Singapore Disembarkation Transportation Question

[pbb]

We will be disembarking the Silver Nova in Singapore on Oct 31. Are taxis readily available at the Singapore Cruise Centre where the ship docks? 

Many thanks in advance for your help.

[LAL Cruiser]

Yes, Taxis are available...Singapore is so civilized and organized.

 

We are disembarking Whisper on 22 December in Singapore and booked a car service with a local operator - lots of luggage and wanted to be sure that we had a larger vehicle.

[FlyerTalker]

13 minutes ago, LAL Cruiser said:

Yes, Taxis are available...Singapore is so civilized and organized.

 

The cruise dock is part of the Harbourfront Centre, a shopping center.  Just head straight out from the cruise area, then take a right where the sign says "Taxis".  Lots of taxis line up there, mostly for locals doing shopping rather than just cruise passengers.

 

19 minutes ago, LAL Cruiser said:

We are disembarking Whisper on 22 December in Singapore and booked a car service with a local operator - lots of luggage and wanted to be sure that we had a larger vehicle.

 

I've used a car service for the run out to Changi Airport, but if heading to a hotel in the center city, we just take two taxis from the taxi rank.  Much simpler, and also more economical.

 

 

[jpalbny]

The taxis were easy to find when we were there last March. We took the metro to Changi airport, as it was just across the street from our hotel and no changes were involved.

Edited Thursday at 11:04 PM by jpalbny

[FlyerTalker]

3 hours ago, jpalbny said:

The taxis were easy to find when we were there last March. We took the metro to Changi airport, as it was just across the street from our hotel and no changes were involved.

 

The green line out to Changi is super easy - but not for those with many suitcases to handle.

 

One tip - if you have the rechargeable card for the subway, you can't use a non-Singapore credit card to add value through the ticketing machines in the subway stations.  Just take cash to the service window and they will gladly add it for you.

 

For those who haven't used it, the MRT subway system is safe, clean and easy to navigate.  I use it all the time when in SIN.

 

 

[Woodrowst77]

17 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

The green line out to Changi is super easy - but not for those with many suitcases to handle.

 

One tip - if you have the rechargeable card for the subway, you can't use a non-Singapore credit card to add value through the ticketing machines in the subway stations.  Just take cash to the service window and they will gladly add it for you.

 

For those who haven't used it, the MRT subway system is safe, clean and easy to navigate.  I use it all the time when in SIN.

 

 

This brought back pleasant memories of the signs in the MRT that said “No Durian Allowed”.  Durian is a common fruit in Singapore and quite possibly the most disgusting thing you will ever smell in your life.  I have been told by locals that families have been broken up by members who insisted on bringing durian home.  Please consider trying durian just so you can have bragging rights. But take a very small bite, as I was warned to do on my first trip to Singapore.  I was on a subsequent trip to Singapore with my boss and bought some for him who, being the foodie that he is, took a big bite.  The pictures we have of the scrunched up look on his face are priceless.  We were in public so he could not just spit it out.  You can get durian at grocery stores in the produce section and in the outdoor markets.  Ah, the memories…

[jpalbny]

19 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

The green line out to Changi is super easy - but not for those with many suitcases to handle.

 

One tip - if you have the rechargeable card for the subway, you can't use a non-Singapore credit card to add value through the ticketing machines in the subway stations.  Just take cash to the service window and they will gladly add it for you.

 

For sure; we travel carry-on which allows us to take the Metro or other public transport to/from the airport in many cities. Forgot to mention that when we took the green line to Changi, we had to be careful to be seated in the front half of the train because it split before getting there and the front half went to the airport while the back half went to a different station. Good thing we knew that in advance!

 

Thanks for the tip on reloading our cards. We have ours from the last trip, as we got back to the airport too late to return them. So if they are still good for the next trip we can hopefully reload them with the leftover S$ we also have from that trip.

