Traveling in Singapore is an exciting experience if you know what to look out for. While your plane is landing in Changi Airport, look out of the window seat and you will get a glimpse of a modernized small country. Going through the customs is fast as long as there are no drugs or chewing gum.
Surprised? Yes, chewing gum is banned in Singapore because they create a sticky mess. This would be your first impression in the Singapore culture of efficiency and cleanliness.
{First stop}
Wait! Before you get out of the departure gate, do buy the wine, beer or liquor at the duty-free store. They are much cheaper as alcohol; cigarettes and car are heavily taxed in Singapore.
Speaking of cigarettes, most public places in Singapore have been designated as non-smoking areas. So for those who need to light up, do look out for the “No smoking” sign or be heavily fined. After you are out of the departure gate, you will need to go to your accommodations or plan for one.
{Accommodations}
For those without accommodations, Singapore is a well-known tourism spots with budget hostels around Bugis or Chinatown to high-end hotels in Orchard Road. These are the best areas to stay, as they are centrally located within the shopping districts.
Reservation is recommended because they are often fully booked during events like festivals, seminars or exhibitions. If unsure, ask locals for more details or check with the customer service at the airport.
{Language}
Communicating is not a problem as four languages are commonly spoken in Singapore: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. However, this mix of languages gives rise to Singlish that you will often hear Singaporeans speak (in Singlish: “Singapore all speak good english lah, so if you don’t understand, it’s ok one”).
{Transport}
Now that you have identified where you are going to stay, you will have to decide how to get out of Changi Airport by bus, train or cab. Cab is highly recommended for jet-lag travelers as they are reasonably priced. For those who are less tired or on a shoestring budget, you can try the train (known as MRT) that goes direct to major shopping areas.
Bus is the least preferred as they could takes quite a while but worth its sights and sounds with the locals. However, do take note that fares in Singapore public transport are fixed; bus and MRT according to the stops or stations while cab are metered.
{Activities}
As you reach your accommodation, it is good to get refreshed or
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{Basic necessities}
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