Tips to Travel Smart to Singapore

March 10, 2014 24 Comments

What would you say when I tell you that my last vacation was in 1999 December at Goa and never traveled outside India? What would you say when I tell you much I yearn seeing pictures of my friends and family visiting exotic locations and console myself with their trip pictures? Writing for a travelogue is indeed a feat for me But Ahoy! Wait! dreaming and planning to travel for a vacation is indeed interesting. Following the belief process of Author Rhonda Byron and her bestselling- The secret, here I am, sending my wishlist to the virtual wish cloud, hoping it to come true.

Yes, even my almost blank passport is dreaming along with me too!

So when Skyscanner and Indiblogger asked me about a destination where I wish to travel in 2014, I could not help but the very first name that came to my mind was- Singapore! Yes, I would love to go outside the country once, and what a great way to begin then beginning with a beautiful, bustling cosmopolitan city like- Singapore!

Why Singapore?

I would love to visit Singapore for its many flashes of brilliance. Brilliance spreading from Arts and culture to Heritage, Entertainment, Nature & wildlife, leisure cruises, Marine life park, underwater sports, Nightlife, Sports and recreations, and many more.

Places to visit: There are a plethora of things I can do, see and relish while traveling there. I would go to places like Merlion Park, Universal Studios, Adventure Cove, Gardens by the bay, Maxwell Road Hawker Centre, Wave House Sentosa, and many more.

#TravelSmartWithSkyscanner
The key to memorable trips is not merely the place that you visit but also the way you plan your trip. Planning is the key, especially in International travels. I would leave no stones unturned while planning that prestigious trip, anywhere in the world. After all, it is the efficiency of my planning that makes me live the worth of my expenses, time, and energy. Besides well-planned trip is the one that creates the best memories than haphazard ones.

I call it- travel smart! To travel smart to my favorite destination, I would pay due attention and tend to the following factors-

1) Planning the Itinerary- Like I said above, the key to a fruitful trip is "how well have you planned". This includes everything beginning from time to travel, travel, and stay arrangements for local knowledge to sail through in an unknown country and still make the most of it. They say- "A job well began, is a job half done". When I say planning, I meant not just the dates and time of year but also everything else including the no of days I want to spend there, the local weather at that time [so I can carry stuff accordingly], languages are spoken [so I can take a handbook] and much more.

2) Budget- There is no limit to splurging money. However, having a good idea about the upcoming expenses helps you plan and relish better. I would not go to a destination that I cannot afford immediately. I would rather go to a place where I can have a pleasant stay and comfortable too and ensuring that my purse does not turn privy purse.

3) Research- yes, research is the keyword when you travel to a foreign shore. Before finalizing a destination, I would do all research. In this case, for Singapore. I have my own interest areas and to see what the city could offer best, I can explore and match my interest with its offerings. While Google and dedicated sites are my best bet, I could not deny the importance of research through my friends and acquaintances who have been to Singapore or already staying there to understand the city better.

4) Mobile App- What will our generation do without a cell phone? well, nothing. Even the tourism department understands its importance and hence created a special mobile app- Your Singapore Guide for beginners like me. The app is available on app stores and supported by Android too. With this and google map, I am sure I would not get lost anywhere.

5) Selecting the right airline- There is no limit to the upper range of flight tickets. While traveling comfortably is important, it is also vital to match comfort with the price. I am not in the mood to spend through my nose for over the top expensive tickets. Hence the right "online ticketing platform partner" plays a vital role here. I have recently discovered a beautiful website called- Skyscanner.co.in and seeing it's a range of flights and price option, am sure to use its services to book my tickets and plan my accommodation too. Know what? It also offers "car hire" for intracity movement. Wow.

6) No Middlemen Please- With the advent of Internet technology and wifi, I wanna travel hassle-free. No more ticketing agent is required. Skyscanner and its flexible planning tool will help to find the right flight, right hotels, and city cabs directly. So, I need not have to be on the mercies of travel agents for planning my trip and charging me exorbitant in name of cheaper packaging.

7) Traveling lite- I prefer to travel with less baggage and more cards...Lolz. One of my funda to travel smart and enjoy all the places at my dream destination and equally enjoy shopping the local stuff is, to travel lite..maybe with a big suitcase but fewer clothes. Two pairs of jeans and a few tops and I am sorted. If I need something else, well what a good excuse to shop and shop till you drop?

