Changi Airport in Singapore is world-renowned for its beautiful indoor gardens and water displays. Stefano Zaccaria/Shutterstock At around just 277 square miles, Singapore is relatively compact and easy to navigate. I grew up here, and think these are the best transportation options for getting around the island.
Visit Insider’s hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations. No matter who you talk to, almost everyone says the same thing: “Singapore is so small. ” As a born-and-bred local who’s all over the island, I can attest to that.
Singapore is approximately 719 square kilometers, or 277 square miles, which should give you a good idea of how easy it is to move around the country. Here’s what you need to know about getting here. Getting to SingaporeThere are two public airports in Singapore, Changi Airport and the much smaller Seletar Airport.
SOPA Images/Contributor/Getty ImagesChangi Airport and Seletar AirportThe award-winning Changi Airport is the country’s main gateway and one of the region’s biggest transportation hubs, serving over 100 airlines. Navigating your way around the airport is easy — illegible signs and confusing routes wouldn’t have helped them nab over 640 awards since opening in 1981 — and once you arrive you can either take the Mass Rapid Transit system, better known as the MRT/train, or a taxi to wherever you’re staying. The train station is called Changi Airport and is located in the basement of terminals 2 and 3.
For taxis, be aware that until the end of 2022, there is a SG$3 increase in surcharges for trips that start from the airport — this means that to just get in a taxi, it can cost you SG$6 or SG$8. Seletar Airport is another point of entry or departure for flights, although it currently only serves one airline, Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. It’s much less crowded than Changi, but it is further from the capital city (also called Singapore).
Seletar Airport is convenient for flying to cities like Subang in Malaysia. Big post-COVID-19 plans are underway though: It’s slated to become a flying-taxi hub by 2024. Cruise ports and ferriesThere are two cruise ports in Singapore, the Singapore Cruise Center at HarbourFront and the Marina Bay Cruise Center, and the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, which serves ferries to and from nearby destinations like Bintan, Batam, and Desaru.
By car or trainYou can drive into Singapore from Malaysia via the Tuas or Woodlands Checkpoint. From Malaysia you can also take the Shuttle Tebrau train — operated by KTM — which shuttles passengers between Malaysia’s Johor Bahru Sentral station and the Woodlands station in Singapore. The ride itself is just five minutes, but with immigration processes, the entire journey can take up to 40 minutes.
From Johor Bahru, you can jump on another train to visit other cities within Malaysia, but note that Shuttle Tebrau only operates between Singapore and Johor Bahru. Getting around SingaporeSingapore’s Tampines East MRT Station. Marielle Descalsota/InsiderPublic transportThe public-transit systems, SBS Transit and SMRT, offer buses and trains that are excellent options for visitors.
Fares are cheap — prices start from just under a dollar and long trips from one end of the island to the other average around SG$2 to SG$3 — and you can find your way around using a mix of buses and trains, as everything is well-connected. I take public transport daily and find both the buses and trains dependable, but I personally prefer the buses. MRT breakdowns do happen and getting out of that mess can be a real hassle — if this happens, be prepared to add anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to your trip — and it can get extremely crowded on trains compared to buses.
Yes, buses are slower, but you can do some sightseeing and people-watching as you’re riding. Most train routes run underground, so don’t expect good views unless you’re taking the North South Line or East West Line, which have tracks that run above ground. The MRT doesn’t operate 24/7 and most stops are closed by midnight or 1 a.
m. Cash is accepted on buses, but for the sake of convenience, you’re better off buying a card from any MRT station, which you can use on trains and buses and add value to using machines around the station. For easy navigation and planning via apps, there are options like Singabus for bus schedules and the MRT map.
Taxi and ride-hailing servicesIn most central areas, it’s relatively easy to flag down a cab, which will likely be with ComfortDelGro, the main company that operates taxi services in Singapore. However, if you find yourself off the beaten path and need to book a ride, there are ride-hailing services like Grab, Gojek, and TADA. Uber and Lyft are not available in Singapore, but these companies operate similarly.
Overall, taxis and ride-hailing services can be pricey compared to public transport — a five-minute ride can easily set you back around SG$8 or more, which is why I don’t take taxis or use ride-hailing services now. WalkingThe most ancient mode of transportation works well in the Lion City, thanks to its small size. Most things to see and do are within close proximity.
For example, it takes less than 40 minutes to get to City Hall — our civic district — from the world-famous Marina Bay Sands, one of my favorite walking routes. Many walkways are shady thanks to trees or man-made covered shelters — a good thing in the sweltering heat. That being said, if you’re not used to the humidity, it might not be a bad idea to pack a portable fan or keep your walks to 6 p.
m. or later. Singapore’s urban planning is amazing, and excellent signage makes it easy to get around.
View Insider’s comprehensive guide to visiting Singapore. Read the original article on Insider.
From: insider
URL: https://www.insider.com/how-to-get-to-singapore-flights-public-transit
