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Don’t Fall for the HOHO…

The hop on and hop off bus also known as hoho…. for ho ho ho your money is gone-
Is marketed as the easiest way for tourists to get around the most popular spots in the city.
BUUUT you’ll quickly see that it’s not what it seems…

For $65 you get a day pass that grant you access on two bus tours:
1. The City route that covers the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, Museums…
2. and the Heritage route that covers Little India, Kampong Glam, Chinatown…

BUT… all these are ALREADY easily covered by the public bus, which even if you take for the whole day will only cost you AT MOST ~$10… still at least $50 cheaper than this hoho.
To make it worse, HOHO only run from 9:30AM to 5:30PM daily. On the other hand our public buses and trains runs from as early as 5:30AM all the way way to midnight.

The most annoying part for HOHO: it’s actually harder to navigate than public transportation because the HOHO stop points do not appear on Google Maps. So you’ll need to rely on their pictorial guide to find out where is the boarding spots. Actually most of their stops are using the PUBLIC BUS STOPs hahahah

However, some of the stops are not marked so good luck finding those!

Public Bus City Tour Route

HOWEVER, as a visitor you wouldn’t know which public buses would work… that’s where I come in 😉
I’ll take you along my favorite public bus routes!

I’ve designed this to be as SCENIC as possible – as EASY to follow as possible – with MINIMAL walking…

Start: #130 from Bugis to Shenton Way

By taking bus #130 from Bugis station Exit B. For the BEST view, you’ll wanna get on a DOUBLE decker bus.

To keep track of when are the buses coming – and if it’s a single/double decker, download this app called “SINGABUS”.

To see the route on Google maps click the link: here
BUT you still gotta click and select the option for #130

Your cue to get off is when you see the Shenton Way Terminal on your left. Anyways you’re stopping at the last stop of the bus service so you can’t overshot this route 😉

Route 1 Preview

#106 from Shenton Way to Capitol Building

After alighting, simply walk into the Shenton Way Terminal, to catch your next bus: #106
We’re going back into the city – from another route to see it from another angle 😉

Google map route: click here.
Your cue to stop will be the beautiful white building called The Capitol.

Route 2 Preview

(Optional) Civic District Tour

You have arrived at the most historical site in Singapore: The Civic District

Come and stretch your leg, visit the St.Andrew Cathedral just across the road and have a peek at our Old City Hall & Former Supreme Court (National Gallery on the map)

You don’t have to walk back to the Capitol to continue your bus tour, just get back on the bus stop along North Bridge Road to catch your next bus.

#80 / #145 from Capitol to Maxwell

If you did not walk you’ll be taking the bus from “City Hall Stn Exit B“
But if you took a walk around the civic district you’ll be taking the bus from “Opp The Treasury”

This time you can take #80 or #145,, which will be a short but super dense ride!

Google map route: click here.
Your cue to stop is the beautiful RED temple.

Route 3 Preview

Lunch at Maxwell

OF COURSE I included lunch….
You’ll stop right infront the BEST place to try our local cuisine: The Maxwell Food Center!

For starters, try our Hainanese Chicken Rice!

Chinatown Walking Tour

I’ve included a short walking route through the most colorful stretch of Chinatown so you don’t miss out on the good stuff on this “bus tour”!

A hidden gem right across from Maxwell is the Singapore City Gallery. Here’s where you can uncover the SECRETS of city planning in Singapore, from the highly detailed city models on exhibit.

Continuing on, go back to the red Buddha Temple and turn into the Sago Street right beside it, keep going straight until you can turn left to “Chinatown Train Station Exit A”.

You’ll witness some of the best conserved old shophouses – and have a taste of what touristy Chinatown is like hahah

#124 / #190 from Chinatown to Orchard

Take the stairs up from the “Chinatown Train Station Exit A” to get across the road.
Our next bus stop is at “Eu Tong Sen Stret”, named: “Aft Chinatown Stn Exit D“
We can take #124 or #190.

Google map bus route: click here.
Your cue to stop is after seeing ION Orchard on your right.

Route 4 Preview

5 – #124 / #190 / from Orchard to Little India

Why this specific stop along Scott’s Road?
WELL because this one has got an escalator for you to get on the overhead bridge to cross the other side EFFORTLESSLY.
Plus, the ION and Tangs deserve another look 😉

Google map bus route click here.
Your cue to stop is the majestic light blue Rendezvous hotel.

Route 5 Preview

Route Summary for Reference

NOTE: When using the Google Maps link for navigation, you still have to click on the correct bus number

Conclusion

Congratulations! Now you’re well equipped to hop on your very own public bus city tour.

If you like travel guides like these, read the next one below, i’ll see you there 😉