My Quick Guide to Singapore

Got a long weekend and some leave credits to spare? Head on over to Singapura! I've gathered a handful of tips for you to enjoy a long weekend in the Garden City of Singapore. Allow me to experience some mishaps so that you don't have to lol. 

Here’s a quick guide to the incredible city-state of Singapura: 

1. Exchange Currencies at the Airport for Competitive Rates 

Traveling via Mactan International Airport Terminal 2 in Cebu, we stuck with our standard practice of changing our Philippine Pesos to American Dollars, then changing the US$ to Singaporean Dollars. It turns out that at the exit of Changi Airport, there are competitive money changers that accept Philippine Pesos as well. It’s quite a relief that we added cushion to our traveling allowance, as well as discovered that one does not need to panic if there’s no forex in sight if you’re carrying pesos.

2. Get a SingTel SIM Card for Communication and Data Needs (SGD $38)

 This can last you a week as the SIM Card is widely used in Singapore and Malaysia, plus it has free 3GB data that can be tethered and shared among family and friends if you’re staying a week or less. With the free calls to all SingTel numbers, you can keep in touch with friends and family who are also in SG and  it automatically turns on roaming when you leave SG, which is perfect if you have planned itineraries to Malaysia or if you’re back in the Philippines. You can purchase your SIM cards right at the airport upon arrival. 

3. Top Up Your EZLink Card and Take Advantage of Cheap and Efficient Public Transportation for both Bus and Tram

You know you’re in Singapore when the bus is on time, it’s clean and efficient. We were handed EZLink cards for access to bus and tram and learned how to take the right bus from one destination to another. In SG, bus rides cost only 60 cents, and if you have an established routine, a top up of SG$10 can last for a week or more. Topping up EZLink Cards can be done in 7/11 outlets all over the city-state.

4. Don't Be Afraid of Food Hawker Stalls! 

Food hawker stalls are all the rage in SG because they serve good local dishes, are affordable and highly sanitized. A meal in a restaurant can range anywhere from SG$15-20 with or without drinks. But hawker stalls can offer SG$4-7. I’ve enjoyed tons of dishes in these places and tasted the local flavor to boot. It’s also good for sharing with travel buddies.

5. Express Passes in Amusement Parks Will Actually Do You Good!

Being in SG for the long weekend also made me realize that we were not the only ones trying to explore Sentosa Island and Universal Studios. There are still a handful of families with children who have thought of bonding over the sights in Sentosa. In other words, expect a crowd in a huge attraction such as this. Thus, the waiting time for rides and shows can be very long. The regular pass will only fall short compared to the express pass when it comes to top choice rides and attractions especially in Universal Studios in Sentosa. Get the express pass, it will make you wait only 15 minutes for rides compared to the 90 minutes for the regular pass.

6. My Handy Dandy Travel Essentials 

"Don’t forget your good walking shoes, water bottle, cap, umbrella, foldable wind breaker, powerbank and stuff them all in a lightweight bag."

Now this has got to be my mantra if you will. I’ve learned that the weather in SG is not the same as it was the day before, so extra caution is still to be taken. It rained when I purposefully left my windbreaker at my aunt’s apartment, and we were forced to purchase expensive drinking water from a convenience store because we thought bringing water with us was just heavy. Some lessons still can’t be learned huh?

But despite all these experiences, I’m really impressed with the city and who knows when I will get the chance to go back. My time there is nothing short of incredible. Well at least with the quick guides that I churn out for these destinations, perhaps you can learn a thing or two which could come in handy when it’s your turn to visit these sites someday. Watch out for my next posts! Ciao!

You Know You're in Singapore When

Destination Diary: Singapore and Things To Do