IKEA Singapore has introduced new items on their restaurants menu and we bet you can’t wait to try out. From Iberico pork dishes to Salmon with chilli crab sauce and mantou, and more.
Let’s check them out below:
Wednesday Dinner Special – Iberico Pork Menu (Every Wednesday after 5pm from 16 Feb – 30 Mar 2022)
New Menu @ IKEA Jurong
Local breakfast menu
IKEA now has Horfun on their breakfast menu and it will be available on Tuesday at IKEA Alexandra.
How Much Should You Budget For a Trip to Singapore?
With its amazing futuristic architecture, exotic and unspoiled nature, and hundreds of unique stores and shopping malls, it’s no wonder why Singapore is one of the top places to visit in Asia.
However, many travelers (especially those who are visiting Singapore for the first time!) will often wonder how much it costs to travel to the country, and if Singapore is budget-friendly at all.
Depending on your location, Singapore is either fairly close or on the other side of the world.
Unless you live in Asia or the Middle East, airline tickets will usually be the biggest expense for your trip to Singapore. For quick reference, here is how much a one-way ticket to Singapore will cost from major cities (in USD):
New York to Singapore – $500
Paris to Singapore – $600
Istanbul to Singapore – $1000
Dubai to Singapore – $300
Keep in mind that in most cases, buying a round-trip ticket to Singapore may be significantly cheaper and could reduce the price by 20 to 40 percent!
Another trick to save money is to compare neighboring airline hubs around Singapore, such as Bangkok, Thailand or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
If you find a cheaper flight to one of these places, you can use a budget airline (like Scoot or AirAsia) to fly to Singapore and see two countries in one trip!
Accommodations
Although Singapore is popular with tourists all year round, it is especially busy during the dry season, which runs from December to April. Since this is considered the peak tourist season, it is advised to book your hotel in advance.
When it comes to accommodation, travelers have plenty of options at different price points, including hostels, hotels, resorts, luxury hotels, and guesthouses. As with most touristic cities, the price will depend on many factors, such as location, comfort, amenities, and additional services like breakfast or airport transfers.
Travelers can expect to pay around $50 per night for a double room in an average, 3-star hotel. Those who are looking for prestige and luxury can expect to spend between $100 to $200+ for a 4- or 5-star hotel.
Of course, there is also the world famous Marina Bay Sands, which normally costs from $200 and up to $4,500 per night, depending on the room and season!
To get the best rooms, availability, and price, it is highly recommended to book accommodations as soon as you know when you plan to travel to Singapore.
Food and Drinks
While traveling in Singapore, be sure to try the delicious local food. There are so many excellent cafes and restaurants that are sure to delight your taste buds!
Similar to other Southeast Asian countries, it is customary to eat street food or fast homemade dishes in places like hawker centres, which there are plenty in Chinatown and Little India. Dishes in hawker centres will typically set you back only a few dollars (under $5 per dish).
Breakfast for two in a budget-friendly cafe will cost $10, lunch around $15, and a meal set from McDonald’s — around $9. Dinner at an inexpensive restaurant, without alcohol, will cost $30.
Transportation
Singapore has an excellent public transportation system that includes busses, rail (MRT), and even ferry services.
The city is served by more than four thousand buses that easily reach any part of Singapore. A ticket for a regular city bus is calculated by distance, and typically costs around $1 or $2, while longer distances have a price tag between $3 to $8. There are free busses and shuttles around Sentosa Island.
The MRT in Singapore (which is both underground and overground) is considered one of the best in the world. As with buses, prices depend on distance. One trip around the city can cost from 50 cents to 3 dollars.
There is also the monorail, which connects Singapore and Sentosa Island. The journey takes 8 minutes and costs $3. Taxis are more expensive and slower than the metro, but a great choice for families and groups. On average, a trip in the city will cost $8 to 15, and a trip to the airport from the city center will cost $18 to 25.
Due to high taxes, additional fees, and parking costs, renting a car in Singapore will not be cheap. The cost of renting a standard car starts around $70 to $100 per day and will go up depending on the model (SUV, sports car, etc). Likewise, travelers can expect to pay around $1.80 for a liter of gas.
