Singapore - Singapore for first time / for a few days, NOT just a stopover [merged]

We've been travelling to Sydney each year via Singapore and each year the stopover has got longer and longer ..... and currently stands at 4 days on the outward trip and 4 days on the return.

Guess what?!

Next year .... we're going to Singapore and staying for seven days or so ......

Why? I think we've realised against the common attitude that Singapore is actually a wonderful destination rather than simply a place to have a stopover on the way to somewhere else. We find ourselves thinking about Singapore more and more and the final destination less and less. For example the Botanic Gardens where we go every morning for our walks. The place is unique. And for the hawker stalls where you get fantastic food etc. It's just a lovely place to wander and eat and idle. I know it's not a beach destination but I don't like beaches!

I know the place is small, but it IS perfectly formed and you receive a genuine welcome. So I'd encourage people to think about Singapore on it's merits rather than just somewhere to recupererate for a day or two before moving on.

uk1, thank you! We'd like to think of Singapore as a good place to visit and stay too, not just a place to sleep overnight before moving on someplace else.

(BTW not to be snide but in the interest of transparency, are you getting something from the Singapore Tourism Board for your post? The new advertising slogan is 'Your Singapore', and suggests that you make 'Singapore your own'!)

uk1, thank you! We'd like to think of Singapore as a good place to visit and stay too, not just a place to sleep overnight before moving on someplace else.

(BTW not to be snide but in the interest of transparency, are you getting something from the Singapore Tourism Board for your post? The new advertising slogan is 'Your Singapore', and suggests that you make 'Singapore your own'!)

I'm surpised you ask - look at my post count! Do they pay!? No - I'm not!

My first year to Sydney we went via Bangkok and returned via Singapore. Bangkok was interesting but we found it - and I generalise - dirty and difficult. We found ourselves in some difficult taxi situations and were accosted quite a lot. I got food poisoning from a 5* hotel. We won't be going back. On the way back we stayed at Singapore and had a great time. Everyone is friendly and welcoming and honest. And there is enough to do if you like wandering and eating etc. Since then we've been many times and we're now starting to plan trips to Singapre as the destination.

I wanted to post because we're suprised to find ourselves thinking this way and simply thought we'd say so to encourage others to rethink.

We have been to Singapore quite a few times- mainly for 2 or 3 days at a time. We do love it- but its very expensive so we wouldn't look at it as a main destination.

We have been to Singapore quite a few times- mainly for 2 or 3 days at a time. We do love it- but its very expensive so we wouldn't look at it as a main destination.

EXPENSIVE!

Not certain how you find it so. I stay at the IC and use their special rates (learn from the ICHG forum) and get upgrades etc. I also get a rebate via Quidco. I use weekend certs as a Royal Ambassador - you get these also if you buy Ambassador membership. My last two 3 night stays had a base cost that was cheap. I had 2 weekend certs and I earned enough points for nearly 2 more nights stay. So having then taken the quidco rebate offl it was three nights for the price of one and we had a great suite for the price of a room. Lounge access gave us breakfast and some wine before we went out in the evenings. It was very very cheap and very very good!

Taxis are the cheapest anywhere - not even worth bothering about public transport. Our best meals all seemed to be around £2 or £3 ..... although I admit we order several meals ...... I must admit I don't like the price of beer and wine though. Sydney for example is very expensive both accomodation and food.

Which element of your travel budget in Singapore is expensive? Let's see if we can help!

I'm surpised you ask - look at my post count! Do they pay!? No - I'm not!

I wanted to post because we're suprised to find ourselves thinking this way and simply thought we'd say so to encourage others to rethink.


Sorry - I was playing a bit of tongue in cheek humor that didn't quite come out right. However it is interesting that the Singapore Tourism Board has recently changed their promo slogan to 'Your Singapore' - just a coincidence with your post.

Apologies if I was a bit over the top, mea culpa.

Sorry - I was playing a bit of tongue in cheek humor that didn't quite come out right. However it is interesting that the Singapore Tourism Board has recently changed their promo slogan to 'Your Singapore' - just a coincidence with your post.

Apologies if I was a bit over the top, mea culpa.

No problems at all........

I think we're just suprised by how different Singapre has been to what we expected. And it's very inexpensive to add very real luxury to the trip. Our best indulgence is the JetQuay service which I know is bad value compared to taxis etc but being met from the plane by the buggy and having your luggage collected for you and limmo'ing into town is the only way ......

The last time we went to Singapore, summer 2008, we found the hotels were a lot more expensive. I'll need to pop in here before we next go( tend to stopover both to and from Bali) and see if anyone can point me out to good deals. Also restaurants. :) I don't think you can help with cheaper drink prices though- I did notice most people ordered a drink and a water.

I guess you got my genuine welcome because when I was there a few weeks back, no one was welcoming me!

Sorry, I still find the place hot, humid, and boring.

I guess you got my genuine welcome because when I was there a few weeks back, no one was welcoming me!

Sorry, I still find the place hot, humid, and boring.

That's a shame.

You should see the welcome us Brits get when we come to the US .......:D

Have to admit it is one of the most humid places I've been to. Perhaps we picked the worst time to go. (Hong Kong in the summer is also as humid). I do prefer Bangkok but Singapore has so many great places to visit. The World War aspect of it interesting for instance. Changi museum, the Battlebox and Fort Siloso - the latter being one of the few places I would visit on Sentosa though- far too gimicky for my liking.

You've probably gathered from my post ..... I think it's a long fuse thing. A place you sort of "get into".

All of the things I hear highlighted by people seem to be the things I didn't like but now realise I do like I hear it's "oppressive"! Oppressive for who? People who spit, or smoke in public, or get drunk in public, or run in front of cars or deal drugs or break the law etc etc?! If a street hawker is dirty, or cheats his customers he's closed down.

As it happens I get the impression people feel safe there. You don't see police all over the streets - but it's safe. People are polite and interested. Life is "well ordered". It isn't perfect, but it feels so.

We were just looking at my wife's video for our early mornings into Botanic gardens and looking at the ladies doing tai chi. Do you know it's the same ladies in our film for the last 6 visits! That's continuity.

Back a few weeks and now planning my next trip ..... but without the silly diversion to Oz. I'm plucking up courage to spend a week in Singapore. Will I get bored? Who knows ..... but I'll let you know!:)

Back a few weeks and now planning my next trip ..... but without the silly diversion to Oz. I'm plucking up courage to spend a week in Singapore. Will I get bored? Who knows ..... but I'll let you know!:)

I've been 6 or 7 times, specifically just to visit SIN and then back to the UK, never been bored. Then again I'm happy sitting by the river drinking Tiger ;)

Haven't been for a couple of years now but had a fix last weekend with google earth street view :D

The OH and I are wondering about a re-visit [I lived and worked there for 3 years back in the days of Empire, some 40 years ago]. I have a friend there at the moment on a long stop-over on the way to Oz, and I'm waiting for her report.

Please keep the info coming, especially hotel recommendations that won't require me to come out of retirement and get a job to afford to stay in them!

Humid? Yes - all year round, as I remember it!!

I think Singapore's problem is that most of the feedback people hear is from people just on short stopovers and understandbly they got their feedback from others on stopovers ...... so it's understandable that the majority don't "get it".

I must admit I'm either thinking about food ... and tiger beer .. most of the time or eating it. My last main meal on my last trip was at Newtons and was under £2.00 .......

People are programmed to notice differences when they see them but often don't notice things that "aren't there". One thing I noticed on my last trip is the lack of impatience on the roads and the almost complete lack of people using their car horns. Once you notice it .... it's eery because you get use to the sound of horns in cities.

People are programmed to notice differences when they see them but often don't notice things that "aren't there". One thing I noticed on my last trip is the lack of impatience on the roads and the almost complete lack of people using their car horns. Once you notice it .... it's eery because you get use to the sound of horns in cities.

Things have certainly changed over the last 40 years! It used to be lean on the horn and barge your way through - not helped by the Chinese who never used their mirrors because a devil was sitting on the rear parcel shelf on the cushion provided. :)

I've spent much of the morning reading the Wikitravel article ... and am now looking at fares on SQ and BA ;)

I see that Tom Jones has been gargeling at the Intercontinental.

Tell me about it, been here for more than 20yrs.

I think Singapore's problem is that most of the feedback people hear is from people just on short stopovers and understandbly they got their feedback from others on stopovers ...... so it's understandable that the majority don't "get it".

I must admit I'm either thinking about food ... and tiger beer .. most of the time or eating it. My last main meal on my last trip was at Newtons and was under £2.00 .......

People are programmed to notice differences when they see them but often don't notice things that "aren't there". One thing I noticed on my last trip is the lack of impatience on the roads and the almost complete lack of people using their car horns. Once you notice it .... it's eery because you get use to the sound of horns in cities.

Have you been to KL? The food is cheaper and bettter there. Also you get more for every quid you spend.

Have you been to KL? The food is cheaper and bettter there. Also you get more for every quid you spend.

I have and I prefer Singapore.

Have you been to KL? The food is cheaper and bettter there. Also you get more for every quid you spend.

Thanks for the suggestion but I haven't and I think I'm getting old.

For the first chunk of my life I travelled excessively because I was scared that the next new place would be the best place I'd ever been to. Now I can't see the point in only going to new places instead of going back to all the places I know I really love. Ah well .....

I think Singapore's problem is that most of the feedback people hear is from people just on short stopovers and understandbly they got their feedback from others on stopovers ...... so it's understandable that the majority don't "get it".



Oh please. Many of us "get it" quite well when it comes to Singapore. A surprising number of FT'ers have even lived there, certainly with more than stopover experiences. It's just that our frames of references are quite different to yours. Singapore is a good place to be posted on a decent expat package, as it functions as a well-oiled machine compared to just about any place on earth. The quality of life is very high (all the things you are alluding to). But it IS EXPENSIVE when compared to most other places in Asia except for perhaps HKG and Korea/Japan. It can be expensive compared to many places in the USA, though I can see if one is from the UK or Europe, that things might seem a bargain to you.

Frankly, all that sterility and over-organization gets a bit boring, for those of us who prefer to live life or spend holidays surrounded by...well...more local color and chaos. It's horses for courses.

Oh please. Many of us "get it" quite well when it comes to Singapore. A surprising number of FT'ers have even lived there, certainly with more than stopover experiences.

No need to be rude or patronising.

The thread was pretty clearly intended to encourage people that see Singapore merely as a stopover to spend a bit more time there in spite of what they may have heard from others who merely stopover. It wasn't aimed at people living in Singapore or know it ver well but prefer somewhere else.

Stop being so grumpy.

Thanks for the suggestion but I haven't and I think I'm getting old.

For the first chunk of my life I travelled excessively because I was scared that the next new place would be the best place I'd ever been to. Now I can't see the point in only going to new places instead of going back to all the places I know I really love. Ah well .....

I know what you mean. I've been to Japan 5 times...it will be my 6th in August...:D I'm still dying to go back to Edinburgh and Bilbao..

Frankly, all that sterility and over-organization gets a bit boring, for those of us who prefer to live life or spend holidays surrounded by...well...more local color and chaos. It's horses for courses.

The thread was pretty clearly intended to encourage people that see Singapore merely as a stopover to spend a bit more time there in spite of what they may have heard from others who merely stopover. It wasn't aimed at people living in Singapore or know it ver well but prefer somewhere else.

I feel like I'm saying hi to two FT friends on line...

I got a bit amused with this exchange, and I can see where both posters are coming from. For those that are after lots of local color, Singapore honestly isn't the place. Its attractions are subtle, even occasionally cerebral (notwithstanding cab drivers that can't keep good lane discipline and the local uncle swilling away Tiger Beer - in an ice filled mug - ugh!). Anyway, not the sort of holiday many are after. The OP has the bigger point though. Singapore is the sort of place that can be eminently forgettable - after all, it's on the way to far more exotic places such as Bali or Thailand - or you're Australian and want to go to Europe, or you're European and want to go to Australia or New Zealand. No thanks to SQ and Singapore government making this country so good at being a transit stop! So he suggests that for new visitors, don't just use Singapore as a transit, look around (remember, if you fly BA or QF to its respective other end, SIN is exactly that - a transit). After looking around, if a newbie doesn't like the place, then fine, but let's leave it up to the newbie to decide if he/she likes the place or not after having a chance to check it out for themselves. The OP is just saying that maybe the old girl got it in her to pleasantly surprise one or two people, that's all.

Let's not criticize the OP if he finds peace and solitude in a place that is orderly and organized. We don't know what his usual life is like. But for all we know he's stressed out enough at home (the UK?) that Singapore is relaxing because it's so systematic and organized and he can have his beer without being hassled. On this point I feel qualified to speak. Being a born and bred flag waving New Yorker (grew up under the flight path of planes landing at either LGA or JFK), I miss the energy and the electricity of New York. But there's something to be said about being in a place where one doesn't have to have their guard up all the time - something I can't say for huge chunks of Asia. Yes, I miss New York, sometime badly. But yes, I still know how to keep my guard up - doesn't mean I have to like it. And that's why I like Singapore enough to live here (at least for now).

Horses for courses - yes, I think we can all agree with that sentiment.

I first visited Singapore in 1996. I wanted to go as far as I could on my USAir frequent flier miles, which gave me a choice of India or Singapore. I chose Singapore, and I've been back at least every two years ever since. It is clean and safe and they speak English, so I have no problem getting along. I love their MRT and bus service with their TransitLink Guide which gives every route with complete timetables. Their Night Safari is fantastic, which I visit nearly every trip. I used to stay at Hotel Asia, near the Newton MRT station, which was nice and very reasonable in price. Unfortunately, it has been demolished, so I am staying at the Hilton on this trip, which is more expensive, but since I am a Diamond VIP member, I'll probably get a nice upgrade. If you haven't been to Singapore, you might want to give it a try.

There is clearly a niche for timid travellers who want the Disneyland version of Asia.

I feel like I'm saying hi to two FT friends on line...

Let's not criticize the OP if he finds peace and solitude in a place that is orderly and organized. We don't know what his usual life is like. But for all we know he's stressed out enough at home (the UK?) that Singapore is relaxing because it's so systematic and organized and he can have his beer without being hassled. Horses for courses - yes, I think we can all agree with that sentiment.

