KAYAK.sg reveals the top 5 night markets in Asia for Singaporean foodies

The travel search engine KAYAK.sg has identified the best night markets that Singaporeans should discover in Asia and the best travelling days for maximum savings

  • Singaporean travellers can save up to 55% on a round-trip flight to Phnom Penh when flying on Monday and returning Saturday
  • The cheapest return flight is from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur with an average price of S$76
  • When booking a return flight for a trip to Ho Chi Minh city travellers can save up to 33% flying on Wednesday and returning Friday

Singaporean foodies can never get enough of good food and are always on the hunt for the best local gastronomic experiences. KAYAK.sg reveals which destinations have the best local food at the most wallet-friendly prices, as well as which travel daysafford the best flight deals. Knowing which days are the best to fly on when booking a return trip allows Singaporean travellers to better plan their trip, while spending less on their flights and more on local delicacies in Asia’s best night markets.

Debby Soo, KAYAK Vice President APAC said “Tasting local food is a highlight on every traveller’s itinerary. To avoid disappointment, travellers should make sure to check the opening hours of night markets as they are not all open daily. Also, Singaporean holidaymakers should come prepared with sufficient loose change as the vendors only accept cash payment.”night_markets-v1-01

Top5

 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Jalan Alor Food Street

@Kheng Guan Toh/Shutterstock.com

@Kheng Guan Toh/Shutterstock.com

Jalan Alor is the best local tip when it comes to night markets in Malaysia. Expect to find a smorgasbord of street food; ranging from local Malay and Chinese food to international cuisine and exotic snacks; it is the perfect place for those who want to try all of the famous, local dishes. The famous food street is open until late to cater to party-goers around the area. Everything is on offer, including barbequed chicken wings, grilled seafood, tofu bakar and belacan fried rice. The street market is open every day from 5pm till late. Travellers should note that some of the street’s restaurants have very specific opening times and are not open every day or at all hours, thus they should be sure to check the opening times before visiting them. To get better flight deals, Singaporean foodies are encouraged to travel to Kuala Lumpur on a Sunday and stay until a Tuesday, when the average price for a return trip amounts to S$83, saving travellers an average of 29% when compared to a Saturday to Sunday getaway. If travellers are making frequent trips to Jalan Alor to satisfy their cravings, they should consider their stay at Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur – a 10 minute walk away from the food street.

Address: Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: Ky Hoa Night Market

@jreika/Shutterstock.com

@jreika/Shutterstock.com

Adventurous travellers can slip away from the French cafes and tourist heavy spots in District 1 and hop over to District 10 to explore Ky Hoa Night market which offers a wide range of local food. Among the most popular local delicacies, Singaporean foodies can try Vietnamese Com Tam (broken-rice) with grilled pork, bot chien (fried rice flour cake with egg), bun thit nuong (cold rice vermicelli) as well as exotic delicacies including fried insects and arachnids. Travellers should head to Ho Chi Minh City on a Wednesday and return on a Friday, when a return flight costs an average of S$151, saving up to 33% when compared to booking a flight leaving on a Sunday returning Monday. Luckily for Singaporeans, the market is open daily from 5pm to midnight; however, to make the most of it, travellers may consider staying in one of the top 5-star hotels nearby, such as the Windsor Plaza Hotel, and extending their taste-testing spree by couple of days.

Address: Thong Nhat Stadium, 138 Dao Duy Tu, Thanh Binh, Vietnam

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Psar Reatrey

Phongthon Preuksrirat/Shutterstock.com

Phongthon Preuksrirat/Shutterstock.com

Phnom Penh’s only formal night market, Psar Reatrey, overlooks the riverside from the central reservation that separates downtown and northern Phnom Penh. Singaporeans can enjoy live local pop music as they stroll through this less-crowded and less touristy Cambodian night market. Travellers should make sure to taste some specialties from the local cuisine, including Fish Amok (Cambodian style steamed fish), Kuy Teav (noodle soup), and Prahok (crushed and salted mud fish in banana leaves). Holidaymakers searching for novelties should take a seat at the back of the market and try fried cockroaches and salted grasshoppers. Singaporean travellers who want to save up to 55% should leave on a Monday and return on a Saturday when an average price of a return flight amounts to S$208. Moreover, it is perfect timing as the market is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm till midnight. Those who want to extend their stay in the capital and spend more time enjoying the local delicacies may want to consider checking into a 4-star hotel e.g the Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh, located within easy walking distance from the market.

