Singapore, Singapore Hotels and City Guide

Singapore - Getting There

Flights

The majority of visitors to Singapore arrive by air. The city-state is serviced by the major Changi Airport and the smaller Seletar Airport. It is also possible to enter by road, boat, bus, train, and taxi.

Approximate flight times to Singapore from New York 19 hours 4 minutes; from Toronto 18 hours 39 minutes; from London 12 hours 45 minutes; from Tokyo 6 hours and 50 minutes.

Singapore Airport Information

Changi Airport

Singapore is a hub of transportation in Asia; flights to other Asian destinations are quick and inexpensive because of the organization and efficiency of the Changi Airport and its proximity to other desirable locales. Changi has three terminals and one budget terminal. You will be able to travel between the three main terminals with the complimentary Skytrain. To get to the budget terminal, you can take the shuttle bus, which departs from the basement of Terminal 2.

If you would like to freshen up before continuing your travels, the Changi Airport offers airside transit hotels. Airside means that you will not have to go through immigration to stay at the hotel for a short time. Rates are generally: S$73.56/82.39/110.35 for single, double, or triples respectively. Budget singles, in which you share a bathroom, are S$51.50, and S$17.65 per hour after that. To wash off the travel dust, so to speak, you can rent a shower only for S$8.40. For more information or to book a transit hotel accommodation, call the Ambassador Transit Hotel at +65.6541.9106 or visit their website. The Ambassador Transit Hotel, which features lovely rooms with gym, pool, and spa services available, asks that you reserve rooms three to four weeks in advance.

Layovers or waiting time is expected during most air travel, and Changi Airport strives to make your wait as pleasant as possible. As this is Singapore, there is, of course, shopping and food! You can purchase souvenirs, clothes, or books for your travels and dine at any number of Asian and international food vendors. There are live bands in many bars and lounges, and you can check your email and browse online via the free wireless internet access. Changi offers a myriad of business tools, such as free internet terminals with audio and video capabilities, so you don’t have to miss a beat as you wait.

If you want to take a break, Changi also offers Xbox gaming consoles that you can use for free as you play your way through the latest games. And if you can, take advantage of the free chair massage at the Oasis lounge. What better way to soothe away any stress of traveling?

Enjoy the rooftop swimming pool, treat yourself to a full-body massage, manicure, or haircut, watch a movie, or stroll through the beautiful Koi ponds and amazing gardens. Don’t forget to watch the clock! It is easy to lose track of time with the wonderful amenities.

Seletar Airport

The vast majority of travelers to Singapore will arrive via Changi, but if you have a chartered or private plane, this is where you will land. Only Berjaya Air operates from Seletar for flights to Tioman and Redang. Seletar has one runway; it typically handles about 24,000 passengers a year as well as over 6000 tons of freight.

Berjaya Air flights to the Malaysian islands of Redang and Tioman use Seletar instead of Changi. Passengers who do land at Seletar will find two check-in counters, a car park, credit card-operated phones, vending machines, taxi stall, outside waiting areas, and VIP lounge. If you need to transfer to Changi, allow about an hour for travel by taxi. There will be a S$3 surcharge for trips from Seletar.

Getting Into Singapore

From Changi

Taxis: Many travelers choose to use taxis to take them into Singapore from the airport because it is the fastest and easiest option. After you clear customs, you simply need to follow the signs. There will be a S$3-S$5 surcharge for fares originating from the airport. It will cost about S$20-S$30 to get into the city, which includes the surcharge. For fares between 12:00am and 6:00am, there is an additional 50 percent surcharge. Perhaps a good time to check into the Transit Hotel and relax!

Shuttles: Shuttles to designated areas within the city and/or hotels are available for S$7. These are called MaxiCabs, and each sits six people. They run from 6:00am to 2:00am daily, every 15-30 minutes. This is a convenient and inexpensive method if the shuttle stops at your accommodations.

Subway: Another inexpensive way to get into the city is to use MRT trains. There is a station between Terminals 2 and 3 which will take you to Tanah Merah, where you need to transfer to a city-bound train. Going to City Hall station, a 30 minute ride, costs S$1.40, and S$1 of that is refunded upon arrival. MRT trains run from 5:31am – 11:18pm daily.

Buses: Buses run from 6:00am – 12:00am daily. You may ride for less than S$2 – but have exact cash ready because you won’t be given change. Terminals for buses are in the basements of all three main terminals.

Limousines: Ride in style with a limousine. There is a flat fee of S$35 to anywhere in the city, which is only a bit more than taxis during the day. After 12:00am, there is no surcharge. You may also charter a MaxiCab van for the same price.

Cars: Though car rentals are not a popular option, you may still find a car with one of the major rental companies, including AB (Budget) Car Rental, Avis, Hertz (Sime Darby), and Sintat. You may also rent through Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) Car Rental. This may be a less expensive option, especially as discounts are available. Rental counters are located in the arrival areas of Terminals 1 and 2.