8) Camera- Never forget to carry your camera, charger, additional batteries, and all that is required for its functioning when you are traveling to your destination. I would like to capture all shades and all good memoirs of the city, so I would ensure my camera is not left behind.

9) International Calling card- Singapore is outside the vicinity of domestic roaming and hence it has different sets of rates and tariffs for voice and data charges. before embarking on my trip, I will ensure that I turn international roaming on my phone and use the most conducive bill plan while I am away. If it requires me to carry an IC card, I will. In the meantime, I will inform my cellular service provider about my trip so that they will inform me before barring my number while traveling abroad, just in case, my bill value exceeds my credit limit while on roaming.

10) Local currency- It is another must and being a financial freak I am, I would ensure that I have enough cash [Singapore Dollars] or means of applicable payment mode [read handy] with me when I am into a new country. The good news is that they have many points apart from Singapore Changi Airport to facilitate the currency exchange. And they also accept a lot of main credit cards such as Mastercard, Visa, etc. Ahoy! Do you know that the ATM available at all places as well? #TravelSmart indeed!

11) Survival Kit- Well do not let your imaginations run wild. A survival kit can be of many kinds. The one that I am talking about here is simple, mostly an extension of a first aid box where I carry simple bandages, anti-allergy medicines, etc to combat any unsuitable condition at the new place. Having a reference of some local doctors comes in handy too.

12) Singlish Guide- Yes, Singlish may yet to be recognized in the world as a formal language, a bit of its knowledge comes in handy especially when you are traveling to Singapore to understand and respond to local, not so grammatically strong language. Singlish is a blend of English, Chinese, Tamil, Malay, and some local dialects. For example- "Can, Can" means "yes definitely".

13) Tax Refund Via eTRS- As a tourist in Singapore, one may claim a refund on the 7% goods and services tax aka GST paid on their purchases [made at participating retail outlets] before leaving Singapore. This GST refund can be applied and availed at Changi Airport. Isn't that wonderful? It is. Hence I am going to apply for it as well.

14) Singapore Visa- Well, interesting news. Visa is not a mandatory requirement while visiting Singapore. It can be done via Social Visit passes. knowing is receiving. hence I am prepared to apply for it rather than biting my nail worrying about Visa entry status. Ain't that's all about #TravellingSmart? :)

15) Weather Check and other local regulations- It pays to know well in advance the weather condition at a new city and also their local rules and law. Singapore is known for its hot and humid weather, with minor variations throughout the year. So it is imperative to pack according to the weather. Even though it's December in Delhi, I will not carry more than one woolen on my trip to Singapore.

Well, that's all were my few tips on my idea for #TravelSmart. Indeed I will choose Skyscanner for all my flight, accommodation, and local conveyance needs to #TravelSmartWithSkycanner. Isn't that a smart move folks? :) SO I am going to #TravelSmartWithSkyScanner... how about you?

So Singapore, here I come!

A little more on Skyscanner that I stumbled upon at their beautiful, clean, well-organized website. Here's sharing it with you-

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The autor is half Human, half machine. Go Figure or just revel in what I write

24 comments:

  1. Wow i pray some day you do visit your dream destination. Good luck

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    1. Thanks so much Nima, I am touched. I too pray for your own dreams of travel to fulfill :)

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  2. Singapore is a beautiful city/country to visit. Don't forget to stop by at Serangoon Road (Little India).

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    1. Sure, If I get to go there, will keep this mind :)

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  3. Good Luck Ektha,looks like you gona travel soon to singapore :D.....nice post :)

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    1. How much I wish Knitha :) I wish to go to Thailand as well :) Thanks!

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  4. This is a winner post. Nicely explained.

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    1. I hope your word come true here for this contest Alka :) I hope I win travel prize and not mere backpack.

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  5. I love Singapore...it's superb destination for holidays..I have some great memories from that holiday

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  6. You work very hard on your posts, Ekta! And it shows up! Its not just by chance that you are winning prizes.

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    1. Saket, your words have make my day. Thank you so much Buddy! Thank you for appreciating my work. I am glad that I know you.

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  7. All the best! Lovely post that was!

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  8. Just loved your post! Very well researched. This might just be your ticket to Singapore!

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  9. Good one! Best wishes for the contest!

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  10. Chalo enjoy there ;-)

    and all the best for contest :-)

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    1. Sure Amrit, If I get the opportunity :)

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  11. Loved your post! The detailed points and the image scored well :)

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