Thanks.

We have a background of the big city in common. I was brought up in the area that is now called "The Barbican" in the City of London. Right in the center of town. Have also lived in Tottenham - now pretty much a no go area after dark for whites. Now living between a rural home that you cannot hear another sound from except birds and another home right on a beach.

I have been fortunate enough to have the time and resources to have travel as my main activity for the last 25 years or so. My favourite European city has been Vienna which we've been visitng at least two ro three times a year. Other cities are Cannes and Nice, Sydney, Paris, Lisbon, Madrid and several others. Atalanta is my favourite US city. Interestingly Vienna has changed enormously in 20 years or so with the newly found access by the new Europeans from East-Europe. It has become slightly less polite and cultured and more grumpy.

What is different about most capital cities is their ambivalence about the visitor. Cities don't know you have arrived or left. Even the immigrants shrug with disinterest after living in a city after a couple of years.

I had quite a few trips "through Singapore" before I started to realise that it had the unique charms I highlighted here. When you have spent the last few years living or visiting cities where the older population feel unsafe at night and where the food is inconsistant and good food unaffordable it seemed to me that most people like me who have only passed through have made the assumption that there's nothing to keep you there. I didn't say that there is not other places I've not been to that aren't better! Or that there aren't places where the street food isn't cheaper. How would I know?! I just suggested that people nurture the thought that Singapore justifies a bit more than that. That is all!

There is clearly a niche for timid travellers who want the Disneyland version of Asia.

Yes, I agree with your sentiment. But please spare a thought for all those folks for whom Asia is a mysterious and strange place, please. Keep in mind that something like 80% of my fellow Americans don't carry passports. Asia is so out of their understanding that to get even one to do the baby step out of the lower 48 states is an accomplishment.

After they've checked out Disneyland, then they can be encouraged to go farther out. Hey, if they like Singapore, maybe they can be helped along to check out Jogjakarta next.

Yes, I agree with your sentiment. But please spare a thought for all those folks for whom Asia is a mysterious and strange place, please. Keep in mind that something like 80% of my fellow Americans don't carry passports. Asia is so out of their understanding that to get even one to do the baby step out of the lower 48 states is an accomplishment.

After they've checked out Disneyland, then they can be encouraged to go farther out. Hey, if they like Singapore, maybe they can be helped along to check out Jogjakarta next.

Quite right ..... and how does ......

There is clearly a niche for timid travellers who want the Disneyland version of Asia.

...... help people understand the alternatives exactly? Snide insults are rarely useful.

It wasn't intended as an insult - Disneyland and Singapore are very successful brands; they are both very good at what they do.

Unfortunately there will be no Disneyland in Singapore because the developers and the government can't come to terms on funding.

Er, I think you missed the point of my analogy.

Er, I think you missed the point of my analogy.
Which is? Singapore is as safe and sterilised as Disneyland? Or Singapore is run like a corporation?

Either way I don't think it's fair to compare a country to a corporation.

It wasn't intended as an insult - Disneyland and Singapore are very successful brands; they are both very good at what they do.

quite so - they are - but what you said was ....

There is clearly a niche for timid travellers who want the Disneyland version of Asia.

... which was clearly intended to be and was therefore taken as insulting.

I'm not a timid traveller and l like Singapore. Perhaps if you have suggestions about where people should go instead it would be helpful to make suggestions and give reasons why?

Stepping in with trepidation ... "a niche for timid travellers"

It's not a question of timidity, christep, which was perhaps an unfortunate adjective to use. I think I can see the point you're trying to make, but different people have different preferences. At my age, I don't think I want an all-night beach party in Phuket, nor do I wish to battle with the crowds and chaos in some other locations.

When I lived in Singapore, one of the great attractions was that I could do insulated air-conditioned Orchard Road, or Chinatown, or eat late in Bugis Street, or experience all the other different aspects of that incredible island state, all within a conveniently small radius and according to my mood/needs at the time.

@ dsgtc0408 ... great responses. But not everyone wants "excitement", and one thing I remember from my years there [oh, so long ago] was that it was "safe". That's a good thing to have on holiday - along with a reasonably low-level language barrier!

OK, "timid" was the wrong word. There's a niche for travellers who want a safe, easy, predictable, convenient, well-organised and English-speaking place, with some Asian characteristics.

To be honest if it had a winter and any decent countryside I'd be living there myself rather than in Hong Kong.

To be honest if it had a winter and any decent countryside I'd be living there myself rather than in Hong Kong.
There is clearly a niche for timid travellers who want the Disney on ice version of winter. :D
Do you know how mild the winters in Hong Kong are. Hardly fall below 10 degrees celsius. I think some hotels don't even provide heating for that reason.

Having lived through winters in Moscow, the UK, Belgium, Taipei, and Hong Kong (and having travelled during them in Iceland, various bits of the US, and most of western Europe) I think I do undersstand that.

My point is that it's nice not to have aircon on for 6 months of the year. Yes it would be nicer still to have a nice crisp few inches of snow that appeared overnight and disappeared overnight a couple of months later (without all the slushy bits), but I don't know anywhere like that.

Personally I only like the Hong Kong and Taipei winters because the women dress up more stylishly. The common excuse i hear for women wearing t-shirt and jeans in Singapore is that it's too hot to wear anything else.

I like the HK winter because I can walk around outside without being soaked in sweat within minutes, and go hiking without worrying about heatstroke!

Well ...... back here in rain soaked UK, I have just sprung Razor TV into action on my very new and very fast PC and mrs uk1 has just watched an item on Chicken Rice. I don't understand her and chicken rice. But it's easy to cook and I've produced it several times for her and it keeps her happy. I love char siu pork. So it's going to be both. In fact to be absolutely honest I like anything that's sticky and garish coloured and spicey and sweet. So my verions is all of those things. It's unauthentic.

I'm feeling very hungry.

I like anything that's sticky and garish coloured and spicey and sweet.Singapore would be good without the mrs then ;)

Singapore would be good without the mrs then ;)

It wouldn't.

The problem is that it's led us into all sorts of discussion about places we need to go to .....

I want to explore Cambodia (food) and we have an strong affinity with a charity in Vietnam (not Mary's Meals) and so we have a real dilemna as too where Singapore is going to take us to next .

Mash potato isn't the same as stir fry.

Huzzah ... back on track again!!

Singapore is/was a great place. Otherwise you'll beat me with a big stick for taking vacations in Virginia!! :D


[sorry, Mods ... thread creep, please delete if appropriate]

I've been 30 odd times.

What I like

* The food
* Everything works
* Changi airport
* The night zoo

What I don't like

* Truly horrid climate - way too humid, no seasons
* The lack of things to do after about 5 visits - how many times can you go to the night zoo
* Overly polished, overly regulated nanny/police state
* Sentosa

I don't ..... and moan if it pops up on my schedule for the next 3 months, but neither would I seek SIN out for a holiday trip. I'd rather stop over in HKG (50+ visits and still enjoy it), BKK (15+ and the same) or NRT on the way to Austrialia, or spend a week or two in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia or Thailand on holiday. All appeal to me more for different reasons.

That said, there are far, far worse places to pass through.

I've been 30 odd times.

What I like

* The food
* Everything works
* Changi airport
* The night zoo

What I don't like

* Truly horrid climate - way too humid, no seasons
* The lack of things to do after about 5 visits - how many times can you go to the night zoo
* Overly polished, overly regulated nanny/police state
* Sentosa

I don't ..... and moan if it pops up on my schedule for the next 3 months, but neither would I seek SIN out for a holiday trip. I'd rather stop over in HKG (50+ visits and still enjoy it), BKK (15+ and the same) or NRT on the way to Austrialia, or spend a week or two in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia or Thailand on holiday. All appeal to me more for different reasons.

That said, there are far, far worse places to pass through.

The airport is definately world class. And the MRT is clean, and efficient. And sterile. Like everything else in Singapore... (except Orchard Road)

Sterile is quite uninteresting, and this is also compounded by the fact that Singapore is small enough that you can conceivably see everything there is to see in Singapore. (Oh, except for shopping malls. Hey, look, they built another shopping mall between two bigger shopping malls so people don't have to go outside to transit! :rolleyes:)

I hate to admit that I haven't been to the night zoo or Sentosa .....:(

I hate to admit that I haven't been to the night zoo or Sentosa .....:(

That's ok. I haven't been to either in at least 15 years.

Singapore is okay...was my first crack at Asia a few years ago...but hardly a destination. It is like Los Angeles, but more people speak English in Singapore :p

Have you been to KL? The food is cheaper and bettter there. Also you get more for every quid you spend.

KL for the casual traveler isn't as easy to check out as Singapore.

Food might be cheaper but better? well you need to know where to look, most of the time not.

I have had to show some friends from Europe looking to set up their regional offices...around KL and Singapore.

They might like KL...but they LOVE Singapore...at least they feel safer...they feel their family will be safer, they can afford to explore on their own be independent...yes Singapore is a more expensive city compared to KL but cost effectiveness?happiness?

to get to good food they need not worry about getting accosted/raped by errant taxi drivers in Singapore unlike in KL...to get to destinations in the region they get more flights both better and cheaper out of Changi than KLIA.

The airport is definately world class. And the MRT is clean, and efficient. And sterile. Like everything else in Singapore... (except Orchard Road)

Sterile is quite uninteresting, and this is also compounded by the fact that Singapore is small enough that you can conceivably see everything there is to see in Singapore. (Oh, except for shopping malls. Hey, look, they built another shopping mall between two bigger shopping malls so people don't have to go outside to transit! :rolleyes:)

lol... +1

and the thing with malls in Singapore...they pratically have the same tenant mix all around...you don't get a unique mix of shops...and this retail experience...Hong Kong wins hands down...

Guess SIN works differently for different folks. Ended up doing 5 trips to SIN in 2009 (not counting flights transiting thru SIN).

Eating out can be super-cheap if one sticks to the food courts that are there pretty much all over the city. And if one wants to further save on local travel, can skip the taxi and take the bus or MRT, and it works out even cheaper...

Malaysia & Thailand could work out much cheaper than SIN, but really depends on what one's looking for..

STAY AWAY FROM SINGAPORE DURING HOLIDAYS SEASONS!

We had the idea of passing 3 days during Christmas. It was so full of "bipeds" you couldn't even go around in tourist areas.

Malls, Sentosa, Sentosa Marine park (the worst, maybe 1 million people crawling) made up for a perfect s*hitty Xmas.

Just to mention the Sentosa Marine park (i don't remember the real name of the park, neither i wish to know at this point), there was a total lack of organization (do the Italians manage it?) and no staff or personnel was available around even just to ask where the waiting line for the tickets was starting.

It looked like all the world was there....and by the way, yes, Singapore is expensive. Prices for food are high. I cannot complain for the hotels, as the price is ok considering the offer and "request".

I'm comparing SG with HK. I know HK has dirtier streets and the knowledge of English is "so-so", but on the other points SG is not gonna win. Not even in 100 years!

Singapore during holiday season can be quite crowded.

Food however is really cheap.
The best food are found at food courts and local food stores.

Public transport cost is ok...taxis can get expensive if that's all you use.
The MRT/Bus system work really well too and those are quite cheap.

HK/BKK has better shopping I think and different kinds of food.
However, I prefer SIN for the food. :)

Seriously, for a change of pace, we visited SIN for an exotic, but not too exotic family holiday that my 91 year old New England mom could enjoy and found ourselves there mid-February during the Chinese New Year and just about everything, shopping, museums, even most restaurants were closed tight as a drum, with the opposite of your Christmas experience, no cars on the roads at all, almost a ghost town, but all of the beautifully illuminated downtown buildings and empty streets made for great photos and easy getting around on the MRT.
Not that we would have booked it on purpose, the Singapore Air trip advisor said there would be great shopping, but forgot to tell us the holiday schedule!

Even so as cities go it is a great town, best perhaps beyond the Botanical Garden and the Zoo already mentioned, is the Straits-born cuisine, harder and harder to find, but still available along the Singapore River quays, best a block away from the now so gentrified docksides.

And if you get a chance to make friends with the locals, they really know the best places, but you really need a car. Folks here say SIN is small, but really it is built up, to me it is vast and nearly endless once you venture into the neighborhoods where the majority of folks live with, for example, some of the best overseas Indian food anywhere, found served on banana leaves in tucked away hole-in-the-wall style eateries, all adhering to the strict local health codes.

The city has a flair and though it may not be the best city in the world for tourism, one can easily see that it is among the most livable cities and with KL and the Malaysia highlands just outside of town, there's plenty for everyone within a stone's throw -- not to mention that plane fares from there in every direction from India to Manila and beyond are among the most reasonable, like BKK for exploring Asia.

There's no doubt that from the cross-section provided by this Thread, one gets a pretty solid accurate view of SIN as it appeals to different traveler's tastes and interests. Finest kind!

* Truly horrid climate - way too humid, no seasons
* The lack of things to do after about 5 visits - how many times can you go to the night zoo
* Overly polished, overly regulated nanny/police state

Meh.

I've been watching this thread for a while now, started a reply a couple of times, and then gave up halfway through. Third time's the charm?

So, I lived in Singapore for seven years and even wrote a book about the place (http://www.amazon.com/Wikitravel-Singapore-Complete-Up-Date/dp/1440467218). As a society, it's a hell of lot more complex -- in both good and bad ways -- than you'd think from a stroll down Orchard Road or Sentosa, and after those seven years I still left with an list of places I never had a chance of visit (http://wikitravel.org/en/User:Jpatokal/Singapore). Now, are you going to find the restaurant in the middle of a jungle with its own organic farm (http://www.bollywoodveggies.com/), the Burmese temple of the LED-haloed technicolor Buddha (http://www.bbt.org.sg/) or the dumpling shop with cheap San Miguel, rowdy sailors and the Thai ladyboys who love them (http://www.fongkee.com/) from the Singapore Tourism Board's brochures? No, but they're still there, just a few bits making up Singapore's complex palette.

And believe it or not, having lived in the US and Europe and having recently moved to Australia, I find myself missing the freewheeling spirit of Singapore when dealing with government bureaucracy or faceless corporate behemoths tangled in oodles of red tape.

