Frequently asked questions :

Which is a better location - Marina or Orchard ?

Both have their own merits, choose Orchard if you are in town purely for shopping. Marina and the surrounding areas (Suntec and Raffles City) will be a good base if you prefer to explore the city a bit more.

Where should I make the reservation - direct with the hotel or a third party ?

If there is a great deal on, an air and hotel package (eg. Singapore Airlines stop over package), those are the best ones to go with for. - If you have an amazing price on the airline tickets, book the hotel yourself through any sites eg. asiabesthotel.com, marimari.com, asiaroom.com, expedia.com etc. Whichever has the best prices.

Dont forget to compare prices with the hotel's direct site as they do have certain price (eg. prepaid) and promotional rates that are not available anywhere else.

What should I bring ?

SIN is one degree off the equator so anything to keep cool; cotton and quick drying fabrics are best. It does rain a lot so bring along shoes that are comfortable and you don't mind getting them wet.

What is the weather like?

Hot and humid, average temp. is 27 degree celsius throught the year with one degree cooler or warmer towards or away from the monsoon season (northeast season begins Dec to Mar, southwest from Jun to Sep, Apr and May being dry and the hottest month in SIN)

What to do ?

Shopping is big in SIN - dining is the biggest hobby in town

What not to be missed ?

Attractions :

* 1) Zoo
* 2) Jurong Bird Park
* 3) Haw Par Villa
* 4) Sentosa
* 5) Raffles
* 6) Chinatown
* 7) Little India
* 8) Geylang Serai
* 9) River areas of Boat Quay, Clark Quay and the Esplanade
* 10) Bugis
* 11) Singapore Museum
* 12) Botanic Gardens

Fun activity :

* 1) Cable Car ride
* 2) River boat ride
* 3) Wild Wild Wet
* 4) Hippo Tours
* 5) Duck Tours
* 6) Snow City
* 7) MRT ride into a local town
* 8) Trolley Tours
* 9) Trishaw Tours
* 10) walking tours
* 11) Singapore Flyer

What is the best souvenir to buy and where ?

* Chinatown has a mixture of touristy souvenirs of keychains, mugs, T-shirts as well as nice Chinese handicrafts like beaded evening bags and shoes, fans, antique chinese home decorative items, silk scarves, etc
* Little India for authentic Indian spices, jewelry and fabric
* Singapore museum shop has quite a few unique gifts and souvenirs
* RISIS Orchid & Peranakan Collections are available at Suntec Mall
* Singapre Sling and unique items at Raffles Hotel
* Local snacks that make great gifts for food lovers are available at the airport (SPFG cafe boutiques) or any DFS shops

How much is the cab fare from the airport to a hotel in Orchard Road or Marina area ?

to Orchard Road the cost will be around S$20 while to Marian area will be S$15-17, bear in mind there may be applicable surcharges (check this link for details : http://www.visitsingapore.com)



How much is the cab fare from a hotel in town to the zoo ?

fare from most hotels in town (orchard area) will cost about S$15 to Mandai area (zoo, night safari and orchid garden are located)

How is the MRT ?

Good and efficient, clean and safe. Definitely a great way to explore SIN

What about the SIA hop on/off bus or City Buzz ?

an easy way to get to know SIN if you don't have the leisure of time to explore the city, easy to use and cheap

Is the food safe at Hawker centres or food courts ?

SIN has a high standard of hygiene, all food establishments are required to display their health certificate issued by the health authority, grading from A (being the best) to D.
from:http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294265-s409/Singapore:Singapore:First.Time.Visitors.html

If you drive a Malaysian-registered vehicle, you have to acquire an Autopass Card (a vehicle entry permit) at either Woodlands or Tuas Checkpoint arrival zones before entering Singapore. It is an offence to drive into Singapore without an Autopass Card (a vehicle entry permit) for your vehicle.

Visitors driving into Singapore in foreign-registered vehicles must use the Autopass Card to make payment for their VEP fees and/or toll charges and/or ERP charges at either Tuas or Woodlands Checkpoint.

VEP fees are calculated on a daily basis. However, there is no VEP fee charged for Saturdays, Sundays and all Singapore Public Holidays.


Ten VEP-free days
From 1 June 2005, all drivers of foreign registered cars and motorcycles can drive into Singapore for a maximum of 10 days in each calendar year without having to pay VEP fees.

After the 10 VEP free days have been utilized, VEP fees for subsequent days are chargeable if you continue to use or drive your foreign-registered car or motorcycle during VEP operating hours.

Please note that toll charges still apply. Toll charges are calculated on a per trip basis. You have to pay toll charges on arrival and departure at Tuas Checkpoint but only on departure at Woodlands Checkpoint.

ERP rate is at S$5/day but free on Sat, Sun & Public Holidays.

