Singapore

Singapore is a small country on a small island, but with over four million people it’s a fairly crowded city and in fact second only to Monaco as the world’s most densely populated country. The center of the city — consisting roughly of Orchard Road, the Riverside and a chunk of Chinatown — is known in acronym-loving Singapore as the CBD (Central Business District).

Garden City

Having established a reputation as a Garden City of the tropics. The island is rich with lush plantings, tree-lined streets, beautiful parks and gardens.

It is a modern city rich in contrast and color with a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture. The city offers countless unique, memorable experiences waiting to be explored.  Although Singapore is a small country, we have one of the world’s first class living standard.

With limited land on a small island like Singapore, tall apartments are a common sight on this island. Houses are situated in the landed property estate and are seen everywhere on the island. But majority of the people live in apartments.

There is always a place for families and individuals. Singapore is never lack of green & recreational spaces. Each housing estate has at least one beautiful garden, several outdoor fitness areas & playground areas. New recreational & leisure hub developments are being planned and developed by the government.

Official Languages

Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English.

English is the common language used which unites the different ethnic groups. Children are taught in English at school and also learn their mother tongue to make sure they don’t lose contact with their traditions.

Climate

Singapore enjoys a pleasantly warm tropical climate all year round with an annual average temperature of 27° C with humidity around 75%. Rainfall can occur throughout the year although more frequently between November and December. June ~ August is considered the best time to visit but there is still rain during this period.

There is no typhoon as Singapore is located outside the typhoon zone.

Currency & Credit Cards The official currency of the Republic is the Singapore Dollar (S$). Visa, JCB, Master Card, and American Express cards are widely accepted at stores and visitor facilities.

Transport

Getting around Singapore is very easy and safe.  There are many convenient ways of getting around by MRT (subway), bus or taxi – all within easy accessibility.

Getting Here By Air

Singapore national airline is Singapore Airlines (SQ). www.singaporeair.com. Singapore main airport is Changi International Airport.  It is located to the east of the Island.  There are other budget airlines such as JetStar Asia, TigerAirWays and AirAsia. Singapore is also the “kangaroo route” between Australia and Europe.  Quantas and British Airways are the airlines that leverage Singapore as the stopover point to Australia and Europe.

• Taking a Cab /Taxi from Changi Airport to city – cost around S$20 -S$30 including S$5 airport surcharge.

• Taking Limousines from Changi Airport to city – cost around S$35 flat rate anywhere in the city.

• Taking Subway from Changi Airport to city at T2 and T3.  It is a 30 minute ride to the city and cost around S$2 including S$1  deposit.  The subway start its operation from 5.30am to 11.20pm.

• Taking Subway from Changi Airport to city.  It starts from 6am to 12 midnight.  It cost around S$2.

Getting Here By Road

Singapore is linked by the causeway to Malaysia.  Driving foreign registered car into Singapore is complicated, please refer to the motoring guide in Singapore.  If can, avoid traveling via causeway on Friday evening (going to Malaysia) and Sunday evening (going to Singapore).  There is a second link from built from Tuas to Tanjung Kupang.  This link is less congested.  No walking across is allowed.

• By Bus to/fro Malaysia.

  Aeroline, +603-62588800 . Buses depart from Harbour Front Centre.

  First Coach, +65-68222111 (Singapore). Buses depart from Novena Square (near

  Novena MRT).

  Transnasional, +602-62947034 (Malaysia). Buses depart from Lavender Street.

  Transtar, +65-62999009 (Singapore). Buses depart from Golden Mile Complex (near

  Lavender MRT)

  Plusliner, +65-62565755 (Singapore). Buses depart from Copthorne Orchid Hotel on

  Dunearn Rd

• By Taxi to/fro Malaysia via Causeway.

Getting Here By Water

Singapore has 4 ferry terminals you can travel by Boat  to/fro Malaysia or Indonesia

• HarbourFront Ferry Terminal:  Found xext to HarbourFront MRT station.
• Changi Ferry Terminal:  take a taxi from Changi Village or Tanah Merah MRT.
• Changi Point Ferry Terminal: Board  bus No. 2, 29 or 59 to Changi Village Bus Terminal and walk to the ferry terminal.
• Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal: Alight at Bedok MRT station and board bus No. 35 to ferry terminal.

Getting Here By Rail

Trains run to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Malacca (Malaysia) on a route which extends to Bangkok (Thailand). Services operate daily between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur; some offer air conditioning and dining cars. There are also overnight trains with sleepers.

By Train to/fro Malaysia via Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railway or KTMB).

Singapore – Getting Around

Getting around Singapore is very easy and cheap.  It all depends on the transport your family or you are taking. MRT/Subway The MRT is fast , clean and safe.  It connect to most places you will want to visit.  Only 4 person is allowed in the taxi.  You might want to consider taking taxi if the trip is short.  To board MRT, you need to buy an ez-link card for a single or multiple trips. A refundable deposit of S$1 is stored into the card when you buy it.  Remember to return to the counter to get back your S$1. Most station have escalators.  Those on the platform have lifts.  Toilets can be found easily at the station. All stations are numbered.  eg. NS1. There indicators telling you which station the mrt has reached. MRT is also link to Changi airport. Taxis Taxis can be found everywhere in Singapore.  Common sightseeing places like zoo, and Night Safari , taxi drivers will know.  It is best to tell the taxi driver the street name.  With the street name, taxi driver can also use GPS to guide them to the location if they do not how to go. Buses There are double decker and long buses.  Buses are cheap transport and they goes in and out of the city. Singapore – Sightseeing and Attractions Animal World & Parks Singapore Zoo • Night Safari • Jurong Birdpark • Underwater World • Butterfly Park & Insert Kingdom • Crocodile Farm Parks , Gardens & Natural Reserve Botanic Gardens • National Orchid Garden • Esplanade Park • Labrador Park • Chinese Garden • Mount Faber (The Southern Ridges) • Bukit Timah Nature Reserve • East Coast Park (SKI360) • Fort Canning Park • Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve • Pasir Ris Park Reservoirs Heritage sites Chinatown • Malay Village • Little India • Arab Street • Peranakan culture Isles Sentosa • Kusu Island • Pulau Ubin • St John’s Island • Sisters Island World War II sites Changi Chapel & Museum • Battle Box • Fort Siloso • Civilian War Memorial • Kranji War Memorial • Johore Battery Others Merlion Park • Singapore River • Haw Par Villa • Singapore Science Centre • Clarke Quay • Singapore Indoor Stadium • NEWater Visitor Centre • Changi Village • Downtown East • Singapore Flyer • Singapore Turf Club