Where to live in Singapore. A trip to Singapore: where to stay, what to see. Laser show at Marina Bay

How do they do it 05/25/18 304 166 53

Four years ago, my husband and I decided to move to Singapore.

Slavina Bueva

moved to Singapore

We wanted to change the country and the climate, and we thought that there was nothing stopping us from doing this. Before that, we came to Singapore just as tourists for three days, and we really liked the city.

My husband found a job in Singapore in IT finance. When he received an official job offer, I transferred to the Singapore office within my company - then I worked at Iota Devices.

Moving

First, my husband came to Singapore alone for three months to see how it would go new project, and make sure that you can live comfortably in a completely new country, where there are no acquaintances at all.

Finally, we sent the necessary things to Singapore: clothes and shoes, small household appliances, books, medicines and several packs of buckwheat - there is no buckwheat in Singapore, but we love it. The husband's employer paid for the transportation. Several people of heroic physique came to our Moscow apartment, packed everything in a dozen branded boxes and left - and two weeks later they brought it to an address in Singapore. We did not take any part in this at all.

About Singapore

Singapore is a city-state in South-East Asia. About 5.3 million people live here. In recent years, the Internet has often written about the Singaporean economic miracle.

I recommend the memoirs of former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, From the Third World to the First, where he describes how the prison, the death penalty and socio-economic instruments helped the country attract business and investors

Back in the mid-20th century, Singapore was known as a corrupt port city with a thriving opium trade. Over 50 years, the city has turned into a separate state, the largest financial and logistics center in the region and the second largest sea port in Asia after Shanghai.

I'll tell you why we chose Singapore to move.

It's comfortable here. In big ways and in small ways. There are elevators everywhere and they are clean. free toilets at every metro station. Covered walkways have been built throughout so as not to get wet when it rains - and it rains here often.

Singapore has a very high standard of living and safety. You can't see the police at all, but there are cameras everywhere. The police respond to incidents within a maximum of 15 minutes.

Compared to Europe and Australia, taxes are low here.

The banking and IT sectors are very developed. There are many main offices of various service companies and manufacturing companies with factories throughout Asia - all this is an excellent opportunity to find work. If the company is international, it most likely has at least a small office in Singapore.

We like the local climate. On average there is +27 °C all year round - and there is a lot of greenery.

Most bureaucratic procedures in Singapore can be completed online. Register entity and my friends were able to get permission to do business in 24 hours.

All this has back side: Living in Singapore is expensive.

Money

There are 117 foreign and 6 local banks in Singapore. Most international banks have their representative offices or head offices here. The undisputed leaders are DBS, UOB and OCBC. DBS - The Development Bank of Singapore is the local equivalent of Sberbank. In my experience, DBS is an extremely customer-centric bank, with a user-friendly app and online banking. There is a DBS office or ATM near every metro station.

The official currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar

You can open a bank account at any branch. It's quick and simple: you need a foreign passport, a valid work or study visa and proof of address. A letter from an employer or educational institution will do. You can simply bring your utility bill.

You can apply for a deposit or loan directly in Internet banking. The annual interest on a consumer loan will be only 4.5-8% depending on the bank, but you can’t count on high returns on your deposit either. Most deposits in Singapore will bring a maximum of 1% per annum, some options - up to 2.5%.

per annum will bring the majority of deposits in Singapore banks. Rarely 2.5%

In some small stores you can only pay with a card with the national payment system NETS - Visa and MasterCard will not be accepted. There are local banks that, by default, issue clients only cards that support the NETS system.

There are places that only accept cash, such as some taxis and fast food establishments.

Taxes

Taxes in Singapore are low. For us, this was one of the reasons for moving.

It has a progressive tax system: the higher the annual income, the higher the tax. For example, wage employee before taxes - 5,000 S$ (236,386 R) per month, this is 60,000 S$ (2,836,636 R) per year:

The first $20,000 of this amount is tax-free.
On another $10,000 the tax is 2%.
On another $10,000 the tax is 3.5%.
On another $20,000 the tax is 7%.

Salaries in Singapore are always quoted before taxes. Taxes are paid once a year. The total amount is calculated based on the entire annual income, including bonuses.

Language

Singapore has four official language: English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. Everyone uses English for everyday communication at work and in the city. Knowing Chinese is useful in some cases, but until now, ordinary spoken English has always been enough for me.

It is necessary to make a reservation that there is a local version of English - “Singlish” (Singapore + English). It is a mixture of English, Malay and Chinese. The most common expression of Singlish is adding “lah” after a word to make it more convincing. Mostly service industry workers say this.

I got used to Singlish within a couple of months, as well as to the Chinese, Indian and many other accents of the multinational population of the country.

Visa

In Singapore, 30% of the population are expats who came to work or study. As an expat, I feel very comfortable here. Thanks for this to the official policy of mutual respect in the country. In Singapore, displaying intolerance towards another religion or nationality is punishable up to criminal liability. They still use caning as punishment here. For example, this is the punishment for robbery or for overstaying a visa.

Long-term Singapore visas come in three categories: work, dependent and study. I'll tell you in detail about different types visa

S-Pass (SP)- the first type of work visa. To obtain such a visa, you need to have an official salary in Singapore of S$2,500 (RUR 118,193) per month. By law, every company only 15-20% of employees can operate under S-Pass, others must be Singaporeans or Permanent Residents.

30%

Singapore residents - expats

Employment Pass (EP)- the second type of work visas. Since 2018, the official salary for this visa must be at least S$6,000 (RUR 283,663), but the quota for employees is almost nominal.

Dependant's Pass (DP)- the first type of “dependent” visas. Such a visa is obtained, for example, by the spouse of a person who came to Singapore under SP or EP. The sponsor's minimum salary must be $6,000 per month. With a DP visa you can work in Singapore. The quota for the employer will not be applied, because he will not have to act as a sponsor - this is convenient for the employer.

Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)- the second type of “dependent” visas. The sponsor must be a Singaporean citizen or permanent resident who is legally married to the person applying for the visa. The minimum salary for a “sponsor” to apply for LTVP is also $6,000.

Student Pass- a student visa for which the sponsor is an educational institution. With this visa you can stay in the country exactly as long as your studies last. With this visa you can work no more than 16 hours a week, but only if the school or university is on a special list. Even if you yourself want to work more, the employer will not allow it: he may be fined for this, and your visa will be revoked.

My husband has an Employment Pass visa and I have a Dependant’s Pass. This made it very easy for me to find a job in Singapore. Instead of applying for an Employment Pass, my new employer simply notified the state that they were hiring an employee with DP.

After living in the country for several years on a work visa, you can apply for permanent resident status (Permanent Resident, PR). You must sign up to submit documents a year in advance; documents will be reviewed for another six months. PR status is assigned for 6 years, then you need to submit a request for extension. Previously, renewal was almost automatic, but recently refusals have become more frequent. The authorities do not like the fact that expats receive residency with its privileges and minimum responsibilities, but do not want to then receive Singapore citizenship and stay in the country forever.

Expats rarely apply for citizenship. It is forbidden to have dual citizenship here - you can become a Singaporean only when you document your renunciation of any other citizenship.

Both permanent residents and citizens of Singapore are required to complete two years of military service and participate in annual training. Only men are subject to conscription.