Sightseeing, Excursions, and Souvenirs
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to leave a little room in your budget for fun!
Although the price for tickets and attractions differ based on the place, you can expect to spend between $5 to $15 for a ticket to a museum or exhibitions.
If you’re planning to visit Universal Studios Singapore, be prepared to pay around $60 for a non-resident ticket.
Finally, the entrance fee to the most popular attraction in Singapore (the Gardens by the Bay) starts at $10 and goes up based on extras, like a guided tour or special event.
As for tours, there are plenty of options, including group walking tours to fully private tours. A private tour will cost about $100, while group walking tours start around $20 per person.
No trip to Singapore is complete without souvenirs — thankfully, there are plenty of places to buy gifts, such as Lucky Plaza, Bugis Street, and Chinatown. Prices range from $2 for a simple magnet to $10 for a shirt and onward.
Just like the shopping centres and community parks, wet markets have been the glue that binds our communities together. Get the freshest and cheapest ingredients when you head down these wet markets early in the morning!
*Please note that the regulations in these wet markets are subject to changes to follow the COVID-19 restrictions. It goes without saying that your safety remains a top priority.
#1: CHINATOWN WET MARKET
The Chinatown Wet Market is one of the unique wet markets in Singapore as it stores exotic meats such as live frogs, eels, and turtles. It is situated in the iconic Chinatown Complex building. This market offers both the eccentric and familiar ingredients for your special recipes. After shopping, you can head upstairs to explore the meals sold by the food vendors. These vendors sell old-school Singaporean food like popiah, dumplings, and lor mee.
Location: Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith St., 050335
#2: TEKKA CENTRE
Tekka Centre is the largest wet market in Singapore with 284 stalls. Its wide space is home to fresh produce and dry goods for all kinds of needs. This market is haven for both food enthusiasts and fashion lovers. Nestled in the heart of Little India, the Tekka centre is a melting pot of diversity. Greet the vendors and ask for quality seafood. The centre is known for its famous Sri Lankan crabs!
Location: 665 Buffalo Rd., 210665
Image Credits: unsplash.com
#3: CHONG PANG MARKET + FOOD CENTRE
The Chong Pang Market + Food Centre has captivated both the nearby patrons and the distant customers for several years. This wet market serves quality meats and produce as early as 5 AM. Apart from shopping, you may visit this place to get a satisfying digestive experience. The dozens of food stalls serve hungry residents until late at night. Try the famous Chong Pang Nasi Lemak while you are there.
Location: 105 Yishun Ring Rd., 760105
#4: ADMIRALTY WET MARKET
Part of the newly renovated premises at the Admiralty Place Neighbourhood Centre, the Admiralty Wet Market offers fresh ingredients for your daily meals. It is a short walk away from the Admiralty MRT Station. Its newly renovated premises features improved ventilation and lighting as well as a more efficient layout to enhance your shopping experience.
Location: Block 678A Woodlands Ave. 6, 731678
Singapore’s wet market is one of the best places for bargain hunters. What are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves and have an interesting experience with these four wet markets.
Pleasure is a purely instinctive reaction lasting for 30 seconds to 2 hours. While happiness can be elusive, sources of pleasure are fairly easy to come by. We all need to indulge in pleasurable moments that will not break the bank! Add icing to your cake by checking out these suggestions that will help you savor the day.
INDULGE IN RICH CULTURE AND HISTORY
Explore the rich history dating as far as 1887 as you step into the halls of the National Museum of Singapore. Beneath its 19th-century colonial exterior is its cutting-edge technology, which it uses as a means to present the nation’s legacy and development. Its galleries take you on an immersive voyage with modern lenses. The new exhibition entitled “Home, Truly: Growing Up with Singapore” is up until August 2021.
The museum opened when the country moved into Phase Two. Please follow the COVID-19 guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety. It is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm.
INDULGE IN NATURAL WONDERS
Help your body benefit from having a healthy dose of sunlight and fresh air as you go outdoors. Treat yourself with nature’s beauty as you stroll the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The Gardens has been renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee on July 2015. It is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This recognition speaks volumes on the wonders that this 82-hectare Gardens holds.
