Hi Smart Spending People,
I am Visting Kuala Lumpur & Singapore for 2Nights & 5 Nights (26th Nov 17 to 2 Dec 17) for 4 Adults and 2 Years old kid.
I need some suggestions and advice, Tips for travel.
The cheapest way to getting around in City and place to visit …
Any suggestion is helpful to plan my booking.
Also Any discount coupons for Airbnb in Singapore..
you forgot chicken rice, kway teow, satay at lau pa sat, nasi lemak, ice kachang, laksa, etc.
Chicken rice is highly overrated
blasphemy!
@Sirlofty:
Nah. There's way better food to be eaten, don't waste your stomach space on Chicken Rice.
I dunno, maybe I'm missing some kind of taste bud or something that makes it magically amazing or something.
Bak chor mee, curry fish head, chai tau kuay, hokkien prawn mee, curry puffs, mee siam, cendol, popiah, claypot rice, roti prata, etc.
ahaha singapore chilli crab.. triggered. For bakuteh must go to Klang.
KL - taxi is inexpensive. Always go the meter on your trip. Except if you are returning (hence you know the price) then you may negotiate.
Singapore - depends where you stay. Santosa island - you should be give a free monorail pass. Use that. Taxis aren't that expensive though in Peak hour you would be screwed. MTR is good. Fast and efficient.
uber also works there. theres also a local competitor called grab. they are super cheap anyway, but if you really wanna ozbargain it, check both because they seem to be in fierce competition. every other week one of them seems to offer free rides and big discounts. last time i was there they had 1rm fares up to 4km. so id split up any longer trips and never pay more than $1 to get around the city
Super …. I use Uber in Australia alot.
I will keep an eye on the Uber offer….
Thanks for info Altomic…
I have Booked my accommodation with Airbnb, Staying at Bukit Ceylon(KUL).
Need to plan visiting places.
We went to KL a few months ago. The taxis were pretty rough and Uber Black is super cheap.
The train from the airport in KL isnt a bad deal if you buy return tickets.
Thanks, nubix..
But we are 5 people ( 4 adults with 1 kid). Not sure how we can travel without Booster seat.
Booster seat? No, you don't/won't need it at all.
thanks, PissLR…
So we can travel 5 people in Uber and other taxi services.
Our kids liked the water play and playground at Gardens by the bay in Singapore. It is free. The also liked the conservatories (especially the tall one representing a mountain) but they are relatively expensive in my opinion (as i'm not especially in to plants). It was quite a walk to the Gardens by the bay from the nearest train stop which they didn't like (my kids were 4 and 6 years old when we went). I liked the light show at the supertrees (free) and the elevated walkway in the supertrees (fee, but not too much).
thanks, mummy2…
how long back was your trip to Singapore…?
Still looking where to book accommodation …searching in Airbnb.
Any suggestions..?
We last went in July 2016. I'm not going to be much help with bargain accommodation suggestions though.
We stayed in a really expensive hotel (my partner doesn't believe in being frugal at all) - the luxury part of the Shangri-La on orange grove road. I've no idea what the cost was but it include free drinks and bar snacks, afternoon tea and canapes almost all day. The one good thing was that we could have 2 kids in our room - a lot of hotels in Singapore have a max of one kid in the parents' room, so even though it was expensive it wasn't much more than 2 rooms in an average hotel (apprently) - it also had an excellent swimming pool.
The previous year we stayed in the Hard Rock Hotel on Sentosa - another of the few hotels that allow 2 kids to stay in the same room as the parents. It had an amazing pool for kids and a special offer when we stayed that breakfast was included for all of us (and a great breakfast buffet) so we stuffed ourselves and didn't need to buy lunch. But again I think ut was quite expensive.
I discovered GOKL - a free public bus service in the touristy/centre part of KL, and couldn't be happier, for getting around daily. There are 4 lines (colour-coded), and they run all day. A bus comes along every 5-10 mins. If your hotel is somewhere in the middle of city, chances are you will be near one of the lines. In my case, it was just steps away, so ultra-convenient. They are air-cond and very comfortable.
The only downside is it is like a tube map - I cannot find the routes inlaid onto an actual map.
Other places where this bus service is not that convenient, grab fares are reasonable. While I was there recently, there was even a $5 off for 10 trips. As nubix commented, the airport transfers using grab at RM$65 to anywhere in KL is really convenient.
thanks bluesky for info.
GOKL is really useful as I am staying in the city… Bukit Ceylon
Do u know where i can find coupons for grab fares..
The codes were just given in the app, in my case, under Notifications.
