The Natas Fair is probably the most anticipated travel fair in Singapore. Every year, the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) organizes two travel fairs – in February and August to cater for the peak travel seasons during the June and December school holidays.
The next Natas Fair 2012 in August will take place at the Singapore Expo, Hall 3B, Hall 4 and Hall 5 from 10am – 9.30pm. Every year, ten of thousands of people pay an entrance fee of $4.00 per person to shop for their ideal holiday destination and hunt for the best Natas travel deals.
Every year, new exotic destinations such as Bhutan, Sao Paulo and etc. are being introduced to attract holiday makers who have already visited popular cities such as Bali, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Taipei, Tokyo and etc.
Natas Fair Credit Card Promotions
UOB, DBS and Citibank are some of the banks which offer goodies when you use the credit card to pay for your Natas travel deals. The Natas credit card promotions offered you a chance at the instant lucky draw and free gifts such as luggage bag or suitcase.
As such it never fails to bring a lot of excitements to the travel agencies, travel insurance companies, credit card companies and most importantly, the travel bargain hunters. So much as that the heat starts even weeks before the actual Natas Fair.
Pre-Natas Fair Deals & Promotions
The travel industry is huge but extremely competitive and travel agents are doing everything possible to get ahead of their competitors and so emerged the Pre-Natas Fair events by individual travel agency. In a way, this is good for the consumers and we can have more choices and better value for our money.
Each travel agent would hold its own weekend ‘mini’ travel fair to test the market weeks ahead of the Natas Fair at Singapore Expo. Travel agencies such as Chan Brothers, CTC Travel, SA Tours, ASA Holidays, Dynasty Travel, Hong Thai Travel and etc. are aggressive with their promotion of Pre-Natas Tour Packages, usually organised at Suntec CIty.
How to Get There
As the place is expected to be crowded, it is advisable to take public transport there.
The MRT is probably the best mode of pubic transport to Singapore Expo. Take the East-West line and change for the Changi Airport bound train at Tanah Merah.
Other modes of Public Transport
Bus: 12, 24, 35, 38
Taxi: Surcharge of S$2 for all taxis departing from Singapore Expo
But if you still prefer to drive there, do take note of the parking fee.
Mondays to Sundays including Public Holiday:
- 7am -5pm
First 2 hrs = S$2.50
Subsequent 30 min. = S$1.20
(Maximum fee cap at S$13.50 per day) - 5pm -7am
Per Entry = S$2.50
Hi, I am planing to go Korea for the period of Nov ’12 about 8 – 10 days by package. Any good recommendation of travel agency with good deal too.
Hi,
I’m planning to travel to Maldives, May16-21.
4N/5D I’d like to find where to look for such packages.
Thanks a bunch!
Hi Joanne,
During the Natas Fair 2012 Feb, Airelated Travel has offers for 3 nights and get 4th night free packages to Maldives (on selected resort & date only). They have a few hotels to choose from – Club Med Kani, Kurumba (fr S$1118), Velassaru (fr S$1348), Sheration Full Moon (fr S$1348) & Baros Maldives Resort (fr S$1848).
The package includes return economy airfares by Singapore Airlines, 3 nights accommodation with daily breakfast & return transfer services by speedboat between airport and hotel. Please contact Airlated Travel at 6532 5686 directly or write to them at info@airlatedtravel.com.sg
I’m planning on going Hong Kong in Aug (free & easy). Any recommendation on hotel & itinerary for 4D3N? It’s been 8 years since I’ve last visited HK. Many thanks in advance!
