Singapore Travel Guide

Any tourist travelling to Singapore for the first time can easily get lost in its labyrinth of high-rise buildings and interconnected roads. In this article you will learn more about Singapore and how to travel around this beautiful country without getting lost.

Known for its shopping haven and delightful wide-ranging local cuisine, this garden city was handpicked by the British colonialists for its excellent geographic position since it is smack bang right in the middle of the Malay archipelago - yet sheltered from strong winds and waves by the Indonesian islands. Singapore broke away from the clutches of colonialism in 1957 and separated from its neighbouring peninsula Malaysia, soon after in 1965 to become an independent nation.

Steeped with historic political turmoil in the early days, Singapore has grown into a strong and stable country known for its tough laws and cleanliness. Being a small city-state covering 707.1 km2 (273.0 sq mi) of land, you can actually travel from one end of the city to the other in a matter of hours. This is a proof of good city planning and excellent public transport system.

While travelling to Singapore is easy with many airlines touching down in its world-class airport, travelling within the country can be an interesting experience for someone making their maiden trip. For one thing, you are spoilt for choices. For such a small country, whose existence in the world map is marked by a dot, Singapore has 7 taxi companies with some 24,000 cabs patrolling the island at any given time. The robust train network, the nostalgic trishaw rides, the leisurely boat trips and so many ways to tour this small dot of a country will ensure that you will reach your destination in any fashion you choose.

Here is the different transportation available for you when you travel to Singapore:

Duck tours

How would you like to travel the roads and rivers of Singapore? Hop on the amphibious duck tour that combines a bus and a boat. You will tour the busy streets and glide onto the water for a river cruise.

River cruise

Take a leisurely, relaxing boat ride down the Singapore River. Savour the sights of several historic monuments including the old Post Office, the Parliament House, Victoria Theatre, symbolic statues of the Merlion and Raffles, the Esplanade and the row of colourful shop houses lining the riverbanks.

Trishaws

Trishaws were a common sight in the early days of Singapore with Chinese coolies hauling large, wooden trishaws across the bustling city. As Singapore grew busier and more hectic, Singaporeans chose other faster and more efficient forms of transportation leaving trishaw rides a faint memory of the past. Relive this nostalgic ride by hiring trishaw riders to cycle you down the busy city streets of Singapore. If you do not have a tour guide to hire one for you, be prepared to haggle over the fare.

Buses

Close your eyes and flag a bus; chances are the bus will take you to a bus interchange attached to a train station with a shopping mall nearby. This small island is so well connected that it is impossible for you to get lost when you travel around Singapore.

Mass Rapid Transport (MRT)

Singaporeans use the MRT trains to travel anywhere in the island. In fact, you can catch a train from the Changi Airport to the city or residential areas.

Rental cars

If you are thinking of cruising in a rented car, you need to have an International Driving License and a valid passport. Renting a car is a good way to tour at your own pace especially if you enjoy club-hopping till the wee hours of the morning.

Taxis

Alternatively, hailing or dialling for a cab is one of the best options. The drivers are usually honest and efficient in their service. If you do come across a taxi driver who refuses to use the meter and charges you an exorbitant price, just dial the police of Singapore Tourism Board to lodge a report since touting is illegal in Singapore.

With so many options to tour around Singapore, you can travel to any part of the island in a short time. Discover the unique features and attractions of a small yet strong nation as well as its reliable and excellent public transport system.

Many people preferred to buy EZ-link card . Here we can see how it works and the pricing . EZ-link card is a contactless smart card . It is being used to pay the public transport expenses. It is being used in LRT, MRT and public bus services . It can be also used to pay the amount in McDonald's in Singapore. An adult EZ-link card costs S$15 which includes the S$5 non refundable card cost and a card credit of S$10. The card can be top up whenever you need .

You can use this card for all the public transports, stalls and libraries. This is the advantage of this card .

The MRT is the simplest and most comfortable method of travelling around lovely city of Singapore . The MRT cost and time schedules are accessible for all . It is accessible starting from morning 5:30 upto the mid night (before 1 am). On season periods, the train timing will be extended . It helps you to have an easy and speedy access around Singapore. It is simple to access contact less card in MRT. It means you no need of keeping the card in your hand all the time . It can be accessible even if you keep it in your wallet . The stations will be visible given on the MRT maps. You will have a trouble free journey . It attracts more foreigners to this country . They will be clear with the road ways.

Journey planning has become easy with MRT system . All places are reachable through MRT mode. MRT is faster than any transport systems in Singapore. So it is being popular and it gains totally 1.952 million ridership daily . It is a world class public transportation services. Tracy Barb is travelling around Southeast Asia since her earliest childhood. She loves Singapore and likes to write about it. Therefore she became an expert in this topic and is working for Guidegecko.com, an online travel book store.

1. Easily accessible from all over the world - from all flights to Singapore, in the everyday world of the future. You will be able to find a flight for your needs. In addition, with the popularity of low-cost carriers from neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Thailand flying, never cheap.

2. Cheap order to solve the public transport - transport around Singapore is easy. Singapore's public transport system is among the best in the world. Buses, mass rapid transit (subway) or light rail (LRT) or publilc bus to take you to almost every corner of Singapore

3. Singapore food cheap and good place - Singapore is a multicultural cooking gourmet paradise of the land. You may find India, China, Malay, Peranakan, Eurasian, France, Indonesia, food or hawker center food court and many other foods. Some must try dishes chilli crab, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa, Rojak and Char Kway Teow

4. From cheap to high-class shopping - Singapore is not only a food paradise that is also known as a shopping paradise. To Singapore's busiest shopping area Orchard Road and the famous brand of hunting. Or to the cheap stuff to Chinatown and Little India at the same time enjoy the cultural shopping experience.

5. Many activities to explore - there are exciting events in Singapore, rich and interesting, if you know where to find it. You may play with water-skiing or island hopping, and even in Singapore, Bottle Tree Park to enjoy the peace and quiet of the night

6. Many places to visit - there are eight spots, you must go to when you're in the Singapore company. They are classic in Singapore, you must not miss them.

7. From cheap to expensive hotel - Select Hotel in Singapore is to live up to your expectations the easiest thing in the world. Looking to stay near the Orchard Road shopping, or head down, cheaper alternative, Little India, Chinatown? You can find it all in Singapore.

8. Many festivals, New Year's activities - there are many colorful festivals and events throughout the years. Religious activities and public holidays in the Lunar New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali. There will be some form or per year, which is a month by all the people enjoy other festivities.

9. Inexpensive and reliable electronic products - Singapore is the best place to buy electronic products. There is a choice, you choose a variety. If you are think of buying your next trip, you can read this guide to buy a computer or buy the camera tips.

10. Cheap access to contacts with the people you love - Singapore has a world-class telecommunications infrastructure is one. You can contact your loved ones at home by using your mobile phone roaming service, cheap phone card or. Or you can always walk into a cafe to chat with friends.