Travel
When you’re at the gateway to Asia, travel becomes a must-do.
Singapore is a modern, efficient travel hub that opens doors to exotic wonders. Journey in style or rough it out – the options are endless.
Destinations
ASEAN, the Association of South-East Asian Nations, calls itself Asia’s Perfect 10 Paradise. Its member nations include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – offering you 10 dreams in one. The Travel ASEAN website proffers a long list of tourism heritage sites ready to be explored.
With Singapore being situated right between the northern and southern hemispheres, you can also head off quickly to Europe or Australasia, whether you want to hit the cooler climes in June or December.
Flights
Not for nothing does Singapore have the best airport in the world. With 80 airlines serving more than 180 cities in over 50 countries, Singapore is only a few hours away from your next adventure.
Silkair, which is consistently ranked ‘Best Regional Airline’, arranges exclusive holiday packages to some of the world’s finest beaches.
Budget airlines operating out of Singapore are Jetstar, Tiger Airways, Air Asia, and Cebu Pacific Airways.
You can compare prices at www.NToGo.com, which also consolidates promotions from the leading airlines.
Cruises
The Singapore Cruise Centre operates three ferry terminals and an award-winning cruise terminal. You can board international luxury liners such as the Cunard or Holland American Lines for remote destinations, hop on board a ferry for a short ride across to Malaysia or Indonesia for a diving expedition, or embark on a cruise-to-nowhere for a relaxing weekend getaway aboard a Star Cruises ship.
Once away, traditional cruises along ASEAN rivers allow you to get up close to the people and culture of the country. These can range in duration from a few hours to days.
Trains
The Malayan railway Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) maintains a station in Singapore, and offers regular intercity routes throughout Peninsular Malaysia and up to Thailand. Stops include both city and rural areas.
The legendary Eastern & Orient Express also plies between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and up to Vientiane.
Coaches and cars
Several operators provide modern luxury coaches up to Malaysia and Thailand. Popular destinations are Malacca and the Genting Highlands.
Car rental is also easily available for self-drive.
Travel Agents
The Yellow Pages lists over 700 travel agencies in Singapore. Look for those which are accredited with the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS). Most of these specialise in packaged tours, though they will assist in customising an itinerary for you.
You can just as easily design your own vacation online through sites like www.zuji.com.sg.
Customs and Excise
Do familiarise yourself with controlled and prohibited items under Singapore’s customs law. Asian countries generally have a very firm stance on drugs and may have very unyielding penalties.
When you’re returning from your travels (to countries other than Malaysia), you can obtain duty-free concessions on alcohol (one litre each of spirits, wine, and beer). There is no relief for the import of tobacco products, which have to be declared and duty- and GST-paid.