Hi Chris,
Sorry for the late reply as I was travelling to Vietnam last two weeks. There is a travel guide on Hong Kong free and easy which you can refer to (http://www.goingplaces.sg/hong-kong-free-and-easy/)
For things to do in Hong Kong, here are some suggestions:
- Get a drink in Lan Kwai Fong (http://www.goingplaces.sg/hong-kong/lan-kwai-fong/)
- Climb 268 steps to see the 34-meter tall Big Buddha on Lantau island
- Make a day trip to Macau
- Sample all the gourmet food in Hong Kong such as Yung Kee Restaurant (http://www.goingplaces.sg/yung-kee-restaurant-hong-kong/) and Tim Ho Wan Dim Sim Restaurant (http://www.goingplaces.sg/tim-ho-wan-dim-sum-restaurant/)
- Factory Outlet shopping at Citygate (http://www.goingplaces.sg/citygate-hong-kong/) or Prada Factory Outlet (http://www.goingplaces.sg/prada-outlet-hong-kong/)
Hope this information helps.
Hi.. I’m currently not in Singapore.And miss out for Natas (Feb 2012) promotion.
Do you have any next schedule for Natas 2012?
We planning to go to Taiwan on End Sept – Oct 2012 for 2Pax (Honeymoon Trip). Any special promotion?
We able in Mandarin, Hokkien, do you things better we use free and easy, since i heard that not so difficult in Taiwan.
Regards,
Ratna Phang
Hi Ratna,
The next Natas Fair 2012 should be something in August, but the exact dates have not been announced yet. Since you are planning a trip to Taiwan in late Sept, you should be in time to check out the next Natas Fair promotion to find a suitable deal. You are right that Free & Easy Taiwan is doable if you speak Mandarin & Hokkien and Taiwanese are generally friendly & polite.
Hello! (: Im looking at a visit to South Korea this Oct/Nov for 2 pax, can you advise me if there is any free and easy package ongoing? Thanks so much!
Hi Yeon Hye,
SIA Holidays has a 5D Korea Free & Easy tour (min 2 to go) from S$1348. Packages includes:
- return airfare on Singapore Airlines
- 3 nights 4-star hotel (Riverside Hotel) accommodation with daily breakfast
- Meals provided for 1st day city tour where you will visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Ginseng outlet, Skin Care Center, Amethyst Factory, Myeondong Fashion District, Namdaemun Market. The rest of the two days are free at your own leisure.
- Airport Transfer
- English-speaking guide
- Booking valid from 1 Feb – 31 Oct 2012
Natas Promotion – book now and save S$80 per adult.
Thanks for your assistance, yah, but 5 days is a little too short. 7/8 days would be ideal! (: Or do any of the merchants at NATAS fair have air ticket sales to Korea?
You may check out Pricebeaker’s booth at Natas Fair which is selling airfare to Seoul from S$596, but I don’t know via which airline. Hope this helps.
I am planning to go Taipei on 27 Apr this year. How much will it cost for 8D 7N free n easy, travel by SQ, 4* hotel with airport transfer?
Hi Lim,
New Shan Travel is having a 3 nights Howard Plaza Hotel (5-star) Special Promo from S$819 via SIA. Extension of stay per night is S$90 for twin sharing. The so-called ‘airport transfers’ is to take the Airport Bus on your own from the airport to Howard Plaza Hotel at S$10 each person and vice versa. They also have quite a variety of 4-star hotels to select from. If you are interested, do give New Shan Travel a call at 6481 118 / 6220 1833.
Yes, I do speak Mandarin and Hokkien, so getting around in Taiwan is not an issue.
Just want to get my $$$ to work extra hard for me.
Am hesitating whether to go down to the fair and book the land package.
I’m planning for 9 days trip to Taiwan. Was wondering should I go for a F&E on own or joining land tour.
I’m concern that we would pay more in the end if we do it by ourself
What is your opinion?
Hi Lulu,
I am a fan of DIY but you are right DIY may not be necessary cheaper. Apparently, land tour for Taipei is not expensive and some tours only require a minimum of two to go. So you may book a cheap airfare with a budget airlines and then book a 3-4 Days land tour with one of the travel agents. The rest of the days, you can explore on your own and if you can speak Mandarin, it shouldn’t be too difficult to move around.
Hi, I am currently not in Singapore. Will there be any other way I can check out good deal from Natas?
