I have been fussing over our upcoming four-day Singapore Trip for the past few days… and I’m going crazy! I can’t afford to not do well this time because I’m going to travel with my sisters and my 7-year old Angelo. Suffice it to say, I’m going ga-ga on our itinerary and for the first time, researched about every little detail of our trip.
We’re leaving on Saturday already via Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark. I have summarized below the issues that I have been trying to solve by means of crazily mining the world wide web in search for credible answers and suggestions:
ON TRANSPORTATION:
1. How do we go to Clark (and vise versa)? – Philtranco Bus going there, and a rent-a-car going home. There’s a Bus terminal at the back of SM Megamall Building A that will take us to the airport for Php 300/head; Since our ETA Clark on Tuesday is at 7:45pm, we have no other choice but to rent a car. I got Leo’s Taxi’s cellphone number at the site of DMIA: I called him up and made an appointment for Php 2,500 (Clark to Mandaluyong).
Click this link for more options.
2. How do we move around the city? – I researched extensively on this because my son doesn’t like walking and long queues so if taking a cab or the bus is not that expensive, we’ll take it over the MRT. In the itinerary that I made below, I tried to be very realistic: taking the MRT in the morning when we still have energy; and just taking the cab going home because I’m anticipating that we’d all probably be so tired already from all the activities.
HOTEL AND ACCOMMODATION
I made reservations already months prior the trip. I chose South East Asia Hotel because of its location and affordability. Plus, I don’t have to make any downpayment. I have been to Singapore twice, but haven’t explored Bugis and Little India yet, and because the hotel is right there, we’d be able to explore the night market and squeeze in some shopping as well.
WHERE TO EAT?
I didn’t make any line-ups of restaurants that we will go to. Food tripping is not our priority and I’m sure we’ll eat at hawkers most of the time. But we’ll definitely eat at Bon Tong Kee! I feel in love with their Hainanese Chicken on those two times that I went there, and I’m sure my sisters will love their food too!
PLACES TO SEE
- Universal Studios Singapore - this is the reason why we’re all excited to go! We’re lucky that USS has already been launched and that we’ll be able to enjoy it. The downside: entrance fee is sooooo expensive! Better be worth it!
- Sentosa – I have been here, so probably we’ll just walk around, try the Luge and Skyride, and definitely see Songs of the Sea!
- Singapore Zoo and Night Safari - I’ve heard mixed reviews particularly about the Night Safari. We’ll see…
- Merlion, Singapore Flyer, Suntec, Esplanade – staple touristy thingy
- Orchard Road, Lucky Plaza, Wisma Atria – Shopping!
RESOURCES
To know more about Singapore, I asked my friends and former officemates who are/have worked in Singapore. I also read pages and pages of online resources: blogs, forums, and websites. Of particular note are the following:
- Femalenetwork.com - they have 3 threads for Singapore already. Great in finding first hand accounts of their experiences
- Pinoyechange.com - same as above. Great resource and people are very much willing to help as well
- SMRT Website - I love the journey planner!
- Bushub Service PTE LTD - we will just take their bus service from orchard road to Singapore Zoo
- World Taxi Meter SIngapore - gives accurate estimates of taxi fares
- Sis Port 80’s Blog - clear writing style, honest reviews
For those who are curious, herewith is the itinerary slash expense estimator that I did. Your comments are welcome!
| Time | Particulars | Total Cost | Cost per Person | ||
| Adults | Kid | ||||
| DAY 1 | 7:00am | Philtranco Bus Mla-Clk | 1,200.00 | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| Travel Tax | 5,870.00 | 1,620.00 | 1,010.00 | ||
| Airport fee | 2,400.00 | 600.00 | 600.00 | ||
| 12:20pm | ETD CLK-SG | ||||
| 3:40pm | ETA SG | ||||
| Taxi Fare to SEA Hotel | 858.00 | 214.50 | 214.50 | ||
| 5:00pm | Check in SEA Hotel 4d/3n) | 11,682.00 | 2,920.50 | 2,920.50 | |
| 7:00pm | MRT estimate to Esplanade | 132.00 | 33.00 | 33.00 | |
| Singapore Flyer, Merlion, Esplanade | |||||
| 9:00pm | Suntec Lights Show, Dinner | ||||
| Taxi estimate to Hotel | 285.00 | 71.00 | 71.00 | ||
| TOTAL | 22,427.00 | 5,759.00 | 5,149.00 | ||
| DAY 2 | 9:00am | MRT to Rafles for Orchard | 132.00 | 33.00 | 33.00 |
| Walk around Orchard, Wisma Atria, Lucky Plaza | |||||
| 1:00pm | Singapore Attractions Express to Singapore Zoo | 462.00 | 132.00 | 66.00 | |
| Zoo and Night Safari with Tram | 5,610.00 | 1,551.00 | 957.00 | ||
| Taxi to Hotel | 789.03 | 197.25 | 197.25 | ||
| TOTAL | 6,993.03 | 1,913.25 | 1,253.25 | ||
| DAY 3 | 9:00am | MRT to Harbourfornt (Vivo City | 211.20 | 52.80 | 52.80 |
| Sentosa Express | 396.00 | 99.00 | 99.00 | ||
| Universal Studios | 8,610.00 | 2,310.00 | 1,680.00 | ||
| 8:40pm | Sentosa – Songs of the Sea | 1,400.00 | 350.00 | 350.00 | |
| MRT to Hotel | 211.20 | 52.80 | 52.80 | ||
| TOTAL | 10,010.00 | 2,864.60 | 2,030.00 | ||
| DAY 4 | 9:00am | free time – Chinatown? | |||
| 1:00pm | check out Hotel | ||||
| Taxi Fare to Airport | 910.00 | 227.50 | 227.50 | ||
| 4:20pm | ETD SG | ||||
| 7:45pm | ETA CLK | ||||
| Taxi from Clk-Mla | 2,500.00 | 625.00 | 625.00 | ||
| TOTAL | 3,410.00 | 852.50 | 852.50 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 42,840.03 | 11,389.35 | 9,284.75 | ||
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