The thing to note about Grab is that it is best to type in the starting address, and not rely on the GPS location, as it can be off by a fair bit (50m?), so the driver cannot find you.
Hi OP, I just found this page where the GOKL routes are inlaid onto an actual map. Hope you find this handy!
Thanks buddy
In KL use the express train from the airport basement to KL Central, then take a taxi. At KL SENTRAL mall, you buy a taxi voucher to your destination from a kiosk first then go outside to the taxi rank. This is the only place where the authorities have this system.
In Singapore, Airbnb ( and all short stay leases less than 6 months) are not legal. I think your best bet is a hotel so you need to check trivago etc for mid range or resort hotels ( with a pool I suggest) If you find a possible hotel you can ring them to confirm bed arrangements. Many hotels can add in a extra fold up bed or similar. MRT and busses make it easy to get around so you can stay a bit further out. Don't stay on Sentosa unless you plan to spend most of your time there. It adds at least 30 mins to your travel time each way.
I agree with this, i thought about airbnb for singapore too but i reconsidered when i discovered it was illegal.
Thanks Timmo..
I already booked Airbnb … I think i am out of options..
Hope for the best ..
I'm originally from KL and was back there last week with my 5 year old.
Given the number of people you have travelling, I would agree with previous users suggesting GRAB for transfers out off the airport.
And generally getting around town.
Given the limited time you have, and your relatively central location I would suggest a trip to the nearby Lake Gardens during the day.
The options here would cater for all age groups including:
KL Bird park
KL Butterfly park
National Mosque (NB: do not go on friday due to prayers, if you are female you will be asked to cover up)
Islamic Arts Museum
National Monument and Memorial
These are all within walking distance of each other, do be mindful of the warm weather and humidity though!
Alternatively, KLCC (in the nearby opposite direction), where the twin towers are has a large outdoor park and indoor aquarium as well as a huge shopping mall.
KL is a food haven, though, if you're travelling with a 2yo, I would probably recommend the Hu Tong Food Court at Lot 10 - the concept behind this food court was to get ALL the best hawker food offerings from KL under one roof, indoors, and in the relative comfort of airconditioning.
I will leave the Singapore recs to the Singaporeans.
Enjoy your trip.
Thanks for good info buddy ..
Great that you're visiting KL. Many great tips there! I'd just add to be careful when walking the roadsides, footpath, sidewalks etc…as they can be uneven and sometimes even have gaping holes. I've seen people hurt their feet before and you don't want that to spoil your holiday. All the best to you and family, have fun, cos KL has lots to offer!
If you are planning to go up the Petronis towers, they need to be booked a day or two before. It can be done online, but it is cheaper to go there to do it. The aquarium there (close by) is also quite good. Skip the orchid gardens, that was a waste of time. If you are in to pewter, the Royal Selangor pewter works will collect you from your hotel & return you after the tour Royal Selangor +60 3 4145 6122. FREE both ways. We stayed at the Holiday Inn - comfortable & roomy. Join @ IHG.com before booking for slightly better prices. Double up & book via Agoda through Cash Rewards… 3 logins, but you're a bargain hunter. :)
FX rates didn't seem to vary much in KL. The banks will only direct you to a money changer.
Singapore I haven't stayed at for a few years, but we do recommend the large 'whisk(e)y only' duty free store in Changi T2. Mmmmm heaven on a tasting cart.
Thanks buddy ..
Instead of spending that many days in Singapore, have you considered dropping by for two nights in Malacca instead?
Na… I never heard about Malacca .. May be next time..
A couple of things…
The Monorail in KL is great. We used it all the time last year and it worked out about 80c a ride. Brilliant, and the people using it seemed pretty friendly. Mind you, we did see some soldiers with machine guns at a couple of the stations.
Second everything on the food. If you get bad food in KL, you are being very unlucky, and the good food is sensational. Use your head and dive in.
Wine is expensive, but beer is cheap.
Do a high tea at one of the major hotels. We like the Majestic, it's about $20, which is about 65 percent cheaper than Raffles in Singapore and just as good.
Also, if you need laundry done, there are several services that will pick up your washing and return it the next day, for very little cost. It's great returning home without a lot of laundry to do! We use Moma Wash, great value.
Change your currency at Sentral station. The ones at the airport are expensive and if you do it before you go, you will get fleeced! There are a couple of money exchanges at the entrance end of the station, they give very close to XE rates for Aussie currency.
Also, the Duty Free stores are KLIA are quite good. It's not huge but quite good value.
thanks, buddy…
I have booked Complete house using Airbnb so we don't have a washing headache.
day 1: all you can eat durian
day 2: bah kut tea
day 3: singapore chilli crab
day 4 to 7, repeat above