During the day casual wear is good for sightseeing or shopping and comfortable shoes, you can easily well do over 10 km on Orchard alone….. shorts, skirts, T-shirts, cotton dresses, anything goes really except beachwear, reserve that for around the pool! At night you can dress up, many do especially for the top restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Clark’s Quay is more casual. Also check the dress code of the hotel you are staying at, some are strict for the lounges.
One important thing to remember is that if you intend to go shopping then pack as little as possible unless you do not mind excess luggage charges! On one trip I managed to buy 8 pairs of shoes, then 3 handbags, 2 pairs of boots, as well as stocking up at Victoria’s Secret. Luckily my son was on a day visa run so I filled his bag up with the Xmas cake and pudding from Marks & Sparks.
This trip only one pair of boots BUT 3 handbags, 5 tops, 3 dresses, a leather jacket, jeans and jewellery as well as getting my ears pierced and we actually missed a day shopping...read why in the latest report. I really did not intend buying anything this time so overpacked ... Singapore can be very dangerous!
Not required for most visitors.
- 19 cigarettes
- 1 litre Spirits/1 litre Wine/1 litre Beer OR
- 2 litres Wine/1 Litre Beer OR
- 1 Litre Wine/2 litres Beer
- Perfumes - reasonable quantity
Getting here:
By Plane - Most international airlines fly to Changi Airport
By Sea - Ferries run to Malaysia (Johor) and Indonesia (Riau Islands). Singapore is also a stop off for cruises.
By Coach - from Malaysia
By Train - from Malaysia. You also have the option of the Eastern and Oriental Express which stops in Kuala Lumpur or passes on to Bangkok.
By Car - Two checkpoints open 24 hours a day when entering from Malaysia. Foreign registered vehicles have to have a valid Autopass available online and insurance
Airport transfers - taxis are the easiest option but buses are available from 6 am to 11.59 pm, exact change required. There is an MRT train which runs between T1 and T3 but you need to change at Tanah Merah to catch the one going to the city. It runs fro 5.31 am to 11.18 pm and is very crowded during peak times.
Taxis are metered but there are surcharges. Use the taxi stands but at peak times or change of shifts they are hard to get and sometimes they will not take you if it is out of their way. This is where wifi comes in useful, download the grab taxi app. Beware of the white, white and black and the red taxis, the first two overcharge and the second are supposed to be the rejected drivers.
Buses and MRT -
Extensive networks to major attractions. Single tickets available or buy a Tourist Pass. Cards can be bought at Changi or certain stations.
Singapore Dollar - change your currency at the ATM’s or the currency exchanges, hotels have bad rates.
Hot and humid all year round, rain can be heavy but usually over quickly. This year we did experience the smog coming from Borneo and there were warnings to wear masks.
The great thing about Singapore is the amount of info you can get onto your phone from maps to restaurant and food guides. Visit this site to get the apps and info.