Citizenship also has advantages. You can buy social housing, receive benefits for education and medical services.

My husband and I do not plan to obtain Singaporean citizenship.

Rental of property

The employer usually pays the expatriate employee's housing for one month. During this time, you need to find and remove the permanent one. The rental contract here is concluded by default for a year or two. If you sign for two years at once, the price per month will be less.

All expats mostly live in condominiums. This is a building or several buildings with a fenced area, security and entrance by magnetic card. The condominium has its own parking lot, Gym, swimming pool, barbecue area and children's playground.

An alternative to a condominium is an apartment. This is what they call an ordinary residential building with a magnetic card entry, sometimes with a swimming pool on the roof.

Another type of housing is HDB, from the Housing & Development Board. This is social housing, which the state sells to citizens of the country at a discount. Typically, HDB apartments are large and inexpensive, but with a minimum of privacy. Such apartments can also be rented out only three years after purchase. Locals joke that Singaporeans propose with the words not “Will you marry me?”, but “Let’s take HDB together?”, because a decent size subsidy is given only to families.

By and large, HDBs are typical panel high-rise buildings.

A house or townhouse can be found at the price of a condominium, but then it will be far from the center and with very limited transport accessibility. Otherwise, the price range for separate houses quite broad and depends on many factors.

Rental prices in Singapore have been falling for the third year. I recommend haggling when renting. Often in advertisements on websites there is a note: “Price is negotiable.”

A one-bedroom apartment in a condominium 30 minutes from the center by metro can be rented for S$2100-2300 (RUR 99,300 -108,757). With two bedrooms - 2700-3000 S$ (127,666 -141,851 R). Apartments on average cost $200-300 less than condominiums. HDB is still slightly cheaper, depending on size and location.

Paying for housing and communal services in Singapore is simple: all utility payments are carried out by one company - SP Service. On average, for a one-bedroom apartment it turns out to be 100-150 S$ (4700 -7050 RUR).

RUB 142,000

on average we pay rent per month for a two-bedroom apartment near the center

We live in a condominium 30 minutes from the center. On the scale of Moscow, it’s as if we lived on Kolomenskaya. With the birth of the child, we moved to an apartment with two bedrooms; we pay 3,000 S$ (141,852 RUR) per month for it, plus utilities.

Lease contract

The contract is required. It is not customary to conclude an agreement without a realtor. The agreement is usually signed as a template; it equally protects the tenant and the owner of the property.

If you found housing on the site yourself, then the owner pays for the realtor’s services. If you find a realtor, and he finds a suitable apartment for you, then you will already pay for his work. Typically, a realtor's fee is equal to one month's rent.

After concluding the contract, you need to transfer a deposit to the owner within a few days - payment for 1 month if you have a contract for a year, or for 2 months if the contract is for 2 years.

It is very important to photograph all the shortcomings of the apartment when you rent it. This could save you time and money in the future if you decide to change properties and get your deposit back. Typically, landlords try to keep the maximum deposit for themselves, finding fault with every scratch or stain in the apartment.

It is important that the tenant is given 1 month to “test” the housing. All problems that you identify during this period will be repaired by the owner at his own expense. All other breakdowns are paid for as follows: the first $150 of the repair cost is at your expense, the rest is paid by the owner.

Buying a home

Most banks provide mortgages in Singapore at 1.5-2% per annum.

You can take out a mortgage for a maximum of 80% of the cost of the apartment. Without citizenship or residency, you can only buy condominium housing or apartments. Even without citizenship, you will have to pay an additional fee - about 18% of the total cost of housing.

The cheapest one-bedroom condominium apartment will cost a minimum of S$500,000 (RUR 23,600,000).

23.6 million R

the average price for the cheapest one-bedroom condominium apartment is

Since we don't plan to stay in Singapore forever, we don't intend to buy our own apartment. For those who do not have permanent resident status, an apartment in Singapore is a dubious investment.

Pets

It is prohibited to import Staffordshire bull terriers, Akitas and a number of other dog breeds into Singapore. In addition to the standard requirements for importing animals such as vaccinations and a microchip, you will need to quarantine the animal for the first 30 days. Singapore quarantine is a kind of pet hotel. A room with an area of 2 m² will cost 30 S$ (1420 RUR) per day, the dog will be fed and walked.

We wanted to adopt a cat and contacted a cattery. The cattery needs to prove that your home is ready to receive an animal, for example, that you have already installed bars on the windows. An expat by default is not the best candidate: what if he leaves the country and leaves the cat to die on the street? In the end we were refused.

Then we adopted a cat from a Chinese family, where the child suddenly developed an allergy to wool. We paid 900 S$ (37,800 RUR) for the cat - and they also sold it to us at a 50% discount from the breeder's price.

RUB 42,500

on average we paid for a cat

Landlords are usually extremely discouraged from having pets. Many stipulate directly in the contract that this is unacceptable, or increase the deposit several times as soon as they find out about their availability. They also took a double deposit for the cat.

Width="600" height="614" class="outline-bordered" style="max-width: 600px; height: auto" data-bordered="true"> We bought this cat for 42,500 RUR. The Chinese owners called the cat Onyx, but we gave him a simple Russian name Sausage

Medicine

There is no free healthcare in Singapore.

Employers typically provide insurance to employees. Often insurance is taken out for the entire employee’s family. The insurance includes a visit to a GP - general practitioner, this is a general practitioner like our therapist. You can come to him with any symptoms and receive the minimum necessary treatment. A visit costs on average 40-70 S$ (1890 -3307.5 R).

9500 R

the minimum cost is a visit to a specialist doctor

Sometimes employer insurance covers emergency care and medical specialists. A visit to the emergency room with a swollen ankle will cost S$300 (RUR 14,200) for an appointment and an x-ray. If you need to straighten something else and apply a lock - 400 S$ (18,913 RUR). An appointment with a specialist doctor with an ultrasound, tests or vision test has never cost us less than S$200 (RUR 9,450). Dentistry is usually not included in insurance, and a regular visit to the dentist will also cost at least $200.

If you don’t have insurance from your employer, it’s definitely worth purchasing - at least the cheapest one for S$100 (4,728 R), which will cover accidents and hospitalization. An operation for appendicitis in a public hospital will cost S$2,000 (RUR 94,500). In private - about 12,000 S$ (567,400 RUR).

The only remedies available over the counter in Singapore are for symptoms such as fever and diarrhea. Everything else is by doctor's prescription only. All Russian expats bring with them from Russia a first aid kit and a supply of various dietary supplements.

Public transport

Singapore has a large metro and many bus routes. Transport runs predictably on schedule. To get from one end of the city to the other - a maximum of 4 S$ (190 RUR). The shorter the distance, the lower the price. The ticket must be presented to the turnstile at the entrance and exit. Payment will be debited upon travel.

I really love local buses. Firstly, half of the buses in Singapore are double-deckers - any trip turns into an excursion. Secondly, even during rush hour you can take a seat because buses run frequently. And this is also an opportunity to spend the entire trip in a comfortable temperature, under air conditioning.

There are many dedicated lanes for buses. There are almost no traffic jams in the city, especially compared to Moscow.

