Duty Free Shopping at Changi Airport

Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the main transfer hubs for people travelling to and from Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Asia. If you find yourself in a long stop-over you’ll discover that Changi is one of the best airports to spend time waiting for your flight. Coming second in 2012’s World Airport Awards, Changi provides a level of comfort not seen in many airports around the world and its sheer size can provide hours of duty free shopping pleasure.

  

If you’re in the market for luxury goods but don’t want to pay full price then this is a perfect opportunity to stock up. Boutiques at Changi include: Alfred Dunhill, Bally, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Bvlgari, Cartier, Coach, Emporio Armani, Fashion Avenue, Gucci, Hermes, Hugo Boss, La Perla, Longchamp, MCM, Miu Miu, Montblanc, Paul & Shark, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Shanghai Tang, The Fashion Gallery, Tod's and Tommy Hilfiger. If you want some fine jewellery to go with your new outfit you can check out Aspial, Goldheart, Lee Hwa Diamond Boutique, Luvenus, Pandora, SK Jewellery and Tiffany & Co. After that, don’t forget to buy a new watch from either DFS Watches, Gassan Watches, Ice-Watch, o.d.m, Omega Boutique, Rolex or Swatch. Finally for your fragrance and make-up needs you can go to Kiehl's, M.A.C. or Nuance Watson.

Of course the place to go for the biggest range of perfumes and aftershaves is DFS as they carry every brand you can think of. DFS is also the place for duty free liquor and cigarettes. The tax on alcohol in Singapore is quite high so the duty free liquor available at Changi Airport is a great deal for anyone on their way in to the country. However be aware that cigarettes are not able to be brought in duty free. You can buy them but if you bring them in to Singapore you have to declare them and pay the tax on the spot. Failure to declare them and pay the tax will result in a large fine.

       

Electronics are also readily available at duty free prices at Changi with an emphasis on cameras and music players. Just look for the big sign saying Cameras Electronics. Other stores include FOTOPRO and i-sound.   

Sometimes the best way to get through a plane trip is by stocking up on snacks and candy. Luckily Changi Airport has got you covered.  Head over to the following stores Bee Cheng Hiang,           Bengawan Solo, Candy Empire, Chocolates.Candy.Delicatessen, Cocoa & Co, Durian Mpire, Godiva, Kedai Kue Kue, Kim Joo Guan, M&M's World, So Chocolate, The Cocoa Trees and Umeya.

Of course now you might need some new luggage to carry all your purchases. Luckily the following stores can help: Delsey, Flight 001, Samsonite, TUMI and The Planet Traveller.

No matter if you’re coming in or leaving Singapore, or if you have a stop-over, you’ll find plenty to do and buy at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

Visitors.SG

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Jumping off from Singapore – Travels Abroad Part 3: Thailand

Click to read part 1: Indonesia

Click to read part 2: Malaysia

Still one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, Thailand is in easy reach from Singapore and makes for a perfect short getaway. One island that is getting more and more popular with tourists is Ko Samui. Previously the only way to get to Ko Samui was to fly from Bangkok, but for the last few years flights have been flying direct from Singapore. With a flight time of one hour and 45 minutes, it’s never been more convenient. Ko Samui offers everything Thailand is famous for, from beautiful beaches to wild nightlife. All styles of accommodation are available but recommended is a beachside cabin. If you’re willing to go small you can one for very cheap. With the front steps landing you on the sand, you can’t stay any closer to the beach. A good idea while on Ko Samui is a trip to the nearby Ko Pha Ngan. Not only great for swimming and snorkelling, the island is also home to Thailand’s infamous full moon parties.

Roughly the same flight time from Singapore is Phuket. Famous the world over, Phuket continues to be one of the most desired and visited beach destinations on the planet. If you don’t like the idea of massive crowds, there are still places in Phuket not suffering from a constant influx of tourists. If its beaches you want then the west coast is where most of them are, of course this is where most of the tourists are as well, but the further away you go from the city of Patong, the less tourist there will be. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to the south-eastern coast. The main beach there is Nai Ham but if you can find Ya Nui there will be even less people and a great opportunity to go snorkelling on the shallow reef that that juts out directly from the beach itself. If crowds and partying are more your thing then you’ve definitely come to the right place. Patong is known as one of the party capitals of Asia, attracting thousands upon thousands of people to its endless amount of bars and nightclubs. This has led to prices being higher than normal for Thailand. In fact most places in Thailand not located on the mainland will be more expensive. This is not just because they are usually tourist destinations but also because they are out of the way and thus things cost more to transport there.

For a quieter yet up-and-coming destination, head east across the water from Phuket and you’ll find Krabi. For years overshadowed by nearby Phuket, Krabi is growing in popularity, now receiving 2 million visitors a year. The main area is Ao Nang. This is the main beach resort and what most people will be talking about when they say Krabi. If you want the beach without the shops and bars then head to Had Yao, also known as Long Beach. This is the last untouched beach in Krabi offering some peace and tranquillity on top of the beautiful scenery. One of the main attractions of Krabi is the large karst rock formations. This has led to the area becoming popular with rock climbers, with Rai Leh being the main hotspot. Climbers come from all over the world come here just to take on the amazing karsts in the area. If you find yourself there but you’re not a rock climber, you’ll still be able to enjoy the beach and the breath-taking views. Krabi is also the scuba diving capital of Thailand so if that’s your hobby then you’ll be spoilt for choice.

