I wrote this because I get people asking me how to find their way around Singapore…

Welcome you to Singapore — or where I call home.  Here’s a list of useful links and information to get you started on your visit to Singapore

Singapore is a great way to be introduced to Asia with its cultural diversities and great infra-structure. The place is easy to get around. Tourism is a major industry in Singapore attracting millions of visitors every year. There are touristy things to do (which will cost of course!), but there are also lots you can do on a shoe-string budget.

Did you know that Singapore is so small that you can drive from east to west on the expressway  in about an hour and half (depending on traffic situation)? But don’t let it’s smallness deceive you. There is a lot you can do here!

(All prices are in Singapore Dollars – Yahoo currency converter)

Changi International Airport
You can use the public phones for free when you arrive at the terminal (before you get out of immigration area).

Taxis – there is an additional $5 surcharge for taxis coming out of the airport, on top of the metred fare. If you take the taxi after 11.30 pm, the metre charges about 1.5 times more. The metre will show the fare you should pay when you arrive at your destination.

If you don’t have a lot of luggage, the MRT train is an economical and convenient way to travel in and out of the airport to the city.

Be sure you pick up a free map and the many brochures when you arrive at the airport.

Accommodations
There are lots of budget hotels you can check out.
Airbnb seems to pop up decent looking, reasonably priced homes-stay accommodation.

Discover Singapore
Gateway to Singapore – Live, Work, Do Business, Learn, and Play in Singapore - with links to Maps, Profile, People, History, National Symbols, Events and Happenings. This website is managed by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA).

Your Singapore – This website is managed by the Singapore Tourism Board

Places to see / things to do for free or at with a small budget
Take a train ride to just about anywhere on the island. From the city to the heartland, to urban Central Business District with its skyscrapers to the heartland with its public housing estates, shopping malls and lots of  food places to discover.

In Town – Take the MRT to Raffles Place station. Walk around the Singapore River, Merlion Park, Esplanade, Suntec City, Fullerton Hotel.

Orchard Road – shopping centres and malls, Lucky Plaza (Little Philippines), Istana (the presidential residence).

Explore the sights, sounds and smells of Little India, China Town – try the interesting foods.

Visit Toa Payoh Town one of the many heartlands of Singapore.

This is a good link to follow for more suggestions.

Transportation
If you are staying for a few days and are planning to use the public buses, it would be a good idea to buy a Transitlink stored value card. The MRT and buses are integrated so that you get a discount whenever you make changes from train to bus or vis versa. The cost of the card is S$7. ($5 goes into paying for the card. Only $2 can be used for travel – but you can top up your card. If you return the card at the end of your stay, you will get a refund of whatever balance you have in it.)

Maps / Street Directory – Google Map (besides searching the map, the directory also helps you figure out how you can get from A to B whether you drive or take the public transport).

Click on the eGuide link at the Transitlink site to find out the bus routes. (I suppose this might be more useful for people living here since the road names would be unfamiliar to someone new to Singapore?)

Food
An economical and fun way to go is eating at food centres. Chicken Rice could cost about $2.50 to $5, a can of Coke is about $1.20 or Coffee at about 80-90 cents. It is possible to spend less than $5 a meal.

Prices at the food courts (found in malls etc) are a little more upmarket and can cost from $5 to $10 depending on your choices.

Internet Connection
There are free wireless hotspots all over Singapore.

P.S. Disclaimer… information is as best as I know it. Please double check with other sources as well.