Singapore was one of the destinations my wife and I visited during our recent vacation. It’s one of the most beautiful places close to the Philippines. Flying with Cebu Pacific Air, the trip from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Changi Airport takes just about 3 hours.

Singapore is also among the cleanest, most orderly, and most beautiful countries in Asia, which is why it attracts numerous tourists. Many visitors even decide to settle here permanently due to its cleanliness and beauty. These are also the reasons why Singapore is highly developed and considered among the First World countries today.

Upon arrival at Changi Airport, you’ll immediately appreciate its beauty and cleanliness. The airport design is impressive, everything is orderly, and the entry process is swift and hassle-free for Filipinos since a visa isn’t required.

We exchanged our money at the airport from Philippine Peso to Singapore Dollar, with the rate at that time being 1 SGD = 38.5 PHP. Here are some denominations of Singaporean currency.

We also bought the necessary transportation card for MRT/LRT and bus rides, as well as the SIM card we used throughout our stay. The transportation card costs 7 SGD, and you can conveniently reload it to machines found in any MRT/LRT station when your balance runs out.

We purchased a SIM card costing 18 SGD, which was crucial for our trip because we needed mobile internet to navigate Singapore. The advantage of this SIM is its auto-roaming capability, allowing use in several other Asian countries simply by adjusting your mobile settings.

At the airport, you can get free leaflets and booklets, including a visitor’s guide and a Singapore map, ensuring you won’t get lost, especially if you rely on public transportation. This is especially helpful for first-time visitors.

As you exit Changi Airport, there are free buses available that will take you to the nearest MRT/LRT station or to other airport terminals, making it convenient for travelers to reach their destinations upon arrival.

We already had a train map ready since the MRT/LRT was our main mode of transportation throughout our tour.

From Changi Airport, we took the Downtown Line of the MRT/LRT to Expo Station, transferring trains to reach Jalan Besar, where our hotel was located. At each station, clear signage and directions ensure you won’t get lost as long as you pay attention. Everything is written in English, so navigation is straightforward. Singapore’s transportation system is excellent, ensuring an MRT/LRT station near every destination.

Singapore’s MRT/LRT stations are clean and organized, with everyone—tourists and locals alike—displaying discipline. Trains arrive approximately every 5 minutes, so you never wait long.

Inside the trains, it’s spacious and extremely clean. You won’t experience overcrowding, making your journey comfortable and stress-free.

The train routes and stops are clearly displayed above the train doors, illuminated for easy viewing. Additionally, monitors inside and voice announcements help you track your current and upcoming stations.

Traveling by MRT/LRT is fast and pleasant, ensuring you easily reach your destination. Our hotel was near Jalan Besar station, which was our final stop. We researched extensively beforehand, knowing exactly which trains to take and where to disembark.

Locality maps at each station also assist you in easily finding your exact destination once you exit the MRT/LRT station.

We stayed at Hotel 81 Dickson, which was a perfect choice as it’s directly across from an MRT/LRT station. This made it incredibly easy to explore different attractions around Singapore.

The hotel staff were kind, friendly, and very accommodating. Before booking, we read reviews confirming this would be an excellent place for us.

At street level near our hotel, various eateries offered diverse dishes, primarily Chinese, Singaporean, and Indian cuisines. We chose Chinese food since we were unsure if we would like the taste of unfamiliar dishes.

Another convenience of our hotel location was the proximity of a 7-Eleven store, ensuring easy access to food, drinks, and other necessities.

However, goods in Singapore can be quite expensive when converted to Philippine pesos. So, if you’re planning a visit, prepare yourself for higher prices.

We had an amazing experience exploring Singapore and highly recommend planning your itinerary carefully. Stay tuned for my next posts where I’ll share more adventures and experiences from our exciting Singapore journey!