|
| |
|
ARRIVAL |
| |
|
|
| |
Singapore is linked to Johor Bahru in Malaysia by a 1056-metre-long
causeway which runs across the Strait of Johor to Woodlands town, in the
far north of the island. All buses and trains from Malaysia currently
pass over the causeway, though there is talk of a second connection
being constructed further east.
By air
Changi Airport (toll-free tel 1800/542 4422) is at the far eastern end
of Singapore, 16km from the city centre. Facilities include duty-free
shops, moneychanging and left-luggage services, hotel reservations
counters and, in Terminal One's basement, a cheap food centre. Since
Singapore's underground train system doesn't yet extend as far as the
airport, you'll have to take either a taxi or a public bus into the
centre. The bus departure points in the basements of both terminals are
well signposted: get hold of the exact fare before you leave the
terminal. Take the #36 (every 10min, 6am-midnight; S$1.50), which heads
west to Stamford Road (ask the driver to give you a shout at Stamford
Road's Capitol Building for Beach Road, and at the YMCA stop if you plan
to cross over Bras Basah Park to Bencoolen Street) before skirting the
southern side of Orchard Road. Another option is to take a MaxiCab
shuttle into town. These six-seater taxis depart every fifteen minutes,
or when full, and will take you to any hotel in the city for a flat fare
of S$7. MaxiCabs are equipped to take wheelchairs. Taxis from the
airport cost around S$15 into downtown Singapore (20min); pick-up points
are well signposted.
By bus
Singapore has three bus terminals. Local buses from Johor Bahru (JB)
arrive at Ban San Terminal at the junction of Queen and Arab streets,
from where a two-minute walk along Queen Street, followed by a left
along Rochor Road takes you to Bugis MRT station. Buses from elsewhere
in Malaysia and from Thailand terminate at one of two sites, Lavender
Street Terminal and the Golden Mile Complex . Lavender Street Terminal
is at the corner of Lavender Street and Kallang Bahru, five minutes'
walk from Lavender MRT. Alternatively, walk a short way in the other
direction to the end of Jalan Besar and hop on bus #139, if you're
heading for the guesthouses of Bencoolen Street. Bus #145 passes the
Lavender Street Terminal on its way down North Bridge and South Bridge
roads. From outside the Golden Mile Complex, buses run up Beach Road
towards City Hall MRT.
By train
Trains to and from Malaysia use the Singapore Railway Station on Keppel
Road, southwest of Chinatown. From Keppel Road, bus #97 travels past
Tanjong Pagar MRT and on to Selegie and Serangoon roads.
By sea
Boats from the Indonesian Riau Archipelago (through which travellers
from Sumatra will approach Singapore) dock at the World Trade Centre ,
off Telok Blangah Road, roughly 5km east of the centre. From Telok
Blangah Road, bus #97 runs to Tanjong Pagar MRT, the #65 goes to Selegie
and Serangoon roads via Orchard Road, or for Chinatown take bus #166.
Bumboats from Kampung Pengerang on the southeastern coast of Johor Bahru
(daily when full, 7am-4pm; 45min; S$5 one-way) moor at Changi Village ,
beyond the airport. Bus #2 travels from Changi Village into the centre,
via Geylang, Victoria and New Bridge roads. Newer, more reliable
Ferrylink ferries from Tanjung Belungkor, also in Johor, dock at the
Changi ferry terminal , a little way east of Changi Village. You need to
take a taxi from the Changi ferry terminal to the nearest #2 bus stop.
Ferries from Tioman Island arrive at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal ,
connected to Bedok MRT station by bus #35
|
| |
|
