Charts A Course

I am visiting Asia for the first time with my wife and 2 year old.

We decided to fly into Singapore instead of the other Asian international hubs like Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

We are pleasantly surprised to confirm that Singapore is family friendly. There are many free playgrounds and park, the city is clean, has easy and convenient public transport, and offers delicious food at affordable prices.

This post consolidates our experiences of activities, lodging, food, transport, and budget.

Airport Arrival

Immigration was simple. Input information into an app that can be downloaded via QR code that is posted around the airport after getting off the flight. After that, you scan your passport at the turnstile. We arrived in the morning and there was no line.

The airport is a multi-level mall and at the center is the famous waterfall. The waterfall is after immigration (main part of airport) and turns on at 10am. The top level is full of restaurants and a garden (paid) that overlooks the waterfall. It is expensive. However, there is a massive food court on the basement level where you can find more budget friendly offerings and see the water plunging downwards. The entire place is so large you can spend a full day perusing hundreds of retail and food options.

Public Transport

The rail line connects from the airport across Singapore. The airport has clearly marked signs to the station. You can purchase 1) a ticket or 2) tourism card from a person or dispense machine or 3) use your tap-to-pay credit card or Apple Pay on your phone and walk through the turnstile. It is $2 (Singapore) for one way. The underground network is straight forward with only 5 to 10 lines. Realistically, you will only use 3 to 4 on your visit. Make sure to use the Transit overlay on your Apple Maps while planning. Singapore has free city WiFi to help navigate.

Stay | Location

We decided to stay in the Bencoolen region snug between Chinatown and Little India. The price was more reasonable than Downtown and felt cleaner and more modern than the neighboring areas.

• 1-2 minute walk from downtown line that connects to airport, China town, and to marina bay
• 10 minute walk to North South line that goes north and south to Maxwell food hall and Zoo
• Hotel Sommerset Bencoolen has a kids playground, kids pool, and adult pool
• 2-3 minute walk to food hall across the street
• 5 minute walk to other restaurants including Starbucks for ‘Westerners’
• 5 minute walk to Singapore National Museum suitable for kids, best known for its Singapore history exhibit
• 10 minute walk to Raffles Hotel and surrounding area full of luxury retail and restaurants

Costs

The Hotel Sommerset Bencoolen was affordable averaging $100 a night.

Food costs range from affordable to luxury while alcohol is extremely expensive. An Erdinger in the grocery store is $8. Happy hour beer is $10. Singapore sling at normal restaurant is $20. The best deal was in a retail hallway of a transits station for Sapporo $7. The grocery stores had all higher costs so we stuck to Hawkers. Some of these are famous and even having a Michelin star. The city (government and citizens) are very strict on cleanliness and label Hawker stands with A, B, C, D (color coded) on each. Locals avoid stalls with any rating below A.

Activities: (completed with 2 year old)

• Visit the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel, the birthplace of the Singapore Sling. We brought in our 2 year old who had fun. They serve peanuts in shells so you can smash. Drinks range $25-$30 but that is relatively affordable considering stores across the street sell Slings for $20, this is a luxury hotel, and the birthplace of the cocktail.
• Go to Sentosa Island. Choose to visit Universal Studios or the beach area. Beach has southernmost point of Asia mainland. Has nice beaches and coves netted off with plenty of shade.
• Visit Marina Bay Sands casino resort. Go on Gondola ride inside. See the sunset or skyline at the Observation Deck.
• Walk around Gardens by the Bay. visit the free playground Far East Organizations Children’s Garden. It is mainly a water park but has a large jungle gym for older kids and toddler size playground. Look for Otters near the cafe. Go to Cloud Forest which costs around $30 per adult but kids are free.
• Go to Singapore Zoo. A collection of 4 separate parks in the same area. See Pandas. Visit the Night Safari. Read our other detailed post on these.
• Visit Fort Canning to see the archaeological site, the actual fort, and good free playground (next to train station)
• Walk around Botanical Garden and visit free playground Jacob Balla’s Children’s Garden.
• Eat at Chinatown and/or Maxwell House hawkers. Chinatown has two that are across the street from each other. These take credit cards.
• Visit National Museum of Singapore. 1-2 hours to learn the history and see other exhibits. Around $5-$10. Kids are free.