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I arrived in Singapore at 11am in the morning, which gave me plenty of time ahead to enjoy the day. Here are some things to know upon arrival:
Money: Singapore dollar (SGD) can be exchanged easily in Vietnam, and I suggest that you do so prior to the trip!
SIM Card: Singapore has an extensive catalogue of choices for tourist SIM Cards. Our choice for a short stay is the 7/12 days tourist SIM Cards that offer 100GB of data. Out of all three service providers (M1, Singtel, Starhub), only Singtel’s doubles up as an EZ-link card (Singapore’s public transportation card), with $3 stored value you can use for public transportation. For alternatives, check out Klook, where you can find other options such as a Wifi device, pre-book a SIM card for collection in Changi Airport, or get a SIM card delivered to you before the trip to certain destinations (including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City).
EZ-link Card (public transportation): If you choose to skip the Singtel Tourist SIM, you can buy EZ-link cards in Changi Airport at the Changi Recommends counter at all arrival halls or from the ticket office in front of the Changi MRT Station for $12 ($7 of stored value for use). Top-ups can be done at all MRT Station/bus interchanges, and 7-11 stores.
Getting into town: Although Changi Airport is on the far end of Singapore, it is easy and there are various options to get into town! Choose the one best suited to your budget and convenience:
Probably the most convenient and fastest way to get out of the airport, just queue at the taxi stand (all Arrival Halls), and you will get assigned a taxi in double-quick time (Singapore has limousine taxis, which are more expensive, so let the attendant know you want a normal taxi if you don’t want to pay extra). However, taxis are more expensive than public transport, expect to pay anywhere between $20-$35 (330,000 VND-580,000 VND) for a trip to the town center (Orchard).
Most people living in Vietnam should have Grab/Gojek (GoViet) installed on their phones. The apps work the same way in Singapore and is a convenient way to get out of the airport. Since the cost is fixed, you won’t get a shock at the final cost (compared to a taxi ride), although you might be subjected to a longer wait.
MRT is the cheapest method to get out of the airport (besides the bus), and is our choice if you have enough time to spare and are not carrying too much luggage. The MRT connects Changi to almost all of Singapore, although you might have to deal with the longer travel time and crowds. The MRT Station can only be accessed from Terminals 2 and 3, so if you are arriving at Terminal 1, take the Skytrain to either Terminal 2 or 3, and if you are arriving at Terminal 4, get there by shuttle bus. Take note that the MRT from Changi terminates two stations later at Tanah Merah, where you MUST get off and change train to either the Tuas Link-bound or Pasir Ris-bound train. Here is the MRT map for your convenience. You can also download an app to help you navigate the MRT.
With Google Maps, taking a bus in a foreign country is now a breeze. It is cheap and convenient, although it is a tad slower than the MRT, and also inconvenient if you are carrying a lot of luggages. We suggest you take a bus if your destination is close to the airport, otherwise stick with the MRT. The buses that pass through the airport are 24, 27, 34, 36, 53, 110, and 858 (Terminals 1-3), and 24, 34, 36, and 110 (Terminal 4).
If you want something more private, or if your group is too big/includes young children, you can go for a private transfer. You can book this from the Ground Transport Concierge located at every terminal, or you can book in advance from Klook. This is the most expensive option though, prices range from $30 (500,000 VND) for three persons to $110 (1,800,000 VND) for a group of nine.
The Shuttle Bus (shared) can also be booked from the Ground Transport Concierge, and is a cheaper alternative to taxi and ride-sharing if your destination is located in downtown Singapore (around Raffles Place and Marina Bay – check with your hotel). It costs $9 for adults and $6 for children, although there is a baggage allowance of only one luggage and 1 carry-on.
After arriving at my hotel and a quick face-wash, I headed out for my first adventure in Singapore – a trip down the famed Orchard Road. Take the MRT to Orchard Station or Somerset Station and start your day in this famous shopping mecca. Here you can shop till you drop or till your credit cards are empty. Maybe this is not the best thing for you to do on your first day in Singapore, if you can’t control your spending!
Orchard Roads is packed with huge shopping malls and huge crowds too, especially on weekends. Here are some of the best shopping malls down the road:
There is also a hotel, the Jen Orchardgateway Hotel on the upper floors, that offers a rooftop swimming pool with a fantastic view of the Singapore skyline.
Orchard Road, Singapore
Most shops are open from 11am to 10pm
24-hour dining available at hotels and selected locations
If Orchard Road is not enough for you, you can always continue your adventure and continue walking down to Dhoby Ghaut (around 18-minute walk away from Orchard MRT and 8-minute walk away from Somerset MRT)! Along the way you will pass more shopping malls, but on this stretch of road, you will also pass by the Istana (Malay for ‘Palace’), which is the official residence of Singapore’s president. Interested visitors are allowed to enter Istana grounds during the Istana Open House (for foreigners – $2 for children; $4 for adults), and if you are interested, you can keep track of the schedule here!
Upon arrival to Dhoby Ghaut, you can explore or shop more at Plaza Singapura, or pay a visit to The Cathay, a youth-oriented shopping mall with one of the best cinemas in Singapore.
The Istana
35 Orchard Road, Singapore 238823
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 6pm (only during designated days)
Ticket: Starting from $2 for children and $4 for adults
Total Spent: Variable, depending on your shopping. I spent $30/500,000 VND for personal gifts.
If you have more energy left, you can head over to Clarke Quay as I did to wind down at one of the many bars and pubs, or just to have dinner a relaxing time by the Singapore River.
The Quays is the area by the riverfront and consists of three quays connected by the Singapore River: Boat Quay, Robertson Quay, and Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay is the most popular and is located in the city’s traditional center on the banks of the Singapore River. A gorgeous place during the day, sprinkled with beautiful colonial-era architecture, it undergoes a boisterous transformation at night when its famous nightclubs come alive.
Now weary from my day out exploring Orchard Road and Dhoby Ghaut, I skipped the nightlife, and opted for dinner at Song Fa Bak Kut Teh, a popular pork ribs broth restaurant around the area ($15/250,000 VND). Video review here.
After dinner, I lounged around by the riverside (right outside of the Clarke Quay Central), when I noticed something that looks like a giant swing…
G-Max Reverse Bungy + GX-5 Reverse Swing: something for the thrill seekers
The G-Max Reverse Bungy and GX-5 Reverse Swing are both quite hard to miss at Clarke Quay with the towering white metal supports rising high into the sky, illuminated at night to create even more of a spectacle.
The main attraction out of the two, the G-Max Reverse Bungy straps you into a capsule while on the ground, catapulting you 60m into the air at the press of a button. It looks awesome – every shot of the bungy into the air drew gasps from the small crowd gathered around, and also incredibly fast; but at the same time closely supervised by professionals. The bungee may operate on shorter schedules during times of frequent wet weather.
As I learned, this spot has become one of the most popular activities at the lively Clarke Quay (that doesn’t involve drinking!). The capsule seats up to five at a time, in case you want to go with all of your friends, and it reaches a speed up to 200 km/h once they’ve hit that ‘eject’ button!
The company also has the GX-5 Extreme Swing alternative at the same spot, which is more of a horizontal swing, after the initial ejection.
I didn’t take it… but go ahead if this is your cup of tea! Take note: riders must be over 1.2m tall and over 12 years old.
G-Max Reverse Bungy Singapore
3 River Valley Rd, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179024
Opening Hours: Daily from 5pm until late
Ticket: $45/750,000 VND ($35/580,000 VND for students) for either the G-Max Reverse Bungy or the GX-5 Extreme Swing; $65/1,080,000 VND for both
Total Spent: $0 (not including food)
