Singapore
Travel My First Time in Singapore — Finally, After 10 Years in Malaysia One day. One city-country. Countless memories. Here is my story — and everything you need to know about Singapore. It Finally Happened I have been living in Malaysia for almost 10 years. And in all that time, I never once visited Singapore. Can you believe that? Singapore is so close — just one hour by flight, or about 4 to 5 hours by bus to Johor Bahru, and then across the border into Singapore. Yet somehow, I always found a reason to delay. “It’s not that far. Why didn’t I go sooner?” — I kept asking myself. But the visa process for Indians made me nervous every time I tried. As an Indian passport holder, applying for a Singapore visa is not completely straightforward. You cannot apply directly — you must go through a registered agent approved by Singapore. You also need to show financial documents, a valid passport, and proof of funds in your bank account. I kept putting it off… until I decided enough was enough. Me and my friend Nana were going to Singapore — no more excuses. Marina Bay Sands Watch the journey https://youtu.be/U1-LXd3gdC0?si=REOkhu1OLWK_nARE Background of Singapore Before we get into my trip, let us understand what Singapore is really about. When you hear Singapore, think of one of the most remarkable stories in modern history. Singapore was once a small fishing village. In 1819, British statesman Sir Stamford Raffles arrived and built it into a major trading port. In 1965, Singapore became an independent nation — separated from Malaysia. With almost no natural resources, Singapore could have struggled. Instead, Singapore became one of the wealthiest and most developed countries in the world in just a few decades. People call it an economic miracle. And when you visit Singapore, you will understand why. Quick Facts at a Glance Location: Southeast Asia Size: 733 sq km Population: ~6 million Independence: 1965 Currency: SGD (S$) Type: City-state Singapore is unique because it is both a city and a country — called a city-state. There is only one city in Singapore, and that city IS Singapore. This makes getting around very easy because everything is well connected. Universal Studio, Singapore Languages Spoken in Singapore Singapore has four official languages — English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. The good news? In Singapore, almost everyone speaks English. So as a traveler, you will have no problem communicating anywhere in Singapore. 🇬🇧 English 🇨🇳 Mandarin Chinese 🇲🇾 Malay 🇮🇳 Tamil You will also hear Singlish — a fun local mix of English with words from Malay, Chinese dialects, and Tamil. In Singapore, people say things like “lah”, “leh”, “can?”, and “shiok!” (meaning delicious or awesome). It takes getting used to, but it is part of the charm of Singapore. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Getting the Visa — Faster Than I Expected The visa process for Singapore was what stopped me for years. But once I actually went through it properly, it was not as bad as I feared. Here is what I did for my Singapore visa as an Indian passport holder in Malaysia: VISA PROCESS I visited a Travel agency registered by Singapore, submitted my passport, passport-size photos, and financial documents showing the minimum bank balance. The agent sent everything off — and within just 2 to 3 minutes, my visa was approved. Yes, minutes. I was genuinely shocked at how fast Singapore’s system works. BONUS TIP FROM MY TRIP Did you know? If you hold a valid Singapore visa, you may be able to visit the Philippines without a separate visa. This is a great advantage worth checking before you travel to Singapore! Marina Bay Sands, Singapore How to Get to Singapore from Malaysia Getting to Singapore from Malaysia is very easy. Nana and I took a night bus from our city to Johor Bahru (JB), crossed the border, and entered Singapore by early morning. Here are your main options: Travel Options ✈️ By Flight: About 1 hour from Kuala Lumpur. This is the fastest option but also the priciest. 🚌 By Bus: 4–5 hours to JB, then cross the border. This is both affordable and popular. 🚂 By Train: Take a train from JB into Singapore. It is comfortable and offers a scenic view. ⛵ By Boat: Cross from nearby ports. It’s a quick and unique experience. “We took a night bus, arrived early in the morning, cleared immigration, and we were inside Singapore. The process was smooth and organized — very much the Singapore way.” Singapore Central Business District Skyline Changi Airport — A World of Its Own You have probably heard of Changi Airport. Singapore’s Changi Airport is consistently ranked the best airport in the world—and after experiencing it ourselves, I completely understand why. When we arrived at Changi, I was immediately amazed. Singapore’s Changi Airport is not just an airport. It has a shopping mall, indoor gardens, a cinema, a rooftop pool, a butterfly garden, and most famously—the HSBC Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. We stood and waited for the waterfall display to start, and when it did, it was breathtaking. Everyone around us stopped to stare. No wonder Singapore’s airport is world-famous. MUST-DO AT CHANGI Even if you are just transiting through Singapore, spend some time inside Changi Airport. Watch the HSBC Rain Vortex waterfall display. It is free and absolutely worth it! Changi Airport, Singapore Getting Around Singapore Transportation in Singapore is one of the best things about visiting. Because Singapore is a city-state, everything is well-connected and easy to reach. You do not need to book taxis or use Grab for most of your travels. Your Best Ways to Travel 🚇 MRT (Metro): Fast, clean, and air-conditioned. It covers all the major spots in Singapore. 🚌 Public Bus: Affordable and covers areas that the MRT doesn’t reach. 🚖 Grab / Taxi: Available but less necessary. Singapore’s efficient MRT makes these options strictly optional. 💳 Tourist Card: Buy a 1-day or 3-day EZ-Link pass for unlimited
