Getting There

By Plane

If you're hunting for the best airfare, there are a few things you can do. First, plan your trip for the low-volume season, which runs from September 1 to November 30. Between January 1 and May 31, you'll pay the highest fares. Plan your travel on weekdays only, and, if you can, plan to stay for at least a full week. Book your reservations in advance -- waiting until the last minute can mean you'll pay sky-high rates. Also, if you have access to the Internet, there are a number of great sites that'll search out decent fares for you.

In my experience, the best deals are offered through Asian carriers. Compare fares at Japan Airlines (www.jal.co.jp), Korean Air (www.koreanair.com), Cathay Pacific Airways (www.cathaypacific.com), Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysiaairlines.com), and Thai Airways International (www.thaiair.com). Otherwise, I've listed information for a few major airlines below.

Singapore's national carrier, Singapore Airlines (tel. 800/742-3333 in the U.S. and Canada, tel. 0870/608-8886 in the U.K., tel. 131011 in Australia, tel. 0800/808-909 in New Zealand, or tel. 65/6223-8888 in Singapore; www.singaporeair.com), is arguably one of the finest airlines in the world, with reliable service that is second to none. It's the most luxurious way to fly to Singapore, but the most expensive as well. They connect major cities in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand to Singapore with daily flights.

From North America, United Airlines (tel. 800/241-6522 in the U.S. or 65/6873-3533 in Singapore; www.ual.com) and Northwest Airlines (tel. 800/447-4747 in the U.S. or 65/6336-3371 in Singapore; www.nwa.com) link all major destinations in the U.S. with Singapore.

From the U.K. and Australia, British Airways and Qantas collaborate to provide flights to Asia Pacific from major cities in the U.K. and Australia. (British Airways: tel. 0870/850-9850 in the U.K., tel. 1300/767-177 in Australia, or tel. 65/6589-7000 in Singapore; www.britishairways.com. Qantas: tel. 0845/774-7767 in the U.K., tel. 131313 in Australia, or tel. 65/6589-7000 in Singapore; www.qantas.com.)

From New Zealand, Air New Zealand (tel. 0800/737-000 in New Zealand or tel. 65/6535-8266 in Singapore; www.airnewzealand.co.nz) has daily flights from Auckland and Christchurch.

Getting into Town from the Airport -- Most visitors to Singapore will land at Changi International Airport, which is located toward the far eastern corner of the island. Compared to other international airports, Changi is a dream come true, providing clean and very efficient space and facilities. Expect to find in-transit accommodations, restaurants, duty-free shops, money-changers, ATMs, car-rental desks, accommodations assistance, and tourist information all marked in English with clear signs. When you arrive, keep your eyes peeled for the many Singapore Tourism Board brochures that are so handily displayed throughout the terminal.

The city is easily accessible by public transportation. A taxi trip to the city center will cost around S$22 to S$25 (US$14-US$16/£7.25-£8.25), which is the metered fare plus an airport surcharge, usually S$3 to S$5 (US$1.90-US$3.20/£1-£1.65) depending on the time of pickup. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the city; double it if you're traveling during weekday rush hours. You'll traverse the wide Airport Boulevard to the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) or the East Coast Parkway (ECP), past public housing estates and other residential neighborhoods in the eastern part of the island, over causeways, and into the city center.

If you've got a lot of people and luggage, CityCab offers a six-seater maxicab to anywhere in the city for a flat rate of S$35 (US$22/£12). You can inquire at the taxi queue or call tel. 65/6542-8297.

There's an airport shuttle, a six-seater maxicab that traverses between the airport, all major hotels, plus stops at Orchard Road, Chinatown, and Bugis Junction. A booking counter at both terminals is open daily from 6am to 2am. When you book your trip into town, you can also make an advanced reservation for your departure. Pay S$7 (US$4.50/£2.30) for adults or S$5 (US$3.20/£1.65) for children directly to the driver, but try not to pay with bills that are $50 or larger. Call the counter at tel. 65/6542-8297.

The MRT, Singapore's subway system, now operates to the airport, linking you with the city and areas beyond. STB will tell you the trip takes 30 minutes, but really, give yourself at least an hour, because you'll need time to wait for the train to arrive, then you'll have to transfer trains at Tanah Merah station, and if you're arriving in Terminal 1, you'll need to hop on yet another train -- a shuttle between terminals. After you get to your station in town, you'll still have to find your way, with your luggage, to your hotel. Personally, I think it's a pain in the neck, but hey, it only costs S$1.40 (US90¢/45p) to get to City Hall station. Trains operate roughly from 6am to midnight daily.

A couple of buses run from the airport into the city as well. SBS bus no. 36 is the best, saving time by hopping on East Coast Parkway before making stops through the Historic District and along Orchard Road. Pick up the bus in the basement of either terminal. The trip will take over an hour, and you'll need to get exact change before you board. A trip to town will be roughly S$1.40 (US90¢/45p).

For arrival and departure information, you can call Changi International Airport at tel. 65/6542-4422.

By Train

While most visitors to Singapore will arrive by air, some will come via train from Malaysia. The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) operates a rail system that connects Singapore all the way up the Malay peninsula, with stops in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and even connections to service in Thailand to Bangkok. Train passengers will stop for immigration at the checkpoint at Woodlands, just across the strait from Malaysia, but will not alight until they reach the Singapore Railway Station on Keppel Road (tel. 65/6222-5165), not far from Singapore's Shenton Way downtown financial district. Taxis to most major hotels will cost under S$10 (US$6.40/£3.30).

For train information from Kuala Lumpur call the Sentral Railway Stesen at tel. 03/2267-1200. In Bangkok call the Hua Lamphong Railway Station at tel. 622/223-7010.

By Bus

Buses from Malaysia will drop off passengers at any number of points around the city, depending on the bus operator -- there is no proper inbound bus station. For bus service from major Malaysian cities, refer to bus listings in each section. Operators will be able to tell you where you will be dropped off.