expensive hotels and restaurants impose a 10% service charge, and a gratuity is not expected in excess of this. Don’t tip at hawker stalls, though the more expensive coffee shops and restaurants that do not add a service charge may expect a tip. Taxi drivers don’t expect a tip and may actually round a fare down if it is a little bit above an even dollar – similarly, they may expect you to round it up. Staff in the international hotels, such as room staff or the doorman who hails your taxi, may expect a tip if they have provided good service.

Singapore: Getting there & around
Orientation
Singapore is a city, an island and a country. Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore on the Singapore River, which is still the heart of the city, encompassing the central business district and the popular entertainment and dining precinct along the quays.

Getting There
Most airlines fly into Singapore’s heavily trafficked Changi International Airport. The best way to get from the airport into the city (20km/12mi away) is by train, but there is also a wide choice of bus and taxi services.

Singapore is the southern terminus of Malaysia’s rail system, and three trains go to Kuala Lumpur each day. If you’re going to or coming from Malaysia, you have options aplenty, from comfy buses to ferries and even taxis.

bus
Lots of visitors to Singapore combine their stay with a visit to Malaysia, which is just a kilometre away across the causeway over the Straits of Johor. You can travel between Malaysia and Singapore very easily by bus. Immaculate air-conditioned buses link Singapore to almost all large Malaysian cities; fares are generally inexpensive.

car
A second road link has opened between Singapore and Malaysia to ease congestion – a bridge between Tuas in Western Singapore and Geylang Patah. It’s known pragmatically enough as the Second Link. It can only be used if you have your own transport.

taxi
You can travel between Malaysia (just a kilometre away) and Singapore very easily by taxi.

ferry
A passenger ferry operates between north Changi and Tanjung Belungkor, east of Johor Bahru. There are no direct passenger ferries between Singapore and the main ports of Indonesia, but it is possible to travel between the two countries via the Indonesian islands of the Riau Archipelago, immediately south of Singapore. Modern ferries link Singapore with the islands of Batam and Bintan in the archipelago. Speedboats link Batam with Pekanbaru in Sumatra, and several ships a week link Bintan with Jakarta.

train
Singapore is the southern terminus of Malaysia’s rail system and there are regular trains to Kuala Lumpur.

plane
A swag of airlines fly into Singapore’s ultramodern Changi International Airport – often voted one of the best airports in the world. It’s certainly one of the most heavily trafficked, with a glut of facilities ranging from 24-hour meditation centres to boutique shopping – and even a little-known rooftop swimming pool. The best way to get from Changi Airport to the city (20km/12mi away) is by train. There is also a wide