Closest shopping area to Changi?
 

I'll be in Singapore on a layover and I'd like to go into the city to do a bit of shopping. I've been to Singapore many times, but for the life I me I can't think of a shopping area close to the aiport. I'll either take a taxi or the MRT. I'm primarily looking for pashmina shawls, so I'd prefer local vendors, not upscale shopping malls...a Lucky Plaza type of place.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Hmmmm... I can't recall a shopping area on the way to/from the airport from my hotel, when I was in SIN last year for a few days. The area with goods from India was interesting, but it isn't any closer than the shopping street (maybe 2-3 blocks closer). But I'm not sure you'd find what you are wanting there either.

I'd take the Mrt to Little India. The big dept store (Mustafa?) is open 24 hrs a day, every Indian item known to man is inside there. After that, cross back over the big road and walk from there towards Bugis Station ( the Intercontinental Hotel). You will pass tons of small shops and go through the Bugis street market. At the very end, above Bugis, is a dept store that carries nice, but not super luxe stuff. If you come out the IC mall door, it is on the left side of the block, out on the street, not inside the courtyard shops.. Should be lots of pashmina (both real and fake) all along your route.

Depending on how much time you have, you could take the MRT both ways or take a cab.

Yes, Lucy, that's a really neat big store in Little India. I was not going to try to come up with the name of it and my travel journals are at home, and I'm not! I bought several items (can't recall what they all were) when I went there. It was recommended by a fodorite here (maybe kuranosuke?).

Thank you both. I'm familiar with Mustafa, but Bugis is exactly what I'm looking for. Just last night I was trying to think of the name of the area I last stayed in as that's where I found the shawls...it was Bugis! Thanks for helping shake the cobwebs loose Icuy.

I'm after some market photos too, and Bugis will be perfect.

Depending on your available time. There's Changi City Point which is the first station from the Changi Airport line. Not huge but has a few outlet shops - Adidas, Nike, Esprit, Lacoste.

Fairly near is Tampines central. There's 3 malls there. Tampines One, Century Square and Tampines Mall. They are around the MRT station. From the airport line, stop at Tanah Merah and change to the Pasir Ris line. It's the 2nd station from Tanah Merah.

There's lots of eating places at both.

Thanks again - I ended up spending a few hours at Bugis Market, worked out great

Glad to have helped! Hope you got all your Christmas shopping done....

Christmas? Even I don't plan quite that far ahead :)