In Singapore, there are regular taxis with a mileage meter and “Grab taxis” (the local equivalent of Uber. If you take a regular, non-premium car, you can get to any part of the city for 25-30 S$ (1183 -1419.6 R). If to go on a Friday evening in the rain from the center, the price can increase to 40-50 S$ (1900 -2375 RUR), but for this you will have to travel really far and for a long time. On the scale of a country measuring 50 by 27 km, this is not easy.

Many people use taxis. Shopping malls have special exits where there is a queue for a taxi.

Personal car

If you are used to driving your own car, Singapore will be very difficult for you. The Singapore authorities have done everything to ensure that people travel by public transport. Owning a car is very expensive here.

Singapore has a fixed number of cars by law. There are also a limited number of licenses to own a car (COE), and new ones stopped being issued in 2018.

COE is purchased for 10 years. Depending on the type of car, a license costs S$35,000-55,000 (1,600,000 -2.51429e+06 R). When purchasing, you must pay a registration fee - this is 140% of the cost of the car. Import duty is another 31% of the cost. Plus road tax, insurance and number plates.

As a result new car The 2017 Audi A4 in Singapore costs $182,000 already with a license. BMW 328 - S$238,000 (RUR 11,259,161). Mercedes E-200 - S$202,000 (RUR 9,556,095). On a loan at 2-4% per annum, you can take out only 60% of the cost of the car.

A liter of AI-95 gasoline costs S$2.2 (105 R), diesel costs S$1.56 (74 R).

Parking is almost always paid, even next to the house. If you work in the center and want to leave your car in the parking lot during working hours, be prepared to pay 5-6 S$ (236 -283.2 R) per hour before 17:00 and on average 3 S$ (142 R) per hour after 17: 00.

105 R

the average cost of a liter of AI-95 gasoline

Another significant cost item for a car is toll roads. In recent years there have been more and more of them. Not only express highways are tolled here, but also entrance to the city center. On Sunday travel is free, and on weekdays during rush hour travel on one of the main highways will cost 3 S$ (142 R) for a passenger car. More expensive for trucks, cheaper for motorcycles.

The payment device in every car is located under the windshield. Money is withdrawn automatically the moment you pass through a gate with a reader.

Cafes and restaurants

Singaporeans joke that food is their national sport. Traveling to the other end of the city for a certain dish is a normal practice. Establishments with delicious food are scattered throughout the city. Mostly the cuisine is Asian.

Hawker centers were a revelation for me. These are food courts that can be found everywhere in Singapore. Hawker centers have a lot of Chinese, Peranakan and Korean dishes. Huge portions cost 2-4 S$ (95 -190 RUR). The establishments here are unbranded; the signs indicate only the cuisine or type of dish. Large hawker centers also offer Western and Japanese cuisine.

A huge percentage of residents, regardless of age, nationality and social status, constantly eat in hawker centers. Here, a top manager can have lunch at the same table with the janitor of a neighboring office, a schoolchild, or an elderly handkerchief seller on the street.

76% of Singapore's population is of Chinese origin. It is not customary for them to cook at home, unless it is necessary to feed a child. But children also begin to be fed in hawker centers from the age of 3-4 years.

Initially, HDB social housing didn't even have stoves, probably to discourage people from cooking at home.

Another 15% of the population are Malays, 7.5% are Indians. On the contrary, they usually cook at home. But you can easily find them at lunchtime in hawker centers, because they are tasty and inexpensive.

In addition to hawker centers, there are food courts and cafes that are much more similar to Russian ones. You can eat something more familiar in them. A business lunch will cost 10-15 S$ (470 -705 R) per serving.

Dinner in an ordinary restaurant in the center for two will cost about 100 S$ (4730 RUR) without alcohol. Liquor is expensive in Singapore due to import duties. A 0.5 liter bottle of Heineken beer in a bar will cost 11 S$ (520 RUR), in a supermarket - 7.5 S$ (354 RUR). Chilean table wine “Sauvignon Blanc” costs 10-15 S$ (470 -705 R) per glass in a restaurant and 20-30 S$ (938 -1407 R) per bottle in a supermarket.

4700 R

the average cost of dinner in a restaurant for two without alcohol

Products

The three largest supermarket chains are Fairprice, Giant and, the most expensive, Cold Storage. There is hardly an area in the city that does not have one of these stores. There are also tiny Seven-Eleven supermarkets everywhere.

Many Singaporeans save time and order groceries through Honestbee's delivery service. Delivery costs S$3.5 (RUR 165) per order. The products are the same as in the store, on the website you can

Approximate prices for products are as follows:

300 g chilled chicken breast, Malaysia - S$3 (RUR 142).
300 g chilled pork fillet, Malaysia - 4 S$ (190 R).
300 g chilled beef sirloin steak, Australia - 11-30 S$ (520 -1418.18 R).
300 g of fresh tiger shrimp, Malaysia - 10 S$ (472 RUR).
1 kg of potatoes, Malaysia - 2 S$ (95 RUR).
1 kg of carrots, Malaysia - 2 S$ (95 RUR).
1 kg of tomatoes, Malaysia - 3 S$ (142 RUR).
1 dozen eggs, Malaysia - 2 S$ (95 RUR).
1 liter of milk, Australia - 3.5 S$ (165 R).
400 g of white bread for toast, Singapore - 2 S$ (95 R).
Bread from a bakery, Singapore - 6.5 S$ (307 RUR).
1 kg of rice, Malaysia - 1 S$ (47 R).

I indicate the country of origin because there are still Chinese products everywhere. They are much cheaper, but there is an opinion that it is unsafe to eat and cook with them due to chemicals, hormones and antibiotics. We try not to buy Chinese. We spend about S$1,000 (47,284 RUR) on groceries per month; we mostly dine out.

47,000 R

on average we spend per month on groceries

We also buy drinking water. A 1.5 liter bottle costs from S$0.75 (35 R). You can drink the tap water here, but it has an unusual taste.

Internet and mobile communications

The leaders in the Singapore telecommunications market are Singtel and Starhub. There is also Circles Life, but it has appeared recently and is still trying to attract customers with low prices. And I simply do not recommend the M1 company to you.

Mobile communications can be paid with prepaid cards. This method is suitable if you do not yet have a long-term work, study or other visa. With a visa, you can apply for a postpaid tariff - an invoice will be sent to the post office once a month.

If you sign up for a postpaid plan for 2 years, you can take a phone along with it. You will have to pay a little more per month, but the total amount will in any case be less than if you buy a phone and pay separately mobile communications. In January 2018, you could make an initial payment of 400 S$ (18,900 RUR), rent an iPhone 8 for two years, then pay 50 S$ (2364 RUR) per month for 3 GB of Internet and 200 minutes of calls.

1500 R

the average cost of a month of home internet

How newer model phone, the less profitable such a contract is. Prices are reduced six months after the phone is released.

You can save on home Internet with the “SIM card + Internet only” package. The router and Internet at home will be free for the first six months. By default, the Internet here costs from 30 S$ (1418 RUR) per month for 200 Mbit/s and from 50 S$ (2346 RUR) per month for 500 Mbit/s.

Life

In Singapore, it is common to hire a helper to do housework. There are two options. You can invite an assistant for 3-4 hours once a week to clean and iron clothes. It costs S$50 (RUR 2,364) per visit.

