First Time in London/Singapore

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kinginvercargill

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#323221 8-Nov-2025 20:24

Next month I’m heading off on a 6 week holiday, part of it’s a Contiki tour around Europe, with some extra time in London and Singapore.

Super excited as it’ll be my first time visiting that part of the world. Will be good to see some family; however I've got a lot of spare time to kill.

I’d love to hear anyone's recommendations for things to see and do in London and Singapore that are a bit off the beaten path (e.g. not the London Eye which is already on my list).

Also, has anyone got any suggestions for good eSIM providers or general travel tips for those areas?

Thanks in advance (I had a quick look, but most posts are a few years old, mostly pre-covid)

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#3432247 8-Nov-2025 22:17

it is probably considered the beaten path but i love love love Kew Gardens and they do new displays regularly. it is near the national archives too if you have any need to be delving into research there.

what kind of things are you interested in?

timmmay

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#3432248 8-Nov-2025 22:25

Airalo eSIM. That's what I have my wife using when shes in the UK for a couple of weeks, and what i used in Australia recently when 2 degrees roaming failed. Again.

Or get a UK SIM that allows roaming such as GiffGaff, which last year we got in UK and used no problems in France.

lxsw20

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#3432249 8-Nov-2025 22:28

London - If you're into stuff thats a bit weird/morbid then the Hunterian Museum is worth a visit.

If you're into really good chicken then this place in Singapore - https://ofcsingapore.com/

KiwiSurfer

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#3432467 9-Nov-2025 16:58

How long are you staying in each?

Singapore tips

SIM - You can easily get Singel SIMs for cheap at the airport. Their tourist offer starts from $12/14days/100GB which is pretty amazing IMHO. They apparenty have a eSIM option but I haven't tried that. The other two are excellent too, I've used Starhub in the past with good results. Also remember many Singapore tourists SIMs include free roaming (but note maybe separate data caps) to certain other countries -- e.g. Malaysia is often included -- ideal for if you want to take a quick trip over there. Some telcos even include Australia/NZ/etc. With deals like that I'd not bother with the variable quality of global providers and just get the best service locally for cheap.
Public Transport - You can most likely use your usual payment card for public transport. Singapore's fare system is sort of like Auckland's system -- just tap on and tap off your Visa/MC (not sure re Amex however) and it automatically works out the correct fares at the end of the day. It works with Wise BTW just make sure you have a balance for the $1 hold they do to check your card is valid and for the trips you take. It is techically cheaper to get a local card as Singapore charges a fee for the use of foriegn cards so that may be better if you are staying there for a while. Their bus/metro network is generally excellent -- I personally only used a ride share car once, to go to the airport. All my other trips were metro/bus.
Ride Hailing/Food Ordering Apps - Instead of Uber, try the alternative ride hailing/food odering apps. I think I used Grab which was excellent for both rides and ordering food to my hotel room. At the time Grab had a special deal for new users - pay $1 and get heaps of vouchers including 50% off fares from the airport, 20% off to the airport, and may other deals. Seems to be quite a competive market -- Grab wasn't the only ride hailing option. So well worth investigating ahead of time so you have your account all ready to go when you land.

Singapore places to visit

I tend to like outdoor walking tracks and anything to do with World War II so my suggestions are biased. Apologies if not your cup of tea OP, but noting here in case others are interested. :)

Battlebox - Old bunkers for the Malay Command HQ in 1942.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve - Nice nature reserve, including Singapore's highest point.
Changi Chapel and Musuem - About the Japanese occupation in WW2.
Former Ford Factory - Musuem on the Japanese occuipation, and notable for the location where the British surrended to the Japanese.
Gardens by the Bay - Location of various free/paid things.
- Free - I recommend coming here at 7:45pm or 8:45 to see the Garden Rhapsody. Pretty cool and 100% free.
- Paid - There are a few options. I ended up doing Cloud Forest cos they had a special Jurassic World: The Experience thing on which was interesting.
Mount Faber Park - Nice park close-ish to downdown/CBD.
National Musuem - This can be hit and miss. The first time I went I found it a bit boring. Went again recently and they had a great exhibition. So maybe check out what's on and see if it interests you.
Rail Corridor - 24km long track along the old railway corridor that used to have tracks running fromfrom Malaysia to near downtown Singapore. Now turned into a fantastic linear park. If short on time just do the central portion. I've done Northern (which seemed to be partially under development) and Central. Make sure to bring lots of water and sunblock.

If you're a avgeek like me you might like to set aside some time to explore airside at Singaproe Airport. T1, T2 and T3 are all linked up seamlessly airside so you can easily check in at your terminal and past security (which is the fastest I've gone through at any international airport) you can explore through T1/2/3. Just make sure you get back to your gate in time! Some airlines like Qantas offer early check in as well -- check the T&Cs for your airline though. Sadly Air NZ does not participate.