Hi CK,
You can still visit Natas Travel’s website or your preferred travel agents’ websites for tour information but all the promotions and discounts end on 26 Feb, the last day of Natas Fair 2012.
Hi.
I would like to go to Taipei from 18May to 24 May. I would like to just purchase the air tickets. How much would the NATAS offer? Thank you
Hi Jessica,
Pricebreaker’s booth at Natas Fair always have a long queue. They are offering air tickets to Taipei from S$474. But I’m not sure via which airlines. You may want to visit Natas Fair tomorrow or give Pricebreaker a call.
Hi,
I have one naive question: do I need to bring along my passport to natas fair if I am going to sign up for packages in the fair?
Hi Phoebe,
Thanks for the question. You need not bring along your passport to sign a tour at Natas Fair if you can remember your passport details like passport number, expiring date etc. But if the tour you are signing up is departing soon and air tickets have to be issued soon, you may want to bring along your passport or a photocopy of your passport to ensure that the tour agent captures the correct information.
Are there cheap flight from Singapore to San Francisco end May?
Hi Marie,
Delta airlines flights to San Francisco starts from S$1632 with 2 stops at Tokyo & Los Angeles while United Airlines’ special fares to San Francisco starts from S$1676 with only 1 stop at Tokyo.
Hi,
Anyone went to the fair today?
Any recommended free and easy package to Japan (tokyo and nearby)?
Hi, I am looking for Grand Lexis, Port Dickson promotion in June. Any idea which company I should look for?
Hi Mary,
Five Stars Tours has a 2D Avillion Port Disckson from S$155 but at not Grand Lexis Hotel. You could call Five Stars to advise if they can arrange Grand Lexis Hotel for you instead.
Konsortium Singapore has a 3D2N Lexis Port Dickson from S$308 but valid till 31 Mar 2012. Do call them at 6392 3911 to check if they have similar tour for June school holidays.
Hi
May I know what are some of the good packages for taiwan at this Feb NATAS fair?
Thanks
Hi Fang,
Five Stars Tour has a 7D Taiwan Super Deals from S$888, flying via SIA. Itinerary is quite comprehensive covering Taipei, Wulai, Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou, Chiayi, Kaosiung, Kenting, Pintung, Taitung and Hualien. Departure dates are Mar 3,8,15,31 / Apri 5,7,14,21,28 / May 3,5,12,19,26.
Please call Five Stars Tour or visit their booth at 4H61 at Natas Fair 2012.
http://www.goingplaces.sg/five-star-travel/
hi there,
i am visiting natas fair either fri-sun. Any surprise deals for the last few days?Any gd countries in europe to recommend for late nov honeymoon and any recommended booth to survey for gd promotions? thx…
Hi Rudeez,
I have noted that many choose Switzerland, Paris and Italy for their Europe honeymoon destinations. It’s wise that you start doing your research in preparation for your late Nov honeymoon. Most popular travel agents like ASA Holidays, Chan Brothers Travel, Dynasty Travel have got tours to Europe but may not have departure dates for Nov. But it’s good that you get some brochures back to study the itineraries and decide what is best for you.
This website is awesome. I have missed a $992 deal flying SIN – PARIS and back from ROME – SIN on the websites, and am wondering if theres a chance airfare rates typically come down post Natas fair? Seems to fluctuate wildly everyday.
So upset about missing that …
Hi Lina,
It happened to me a couple times where I did not book the air tickets in time and missed the deals.
I don’t think the airfares will come down much after post NATAS as most of the seats would have been sold out. If you are planning to travel from Sep onwards, you can try to catch the next Natas Fair’s wave where promotion will start in late July/ Augest again.
Hi, I want to ask about ticket trip to LA or New York, US from 19th April to 18 May. Any good deal to consider?
Hi Apple,
The cheapest airfare to New York is offered by Qarter Airways at about S$2006 for the period from 19 April-18 May while Malaysia Airlines offers cheap flight to Los Angeles at around S$1674.