If one has a couple of hours stopover in Singapore on the way to Australia, is there time to shop and if there is time to shop, what are particularly good items for which to shop?

A couple of hours? Meaning exactly how many hours? The shops at the airport are not bad from what I remember. Remember with security and everything else at the airports, you may not have all that much time.

On the way home there about a 7 hour stopover.

Hello NYJudy,
Regarding your stopover in Singapore, the fisrt question is are you aloud to leave the Airport, if so the main part of Singapore (Orchard Rd) is some distance from the Airport, you may be able spend 3 or 4 hours there but time will go so quickly, and you may have only visited one mall. The shops at the Airport carry a range of items, you may be best to stay there with a rest up. I hope this of some help.

Regards Osca

Always a Mainlander

Judy: Once upon a time Singapore was a very inexpensive place to shop, now it isn't, the same applies to the airport shops. I found most of these shops to be more expensive than most other shops in have visited in other airports.

Seven hours gives you lots of time to get downtown using the mass transit, or alternatively you may be able to get a free tour.

Immigration in Singapore is probably the quickest in the world. The security check is done before entering the dedicated departure lounge, so is not the huge hassle that it can be at other airports.

As Missie has said, the days when Singapore was a cheap shopping destination are long gone, I would concentrate on seeing a few of the sights.

Tangata: I agree with you about Singapore Immigration, it is the best I have ever experienced.

Missie & Tangata....What have been your average times spent going through immigration and customs in Singapore? We arrive at 0045hrs for our 3 day stop over enroute home from Europe and was hoping for a quick turnaround so we can get a bit of sleep before cramming as much in those 3 days as possible...

Missie
Is Singapore more expensive now than London?

quote:

Is Singapore more expensive now than London

That is just not possible MLT, London is always very expensive. We stayed in Singapore last year - and though some things were cheaper than in Aus, I don't think that by and large there was any great saving to be made by buying there. However - you can eat good food at great prices if you look for the food courts in shopping centres - the food the locals are happy to eat at a bargain price.

One thing I did buy there was silk shirts - what I brought from Aus were uncomfortable in the extreme humidity. I actually bought these in a hotel lobby shop, and they were and still are great value - I am still wearing them - they still look as good as new. When they eventually disintegrate I will be returning to Singapore to buy more!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Steve H,

I don't think that I have ever had to queue for Immigration in Singapore, say 10 minutes maximum. If you have to collect luggage you will almost certainly be waiting for it.

Singapore has customs but I have never done anything other than walk straight through the green channel.

Normally en route to NZ we have a 4 1/2 hour transfer which gives me time to slip down to the Singapore Cricket Club, have a couple of beers with some friends and return -- of course I have no check in or luggage to worry about.

Singapore does charge a departure tax, but waive it if you have been there less than 24 hours.

quote:

Originally posted by NZ Nurse:
Missie & Tangata....What have been your average times spent going through immigration and customs in Singapore? We arrive at 0045hrs for our 3 day stop over enroute home from Europe and was hoping for a quick turnaround so we can get a bit of sleep before cramming as much in those 3 days as possible...

I have never had to line up to go through Immigration in Singapore and I might add they are the friendliest people you could ever wish to come across.

Thanks Steve

Singapore airport is fantastic, if you have the time go & have a look in the city everything is wonderfully green & clean.

My friends told me to take a Singapore Stopover "Package" but I didn't...now I am thinking it would have been worth the small price! And the break in flights would've been nice!