Address: Street 1 (Preah Sisowath Quay) in Wat Phnom Commune, Daun Penh District

Bangkok, Thailand: Rod Fai Market 2

@Kidsada Manchinda/Shutterstock.com

@Kidsada Manchinda/Shutterstock.com

A sea of colourful tents, near the Thailand Cultural Centre, at the BTS station, house row upon row of street food vendors offering travellers everything from stir fried pad thai to barbequed fish and the perennial favourite, mango sticky rice. After eating or when taking a break from it, Singaporeans should head up to the second-story bars, which provide a bird’s eye view of the market below, and enjoy some live music The best days to stay in Bangkok are Monday to Friday, when the average return flight price is around S$173. Also, Singaporean holidaymakers can save up to 27% when booking their flights for these days compared to other booking combinations. For Singaporeans taking advantage of this great deal, take note that the market is only open Thursday to Sunday so book a hotel like the Grand Mercure Bangkok Fortune, just a stone’s throw away from the market, to really make the most of your market dining experience.

Address: Ratcadaphisek Road (close to Esplanade Shopping Mall)

Taipei, Taiwan: Shi-Da Night Market

@Johnson76/Shutterstock.com

@Johnson76/Shutterstock.com

Located in one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods and near several universities, Shi-Da has a young and vibrant atmosphere. The market can be found along Longquan Street, which runs parallel to ShiDa Road. Apart from tasting such local delicacies as stinky tofu, black pepper buns and grilled squid, Singaporeans should definitely make time to explore the stalls set up by local fashion designers. Travellers can save up to 16% when flying out a Sunday and back on a Tuesday, with an average price of S$337 when compared to holidaying from Tuesday till Sunday. The market is open from 6pm to 11.30pm daily; however, with so much to see and taste Singaporean travellers, wanting to make the most of their time in Taipei may want to consider somewhere like the Rido Hotel, which is a short stroll away from the market.

Address: Lane 39, Shida Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City

 

Note:

Data analysis is based on flight searches made on KAYAK.sg from June 2015 until June 2016 for travelling dates between June and December 2016. Average prices are quoted in Singapore dollars and based on a return economy flight for one person. All prices quoted may be subject to change and may no longer be available. Hotels are recommended based on short travel distance from the night markets or food streets, rated at least 4 stars. Searches are made on 18 June 2016 for 1 night stay and 2 guests from 27 June to 25 July 2016.

 

Read More...

Incredibly Free Things That You Can Get At Hotels

Whether you are a frugal Fred who wants to get your money’s worth or a forgetful Bessy who left some of your travel necessities at home, here are some hotel freebies that are both money-saving and useful:

1. BATH ESSENTIALS

Let us start with the obvious freebies that guests typically take home – the bath essentials. Although you packed a sufficient supply of bath essentials, it does not hurt to pack a little more for future use. Keeping the shampoo and conditioner bottles as well as the soaps can save you a decent amount of cash.

If you have sensitive skin and experience adverse effects with the hotel soap, use it for other purposes. Keep the bar of soap and use it as a freshener for your drawers or shoes at home. Or, you may use it to clean your cosmetic sponges.

2. NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES

The array of newspapers and magazines left at your room are not only free but also helpful. Firstly, you can use the valuable coupons inside to pay less in shopping for groceries, tickets, and more. Secondly, you can use these publications in the event that your child needs to cut pictures for his or her school projects. Lastly, you can use these publications as decorations to your dull office.

3. CURLING AND STRAIGHTENING IRONS

To all my fellow beautiful women out there who want to look their best but forgot to bring their trusty curling or straightening irons to the hotel, worry not! Many major hotels (i.e., large hotel chains such as Hyatt) offer loans for these hair styling items. Simply approach the front desk and ask politely for what you need.

4. SEWING KIT

Tailoring or sewing services in Singapore can range from S$5-40 depending on the type of clothing article. Some of the prices are too much if you asked me! You might as well buy a new one. Good thing there is a better and quicker option – altering clothes by yourself. But, how can you alter your clothing while on vacation?

Say you broke the straps of your backpack. Having a sewing kit can solve this problem right away. Thankfully, your Trump Hotel room has complementary sewing kits. Like Trump Hotel, many major hotels have free sewing kits on-hand. Remember to bring those kits before you checkout!