If you have children, they often hire a live-in assistant - they are called “helpers” or “maids” (from the English maid - maid). Usually helpers and maids are women from the Philippines, Indonesia or Burma. Their working day starts at 7-8 am and ends at 8-9 pm. Sunday is a day off. Common helper duties include cleaning, ironing, cooking, grocery shopping, caring for children, pets, the elderly or people with disabilities.

It is necessary to conclude a contract with the helper. The standard contract period is 2 years. This is usually done through an agency, which also helps you find a helper and arrange all visa formalities - for helpers in Singapore there is a special Foreign Domestic Worker visa.

66,000 R

the cost of a house helper per month, if you take all the expenses per year and divide them by 12 months

As the employer, you are entirely responsible for the assistant. Her residence and stay at your address is regulated by law. If your assistant gets sick, you are required to pay for her treatment.

How much does a helper cost:

Salary 600-800 S$ (28,000 -37333.3 R).
Additional products, if for some reason the helper cannot eat the same as you - about S$250 (RUR 11,821).
Fixed tax - 265 S$ (12,530 RUR).
Accident insurance includes hospitalization - an average of S$300 (RUR 14,185) for 2 years.
Flights to hometown and back - 200-400 S$ (9500 -19 000 R) once a year.

Total - approximately 1100-1400 S$ (52,000 -66181.8 R) per month, if you take the total amount for the year and divide by 12.

Despite all the above costs and hiring features, it is rare Chinese family with children or elderly parents in Singapore one can manage without such an assistant. In addition, maternity leave in Singapore is 4 months for citizens and permanent residents and only 2 months for expats.

Grandparents in Singapore usually work as long as possible. The pension here is exactly what you yourself have managed to accumulate over the years of work. It is very easy to spend your savings at the first difficult medical case. So people in Singapore don’t count on help from their grandparents.

For working expat moms, having a home helper is almost mandatory: you can’t cope without her. All my working friends in Singapore, as well as a fair number of non-working ones, have an assistant, and this is a real lifesaver.

Services sector

Massages, body wraps, spas, beauty treatments - all this is, of course, available in Singapore, but you shouldn’t expect low prices, as, for example, in Thailand.

Approximate prices in a regular salon are as follows:

Men's haircut - 20 S$ (950 RUR).
Women's haircut - 20-60 S$ (950 -2850 RUR) depending on the length of the hair.
Coloring 60-120 S$ (2900 -5800 R).
Classic edged manicure with OPI varnish - 28 S$ (1323 RUR), with gel polish - 48 S$ (2270 RUR).
Classic pedicure with polish - 38 S$ (1800 RUR), with gel polish - 68 S$ (3215 RUR).

A massage costs on average S$35 (RUR 1,642) for 30 minutes or S$65 (RUR 3,100) per hour. For comparison: in Thailand, on the beaches of Phuket, an hour-long full body massage with oil in Singapore dollars will cost 16 S$ (751 RUR) in the low season and 24 S$ (1126 RUR) in the high season.

950 R

average cost of a men's haircut

Sports and fitness

Singapore is a paradise for summer sports lovers. It’s always warm here, there are many parks, convenient infrastructure for running, cycling and rollerblading. There are a lot of swimming pools in the city: you can go swimming endlessly. There are beaches here too, some of which you can swim in, but still, Singapore is a port city, and the water here is not very clean.

Large residential complexes often have tennis courts. They are free for residents, so tennis is very accessible here, as is badminton. Lessons with a tennis coach cost S$100 (RUR 4,728) per hour.

Several large shopping centers have sports facilities such as a climbing wall or ice skating rink. It costs about 35 S$ (1660 RUR) per session. Climbing walls are popular in Singapore. Some are equipped with an “automatic partner” - this is a special mechanism that will catch you if you suddenly fall off the wall. You can safely go to such climbing walls alone, if suddenly there is no partner for training - I gladly take advantage of this opportunity.

9500 R

the average cost of an unlimited yoga subscription for a month

Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are available all year round in Singapore and my husband and I are very happy about it. In January and February there is a season of strong winds - at this time you can even wind and kitesurf here.

There are also many fitness and yoga centers in Singapore. An unlimited monthly subscription will cost about S$200 (RUR 9,500).

Intellectual leisure

Let's say you're not a fan of physical activity and prefer to have fun in a different way. Unfortunately, the number of large-scale events in Singapore is much smaller than in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Concerts of performers of the Scorpions or Sting level take place 4-6 times a year. Tickets for the stands cost from S$170 (RUR 8,000), dance floor tickets cost about S$300 (RUR 14,200).

Every September, the Formula 1 night race is held in Singapore. For her sake, half of the center is closed off, and famous musicians, such as Bon Jovi or Robbie Williams, are invited to the opening.

RUB 14,200

costs a ticket to the dance floor for a concert of a famous performer like Sting

Singapore has theater and opera, but, in my opinion, the productions cannot compare with the level of theaters in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

I went dancing in Singapore and paid 40 S$ (1890 RUR) per class. I also attended cooking classes at Kulinarion - it costs from 88 S$ (4160 RUR), during the class you prepare three different dishes. I also took a first aid course just in case; it cost 160 S$ (7565 RUR). Sometimes my friends and I go to play quests - from 28 S$ (1323 RUR) per room, the session lasts 45 minutes.

The Meetup website is popular in Singapore. Here you can look for like-minded people with even the most unusual interests. The website organizes meetings, master classes, games and discussion clubs for every taste. There are free events. Larger events can be found on the Eventbright portal, but they are all paid.

You can always just go to the movies. An evening session costs about 12 S$ (570 RUR). By default, movies are shown in English with Chinese subtitles, and if the movie was shot in China, then vice versa.

Trips

Traveling around Asia is very easy from Singapore. You can fly to the beach in Thailand in 2-2.5 hours, to ski resorts in Japan - 7 hours. If you fly with local low-cost airlines - Eirasia, Tiger, Scoot, Jet Star - tickets will be very inexpensive.

If you buy a ticket for a low-cost airline about a month in advance, for 100-150 S$ (4678 -7017 RUR) you can fly there and back to the following countries:

Thailand - Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok.
Indonesia - Bali island, Java.
Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi resort.
Cambodia - Phnom Penh.
Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City.

If you have a budget of S$300 (RUR 14,200) per person, then you can fly anywhere in Asia. My friends and I most often fly to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Near Singapore there are the Indonesian islands of Bintan and Batam. You can get there in 45 minutes by ferry for S$40 (RUR 1,890). On islands clean beaches, clear water and some sports activities. There’s not much else to do there, but if you want a change of scenery or swim with the kids, then this is a great option.

1870 R

the average cost of a ferry from Singapore to a tropical island with a beach and clear sea

Children

Having children in Singapore is very expensive if you are an expat. Here's some simple math.

Pregnancy management: S$100-300 (RUR 4,728 -14,184) per visit. On average, 12 visits are needed if the pregnancy is problem-free.

Natural childbirth without the use of forceps and epidural anesthesia in a conditionally state maternity hospital and 2 nights in a ward for 4-6 people will cost approximately S$4,000 (RUR 189,136). In a private maternity hospital - 8000-10,000 S$ (378,000 -472,500 R). Epidural anesthesia will add about S$3,000 (RUR 141,852) to the amount. Caesarean section - another 2000-4000 S$ (93,551 -187,102 R) depending on the maternity hospital.

