Singapore – City Guide

Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, it’s so multicultural that it hardly feels like a particular place, instead more like a global city. Most Singaporeans eat out and as a consequence the food is relatively affordable, delicious and available well into the night. If you’re fond of shopping, you’ll be literally spoilt for choice here. Metro stations are connected to each other by massive underground shopping complexes and then, of course, there’s Orchard road.  Singapore is ultra clean and ultra modern – it doesn’t really feel like South East Asia, so don’t expect the prices of surrounding countries.

Costs in Singapore:

Accommodation in Singapore is going to be substantially more than you can expect to pay elsewhere in this part of the world. For a bed in a dorm room you should expect to pay at least $15USD with the majority of the dorms $20 and above.  A private room in a hostel will set you back at least $45 for the room. Budget hotels will start off at $50 and go upwards pretty fast from there. Although cheaper in price than Malaysia, some hotels or hostels can make or break your traveling budget. If you search for Singapore hotels online you may be able to get a better deal. By booking hotels ahead of time you can typically get accommodations at a lower price. No matter where you are staying, Singapore is a wonderful place to visit. With great food and exciting nightlife there is sure to be something to keep you entertained.

Food is fantastic and relatively affordable in Singapore. There are lots of food courts which bustle through the night, some of which stay open past midnight and for $5-9 you can find a delicious meal. There is such a broad range of food in Singapore, expect to find a great selection of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thai, Philippine, Indonesian, Middle Eastern and Western food – yum! Chili Crab and Chicken Rice are signature Singaporean dishes, and bubble tea is almost a religion here, definitely worth a try.

Transport is easy in Singapore, the metro is clean, frequent and easy to use. Your ticket fare is charged based on how far you travel and when. A long trip in Singapore will run at around S$2 if just purchasing the ticket, or at around $1.51 if using an adult card – so a fairly considerable saving. If you’re only in Singapore for a day or two it’s probably best to just buy individual tickets, but if you’re staying a few days or more consider investing in the adult’s card. It costs $5 which is non-refundable but is really convenient and the savings add up fast. There are numerous buses, but I preferred the MRT so always took it wherever I needed to go. Taxis are affordable, reliable and safe.

Things To Do in Singapore:

Marina Bay – Wonderful skyline, looks even better lit up at night. This is a great place to take photos of Singapore. It’s a very fashionable area with lots of nice restaurants and excellent shopping. Every night at 8pm and 9.30pm there is a light show below the Marina Bay Sands building, it’s free but gets busy, so arrive a early to secure a spot. There is an additional show at 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Marina Bay Sands hotel has an infinity pool and the top level is open to the public – incredible views of Singapore.

National Orchard Garden – If you are a flower or garden lover this will be a treat for you. Instead of having to view flowers in glass houses like in many countries around the world, due to the sweltering heat of Singapore they happily grow throughout the year. It is almost a rainbow of orchards and the grounds are really stunning. Avoid the hottest parts of the day as sometimes the heat can be unbearable.

Singapore Zoo – Easily one of the best zoos in the world. The animals are in spacious open enclosures that imitate their natural surroundings, separated by moats and natural barriers. It’s really large, so set aside a lot of time to see it properly – if you love animals you could easily get lost spending an entire day here. There is also the Night Safari which is a great way to see all the nocturnal animals – it’s nice exploring the zoo when the temperatures drop a little.

National Museum of Singapore – If you’re wanting to get a taste of Singaporean history, in a city that feels so modern, the National Museum of Singapore is a great stop. The building is absolutely lovely and the information presented is engaging. The museum covers more modern topics such as food, fashion, photography and Singaporean women. It’s divided into two sections: The History Gallery and The Living Gallery. If you’re traveling on a budget you can get entry for free after 6pm, however you will only gain access to The Living Gallery.

Orchard Road – Singapore is one of the best cities in the world for shopping and Singaporeans themselves just love to shop. There are a dizzying number of shopping malls in this city, but some of the best shopping can be found on Orchard Road. This high end, tree lined boulevard is a shopper’s haven. The cool air conditioned shops provide a nice break from the constant heat of Singapore. You could easily lose a day or two on Orchard road, if your credit card allows.

Little India – Singapore’s Little India feels and smells surprisingly authentic. There’s a little more chaos here than you find elsewhere in Singapore and it provides a great contrast. This is the place to go if you’re on a budget and love Indian food – super easy to find great vegetarian food here, too. You can also pick up cheap spices, clothing and magazines. Little India was one of my favourite parts of Singapore, you feel like you’ve been transported to another country.

Chinatown – If you’ve been to China or a Chinatown in another city (say, Bangkok) you’re likely to be disappointed by Singapore’s China town. It’s relatively small, only two main streets, and doesn’t really seem to have too much variety. However, there are many bargains and with a little negotiation you can get things down even lower. This is another great area for cheap food and the dumplings are delicious.