5. DENTAL CARE

The worst thing that I can forget while on a vacation is my own toothbrush. Unlike the couples who are comfortable with sharing one toothbrush, I will never use someone else’s! This is why I am very grateful that hotels provide basic dental care products such as toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Minty fresh breath does not always come in cheap packages! In fact, a bottle of mouthwash can cost you about S$4-14. Hence, I suggest that you pack that free mouthwash with you.
Sources:  1 & 2

Read More...

Travel Hacking: How to Score a Free Flight with Singapore Airlines

If travelling was free, you’d never see me again

Many of us love to travel, but the idea of parting away a significant portion of your salary on just the airfares alone is going to put off most of us. What most people don’t realize is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to fly — and there’s a group of people who have been gaming frequent flyer programs to get free flights.

A concept known as travel hacking, if used correctly, can be used to save loads of money on your next air ticket to your dream destination. Then there’s this infamous story of how a civil engineer earned 1.25 million air miles by just buying pudding. Of course, you are not going to see that happen in Singapore.

There are many ways for you to earn miles in Singapore and the most straightforward way is through airline rewards credit cards. If you are new to this, you can start off with the FlyerTalk’s forum where you can see many discussion on what’s the best credit card to earn miles,

Choosing the right credit cardAmericanExpressKrisFlyerCreditCard-300x190

The next step is to choose the right credit card that meets your spending needs. For an entry-level card, we picked the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card where you just need a minimum income requirement of S$30,000 to apply. You can earn 1.1 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent locally and 2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent overseas on June and December.

Pick the low-hanging fruit first

American Express have several welcome offers that you should take advantage of. For example, they are giving away 5,000 KrisFlyer miles when you charge to your card for the very first time. You can basically swipe any amount to you card to earn this.

There is also a 3,000 KrisFlyer miles which you can easily earned when you spend at least S$700 in the first 6 months upon Card approval. It’s not that hard, really.

For a limited time only, make a Grab Ride booking with your card and you get another 500 KrisFlyer miles between 5 May 2016 and 4 May 2017.

Grab2

You should aim to pick up all these “easy” miles first and we are talking about a total of 8,500 KrisFlyer miles that doesn’t require you to spend too much money and time to achieve it. With that miles, you can already redeem for a free one-way Economy Saver flight to Bali with Singapore Airlines.

Work towards your goal

Now that you already have 8,500 KrisFlyer miles in your pocket, you can work towards your goal of redeeming higher-tiered awards such as a return tickets to Bangkok, Hong Kong and/or other popular destinations that you would like to travel. Check out the Singapore Airlines Awards Chart for more details. If you have a KrisFlyer’s account, you can use the miles calculator.

Start accumulating your miles

The key to accumulating your miles is to make your spending counts. Charge any daily expenses that you can think of to your credit card.  Assuming you diligently do it for a year, here’s a rough estimate on how much miles you can accumulate:

Transaction KrisFlyer miles earned
1st Transaction Welcome Bonus 5,000
Spend S$700 in 6 months 3,000
First Grab Ride booking 500
Pay for Starhub bills (Mobile, Broadband, etc) at S$120/month 1,584
Top-up EZ-Link Card using EZ-Reload at $80/month 1,056
Travelling to Hong Kong with AMEX-exclusive SQ fares at $188/pp (for 2 pax) 752
Hotels booked with Kaligo.com (3-night at Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel at $163/night) 3,490
Spending in Hong Kong (S$1,000) 2,000
Dining out with friends $250/month 3,300
Movie at Cathay Cineplexes (Twice a month for 2pax) 660
Pay for groceries at FairPrice $100/month 1,320
TOTAL 22,662

SG-SeoulA one-way economy saver ticket to Seoul costs 22,500 KrisFlyer miles, and you can redeem your miles without converting them as they are credited to your KrisFlyer’s account directly. Some miles cards requires you to pay a fee to do the conversion, so you enjoy the benefit of free conversion with this co-branded card.

Take advantage of other card benefits

American Express let you enjoy up to 50% savings with American Express Selects at a wide selection of restaurants in Singapore and around the world. On top of that, you enjoy exclusive fares to 8 destinations with Singapore Airlines including an all-in return ticket to Hong Kong from just S$188 — if you get your card approved by 15 Jul. Click here for the full list of destinations

8 exclusive

This American Express® Card is also eligible for use with Apple Pay.