I'm not sure I'd recommend Universial Studios Singapore but if you do go -- be aware queues can be massive for each ride. When I went I spent around 45-60mins waiting in long queues before each ride. So all day I only ended up doing maybe 8 or 9 rides in total due. It was a bit annoying standing in a queue for up to 60mins only to have the ride itself be over and done with in <5mins. I wish I'd gone for the fastpass (or whatever it's called) to skip the queues so I coud do more rides and even ride the better ones more than once and actually get my moneys worth. YMMV -- maybe I just went on a bad day.

Finally the best palces to eat are the many hawker food centres all around Singapore. I've been to Maxwell, Chinatown Complex, Old Airport Road, Newton, Tekka Centres, East Coast Lagoon, and others I've forgotten. All excellent, heaps of varity and cheap. I've been to Singapore twice and have only eaten in a few proper restaurants.

London tips

Public Transport - IIRC London follows the same approach as Auckland with allowing bank payment cards to be used. Like Auckland I believe payment cards get more or less the same fares as a local transit card for adults so no need to get a local card. Again generally excellent public transport within London so you really don't need to take a car anywhere.
Trains to/from Heathrow - If you're on a budget, note that you can use London Underground trains to/from Heathrow paying normal fares. Online/app journey planners may suggest vastly more expensive Heathrow Express etc as they generally give you the fastest route.

London places to visit

Haven't been there for a long time so just some places I'm sure will still be good. Again a WW2 bias here sorry!

Churchill War Rooms
RAF Musuem London -- This was interesting as not very prominent in any of the travel books I looked at (in fact only appeared in small print hidden away in one book). But I spent all day there and it was one of the best palces I went to.

If you can do a day trip out of London then:

Bletchley Park - Where Alan Turing broke German codes in WW2.

Europe tips

Take a note of which countries accept the Euro and which does not. I arrived in Hungary off a train trip from France fully expecting my Euro notes to be accepted. Wasn't until I went into a shop and noticed the prices seemed to be rather on the high side that I realised that the Euro hasn't yet arrived in Hungary yet...! Lesson learnt!

Have fun! :)

Jase2985

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#3432473 9-Nov-2025 18:11

KiwiSurfer:

SIM - You can easily get Singel SIMs for cheap at the airport. Their tourist offer starts from $12/14days/100GB which is pretty amazing IMHO. They apparenty have a eSIM option but I haven't tried that. The other two are excellent too, I've used Starhub in the past with good results. Also remember many Singapore tourists SIMs include free roaming (but note maybe separate data caps) to certain other countries -- e.g. Malaysia is often included -- ideal for if you want to take a quick trip over there. Some telcos even include Australia/NZ/etc. With deals like that I'd not bother with the variable quality of global providers and just get the best service locally for cheap.

Dont buy a local Esim online (Through their app) as it requires you to upload your passport as verification and it can take up to 24 hours to be verified. easier to get one in person somewhere and your good to go straight away.

Tinkerisk

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#3432489 9-Nov-2025 20:25

kinginvercargill:

… visiting that part of the world.

The term is entirely correct, but to me as a European it sounds a little amusing. I have absolutely no idea what New Zealand was like back then, when the Romans, Celts and Vikings were already bashing each other's heads in here. 😉

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ascroft

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#3432551 10-Nov-2025 04:55

Consider hop on hop off buses if you haven’t already for one day.

Do some research where they go.

May give you some ideas where you want to go back to.

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Handle9

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#3432554 10-Nov-2025 07:09

calm:

it is probably considered the beaten path but i love love love Kew Gardens and they do new displays regularly. it is near the national archives too if you have any need to be delving into research there.

what kind of things are you interested in?

Christmas at Kew is fantastic. You need to book it now, it may be sold out for OPs dates already but if they can get in it’s totally worth it.

Also a walking tour of the London Christmas lights is great in a similar but different way.

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#3432556 10-Nov-2025 07:19

kinginvercargill:

I’d love to hear anyone's recommendations for things to see and do in London and Singapore that are a bit off the beaten path (e.g. not the London Eye which is already on my list).

A friend who lived in London for 15 years advised us don't to the London Eye. Instead go for lunch at Shanghai Me on the 28th floor of the Park Lane Hilton. They do a 40 or 45 quid business lunch and you'll have a great meal with panoramic views. It's 10 pounds more than London Eye tickets and you'll have a an amazing meal and great views.

I haven't been to Shangahai Me but I had lunch at Windows at Galvin, which was the restaurant in the same space. It was so worth it and one of the highlights of our London trip.

The other thing that was a highlight was a walking tour of the changing of the guard. It's good fun and my kids loved feeding the parrots and squirrels in St James Park.

wellygary

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#3432620 10-Nov-2025 09:16

We were in London last year, and an open top Christmas lights tour was one of our highlights, - The UK and Europe do Christmas well, and its worth just walking up and down the shopping streets in the evenings to see the displays, - also you can do it at 5pm and it will be pitch dark and cold, - really gets you in the spirit.

In regard to getting in from Heathrow, the Elizabeth line has really been a game changer, its 30 mins from the Airport to Paddington as a regular underground fare (much improved on the old 55 min trip on the old piccadilly line,)

There is so much to see an do in London you really have to make lists,

One thing I always make time for is a Trip to Greenwich, its got great parks and History...

