Plan Your Trip

Taxis in Singapore are plentiful, comfortable, safe and easy to use. You can hail a taxi on the street or catch one from designated taxi stands in the city centre. Alternatively, you can book a taxi by calling the Dial-A-Cab hotline at +65 6342 5222 or texting "BOOKsix-digit postal code" to 71222. You could also use a mobile phone app like Comfort DelGro, Taxi Booking App, SMRT Book a Taxi or GrabTaxi. Booking charges apply for these services. In Singapore, fares are charged by the meter and start from 3SGD/2USD. Additional charges may apply depending on location as well as when you travel during peak hours and after midnight. Receipts are provided upon request. Limousine taxi services charge a flat rate, and can only be hired from an authorised limousine counter or over the phone.

It is easy to get around in Singapore by public transportation, with an extensive network of trains and buses connecting to almost every corner of the island. Safe and efficient, the trains connect the major areas of the island-city. The trains run from 6am to midnight, and cost a minimum of 1.4SGD/1USD for cash fares. Single trip tickets can be purchased from vending machines at all MRT stations. Comfortable buses travel to almost every part of the island, including the heartland. Cash fares start from 1.4SGD/1USD. Night buses from the city centre to the residential estates are available on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on the eve of public holidays. If you are staying for a few days, consider getting an EZ-link card. A useful card for savings and convenience, the card can be used on both trains and buses, with fares starting from 77 cents. You can purchase the card at selected MRT stations, bus interchanges and 7-Eleven stores.

A Chinese favourite, bakkwa is prime meat marinated in sugar, soy sauce and spices, then grilled over charcoal to charred perfection. A popular gift during Chinese New Year, when queues for it are long, it is available all year round. Ask for it to be wrapped and sealed for your journey home. Bee Cheng Hiang is one of the many established brands in Singapore. *Do check on your country's laws on bringing in food products before purchasing.

Half-lion, half-fish, the Merlion is an enduring symbol of Singapore as it reflects its fabled founding and maritime heritage. It is most famous as the statue standing guard at the mouth of the Singapore River. The icon is also widely available in the shape of souvenir items such as key chains, fridge magnets and more, and is a special memento of your time in Singapore.

Kaya is an aromatic jam made from egg, coconut milk and sugar, infused with the fragrant flavours of pandan leaves. It is best eaten as a spread on toasted Hainanese bread with lashes of butter, and you can sample it at Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Killiney Kopitiam. For takeaways, you can find bottled kaya from most supermarkets and bakeries in Singapore.

A must-try in Singapore's culinary offerings, laksa is a Peranakan (Straits Chinese) noodle dish with a rich, creamy and spicy coconut soup. Replicate the flavours at home with ready-to-cook laksa paste. Made from a variety of herbs and spices such as dried chillies, galangal, coriander and shrimp paste, it is a taste of Singapore that is sure to impress everyone back home.

Traditional Chinese Medicine was developed in ancient China and has been in practice for thousands of years, including in Singapore. It uses herbal medicines, acupuncture and massage therapy to prevent, diagnose and cure illnesses. Stock up on the many herbal remedies to aid in an ailment or as a preventive measure. You can find traditional Chinese medicine shops in Chinatown.

As the tea culture takes a hold in Singapore, homegrown brands such as TWG and Gryphon have stepped in with beautifully packaged teas from around the world. Ideal gifts for the tea connoisseur or the gourmand, these luxury tea brands offer the finest tea leaves and exclusive blends to please the palate and the senses.