| As one of Asia's hippest and most dazzling | | | | to Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown that will |
| metropolitan centers, Singapore can sometimes give | | | | delight your senses. |
| travelers the impression that they'll have to dish out | | | | The HiPPO bus plies regular routes through the major |
| big bucks to have a good time and take in all the | | | | points of interest for visitors. Pay one price and get |
| sights of this nearly five million-strong city-state. But | | | | two days of unlimited touring, including rides on the |
| don't let the bright lights and glamorous locals fool | | | | open-top bus, complete with tour guide. |
| you – getting around, finding a great meal, and | | | | Relax on one of several beaches at Sentosa or, if |
| having a blast can all be easily done on a budget. | | | | you're an animal lover, visit the Singapore Zoo for a |
| If you're like most business travelers, you're not | | | | fun stop at US$16 per ticket or take a Night Safari. |
| exactly interested in hanging around the airport, but | | | | Glimpse the city's incredible flora at the National |
| want to get everything settled so you can get down | | | | Orchid Garden (within the Singapore Botanic |
| to work. That said, Singapore's main Changi Airport | | | | Gardens), and the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, |
| – with wireless internet, gaming kiosks and plenty | | | | which are best enjoyed on foot in the morning (the |
| of places to relax – is a dream come true for | | | | coolest part of the day) or in the early evening. |
| tired travelers; but you can enjoy its perks on the | | | | Some of the best sites in Singapore are its religious |
| way back. | | | | temples and churches such as Little India's Sri |
| Before heading out, consider having some money | | | | Veerama Kaliamman temple and Chinatown's Thian |
| changed. Many kiosks will provide you with | | | | Hock Keng temple; though beautiful examples of local |
| Singaporean dollars (US $1 is about SG $1.40, not | | | | architecture and design can be found in just about |
| including commission, at the February 2010 exchange | | | | every district, Ang Mo Kio and Balestier offer some |
| rate). Try asking for a quote if changing a large | | | | of the city's best. |
| amount, as you can sometimes get a better rate | | | | Where to eat |
| than advertised. | | | | Famous for its street food, Singapore is a |
| Traveling to and from the airport | | | | spice-lover's dream come true with stalls in most |
| To connect to your destination within Singapore from | | | | shopping and business districts serving up steaming |
| Changi Airport, you can hop on the subway between | | | | portions of seafood, fried vegetables, and all manner |
| Terminals 1 and 2. A ticket is only US$1.40 with a | | | | of outlandish treats. You might just find yourself |
| US$1 deposit (refundable after your journey), but | | | | wondering how many snacks can be adapted for the |
| you'll have to catch a city-bound train from Tanah | | | | stick! |
| Merah during the half-hour journey. | | | | |
| If navigating the city's subway with bags and a bit of | | | | This doesn't mean that finger-food surfing is the only |
| jet lag isn't your idea of worthwhile savings, you can | | | | way to fill up in the city, however. Bugis and |
| opt to take a taxi with relatively guilt-free rates of | | | | Kampong Glam near the city center are popular |
| US$25 – 35, but keep in mind that you'll be | | | | destinations for diners, and you can snag something |
| charged an extra 50 percent if traveling between | | | | delicious at pretty much any price. Chomp Chomp |
| midnight and 6 AM. Indulge in a comfortable arrival | | | | Food Center in Serangoon Gardens is a great way to |
| with a limousine for US$35 flat anywhere in the city, | | | | rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy authentic |
| and you can postpone saving travel dollars with public | | | | casual cuisine from US$3 to 10. |
| transportation until you reach the city's center, where | | | | Zam Zam on North Bridge Road is a local favorite for |
| routes are more direct. | | | | cheap eats, with Indian-inspired dishes like pakooris |
| Alternatively, the MAXICAB shuttle service offers | | | | and dahls on offer for around US$5. |
| flexible routing between the airport and most hotels | | | | Step it up a bit with a boisterous yet friendly |
| in the business district. It's a bit cheaper than taxis, | | | | atmosphere at Seafood Harvest Restaurant on |
| and the trip takes about half an hour. | | | | Victoria Street. You'll find an incredible array of |
| Story highlights: | | | | seafood options for lunch and dinner, including lobster, |
| - Navigate the city with ease on Singapore's | | | | crabs, and other local delicacies, with plates hovering |
| impressive subway | | | | around US$10. |
| - Explore the beautiful temples and local architecture | | | | Alcohol comes at a premium in Singapore, and with |
| around | | | | unimpressive spirits often bringing in as much as |
| - Jump on the HiPPO bus and tour the major points | | | | US$80 per bottle, after-dinner drinks can be a quick |
| of interest | | | | ticket to wearying your wallet. Instead, check out |
| - Take delight in the city's abundant and flavorsome | | | | one of Singapore's many vibrant and divine-smelling |
| street food | | | | teahouse cafes, many of which also features shisha, |
| - Make a shopping stop at Little India and Chinatown | | | | or tobacco smoked in an ornate hookah. Cafe la |
| Getting around Singapore:Singapore's efficient public | | | | Caire on Arab Street can help you ease into the |
| transportation network of taxis, buses and the | | | | evening. |
| modern Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system | | | | Shopping |
| ensures a hassle-free journey. By far the best value | | | | Singapore is no longer the bargain-hunter's paradise it |
| for getting around in downtown Singapore is to take | | | | once was, but it's still something of a treat for most |
| advantage of the city's impressive subway system. | | | | consumers. Fixed prices are the rule at department |
| An "ez-link" pass (US$15 with rechargeable increments | | | | stores and bargaining is mostly confined to smaller |
| of US$10) will keep you covered as you explore, with | | | | shops and street stalls. |
| individual trips costing about US$1. The Web site | | | | Head to Orchard Road for budget-friendly shopping, |
| Gothere.sg provides up-to-date schedules and can | | | | with plenty of retail shops, plazas and gallerias to |
| produce a route within a few seconds. | | | | keep you occupied, including one of the largest (and |
| It may be worthwhile investing a few dollars in the | | | | most popular) shopping centers The Centrepoint. |
| TransitLink Guide, listing all bus and MRT routes, as | | | | Bugis Street contains over 600 stalls and offers an |
| well as maps of outlying areas. Taxis are fairly | | | | eclectic mix of trendy and functional street wear, |
| inexpensive as well, and Singapore's compactness | | | | cafes and street food. |
| helps keeps trips short. | | | | If your schedule allows, then make a stop at Little |
| What's there to do between meetings? | | | | India. Your senses will be greeted by the heady |
| Whether you'd like to get a feel for Singapore's | | | | scent of spices and jasmine garlands, accompanied |
| history and culture, pick up some souvenirs, or just | | | | by treasure troves of silverware, brassware, ethnic |
| spend your time wandering the city and checking out | | | | jeweler and colorful silk saris. If you're suffering from |
| its people, there's plenty to do on your off-time in | | | | ailments then step into Chinatown – the medical |
| Singapore. If you're visiting early in the year, be sure | | | | halls will mix you up a potion of snake skin, herbs and |
| to participate in the New Year festivities, which range | | | | spices and other exotic ingredients! |
| from parties with foam and music on Sentosa Island | | | | |