Here's a simple example: renting a house. In Singapore, you tell an agent what you want, they take you around in their own car until you find a place you like, you give the landlord a deposit, the agent their commission and you're done. In Melbourne, agents are not permitted to drive clients (insurance liability), may not charge them commission (thus effectively legislating that they serve purely the landlord's interests) and, since the law is tilted so far in the tenant's favor, convincing the landlord to allow you in requires providing reams of personal data -- so what was a one-day exercise in Singapore took us the better part of four weeks. And it's the same for credit cards, bank accounts, visas, internet access, yadda yadda.

And as for the climate, I grew up in a country where the mercury regularly hits -35 C in the winter, and with the Australian winter creeping up, I'm already starting to wistfully reminisce about a city-state where I could wear T-shirts all year long.

To each his own... but if you really find Singapore sterile, boring and uninteresting on every visit, I humbly suggest you try a little harder next time. This forum is not a bad place to find suggestions :D

We've been travelling to Sydney each year via Singapore and each year the stopover has got longer and longer ..... and currently stands at 4 days on the outward trip and 4 days on the return.

Guess what?!

Next year .... we're going to Singapore and staying for seven days or so ......

Why? I think we've realised against the common attitude that Singapore is actually a wonderful destination rather than simply a place to have a stopover on the way to somewhere else. We find ourselves thinking about Singapore more and more and the final destination less and less. For example the Botanic Gardens where we go every morning for our walks. The place is unique. And for the hawker stalls where you get fantastic food etc. It's just a lovely place to wander and eat and idle. I know it's not a beach destination but I don't like beaches!

I know the place is small, but it IS perfectly formed and you receive a genuine welcome. So I'd encourage people to think about Singapore on it's merits rather than just somewhere to recupererate for a day or two before moving on.

uk1,

Thanks for your post on Singapore.
I'm a Singaporean and feel that it, like other places on earth, has its own good and bad stuffs.

Do tell me if any of you guys are coming to Singapore and we can meet up if possible. Maybe it's also cos that i don't get to travel to other places a lot and so we have to meet here. :P

PS: i'm not working for the Singapore Tourism Board.

cheers

eltonang

Lets compare Singapore with Dubai,same type of weather,tight controls,expensive,artifical tourist sites,stripped down cultural shows convienently packaged for dumb tourist.
Thats why they call it instant Asia

Lets compare Singapore with Dubai

Let's compare it with the Balls Pond Road as well. Makes as much sense as comparing it with Dubai.

Balls Pond Road has great donner kebabs which I haven't seen in Singapore. I guess that makes Balls Pond Road a better destination. Let's compare cheesecake with Firestone tyres. My car runs better on Firestone. I guess that makes Firestone tyres better than cheesecake. Just as much sense. :D

Thats why they call it instant Asia

Who'se "they"? You?:(

Not really clear about your point ..... but I guess that it must be something along the lines that Singapore isn't as good (in your view) as some other place that you haven't mentioned? :confused:

uk1,

Thanks for your post on Singapore.
I'm a Singaporean and feel that it, like other places on earth, has its own good and bad stuffs.

eltonang

No probs! You're welcome ....

The welcome I receive every time I visit justified an effort ...... and the food ......

<snip lots of good stuff> To each his own... but if you really find Singapore sterile, boring and uninteresting on every visit, I humbly suggest you try a little harder next time. This forum is not a bad place to find suggestionsAn excellent post, and clearly when you live somewhere you get to see lots of aspects of it that tourists or business visitors don't.

But for me there are still two key problems: no real countryside, and no major variation in weather through the year. For me those are the over-riding factors why Hong Kong "wins".

(He says, having just got home after a great 20km hike over a 400m pass and including a couple of kilometres of serious "bushwhacking", much of it in the pouring rain at 16 or 17 degrees so that at the end of it I felt seriously cold.)

I <heart> Singapore. I love arriving in Changi - and will do so again just over 2 weeks from now. ;)
The whole place just works, although it's a bit too sanitized in places.

I try to take Singapore for what it is and that helps. Also having lived in Bangkok and traveled to every country in SE Asia, except the Philippines gives you a good comparison and lets you appreciate Singapore's pluses. They key for me is to find a reason to return and take what Asia has to offer.

For example, I love my raw silk tailored shirts from the Russian market in Phnom Penh. My glasses are from there as well (most expensive lenses and nice frame for $53), I now know a good eye doctor there now and a good dentist.

For my next visit in Singapore, I will have a full medical check up at Camden Medical center (they had a sale for just S$190 - cheaper than at Bangkok Christian on Silom Rd.) and have a dental appointment to see how they do it in Singapore.

This place is like an old friend. Has anyone ever gone to the Sikh temple and had the free food? OK, maybe I'm a bit more adventurous than most but strolling up & down Orchard Rd. is not the key to unlocking the charms of SIN city. Thank you for the Bollywood farm link, jpatokal. I will try to check them out.

...but if you really find Singapore sterile, boring and uninteresting on every visit, I humbly suggest you try a little harder next time.

Excellent post jpatokal and I wholeheartedly agree with this last bit of advice.

It wasn't until my third visit to SIN that I started to realize there was a lot more to it, some of which required a bit more work to discover.

I <heart> Singapore. I love arriving in Changi - and will do so again just over 2 weeks from now. ;)
The whole place just works, although it's a bit too sanitized in places.

Also having lived in Bangkok and traveled to every country in SE Asia, except the Philippines gives you a good comparison and lets you appreciate Singapore's pluses. They key for me is to find a reason to return and take what Asia has to offer.




I'd be interested to hear your pro's and con's comparing BKK with SIN as I found BKK quite tough and mrs uk1 has reinforced my lack of desire to return.

I guess the sanitised part of SIN is exactly what many really like. I love the edginess of street food but with the reassurance of the food outlets hygeine rating proudly displayed ..... my last visit to BKK left me several stone lighter on my return having had the most awful bout of food poisoning.

jpatokal , lovely post - very interesting.

Singapore might not be for all tourists (read those wanting authentic Asian experience). But it's still one of the most liveable city in Asia for expats.

Admittedly it has been 5-6 years since I have been to Singapore with the family, but last time we decided to lay over in KL before continuing on to the Philippines. (We usually fly MAL which hubs out of KL ) We had decided to spend a week in KL, but when we found we could take the train (Yeah, I know, train is a "wash your mouth out with soap" word on Flyer Talk) especially when we found that Malaysia offers Senior Citizen discounts to everybody even if you are not a Malaysian citizen (and they tell you about it!!!). We decided to take the train down there for a couple of days and the cost was very cheap. I don't remember the exact cost, but as I was paying they gave my wife the Senior rate also. My wife and I paid less than my then 10 year old daughter. What a deal. http://www.flyertalk.com/thumbsup.gif A short ride down to Singapore and on to the hotel (a boutique hotel in the old part of Singapore where the old 2 story shops are being made into upscale things. Booked a tour the first day, then spent the second day looking around on our own. On the 3rd day we returned to KL, via train (there's that word again). Three days later we went out to the KL airport and flew on to Cebu then Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao to visit family and friends. We really had a great time.http://www.flyertalk.com/cool.gif

Would I recommend Singapore? A definite Yes, especially if coupled with a vacation in Malaysia. The two of them together can be a wonderful experience.http://www.flyertalk.com/biggrin.gif

By the way, many places in Singapore give Forces discounts ranging from 10% to 30%. They generally extend the courtesy to members of foreign military including retired members. Loved that!!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/thumbsup.gif

Paul Garner
The Old Sargehttp://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

Lets compare Singapore with Dubai,same type of weather,tight controls,expensive,artifical tourist sites,stripped down cultural shows convienently packaged for dumb tourist.
Thats why they call it instant Asia

Having been to SIN 6 or 7 times and DXB about a dozen, I can tell you you've even got the part about the weather wrong :rolleyes:

Having been to SIN 6 or 7 times and DXB about a dozen, I can tell you you've even got the part about the weather wrong :rolleyes:

Yeah, I was scratching my head over this SIN = DXB weather comment as well. :confused:

We've been travelling to Sydney each year via Singapore and each year the stopover has got longer and longer ..... and currently stands at 4 days on the outward trip and 4 days on the return.

Guess what?!

Next year .... we're going to Singapore and staying for seven days or so ......

Why? I think we've realised against the common attitude that Singapore is actually a wonderful destination rather than simply a place to have a stopover on the way to somewhere else. We find ourselves thinking about Singapore more and more and the final destination less and less. For example the Botanic Gardens where we go every morning for our walks. The place is unique. And for the hawker stalls where you get fantastic food etc. It's just a lovely place to wander and eat and idle. I know it's not a beach destination but I don't like beaches!

I know the place is small, but it IS perfectly formed and you receive a genuine welcome. So I'd encourage people to think about Singapore on it's merits rather than just somewhere to recupererate for a day or two before moving on.

^ ^

Singapore has really become a "home away from home" for me. Yes I make the effort to go out there as often as I can, especially when I happen to be in the neighborhood (i.e. India or Philippines for business). It's just a good place to visit with lots to do and see. Don't know how else to put it :D

From CIA World Factbook (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/)

Climate
Singapore: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

UAE: desert; cooler in eastern mountains

How does desert climate = tropical rainforest I will never know.

Oh if you are in one of the malls in Dubai or in that Ski thing, it's more arctic really :D

It always puzzles me as to why when some of us - in the true FT spirit - take some trouble and try to bring something to our fellow Ft'ers that we've enjoyed that they may not have noticed - that people will then go to to so much negative vibe trouble to trash it. Why is it neccessary to say "No you're wrong because I know somewhere that suits me better". Absolutely puzzling.

Still. Onward and upward. Nil desperandum. There's beer to be frozen, wine to be glugged and food halls to be explored ..... and people to be avoided .....

I'd be interested to hear your pro's and con's comparing BKK with SIN as I found BKK quite tough and mrs uk1 has reinforced my lack of desire to return.

We had a week seeing BKK and and the usual attractions outside of it. It was okay but nothing too memorable I have to say and I thought we wouldn't be back. However last year we had a 24 hours stopover and surprisingly I really enjoyed it but I was still glad to be leaving the next day.

Hong Kong was revisited last year after a 10+ year gap and I found my second visit pretty boring to be honest...like BKK okay for a holiday on your first visit but for me subsequent visits only good for a stopover . Must say HKG in summer is not my idea of fun either - far too hot to do anything physical but winter is nice.
Singapore other than the airport I have not been to and judging by the humidity I experienced whilst having a fag outside in the airports smoking terrace I doubt I ever will....it was horrendous. Everyone I know who has been to Singapore always rave about the great food and the efficiency of the container terminal but nothing else......make of that what you will.
My favourite city in the Far East is Beijing......

Interesting thread/ discussion.

Having spent many years in Singapore, I am rather surprised to read that there are people who want to visit Singapore repeatedly!

I am not sure I would want to visit if I did not have family (and a place to stay) there.:D

Interesting thread/ discussion.

Having spent many years in Singapore, I am rather surprised to read that there are people who want to visit Singapore repeatedly!

I am not sure I would want to visit if I did not have family (and a place to stay) there.:D

Most of us feel something similar about the places we live in or have lived in. I think the place you enjoy visiting is often not the place you'd like to live in ..... and vice versa.

Singapore for some is a tremendous antidote to what they have.

How does desert climate = tropical rainforest I will never know.

You do get the humidity in DXB during the Summer, even worse than in SIN but I must have only visited on the days when it didn't rain :D

From CIA World Factbook (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/)

Climate
Singapore: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
.

I.e. ... two seasons. Hot and rainy, and hot and rain...-ier.

I think it was raining all three times I transited through SIN

The one time I had an opportunity to stay in Singapore for 24 hours courtesy of Air France I decided to explore Amsterdam for a few hours courtesy of KLM instead... seems like an opportunity wasted

but now I'm looking for job opportunities in the area, as I really enjoyed that whole region on my last visit to Malaysia

We've had two trips where we had incessant rain and it does rather shape the day.

On thew plus side it forces you into food halls where you're forced to stay longer than planned. On the negative side you find yourself in hotel "lounges" for longer than you should.

Amsterdam is a great city though ...... if you like Indonesian food and can find a really good choice. BMI use to sell C class tickets on an auction site and I once decided to take the whole of my extended family on a trip to Amsterdam for the day for a heavy dose of ricetafel. I managed to get our then favourite restaurant to open for lunch specially for us and we hired a van to give us a potted tour of Holland. We also hired a canal boat for us all ..... with a bar .....

I guess it was a bit like your stopover ...... but taking your kids and partners and friends to another country for the day is a lovely thing to do once in your life.:)


Good luck with your job hunt ...... when you are esconced send us a food parcel.

jpatokal , lovely post - very interesting.

Indeed. ^

Musing a little more, I think it is the climate that really bothers me or acts as an unconscious block. Some of the things jpatokal mentions look fun. But I just know I'd be melting within 5 mins and not enjoying myself at all. I've spent enough time yomping around warehouses and the port to know I just can't do that level of humidity and do much more than sit still.

That said, weather aside I'd far rather be in Singapore than Dubai. I really don't get Dubai at all.

I think that's why it's a great place to visit. It's so completely different to the UK. After a while - whenever I'm somewhere really hot and humid I yearn for the greenery and rain of Hampshire and Wiltshire ...... and it's the contrast that makes you recognise what you have at home. If you don't travel how can you really put your homebase into perspective.

As another aside ... it's only on FT that will you come across someone like jpatokal who is clearly passionate and knowledgeable about his topic. Real knowledge. How many times have you read a travel page in a paper or magaizine and had the very real impression that it was an armschair trip? Facts wrong, sections lifted from web sites etc.