I had a natural birth with an epidural. I spent two nights in a solitary ward. All this cost S$8,500 (RUR 401,914) - fortunately, the entire amount was covered by insurance.

400,000 R

On average my birth cost, fortunately it was covered by insurance

Annual medical insurance, which covers pregnancy management and childbirth, costs from S$4,000 (RUR 189,000) to S$8,000 (RUR 378,000). Often it contains a condition that at least 10 months must pass from the start of the policy to the birth, so that women do not buy insurance while already pregnant.

In kindergarten You can leave your child from 7 am to 7 pm. Groups have up to 15 children. The cheapest kindergarten I've heard of costs S$700 (RUR 33,000) per month, otherwise everywhere else the kindergarten costs S$1000-1200 (RUR 47,000 -56,400).

A school - international or just private - costs from S$2,500 (RUR 118,000) to S$4,500 (RUR 213,000) per month. This does not include uniforms, bus fees, food and other additional expenses. To get a place in a regular state school, you need either citizenship or permanent resident status.

The Russian-speaking community in Singapore is quite large, so there is a school and a kindergarten in Russian. There are simply language, dance and other clubs in Russian.

Singapore is a small country compared to neighboring countries, and, it would seem, what difficulties there may be with choosing housing when you plan to spend several days of vacation here. I usually come here for 3-5 days to see the main attractions; those who are interested in shopping and entertainment on Sentosa Island stay longer. But anyway right choice Housing is important for a comfortable stay in the country.

You can choose a place to live in Singapore based on two main criteria: location and your needs for comfort level. But first, it will be useful to get acquainted with the general features.

Features of rental housing in Singapore

Among the amenities, one can note the presence of a kettle and tea bags in many hotels as a tribute to the colonial past under the rule of England, as well as the staff’s knowledge of English at a good level.

Choosing an area to live in Singapore

Airport area usually chosen by those who come to the country for exhibitions and conferences, and by passengers flying to other countries with a connection in Singapore and deciding to take advantage of the visa-free stay for transit passengers.

The most dangerous area - Gilang . If you are not afraid of the atmosphere here (nightclubs and brothels), you crave entertainment, and want to save a lot, then you can take a risk and settle in local hotel. Even this area of Singapore is safe for tourists, unless, of course, they themselves are looking for trouble.

The choice of hotels in Singapore is large, and despite the generally high cost, you can also find economical options - it all depends on your preferences and purpose of travel.

Sights of Singapore

A great opportunity to see the city in just one day is the City Sightseeing Singapore bus tour. For 25 Singapore dollars (about 625 rubles) during the day you can get a glimpse of the main attractions, as well as explore the city a little. Tourists are offered a comfortable double-decker bus with air conditioning on the first floor and an open roof on the second. This excursion is unique in that you can get off at any time at the place you like, and then transfer to another bus at the stop, continuing the excursion.

Sentosa. Paradise for tourists!

History of the island Previously, the name of the island was closely associated with the cult of the dead and ideas about the afterlife. But scientists still cannot find the answer to this question and do not know why this was so. However, there are several assumptions that guides often tell tourists who decide to visit the island. In the mid-19th century, a terrible epidemic occurred here, which killed more than half of the entire population of the island - this is the first possible cause.

Shopping in Singapore

Some travelers visit Singapore solely to buy new things to add to their collection, acquire souvenirs and a variety of locally made products. This is especially true for the period from May 25 to July 22, when one of the most anticipated events in the city takes place - the Great Singapore Sale. At this time, you can purchase absolutely any product with an incredible discount of up to 70 percent.

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1. Singapore is a country of fines

Strict laws and high fines have largely helped shape Singapore into the country it is today. The country is even jokingly called fine city (a play on words in English, where fine means “wonderful” and “fine”).

Here you can’t smoke, litter, or even eat in the wrong places - for example, you won’t be able to have a snack on public transport. If you litter again, you'll get a sign saying "I littered" and you'll be cleaning up the street all weekend. You will be fined for driving without wearing a seatbelt, but for speeding you can be put in jail.

Fines are provided for obscene language in a public place and even for not flushing the toilet. They say that some elevators have detectors, and if someone messes inside, the elevator will be blocked until the police arrive.

Also Do not connect to someone else's Wi-Fi network: This behavior may be considered hacking. Until recently there was a law prohibiting walking naked around your own apartment if your neighbors suddenly saw it.

Some crimes are punishable by caning. But the most serious punishment awaits those who are in any way connected with the use and distribution of drugs. For such a violation, as well as for brutal murder death penalty provided: Singapore has one of the highest rates in the world.

Thanks to its strict judicial system and legislation, Singapore is rightfully considered one of the most safe countries in the world. It's very low level crime, and the majority of prisoners are traffic violators. There are many cameras in the city that keep order, but there are practically no police officers. You can safely walk the streets both during the day and at night.

3. People in Singapore lead a healthy lifestyle

A small stadium near my home.

The country's authorities are trying to teach residents to a healthy lifestyle. They resort again to restrictions and prohibitions: For example, hookahs, electronic cigarettes and snuff are prohibited here. Alcohol cannot be purchased after 10:30 p.m., and scary pictures are printed on cigarettes. But the healthy lifestyle policy is not limited to prohibitions.

Almost every yard has exercise equipment and treadmills: you can exercise there for free. There are also many in the country sports complexes, where Singaporeans do e.g. yoga, pilates. Classes are held in courtyards and even in shopping centers: for example, free Zumba is held near my house every Thursday. If you live in a better residential complex, then there will definitely be a gym and a swimming pool. Clubs are being created for older people: in addition to attending sporting events, elderly people can spend their leisure time there, for example, walking in the park, completely free of charge.

Attention is also paid to healthy nutrition. Many products are marked with “Healthy Choice” stickers in stores.- this is food that, for example, has less sugar, a lot of fiber, no trans fats, and so on. There are even lotteries: you buy more products with this badge, register in the application and collect points.

The country often hosts various kinds of healthy lifestyle marathons - for example, weight loss marathon with the opportunity to win prizes or a step marathon, when you walk 1,000 steps every day and participate in a prize draw. And this is not to mention running marathons, of which there are a lot: for both children and adults.

Together with a high level of medical services and high social responsibility, these conditions bear fruit. The average life expectancy in Singapore, according to 2017 data, was 83 years.

4. An unusual person lives in this country - Mr. Toilet

Me and Jack Sim.

There is a man with an unusual “profession” living in Singapore: his name is Jack Sim and he is known as Mr. Toilet. Jack is the patron of the World Toilet Organization, and in 2001 he even came up with a holiday called Toilet Day (November 19, if you suddenly want to celebrate).

Jokes aside, the organization really does useful things: it educates about hygiene issues, promotes the creation and maintenance of a normal sanitary environment. The idea is to take care of people's health (unsanitary conditions and water pollution have a bad effect on it). For example, this organization has done a lot of work in India, where, as we know, the hygiene culture is very, very bad.

I had the honor of meeting Jack in person, and even considering the sensitive topic he was talking about, he was more motivated than Schwarzenegger. He said that he built many business projects, and then at the age of 50 he realized that life is not eternal, but he wants to do something useful for the world - so he created his own organization.

The Malay language has the word chope, which means "seal" or "stamp". And in modern “Singlish” (a local dialect, a mixture of Singaporean and English) - "take a seat in the food court with napkins and other items"(I'm not kidding, this is a literal translation).

