What every family needs to know before booking their trip to Singapore        

Travellers Experiences

Let’s dive into this interview with Aqeela and learn about her experiences, gaining insights on how to navigate international family travel, particularly in a destination as diverse and exciting as Singapore.

Tell us about your experience: 

We decided quite impulsively that we were going to do an international family trip. Myself and my husband had traveled internationally with our kids before, but always as part of a bigger group. This time, we were doing it on our own, with 3 kids, aged 9, 7 and 1. This meant that the destination needed to tick a multitude of boxes.

Firstly, we wanted to go to a visa-free destination because we didn’t have time for visa applications and processing. Then, safety was a top priority, hygienic conditions, as well as ease of daily commute. We were looking for a destination that would appeal to all ages too. We started doing some research and Singapore stood out. Although Singapore is known for being notoriously expensive, I am of the mindset that any destination can be as expensive or as cost effective as you want it to be.

I can confidently say that we enjoyed every bit of our time in Singapore, I cannot say there was something we didn’t like, my only regret is that we didn’t stay for longer.

It’s a green country, literally and figuratively – tropical and lush, and they care about sustainability. There is something for everyone – from cityscapes, to man-made wonders like the Supertrees which light up at night, Sentosa Island with endless activities for kids and adults alike, it is a shopping destination, and so much more.

Tell us about some of your highlights

Some of our highlights included Universal Studios, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Skyline Luge, the Supertree Grove, the Children’s Garden and Marina Bay Sands.

When do you think is the best time to travel to Singapore?

Singapore’s climate is very different to ours in South Africa and is characterized by two monsoon seasons separated by inter-monsoonal periods, or the wet and dry seasons. The dry season is from March to August, so those months might be the best time of year to visit. The temperatures do soar though and it gets very humid. We visited in January, which is known to be the wettest month, but we didn’t experience any rain and temperatures were around 30-35 degrees celsius, daily.

Tell us about what you did on your trip to Singapore

We arrived in Singapore on a Thursday night and so naturally we had planned to attend Jumuah there and it was so special being able to do so at the Sultan masjid in the Muslim Quarter known as Kampong Glam. After Jummah we took a walk around the well-known Haji Lane for lunch and some street shopping.

I would highly recommend at least two days at Sentosa Island, where you can experience Universal Studios – this was an absolute hit for all ages.

Adventure Cove Waterpark was by far the best activity for the kids and adults, and the older kids thoroughly enjoyed Skyline Luge which is a fun skyride above the treetops and then a cart ride down slopes and bends, suitable for ages 5+.

The activities we missed but were highly recommended by friends were the Night Safari, the Cloud Forest and SEA aquarium.

Tell us about Halaal (Halal) Food in Singapore

Halaal food is very easily accessible in Singapore, I’d say even more so than in South Africa. The hotel we stayed at was fully certified Halaal which was great because it’s not every day that on travels you’re able to indulge in all the food. Unfortunately we didn’t visit any restaurants due to constantly having the baby stroller with us.

We were also price-conscious, and the touristy spots can get quite expensive so we opted to eat in the food courts inside the malls, at the hawker centers, which is where the locals eat and a must-do when in Singapore, or we would order in from our hotel room using the Grab app, similar to Uber Eats. Not all hawker stalls are Halaal, but we found that the hawker center at Gardens by the Bay, called Satay by the Bay, was decent and had a few Halaal offerings.

Did you visit any masjids?

Yes, one of our first stops was the Sultan Masjid in the Muslim Quarter. Salaah facilities are prevalent in public spaces and even so at Universal Studios, and the wider Sentosa Island.

List of ideas on where to shop?

There are so many shopping spots for all budgets, and a mall on every corner in Singapore. Orchard Road is the main shopping hub and here you can find the famous ION Orchard – a high end shopping center with all the designer shops you can think of. If you’re looking for electronics and tech, you won’t want to miss Funan mall.

Some other popular malls include Vivo City and Bugis Junction. You’ll find super cheap goods at the Mustafa Center, but skip this if you’re not looking for super cheap stuff. We enjoyed the street shops along Haji Lane too for souvenirs.

Tell us about the local people

The population of Singapore is diverse, and there are 3 main ethnic communities, namely Chinese, Malay and Indian, amongst some other descents. These communities live in racial and religious harmony, with mutual respect for one another.

The people of Singapore are known to be disciplined with a strong work ethic. Something that is consistent across the whole city is cleanliness and respect. The rigid rules and heavy sanctions on things like chewing gum and littering are the reason why Singapore is one of the cleanest cities in the world.

What would you do differently?

The one thing I would do differently would be to stay for longer. We only had 6 full days and left on the 7th, and whilst Singapore is small and some say you only need 4/5 days, my family would definitely have liked an extra day or two.

 

What advice will you give others that may want to replicate this journey?

My advice to anyone planning a trip to Singapore is to plan an itinerary as there is LOTS to see and do. Buy tickets to attractions beforehand, we did so via the Klook app, so that you have everything ready and won’t be disappointed.

What modes of transport do you recommend?

The transport systems in Singapore is absolutely top class and amongst the best in the world. If you’re with a family, you might want to consider the MRT which is Singapore’s subway system. You are able to purchase a card that gets loaded and topped up with credits, and rides are super cheap. You are also able to get anywhere in the city in a matter of minutes. Kids under 6 ride for free. They also have a reliable bus service, their version of Uber called Grab, and taxi cabs which are a bit more costly. To and from the airport we booked a private transfer since we had our luggage and a stroller with us.

What areas do you think would be best to stay at?

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium. This is a 4 star, child-friendly, halaal-certified hotel and is situated in the Tiong Bahru area and is connected to the Havelock MRT station. It isn’t a luxury hotel but it would suit the mid-range budget. Some good areas to stay in would be around Orchard Road or the Marina Bay Area if you want to be in the city and have a luxury budget, or at one of the many hotels on Sentosa Island.

When do you think is the best time to visit Singapore?

I’d suggest traveling to Singapore between March and August, if you want to experience the least amount of rainfall and low humidity.

If Singapore is a stop over on a multi-destination trip then I’d say 4 days may be sufficient to do all the main attractions. However, if like us, you’re wanting to experience everything that this beautiful city-state has to offer, then do accommodate for a week at the very least, also factor in a day of rest if you’re traveling with young kids because it can be very tiring. Since we feel like we spent too little time there, we now have every reason to go back.

Any tips, tricks or recommendations you would like to share for anyone wanting to visit Singapore?

When you arrive, you’ll want to get SIM cards and your MRT cards if you plan on traveling on the subway. Don’t be bothered to do so at the airport, rather get to a 7-Eleven, of which there are many, and get those there.

They’re a fraction of the price and you won’t have to queue like at the airport. Also, do not miss the rain vortex at the Jewel, Changi airport. Changi airport itself is a wonder so take some time to explore it if you have some extra hours – you can catch a free movie, do some shopping or visit one of the many gardens.

Thank you for doing this interview with Halaal Travels.

Tell us about yourself

I’m Aqeela Sasman, wife, and mom-of-3, born and bred in Cape Town, South Africa. I am a Senior User Experience Designer working remotely for a global US-based company called GoDaddy. Outside of time with my family, I enjoy anything that requires some creativity whether it be creating content, baking, home decorating. I also prioritize healthy eating, healthy lifestyle habits and self-care rituals.

My Instagram handle is aqeela_sasman.

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