I do so hope he is waiting for us at the end of the quay on our next trip - he sounds like a lot of fun to show you what's underneath the surface and ready to be expored.:)

Okay folks, enlighten me here...why is it not just a stopover? I have been to the Indian/Chinese/Malay neighborhoods, done Orched Streed, the Battle Box (which is totally worth a trip)....but tell me why I should consider a 3-day stopover there instead of Seoul in my upcoming trip in May? I wanna hear the cheerleaders, here! :D

I do so hope he is waiting for us at the end of the quay on our next trip - he sounds like a lot of fun to show you what's underneath the surface and ready to be expored.:)
Why not have a local show you around instead? I've been to all of the places he mentioned and also lots of non-touristy places and some of the offshore islands. I also happen to have an intimate knowledge of some of the the more *ahem* hidden aspects of Singapore. :D

Why not have a local show you around instead? I've been to all of the places he mentioned and also lots of non-touristy places and some of the offshore islands. I also happen to have an intimate knowledge of some of the the more *ahem* hidden aspects of Singapore. :D

My wife doesn't like <<"*ahem* hidden aspects of Singapore" >> thank you very much.;)

My wife doesn't like <<"*ahem* hidden aspects of Singapore" >> thank you very much.;)
It doesn't have to be that. There are many more interesting places that aren't considered tourist traps. Like the hot spring in Sembawang area for example.

The MacRitchie Reservoir area is actually quite a nice nature park to walk around in and get away from the city's hustle and bustle.

Bukit Timah nature reserve is not bad too.

The Chinese like to go to Kusu island, a tiny island off Singapore to pay respects to their ancestors.

Ahhh, but I also love the vibrant nighttime in Singapore.
People going out to eat and walk around even at midnight.

Most American/Euro cities are dead after 9pm or earlier but the Asian cities are still so vibrant and alive. Love it!

The only complaint I have ..... and it really is scraping the bottom of the boat ( :D ).... is that they got rid of the proper bum boats and replaced them with pleasure boats and described them as historic bum boats! You couldn't beat those boats with the smelly noisy engines and some of those guys with their incessant throat clearing .....

And weren't they somewhat cheaper?

Ahhh, but I also love the vibrant nighttime in Singapore.
People going out to eat and walk around even at midnight.

Singapore's nightlife is meh. Compared to say, Taipei or HK that is.

The MacRitchie Reservoir area is actually quite a nice nature park to walk around in and get away from the city's hustle and bustle.

Bukit Timah nature reserve is not bad too.



Both Mac Ritchie and Bukit Timah nature reserve are great when compared to the rest of Singapore. But if you compare to reservoirs or lakes and forests elsewhere, for example in Canada, there's absolutely no comparison.

And about weather in Dubai - it's very hot and humid in summer, worse than Singapore. But the winters are very cool and pleasant, and its lovely sitting outside having a meal. In Singapore on the other hand, its either hot enough to get a sunstroke, or rainy enough to get completely drenched as everything gets slightly flooded.

I do agree with all the people who said its an expensive city. Perhaps not compared to Europe, but compared to the rest of Asia and North America, if you have to live here, rentals are crazy (try living in an HDB flat), cars are the most expensive in the world (and public transport, especially buses, isn't all that convenient), food (and I mean groceries and such) are expensive (I can only eat at a hawker stall so many times a week). Personally, I'd rather live in Europe if the cost of living is the same as Singapore (But I'd probably still pick Singapore over some other Asian cities). I understand, however, that for a tourist, costs can be fairly reasonable.

but compared to the rest of Asia and North America, if you have to live here, rentals are crazyThey are significantly below those in Hong Kong and Tokyo. And, I would suggest, well below those in Manhattan.

This is about what to do in Singapore not a comparison to other parts of the world.
If u want to talk about North America, Dubai or whatever, go to the other forums.

Thank you for your opinion. I beg to differ. Comparisons between Singpaore and other places are perfectly valid in this thread in my opinion.

Well, you've said "in this thread" and it's a free world ...... but the intention of the thread was merely to encourage people that had previously thought of Singapore as a place to simply pass through as quickly as possible and not linger might like to consider spending longer there. And I intended to simply say I had found that familiarity breeds greater appreciation.

In that context I'm not really clear about how comparing Singapore to Dubai or Hong Kong etc etc is releavant to that ..... but that of course is a part of the free rangng FT spirit .......:D

They are significantly below those in Hong Kong and Tokyo. And, I would suggest, well below those in Manhattan.

True, though I suppose in New York you at least have the option of living in the suburbs.

This is about what to do in Singapore not a comparison to other parts of the world.
If u want to talk about North America, Dubai or whatever, go to the other forums.

I merely brought up Dubai because (had you read some of the previous posts), people were comparing the weather in Singapore and Dubai, and as someone who has lived in both cities year round, I thought I'd offer a qualified opinion. And since you're so smart, please explain to me how to establish whether a city is 'expensive' without comparing it to other cities.

uk1 I do agree that people who only spend a night or two here have a very skewed, or perhaps incomplete notion of what Singapore is, and by all means they should spend more time here and get to know the place better. I think, however, that some of the posters felt that some of the 'things to do' that were proposed weren't all they were being cut out to be. After reading this thread, I thought I'd go check out the botanic gardens. They were nice, and it was great to see so many people there, and not see any buildings, but the heat and humidity sort of ruined the experience for me. Some things here are just marketing spiel (such as Sentosa beach). It's great that Singapore works for you, and every traveler should experience it for him/ herself and reach his/ her own conclusions.

I don't see what all the fuss is about. Sure, Singapore's hot, but your never too far away from being in an air conditioned space. Heck, even the outdoor areas of the new Universal Studios is kept at about 20 degrees! People who say it has no countryside obviously haven't ventured beyond the confines of Orchard road. Its like wishing Manhattan had a countryside. Drive 30 minutes north, and you'll be in the wide open spaces of Malaysia. Yes, Singapore is an expensive place to live, but its not as bad as Europe and some parts of North America (NYC, for example), Japan and a few others. If you want to live in the center of any city, its not going to be cheap :rolleyes: You can get really nice houses out near the east coast for very reasonable prices. Public transport's as good as it can get, safety likewise. I have an 8 year old sister and we're never afraid to send her to meet her friends in a cab alone. As people have said, you need to explore the place and give it a chance. Not think of excuses to bring it down. Truth be told, I think some people are just jealous they're countries can't give them the convenience and comfort Singapore does.

Public transport's as good as it can getI disagree - Hong Kong's is way more extensive and better (buses / minibuses particularly).

I disagree - Hong Kong's is way more extensive and better (buses / minibuses particularly).

but then, the cabs are way cheaper in Singapore ..

No - that's simply not true - taxis in Hong Kong (http://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/taxi_fare_of_hong_kong/index.html) and Singapore (http://taxisingapore.com/taxi-fare/) are similarly priced during the day, and cheaper in Hong Kong during peak hours and at night (when Singapore has high surcharges).

(Though comparison isn't straightforward because they are structured differently - for example Singapore gets more expensive for rides over 10km, whereas HK gets cheaper over 9km)

No - that's simply not true - taxis in Hong Kong (http://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/taxi_fare_of_hong_kong/index.html) and Singapore (http://taxisingapore.com/taxi-fare/) are similarly priced during the day, and cheaper in Hong Kong during peak hours and at night (when Singapore has high surcharges).

(Though comparison isn't straightforward because they are structured differently - for example Singapore gets more expensive for rides over 10km, whereas HK gets cheaper over 9km)

The same can be said with Singapore busses. It covers Singapore very well considering its size, and I'd know because I've lived here almost 5 years now and use the bus/MRT to almost everywhere I go. So please don't make assumptions or bold statements sitting in another country when there are people with up to date, with first hand experience to present. I wouldn't argue about transportation in Hong Kong because I've only been there a couple of times, so you'd know best ;)

PS: I can see from your links HK charges for bags, SG doesn't. These little things add up.

So please don't make assumptions or bold statements sitting in another country when there are people with up to date, with first hand experience to present.

I happen to be sitting in Singapore too. Honestly, if you think this is as good as public transport gets, you have very low expectations. The trains are good, when they aren't crowded, but the buses are a pain. Nowhere is perfect of course. Manhattan has a 24x7 subway with express trains, trains branching out in the suburbs and a lot of smart ideas. The trains/ stations aren't that great, but IMO its a smarter system.

But ..... useful insights as they are ....this is not the criteria that should be one of those used to decided where in the world we should spend a bit more time....................:D

I'd hate not to have spent all the time I have done in Singapore because I had been swayed by someone who pointed out that during certain hours the taxis were cheaper in Hong Kong ....

The only complaint I have ..... and it really is scraping the bottom of the boat ( :D ).... is that they got rid of the proper bum boats and replaced them with pleasure boats and described them as historic bum boats! You couldn't beat those boats with the smelly noisy engines and some of those guys with their incessant throat clearing .....
Oh, they're still out there alright, just take the boat from Changi Village to Pulau Ubin. Which, incidentally, is still a good antidote to those who think Singapore is all soulless glass, steel and shopping malls :cool:

And much ink has been spilled about the weather, but it's also a matter of personal preference. Having spent about a decade in a country where the mercury can hit -35 C in winter, I loved never having to wear more than a T-shirt. During the Singaporean "winter" (~28 C on a chilly day!), I could often spend several months without once turning on the aircon, and even a fan was sometimes too much... but yeah, every now and then I'd finding myself waiting for a bus for 20 min on cloudless summer afternoon and thinking that some vertical sleet sounds pretty good right about now.

Oh, they're still out there alright, just take the boat from Changi Village to Pulau Ubin. Which, incidentally, is still a good antidote to those who think Singapore is all soulless glass, steel and shopping malls :cool:

And much ink has been spilled about the weather, but it's also a matter of personal preference. Having spent about a decade in a country where the mercury can hit -35 C in winter, I loved never having to wear more than a T-shirt. During the Singaporean "winter" (~28 C on a chilly day!), I could often spend several months without once turning on the aircon, and even a fan was sometimes too much... but yeah, every now and then I'd finding myself waiting for a bus for 20 min on cloudless summer afternoon and thinking that some vertical sleet sounds pretty good right about now.
Once you get used to the heat even a 16 degrees C winter is too cold for you.

I will never get over the thrill of getting out of a taxi and having your glasses steam up.

The same can be said with Singapore busses. It covers Singapore very well considering its size, and I'd know because I've lived here almost 5 years now and use the bus/MRT to almost everywhere I go. So please don't make assumptions or bold statements sitting in another country when there are people with up to date, with first hand experience to present. I wouldn't argue about transportation in Hong Kong because I've only been there a couple of times, so you'd know best ;)

PS: I can see from your links HK charges for bags, SG doesn't. These little things add up.

Plus all the tunnel charges and the traffic jams ... hahaha, I am from Singapore so I have to state up front that I am biased. To me Singapore's transportation system and prices are affordable and efficient

Plus all the tunnel charges and the traffic jams ... hahaha, I am from Singapore so I have to state up front that I am biased. To me Singapore's transportation system and prices are affordable and efficient

As an unbiased Singaporean, Singapore's transport system is only excellent if you compare to 3rd world countries, HK is much faster and more efficient but abit pricier overall.

As an unbiased Singaporean, Singapore's transport system is only excellent if you compare to 3rd world countries, HK is much faster and more efficient but abit pricier overall.
OK, I'm genuinely curious -- what parts of HK's public transport do you find "much" faster and more efficient? For me, about the only obvious wins in HK's column are the Airport Express and the Star Ferry. The MRT/MTR are pretty much the same speed (fast) and the buses are pretty much the same as well (slow).

OK, I'm genuinely curious -- what parts of HK's public transport do you find "much" faster and more efficient? For me, about the only obvious wins in HK's column are the Airport Express and the Star Ferry. The MRT/MTR are pretty much the same speed (fast) and the buses are pretty much the same as well (slow).

..... and what I'm really interested in is how does one make the leap of making the very specific comparison with HK to the rather sweeping and totally unjustified .....

As an unbiased Singaporean, Singapore's transport system is only excellent if you compare to 3rd world countries, HK is much faster and more efficient but abit pricier overall.

Seems a rather sweeping conclusion!:confused:

Obviously u havent been to the USA, Australia or NZ much. :)

The NYC subway is just ... dirty and pretty much stinks.
The trains are old, noisy and not very smooth riding.
Same goes for the London and Paris subway.

Australia and NZ only have buses and expensive taxis, no subway.


As an unbiased Singaporean, Singapore's transport system is only excellent if you compare to 3rd world countries, HK is much faster and more efficient but abit pricier overall.

OK, I'm genuinely curious -- what parts of HK's public transport do you find "much" faster and more efficient?Minibuses for a start. And the long route express buses (say Central to Gold Coast or the Airport) are pretty quick.

OK, I'm genuinely curious -- what parts of HK's public transport do you find "much" faster and more efficient? For me, about the only obvious wins in HK's column are the Airport Express and the Star Ferry. The MRT/MTR are pretty much the same speed (fast) and the buses are pretty much the same as well (slow).

MTR has higher frequency than MRT, I take the Tsuen wan, Kwun tong and island lines frequently and during rush hour, its 1 min per train and ard 3 mins others.

From MTR station, minibus get you to almost anywhere you want.

HK island has trams which are very cheap as alternative mode, 2hkd anywhere. If you can find this in Singapore, I'll eat my hat and throw in socks for desserts.

Taxis are plentiful anytime anywhere in HK, I don't remember having to wait more than 20mins for a taxi, try hailing/calling a cab in raffles place from 6-9pm and see how long it takes or try it when it rains.

Obviously u havent been to the USA, Australia or NZ much. :)

The NYC subway is just ... dirty and pretty much stinks.
The trains are old, noisy and not very smooth riding.
Same goes for the London and Paris subway.

Australia and NZ only have buses and expensive taxis, no subway.

I've been to US a bit and found NYC subway to have decent coverage, most of the time when I'm in US I rent a car though.

I didn't realise ANZ were first world countries though

Seems a rather sweeping conclusion!

Don't get me wrong, Singapore has a good transport system. But its nowhere near the best.

Don't get me wrong, Singapore has a good transport system. But its nowhere near the best.

You're now saying it has a good transport system ..........:confused:

You said before:

Singapore's transport system is only excellent if you compare to 3rd world countries, HK is much faster and more efficient but abit pricier overall

So it's "good" but not "excellent" and HK is more expensive.

You seem now to be picking an argument with yourself?!:D

Tell me which of you wins!

You're now saying it has a good transport system ..........:confused:

You said before:



So it's "good" but not "excellent" and HK is more expensive.

