SINGAPORE

Singapore has a distinctly modern feel, especially if you're coming from Malaysia. You'll also find it seems very expensive. Singapore airport is the best place in the world for a layover - free movies, free internet, great lounges and all kinds of amenities.

Getting around

Singapore cabs have a 50% surcharge on the meter fare for rides between midnight and 6am.

Visas:

Free entry for those from most countries. Only for 14 days if arriving by land - apply for extensions at the Immigration Department.

Money:

Singapore Dollar

Places to go:

Central Singapore

Although the whole island is called Singapore, the Central Singapore area acts as a kind of capital city. It is the major hub of activity and a good place to base your trip. It is on the south coast.

to stay:
InnCrowd Hostel - http://www.the-inncrowd.com/ - in Little India so surrounded by excellent food, shopping and sightseeing. Clean, not too noisy and the staff are great. Website also has lots of info. It also has great storage facilities for luggage, even if you are not staying there.
Hotel 1929 - Funky boutique hotel. Rooms are beautifully decorated. Near Chinatown.

to see:
Night Safari - subway and bus ride from Central Singapore. Take the train ride to see nocturnal animals and insects.
Walk along the waterfront to choose the best cafe from a huge (though expensive) selection.
Have a Singapore Sling at the fanoius Raffles Hotel. Eat in the many food courts. Go shopping, if you can afford it.

Sentosa Island

Just off the coast of Central Singapore, accessible by ferry or cable car. This is a man made island which claims to be the southern-most point of mainland asia. It has nice, shallow man made beaches and many other attractions to make it worth a days visit.

Little India

Great place to eat, shop or just soak up the atmosphere. http://www.littleindia.com.sg/stb/stb_index.htm

TOP TIPS:

Fly into Johor Baru in south Malaysia just across the channel that separates Malaysia from Singapore. It can save you a lot of money compared to flying into Singapore. Also flights from there are much cheaper due to lower Malaysian taxes. The bus to Johor Bahru airport in Malaysia takes about 1 to 2 hours travel time.
If you are combining your stay with a trip to Malaysia, stay in Johor Bahru and get the bus over to the subway station on the other side of the bridge in Singapore. (Lots more passport stamps but avoid sunday evenings!)
Take a bus trip from Singapore to Malaysia. Melaka is a nice city and a decent distance from Singapore. The bus tickets from Singapore to Melaka can sell up quickly, so you can take a bus across the border into Johor Bahru, then hire a taxi for the 4-hour trip to Melaka. Expensive but do-able.
If you want a real beach, fly from Singapore to Tioman Island in Malaysia (see Malaysia page for details) - only 35-minute flight. Check out Berjaya Air for cheap flights - http://www.berjaya-air.com/
Or get a flight from Singapore to Redang (part of Perhentian Islands) through Berjaya Air. Supposed to be the best beaches in Malaysia.

http://www.visitsingapore.com/ - loads of info on Singapore, plus online hotel booking.

JET holiday info

Singapore