I’d been waiting to travel to Singapore, but I’ve never thought that I was excited to visit this country. Just because I was really curious with Merlion Park, Garden by the Bay, Sentosa Island, or Marina Bay Sands as well maybe?. I thought those places were great to put into my travel lists when visiting there, and I guessed there would actually be so many things I could see or do when being here.
Another reason why I really desire to visit this country maybe because it’s quite safe and easy to go sightseeing around the city, even it’s probably possible for me to take a trip around the country. I think Singapore is the perfect place to start my trip experience and it’s going to be a good destination for all solo travelers who want to begin their first trip abroad. I’m sure you won’t be regret when coming here because your experience would pay off all of your burdens, even though it may cost an arm and a leg. All right, let’s just start the story!
As a solo traveler, it would be much better to learn and find out all about country you want to visit, such as ticket, destinations, and of course, accommodation to stay. For this time, cause I would have spent more than a day in Singapore, I intended to find out the information or any references about the hotel accommodation, ticket for commuting, and places I would have intended to visit. I booked everything I needed.
Keep in mind that the currency of Singapore is Dollar (SGD), so keep updating on your rate.
Internet connection is very essential as you may need to find out interesting places in Singapore or even use a map for direction. There are two choices either buying a sim-card or renting a pocket Wi-Fi. If you decide to buy a sim-card, you can choose the validity of the card based on your travel period.
Keep in mind that it is extremely important to know about Singapore laws before your visit. So, please pay attention to the law and find out the information about rules there as many as possible. Damaging, destroying, stealing public properties and chewing gum are considered legal.
Upon landing at Changi Airport, you need to write down and fill on the embarkation card first. This card then will be shown on to the officer at immigration counters. Passport stamped, welcome to Singapore!
Want to reach your destinations? It’s definitely easy, since you just need to commute the rail lines or buses until you get there. Travel card is the key of it. It allows you to use any transportations to reach the destinations. It can be found in anywhere, such as Convenance Store, Ticket Machines or Counters. Super simple cause it can either be topped up or refunded.
Talking about accommodations to stay, I chose the hotel located in Geylang. This area is not far away from the airport since it just takes about 45 minutes by rail line and it’s very close to get the city. Moreover, the hotel rate around this area is inexpensive and affordable enough I think. For getting the hotel, I needed to get off at Aljunied Station since the distances is relatively close, just need about 9 minutes (650 meters) to get walk. From Changi Airport Station, I got on the East West Line to Tanah Merah Station. There’s no direct trip to Aljunied Station, so I needed to transit at Tanah Merah Station, then continue to get on East West Line to Tuas Link Station. There are a lot of choices to take, either taking by bus or going for a walk, to reach the hotel. However, I preferred to go for a walk so that I could have a chance to sightsee around for a short moment.
"Direction to get at Aljunied Station from Changi Airport."
Note : The departure and arrival time are flexible and depend on the train schedule
Since arriving and getting off at Aljunied Station, I spontaneously went to the hotel to start checking in for the room before exploring the Singapore for more. If we look at the screenshot of the map bellow. The distance from Aljunied Station to the area where I intended to stay, is quite close since it’s only about 650 meters (0,40 miles) or takes about 9 minutes.
"Direction to get the hotel where I stayed."
There are a lot of choices to take, either taking by bus or going for a walk, to reach the hotel. However, I preferred to go for a walk so that I could have a chance to sightsee around for a while. The room was already checked in, then I began the journey. The first place I visited was absolutely Merlion Park since it’s very well-known as the landmark of Singapore, so this spot shouldn’t be missed absolutely! I started the trip from Aljunied Station and got on East West Line towards Pasir Ris Station. It took me approximately 10 minutes to arrive at Raffles Place Station, and got off here. As the distance was relatively close to the spot, I went for a walk to get the Merlion Park.
"Enjoyed the day at Merlion Park."
It’s quite strategic upon getting yourself around the Merlion Park because there are a lot of popular places that’s worth to visit such as Esplanade, Marina Bay Sands, ArtSince museum, and many more. Moreover, it’s probable to visit Garden by the Bay as well. You don’t need to spend your money for transport cost since it’s possible for you to reach those places by walking. It probably took 9 minutes to get Esplanande. Even it’s a little bit far to get Marina Bay Sands and Garden by The Bay by walking, but it’s quite worth it while enjoying to go sightseeing along Marina Bay.
"It was such a great idea to walk along the Marina Bay spontaneously in the evening, and enjoyed the day till' dawn."