With a roughly two hour flight time, Thailand’s capital Bangkok is an obvious destination for a short trip from Singapore, but if you want a real adventure, there’s another way to get there, and it’s a classic. Travel for three days in pure luxury from Singapore to Bangkok on board the Eastern & Oriental Express. Leaving from Woodlands station, the train makes its way over the Johor – Singapore Causeway into Malaysia. The train will travel for the rest of the day before stopping in Kuala Lumpur for an hour just before 11PM. It will then travel all night to Penang, The train will be stopped for two hours in Penang while you take a guided tour of historic Georgetown. The next leg will be a non-stop ride for 24 hours all the way to Kanchanaburi. Here you will take another guided tour, this time by boat on the infamous River Kwai. Later that day you’ll be dropped at your final destination, Bangkok. Three days of luxury travel and accommodation, great food and amazing views. A trip on the Eastern & Oriental Express will be something you’ll never forget.

Thailand is a country everyone should visit at least once in their life. From people seeking relaxation to people that just want to party, Thailand provides something for everyone. Whether you stay in the jet age or go back to the golden age of travel on board the Orient Express, the proximity and cultural contrast to Singapore means it’s an essential trip for any traveller. 

Visitors.SG

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Jumping off from Singapore – Travels Abroad Part 2: Malaysia

Click to read Part 1: Indonesia

If you would prefer to travel somewhere over land instead of sea, just over the bridge north of Singapore is Malaysia. The most popular destination for short trips from Singapore is the state of Johor, one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The capital city Johor Bahru sits just over the water and takes about an hour to get to by car or bus from central Singapore, depending on traffic of course. The Malaysian government recently abolished the need to fill in immigration cards on arrival via land so the process has become a lot faster, however, during peak times the process can be quite slow. The main way to get to Malaysia from Singapore is the Johor–Singapore Causeway. Completed in 1923 this is still the most used road to get in and out of Singapore. Therefore it can get quite crowded. As Johor is an easy weekend destination, Friday evenings can see very long waits at the Causeway. As such a bridge was built in 1998 to help ease the congestion on the Causeway.  The price you pay for this however is that the bridge, known as the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link, is on Singapore’s west coast and thus further away from the Singapore city centre, which also means it drops you in Malaysia quite far from Johor Bahru.  In most cases you’d use this bridge if braving the long drive or bus trip to Malacca or Kuala Lumpur.

The newest destination in Johor is Legoland. Opening late 2012, the theme park has proved very popular with Singaporeans seeking weekend trips. Situated closer to the Second-Link, this is a great chance to use the second bridge. If catching the bus find out which bus takes which route before buying your ticket. Legoland is obviously aimed towards a younger audience, although there are some more grown-up rides like roller coasters, but ultimately it’s a family theme-park aimed at kids. The other main reasons Singaporeans visit Johor Bahru is for shopping. That might seem strange as Singapore is famous for its shopping, but with prices in Malaysia being a bit cheaper, sometime it makes sense. As a tourist though, you might not see much difference in prices.

 Further north is Malacca. Being a 3-5 hour bus trip from Singapore and with bus tickets costing as low as $15, it’s a great destination for those wanting to get away but are restricted by budget. The main reason for visiting Malacca (spelled Meleka in Malay) is for the culture. Years of former rule by the British, Dutch and Portuguese has left such a mark on the area that the city centre has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.  Popular past times are exploring the historic city by foot or taking a boat on the Malacca River.

The next stop on any trip to Malaysia is the capital city itself, Kuala Lumpur. Roughly an 8 hour bus trip or drive from Singapore it’s much quicker and only a little bit more expensive to fly. With a flight time of an hour, using one of the many budget airlines is the best option. Highlights in KL are the food, which the locals will assure you is better than in Singapore, a rivalry that will probably go on forever. Also a must visit is Petronas Towers, at one time the world’s tallest building. Take a ride to the top in one of the 29 double-decker passenger lifts to get amazing and unmatchable views of KL and its surroundings.

For some completely different, the Cameron Highlands provide a change of pace and some respite from the heat of South East Asia. Located 200 kilometres (124 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, it’s also possible to catch a luxury overnight bus all the way from Singapore. At 1,500 metres (almost 5000 ft) above sea level, the Cameron Highlands usually tops out at about 23 degrees Celsius during the day, a sharp contrast to the heat of Singapore and most of Malaysia. The main reason to visit the area is for the nature. With the beautiful scenery of the mountains and numerous waterfalls, it’s the perfect place to get back to nature after the hustle and bustle of Singapore or KL. The Cameron Highlands is also the home of the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia. As the flower lives deep in the forest you’ll need to get yourself a 4WD vehicle or sign up for a tour to see it.

Separated from by Malaysia by nothing but a narrow strait, Singapore is the perfect jumping off point for a trip to Malaysia. Whether by plane, train bus or car, anything from a day trip to a weeklong adventure is easily done. Just don’t forget your passport. 

Visitors.SG

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