Planning a trip to Singapore-Malaysia

Disclaimer: The views expressed are just from personal experience.

Many Indian with moderate to well to do financial terms consider Singapore-Malaysia as their dream travel destination.Well, I have been to these places several times & would like to give some tips for budget travellers.Singapore is a very nice place.The distinct features are cleanliness,safety & beauty.Malaysia is a very big country as compared to Singapore but in terms of safety ,cleanliness it lacks behind.I would say its rather diverse.
Here are some of tips I would like to share.
1.DATE -
First of all for planning any trip the most important thing to consider is the time or date of travel:Just before you plan a trip make sure you have planned it well in advance so that you can avail the best fares or deals.
2.AIRLINES-
Budget airlines:There are several airlines right from most economical to most luxorious.So you are planning for tight budget then go for www.tigerairways.com ,they have there flights from Chennia,Banglore to Singapore as well as KL (Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia’s capital city)
Airindia: You can try other cheaper airlines like www.airindiaexpress.com then you can always book a connecting flight to your city.
Jetairways & silkair or Singaporeairlines have flights for singapore from different destinations.Also, Malaysian airlines have many flights.You can even use www.makemytrip.com to book your flights yourself, at the convinience of your home & without paying any extra agent fees.
Tiger – You may be paying roughly about Rs.10,000++ for return trip per head
Singapore airlines have very good flights but if you happen to get there best deals you may land up paying roughly Rs.17,000++ for return trip per head or else its usually 25,000++
3. Accomodation:
For malaysia you can use the portal of http://malaysiabudgethotel.com/
another hotel called http://www.chinatowninn.com/rr.htm
the approximate price for 3 star should be Rs.1500-2500

For singapore you may prefer to book hotels who have online websites like numerous hotels.Roghly per day charges normally should be around Rs.2000-3000 per day.

http://www.theclaremonthotel-singapore.com/ppc/offer01-google-claremont.php?gclid=COPBzN2FvpwCFY0vpAodJ19Itw

http://www.fragrancehotel.com/fragrance06/main.asp

There are several.So just choose according to your budget.Singapore is a very tourist freindly city hence no hassels in coming here without a agent booked package tour.


4.Places to visit:
Singapore –

This is a official portal,you can come to know about the latests events and happenings here.For transportation you can use the Public transport like trains & buses which are very comfortable & sophisticated. http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/micro_sites/in/home.html
http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/getting_around/transportation/mrt.html

The main places you can visit are :
Ø Sentosa Island,Vivocity mall(Both are harbourfront)- http://www.sentosa.com.sg/
The main attraction is the Dolphin Lagoon & the underwater world & Lasershow.There is a cable car ride too,but if you want to save money then there are buses & skytrain.
Ø Birdpark: http://www.birdpark.com.sg/ (worth going)
Ø Nightsafari: http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/visitor/rates.htm (optional)
Ø Orchard road is famous for big shopping mall & shopping.
Ø The Merlion http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/landmarks_and_memorials/merlion_park.html
Ø Esplanade : Esplanade
Ø You can visit Little India ,do shopping at Mustafa shopping centre ,Chinatown etc.
http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/ethnic_qu
arters.html
If you more time you can plan further.

If you dont want to travel from Singapore to Malaysia in flight , you can travel by train.
Ø Booking train tickets : http://www.ktmb.com.my/
Ø Or by fligt you can travel by tigerairways or malaysian airlines or airasia.com

Malaysia:
These are the main portals and you can get good idea about Malaysia.As Malaysia is a big country & you need more time to travel through out.I will share my experience about the places I visited are KL & Genting.
http://www.tourism.gov.my/
http://www.visitmalaysia.com.my/

Contrasting to Singapore here I feel the transportation is not organised like Singapore,hence we prefered to go around in Taxi,which is cheaper if you get a good bargain or deal.

Tourist attarctions:
Ø Petronas twin tower : http://www.petronas.com.my/internet/pett/pettweb.nsf/frm_home_hi?OpenFrameset
The viewing is free but you need to que up to get the tickets in morning & book your slots.
Ø KL tower:You need to buy tickets if you want to visit the top.This is optional.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Lumpur_Tower
Ø Batu caves : Is good place for Indians. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Caves
Ø Bukit bintang : Famous shopping mall. http://bukitbintang.net/

From KL to go to Genting it takes about 1 hr by bus and then by cable car to the top of this hill station & theme park.Very nice place & value for money.Unlike Singapore & KL this place is very cool & windy.
Genting :
Ø Theme Park: http://www.genting.com.my/india/themepark.html
Ø Casino
Ø Chin swee temple – Buddha temple
http://www.genting.com.my/chinswee/en/attractions01.htm

There are other places nearby to KL like
Cameron highlands: http://www.cameronhighlands.com/Destination-Guide/Attractions/

Langkawi islands : http://www.langkawi-info.com/

Tioman islands: http://www.tioman.com.my/
Redang island : http://www.redang.org/sights.htm
Even though they are not very popular in Indians they are really beautiful places to visit.
5.FOOD
Since there are lot of Indians there is no problem in getting Indian food in both the countries.Specially if you go to the Little india locality then definetly no issues.You can eat at the food courts for simpler food.But if you dont mind spending alot then restuarant food is a good choice.
You can try different cusines like Malay food,Thai food,western food or MacDonald’s or Pizza hut is always there.
If you are strictly vegetarian,please do not take risk of eating other than Indian restuarants.
6.Clothings:
Prefer wearing cotton ,comfortable clothes.Both the countries are very hot.

Hope this informations helps you a bit! And wish you happy journey if you are planning a trip.cheers

 

Hi Knot2share & swetha,

thanks for going through this long post ,Swetha feel free to ask any doubts.

 

Hi Divya & Sri,

WIsh u great vacation ahead