[drron29]

On 9/28/2024 at 6:41 AM, Woodrowst77 said:

This brought back pleasant memories of the signs in the MRT that said “No Durian Allowed”.  Durian is a common fruit in Singapore and quite possibly the most disgusting thing you will ever smell in your life.  I have been told by locals that families have been broken up by members who insisted on bringing durian home.  Please consider trying durian just so you can have bragging rights. But take a very small bite, as I was warned to do on my first trip to Singapore.  I was on a subsequent trip to Singapore with my boss and bought some for him who, being the foodie that he is, took a big bite.  The pictures we have of the scrunched up look on his face are priceless.  We were in public so he could not just spit it out.  You can get durian at grocery stores in the produce section and in the outdoor markets.  Ah, the memories…

Though to me the aroma is off putting but not disgusting. The taste is like a very creamy vanilla custard with a hint of caramel. I am a sucker for anything that tastes creamy. So if I am off walking in Bangkok by myself I do usually have a taste of durian.

[DavyWavey70]

50 minutes ago, drron29 said:

Though to me the aroma is off putting but not disgusting. The taste is like a very creamy vanilla custard with a hint of caramel. I am a sucker for anything that tastes creamy. So if I am off walking in Bangkok by myself I do usually have a taste of durian.

Cunning plan no 2 for January involves replacing the SA adventure with a Cruise from the Seychelles to Singapore and a couple of weeks on Borneo. Durian seems to be quite a thing on Borneo so maybe I’ll get to try it soon? 

[les37b]

On 9/27/2024 at 12:04 AM, jpalbny said:

The taxis were easy to find when we were there last March. We took the metro to Changi airport, as it was just across the street from our hotel and no changes were involved.

 

We'll be taking the Metro (with one wheelie suitcase each) to our hotel in January - with one change on route and hotel 100m from the metro. (One of the reasons we chose it!) Its something I always try to adapt where I can, taking into account then forward journeys each day. For Malaysia next year, taxis are so cheap, its almost silly to use the trains for shortish runs. Got Shanghai and Seoul in the pipeline in a months time and adopting the same policy (especially as I got a pass for a random trip while she's carries on working!) It cost me though..... Regent ain't cheap! lol

 

I'd not be too bothered on taking a Taxi from Changi (and if we arrive late, no doubt we will), but to be honest, I quite enjoy the challenge.

 

Amusing seeing the Durian comments. I went to KL in 1984 and my lasting memory of the place was the sewage.... which turned out not to be. I had no idea at the time!

 

I assume the OP is on a P2P cruise?

[les37b]

On 9/27/2024 at 10:46 PM, jpalbny said:

Thanks for the tip on reloading our cards. We have ours from the last trip, as we got back to the airport too late to return them. So if they are still good for the next trip we can hopefully reload them with the leftover S$ we also have from that trip.

 

We were only there for a day earlier in the year, but did use the metro back to Harbourfront. (Viking laid on shuttles to Marina Bay so used that in the morning.) Used a Monzo tap in charge card. just looked back - was SIN$3.09 / £1.82 in total, from Merlion to visit Raffles, then after to Harbourfront. Rather an odd amount! The trip coming up we'll be there 3 days and intend on using the MRT a bit, so probably worth getting one of these cards - though by the sounds, they just save you 60c per day, so maybe not worth the hassle?

[jpalbny]

Sorry Les, I combined two different thoughts in consecutive sentences. It made sense to me, I promise!

 

First, the taxis were easy to find upon disembarkation at Harbourfront. They were waiting when we exited the building. Since there would have been a change or two to get to the hotel we just took a taxi. We did NOT dock at Marina Bay as we were on a small Ponant ship at the time.

 

When we left Singapore and flew home, we did take the Metro to Changi. Green line direct, right by our hotel, easy. Just had to make sure to be in the front half of the train because the back half split off part way through the route (intentionally!) to go somewhere else while the front half continued to the airport.

 

I also like researching these options, and we travel light enough to use public transport almost everywhere.

Edited yesterday at 11:08 PM by jpalbny

[FlyerTalker]

31 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

When we left Singapore and flew home, we did take the Metro to Changi. Green line direct, right by our hotel, easy. Just had to make sure to be in the front half of the train because the back half split off part way through the route (intentionally!) to go somewhere else while the front half continued to the airport.

 

Be sure your cars say "3 Changi" as opposed to "1 Pasir Ris".  Now, at some times, there are trains that only go to one or the other, and you have to switch trains at Tanah Merah.  (I always think of the song from the Sandpipers when I hear that name).  So just be aware and listen to any announcements.