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I went back in May. Advice, definitely use the subway system, it’s cheap, comfortable, lots of signage to direct you, and safe. Avoid the bus system, very little signage, very easy to get lost. You can buy a transport card directly at the station at the airport, and you can load additional value at every station through machines. I stayed at a pod hostel in Chinatown, mainly for the experience. It was interesting, but I probably won’t do it again. Also, buy a Singapore phone system SIM card and load for your phone, extremely helpful in finding your way around the city. I can’t tell you anything about the taxi system, as I was never able to get one to stop for me. I suspect they have a hailing app, but I was so pleased with the subway system, I never bothered.

If you like authentic Indian curries make sure you visit Little India.

Another thing to note will be the current currency exchange rate as the SGD just hit it's all time high vs the PHP.

As far as flagging a taxi on the streets in Singapore are concerned (which btw are very reliable) they are not allowed to pick up passengers who are not lined up at designated taxi stands....heavy penalty/fine may imposed on any errant taxi driver so best is to take the MRT as mentioned (Very reliable/Cheap) or download the "Grab Hire" app (link below) & pre book all your other private car hire needs.

Btw President Marcos (BBM) should be in Singapore around the Sept 6 to 7 you may bump into him too if your lucky.

This link....

grab.com/sg/driver/transport/rentals/

@ibusan1046 Be sure to pack your own bags going and coming. Read my blog about Singapore about Flying to Singapore. See my cover photo for the address. It can be a dangerous place to visit.

I have visited Singapore several times on business and can never exit the place quick enough. Changi airport is probably (rightly so) in the top 3 worldwide for customer satisfaction and the treelined avenue drive into the city is a welcoming delight. That’s where it ends for me.

Nothing more than an overpriced efficient sterile claustrophobic socialist statelet populated by robotic ants living in battery hen compartments.

The nightlife is formulaic and the people cool and distant with about as much warmth and personality as a Tok H Lamp. Its souless and devoid of any inspiration. I was last there about 5 years ago and literally felt my heart lift on arriving at the departure gate for my Batik Air (one of my all time favourite Boutique Asian airlines) flight into Jakarta. Two stunningly attractive stews waiting at the door with real smiles and a genuine warmth wearing stylish (yes you guessed) Batik dress;see link below: ‘Apa Kabar ?’ ‘Baik - oh and I’ll have a nice cool Bintang Tolong’

Well I don't know, Lotus, I fell hard for a stunning Singapore AL flight attendant a couple years ago on a flight from Hanoi, they wear gorgeous batik outfits also.. my gf was with me and I think she fell in love too, haha.

I've always enjoyed going to Singapore - clean and efficient after the Phil's is a nice change, but there is an overriding sense of efficiency that pervades.. I like how clean it is too. I suppose it's the only way they could make it work with so many people and such a small area, and they started off really poor. Kind of the opposite trajectory of the Philippines..

living in battery hen compartments.
-@Lotus Eater

How offensive... I'm collecting the keys to one such unit sometime in Nov....thats going to finance my party here....& It sure does pay for the bills here.

pnwcyclist

Yes I have indeed flown Singapore Airlines before and it does provide an excellent service. That said I have never 'flown' Singapore girl as the commercial use to say

‘Apa Kabar ?’ ‘Baik - oh and I’ll have a nice cool Bintang Tolong’
-@Lotus Eater

Your reply should be 'Kabar baik sayang'...that's if she was hot.

@manwonder

I'm sure you'll have a belter of a party in Surigao where you can turn up the Karaoke machine full pelt Manwonder - something that the RULES won't allow in Singapore

‘Apa Kabar ?’ ‘Baik - oh and I’ll have a nice cool Bintang Tolong’
-@Lotus Eater
Your reply should be 'Kabar baik sayang'...that's if she was hot.
-@manwonder

I'm only allowed to call my Indonesian GF 'Sayang'

@Lotus Eater yes.. but Surigao does not satisfy my visa requirement. Coming up on 3 years. Ideas where to go cheaply and back ?

My advice is to go onto an airline search engine like skyscanner and pick the cheapest fare. If you just want a turnaround you could just stay in the airport and return the same day.

The city of Jakarta is not that much further from Manila than Singapore. Its a route I often use with Cebu Pacific who sometimes have ridiculously cheap fares and 'promos' especially if you are not checking in luggage which presumably you won't.

They have (in my humble experience) the best airport hotel I have ever stayed in which is ridiculously cheap and excellent value for money: FM 7 Resort hotel (check out Trip Advisor reviews) They have a fantastic spa and many businessmen stay there for maybe 2 or 3 days just to relax. Indonesians take their Spa experience very seriously. So you could make your visa trip a mini break. Its an experience you will relish and never forget : 'Selamet Pagi Mr Cook - your masseuse is ready for you now'Ìý

@blacksheepjuno thanks mate.

@Lotus Eater thanks buddy, very helpful.

I have booked Singapore at the moment. Next time.

@manwonder 😂😂😂

@shanemcook1 Hi mate, cheap flights and hotels Thailand or Singapore.