Singapore Travel Guide - Getting There

The national airline is Singapore Airlines (SQ) (website: www.singaporeair.com).

From London to Singapore is 14 hours, and from New York is 24 hours.

Changi (SIN) (website: www.changi.airport.com.sg) is 20km (12 miles) east of the city (journey time - 25 minutes). To/from the airport: Public transport and taxis are readily available to the city centre. The Mass Rapid Transit train system operates from the airport to the city centre and trains depart frequently. The Maxicab, a six-seater taxi shuttle, operates throughout the day; tickets must be bought in advance from the shuttle service counter in the arrivals hall. Facilities: Fitness centre, swimming pool, supermarket, medical clinics and full banking services (including money changing) to business centres and transit hotels with private bathrooms (advance booking is recommended for the hotels). There are left luggage facilities, post offices, bars and restaurants, extensive duty-free shops and car hire operators.

None.

Main ports: Singapore (website: www.mpa.gov.sg). The world's busiest in terms of tonnage, it is served by a growing number of international passenger cruise lines. Cruising is one of the fastest-growing tourist development areas in Singapore and there are plans to considerably expand the already extensive port facilities. There is now also a number of international operators using Singapore as a base for cruises throughout South East Asia. For further details, contact the Singapore Tourism Board (see Contact Addresses). Penguin Ferry (tel: 6272 4866; website: www.penguin.com.sg) operates several ferry services between Singapore and nearby Indonesia.

Trains run to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Malacca (Malaysia) on a route which extends to Bangkok (Thailand). Services operate daily between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur; some offer air conditioning and dining cars. There are also overnight trains with sleepers. For more information on the railway between Thailand and Singapore, see Malaysia Railway (tel: (603) 2263 1111; website: www.ktmb.com.my).

The Eastern and Oriental Express (tel: 0845 077 2222, in the UK only; website: www.orient-express.com) is a luxurious train travelling from Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore.

Singapore is connected to Malaysia and the mainland of Asia by two causeways: one which crosses the Johor Strait; the other linking Tuas in Singapore. Foreign motorists are required to pay a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and a toll charge at the checkpoint upon entry into Singapore. Payment is to be paid using an electronic smartcard called an Autopass Card (sold at booths or VEP/toll offices at the checkpoint). Motorists need to show a valid road tax disc and an insurance certificate for the vehicle when buying the Autopass Card. Toll charges are payable upon arrival and departure from Singapore using the Tuas checkpoint and on departure from Singapore at the Woodlands checkpoint.

Bus and coach services operate to the Malaysian town of Johor Bahru and beyond. For required documentation, see Getting Around section.