You seem now to be picking an argument with yourself?!:D

Tell me which of you wins!

I never said it wasn't good, just not excellent, in case you didn't know, they are not the same.

If you want to pick on bones, go eat a chicken.

My last reply to this thread

Australia and NZ are typically considered first world countries, just so you know.
Same goes for the US, UK, France etc

Most cities in the US do not have decent public transport and only a few have subways. Chicago's subway is just pathetic. It's noisy, dirty, unsafe and nowhere close to how good the subways are in most Asian cities.
The San Francisco subway costs...$8.20 one way for a single stop.
That's right, $8.20 for one stop to the airport.
Not to mention it runs once every 20mins...

You said it yourself, you rent a car in the US because the public transport is just too poor. Try taking a bus in LA and see how it is like.

Having said all that, compared to the rest of the world, SIN has an excellent overall public transport system. Includes subways, taxies, buses etc.
Same goes for HKG, TPE and other major Asian cities.
They are safe, affordable, fast and with good coverage.



I've been to US a bit and found NYC subway to have decent coverage, most of the time when I'm in US I rent a car though.

I didn't realise ANZ were first world countries though

Australia and NZ are typically considered first world countries, just so you know.
Same goes for the US, UK, France etc

Most cities in the US do not have decent public transport and only a few have subways. Chicago's subway is just pathetic. It's noisy, dirty, unsafe and nowhere close to how good the subways are in most Asian cities.
The San Francisco subway costs...$8.20 one way for a single stop.
That's right, $8.20 for one stop to the airport.
Not to mention it runs once every 20mins...

You said it yourself, you rent a car in the US because the public transport is just too poor. Try taking a bus in LA and see how it is like.

Having said all that, compared to the rest of the world, SIN has an excellent overall public transport system. Includes subways, taxies, buses etc.
Same goes for HKG, TPE and other major Asian cities.
They are safe, affordable, fast and with good coverage.


I agree. I can't speak for the European countries, but I was in NYC in December and decided to try the subway. There was a hobo begging, not outside the station, not in the station, but on the train :rolleyes: HK has a decent public transportation system. People are now comparing apple's and orange's because Singapore has a population of 5 million compared to Hong Kong's 7 million. And more than 90% of Hong Kong's population uses public transport, unlike in Singapore, thus the higher frequency. I also find there's a much bigger language barrier in HK than in SG. So if you make fair comparisons, you'll find Singapore's transport isn't just better than 'third world countries', its better than most first world.

My last reply to this thread

Ah well ...... our loss!:D

You're now saying it has a good transport system ..........:confused:

You said before:



So it's "good" but not "excellent" and HK is more expensive.

You seem now to be picking an argument with yourself?!:D

Tell me which of you wins!
Whoever wins we lose. :D

So far even though I stay in Singapore I refuse to be drawn into this transportation debate. Yes Singapore's transport system is excellent when compared to countries like US, Australia, etc. But I guess that's not a fair comparison since these countries are so big and vast there is no way for them to roll out a comprehensive and affordable public transport system. And also you need to take into account the cost of private transport which is nowhere as costly as that in Singapore. I'm sure lots of people who prefer to own their own transport and not have to queue at the metro or bus-stop only to breathe into someone's armpits for the next 1 hour during rush hour.

It's better to compare Singapore with just leading Asian cities. In term of metro proliferation and punctuality Tokyo wins hands down. In terms of frequency and routing of buses Hong Kong wins hands down. So Singapore would be somewhere in between, good but not the best. :)

Just my $0.002 cents.

Whoever wins we lose. :D

So far even though I stay in Singapore I refuse to be drawn into this transportation debate. Yes Singapore's transport system is excellent when compared to countries like US, Australia, etc. But I guess that's not a fair comparison since these countries are so big and vast there is no way for them to roll out a comprehensive and affordable public transport system. And also you need to take into account the cost of private transport which is nowhere as costly as that in Singapore. I'm sure lots of people who prefer to own their own transport and not have to queue at the metro or bus-stop only to breathe into someone's armpits for the next 1 hour during rush hour.

It's better to compare Singapore with just leading Asian cities. In term of metro proliferation and punctuality Tokyo wins hands down. In terms of frequency and routing of buses Hong Kong wins hands down. So Singapore would be somewhere in between, good but not the best. :)

Just my $0.002 cents.

is it "$0.002" or "0.002 cents"?
Jus kidding. hope that u like the transportation in SIN. :)

I never started the debate about public transport in Singapore because I'm not clear about the relevance of the topic for most people who are visiting en-route to somewhere else - implied "more exotic"! But my response is that the reason why I love the public transport system in Singapore as I know it, is because for many visitors - it's irrelevant.

I recognise that I am fortunate that my budget isn't so strict that my reliance on buses and trains in Singapore may not be as great as for some others on a stricter budget. But whereas when I'm in London, or Vienna .... or wherever ...... I normally hesitate and think about alternatives a bit before getting into a taxi, it has taken me several visits to realise that taxis in Singapore whether paying during peak times or not are a real bargain. A few pounds gets you almost anywhere. Taxis are very cheap copmpared with every other city I visit. On short and medium trips I walk. Medium and a bit longer I taxi .... and very long I might get the train or I more probably now - I taxi. But two people in a taxi is a bargain. For example, BKK has always been a taxiing nightmare. The scams, the going in the opposite direction, the "no changew" scams, the "wrong bank notes" etc. I'd say more than half of my BKK taxi trips have been a stress.

That to me is one of the additional joys of Singapore. Cheap taxis with cheerful and friendly and honest taxi drivers.

MTR has higher frequency than MRT, I take the Tsuen wan, Kwun tong and island lines frequently and during rush hour, its 1 min per train and ard 3 mins others.
No, the Kwun Tong line operates at a minimum headway of 2.1 minutes. (Which is very respectable, mind you; Moscow's got the record on this and IIRC it's around 90 seconds.) Singapore has around 2.5 min at peak hour.

From MTR station, minibus get you to almost anywhere you want.
How is this different from Singapore's normal buses, which also get you to almost anywhere you want?

For what it's worth, as a visitor to HK, I've always found the buses and minibuses somewhat difficult to use, even though I can read Chinese. Signage is not standardized, maps are rare and even finding the bus stops can be a chore. And I still don't entirely understand the red/green minibus split.

Until recently, Singapore's buses were also pretty badly done, but LTA's done a pretty good job of standardizing and clarifying the signage and, above all, adding clear maps at all major stops. MRT stations also have lists of services, signposts and more often than not covered walkways to nearby bus stops.

HK island has trams which are very cheap as alternative mode, 2hkd anywhere. If you can find this in Singapore, I'll eat my hat and throw in socks for desserts.
Hong Kong's trams are indeed fun and great value... but a little too slow to be practical.

Taxis are plentiful anytime anywhere in HK, I don't remember having to wait more than 20mins for a taxi, try hailing/calling a cab in raffles place from 6-9pm and see how long it takes or try it when it rains.
That's why I keep the taxi company on speed dial :p

It wasn't intended as an insult - Disneyland and Singapore are very successful brands; they are both very good at what they do.

Which brings back memories of an old essay by William Gibson, "Disneyland with the Death Penalty":

"It's like an entire country run by Jeffrey Katzenberg," the producer had said, "under the motto 'Be happy or I'll kill you.'"


(http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.04/gibson.html)

Personally, I'm completely fascinated by Singapore and I'm always looking for an opportunity to return.

... Personally, I'm completely fascinated by Singapore and I'm always looking for an opportunity to return.

^ Likewise :D ...

.........So I'd encourage people to think about Singapore on it's merits rather than just somewhere to recuperate for a day or two before moving on.
Great thread.......highly informative and very entertaining!

I appreciate the various contributions. Thanks, everyone!

For what it's worth, I have considered the merits, contemplated the down sides, and I plan to visit SIN, for an extended period (7 to 10 days), in the near future........and this thread was a significant contributing factor!

I can't wait to hit the night zoo and visit the WWII-related sites! I've just started considering the medical tourism aspects, and a cheap check-up (compared to USA) may be in the works!

CHEERS!

Great thread.......highly informative and very entertaining!

I appreciate the various contributions. Thanks, everyone!

For what it's worth, I have considered the merits, contemplated the down sides, and I plan to visit SIN, for an extended period (7 to 10 days), in the near future........and this thread was a significant contributing factor!

I can't wait to hit the night zoo and visit the WWII-related sites! I've just started considering the medical tourism aspects, and a cheap check-up (compared to USA) may be in the works!

CHEERS!



I'm so pleased the thread has encouraged you to take Singapore seriously, and I hope the medical intervention cures your blue language. I mean ..... really!;)

I'm envious. I'm waiting at this very moment (......in fact every moment for some time to be completely honest.........) for BA to offer a 50% redemption sale, or for SQ to offer F in LHR>SIN, because Lady uk1 doesn't do anything other than F these days in LH ..... and when this happens I'll be booking several jaunts.

You have to have a mind-set thing to get the most out of Singapore for an extended sat and I hope you come back feeling it was the right thing. Do let us know.

I've just started considering the medical tourism aspects, and a cheap check-up (compared to USA) may be in the works!

CHEERS!



First, welcome to FlyerTalk!

Glad to hear that you're interested in checking out Singapore. Frankly it's a bit of an acquired taste (I'm sure you can see that from how heated the commentary has been on this thread); the debate is no put on, when real people meet and find themselves on opposite sides of this issue, sparks have been known to fly. But what folks like myself, uk1 and a few others say is, please keep an open mind, see for yourself what it's like and decide based on your own experience. The worse that will happen is that it will be a terribly dull experience that will feel as if you had never left home (wherever that is).

On your medical tourism question, just to let you know:

- there are two major private hospitals that offer services for foreigners (non-Singaporeans). The granddaddy is Gleneagles Hospital; the newcomer is Raffles Hospital. Raffles Hospital especially is set up for foreigners that are coming in for procedures of various sorts and types.

- in this part of the world, Traditional Chinese Medicine (in the US it would be called alternative medicine) is taken extremely seriously by a large segment of the population and operates side by side with Western medicine. I am not necessarily suggesting that you take this up, however, if you are interested, Eu Yan Sang (a well known and reputable purveyor of Chinese medicinal herbs in this part of the world). The main branch on New Bridge Road has Chinese medicine doctors who I would presume can speak English. For additional notes, suggest you search the threads for another posting I wrote on this some months ago.

I'm so pleased the thread has encouraged you to take Singapore seriously, and I hope the medical intervention cures your blue language. I mean ..... really!;)
Sorry for the blue font!

But, for my very first FT post, I wanted it to be memorable and colorful. :) I could have chosen this color!

Actually, I thought the blue font was a good match for this vBulletin configuration (I believe FlyerTalk's standard configuration is varying shades of blue).

First, welcome to FlyerTalk!
THANKS!

On your medical tourism question, just to let you know: <SNIP>

Much appreciated! When doing online research, I came across one site that provided cost comparisons among various hospitals in SIN. Now that I have your information, I can zero-in on those two places as possibly "more experienced" when dealing with foreigners. I won't automatically disregard the others, but I'll consider these hospitals, first. Again, thanks!

I'm currently in SIN on my umteenth pass-through. I wouldn't dream of staying longer than overnight, unless I had to (and I have had to, many times!). No particular dislike of the place, just there are others in the region I'd way prefer to be. If I valued ease of use and absense of culture-shock I might appreciate SIN far more.

It IS getting even more expensive - though, to be fair, that's more of an exchange rate thing.

Caused some debate my little thread!

To refresh the topic!

Very sad I know ...... but just booked the next trip and I've booked 8 days SIN ..... 7 days SYD ......5 days SIN .....

Isn't that sad?!:D

I'm currently in SIN on my umteenth pass-through. I wouldn't dream of staying longer than overnight, unless I had to (and I have had to, many times!). No particular dislike of the place, just there are others in the region I'd way prefer to be. If I valued ease of use and absense of culture-shock I might appreciate SIN far more.

It IS getting even more expensive - though, to be fair, that's more of an exchange rate thing.

Yes SIN is a nice place but now too expensive-lah!

I love to visit SIN, but to stay, there are better places out there. Compare to other Southeast Asia, Sin is much better though.

I love to visit SIN, but to stay, there are better places out there. Compare to other Southeast Asia, Sin is much better though.

Better for you ..... but not for me .... just extended my second stay by a whole day .... so it currently stands at 14 days in Singapore and 7 in Sydney. I know it's proabaly too long but this is the foodie capital of the world and with lunch time taking up most of the day I'm sure we won't get too bored.

I'm now looking for all the hidden gems.

One thing I am hunting for is access to look around a genuine unmolested and traditional house and shophouse ... already booked as private museum visit and we'll obviously drink in the no. 5 emerald hill cocktail bar but there's got to be more.

One thing I am hunting for is access to look around a genuine unmolested and traditional house and shophouse ... already booked as private museum visit and we'll obviously drink in the no. 5 emerald hill cocktail bar but there's got to be more.
The Chinatown Heritage Museum is quite nicely laid out in an old shophouse. And if you want to stuff yourselves silly while admiring a shophouse, pop in at Kim Choo in Katong.

http://www.kimchoo.com/

I have been there many a time over the years and have to admit it gets better every visit.The Place is clean and friendly and the transport system puts all of Australia to shame not to mention the shopping and the food.
I am going back again in June and stopping over on the way home from the UK but am in Transit on the way over but will do what I can to get into town and try fit in a cruise on the Singapore River between flights and make it back to the Airport by 9:30 pm at latest

Better for you ..... but not for me .... just extended my second stay by a whole day .... so it currently stands at 14 days in Singapore and 7 in Sydney. I know it's proabaly too long but this is the foodie capital of the world and with lunch time taking up most of the day I'm sure we won't get too bored.

I'm now looking for all the hidden gems.

One thing I am hunting for is access to look around a genuine unmolested and traditional house and shophouse ... already booked as private museum visit and we'll obviously drink in the no. 5 emerald hill cocktail bar but there's got to be more.

