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Top Travel Apps in Singapore to Tour the Country Like a Local
Technology has greatly changed how we interact with our environment, including how we travel globally. Touring Singapore (or any country, for that matter) can greatly be enhanced by using essential travel apps specifically designed for the country.
With maps, ride-hailing apps, translation software, and more, you can visit our fair country like a boss. Download these essential travel apps for your Singapore trip ASAP!
1. Grab
App Type: Ride-hailing and food delivery
Grab has been a powerhouse globally, and its foothold in Singapore is strong! I frequently use this app to book a car or order food from the many food establishments within the metro for maximum convenience.
You can do the same while travelling. You can book a ride from the airport to your hotel, or if you don’t feel like eating out, you can place an order through the app’s food delivery option.
Also, the app has a feature called Grab Mart where you can request mart associates to do grocery shopping for a minimum handling fee. I suggest you use this if your hotel has a cooking area and you want to cook your own food.
Pro Tip:
Grab usually has vouchers that you can select before placing your order or booking a ride. Check the voucher tab first before finalising your order to get some discounts.
2. Google Maps
App Type: City navigation (map)
Where would we be if not for you, Google Maps? With its easy-to-understand map layout and feature-rich app, this helpful navigation tool has prevented thousands (if not millions) from getting lost.
In fact, it should be a travel essential not just in Singapore but in all parts of the globe. I frequently use it when driving and sometimes while walking towards a hard-to-find shop.
Another thing it lets you do is to find nearby establishments. I used this last month when I went to the Singapore Zoo and searched for nearby buffets.
Pro Tip:
Click on the different transport options to find out about travel time and cost.
3. Chope
App Type: Restaurant reservation
Locals know the best restaurants and eateries, but foreign tourists might have little to no clue when it comes to the best dining options here. Enter, Chope—one of the best restaurant reservation apps in the country.
What I like about this app is that it doesn’t just display the best restaurants nearby, but it will also give you establishments based on your filters. For example, I tried looking for restaurants near MRT stations, and I got a few great suggestions.
I also tried searching for discounted deals through the Chope app, and I saw a couple of restaurants offering up to 35% off on their menu items!
Pro Tip:
Click on the app’s Best Dining Guides tab to read some dining tips.
4. Klook
App Type: Hotel, flight, and tour booking
I don’t know everything there is when it comes to great tour packages. That’s where Klook comes in handy.
This travel app is a must if you want to get the best value for your money. You don’t have to separately book your transportation and tickets to the Singapore Zoo and Marina Bay Gardens when you can get a bundled option for these.
My family used this during the kids’ school vacation and got the Night Safari package which included transport to and from an accessible pickup point. I think the bundle saved us around 20% off the ticket and transportation costs!
Pro Tip:
Click on the gift cards link to buy Klook credits that you can give as a gift to your loved ones and friends.
5. Agoda
App Type: Hotel, flight, and tour booking
I have been using Agoda for years now, and it has always been a reliable hotel reservation app for my family. While it’s similar to Klook, it focuses more on giving you the best hotel reservation experience.
It displays your preferred and available properties in a simple and organised manner. Simply click the appropriate tab up top (e.g. hotels, apartments, and homes) and scroll through the search results!
Our family went to Malaysia last year, and we used this app to book our hotel near Legoland Malaysia. We were able to reserve our room without having to pay digitally but instead, chose to pay at the property which I think is cool!
Pro Tip:
Keep using this app every chance you get, as it will give you better discounts with each booking.
6. Rome2Rio
App Type: Transport options and trip planning
Rome2Rio can be of great help, as it gives you different transport options in and around the country.
I tried using this app once to see transport options from Singapore to Malaysia, and I saw some that were within my budget. It highlighted the budget difference between a bus and a taxi ride, and I decided to stick with the bus option!
Rome2Rio’s most useful feature is that it lists the cheapest and fastest transport options that can get you from point A to B. Plus, it displays which bus lines (bus numbers) you need to take to make sure you don’t get lost.
Pro Tip:
Click on the transport option to find out what time your preferred transport option (buses and trains) departs or leaves the station.
7. Skyscanner
App Type: Flight, hotel, and car rental service
I use Skyscanner to search for cheap flights and car rentals, and it always gives me the best deals during my scheduled trip.
My family is currently planning a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland for the holidays, and we were looking for the cheapest flights. Skyscanner displayed all of our options and included things like the fastest travel time and add-ons (e.g. baggage).
I also like using their car rental especially if I need to stay in one location for a couple of days. The app displays the prices, the type of vehicles you can get, and the app or website you can get the car rental deal from.
Pro Tip:
Be sure to tick the search filters for free cancellation and unlimited mileage if these are something you need or want.
8. Visit Singapore Travel Guide
App Type: Tours, experiences, and local travel tips
Use Visit Singapore Travel Guide to get a local perspective during your trip.
I downloaded the app to see if they really know what they are talking about, and I’m glad to confirm that they do. It describes each neighbourhood’s feel or “personality,” for instance, Mandai’s focus on nature.
My favourite feature, though, is its travel tips. While I know a few local tips and tricks myself, you really can’t carry a local like me around like an app on your mobile phone all day, now, can you?
Pro Tip:
Check out the app’s travel tips section to get essential information on weather, visa requirements, and useful numbers like the police, ambulance, and flight information.
9. Google Translate
App Type: Language translation
Go ahead and download Google Translate to help you beat that communication barrier in case you meet someone using a language different from your own.
Just type what you want to say and show it to the person who can then read the words in their language. I used this app during a business trip to Japan, and it proved crucial especially when asking for directions.
Aside from directions, you can also use this app to ask wait staff about certain dishes when ordering at a local restaurant. Ask about the ingredients of that Chinese dish, for instance.
Pro Tip:
Download the Mandarin and Chinese language pack before your trip so that you can use the app in the said languages even without an Internet connection.
10. Changi App
App Type: Airport and flight information
If you’re travelling to Singapore via plane, then you will most certainly go through Changi Airport. It’s essential, then, that you keep up to date with flight schedules, changes to terminal gate assignments, and your terminal’s nearby cafes.
The Changi App can provide this information in the palm of your hand. I had a business trip a few months back and had to check flight cancellations or changes to my assigned terminal, and thanks to this app, I was able to confirm there were none!
I also used it to check for any nearby cafes to grab a hot cup of coffee before my flight. I saw a Starbucks that was just a few minutes away from my terminal, so I got myself a tall cup of Americano!
Pro Tip:
Visit their website to learn more about the Changi App rewards program.