With more than 150 years of history, the Gardens will continue to play an important role as a leading tropical botanical institute and an endearing place to all Singaporeans. Visitors are asked to have a maximum group size of 8 individuals. A distance of 1 meter from other groups is also required. You must also keep a distance of 3 meters from others during exercises.
INDULGE IN FASTER CONNECTIONS
Being stuck at home for the majority of 2020 taught us the importance of having fast and reliable internet connectivity. We need this to stay connected to our friends and family members, to collaborate with our co-workers, and to order necessary household items online. Do not settle for slow and choppy internet services! Upgrade your current phone or internet plan by checking with your internet service provider.
Ask if it is possible to upgrade to a fiber optic or a high-speed cable. For instance, StarHub offers 2Gbps Fibre Broadband for as low as S$62.90 per month and 1Gbps Fibre Broadband for as low as S$39.90 per month.
INDULDGE ON YOUR INTERESTS
Take this time as an opportunity to indulge on your interests. What are some things that you want to do, but have no time for? It can be great for your mental health to work towards your new goals. Improve your skills by searching through fitness centers that provide free or inexpensive remote classes. You may also look for online music and dance lessons. Lastly, you can download free apps that will help you learn a new language or two.
While you’re at home, there are many great opportunities to use online learning to improve your skills. Yoga studios and fitness gyms are offering remote classes, many for free. Music and dance teachers are teaching lessons online. Why not use this time to learn a new language, learn to code, learn new cooking skills or find a new hobby?
INDULDGE ON MUCH-DESERVED SELF-CARE
With everything that happened during the past year, you deserve to take care of yourself. Self-care is not selfish! Self-care allows you to be more productive and motivated to tackle other upcoming tasks. Moreover, you will be able to support local restaurants and artisans.
Naiise has a plethora of self-care items such as bath bombs, teas, and candles. Bath bombs sell for as low as S$10. Interestingly, one bath bomb includes a 24kt gold leaf. I would love to try that!
Image credits: unsplash.com
At a time when you have to be careful with your money, there are still affordable indulgences to enjoy. Consider an item or two on this list!
Singaporeans will soon be able to travel to Hong Kong for leisure. This comes after Minister for Transport, Mr Ong Ye Kung, announced the launch of bilateral air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong.
According to Mr Ong, travellers from both cities can travel without quarantine, stay-home notices or controlled itineraries. However, travellers must take a pre-departure Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours before departure, and must obtain a negative test result.
There will be no restrictions on the type of travel or itinerary. Whether you’re travelling for business, for leisure or to reconnect with family, friends and loved ones, you can get on the ‘bubble’ and travel between Singapore and Hong Kong, and vice versa.
For the start, there will be a quota of one flight per day with 200 travellers per flight.
Air Fares Jumps On Travel Bubble Plan
According to travel website, Skyscanner Ltd, the cheapest price return air tickets from Singapore to Hong Kong will cost S$330 via budget carrier Scoot. The most expensive ticket can cost up to S$770 for a return flight with Singapore Airlines Ltd.
Air Fares Chart via Skyscanner
What Are The Restrictions And Requirements
Who can travel
Anyone who has lived in Hong Kong or Singapore for the last 14 days will be eligible to travel with the exception of Work Permit and S-Pass holders working in the construction, marine shipyard or process sectors in Singapore. Persons travelling to Hong Kong under the ATB arrangement must ensure that they meet the entry requirements of Hong Kong.
What is required for travellers
Singapore to Hong Kong: Apply for approval to take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test in Singapore here. Undergo a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in Singapore within 72 hours before the scheduled departure time of the designated flight from Singapore to Hong Kong at one of the clinics or testing centres designated by the Singapore Government, and obtain a negative test result report. Once you arrived in Hong Kong, you are required to take a Covid-19 test on arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
Hong Kong to Singapore: Travellers can take the test at recognised clinics. Download the TraceTogether app on mobile device and register mobile number and personal details on the app.
Where can I take the pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test?
Pre-departure COVID-19 PCR tests for your travel may only be performed at selected clinics as listed here.
For more information on the requirements, click here.