Close to where jpatokal mentioned (Kim Choo for its Peranakan Cina food), you can consider really old school unmolested coffee shop. It sells kaya and toast and local coffee, called Chin Mee Chin confectionary. This coffee shop is located in the Katong district, beside a church. Everything in there brings back nostalgia of the good old days. Nothing fanciful, but absolutely local. Try it!

Consider also the Peranakan Musuem in town if you have not been there before. Its housed in the old Tao Nan school near SMU.

Close to where jpatokal mentioned (Kim Choo for its Peranakan Cina food), you can consider really old school unmolested coffee shop. It sells kaya and toast and local coffee, called Chin Mee Chin confectionary. This coffee shop is located in the Katong district, beside a church. Everything in there brings back nostalgia of the good old days. Nothing fanciful, but absolutely local. Try it!

Consider also the Peranakan Musuem in town if you have not been there before. Its housed in the old Tao Nan school near SMU.

Thanks for that - yes - been to the museum - twice in fact because it was fascinating and it focuses on social history ie how people lived which was absorbing. I'll certainly look out for the coffee shop. Thanks again.

And wanting to get out of the tourist traps I have a couple recommendations:

The Tiger Brewery is worth a visit. $10 gets you a tour and a few hours all you can drink in the open bar.

HSBC tree top walk: start early! because it gets hot and it's a long walk. Take the shortcut (take the bus to Venus Drive off Upper Thomson Road. Go down Venus Drive and you'll see a path off to the left)

Botanical Gardens: some Sundays have free live symphonies and music - check their schedule online http://www.sbg.org.sg/calendar/calendar.asp

East coast park allows camping. I recommend bringing a hammock and hanging it between palm trees. This is nice also for a lazy day.
[/url]

I've just tried the East Coast Park camping. Apparently you need a licence to camp and you are not supposed to hang a hammock between palm trees as it will harm the palm trees. Got this warning through some National Parks Rangers. If you do not want to get in trouble with the law, please DO NOT camp at East Coast Park without applying for a licence and certainly DO NOT hang a hammock between palm trees.

And wanting to get out of the tourist traps I have a couple recommendations:

The Tiger Brewery is worth a visit. $10 gets you a tour and a few hours all you can drink in the open bar.



I'm afraid it's been closed for a while ...........

Currently, the brewery tour in Singapore is temporarily closed for upgrading. Email us or call 65-6860 3005/007 for more information

I've just tried the East Coast Park camping. Apparently you need a licence to camp and you are not supposed to hang a hammock between palm trees as it will harm the palm trees. Got this warning through some National Parks Rangers. If you do not want to get in trouble with the law, please DO NOT camp at East Coast Park without applying for a licence and certainly DO NOT hang a hammock between palm trees.

Sorry! Worked last year...

I'm afraid it's been closed for a while ...........

Hmm... were definitely offering them half a year ago. maybe I'm overlooking something but according to their site and contact they're still offering tours:
http://202.157.151.25/exp-breweryTour.html

The Tiger Brewery Tour in Singapore is open to visitors from Mondays to Fridays (except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). Four tours are conducted daily at 10.30am, 2.00pm, 4.00pm and 6.30pm (Prior booking is a must).
....
Email us to book a tour today or call 65-6860 3005/007 for more information. Prior booking is necessary to participate in the Tiger Brewery Tour.

Hmm... were definitely offering them half a year ago. maybe I'm overlooking something but according to their site and contact they're still offering tours:
http://202.157.151.25/exp-breweryTour.html

The Tiger Brewery Tour in Singapore is open to visitors from Mondays to Fridays (except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). Four tours are conducted daily at 10.30am, 2.00pm, 4.00pm and 6.30pm (Prior booking is a must).
....
Email us to book a tour today or call 65-6860 3005/007 for more information. Prior booking is necessary to participate in the Tiger Brewery Tour.

It was certainly closed when I looked some months ago ... and today!:( Not your day!

Brewery Tour (http://www.apb.com.sg/brewery-tour.html)

Currently, the brewery tour in Singapore is temporarily closed for upgrading. Email us or call 65-6860 3005/007 for more information.

And wanting to get out of the tourist traps I have a couple recommendations:

The Tiger Brewery is worth a visit. $10 gets you a tour and a few hours all you can drink in the open bar.

[/url]

Wow, still going. First went in 1985, and visited every 3 months for 2 years (the joys of living there).

I recall the the PR chap was a retired LTCOL who was proud that he had a 'queens commission', not a republic of singapore one! He allowed those of us on 'repeat' tours to retire to the tasting room without doing the full tour ...

memories...

Hi, We have a trip planned in Singapore. I need some ideas of what we should see and do. Any suggestions on great activities to do. Could anyone give some tips? Thanks

It depends what are you are into, perhaps if you provide us with some more information we can better help you.

I have been to singapore nearly every year for the last 10 years, for holidays as it is pretty much cheaper to get there than to the rest of Aus.

Singapore is really known for food and high end shopping.

Their zoo is also first rate, especially the night safari.

They also now have a Universal Studios theme park and a few Las Vegas style casinos if that is your thing.

Hi, We have a trip planned in Singapore. I need some ideas of what we should see and do. Any suggestions on great activities to do. Could anyone give some tips? Thanks

You may find some answers in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/singapore/1068398-way-singapore-not-just-stopover.html

Singapore is really a great destination to travel to.

Lots of things to see... When i first travelled to Singapore (or also other locations as well) i love to check for activities to do on tripadvisor.com which can help you a lot. The have a user rating and also reviews from ppl already been there with pictures and a rating as well.

Singapore Zoo is one of the activities in Singapore which i love to go to again and again. Its a quiet huge zoo, so u should plan enough time.
I tried the Night Safari as well but it really disappoint me. Its dark and u only see the reflection of the lights in the animals eyes and not the animal itself and by the time i was taken the tour there werent a lot of animals... So u may be luckier..

Dont forget to travel to Places like Chinatown, Marina Bay or Clarky which are the main attractions there.

Places i love there are Mount Faber where you get a great View over SG.

Also check out the new Boardwalk from VivoCity to Sentosa...

If you love spending time at the Beach - go there.

Plenty of more stuff to do, but i think u might check out more on the website i told u above...

BTW When are u going to S'pore ?


Cheers !

Lot's of good bars and clubs as well you could check out.

Hi, We have a trip planned in Singapore. I need some ideas of what we should see and do. Any suggestions on great activities to do. Could anyone give some tips? Thanks

Battlebox museum is a short 2 hour thing to do

http://wikitravel.org/en/Singapore

There really is nothing better to do than to EAT in Singapore...! :p

So much to try... with each local person's preference differ from the next. Don't bother with the Western stuff. Try everything local if you can cos you won't be able to get the really home grown food here anywhere else in the world.

Just Google "Singapore Food" and see for yourself!

I am planning a 5 days stay in Singapore in Jan before traveling to Taipei to give my 5 years old an authentic Chinese New Year experience in Asia. I guess I am now a "convert" by this thread to have Singapore as one of our destinations.:)

I am planning a 5 days stay in Singapore in Jan before traveling to Taipei to give my 5 years old an authentic Chinese New Year experience in Asia. I guess I am now a "convert" by this thread to have Singapore as one of our destinations.:)

Well done! Glad to have helped!

My next trip is finalised. 5 nights Singapore > 7 nights Sydney - 6 nights Singapore. - just after Chinese New Year. The only warning is of course that Singapore can be a little quieter during festivities ie some food places shut.

We will be there the week before Chinese New Year. Hopefully everything, particularlly those food courts you guys mentioned here, are all open and function as normal. That is one of the main attractions we'd like to experience. We were in KL this past March and we tried to sample their food courts, but were stopped multiple times by my cousin, who is local and a journalist of the leading newspaper in Malaysia, for hygienic reason. (we did enjoy our trip to KL very much though). We look forward to make up our food experience in SIN this time. The warm weather in Jan is another reason for us to choose SIN over, say Tokyo. We like to escape the cold New York Jan in a tropical place. We will definitely visit the Botanical Garden, which is always a favorite activity when we travel. I actually had a couple of stopover experience in SIN in the past. Definitely looking forward to experience it as a destination next time around.

We will be there the week before Chinese New Year. Hopefully everything, particularlly those food courts you guys mentioned here, are all open and function as normal. That is one of the main attractions we'd like to experience
<snip>

In general the hawker centres should be open when you arrive - it's when you get to about a couple of days before CNY itself that individual hawkers will begin to close; once you hit mid afternoon the day before CNY, that's it, no one's open for at least one week, two weeks to be back in full operation (quite a few hawkers go on vacation during this period). I suggest that you hit the hawker centres immediately upon arrival to avoid disappointment.

A small tip: local Malay entrepreneurs noting the hungry masses needing their hawker food fix during the CNY period set up portable grills grilling otah - fish chunks with some seasoning, wrapped in pandan leaves and grilled over hot coals (it will look like a foot long flat stick wrapped in a green leaf. These guys can be found say along some heavily trafficked pathway within the housing estates (ie residential areas) or perhaps near the entrance to a MRT (subway) station/bus terminal, again in the residential districts. AFAIK they're not licensed but I've never heard of anyone getting sick from eating streetside otah - plus it's good.

There really is nothing better to do than to EAT in Singapore...! :p

So much to try... with each local person's preference differ from the next. Don't bother with the Western stuff. Try everything local if you can cos you won't be able to get the really home grown food here anywhere else in the world.

Just Google "Singapore Food" and see for yourself!


+1. There's tons of high end food, but if this is an interest of yours and you're even a tiny bit adventurous......visit the famed Singapore food centers. Go to lots of them. Eat everything that looks good to you....and even some things that don't. I highly recommend the Chowhound food forum for lots of great tips and discussion - you can find Singapore info at http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/46.

Eat! And possibly a side trip to Malaysia.

I love Singapore.

I do echo the previous poster, the night safari is quite cool.

One should also consider walking the Southern Ridges http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?Itemid=73&id=62&option=com_visitorsguide&task=attractions

The botanic garden and park is quite nice, and free! (there is a $5 SGD admission to the national orchid garden)

EAT!!! If you can take the heat and humidity, go to the zoo. Its good. I think high end shopping is actually cheaper in Singapore.

The botanic garden and park is quite nice, and free! (there is a $5 SGD admission to the national orchid garden)

The National Orchid Garden is a MUST!!! :)

I think high end shopping is actually cheaper in Singapore.

Unfortunately not with the exchange rate of the US$ now; I find things (e.g. Louis Vuitton) are cheaper back here in the U.S.

Don't bother shopping if from US.

Universal Studios and surrounding area of Siloso Beach.
Sunset and a drink at Ku De Ta.
Night safari.
Aquarium at Sentosa.
Hawker Centers.
River boat tour thing.
Lion King at Marina Bay Sands.
Casino for an hour or two. (more if you gamble)
Zoo
Jurong Bird Park.
Walk along Orchard Rd.
Botanical Gardens.
Day trip or overnight in Batam/Bintan.
Cable car from Mt. Faber.
Canopy Tour.
Eat eat eat. Chili Crab at Long Beach or elsewhere.
Walk around Dempsey Hill (shops, art galleries, cafes, etc.). - very near to Botanical Garden.
Ride one of the hop-on/hop-off bus tour things (at least 2 providers to choose from).
Singapore Flyer.
Art & Science Museum.
Many other museums if WWII and other history interests you.

Zoo, bird park, and night safari tix can be combined for some savings.

That's all I've got.

Museum of Asian Civilizations is a must! The collection is astounding, and the setting is evocative.

[QUOTE=Guy Betsy;16463522]There really is nothing better to do than to EAT in Singapore...!
^

Just saw a rerun of "No Reservations" in Singapore..now can't stop thinking about the chili crab and oyster omelet and prawn mee and char kway teow and durian and...:p

Chicken Rice War is a great Singaporean food movie - a vague retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set in a hawker centre. If you get the chance, don't miss it.

Museum of Asian Civilizations is a must! The collection is astounding, and the setting is evocative.

Currently the have an exhibit of Xi'an terracotta warriors which is great. Extra special f you have an iPhone.

For those with smaller figures and feet sizes, clothes shopping in more local areas can be a cheaper option than in the US.

I think videogame/anime/manga souvenirs tend to be cheaper in Singapore (sometimes due to knockoffs, admittedly), and more easily found as well; for example, but not limited to, in a Comics Connection, which has branches in many malls.

Friends who've been on the Flyer say it's overrated.

Have some Milo.

The light/water show at Sentosa will interest younger children, but for anyone else it's rather cheesy.

Another vote for Dempsey Hill.

So me and the wife are planning to head to Singapore before we goto China. We are planning to stay for around 3-4 full days, is that enough days to enjoy singapore? Can anyone recommend some of their favorite or must visit places (food is a big plus!) - thanks

http://wikitravel.org/en/Three_days_in_Singapore

Yes, the city's very small so 3-4 full days ought to be enough. I know someone who conducts small private tours if you want the contact, PM me. Otherwise it's also easy to DIY.

Shopping - VAT/GST free for tourists
Gambling - No entry fee for tourists
USS - Since you aren't travelling with kids, you might want to pass this

Go around Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam for the ethnic experience.

Last but not least, EAT!

Go to a hawker centre - tourist's favourite I would say should be lau pa sat

Thanks for the info.

Question: Anyone know any regulations in regards to bigger hotels asking for your passport and making photocopies in Singapore?

Not too sure bout the real-top end places, but a lot of hotels both in SIN and outside as well do take a copy of the passport on checking-in, if the guest is a foreigner.

Singapore is one of the most boring places I have ever been.

While highly touted as a tourist destination there is really very little to see since they knocked over almost all the older stuff in a misguided effort to be be modern.

They do have good public transit, the place is clean and the food is okay to good. And their airline is one of the tops for IFE.

Major attraction is shopping which is better and more fun in HK or SF or BKK. And, the shopping is largely in underground air conditioned tunnel malls which didn't interest me.

IMHO, your time would be better spent in BKK or HK; if you must go to Singapore a day or two is more than enough.

I used to think that Singapore was boring. Not anymore, actually. The food scene is now more exciting and who would complain about its cleanliness and efficiency?

One thing I would add when describing Singapore now: expensive. With the very strong SGD, there will be some sticker shock here and there.

Singapore is one of the most boring places I have ever been.

