjoy Singapore in 6 days later, continue with the trip to Thailand, with which we will return to the country of smiles willing to rediscover one of the countries that has given us the most incredible moments in our trips for free.
The first day of the trip to Singapore begins soon and is that despite having the flight from Barcelona to Singapore at 12 in the morning, we prefer to go with some time and thus go quieter.
We leave home when it is 6:30 in the morning, for punctual at 8:30, have the car parked in the Aena car park and go to the Singapore Airlines counters, with whom we will make this flight that will take us directly to Singapore in just over 12 hours. This is something that we value more and more and that will also serve as an appetizer to get to know this airline, since in March we will fly again with them to New Zealand.
Flight from Barcelona to Singapore
We take advantage of the couple of hours that we have free after passing the security checks to review the itinerary we have scheduled for these days and board punctual flights from Barcelona to Singapore that will take us to know one of the cities we most wanted to know .
The direct flight of practically 13 hours, passes quickly between readings and films, since it is also much more comfortable than we expected, with a wide distance between seats, which is greatly appreciated, planting in Singapore on time when it is practically 7:30 in the morning.
At this point we have to clarify that technically because of the time change it is already Tuesday, December 11, but considering that this post was going to be very basic and without information, we have preferred to include on this day part of day 11 and tell you how to get from the airport to Singapore, with all the details in addition to basic aspects that we believe are important, to start this trip.
Punctual at 7:15 in the morning we disembark and go directly to the Sky Train, with which you can reach the different terminals of the airport and also to the luggage collection tapes.
It is at this time and only after taking a few minutes at the airport, when we realize the reasons why the Singapore airport is considered one of the best in the world and that all the procedures are incredibly fast, in addition to To be all very well indicated and with infrastructures designed exclusively for passenger comfort, something we have to say, is much appreciated.
Changi Airport
Something to keep in mind is that Changi Airport is known for being one of the best airports in the world, as well as being an attraction in itself, which for many, is part of the essential places to see in Singapore.
Although we will not know it thoroughly now, the day we return from Thailand, we will have 5 hours of liaison, which we are sure, will help us to travel it and enjoy the call "Changi Experience".
We leave you some of the characteristics why Changi is in the ranking of the best airports in the world:
- It is possible to pass immigration procedures and remove luggage in 20 minutes.
- Any transit can be done in 15 minutes, something unthinkable in any other airport of these characteristics.
- Changi is constantly moving, being reformed and expanded almost daily.
- They have free Wi-Fi, which you can get at machines located in several areas of each of the terminals by scanning your passport or directly through a message to your mobile.
- Another feature is the possibility of doing a free tour of Singapore if you have a stopover of more than 5 hours. This can be hired at the stands in each of the terminals.
- In addition to the above features, Changi has free rest areas, sockets in the vast majority of seats, supermarkets, laundry, swimming pool, cinema and games room and even several gardens, in which we are safe, transit hours or Wait, they will fly by.
Singapore airport
No more than 15 minutes pass between the passport control procedures and baggage collection when we are at the departures terminal, already ready to begin to know what we are safe, it will be a city that will give us unforgettable moments.
For work reasons, in our trips we need to be connected, so the first thing we do is go find a SIM card and get money, two things for which you also ask us a lot and we leave all the details below .
More practical information to prepare your trip to Singapore
- The best tips for traveling Singapore
- 10 essential places to see in Singapore
SIM card. How to have internet in Singapore?
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.
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 as 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.
SIM card. How to have internet in Singapore?
Holafly prepaid SIM card
Another option is to choose to buy one Holafly SIM card being in Spain, 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
How to get money in Singapore and not pay commissions?
This is another question you ask us, especially when we are traveling, it 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.
At Changi airport, we get money directly from one of the ATMs in the departures area, in which the commission is 1.09SDG, amount that BNEXT reimburses us at the moment, in addition to having the best change, which adjusts the own card
ATM at the Singapore airport
With these procedures already done, it's time to look how to get from the airport to Singapore, something very easy and intuitive in this airport, where you only have to follow the indications, whether you want to go by public transport or taxi.
How to get from the airport to Singapore
There are several ways to go from the airport to Singapore, these being the most comfortable and usual options:
- MRT: If your flight arrives or leaves within the schedule, the best option to go from the airport to Singapore is the MRT or Singapore meters. For a price of 2.40SGD you can reach most tourist places in the city.
- Bus: Another option is to opt for the bus to go from the airport to the center of Singapore. In this case the price is 2SGD but the time is normally more than one hour, so this would be, according to our experience, the least recommended option.
- Taxi: With a price of between 28SGD and 38SGD, depending on the destination, the taxi would be the most expensive option.
- Private transfer: With a price similar to that of the taxi, it is the most comfortable option, since a driver will wait for you at the airport to take you directly to the hotel. It is perfect if you arrive during a time when the subway or bus is not operational. You can book it directly here.
How to get from the airport to Singapore
Singapore Metro (MRT)
As we mentioned before, the first thing to keep in mind is that the Singapore Metro, known as MRT, is the most comfortable option to tour the city and go from the airport to Singapore, 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.
