Flights from Dunedin to Singapore

A Guide to Singapore

Know Before You Go

• English is widely spoken in Singapore. It's taught as the main language in school alongside other dialects such as Malay, Tamil or Mandarin.
• WiFi is easy to find. The city's public spaces are powered by a free connection that anyone can use. But your phone will need to be on roaming to receive the one time password.
• Packets of tissues on tables mean it's reserved. Keep this mind while you search for a seat at one of the many hawker centres to avoid accidentally taking someone's spot.
• You don't need to tip service staff in Singapore. Most restaurants already add a 10% service charge to your final bill.
• Keep to the left-hand side of the escalator. It's an unspoken rule in Singapore and is considered courteous to help people who are in a rush get past without interruptions.
• Some restaurants are open 24/7. If you're a fan of midnight snacks, you won't struggle to find an establishment open. Whether you're looking for dim sum or Indian curry, delicious food is just around the corner.

Getting Around Singapore

• The best way to get around Singapore is with the subway system. The network runs across the entire city, and the fares range from SGD 1 to 2.50 depending on your final destination.
• Once you're in the neighbourhood of your choice, it's time to hit the pavements. There are plenty of Visitors Centres scattered across the city that have free street maps and contact details of walking tours.
• Another affordable option is to take the local bus. While the routes can be confusing for first-time travellers, they are extensive. Fares are based off distance travelled and the time of day.
• If you're in a hurry, flag down a cab. The meter starts SGD 3 and goes up by SGD 0.22 per kilometre. Most of the drivers are fluent in English and shouldn't have too much of problem understanding where you need to go.
• Home to more than five million people, it's not advisable to hire a car while in Singapore. The traffic is heavy, and parking is expensive and hard to find. But if you need a car, you'll find rental agencies throughout the CBD and at the airport. 

When is The Best Time to Visit Singapore?

The best time to visit Singapore depends on when you want to go. The island is the perfect year-round destination thanks to its warm, tropical climate.

With a large number of business and leisure travellers, hotel room rates are reasonable and only spike around popular events or holidays. If you’re on a budget, plan your trip around Chinese New Year. It's one of the biggest celebrations for the country and visitors flock to the city in droves.

November to January is the Northeast Monsoon season. Singapore experiences heavy rains during this period, keeping most visitors away. But if you don't mind bringing a raincoat with you while you explore, you'll find great deals on flights and accommodation.

July to October is a shoulder season for Singapore. The summer crowds start to empty out as the Southwest Monsoon arrives. But if you love a good bargain, you'll catch the end of the Great Singapore Sale.
 

Airports in Singapore

Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport is one of Southeast Asia's biggest transportation hubs. It's been voted the World's Best Airport for six years in a row and is a hub for Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot.

Getting to and from Singapore Changi Airport

The fastest way to get from the airport to your hotel is with a taxi. You'll find the drivers waiting outside of the arrivals hall, and a ride into the city centre will cost around SGD 20.

If you're on a tight budget, take the Changi Airport Shuttle. It's an inexpensive way to get dropped off at your hotel, but it's only recommended for travellers with light luggage. Tickets cost SGD 9 per adult and SGD 6 per child.

Another budget-friendly option is the MRT train. You can find the station in the basement of Terminal 2. Tickets are SGD 1.74 if you use the EZ-Link card and the trains run from 05:30 to 23:18 every day.

If you're visiting Singapore with a large group, you can hire a 7-seater taxi. The service can be pre-booked online, or you can reserve your spot upon arrival at the Ground Transport Desks in the Arrivals Hall. Fares will cost between SGD 60 to 70.

There is a public bus that services the airport, but it's the slowest option with a journey time of 90 minutes. You can catch Bus 36/36A in the basement of terminals 1,2 or 3 and fares are SGD 2 per person.