IMHO, your time would be better spent in BKK or HK; if you must go to Singapore a day or two is more than enough.


I'm pleased you feel that way.

If more people felt the way you do then Singapore would be left for people like me who think it's perfect and cannot visit often enough - or for long enough.

Singapore is one of the most boring places I have ever been.

While highly touted as a tourist destination there is really very little to see since they knocked over almost all the older stuff in a misguided effort to be be modern.

They do have good public transit, the place is clean and the food is okay to good. And their airline is one of the tops for IFE.

Major attraction is shopping which is better and more fun in HK or SF or BKK. And, the shopping is largely in underground air conditioned tunnel malls which didn't interest me.

IMHO, your time would be better spent in BKK or HK; if you must go to Singapore a day or two is more than enough.

Older stuff? First, counting the colonial era, S'pore is not yet 200 years old. Second, a country maybe half the size of London and with a population density maybe 50% higher, doesn't leave you much room for both modernity and heritage (yes, I'm sure the S'pore govt would like to cater to the discerning historical palate of farangs but when you're a tiny spit of sand, you do what you gotta do). Third, STB propa... advertising notwithstanding, I'd be surprised if anybody goes to S'pore to see older stuff (with the exception of the likes of the war memorials which cater to certain nationalities).

I agree about HK as a superior tourist destination (in many respects) but IMO BKK is only superior for the number and quality of Starwood hotels, street markets, street food and sex industry.

I plan on using my credit card as much as I can however I have the option of exchanging for some SGD before I leave or wait til I get there. Are banks the best place to get the best rates at? How much SGD should one usually carry as I'm not sure the average food/transportation cost. thanks

Singapore is one of the most boring places I have ever been.

While highly touted as a tourist destination there is really very little to see since they knocked over almost all the older stuff in a misguided effort to be be modern.

They do have good public transit, the place is clean and the food is okay to good. And their airline is one of the tops for IFE.

Major attraction is shopping which is better and more fun in HK or SF or BKK. And, the shopping is largely in underground air conditioned tunnel malls which didn't interest me.

IMHO, your time would be better spent in BKK or HK; if you must go to Singapore a day or two is more than enough.

*gasp* So much ignorance. I don't think I can reply properly to this one. Yikes!

I plan on using my credit card as much as I can however I have the option of exchanging for some SGD before I leave or wait til I get there. Are banks the best place to get the best rates at? How much SGD should one usually carry as I'm not sure the average food/transportation cost. thanks

ATMs are the easiest (some associated fees but the exchange rates are good). Every place takes credit cards but you should be fine with SGD 200 for walking around money. More if you're not a CC person.

*gasp* So much ignorance. I don't think I can reply properly to this one. Yikes!

Give it a shot! :D

For example, explain to me why anyone would waste their time to see the much advertised (rusty and leaking) "Fountain of Wealth?"

I'm pleased you feel that way.

If more people felt the way you do then Singapore would be left for people like me who think it's perfect and cannot visit often enough - or for long enough.

UK1, you don't really seem that pleased ... ;)

I agree about HK as a superior tourist destination (in many respects) but IMO BKK is only superior for the number and quality of Starwood hotels, street markets, street food and sex industry.
And temples and river cruises and cheap good massages and Ocean World... On the other hand, I've never seen why people like HKG.

would like to do stopover for 2 or 3 days---worth it?? expensive?? then onto bankok for 3-4 days and back
suggestions

Welcome to FT.

You might try posing your Q in the Singapore forum. You might also explain what "expensive" and "worth it" means to you.

would like to do stopover for 2 or 3 days---worth it?? expensive?? then onto bankok for 3-4 days and back
suggestions

Welcome to FlyerTalk, birdryan! :) Since your primary question is about Singapore, we'll shift your query over to the Singapore forum for the experts there to weigh in. Thanks! /JY1024, TravelBuzz co-moderator

Pretty much everything costs significantly more in Singapore than Bangkok.

What would cost you the most in Singapore would be lodging.

Other than that, there are good food deals around Singapore. (Hawker Centres etc)

SIN is definitely worth a stop. To put it in to perspective (as you don't define your budget or what's expensive by your standards), It's considerably cheaper than say, London or Paris for example in pretty much everything. Lodging has been on the uphill for the past 2 years or so but still, you can find good deals and as stated, food is relatively cheap and high quality.

It's also very easy (and cheap) to get around with some minimal preparations and research with excellent English signage, friendly helpful English speaking locals and probably the best transit system in the world.

Just returned from 4 days there. English is the official language, though some I can't understand. (I can't understand some of the English spoken in Scotland either.)

Great shopping. I went to the Bird Park and though I sweltered, it was neat. I never made it to the zoo or night safari. The food is really good, though can be expensive.

Ate at Cut and the cheapest cut of filet (78SPD as I recall) was fantastic. (Best I've had outside of Japan.) We walked in (early) and got a table. Really liked BALIThai which is a chain in several shopping centers.

Taxis are reasonable and are all metered.

Wine is incredibly expensive. The cheapest bottle at Cut was about 75 SPD (I understand there is a 300% import duty on wine.)

I like Bangkok a lot. It's certainly cheaper there. Same hot humid climate.

would like to do stopover for 2 or 3 days---worth it?? expensive?? then onto bankok for 3-4 days and back
suggestions

Welcome to FT!
That said, can I suggest you do a little research before posting such a vague question. If you searched this forum "Singapore what to do" you'd find these three threads that I believe go a long way to start answering what you're looking for:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/singapore/1254767-what-do-go-singapore.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/singapore/1213942-things-do-singapore.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/singapore/1068398-way-singapore-not-just-stopover.html

Just returned from 4 days there. English is the official language, though some I can't understand. (I can't understand some of the English spoken in Scotland either.)



Must be the accent (Singlish accent) and we Singaporeans are lazy at pronouncing the TH sounds.

Three pronounced as tree.... :D

Maybe they don't speak Singlish lah!

Just returned from 4 days there. English is the official language, though some I can't understand. (I can't understand some of the English spoken in Scotland either.)

Great shopping. I went to the Bird Park and though I sweltered, it was neat. I never made it to the zoo or night safari. The food is really good, though can be expensive.

Ate at Cut and the cheapest cut of filet (78SPD as I recall) was fantastic. (Best I've had outside of Japan.) We walked in (early) and got a table. Really liked BALIThai which is a chain in several shopping centers.

Taxis are reasonable and are all metered.

Wine is incredibly expensive. The cheapest bottle at Cut was about 75 SPD (I understand there is a 300% import duty on wine.)

I like Bangkok a lot. It's certainly cheaper there. Same hot humid climate.

LOL Don't get this the wrong way, but someone from MEM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XJC4QufWs0) is hardly the most legitimate person to complain about English spoken in other parts of the world. I was born in LAX and even after years of business trips to the south still can't really get used to the accent!:D

(I can't understand some of the English spoken in Scotland either.)

Psht, and I can't understand some of what passes for English in the US!

Honestly, I'd rather do 4 days in Singapore and 2 days in Bangkok, but that's just me. Singapore food is some of the best in the world and so cheap Stick with "local" places and not the expat ones if you want to keep costs down. Not to mention it's the cleanest city in Asia and most people are pretty nice. SIN is such a beautiful airport too, the best place to transit in the world. (although I prefer HKG overall)

LOL Don't get this the wrong way, but someone from MEM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XJC4QufWs0) is hardly the most legitimate person to complain about English spoken in other parts of the world. I was born in LAX and even after years of business trips to the south still can't really get used to the accent!:D

Someone who lives in MEM isn't necessarily a Southerner, tho I am. We have lots of folks from all parts of the world who work for Fed Ex and International Paper (my next door neighbor is from France).

I lived in Cleveland, OH long enough to have ditched most of my accent.

Actually I was commenting as much on my hearing/understanding ability as the Singapore residents accent. Other people, my son for example, have no problem. Didn't really intend to dis the Singapore accent.

I remembered having a discussion with my local peers about our accent when we were in Shanghai.

You know right, the Chinese learn the American accent thus not understanding our accent too.

When we speak in English, they ask us, what language are we speaking in?

So no worries, it is us with our phonics.

:D

I love the Singaporean accent, and can pick it up very quickly. That being said, I notice it less and less these days as foreigners seem to crowd the places I frequent!

I love the Singaporean accent, and can pick it up very quickly. That being said, I notice it less and less these days as foreigners seem to crowd the places I frequent!

I was born in Singapore and heck I don't understand what they say sometimes. I left in 1986 for the better life. :p

I love the Singaporean accent, and can pick it up very quickly.

I love the "true" Singapore English accent (i.e. the one based on RP), it's so cute! Of course, you also hear a lot of bad English in SG which isn't so cute. I wish people would speak like that in HK.

I love the "true" Singapore English accent (i.e. the one based on RP), it's so cute! Of course, you also hear a lot of bad English in SG which isn't so cute. I wish people would speak like that in HK.

What is wrong with choppy Chinglish?

What is wrong with choppy Chinglish?

Nothing, I speak bad Putonghua. Just that proper SG English sounds really good to me, sort of like how I like Donegal accents for no particular good reason.

Nothing, I speak bad Putonghua. Just that proper SG English sounds really good to me, sort of like how I like Donegal accents for no particular good reason.

My Putonghua is so bad that I can only use it when I am hungry. BUT there are many other languages that I can converse in when I am hungry.

I have a business trip to Singapore coming up. Not sure how much free time I have but I will be able to take some extra time at my own expense. For those who know Singapore, how much extra time should I plan for and what are the top things to see?

Thanks.

Thanks, I didn't see it when I went to forums (clearly I didn't look enough).

I really enjoyed the botanical gardens and the orchid garden. The national museum was interesting to me because I knew nothing at all about the history of Singapore. The food stalls were good (hawker centers).

Otherwise it was really expensive, and I just stayed in my hotel room until I reached Thailand (where it is more fun and things are cheaper).

For member ease in searching and finding information on the same or similar topics - first time, short time, 2 - 4 days, etc. in Singapore - posts have been merged. Now it's in one fairly recent thread.

Remember, everyone's impression varies - the more you get out, the more it is likely you will find what is specifically "different" - to an individual's liking or not - about any place.

Some impressions others share about Singapore: it's modern and appears sterile to some; it's multicultural and the various cultures get along fairly well; it's organised and people follow the laws vs. it's too organised and tame, not "wild" enough; lodging and food are expensive; food is quite reasonable in the markets and safe in the hawker centres, not to mention from various cultures; very easy and reliable to get around vs. well, too organised.

Some go once and only want to make airline connections at Changi airport; other go once and again and again. But the only way you can determine is to read others' impressions and - go there. FT is about travel and diverse opinions, but not about criticising others' for their views of a particular place. :)

One of my highlights of Singapore was the Singapore Night Safari. They offer animal shows, tours and guided trails around a number of well landscaped enclosures. It felt much more interactive than most other zoos and seemed to be more quirky because it was at night. Probably the best zoo I have been too, closely followd by San Diego zoo.

I guess you got my genuine welcome because when I was there a few weeks back, no one was welcoming me!

Sorry, I still find the place hot, humid, and boring.

I spoke with a couple of ex-pat friends who return to Singapore at least once a year- but to visit their son and his family. They mention it is hot and humid. This is February, but they usually live retired in southern France so the weather differences would be tougher to take than if they live in the tropics.

I look forward to stoping in SIN this June and this August, but unfortunately I won't spend a LOT of time there. The "boring" term is a red herring!! I have found Paris boring, and London too! Never mind big cities in the UAE and the USA. They CAN be boring and LONELY - if you are of a particular mindset. Heck, even my home town is and can be boring!

Make the most of your travels. SIN, just like Paris and Podunk Hollow, has much to offer. Enjoy the places you visit while you still see the grass from the green side. :p

Enjoy the places you visit while you still see the grass from the green side. :p
^ ^ ^

As a result of a cheap airfare from New York (actually new jersey), I'll be in Singapore for a few days in early April. Before i book a room, my big concern is getting to the airport for a 6am flight. Ordinarily I would stay at an airport hotel but I read bad reviews of the transit hotels. The crown plaza would do in a pinch but I am more budget minded this trip. Any advice?

I should add that this is my first visit to Asia. :)

Before i book a room, my big concern is getting to the airport for a 6am flight.

At that time, a taxi from any of the city hotels to the airport will take about 15 minutes. What's the big concern?

As a result of a cheap airfare from New York (actually new jersey), I'll be in Singapore for a few days in early April. Before i book a room, my big concern is getting to the airport for a 6am flight. Ordinarily I would stay at an airport hotel but I read bad reviews of the transit hotels. The crown plaza would do in a pinch but I am more budget minded this trip. Any advice?

I should add that this is my first visit to Asia. :)

At that time, a taxi from any of the city hotels to the airport will take about 15 minutes. What's the big concern?

Just go to google map and see how big/small a land mass SIN is.

You can't use the transit hotel for a departure as it is airside. I have always used the transit hotel upon arrival due to DL get in at 12:45am. The idea of being on a bed after a 10+h US NRT and then 7h NRT SIN ride by going up the escalator is fine by me. YMMV. It is not a 4-5* in town property but it is for a quick zzzzz and priced accordingly.

Taxi, no problem - just remember the overnight hour of service and airport destination surcharge which is part of the regulated charges and displayed on the fare chart in every cab.

Taxi, no problem - just remember the overnight hour of service and airport destination surcharge which is part of the regulated charges and displayed on the fare chart in every cab.

There is no surcharge to the airport, only from the airport.

Thanks for the assurances. DL operates out of terminal 1 and it is that transit hotel with the bad reviews. I will go to the one at terminal 3 which is also a priority pass lounge.

I generally prefer public transportation or dedicated airport shuttles (especially when I'm half asleep). One hotel I was considering was the changi village hotel but their first airport shuttle doesn't leave until 5am.

Basically I don't know anything about the city and want to make it as simple as possible to make my early morning flight.

Thanks for the assurances. DL operates out of terminal 1 and it is that transit hotel with the bad reviews. I will go to the one at terminal 3 which is also a priority pass lounge.

