\u2013\u00a0This post was written by\u00a0Neesha Kanga\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lion City is a vibrant travel hub that\u2019s brimming with culture, history, and state-of-the-art experiences. This tiny island nation is where heritage meets modernity. It\u2019s one of those rare places in Asia where you\u2019ll find beautifully restored historical buildings tucked in between towering skyscrapers, and junk boats ferrying passengers around a bay surrounded by superyachts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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$\"Where$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
To add to its mix of old-world charm and new-world luxuries, Singapore\u2019s status as a melting pot of cultures means that you\u2019re guaranteed mouthwatering food anywhere, anytime (seriously, anytime). Tuck into a lavish banana leaf feast in Little India, go hog wild on some nasi lemak<\/em> and piping hot teh tarik<\/em> in Kampong Glam, or chow down a Michelin-star-awarded fare in an unassuming hawker stall<\/a>. But let\u2019s say you\u2019ve been there, done that; what\u2019s next on your agenda? In come these 6 short trips from Singapore to add a little oomph to your holiday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before taking short trips from Singapore, let\u2019s cover the practical stuff:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What language is spoken in Singapore?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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$\"Bugis$
Singapore is a tapestry of cultures and languages, where English is widely spoken<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Singapore is a multicultural country made up of three main ethnic groups and a host of expats who call this tropical economic hotspot home. The country\u2019s population is majority ethnic Chinese followed by Malays and Indians, who altogether make Singapore as culturally diverse as it is, at times, socially and politically problematic.

As a result of this racial diversity, most locals are bilingual (if not trilingual), and English is the most widely spoken language in Singapore. English acts as a sort of lingua franca that allows locals to bridge communication barriers. Other languages spoken here include Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what if I\u2019m taking a day trip from Singapore to Malaysia?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
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$\"Taking$
Taking short trips from Singapore to Malaysia? Language will not be an issue!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Same deal, different racial dynamics. Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1965 after a short-lived merge to create a united Malaya. This was mostly due to economic conflict, which led Singapore\u2019s more prosperous Chinese-majority population to declare the Republic of Singapore. On the other side of the Causeway, Malays are the dominant ethnic group but English remains as widely spoken, with Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil following suit. Both countries have vastly similar cultures and food \u2013 and the same harmless social proximity clashes experienced by all neighboring countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Singapore\u2019s currency?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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$\"Singapore$
Singapore uses SGD, which converts to ‘Welp, I’m poor!’<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Singapore uses the Singaporean dollar (SGD) which equates to around $0.73. Thanks to the country\u2019s free-market economy, the Singaporean dollar is among the strongest currencies in Asia \u2013 and the fourteenth strongest in the world in 2020. Safe to say, Singapore is ballin\u2019 \u2013 so if you\u2019re not, it makes sense to take one of these short trips from Singapore to neighboring Malaysia as most locals do when they want to get more bang for their buck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting around Singapore<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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$\"Use$
Use the MRT to get to places in and near Singapore city<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Being just about 50 kilometers wide and 27 kilometers long, it doesn\u2019t take much to ensure great infrastructure in Singapore. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a reliable metro system that connects most districts and neighborhoods. It\u2019s cheap too, with one-way tickets starting at 4SGD.

Singapore\u2019s taxis are notoriously pricey, especially after 6.00 pm when drivers start charging peak rates. You might be wondering, \u2018Is there Uber in Singapore?\u2019 and the answer is yes, but no. Uber exited Southeast Asia in 2018 but its business was acquired by its competitor, Grab. Most Southeast Asian countries have Grab as an alternative for Uber, including Singapore \u2013 and it works the same way (and some might even say it\u2019s cheaper!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bikesharing in Singapore<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SG Bike is the largest bike-sharing service on the island, but its coverage is limited. While it might get you around the city center, don\u2019t expect to take epic day trips from Singapore on two wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sling on your walking shoes, it\u2019s short trips from Singapore time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that you\u2019re filled in on the boring<\/s> important stuff, it\u2019s time to put some miles behind you and take one of these wanderlust-worthy day trips from Singapore. Whether you want to stay on the island or pop into Malaysia, or even Indonesia, these trips can be done in under a day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
~~1. Sentosa Island \u2013 The fun state of sun, sea, and sand<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n~~\n
$\"Sentosa$
Sentosa is Singapore’s favorite outdoor playground<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSentosa Island is considered to be one of the most-visited spots in Singapore, not counting shopping mall-laden Orchard Road. It\u2019s home to the famous Resorts World Singapore and Universal Studios Theme Park. Whether you\u2019re a fan of trying to find that infamous lady luck in a world-class casino or walking along a nature trail next to a sandy beach, Sentosa Island has got you covered. Take your pick of things to do in Sentosa<\/a>, which range from a death-defying giant swing<\/a> to relaxing bus tours<\/a>.

You can get from central Singapore to Sentosa Island in just over an hour by taking the MRT to VivoCity and transferring onto the Sentosa Express Monorail. Getting to Sentosa via cable car is arguably a more fun way to make this short getaway from Singapore center. Board the MRT towards Harbourfront Center and exit toward Harborfront Tower II to board the Sentosa Cable Car Ride \u2013 panoramic views are guaranteed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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