More info: http://www.lta.gov.sg/motoring_matters/ind...oring_guide.htm  - Tnx to Ami Tsun for this link

1) ur budget
2) sentosa, esplanade, etc depending on wat u like
3)sale end of may till mid of aug google great sg sale n wat u wanna buy

google visitsingapore for more info

are u going alone ? i stayed alone at backpackers hotel called The Inn Crowd. go google for it. nice place to stay and its pretty much convinient travelling around. u can either head to Bugis Juction Station (Green Line) or Little India (Purple Line---i think) which is like 5 mins walk. its onlt SGD 20 per nite.

Im going to Singapore too but its during mid May..No sales dat time..aih..Im going alone too..Should be fun..

I think there's sales but starting on 20th according to this Great SG Sales.

Im going b4 the 23rd...aihz..Haha..

Im going b4 the 23rd...aihz..Haha..

ic.....haha....mayb juz like wat bbmars mentioned.....mayb some shop will start off early b4 the actual date.

budget hotel? try hotel81.
But since you're a lady, avoid those branches near Gaylang la

Yea..Should be kua..U going during the sale also?

in fact geylang area has the cheapest hotel, but it's not too safe for a lady alone.
if privacy is not an issue, you can consider ymca, it's near doby ghaut mrt station.
they put 4 females in a room.

budget hotel? try hotel81.
But since you're a lady, avoid those branches near Gaylang la

Hi hi these are my suggestions :-

1. Girls, please avoid Hotel81 if you can

2. http://www.nsshotel.com/accommodation.php it's next to Bugis Junction Mall & Bugis train station. You & your girlfriend can share a standard room at RM140/S$60 that is RM70 each per night or a bunk bed costs RM44/S$18 per person per night

3. Try this website to give you an idea for your daily itineraries
http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home.html

4. IMHO, GSS is not fantastic and no huge bargain anymore.

5. http://www.singaporeflyer.sg/ is the talk of the town but pricey. Heard it's fully booked till July but if you're willing to pay more there is/are seats of course. This flyer would put our EYE to shame if you know what I mean

Hope the above help.

Cheers

So wats the normal bus ticket price to go to Singapore from KL?

My mum said she might book Berjaya Hotel Singapore coz the rate is like Rm50 for Berjaya card members..But I doubt the chances of getting the room..haha

Hi hi these are my suggestions :-

1. Girls, please avoid Hotel81 if you can

2. http://www.nsshotel.com/accommodation.php it's next to Bugis Junction Mall & Bugis train station. You & your girlfriend can share a standard room at RM140/S$60 that is RM70 each per night or a bunk bed costs RM44/S$18 per person per night

3. Try this website to give you an idea for your daily itineraries
http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home.html

4. IMHO, GSS is not fantastic and no huge bargain anymore.

5. http://www.singaporeflyer.sg/ is the talk of the town but pricey. Heard it's fully booked till July but if you're willing to pay more there is/are seats of course. This flyer would put our EYE to shame if you know what I mean

Hope the above help.

Cheers

Not all Hotel81 located at Geylang althought there are atleast 3 Hotel81 at Geylang itself  ..All my previous trip to SG, I stayed at Hotel81-Palace (Lrg 16)  which is located right at the centre of redlight district....Lotsa Ah Kua too at nite....And I don't stayed alone..I was wth my wife & daughter....So far no problem..room is tiny just like Genting 1st world BUT it is VERY CLEAN!!..I was shock on how clean the room is ..infact is is better than some 4star rated hotels in Malaysia!! ..It comes wth free 2 Super cup mee & 2Mineral waters too..Not bad for a RM100/nite hotel.

Although notorious..but I hv no problem walking at nite in Geylang (BTW, it is abit dirty along the road there-lah..The dirtiest of all SG town)...

For ladies who dun feel secure although it is not so bad as u all imagine, u can try other Hotel81 such as the one at Beecoleen, or Chinatown - Right beside the chinatown nite market...or NiutzeXui...

wah dat's really cheap but only for card members only........haha......mayb she could get it for u...or else wat's the point she sign up as a member....

Yea..haha..But Im going myself and my parents keep on ask me to find a friend to teman..lolz..haha..Dang..muz plan my schedule nw..bus tickets should book nw or wat?

eisenmeteor hinting at TS to go together la. TS respond abit, can??

Currently here's the summary of places that i planning to go.....