The exact price you will see at the time of buying the ticket on the machines, where you must choose the destination station.
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.
MRT Singapore
Tips for using the Singapore subway
- If you do not buy any of the tourist cards, keep in mind that the individual ticket can be recharged and you will be returned 0.10 each way, after the sixth trip.
- It is important to know that most vending machines only give change for purchases of more than 4 dollars. In case you don't carry the right money, you can always go to a 7Eleven, or any supermarket, to buy something and get change.
- The purchase process is incredibly simple and intuitive. You just have to click on the map, selecting the station where you want to go down and you will see that the price that you must insert in the machine is immediately indicated and then give you the tickets.
Buy the Singapore Tourist Pass Card and the Ez-Link
In Singapore you have the options 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
- Singapore Tourist Pass 2 days - 16SGD
- Singapore Tourist Pass 3 days - 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 in all MRT stations (subway) or tourist information offices (Singapore Visitors' Center).
MRT Singapore
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.
In our case we choose go from the airport to Singapore with the subway, the fastest option, following the indications to take the Green Line (East West Line) that will take us from Changi Airport to Bayfront, the stop of our hotel, making a change of line at the Expo stop. This journey does not take us more than 30 minutes, in which we already begin to breathe what this trip to Singapore is going to be and to get an idea of how incredible this city is.
And the first surprise of the trip comes and it is nothing more and nothing less than the vision of the Marina Bay Sands, which will be our accommodation in Singapore these days and of which for many photos we had seen, it does not stop surprising us and more when we are going to Check in and confirm that our room, despite being so early, is ready and located on the top floor of the hotel, something that makes us forget about fatigue for a few minutes and outline a smile from ear to ear, which We will not take off again until we leave one of the most amazing accommodations in which we have been lucky enough to stay.
Reception Marina Bay Sands
We take advantage of the first hours at Marina Bay Sands to enjoy the room, rest for a while and after a restful shower, make a quick visit to the infinity pool, one of the symbols of the city and the skywalker viewpoint, free for guests , from where we have the first stunning views of the city.
Marina Bay Sands pool
Sky Park Marina Bay Sands
Views from the Sky Park Marina Bay Sands
At this point in the guide, we want to say that considering that the Marina Bay Sands is an attraction in itself and that the chronological and real order of the trip we have altered in a way to tell the whole arrival in the same articles, the next post we publish will be entirely dedicated to the hotel, so you can get to know it a little more and decide like this, if it is a valid option to stay in Singapore.
Seeing that the day is quite clear and without entering the planned itinerary, since today the idea was to enjoy the hotel only, we decided to approach Gardens by the Bay, another of the symbols of the city, for a first take contact that serves as an appetizer of what we can live a couple of days later, when we spend in this area of the city almost all day, visiting and touring it thoroughly.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay
Being already time to eat and with the stomach asking for attention, we decided to go to the food court or food court of the Marina Bay Sands shopping center, where for 40 dollars we eat some noodles with crab and lobster, which we have to confess, they are really they are incredible.
Marina Bay Sands food court
Marina Bay Sands food court
After lunch we take the opportunity to take a walk around the mall and seeing that the sky begins to cloud and a light drizzle begins, we decided that the time has come to go to the room to rest for a couple of hours, since on the plane there We have slept practically nothing and we began to notice that jetlag, which we hope to attack with a few hours of sleep.
Fully renovated and full of energy, at 6 pm we leave Marina Bay Sands now for the opposite side of Gardens by the Bay with an objective in mind, the Merlion area, from where we hope to enjoy the Spectra show, that the hotel offers every night for free and we will talk in the next post in more detail.
Marina Bay Sands
Spectra show
After the experience, we have to say that it is totally recommended, if you have several nights, see one from this area, since although the sound is not heard well and the water show is not clear, the views of Marina Bay Sands at night they are really worth seeing and more with the play of lights of the night show.
Merlion
Helix Bridge
Similarly, another night, we advise you to see it from the area of the spectacular Louis Vuitton store, from where the show looks much closer and you can enjoy another perspective.
Keep in mind that this show is held twice a day (at 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) from Sunday to Thursday, and three times (8:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.) on Fridays and Saturdays.
After this first contact with the night of Singapore, we approached dinner at Makansutra Gluttons Bay, a food court very close to the hotel, where we cannot resist the Hong Kong Street Old Chun Kee post, famous for its chilli crab , one of the star dishes of Singaporean cuisine, 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
It is important to know that you can only pay in cash, something to keep in mind since the only option to get money in the surroundings would be to return to the Marina Sands Bay shopping center.
After dinner and taking advantage of the fact that we are clear, we take the opportunity to go to the pool at night to take some photos and approach the hotel platform again to enjoy one of the most incredible views of the city and it is that without a doubt, Although this accommodation is not exactly cheap, we have to say that it is a spectacle and it is very worthwhile to stay here, even if it is only one night.
Day 2: Marina Bay Sands, the best accommodation in Singapore