After having a little sightseeing along Marina Bay, I went to Garden by The Bay and it just took about 10 minutes to get there. This place is a nature park located in the heart of Singapore. It’s so huge, so maybe it would spend all day long for taking around the spot, but I think it would be worth it since the place is absolutely amazing. It consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden. Bay South Garden is the largest garden of all three. I think it’s a bit hard to describe about this garden since there are too many amazing attractions to do there, but overall, this would be the right place if you want to have a tranquil respite from the bustling city. I highly recommend that you visit Supertree Grove, Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Serene Garden, Floral Fantasy, and Sun Pavilion. Mostly the attraction admissions are free, but maybe some of them such as a conservatory, fee applied. I spent about 30 SGD for the ticket, if you’re interested to find out more, go check here. Well, I love this place very much, especially Serene Garden. I really enjoyed the flawless serenity amidst the lively city. Getting here is quite simple. Bayfront Station is the nearest one from Garden by The Bay. If you decide to take a train, you’d better to come to this station. There are 2 train services at this station: Circle Line (Yellow) operates the route from Harbour Front Station to Marina Bay Station, and Downtown Line (Blue) operates the route from Bukit Panjang Station to Expo Station.
"It's the right place to have a tranquil respite from the city."
Well, after having so much fun in Garden by The Bay, I decided to go back to my hotel and continue my trip for the next day. If you stay at the hotel in the same area with me, you need to get on and off the train twice. The first is taking Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang Station, please get off at Bugis Station, then continue taking East West Line towards Pasir Ris Station and get off at Aljunied Station.
"How to get Geylang from Garden by The Bay"
Note : The departure and arrival time are flexible and depend on the train schedule
The next day I decided to have a city tour around Orchard Road. Well, maybe it would be such a good thing for shopaholics to hear about Orchard Road since this area is a kind of shopping paradise. Nothing special I did while go sightseeing there, but at least I knew what Orchard Road be like and it paid off my curiosity. However, I tell you it’s recommended for you who want to find shopping references from luxury retail to world-class international cuisines in Singapore. It’s quite easy to get Orchard Road. If you take a train, please get off at Somerset Station since this is relatively close to Orchard Road. It only takes about 5 minutes to get there by walking. Somerset Station only services North South Line operating the route from Jurong East Station to Marina South Pier Station.
Beside Orchard Road, this is very important to stop by at this place, especially for you guys food lovers. That’s Bugis Street. This area is one of the biggest and cheapest places in the whole Singapore you need to visit. So, if you want to find souvenirs and culinary references with affordable prices, this is the place! To get there, you can get off at Bugis Station. This Station services 2 trains: East West Line (Green) services the route from Pasir Ris Station to Tuas Link Station, and Downtown Line (Blue) services the route from Bukit Panjang Station to Expo Station. And when I decided to get there from Orchard Road, I took North South Line towards Marina South Pier Station and got off at Newton Station, then continued getting on Downtown Line towards Expo Station and got off at Bugis Station. You can see these screenshots as follow.
"Direction to get Bugis Street from Orchard Road."
Note : The departure and arrival time are flexible and depend on the train schedule
Maybe some of you would have a question about how much the price have to buy foods and drinks. Well, I would vary cause depend on what kind of foods or drinks you want. However, if you buy mineral water in convenience store, it would cost about 10 SGD and for fast food, It would be better if you have a budget about 12 SGD or more. For your information, Singapore is one of multicultural countries with ethnic diversity such as Indian, Chinese, Malay, Eurasian and many more, so it would be amazing if you try to taste the local food there and the price may be much more affordable.
After having a nice sightseeing in Orchard Road and Bugis Street, then I decided to go to Sentosa Island. This place has a lot of fun things to do and see. To get this place, I took Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang and got off at Little India Station, then I continued getting on North East Line towards Harbour Front Station. Upon arriving at Harbour Front Station, then I went Vivocity and continued to get on Sentosa Express.
"The direction to Sentosa Island by Train from Bugis Street."
Note : The departure and arrival time are flexible and depend on the train schedule
I can’t even tell you one by one in detail since there are a thousand of great attractions to do there. However, I’m really sure you’re gonna love it while in there. Universal Studio and Sentosa Beaches are highly recommended to come and see and I was super excited. If you need more information about Sentosa Island, just click here. That day was really getting me exhausted and because of the great moment I had all day long, I almost forgot to take every single best moment, but I hope my story is quite enough to describe that moment.
That's my story of 3-days trip in Singapore and the last day I was in Singapore, that was time for me to get packing and ready to head back. All moments I had was so great. I cherish every single moment there, so I can remember and reminisce about it perfectly, although it’s been over than 2 years. Having a trip in Singapore is not only about I have been to, but it's more about what experience I have had. Visiting Singapore once doesn't mean I would not come back there again. I still want to visit Singapore for the next chance and I keep trying to find out more amazing moments there. Thank you, Singapore for having me so well. Please wait for me till’ I get right back.