Saturday, April 29, 2017

Singapore - before you go

I visited Singapore in April 2017 and did a lot of pre-planning by browsing websites and talking to friends. Below is a gist of what I've gathered and refined from my travel to Singapore:



  1. Flight Tickets - look for options via Trichy or Chennai in Jet or Indigo - you might get cheaper fares
  2. Visa - you have to apply only through an agent. The agent will send your application to Embassy only about 10-15 days before travel date, so plan your travel accordingly.
  3. Accommodation - book at least a month in advance, and choose a hotel which is near Serangoon Road or Little India MRT train station. So that you have good connectivity and have lots of restaurants nearby.
  4. Sightseeing tickets - Try to get tickets for the major attractions in advance through an agent or website like klook.com. You get a discount and avoid the queue at the entrance of the attraction.
  5. Travel in Singapore - Once you land in Singapore, get the Singapore Tourist Pass at any TransitLink office. It allows you to travel unlimited in bus or MRT for 2 or 3 days depending on which pass you buy. 
  6. Shopping and GST Refund - if you purchase > 100 Singapore dollars in a shop, you can get a GST refund at the airport. So make sure you have your passport with you while shopping and get the GST refund form from the shop. Later, you show the form at the airport to get the refund
  7. At Universal Studios - go on a weekday and reach there by 10 am to avoid the crowd. Carry packed lunch with you cos it is very expensive and crowded inside. Carry water bottles from outside - you can refill them inside. Get an express pass for people who will go on the high rides. Do not miss the Waterworld show at 1.30 pm.
  8. Gardens by the Bay - get tickets for Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. Plan to be there during afternoon and evening. Do not miss the 8 pm show in the open area - the Supertrees are very beautiful.
  9. Other attractions not to miss - Science Centre (at Jurong East), Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park, Luge ride at Sentosa, shopping at Mustafa and Bugis street


Thanks to : Tripadvisor.com, http://www.wheressharon.com/asia-with-kids/things-to-do-in-sentosa-island-kids/