That is, in Singapore, you can reserve (stamp) a table for yourself at the food court by simply placing a pack of napkins, an umbrella, a travel card, a plastic bag, a water bottle on it, and that’s it! No one will take it and take up the space, and everyone will know that it is already occupied.

Of course, if you forgot your napkins or umbrella on the table, then perhaps the staff will remove them after a couple of hours, but this is not certain. People will crowd, meet and part, and lonely napkins on a lonely table will lie like an indestructible monument to the Singaporean "chop".

6. A car is a luxury

Firstly, taking into account registration fees and charges, taxes and fees, buying a car already costs a tidy sum - approximately $100 thousand.(and this is only the lower threshold of prices). Secondly, in Singapore there are many toll sections of roads, tunnels, and the cost of parking also costs a pretty penny. In this harsh way, this small country is fighting traffic jams and pollution of the planet.

At the same time here well developed public transport: well-equipped buses run regularly, railway transport and subway, there is a light rail system and bike paths. There are various nice features in transport: free entry by metro until 7:45 (only in the city center), inexpensive night buses, etc.

7. It's very hot in Singapore. But at the same time it's cold

Singapore enjoys eternal summer: temperatures rarely drop below +30 degrees Celsius. Therefore, if you are going to this country, then be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat- otherwise you will quickly slide down the wall from heat stroke.

And local shop owners, subway and bus workers, and office clerks miss the cool air and keep their temperature down air conditioners at a maximum of 16 degrees Celsius. Air conditioning is almost everywhere here - just imagine the temperature changes. To be honest, I can’t get used to this feature, so I have to constantly carry a sweater with me.

8. Something about the peculiarities of the local style

In general, most Singaporeans are similar to Europeans: they like to dress well and adore brands. True, there is some trick: Due to the humid and hot climate, the most convenient and comfortable shoes here are flip-flops and flip-flops. Therefore, you can go to many restaurants in these simple shoes, and no one will even look askance. If a dress code is required for some event, they add that wearing flip-flops is prohibited.

Men, by the way, are not allowed to wear shorts to the office, and they may not be allowed into a restaurant dressed like that. There is also one old Chinese tradition that tells them not to cut their nails: in this way they used to show that you are not a laborer and do not dig in the ground. Alas, such characters can be found quite often: such a “manicure” looks so-so.

9. Most families have domestic helpers.

Many local families have their own female housekeepers(they are also called “maida”). These are women who come to work from the Philippines, Indonesia or Sri Lanka (often this is almost the only opportunity for them to earn money) and usually live in the master’s apartment, but more often this is just a tiny room without a window, which is more like closet. “Maida” does all the housework and looks after the children, while being content with just one day off a week and a vacation every 2 years. Of course, not all owners are so strict with their assistants and things happen differently.

They send all the money they earn home. Usually it is 500–600 Singapore dollars per month (23–28 thousand rubles). In addition to salary expenses, the owners pay taxes and spend money on food for their helper.

In Singapore, they do not forget about the environment, education and the quality of medical care. The government is trying to use all the latest technologies (special sensors, unmanned developments) to provide its residents with maximum comfort.

If you are going to Singapore, then keep in mind that from November to February there is a rainy season here (however, usually the rain begins and ends quite quickly and in the evening you will be greeted with long-awaited coolness as a bonus). In general, you can come at any time (it’s always warm and sunny here).

What you should definitely do in this city:

See the famous hotel Marina Bay Sands with a rooftop pool. Hotel accommodation is quite expensive, and the crowds at the pool completely take away the fun, so I wouldn’t recommend living there. But it’s worth visiting the bar on the roof of the hotel. Look for the Ce Lavi bar: the price of entry will be the same as the price of entry to the observation deck, but you will get a free drink. And if you are a girl and the day of the week is Wednesday, then you can enjoy the privileges of the so-called Lady’s Night - a day when admission is free and a drink is free (also in many bars in the city on Wednesdays).
Go on a night safari and visit the zoo.
Take a ride on one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world.
Visit establishments in cultural quarters Chinatown and Little India and go shopping on Orchard Road.

What to see in Singapore in 2 days on your own? This question is relevant for many Russian tourists. Let us remind you that if you are traveling through Singapore in transit to a third country, you can stay there without a visa for 96 hours. That is four days. The first day is for arrival and check-in, the last is for departure, so two days remain for exploring the city. We have put together a great itinerary for you that will allow you to see the main attractions of Singapore in two days.

What to see in Singapore in 2 days: contents of the article

Additional Information:

Day 1: hello Marina!

Everyone knows that Marina Bay Sands is the most... a beautiful hotel Singapore. But not everyone knows that Marina Bay is a picturesque bay, on the shores of which there is not only a famous hotel, but also many other attractions. Therefore, you and I have no choice: in the morning of our first full day in Singapore, we must definitely go here. Moreover, there are so many interesting things to do on the shores of Marina Bay that you can easily spend the whole day here. To get to Marina Bay, you need to go to Raffles Place, Esplanade, Promenade or Bayfront MRT station.

Here is a map of Singapore's Marina Bay attractions that you can leisurely explore on foot in a day:

The map shows not only Russian, but also English names of Singapore attractions. This is to make it easier for you to ask passers-by for directions - almost all Singaporeans are fluent in English language. But not everyone is Russian, to put it mildly))

Now let’s take a closer look at the attractions indicated on this map.

Merlion statue. Symbol of Singapore, a mythical animal with the body of a fish and the head of a lion.

Esplanade Theater. The main theater of the country is also very beautiful building. Popularly known as “Durian”, since the shape of the building resembles this fragrant tropical fruit.

What to do and what to see in Singapore in 2 days on your own? One of the days should definitely be spent sightseeing in the heart of the city - Marina Bay. Here it is famous statue Merlion, Marina Bay Sands Hotel and many other interesting places.

Gardens by the Bay. A great place where you can spend a few hours and have lunch there. This is a large and very beautiful complex of gardens, divided into thematic areas (Chinese garden, Indian garden, palm world, etc.). Under two huge domes there are two tropical paradises - the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome, the world's largest greenhouse. But unlike other areas of Gardens by the Bay, there is an entrance fee. Ticket prices for both greenhouses for foreigners are S$28 (adult) and S$15 (child).

Another one business card Gardens by the Bay have huge futuristic flowers that glow beautifully in the evenings.

Singapore Ferris wheel Singapore Flyer. The second tallest Ferris wheel in the world (165 meters), offering stunning views of the city. Ticket price is SGD 33 (adult) and SGD 24 (child).

What to see in Singapore in two days? First of all - Singapore itself from a bird's eye view! To do this, go up to the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands hotel or take a ride on the Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel. Or you can combine one and the other. By the way, the two round things below are two halves of Durian, that is, the Esplanade Theater.

Clarke Quay. It is not exactly located in Marina Bay, but a few hundred meters away on the banks of the Singapore River. In the evenings, Clarke Quay turns into a busy, sparkling street where tourists from all over the world gather. This is the most party place in Singapore with many bars and nightclubs. Here you can just take a walk, buy souvenirs and dine in one of dozens of restaurants. You can also take a boat cruise; tickets are sold at the local piers.

