Getting to Changi Village

Cars:
a car is not necessary in Singapore as there is an excellent public transportation system. If you decide on using a car, rentals can be obtained from any of the international firms, or from local car hire firms. You will need both a national and international license. The law requires driving on the left side of the road and wearing a seat belt. Parking is expensive in the city.

Taxis:
Taxis can be hailed from the street or, for an additional cost, called on the telephone. Taxi drivers are not given tips.

Trains:
Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is a new, clean and easy way to travel. The train consists of two main lines that run north-south and east-west. Coin-operated ticket-dispensing machines are located inside the main doors at each station. Money-changing machines for changing paper money to coins are located opposite the ticket machines. Enter the platform through the gates marked with green arrows. There the ticket is inserted, arrow first (and facing up). The machine will open the gate and return the ticket. The same procedure is followed at the destination, except that the ticket will not be returned.

Buses:
There are two types of buses in Singapore: the Singapore Bus Service and the Trans-Island Bus Service. You can purchase a Singapore Explorer ticket that will allow you to travel anywhere for up to three days. The ticket comes with a useful map with details on major tourist destinations and which service to use to get there. For more information. pick up the "See Singapore by Bus" pamphlet from the STPB (Singapore Tourist Promotion Board) in Raffles City.

Ships and Ferries:
Ferry and water taxi services depart from Cliff Pier, Jardine Steps and the World Trade Centre for travel to Singapore's outlying islands.

Bukit-Panjang LRT (SLRT):
This automated elevated people mover line started operation on 6 Nov 1999 and connects the MRT station at Choa-Chu-Kang with the new town of Bukit Panjang. Service is provided on a double track loop line every 6 minutes (2-4 minutes during rush hours) from 5:00 to 1:00. The lines are operated by SMRT (Subway operator).

Apart from station names shown in English, stations are also numbered. Between City Hall (C2) and Raffles Place (C1) there are four tracks, both stations allow comfortable transfer between lines on the same platform, City Hall in direction north/east and Raffles Place south/west. Trains operate 5:30am - 12:30am

Airport:
Changi Airport in Singapore is 10 miles (6km) from the city center and is accessible by shuttle, bus and taxi.
Its two terminals, connected by the Skytrain monorail, are modern, efficient and air-conditioned. The airport boasts a 24-hr post office and telephone service, hotel reservations counters, day rooms, saunas, and business and internet centres. There's also a McDonald's, a Swenson's ice cream parlour and, in Terminal One's basement, a food court.

However, there isn't usually enough time to take advantage of these many amenities. Baggage comes through so quickly at Changi that you can be on a bus or in a taxi within fifteen minutes of arrival. Be sure to pick up one of the free maps and weekly "What's On" guides that the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) leaves at the airport.

Bus departure points in the basements of both terminals are well marked, but make sure you have got the right change before you leave the concourse, as Singapore bus drivers don't give change Take the #16 bus(every 10min, 6am-midnight).

If you arrive in the early evening, you could also take advantage of the faster #16e (every 12min, 5-8pm:
A private company, Airbus, runs a shuttle into town (every 20min, 7am-midnight). Its air-conditioned buses traveling straight into the city centre before circuiting each of the three hotel enclaves.

Taxis from the airport levy a surcharge on top of the fare. Again, pick-up points are well marked: a trip into downtown Singapore takes twenty minutes There are also car rental agencies at the airport, though you'd be advised not to travel around Singapore by car.