There is the National Maritime Museum - which is free, but needs to be booked, https://www.rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum

There is also the Greenwich Time meridian, and time ball up the hill at the Royal observatory TBH the museum is over priced, and unless you have a burning desire to, But its a great view over the gardens and back into the City and canary wharf, https://www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory

The painted Hall at the naval college is worth a visit, as are the gounds, https://ornc.org/whats-on/painted-hall-talks/

There is also the Cutty sark nearby https://www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark

We had great fish and chips at a place called "Jack the Chipper" in Greenwich,

Just getting to Greenwich is also a great trip, you can either catch a boat down or back, https://www.thamesclippers.com/

or go via the Tube /light rail, or mix and match,

I you are going to use the light rail ( DLR) and you like a walk, then I would take the foot tunnel under the Thames

https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/things-to-do/greenwich-foot-tunnel-p1373551

its a great example of Victorian London, and you then catch the DLR to Canary Wharf, to change to the regular Tube, - but spend some time at Canary Wharf, its a great example of modern London,

The roof garden is often missed, https://canarywharf.com/open-spaces/crossrail-place-roof-garden/ but is worth it. as is just wandering around and admire what happens when you pour billions of pounds into building new cities,..

Its also on the new Elizabeth line, so its quick to get back to the rest of town..

eracode

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#3432646 10-Nov-2025 10:15

Not a hidden gem but my favorite place in London is Westminster Abbey. Not just for the amazing building itself, but also for being the burial place of countless royals plus politicians, aristocrats, artists, composers, poets, writers and more.

Greenwich would be next on my list.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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wellygary

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#3432655 10-Nov-2025 10:33

KiwiSurfer:

If you're a avgeek like me you might like to set aside some time to explore airside at Singaproe Airport. T1, T2 and T3 are all linked up seamlessly airside so you can easily check in at your terminal and past security (which is the fastest I've gone through at any international airport) you can explore through T1/2/3. Just make sure you get back to your gate in time! Some airlines like Qantas offer early check in as well -- check the T&Cs for your airline though. Sadly Air NZ does not participate.

Yes, The "Jewel" is a destination in its own right, and because its "land side" before immigration many Singaporeans treat it like any other mall,

It basically a 5 story circular donut mega mall with the centre being a huge indoor garden... -and , you'll have seen millions of phots of the signature centrepiece waterfall ...

Its got early check-in facilities in the bottom, so you can arrive in the morning for an afternoon/evening flight ( for participating airlines) and spend a couple of hours just soaking it all in, - its got placing offering cooking classes, all the way through to restaurants and bars on the top floors.

And being Singapore, its connected to the cities MTR underground network so getting there is really convenient

invisibleman18

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#3435948 19-Nov-2025 14:24

In terms of sim card, for my recent UK/Europe trip I used an unlimited data only esim from Sim Corner which worked perfectly with 5G signal everywhere (in our case it was UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland). Got it with a 30% discount, and they currently have 30% of again for Black Friday.

https://simcorner.com/en-nz/products/esim-europe-unlimited-data?variant=42389750513718

Also recommend an app called 'Citymapper' which is gold for working out public transport. Just put where you want to go and where from and it will tell you exactly how to get there, what train lines and platforms to switch too etc. Made the London tube and Paris metro so much easier than working it out ourselves with the map. It was our most used app.

wellygary

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#3435958 19-Nov-2025 14:55

KiwiSurfer:

If you're a avgeek like me you might like to set aside some time to explore airside at Singaproe Airport. T1, T2 and T3 are all linked up seamlessly airside so you can easily check in at your terminal and past security (which is the fastest I've gone through at any international airport) you can explore through T1/2/3. Just make sure you get back to your gate in time! Some airlines like Qantas offer early check in as well -- check the T&Cs for your airline though. Sadly Air NZ does not participate.

Yes, going through terminal security at Changi is quick, BUT the payback is that they have additional scanning (and a queue) at each gate lounge.

While in place like Heathrow you do all the bag scanning before you are dumped through into the main waiting lounge/Giftshops , at Changi there is only a cursory scan when you enter the main terminal lunge area ,

There is more bag and person scanning at each gate lounge before you finally wait to board .. So it pays to arrive at the times they advise.

wellygary

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#3435972 19-Nov-2025 15:30

invisibleman18:

Also recommend an app called 'Citymapper' which is gold for working out public transport. Just put where you want to go and where from and it will tell you exactly how to get there, what train lines and platforms to switch too etc. Made the London tube and Paris metro so much easier than working it out ourselves with the map. It was our most used app.

I personally found the official TFL go app amazing in London, its really useful for showing the route options for both the tube and buses, - It also has all the travel alerts/cancellations which in a place like London can be many....

For Paris I use the official "Bonjour RATP", I find it really intuitive and helpful especially when you have to transfer lines, (its will recommend which carriage to get in to minimise you platform walk when you transfer)

Also a trick for new players in Paris is that some of the older metro cars still have manual doors that you need to "flip" to open,

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