Pick up an EZ-Link card at Changi Airport or any MRT station. Trains run every 3–5 minutes and stations are air-conditioned, a lifesaver during afternoon humidity. Carry a refillable bottle; filtered taps labeled ‘drinkable water’ are common in malls.
Hawker Centres
- Maxwell Food Centre for Tian Tian chicken rice—line moves fastest around 11 a.m.
- Old Airport Road for char kway teow and lor mee; bring tissues to reserve seats (‘chope’).
- Lau Pa Sat for satay street (7 p.m. onward) if you want an evening vibe.
Parks + Trails
Walk the Southern Ridges: start at HarbourFront, hike Mount Faber, cross Henderson Waves, and exit at HortPark. Early mornings (before 9 a.m.) are cooler and less crowded. Gardens by the Bay requires tickets for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome; book the Supertree Observatory add-on if you want elevated views without the Marina Bay Sands price tag.
Strict fines apply for littering, smoking outside designated zones, and eating on public transport. Always carry a small umbrella—showers arrive suddenly, and taxis are harder to hail when it’s raining.