The national airline is Singapore Airlines (SQ) (website: www.singaporeair.com). Singapore is a major travel destination served by most major international airlines. There are direct flights to Singapore from a number of cities in Canada, the UK and USA.

From Singapore to London is 14 hours, to Los Angeles is 17 hours 25 minutes, to New York is 24 hours five minutes and to Sydney is nine hours 15 minutes.

Changi (SIN) (website: www.changi.airport.com.sg) is 20km (12 miles) east of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Public transport is readily available to the city centre which is about 16km (10 miles) from the airport. Taxi fare is S$16-24 (there is a surcharge of S$3 for all fares from the airport, increasing to S$5 for fares between 1700-0000, Fri-Sat. The midnight surcharge, 0000-0600, is 50 per cent of the metered fare). There is a regular bus route between the airport and the train station. The Mass Rapid Transit train system now operates from the airport to the city centre and trains depart every 12 minutes. The Maxicab, a six-seater taxi shuttle, operates daily 0900-2300 and tickets cost S$7 (children: S$5); tickets must be bought in advance from the shuttle service counter in the arrivals hall. Free New Asia – Singapore Tours are available at no charge for transit passengers with a minimum layover of four hours. Passengers can sign up for a tour at a Free New Asia – Singapore Tour counter located in the airport’s transit areas.
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.

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Main ports: Singapore. 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 Top Things To See & Do).

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 online (website: www.ktmb.com.my). The Eastern and Oriental Express 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. A VEP costs S$20 per day, Mon-Fri, 0200-1700. Toll charges are payable upon arrival and departure from Singapore using the Tuas checkpoint (S$3.20 per trip) and on departure from Singapore at the Woodlands checkpoint (S$1.20). Bus and coach services operate to the Malaysian town of Johor Bahru and beyond. For required documentation, see Travel – Internal section. Buses arriving from Malaysia and Thailand terminate at the Lavender Street terminal.

Sightseeing flights can be arranged locally through the Republic of Singapore Flying Club (Building 140-B, Piccadilly, Seletar Airbase, Eastcamp, Singapore 797754; tel: (065) 6481 0200; website: www.singaporeflyingclub.com).

The Singapore Cruise Centre is located at the World Trade Centre, about 10 minutes' drive from the city centre. Harbour cruises and ferry services to Singapore’s islands, Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau islands may be boarded at the ferry terminals located at the World Trade Centre and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at Changi. A ferry for Sentosa, the most popular offshore island, leaves every 20 minutes starting at 0730.

There are regular and well-maintained train services between all major cities and towns.

Bus: There is a well-developed system of local services run by two main companies. The service is cheap and efficient and operates 0600-0000 daily. Three City Buzz services loop the city 1000-2200 daily. Fares are priced at S$1 per trip or a City Buzz Pass Pack costs S$5 for a day's unlimited travel. A SIA hop-on, hop-off service operates daily 0900-1800. There are additional peak-hours-only shuttle and minibus services. A flat fare system operates on the one-man routes. A timetable and route map are available from bookstores. Car hire: There are several car hire/self-drive firms with offices at the airport and in hotels. Traffic drives on the left. All motorists driving into the city or travelling on some major roads are required to pay the ERP (Electronic Road Pricing). The cost is S$5 per day (some vehicles have a device fitted which means that payment is automatic). Documentation: A national driving licence is sufficient for stays up to one month. For visits beyond one month, an International Driving Permit is required.

Trishaws: This traditional form of chauffeur-pedalled transport is a fun and exciting way to tour the streets of Singapore. Taxi: These are numerous and relatively cheap. They can be picked up from outside hotels and official ranks or flagged down in the streets. Taxis are metered. Some surcharges not shown on the metre include: S$1 for all luggage placed in the boot; 50 per cent of the metered fare for journeys between 0000 and 0600; S$3 for all journeys starting at the airport; S$1 for all trips starting in the Central Business District, Mon-Fri 1630-1900 and Sat 1130-1400. It is possible to negotiate hourly rates for round-island tours.
Metro: Singapore has one of the most advanced metro systems in the world. The trains operate 0530-0300 (0600-0000 on Sundays and public holidays) with stations being served on average every six minutes. Fares range from 70 cents to S$1.60. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a modern, comfortable, efficient and cheap way to explore Singapore. Operation hours are 0530-0000 and the train timetables are posted at each station. Over 40 stations link the city centre and suburbs, thus providing an opportunity to visit some of Singapore’s attractions along the three main routes. The MRT system also extends out to Changi Airport (travel time from city centre - 27 minutes). 'A Quick Guide to the MRT Travel' is available from MRT stations.