Be aware that travelers renting cars will have to make sure they have a cash card for the ERP, or electronic road pricing system (similar to tolls). Rental companies may provide on with the car, but you must make sure there are sufficient funds on the card. These will allow you to travel on the East Coast Parkway, Pan Island Expressway, Ayer Rajah Expressway, the Central Expressway, and in the Central Business District during weekday hours of 7:30am-7:00pm and Saturday hours of 7:30am-2:00pm.

Travelling to Singapore by Rail

Travelers may come into Singapore via Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTMB, Malayan Railway). The Ekspres Sinaran Pagi and the Ekspres Rakyat are the two day trains from Kuala Lumpur, which are generally efficient if slower than buses. Visitors will arrive at the Tanjong Pagar station in the center of the city. This stop has relatively few amenities, including a moneychanger, taxi stand, and restaurant. You may also choose the Woodlands stop and then continue on into the city by taxi or bus.

The fees may be a bit complicated depending on where you buy your ticket. Malaysia’s form of currency is the ringgit, and tickets are bought on par regardless of the exchange rate. So buying in Malaysia is less expensive. To avoid paying in Singaporean dollars, you can book your tickets as return tickets to Malaysia. If you buy a ticket, for instance, for Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, add a return to Kuala Lumpur to receive the ringgit rate.

You may also cross the border into Malaysia by road and buy tickets in Johor Bahru. Making online reservations is suggested. Another option is to buy a cheap ticket to Johor Bahru and then buy your ticket for your intended destination there. This saves money but may add an extra step in your travels. Plan ahead and book online.

Travelling to Singapore by Road

You may enter Singapore via two land crossings from Malaysia, the Causeway and the Second Link. Most travelers use the Causeway, so traffic will be denser, especially on Sunday evenings. The Second Link is located between western Singapore and western Johor in Malaysia. If you have a car, this is much faster. But make sure you have the proper documentation. Cars registered in Peninsular Malaysia need a valid road tax and insurance coverage. Cars registered in other countries will have to have a Vehicle Registration Certificate, Customs Document, insurance from a Singapore-based company, and an International Circulation Permit. If you drive in Singapore for more than ten days, you will need a Vehicle Entry Permit. This costs up to S$20 a day.

Singapore doesn’t make car travel easy. To enter by car, you will need your passport stamped by Immigration. After, follow the Red Lane and go to the Land Transit Authority (LTA) office for an AutoPass. This is S$10. Your documents will be verified and you will have to rent an IU, or In-Vehicle Unit, for the ERP system. You may opt to pay a S$5 flat fee per day instead of having charges accrue. Then your car will be inspected by Customs agents. After that, you may proceed into Singapore. If you want simple and fast, public transit is a better option.

Travelling to Singapore by Bus

Buses run from Malaysia to Singapore regularly, but there is no one central bus terminal. The following companies operate from Malaysia to Singapore:

Aeroline: Aeroline buses run from Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya to Harbour Front Centre. A one-way ticket costs S$47. Amenities include meals, lounge areas, power outlets, and more. +603.6258.8800

First Coach: More basic than the Aerolines, First Couch is fast because it uses the Second Link. Buses run from Kuala Lumpur to Novena Square in Singapore. A one-way ticket is S$33 and a round-trip is S$55. +65-6822.2111.

NiCE: NiCE buses depart from Kuala Lumpur 20 times daily. You may book a double decker bus or a luxury NiCE++ bus. +65.6256.5755.

Transtar: A luxury bus line featuring leather seats in first class, massaging chairs, attendants, video on demand, and wireless internet. +65-62999009. First class coaches cost S$49 and the sleeper Solitaire is S$63. Executive buses are between S$25 and S$39.

You may also choose from these lines:
CitiExchange: +65-6398.1216
Easibook: +65-6444.0745
Gunung Raya: +65-6294.7711
Hasry Express: +65-6294.9306,
Konsortium Express: +65-6392.3911

Travelling to Singapore by Taxi

It is possible to enter Singapore via taxi. If you wish to enter from Malaysia by taxi, you must take one that is specially licensed by Singapore and run from the Johor Taxi Service. Singaporean taxis are allowed to pick up at the Kota Raya Mall in Johor Bahru City. Traveling into the city costs about S$30 and to Changi Airport is S$40. Call +65.6296.7054 to reserve a taxi. You may also book a limousine taxi to travel to anywhere in Singapore from anywhere in Malaysia. This is more expensive at 150 ringgits per trip. To book, call +60.7599.1622.

Travelling to Singapore by Boat

Ferries and cruises offer a scenic way to enter Singapore. Ferries from Indonesia’s Riau Islands and Johor, Malaysia arrive at one of four terminals:

Harbour Front: in the southern section of the Central Business District. Ferries from Batam, Riau Islands and Karimun dock here.
Tanah Merah: on the East Coat. Ferries from Nongsapura, Desaru, and Bintan, Indonesia dock here.
Changi Ferry Terminal: in the eastern section of Singapore. Ferries from Tanjung Belungkor and Desaru, Malaysia dock here.
Changi Point Ferry Terminal: in the eastern section of Singapore. Ferries from Pengerang, Malaysia dock here.

Hotels in Singapore, Singapore