Day 2: birds, animals and national color

Where to go and what to see in Singapore in 2 days, when you have already seen the main architectural sights? Apart from its architectural wonders, Singapore is famous for its national regions. The most striking of them is Chinatown. Singapore is also famous for its zoos. Therefore, we will spend the second day exploring these places.

Map of Singapore attractions that you can visit on day 2 of your trip to this city:

Singapore Zoo. It is considered one of the largest and most interesting in the world: in it you can meet more than 2.5 thousand animals of 315 different species! Therefore, you should budget at least three to four hours to visit it.

How to get to Singapore Zoo? There are no metro stations within walking distance, so the easiest way is to take a taxi from your hotel. You can also get there by public transport. To do this you can go to:

Choa Chu Kang metro station, then take bus No. 927 to the zoo;
Ang Mo Kio MRT station, then take bus No. 138 to the zoo.

Ticket prices for the Singapore Zoo are $33 (adult) and $22 (child under 12 years old).

Singapore Bird Park (Jurong Bird Park). One of the largest such parks on the planet, 5 thousand birds of 380 species live here, from parrots and birds of paradise to penguins, raptors and night hunters.
To get to the Singapore Bird Park, you need to go to Boon Lay MRT Station and take bus No. 194. Ticket prices for the Singapore Bird Park are $29 for adults and $19 for children.

Chinatown. A very colorful area, a must-see for all tourists. Singapore Chinatown is home to cheap souvenirs, beautiful streets with Buddhist and Hindu temples, and also real paradise for lovers of inexpensive (by Singaporean standards) Chinese street food. Located at Chinatown MRT Station.

Singapore's Chinatown is not only a corner of old China in an ultra-modern metropolis. This is also a place where you can have an inexpensive and very tasty snack.

What to see in Singapore in 3 days: Sentosa Island

Where in the article “What to see in Singapore in 2 days?” took another day, you ask? As we have already written, during a transit trip, Russians can stay in Singapore for up to 96 hours, that is, 4 days. This is the day of arrival, two full days and the day of departure. But if on the fourth day you fly out not in the morning, but in the late afternoon, then you can spend another half a day or more in Singapore. We recommend spending it on Sentosa Island.

Sentosa Island - a favorite vacation spot for Singaporeans themselves. But there is one problem: there is no metro station in Sentosa. How to get to Sentosa Island from Singapore? It’s very simple: you need to get to the Harbor Front station, from where you can get to Sentosa on foot (for free), by monorail railway($4) or cable car($26). Entrance fee to Sentosa is $1.

On Sentosa great amount interesting places. But you and I have little time. Therefore, here is a list of the 5 main attractions of Sentosa Island, from which you need to choose the most interesting for yourself:

beaches Sentosa Islands (Tanjong Beach, Palawan Beach and Siloso Beach),
huge amusement park Universal Studios (adult - $74, child - $56),
aquarium S.E.A. Aquarium (adult - $34, child - $24).
aquapark Adventure Cove Waterpark (adult - $36, child - $28)
Merlion Plaza With giant statue Merlion, which has two observation decks(in the mouth and on the head of the lion).

Here are all these attractions of Sentosa Island on the map:

Where to stay in Singapore for 2-3 nights

There are many hotels in Singapore where you can stay during your “transit” visit. On the Booking.com website they are even divided by area:

But we recommend looking for hotels not only on Booking, but also using the Hotellook service. It compares prices in different booking systems (Booking.com, Agoda.com, Ostrovok.ru, etc.) and gives you best options. Having chosen the most suitable hotel, you go to the booking system website (the same Booking or Agoda), where the booking takes place. Here is the link:

Happy travels!

Dear readers, do you personally recommend what to see in Singapore in 2 days? We are waiting for your feedback! And don’t forget - we know everything about traveling in Asia! And not only in Asia 😉

Where to Stay in Singapore: Local Advice About best area for relaxation and best hotels in Singapore for any budget. We break down 5 different neighborhoods and the best things in each.

Singapore may not be a massive city, but with all the options on offer, it can still be a little confusing when looking for the best place to live or the best place to stay.

Don't be deterred by his reputation expensive city. There's something for every budget level.

Whether you are a newbie or an experienced visitor, you will learn about best places for relaxation and the best entertainment in Singapore.

Where to stay in Singapore

If you would like to go directly to any of the areas in Singapore, please follow the links below.

There are some affiliate links in the post below where theplanetd will earn a commission if you make a purchase, but you won't have to pay for it!

Orchard Road is one of Singapore's oldest and most popular streets, lined with distinctive shopping malls.
Marina - Iconic architectural works based on the Singapore skyline and its major landmarks.
Sentosa Island - famous tourist place where you can find sandy beaches, various attractions and Resorts World Sentosa.
Clarke Quay & Chinatown - Situated along the Singapore River, with vibrant nightlife and an interweaving of traditional Chinese cultures.
Little India and Arab Streets - A hipster area with boutiques, hotels and unique street art.
Plan your trip to Singapore - Find flights, book tours and quick tips before you travel

Best places to stay in Singapore

We found that best advice When you need to know where to stay in a city, ask a local. So that's exactly what we did.

Singaporean and local travel writer Charmaine Low of Bunnyhoptravels shares her knowledge from years spent in this incredible city.

From the best neighborhoods and cool nightlife to her favorite little cafes, you'll get an insider's tour.

Most attractions in Singapore are accessible on foot. It can be fun walking from one end to the other, exploring the different attractions of Singapore and experiencing it all.

Transportation is also widespread and efficient.

You can always find a bus stop or train station (MRT) a few kilometers from your current location, with prices depending on the distance traveled.

Singapore Tourist Pass. If you're planning to tour the city for a few days, it's best to purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass.

It gives you unlimited travel public buses, MRT & LRT. One-day passes cost around $10, two-day passes cost around $16, and three-day passes cost $20, which can be purchased here.

As mentioned, getting around Singapore is very convenient and is not a big problem; MRT buses and trains run throughout the city, with stops usually right in front of your hotel or apartment.

Best area to stay in Singapore

Singapore officially has 28 districts. This small city has only 278.6 square meters, and almost everywhere is easily accessible by car or bus.

The attractions in Singapore are so well planned that you can explore every unique place on foot if you like.

Return to Top - Return to the top of the page for a complete list of where to stay in Singapore.

About Singapore

Singapore, located at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia in Southeast Asia, has an ideal skyline and a bustling shopping hub. It is an independent city-state that many call the "Lion City".

Being one of the smallest countries in the world, covering an area of about 719.9 km², it is also known as the “Red Dot”. Despite its small physical size, Singapore is an economic giant.

The Singapore government is committed to excellence in creating a global financial center. Today it is one of the fastest and most developed countries in Southeast Asia.

Although Singapore has developed so much, it still retains its culture and traditions. As a multiracial country; its wide variety will amaze you.

You will find different streets and areas dedicated to each ethnicity.

The Grand Colonial Times building is located in the city center, while traditional buildings used by the Peranakans and Chinese in the 60s and 70s are also in the area.

Walking and walking around Singapore is easy.

This small town, and the attractions are well planned and grouped.

What I like about it busy city, so this is efficiency public transport. You can actually get anywhere by train or bus!

