Information to make your Singapore trip cheaper and sweeter.

1. Plan your journey as early as possible and book air tickets, so you will end up with rock bottom prices, but remember to read the terms and conditions as those cheap tickets may not be refundable, so select the tickets and airlines sensibly

2. Don’t worry about VISA procedures, as Singapore visa is approved within 3 days of your application and Singapore consulate or high commission don’t accept visa application directly, instead you need to move through any of their authorized travel agents at this page

3. Only E-VISA is provided, that is you don’t find visa in your passport, instead it will be provided as a printout and that needs to be shown at the authorities.

4. I recommend to proceed to tour on your own, instead of going through  a travel house, as travelling through Singapore is very pleasant and donot require much assistance. For your itinerary, you could look at this one

5. The Singapore city transport is well planned and organized, wherever you are in the city, you will not be far away from a transport. All MRT stations are equipped with escalators and lifts for those in need. Refer the Singapore MRT map here

6. I recommend to purchase a EZ-LINK card upon arrival, you can get one at the change airport (SMRT – ticketing office) or 7-eleven store. The EZ-link card is your ticket for complete Singapore transport. The fare charged for EZlink card is cheaper than tickets purchased through currency. Also you will be free from the hassle of purchasing tickets (through ticketing machines).

7.  EZlink card is available for 10S$, out of which, 5S$ is nonrefundable deposit and 5S$ is the stored value.  (If you stay for 3 days, your saving will be more than 5S$, so don’t hesitate in buying one)

8. If you purchase tickets through ticketing machines, 1S$ is collected as a deposit and shall be refunded when you complete your journey and deposit the ticket back at machine, this hassle will not be there when you use EZ-link card.

9. One EZlink card for one person, you cant use a single card for you and your wife at MRT.

10.If you have some unused amount in your EZlink card as depart from Singapore, it is possible to buy goods from 7eleven store using that card. You can find one store just near departure gates at Budget terminal and in terminal 2

11.Singapore is with 5 MRT lines and transfer among these lines is effortless, that is you can go from your starting point to destination passing through many transfer points without passing through fare gates at every transfer point.

12.Singapore Buses are very good, comfortable and punctual and EZlink card is accepted, you need to enter the bus through front door and show your card at machine and alight through middle door by showing your card at the machine. For getting tickets on payment you have to approach driver.

13.It is a good habit to offer your seat in bus or train for those, who may need more than you.

14.For those proceeding to sentosa, you have to reach Harbour front MRT station and shift to sentosa express (monorail) station (both stations are placed on VIVO city mall), Per day pass for sensosa is 3S$, it included unlimited sentosa express rides and entry permission, get tickets from ticketing machines at sentosa express station, further travelogue on sentosa available here.

15.Punctuality is habit in Singapore, so if you are catching a train or flight, be early. Most check in counters at airport closes 45 minutes prior departure; remember to be there before 1.30 hours at least.

16.For those on a shopping spree, high end branded items are available at any of the malls along orchid road, but for those want affordable, budget shopping – Mustafa is the place to go, nearest Train station is Farer Park – there is a special page on Mustafa shopping here.

17.All types of food is abundant in Singapore, but for those veggies will find it difficult to find a vegetarian restaurant, so  travel to Serangoon road will fetch you vegetarian delights, Visit this specific page on Singapore restaurants.

18.Due to the trophical climate, you are not always sure, when the rain gods will laugh, so it is sensible to carry a mini-umbrella always with you.

I will update this blog as and when I do have information…