1. Bugis Juction mall >>
2. Suntec city ......famous for largest fountain.....but main thing is shopping. Is this the so call famous durian building??
3. Bugis village.......still checking on the map where is it.......famous for hawkers food n pasar malam
4. Sim Lim Square (KIV) .....actually is it cheap to buy electronic stuff there as compare to Low Yat ????
5. Kwan Im Temple......maybe can stop by to pray that have more increment.....or get married faster.......lol
6. Marina bay.......to have a look a the merlion and the flyer is there oso rite???
7. Night safari (KIV)......not sure whether is it worth it
8. China town.......is it sort of like our version of petaling street? Hoping to taste great food there
9. ..........still checking out

People.......more suggestion please.............

i'll be there for 3 days 2 nights.......main purpose is shopping (eventhough is not during the great sales....damn), secondary purpose is anything that is nice, not expensive entrance fee (flyer is expensive but planning to go hav a look anyway), must go, not to be miss places.....

i'm also going on early june...
will be staying for around 5 days..
any recommendations where to go?

i've gone to hangout@mt emily website, but no price...

for the grand sales, is camera/electronics are cheaper compared to malaysia?

i'm also going on early june...
will be staying for around 5 days..
any recommendations where to go?

i've gone to hangout@mt emily website, but no price...

for the grand sales, is camera/electronics are cheaper compared to malaysia?

i've gone to hangout@mt emily website, but no price...

Where to stay if im going to Sg for the christmas & new year light up? Planning to go on 24/12. And where to stay ? My budget is around MYR300 perroom.

good luck...thats during super peak season, i doubt even budget hotels you can get at that price, maybe left only the hostels / dorms type

Thanks for the info. Is there any alternative? Such as stay in Jhr and travel there by car then back? Or any hotels allow advance booking?

New 7th Storey Hotel

i used to stay there during x'mas period for around 70-80 sgd per nite, cant remember exactly.

nice hotel with excellent location.

Hi all.. need an urgent help~, im planning to stay with NSS hotel tis december, but my flight arriving at SG at 530pm.. and the check in time is 3pm.. i wanna ask... can i check in later from the appointed time? Thanks a lot

hey, saw the 2 budget hotels recommended by some forumers..

The InnCrowd and  NSS hotel, would like to know which is more convenient? (nearer to the mrt station and so)

the bestest cheapest nicest hotel.. u can choose either backpacker style room or hotel room with shower or without shower..
i like this hotel cos bugis junction, sim lim square, sunctec city mall, bugis mrt station, victoria bus station just around the corner..

hi...can describe more about the backpacker room in 7th Storey Hotel?

1) really so cheap one, SG$18 per night only for 4ppl/room?
2) how many beds (i see got twin/double, summore can add extra bed)
3) really the best accomodation for budget ppl in singapore? location strategic?

Forget about this budget hotel.  Its is going to be demolished to make way for I can't remember what.  SG Gov had already informed the hotel management and was in the news.  The last few days, someone posted in SG travel blog asking for help due to booking cancellation.

Try the following sites instead.   There are lots of other information in these sites inclduing tours, etc.. but you see for yourself because I am not their agent neitehr do I want to advertise for them .  I don't think its right thing to do.

http://www.fernloft.com/
http://www.citybackpackers.com.sg/
http://web.singnet.com.sg/~one66/index.html
http://www.sleepysams.com/
http://www.betelbox.com/
http://www.thehivebackpackers.com/
http://www.summertavern.com/

thanks!! u seem experienced in this! anyway i've filtered it down to 3 only...judging from the professionality of the websites are their dormitory rooms a safe place to stay? i see their prices arnd SG$20-25

http://www.citybackpackers.com.sg/
http://www.sleepysams.com/
http://www.thehivebackpackers.com/

which hostel is the best location for staying when i want to go sentosa island and sg zoo? will be going there in mid sept, so need to find one soon...

thanks!! u seem experienced in this! anyway i've filtered it down to 3 only...judging from the professionality of the websites are their dormitory rooms a safe place to stay? i see their prices arnd SG$20-25

http://www.citybackpackers.com.sg/
http://www.sleepysams.com/
http://www.thehivebackpackers.com/

which hostel is the best location for staying when i want to go sentosa island and sg zoo? will be going there in mid sept, so need to find one soon...

i've stay in thehivebackpackers before, rm 43 for a 2 single bed room without attached bathroom, i think the dorm would only cost 20 the most...
simple breakfast is provided and there is free internet access...Friendly staff as well

but if u were to go to sentosa, u have to change MRT as there's a few line MRT, sg zoo in jurong there?

RM43 for 2 single bed room? means 1 single bedroom only RM21.50 only???
anyways i also dunno where the sentoas or sg zoo...not familiar with sg...

sentosa island u have to drop by the MRT station Habour Front..in front of Vivo City there,i think u can get bus or cable car ticket to go to sentosa island...
zoo,im not so sure~~

and who got a good map of Singapore...with tourist or prominent locations? like Orchard road, Bugis road, Harbour Front etc...not those Geographic map but more to a travel/tourist map would be nice...