Sign-up for a miles card today

There are many cards in the market which have higher rates such as the UOB PRVI Miles Card and Standard Charted Visa Infinite but requires a higher annual income of S$80,000 and S$150,000 per year. This will accelerate your accumulation process and you can consider upgrading your card once you meet the requirements.

For now, you can start off with the DBS Altitude Card or the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card which requires just a $30,000 annual income to be eligible.

Sign up for the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card before 31 Oct and you also receive S$80 worth of NTUC vouchers.

Apply online and get instant decision within 60 seconds.

Apply Now Button

How to get additional S$80 NTUC vouchers

Step 1: Click on the above products to apply

Step 2: Take a screenshot of the Thank You Page at the end of the application

See below for examples of Thank You Page of each bank

Step 3: Fill in the Form on SingSaver.com.sg

Fill in the form before 31 October 2016 to participate in the promotion! You will receive an email from SingSaver.com.sg after submitting the form. Reply with the screenshot of card approval from the bank after you receive it to claim the voucher!

form

Read More...

KAYAK.sg reveals sky-high prices of in-flight refreshments on board of low-cost carriers

Travel search engine KAYAK.sg reveals the extent to which low-cost airlines are marking up prices

  • Travelers who want to enjoy a cup of coffee on board will have to pay on average 900% more than at the supermarket
  • The mark-up on the in-flight cup noodles is between 222% and 317% as compared to the cost at supermarkets
  • Airlines charge 562% more for a simple bottle of mineral water than a supermarket does

Singapore, 10 June 2016 – Travellers often expect to pay a little more than usual for snacks and drinks while flying on low-cost carriers, but new KAYAK.sg research reveals that some airlines are going overboard with mark-ups on the prices of snacks and drinks. For example, a simple cup of instant coffee costs, on average, 900% more up in the air than it would at a supermarket.

A cup of hot tea was revealed to be the worst offender. A single tea sachet can be bought in a supermarket for as little as six cents, but the mark-up for providing the same bag plus some boiling water while onboard is astonishing. Tigerair, Jetstar Asia and Scoot all charge S$4, while AirAsia charges a slightly more reasonable price of S$1.70 for a cup of tea, an average markup of 4,344%, compared to standard supermarket costs.

Breaking the bank for a sweet bite

Sky-high prices were also uncovered on everyday snack items; Scoot charges S$4 for a 40g chocolate bar – 74% higher than one would pay for the same item in a supermarket. A serving of cup noodles varies between S$2 and S$5 depending on the airline and brand, a mark-up of between 222% and 317% over the average supermarket price.

Cashing in on beverages

The price of alcoholic drinks on board is anything but relaxing. A small 330ml can of beer costs up to S$8 on low-cost carriers, compared to S$3 or under in most supermarkets. Interestingly, JetStar Asia, Tigerair and Scoot charge S$6, S$7 and S$8, respectively, for the same popular brand of Japanese beer, a mark-up of over S$160% on average, when compared to purchasing the same can at the supermarket.

Getting overboard with drinks prices

Even non-alcoholic drink prices are sure to give fliers a financial hangover. An identical bottle of water (330ml) costs up to S$4 on board compared to just S$1.40 at a supermarket, representing a 562% mark-up on average. A 330ml can of cola or a sports drink will also set travellers back; costing S$4 on each of the four major low-cost carriers flying from Singapore – a 433% mark-up, on average, over supermarket prices on the ground.

Debby Soo, KAYAK Vice President APAC said, “Low-cost carriers are providing a service when it comes to food and drink on board, which accounts for some of the mark-ups we see. However, it pays off to plan ahead and eat before you board, especially for short flights. Also, travellers should bring empty plastic bottles through security, into the boarding gates at Changi Airport, and then fill them up at the water fountains in order to stay hydrated economically while flying.”

