The taxi, bus and MRT are options to get to the city from the airport. However if you carry a lot of luggage it is not suggested to take the MRT from the airport to the city as there is no dedicated space for luggage and no reserved seating (unlike Hong Kong's Airport Express or Tokyo's Narita Express). Further the train stops a dozen times before reaching the downtown core. Taking a cab for parties with more than 3 members is the best option here.
My trip to the Strand Hotel (Rates from $160 nett including breakfast) in Bencoolen Street cost $20 on a busy friday afternoon, including ERP and airport charges. If you arrived late in the afternoon , it is suggested that you explore the surrounding area of the hotel first rather than venturing into areas such as HarbourFront or ClarkeQuay. The intersection adjacent of the hotel leads you to two shopping areas. If you head left, you'll find the CityLink Mall, Suntec City, Raffles City and Marina Centre. If you head right, you'll find yourself in Singapore's famous Orchard Road Shopping Belt. I opted for the latter, and got there via the Bras Basah Station on the newly opened Circle Line. The cost of the trip was $2.10 per person before redeeming the $1 refundable deposit.
A transit to the North South Line in the busy Dhoby Ghaut station is required though to get to the middle of the shopping belt, but at a late friday afternoon, it was a better option than taking a taxi. Taking a taxi in Singapore can both be cheap or expensive. On a Sunday, as I will explain latter, it is a good value, but on rush hour (4-7 PM) it can get expensive. A trip from my hotel to ION Orchard cost $8 by taxi on rush hour, as there is the $3 CBD Pickup Charge, 30% Rush Hour Surcharge and ERP added to the base fare of the taxi ride.
Anyways, if you go by MRT there are three stations to stop to shop in Orchard Road. Dhoby Ghaut is right under the Plaza Singapura Shopping Centre, whileSomerset gets you to 313@Somerset, Orchard Central and The Centrepoint. Orchard Station is convenient for Ngee Ann City, Lucky Plaza, Paragon, Wisma Atria, ION Orchard, Shaw Place, Tangs, Wheelock Place and Far East Plaza as well as malls located on Tanglin Road. I suggest stopping at Orchard first, as you will spend plenty time strolling along the shopping malls there.
For cheap eats, especially if you're looking for Halal Singaporean Food is Far East Plaza. The Upper Level provides a couple of eateries that are Halal and $5 will give you a full stomach. The winner though is Hainanese Delicacy , an outlet that only serves chicken rice. Just request the waiter your desired chicken part (e.g. Breast) and the serving style (Roasted or Steamed) and in 2 mins the meal is served. The place is always crowded and sometimes closes early.
A portion is only $4, but you'll likely yearning for more. For shopping books, which are a good value in Singapore Tour from a Southeast Asian perspective, go to Borders in Wheelock Place or Kinokuniya in Ngee Ann City. The later offers a huge selection of Japanese books and magazines. After exploring the many shops in ION Orchard, stroll your way to the other shopping complexes. 313@Somerset is a great place to spend your cash, especially with a HMV and Uniqlo outlet in the mall.
Hungry for dinner? Food Republic offers dining options that suit any hungry tastebuds at affordable prices. To get back to the hotel, I suggest taking a bus opposite 313@Somerset. Hop on any bus that lead to Bras Basah Road for $1 and get off at the Hotel Rendevouz stop, which is only 50 m from rest from shopping heaven.
My trip to the Strand Hotel (Rates from $160 nett including breakfast) in Bencoolen Street cost $20 on a busy friday afternoon, including ERP and airport charges. If you arrived late in the afternoon , it is suggested that you explore the surrounding area of the hotel first rather than venturing into areas such as HarbourFront or ClarkeQuay. The intersection adjacent of the hotel leads you to two shopping areas. If you head left, you'll find the CityLink Mall, Suntec City, Raffles City and Marina Centre. If you head right, you'll find yourself in Singapore's famous Orchard Road Shopping Belt. I opted for the latter, and got there via the Bras Basah Station on the newly opened Circle Line. The cost of the trip was $2.10 per person before redeeming the $1 refundable deposit.
A transit to the North South Line in the busy Dhoby Ghaut station is required though to get to the middle of the shopping belt, but at a late friday afternoon, it was a better option than taking a taxi. Taking a taxi in Singapore can both be cheap or expensive. On a Sunday, as I will explain latter, it is a good value, but on rush hour (4-7 PM) it can get expensive. A trip from my hotel to ION Orchard cost $8 by taxi on rush hour, as there is the $3 CBD Pickup Charge, 30% Rush Hour Surcharge and ERP added to the base fare of the taxi ride.
Anyways, if you go by MRT there are three stations to stop to shop in Orchard Road. Dhoby Ghaut is right under the Plaza Singapura Shopping Centre, whileSomerset gets you to 313@Somerset, Orchard Central and The Centrepoint. Orchard Station is convenient for Ngee Ann City, Lucky Plaza, Paragon, Wisma Atria, ION Orchard, Shaw Place, Tangs, Wheelock Place and Far East Plaza as well as malls located on Tanglin Road. I suggest stopping at Orchard first, as you will spend plenty time strolling along the shopping malls there.
For cheap eats, especially if you're looking for Halal Singaporean Food is Far East Plaza. The Upper Level provides a couple of eateries that are Halal and $5 will give you a full stomach. The winner though is Hainanese Delicacy , an outlet that only serves chicken rice. Just request the waiter your desired chicken part (e.g. Breast) and the serving style (Roasted or Steamed) and in 2 mins the meal is served. The place is always crowded and sometimes closes early.
A portion is only $4, but you'll likely yearning for more. For shopping books, which are a good value in Singapore Tour from a Southeast Asian perspective, go to Borders in Wheelock Place or Kinokuniya in Ngee Ann City. The later offers a huge selection of Japanese books and magazines. After exploring the many shops in ION Orchard, stroll your way to the other shopping complexes. 313@Somerset is a great place to spend your cash, especially with a HMV and Uniqlo outlet in the mall.
Hungry for dinner? Food Republic offers dining options that suit any hungry tastebuds at affordable prices. To get back to the hotel, I suggest taking a bus opposite 313@Somerset. Hop on any bus that lead to Bras Basah Road for $1 and get off at the Hotel Rendevouz stop, which is only 50 m from rest from shopping heaven.
1 comments:
If the guidebook used to be critical, today it seems largely a celebratory adjunct to the publicity operations of hotels, resorts, and even countries.
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