Take the kids on a local journey
Kids have got it sussed. They’re all over the adage that it’s the journey, not the destination that matters. That’s why trips by taxi and train that seem so mundane to us, are thrilling adventures for children – they just love exploring and finding out new things about the world around them.
So instead of racking your brains for a new attraction to discover, make the transport the focus of fun and simply wind up wherever it takes you. There’s no better way to expose kids to the sights and sounds of Singapore than through its varied vehicles – public or otherwise!
1. By trishaw
Treat the kids to a touch of Singapore’s heritage and hail a trishaw together. This quaint mode of transport is the vintage version of a taxi straight out of historical Singapore. Trishaw Uncles run 30 to 45-minute tours daily where kids can get up close and personal with Singapore street culture. Marvel at the colourful sights and sounds in the Little India district, or enjoy the breeze as they trundle along the Singapore River. We recommend a night tour of Chinatown for a super authentic feel.
Fees: Adult ($39-$49); children aged 3-12 years old ($29-$39)
2. By bus
Yes, you will probably have to sing the Wheels on The Bus over and over in front of a group of strangers, but the kids will get a kick out of riding with everyone. Just mind they don’t keep pressing the button for every stop or you may attract unwanted glares from other passengers! When you have an afternoon available, take Bus Route 30 for a meandering ride from Bedok, past Old Airport Road hawker, over Benjamin Sheares Bridge, past Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands, through the ports, glimpsing old Tanjong Pagar railway station, on to Vivo and then have dinner at Seah Im hawker centre.
For a more tailored and tourist-oriented approach, hop on the Hippo, an open-top bus that will give you unparalleled views of our gorgeous garden city. Splurge on a 60-minute DUCK tour, a remodelled WWII Vietnamese war craft that will traverse land and sea to bring you beautiful views of our skyline and historical landmarks.
Public bus rides: Varied; kids under 0.9m travel for free
Hippo/DUCK fees: $33 per person
3. By train
The mass rapid transit (MRT) whizzes you from one end of Singas to the other, and all lines lead you to the heart of town. But the best bits to see are on the journeys out of town where the train gets aboveground. You can hop on and off along the way to check out local areas. Try to avoid rush hour, as it’ll be hard to manage your little people amidst the big people.
Fees: Varied; kids under 0.9m travel for free
4. By bicycle
Whether it’s a two-wheeler, a tandem bicycle, or one with training wheels, your little tykes will have the time of their lives exploring scenic spots in Singapore. Rent one at a bicycle kiosk at East Coast Park, Changi Beach Park, Sun Plaza Park, or Telok Kurau Park. For a “no guts, no glory” experience, bring your mountain bikes out for a trail-blazing time exploring Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (just ensure everyone is kitted out in safety gear!).
Fees: varied, from $5 per hour onwards
5. By taxi
We have discovered that our little ones love the grown-up sensation they get from travelling by taxi. Massive excitement ensues whenever one pulls up at our house. The whole process of directing the driver with importance, chatting to Uncle, looking out the window, having their own seat and seatbelt, and handing over the cash, has them asking when they can do it again. Go figure. Singapore has seven taxi companies whose fleets roam the streets.
We like the Grab Taxi smart-phone app for finding nearby taxis fast. For an ultra luxe ride, Uber’s private limo service is your best bet. Eliminate waiting time by keying in your location in the Uber app and wait for your driver to roll up.
Taxi fees: Varied, depending on location and time of travel period
Uber fees: $7 base fare (Uber Black); $3.50 base fare (Uber X)
6. By boat
Thanks to the Singapore Tourism Board, we now have regular transport on water! The river taxi system, run by River Explorer and Singapore River Cruise, plies the Singapore River, with pick-ups and drop-offs at 16 jetties. All the boats are air-conditioned, so you can enjoy views of the city from this unique vantage point very comfortably.
For a total Singapore experience go for a 40-minute traditional bumboat ride along the river and the guide will shed light on Singapore’s colourful history as you pass old trade houses where grain and other commodities were stored. For more adventure, take a wooden bumboat to Pulau Ubin (15 minutes away) and explore this rustic, 1960s kampong village by bicycle for a fun and energetic day out. Don’t miss out on visiting Chek Jawa, which is full of wildlife.
River taxi fees: commuter service ($3); express service ($4)
Bumboat to Pulau Ubin fees: $2.50 (one-way trip)
7. By cable car
We love jumping on board the Singapore Cable Car from time to time and getting a bird’s eye view of Singapore. Panoramic views of the city, the harbour, Sentosa and Mount Faber give kids an idea of scale and geography. You can even spot the dolphins and sharks at Resorts World Sentosa as you travel overhead! Board from Mount Faber station or HarbourFront station for a round trip.
Fees: Adults ($26); children ($15)
Images: Choo Yut Shing; Hippo & DUCK tours