1. Orchard Road

Great Trade Belt in Central Singapore

Orchard Road is a 2.2-kilometre shopping area in Singapore's high street. Being one of the most famous shopping streets in Singapore, it attracts both local residents, and tourists to shop, enjoy, dine or have a pleasant walk.

You can discover this bustling boulevard underground by walking from shopping center to the shopping center or strolling along the luxurious tree-lined street, enjoying the exterior of all the shopping centers.

Orchard Road offers you one of the best outdoor shopping experiences. As you walk along the tree-lined street, you will see huge luxury stores such as Michael Kors, Gucci, Armani and many more located on your right.

Walking along Orchard Road and shopping has always been one of my favorite pastimes.

Staying here is a great option if you want the best shopping experience! Staying at Orchard gives you access to all the shopping centers in just a few steps.

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Where to Stay in Singapore Near Orchard Road

Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

Luxurious 5-star hotel surrounded by exotic gardens. It is a 7 minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road, costing over $350 per night.

Check availability and prices

MIDDLE RANGE

Jen Orchard Gateway Hotel

Beautiful open pool, located right in the middle of Orchard Road, gives you direct access to the metro station and luxury shopping malls.

Check availability and prices

Trip Advisor / Expedia.com / Booking.com

Hotel Supreme Singapore

A friendly, clean hotel that provides you with all the basic amenities during your stay. Walking distance to Singapore's famous shopping street!

Check availability and prices

Trip Advisor / Expedia.com / Booking.com

What to see in Singapore near Orchard Road

Shopping Belt Walk- 20 minutes walk from Ion Orchard shopping center to Singapore Square.

Fort Canning Hill- One of the most historical attractions in Singapore. An ideal destination for nature seekers and history buffs.

National Museum of Singapore- Situated opposite Fort Canning Hill, this museum is one of the oldest in Singapore, dating back to 1849. Inside, you can learn about Singapore's history and culture.

Emerald Hill Road- If you like a drink or two, Emerald Hill is a hipster spot with plenty of local pubs that are open into the wee hours of the morning.

Singaporean Botanical Garden - This 158-year-old tropical garden is located on the edge of Orchard Road. This is colossal a tropical forest with a fantastic orchid garden.

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Offered tours

Singapore sightseeing is one of the best transportation services that any tourist can use to catch the key attractions of Singapore with the help of King of Hop-On and Hop-Off tours.

By purchasing it, you get access to 7 transport lines, 63 bus stops and up to 100 flights per day! You don't have to worry about wasting time waiting for buses to arrive!

Shuttle buses include trips to Night Safari, Zoo and Jurong Bird Park. It also gives you 2 free walking tours to learn more about Heritage Singapore.

24 hour pass starts at S$39.13.

Private Singapore Tour: Make your visit to Singapore as much about the people you meet as the places you see. Choose from 2, 3 and 4 hour options for this private exploration of the city with a local guide. Get transportation tips and the best things to see and do.

2-hour individual tour around Singapore at night: experience the incredible nightlife Singapore in a private two-hour evening tour. Enjoy the unique city atmosphere, taste delicious street food and watch a spectacular light show.

Get there

Hippie tours: Hop on the hippie hop and take the bus using the yellow MRT line. There are several stops you can make from number 14 to number 19, depending on where you are going. Hippie tours are part of the Singapore tour package mentioned above.

Buses: Several buses operate from different parts of Singapore to Orchard Road. Click here to find out which bus you can take.

Another easy way to research would be to search for "buses to Orchard Road". Make sure your location settings for Safari or Chrome are turned on. Google will give you the most quick way get to Orchard.

MRT: Traveling by metro is also very convenient! Get off at Orchard and Somerset stations. You can purchase train tickets at the ticket office or get a Singapore Tourist Pass, which gives you unlimited access to transport throughout the city.

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2. City Center: Marina

City center

The area features iconic architectural works depicting the Singapore skyline and its major landmarks.

The Marina District is built on reclaimed land, and today it gives you the best views of the city skyline, especially since it overlooks the world's most expensive freestanding casino and resort, Marina Bay Sands, worth US$8 billion alone.

If you are a nature lover, you will also enjoy the scenic walk along the Singapore River with beautiful landscape on the background.

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Best places to stay in Singapore near The Marina

Hotel MBS

The Iconic Hotel in Singapore features the world's largest infinity pool, world-class casino and restaurants. This luxury hotel offers fantastic views from... hotel room and a rooftop pool.

Check availability and prices

Trip Advisor / Booking.com

MIDDLE RANGE

Conrad Continental

Rated as one of best selections in Singapore at Marina Bay. This gives you easy access to the Marina District's top attractions such as the Singapore Flyer and shopping! Great location!

Check availability and prices

Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Hotel Orchid

This spacious, chic hotel is located in the heart of the city, within walking distance of restaurants, bars and railway station MRT. Getting anywhere with the MRT is easy and convenient!

Check availability and prices

Trip Advisor / Booking.com

What to see near the pier

Merlion- Located on the waterfront, it is the official mascot of Singapore and attracts a huge number of tourists to Singapore every year.

Marina Bay Sands- A 2,561-room hotel topped by a sky park with panoramic view to the city. There is also the world's largest Infinity pool, offering you one of best views on the landscape of Singapore.

On weekends and Thursdays, the event space in front of Marina Bay The Shoppes hosts light and water shows. Click here to learn more about show times!

Flyer Singapore- A giant Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the city skyline and historical landmarks.

Gardens by the Bay- an attraction that many tourists liked; Colorful and futuristic park in Singapore. It is famous for its supertree structures, bridges and conservatory domes.

Museum of Art History - Home to Interactive Arts and Sciences Exhibitions in the Marina Bay area.

Helix Bridge- The world's first curved bridge. A distinctive double spiral bridge and the longest pedestrian bridge connecting Marina South to the Marina Centre.

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Offered tours

Flyer Saver Combo - You can freely combine the Flyer tour with other tour options such as bus tour"Hop On" Hop Off, duck tours, night safari, Gardens by the Bay or Universal Studios. //hippopass.com/singapore/package-saver-pass/

S7 & Gardens by the Bay - Tour starts from S$73; The package includes the Hop On Hop Off bus tour and tickets to the Twin Domes of the Conservatory.

S7 & MBS Skypark - Tour starts at $69, including the Hop On Hop Off bus tour and access to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark on the 57th floor.

Singapore Pass with 3 or 5 attractions - Ride the Hippopotamus tours and get access to 3-5 of the best attractions you can choose from at discounted prices. This pass is valid for five full days actions.

Mandai Tours - Visit the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari, experience a diverse wildlife and get to know nature! There are Park Hopper options you can choose to save money and experience more!

Singapore Super Saver is an 8-hour tour combining the Singapore River Safari and the Singapore Night Zoo Safari, where you can get up close to animal habitats and see unique species you've never seen before. Round-trip transportation is included.

Get there

Hippie tours: If you're on the Hippo Tour (Hop On Hop Off bus tour), hop on the Green Lines. These buses travel throughout the Marina Bay area.

Buses: Several buses run from different parts of Singapore to Marina Bay. Click here to find out which bus you can take.

MRT Train: You can also conveniently purchase MRT train tickets from ticket offices or get a Singapore Tourist Pass, which gives you unlimited access to transport throughout the city.

Google Maps and Maps.me are good apps for getting transportation information easily.

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