I generally prefer public transportation or dedicated airport shuttles (especially when I'm half asleep). One hotel I was considering was the changi village hotel but their first airport shuttle doesn't leave until 5am.

Basically I don't know anything about the city and want to make it as simple as possible to make my early morning flight.

For early morning departure transit hotel will not work. They are all airside and you need a boarding pass and checked in to enter airside. Being a city state entering airside also mean exit immigration.

I would just stay at whatever hotel you are at and just taxi to the airport.

man, so many people seem to put this place down. /shrug

I plan on going here anyways. It was this place, or stay in Manila for the same amount of time, so why not visit another country. (Already seeing Manila/Boracay after this)

I saw a link to the 3 day Singapore Itinerary. I may be doing the first 2 days, since I will only have 2 full days there (I fly in Mon at 1am, plan on sleeping in the airport, lol, then fly out Wed at 2am). Main thing for me, is to just relax and walk around, and EAT.

jaesun don't forget to check the Singapore Meetup Thread in my signature. If you are going to EAT anyone, there are plenty of FTers in Singapore that would be happy to join. ;)

jaesun don't forget to check the Singapore Meetup Thread in my signature. If you are going to EAT anyone, there are plenty of FTers in Singapore that would be happy to join. ;)

I just might have to do this. Thanks for pointing it out!

jaesun don't forget to check the Singapore Meetup Thread in my signature. If you are going to EAT anyone, there are plenty of FTers in Singapore that would be happy to join. ;)

Wait a minute, who's going to EAT someone??? :D:D

(I just thought I'd jump into this thread because I just found out we'll be going to Singapore in a few weeks and I'll probably be needing some advice...once I get the flights sorted out!)

Coming to Singapore next week, also my first time - question regarding mobiles. I have a blackberry, what would you recommend for a prepaid SIM with data? thanks!

Coming to Singapore next week, also my first time - question regarding mobiles. I have a blackberry, what would you recommend for a prepaid SIM with data? thanks!

http://info.singtel.com/personal/communication/mobile/prepaid-plans/prepaid-mobile/3g-data

You need to have $20 on your account for the 30 days BlackBerry service. Or if you're only over for a few days then maybe the 7-day surfer pack will suffice?

Starhub also has something similar: http://www.starhub.com/content/mobile/prepaidcards/prepaidvas.html

http://info.singtel.com/personal/communication/mobile/prepaid-plans/prepaid-mobile/3g-data

You need to have $20 on your account for the 30 days BlackBerry service. Or if you're only over for a few days then maybe the 7-day surfer pack will suffice?

Starhub also has something similar: http://www.starhub.com/content/mobile/prepaidcards/prepaidvas.html

Ta mate, there for 6 full days so I'll just opt for a 7 day pack. Also, question regarding bringing liquor into the country, I read that there is a max of 1 litre of spirits that is allowed in duty free - if we bring just the 1 litre, do we need to declare it when going through customs?

http://www.changiairport.com/passenger-guide/arrival/customs/tax-and-duties

1 litre of spirits does not have to be declared, and you can also have 1ltr of wine and one of beer as well.

If you give up spirits then they allow you to take an extra litre of beer OR wine.

OK, it looks like I'll be there around the New Year. Tentative plan:

Couple of days in Hong Kong
3 days in Bangkok
Take International Express train to Penang, overnight stay, arriving in Singapore
Couple of days (1 night, see below), return to USA

I've found reasonably priced places to stay in Hong Kong (JJ Hotel in Wan Chai (http://www.jjhotel.com.hk/), ~$110 USD a night, Amari Residences Sukhumvi (http://www.amari.com/residences-sukhumvit/)t, ~$80 USD a night, Banana Boutique Hotel (http://bananaboutiquepenang.com/) in Penang, ~$75 USD a night)... but I am totally striking out on anything that looks decent and is under $150 a night. The stuff I am finding is Hotel 81's in Geylang with a bunch of mixed comments.

Do my expectations need to be radically adjusted? Is waiting for later on better (wotif.com is too far out right now, but it looks like they have some interesting deals)? Is Pricelining/Hotwiring going to help? Is there a B&B someone could recommend?

Anyways, yes, I'm cheap when it comes to hotel rooms (though not hostel-level/couchsurfing cheap, though I'll stay in a pension with shared bathroom). I like finding good "sweet spots" of cleanliness/convenience/pricing/value; sure ,marble appointed suites are nice, but in the end it's a place to lie your head; the real excitement is where you are, not in your hotel room. I find it interesting that in 3 trips to Hong Kong in the past, also a rather expensive city in Asia, that I've found hotel rooms in Central for ~$100 each time, but Singapore is...well...priced pretty heavily, and my usual methods don't seem to work (though if I can pile up some Hilton points, it looks like cash and points at the Hilton Singapore could work).

Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?

How about the IBIS Novena on Balestier?

Any suggestions?

Which days would be ideal for the stay in Singapore?

How about the IBIS Novena on Balestier?

Closer to the mark- looks like $145-160. I am also exploring the Hilton's cash+points for the Hilton Singapore. I have some travel I can throw Hilton's way to boost my points to do this.

And aster, the exact dates are predicated on finding accommodation. When you've got 10 or so days in exotic Asian locales from just after Christmas through New Year's, and you're finding it easier to find hotel rooms in Hong Kong Central in your price range than in Singapore, it tends to diminish your desire to go to Singapore for very long. In theory, I could just burn some miles to go BKK-SIN and if the hotel rooms were the right price, hang out for multiple days there instead of traveling down the Malay Peninsula in a train over several nights (I may well do this if I can find someplace reasonable- it seems to me Penang and Singapore have a lot of the same attractions). But the hotel prices are making me feel like Jack Benny (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Benny).

Since u still have some time to go and dont seem that picky, try Priceline.

Hotels in Singapore are getting really expensive...

Since u still have some time to go and dont seem that picky, try Priceline.

Hotels in Singapore are getting really expensive...

Yeah, that's my thinking, too.

I guess I just need to adjust to thinking SIN=NYC. ;)

Closer to the mark- looks like $145-160.

You can often get the Mercure Roxy for a similar price, and the facilities there are far better. No MRT nearby though.

Some people say nice things about the boutique hotels in Little India...

Some people say nice things about the boutique hotels in Little India...
Choose very carefully -- it's also where the city's worst dives lie.

I was wondering if you guys have any good food recommendations? I know I am going to hit up the local hawker station. I also know I want to try the chili crab (was told that Seafood Paradise, or lau pa sat would be good?).

But not sure where I should go. I feel like I have a 100's choices with only a few picks. I am easily willing to try almost anything. I have had Indian food once, and it did not go well with me, but I attribute that to the place I ate at. I also want to try Malaysian food (any must try's ?) as I have never tried Malay food.

What would you recommend ? I have 2 days there (so basically, 2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner), so I want to make sure I get as much in as I can.

I was wondering if you guys have any good food recommendations? I know I am going to hit up the local hawker station. I also know I want to try the chili crab (was told that Seafood Paradise, or lau pa sat would be good?).

But not sure where I should go. I feel like I have a 100's choices with only a few picks. I am easily willing to try almost anything. I have had Indian food once, and it did not go well with me, but I attribute that to the place I ate at. I also want to try Malaysian food (any must try's ?) as I have never tried Malay food.

What would you recommend ? I have 2 days there (so basically, 2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner), so I want to make sure I get as much in as I can.

Where will you be staying while you are in Singapore?

I have tried Jumbo, no signboard, Seafood Paradise and find them to be of similar quality so you won't go wrong with these bigger players. I have found exceptional quality of chiili crabs and salted egg crabs in heartland coffee shops.

An example of good chilli crabs in coffee shops. http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/mellben_seafood_ang_mo_kio/

For #1breakfast, try fried carrot cake/ char kway teow

For #1Lunch, try Chicken Rice. My favourite chix rice place is actually 5 star hainanese chix rice rather than boon tong kee. One reason is that 5 star uses Kampong Chicken or aka free range chicken.

For #1Dinner, try Chili Crab.

For #2 Breakfast try, Bak Kut Teh/ Nasi Lemak

For #2 Lunch, try Katong Laksa?

For #3, try a Zi Char stall and wack some dishes to go with rice for dinner.

You can often get the Mercure Roxy for a similar price, and the facilities there are far better. No MRT nearby though.

Some people say nice things about the boutique hotels in Little India...

I adjusted my expectations a bit and got the Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen for $150ish USD.

It's sort of a placeholder as I tweak my plans- I may ditch SIN for PEN and spend time on a beach somewhere.

I adjusted my expectations a bit and got the Ibis Singapore on Becoolen for $150ish USD.

It's a perfectly ok hotel - overpriced (but what isn't in Singapore), but clean and comfortable. I appreciate the laundry room anyway, but tend to prefer the 7-11 next door over the on-floor vending machines.

Where will you be staying while you are in Singapore?

I have tried Jumbo, no signboard, Seafood Paradise and find them to be of similar quality so you won't go wrong with these bigger players. I have found exceptional quality of chiili crabs and salted egg crabs in heartland coffee shops.

An example of good chilli crabs in coffee shops. http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/mellben_seafood_ang_mo_kio/

For #1breakfast, try fried carrot cake/ char kway teow

For #1Lunch, try Chicken Rice. My favourite chix rice place is actually 5 star hainanese chix rice rather than boon tong kee. One reason is that 5 star uses Kampong Chicken or aka free range chicken.

For #1Dinner, try Chili Crab.

For #2 Breakfast try, Bak Kut Teh/ Nasi Lemak

For #2 Lunch, try Katong Laksa?

For #3, try a Zi Char stall and wack some dishes to go with rice for dinner.

Marina Bay Sands. I actually fly in very late night sunday (1am) and then fly out tues night. Since I fly in so late, I plan on just sleeping in the airport, so basically starting my day Monday morning in the airport. I will then head around singapore before heading to the hotel to checkin (actually, I may head to hotel first to drop my bags off at the hotel, since I heard they kind of do an early checkin). Thanks for replying!

Marina Bay Sands. I actually fly in very late night sunday (1am) and then fly out tues night. Since I fly in so late, I plan on just sleeping in the airport, so basically starting my day Monday morning in the airport. I will then head around singapore before heading to the hotel to checkin (actually, I may head to hotel first to drop my bags off at the hotel, since I heard they kind of do an early checkin). Thanks for replying!

MBS is quite central to me.

I can't comment about food in MBS as I haven't really eaten there. (Will make a point to head there)

Nearby at the Esplanade, there's a no signboard restaurant that you can go for Chilli Crabs. http://www.esplanade.com/eat_drink_shop/dining/no_signboard_seafood/index.jsp

Opposite Central (Shopping mall), there's a shop that sells Bak Kut Teh. http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/song_fa_day_night_bak_kut_teh_11_new_bridge_road/

In Chinatown or rather near Chinatown at Hong Lim Food centre has a char kway teow that I love since I was young
http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/outram_park_fried_kway_teow_mee/

As I mentioned above, my favorite chicken rice stall is 5 star but you have other fame choices like Boon Tong Kee and Wee Nam Kee. 5 star and BTK are near River Valley rd and WNK at Thomson.

I see River Valley nearer to MBS.

I have tried to include places which are near MBS for your convenience.

Have a great time in Singapore!

MBS is quite central to me.

I can't comment about food in MBS as I haven't really eaten there. (Will make a point to head there)

Very good food court at the basement level of the "Shoppes". One of the better pho soups there too.

MBS is quite central to me.

I can't comment about food in MBS as I haven't really eaten there. (Will make a point to head there)

Nearby at the Esplanade, there's a no signboard restaurant that you can go for Chilli Crabs. http://www.esplanade.com/eat_drink_shop/dining/no_signboard_seafood/index.jsp

Opposite Central (Shopping mall), there's a shop that sells Bak Kut Teh. http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/song_fa_day_night_bak_kut_teh_11_new_bridge_road/

In Chinatown or rather near Chinatown at Hong Lim Food centre has a char kway teow that I love since I was young
http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/outram_park_fried_kway_teow_mee/

As I mentioned above, my favorite chicken rice stall is 5 star but you have other fame choices like Boon Tong Kee and Wee Nam Kee. 5 star and BTK are near River Valley rd and WNK at Thomson.

I see River Valley nearer to MBS.

I have tried to include places which are near MBS for your convenience.

Have a great time in Singapore!

Thanks! was helpful to me.

That's a shame.

You should see the welcome us Brits get when we come to the US .......:D

You should see the welcome we Americans get when we come to the US.

Well this thread has been a bit dead for a while ....

We're back first week of January and have a further week booked for August! All courtesy of BA and Amex ....

We can't wait for all that lovely street food, food centres ... and happy hour!

So much to eat ......:)

I am coming up to my 10th Visit Next Month.Never once got bored from all my earlier ones.It's an easy city to get around even if you are not staying at a hotel near the Orchard Road District with handy MRT,Bus and inexpensive Taxi's and a clean one at that.I am Australian Tourist and wouldn't swap Singapore for a cheap Queensland or Bali week.

I am coming up to my 10th Visit Next Month.Never once got bored from all my earlier ones.It's an easy city to get around even if you are not staying at a hotel near the Orchard Road District with handy MRT,Bus and inexpensive Taxi's and a clean one at that.I am Australian Tourist and wouldn't swap Singapore for a cheap Queensland or Bali week.

It's great for an Ozzer to fess up to a preference for Singapore! Real courage!

As I said earlier ..... Singapore started as a stop off on the way to Down Under but somehow or other we seem to have less and less of the final leg.

We're eagerly anticipating our first eatfest.

:):):)

We're eagerly anticipating our first eatfest.

:):):)


Yeah...me too !

I go tomorrow for the first time ever (thanks to SQ/AMex).

Just the weekend, one night in Conrad.

We have no Idea where to go or what to do, but will just wing it while we are there. We are really going more to experience SQ F than the destination !

Yeah...me too !

I go tomorrow for the first time ever (thanks to SQ/AMex).

Just the weekend, one night in Conrad.

We have no Idea where to go or what to do, but will just wing it while we are there. We are really going more to experience SQ F than the destination !

Whatever you do don't it in the hotel or restaurants. Go Street.

Hope you enjoy your first visit.

Don't do WHAT in hotels or restaurants? ??