Some of other largest mark-ups

  • Chocolate powder drink – S$4 (Tigerair/ JetStar Asia) vs S$0.40 – 770%
  • Crisps (40g) – S$4 (Tigerair/JetStar Asia) vs S$0.90 – 344%
  • Pretzel sticks – S$4 on (JetStar Asia) vs S$0.95 – 300%
  • Pulpy Juice (350ml) – S$4 (Tigerair/ JetStar Asia) vs S$1.15 – 247%

item comparison

Notes to Editors:

Airline F&B prices are correct as of 16 May 2016 and are based on inflight menus on the airlines’ websites. AirAsia prices were supplied in Malaysian Ringgit and converted into Singapore dollars on 16 May 2016. Supermarket prices are based on the best prices found in three main supermarkets in Singapore and were correct as of 16 May 2016. In some cases, prices are based on multi-pack purchases.

Read More...

KAYAK.sg reveals travel hacks for visiting the 10 most popular school holiday destinations

The travel search engine shares its wallet-friendly tips for booking a summer family getaway from Singapore

  • Head to Bangkok for S$187 and stay in a four-star hotel averaging S$133 per night
  • By booking on the right day of the week, travellers can save up to 33% on flights
  • KAYAK.sg recommends escaping Singapore’s heat and humidity with a visit to Melbourne and catching the open-air festivals in Paris

Singapore, 26 April 2016: The month-long June school holidays are a great time for a longer trip with the family, but high demand often means inflated flight prices and hotel bills. Parents (and their wallets) deserve a break as much as their kids do this summer, so the travel experts at KAYAK.sg crunched the numbers to reveal when to book flights to the top 10 most popular school break destinations for maximum savings.

Debby Soo, KAYAK Vice President APAC said, “School holidays are a peak time for families to travel together and prices tend to increase as a result. By choosing a value-for-money destination and employing a few budget-friendly travel hacks, the whole family can enjoy a summer getaway without breaking the bank. Savvy travellers search for flights and hotels on KAYAK.sg to ensure they are getting the best price and sign up for Price Alerts to receive notifications when the price drops for their desired flight and hotel.”

Top 10 Destination

KAYAK.sg data reveals the top 10 destinations for school holidays based on the average median price for travel between 1 and 30 June 2016. Many families take advantage of the month-long school break in June to visit long-haul cities like Paris and New York, while others escape to nearby destinations in Southeast Asia like Bangkok and Bali. Booking on the right day of the week can save travellers between seven and 33 per cent.

Bangkok, Thailand: Best value destination in Asia

@Travel mania/Shutterstock.com

@Travel mania/Shutterstock.com

Among the most popular June school holiday options, Bangkok is the all-around best value destination for both flights and four-star hotels. Round trip flights to the City of Angels in June cost S$187 on average and a four-star hotel stay averages S$133 per night. Travellers booking their flights on a Tuesday up to 15 weeks in advance can save up to 30%. On average, travellers pay S$155 when they book on a Tuesday, while those who book on a Monday pay S$222. June is a great month to visit the Thai capital: there are fewer tourists than at other times of the year and the heavy rains of the monsoon season won’t begin until later in the summer. In addition, many retailers participate in Thailand’s Amazing Grand Sale from 15 June to 15 August, offering discounts on clothes, jewellery and electronics.

Melbourne, Australia: Most affordable long-haul destination

@Gordon Bell/Shutterstock.com

@Gordon Bell/Shutterstock.com

According to KAYAK.sg research, the most affordable long-haul destination in the list is Melbourne, Australia. Despite the Land Down Under’s reputation for being an expensive travel destination, fourstar hotels are only slightly more expensive than in Bangkok, averaging S$143 per night. Round trip flights to Melbourne cost S$584 on average, but travellers can save S$45 by booking on a Monday up to 20 weeks in advance for an average flight price of S$539. Melbourne’s winter temperatures in June (7-14 degrees Celsius) are a nice change from Singapore’s heat and humidity. Animal-loving kids can tap into their wild side with visits to the city’s excellent zoo and Sea Life Aquarium.

Paris, France: Best value ultra long-haul destination

@IM_photo/Shutterstock.com

@IM_photo/Shutterstock.com

The City of Light offers great value for a family summer sojourn. With flights averaging S$992 from Singapore and four-star hotels averaging S$324 per night in June, Paris is the most affordable ultra long-haul destination in the top 10. Travellers can save up to 20% by booking flights up to 20 weeks in advance on a Monday (average flight price S$866), versus booking on a Sunday (average flight price S$1076). In June, Paris comes alive with festivals and outdoor events like the Fete de la Musique and open-air film screenings in Parc de la Villette.

Read More...