Ranked 8th by the Global Sustainable Transport Survey conducted by Arcadis in 2017, Singapore offers a wide plethora of sustainable transport options for the eco-conscious. You can reduce your carbon footprint while indulging your inner explorer with these eco-friendly alternatives:
Visit icons, legends and futuristic gardens via the MRT
With an extensive network, sightseeing via the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) might be your fastest way of navigating the city’s key attractions.
Plan a self-guided tour along the city’s main lines:
Photo by Marklin Ang Downtown Line
Telok Ayer
A food lover’s paradise, Telok Ayer brings you on a trip to yesteryear Singapore when you step into in its chic cafes, restaurants and bars housed within restored shophouses. Walk down historic Amoy Street and grab a bite at Amoy Street Food Centre. If you’re there in the evening, head to lively Club Street and allow it’s vibrant surrounding to captivate you and other fellow party-goers.
Circle Line
Labrador Park
Labrador Park Nature Reserve lets you be a time traveller and a naturalist. Visit its preserved World War II fort and discover over 80 species of birds and butterflies that inhabit the park.
North-East Line
HarbourFront
Take the Sentosa Express to Sentosa island, where adventure seekers can enjoy unparalleled adrenaline rushes. Thrill-seekers might fancy Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett and Universal Studios Singapore, while those in search of a relaxing getaway can abscond to Tanjong Beach Club to become one with its relaxing beach vibes.
East-West Line
Bugis
Alight at Bugis and head to the Kampong Gelam district to relive the days of Singapore’s early settlers. Be transported to the past when you feast like royalty on sumptuous and regal nasi ambeng—up to 15 side dishes topped on rice are served in this large, traditional platter meant for sharing.
Tiong Bahru
Lined with quaint Art Deco shophouses, Tiong Bahru is packed with hip food and lifestyle establishments, and heritage-rich places that offer a slice of traditional Singapore.
North-South Line
City Hall
Among the cluster of tall buildings, the city centre has witnessed plenty of Singapore’s milestones in her road to independence. Become a knowledgeable historian by visiting old landmarks that are now galleries, like the National Gallery Singapore and the Asian Civilisations Museum.
Newton
Eat like a local at Newton Food Centre, where you can enjoy barbecued delights such as satay (grilled skewered meat), sambal stingray (grilled stingray served with spicy chilli paste) and orh luak (fried oyster omelette).
Get charged up
If you want to drive, opt to rent an electric car share (with a valid ASEAN or international driver’s license) instead at BlueSG. The minimum membership plan is one week, making it perfect for any visitor to the city. Once you’re a member, you’ll receive a BlueSG card to use to tap in and out of your ride. You can then pick up and drop off your car at any of the available charging points and travel around the city to explore great spots such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore Zoo, Kranji Marshes, Little Guilin or the Former Ford Factory, which are locations not easily accessed by public transport.
Cycle through the city
Want to explore Singapore on a bike but not sure where to start? Then local bike-sharing operator SG Bike is just what you need. To hire one and blend into Singapore’s cycling population, simply download the company’s mobile application on your smartphone, buy some credits, and scan the QR code located on each bicycle to begin your journey.
Explore the vast network of park connectors, which can actually bring you around the whole of Singapore! The Round Island Route (RIR) is a 150-kilometre continuous park connector that snakes around our entire island and connects our major parks. Get fit while park-hopping your way through our city-state.
Scoot your way through the sights
For an unconventional way of sightseeing, borrow an e-scooter from goScoot at Clarke Quay or the Esplanade, then zip through the area’s key attractions. If you’re picking up your ride from the Esplanade, ride through the Marina Bay area to see Gardens by the Bay and Marina Barrage. If you’re in Clarke Quay, coast your way through eclectic Chinatown and come away with a better understanding of daily life in early and present-day Singapore. Then make your way back when night falls and immerse yourself in Clarke Quay’s booming nightlife scene. Each scooter can take up to two persons on board.
Tour the town in a trishaw
Before cars, buses or trains were available, trishaw rides were the main form of transport in Singapore. Today, you can ride like our early pioneers did; your quirky alternative to a typical tour bus. Book a tour through Kampong Gelam with Trishaw Uncle which will let you retrace historic routes through heritage districts like Little India, Chinatown, or the Singapore River.