Singapore Transportation
 

I am arriving in Singapore at 12:25 a.m. on November 3 from the United States. The guest house where I plan to stay will send a car for me, but the cost is S$55 (about US $35 - 40). For a woman traveling alone after more than twenty-four hours on the road, is this reasonable or should I take a taxi from the stand outside the airport after I arrive? The guest house is in the India quarter close to downtown, if I understand the map correctly. ZZ

Hi Zambezi,

Definitely fine to take a taxi from the airport at night to Little India. Even after a long flight and as a woman travelling alone. One tip, however, would be to have the guesthouse address with you when you arrive to give to the driver. While taxi drivers know all of the major hotels and most of the smaller ones - on occasion they won't know where one is located. Have a great trip!

Taxis at Singapore Airport are fine, well organised, I agree to have the street address clear. From Changi Airport to orchard road including night surcharge is around the SGD 20-22 range, so to little India maybe around SGD 25-28, but certainly not SGD 55!! You have nothing to worry about as Singapore is amazingly safe, should not take long at all that time of time, guessing around 30-35 mins. Banks and ATMS are available just outside customs and the Taxi Rank is clearly marked.

Zambezi

I guess the guest house isn't trying to rip you off but will be sending the taxi to collect you from Little India so you are effectively paying for a return journey. Better to just pick up a taxi at Changi.

Singapore has a fixed fare mini bus service in operation. They charge the equivalent of I think about 15 Singapore dollars (maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less) and do a door to door service. They run about every 20 minutes or so and you tend to share with about 3-4 others.

I agree that the taxis in Singapore are very good. If you are going back to the airport avoid the rush hours from 4 to 6 pm as sometimes getting a taxi is not so easy.

Note also that there is a central business zone around the central part of Singapore and only vehicles with a special transponder are permitted to enter during the various rush hours.

I believe all taxis are so equipped but it does mean they will add a dollar or two to the fare during those hours. This is normal.

Taxis in Singapore really are the best.
Having relied on them during 2 visits I can recommend this mode of transport.
I suspect the Hotel car is a little overpriced, however if its not an issue then you will have plenty of choice to arrive there safely.
Have a wonderful time in beautiful Singapore

Muck

THANK ALL OF YOU for those good pieces of information. You've convinced me to cancel the hotel car and to take transportation from the airport. Happy travels to you, too. ZZ

I go to Singapore about once a month. Taxi is definitely the way to go. The van/shuttle costs less (S$7) but you will have to wait around.

"Tex"
www.12hk.com - The Unofficial Guide on Hong Kong

I am female and go to Singapore regularly for vacation arriving around the same time from L.A. I would just take a taxi. It's not that far to the Little Indian section of town...it'll probably take 20-25 minutes. I have never had a car sent for me in Singapore...Bangkok...yes...but Singapore...no.. You'll love Singapore!Happy Travels!

Again, THANK YOU who responded to my query. I have taken your advice and have cancelled the car, with the expectation that I'll get a taxi from the airport. ZZ

Whoa....$55 for a taxi pick up from the airport..thats a total rip off. Singapore airport has abundance of taxi even at the wee hours ofthe day. But after midnite, there are a certain surcharge to take note of ie you have to pay 50% more than the meter price.Furthermore, taking a taxi from the airport will cost an additional $4 I think so, on normal time ie before midnite, a trip to little India would cost you around $15 so after midnite would cost around $30 max.Enjoy your stay in Little India with the place being lighted up for Diwali celebration. Anything else just drop me a mail at [email protected]

Thank you, Giant, for additional validation of what others have said. ZZ