WITH every annual Great Singapore Sale (GSS) that takes place, some shoppers find themselves having to deal with a persistent problem - parking.

Finding that ideal lot for your set of wheels can be an issue, especially when thousands of bargain-hunters flock to the Orchard Road area, with some driving their own cars.

Shoppers my paper spoke to lamented the long waiting time spent getting a parking space, and the jams brought about by the heavy traffic in the area that they experience whenever they drive down into town during the GSS period.

Ms Heather Tan, 21, a polytechnic student, recounted her experience trying to find a parking lot during the GSS last year.

"I had to wait in the queue at Wisma Atria for close to 15 minutes before I managed to get a parking lot."

She eventually secured a lot and parked her car for almost four hours, spending almost $15 on parking charges alone.

Shopper Erica Leong, 24, echoed Ms Tan's sentiments.

The account director in a local public relations firm explained: "It was very tiring having to wait for a parking lot, and traffic is so heavy because there are so many cars around."

Last year, she had spent more than 20 minutes circling the town area in search of an empty lot before managing to find one in Cathay Cineleisure Orchard.

She added: "I think the search for a parking lot tired me out more than the shopping I did afterwards."

Despite their parking woes, both ladies maintained that they would still drive during this year's GSS.

Ms Tan explained: "Having a car is more convenient, because you can dump all your things in the car after shopping."

However, other shoppers say they will just avoid the bother by opting to take public transport instead.

Ms Grace Ong, 27, a part-time musician, noted: "It will take more time to settle transportation issues if I drive. Taking the train or bus would be definitely easier and less of a hassle."

To help shoppers navigate the area in search of better parking options, my paper has compiled a list parking charges offered by hotels and shopping malls around the area, from the cheapest to the most expensive.

LOWEST TO HIGHEST RATES FOR PARKING LOTS IN GSS ZONE:

Centrepoint
Everyday (including public holidays): $1 first hour; $1.20 per subsequent 1/2 hour

Far East Plaza
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $1.94 first hour; $0.97 per subsequent 1/2 hour.
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $3 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3 per entry

Lucky Plaza
Weekdays before 5pm: $1.61 first hour; $1.28 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays after 5pm: $3.21 per entry
Weekend charges same as weekdays
Public holidays: $3.75 per entry

Ngee Ann City
Weekdays before 6pm: $1.56 per hour
Weekdays after 6pm: $4.28 per entry
Weekends and public holidays 8am?6pm: $2.57 per entry; $1.61 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekends and public holidays after 6pm: $4.28 per entry

The Heeren
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2 first hour; $1.30 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays 5-11pm: $3 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3 per first three hours; $1.30 per subsequent 1/2 hour

Orchard Towers
Every day 8am-6pm: $3.50 per First two hours; $6.80 maximum charge
Every day 6pm-2am: $3.80 per entry
Every day 2-7am: $2.20 per entry

Shaw Centre
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $1.07 per 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $2.14 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $2.14 per entry

International Building (next to Shaw House)
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2.14 first hour; $1.07 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $2.14 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $2.14 per entry

Tanglin Shopping Centre
Weekdays and Saturdays before 6pm: $2.14 first hour; $1.23 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 6pm: $2.45 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $2.45 per entry

Far East Shopping Centre
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2.14 first hour; $1.07 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $3.21 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3.21 per entry

Paragon Shopping Centre
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2.25 first hour; $1.34 per subsequent 1/2 hour (additional $1 between 12-2.30pm)
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $3.37 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3.37 per first two hours; $0.70 per subsequent 15 minutes (additional $1 between 12-2.30pm)

Wisma Atria
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $2.30 first hour; $1.10 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $3.50 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3.50 per first two hours; $0.80 per subsequent 1/2 hour

Forum The Shopping Mall
Weekdays 6am-5pm: $2.40 per first hour; $1.20 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays 5pm-6am: $3.20 per entry
Saturdays: $2.60 per first hour; $1.40 per subsequent 1/2 hour; after 5pm $3.20 per entry
Sundays and public holidays between 6am to 6am the next day: $3.20 per entry

Pacific Plaza
Weekdays before 5pm: $1.50 per 1/2 hour
Weekdays after 5pm: $3.50 per entry
Saturdays before 6pm: $1.50 per 1/2 hour; after 6pm $3.50 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $3.50 per entry

Grand Hyatt Singapore
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $3 first hour; $1.00 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $5 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $5 per entry

Royal Plaza on Scotts
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $3 first hour; $1 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 5pm: $4 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $4 per entry

Wheelock Place
Weekdays and Saturdays before 6pm: $3 first hour; $1.50 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 6pm: $4 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $4 per entry

Tangs Plaza
Weekdays and Saturdays before 5pm: $0.05 per minute
Weekdays and Saturdays after 6pm: $4.50 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $4.50 per entry

Meritus Mandarin Singapore
Weekdays before 6pm: $4.50 first hour; $1.30 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays after 6pm: $6 per entry
Weekends and public holidays: $6 per entry

Hilton Singapore
Weekdays and Saturdays before 6pm: $7 first hour; $3.50 per subsequent 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays after 6pm: $7 per entry
Sundays and public holidays: $7 per entry

URA CARPARKS

Grange Road
Weekdays and Saturdays 8.30am-5pm: $1 per 1/2 hour
Weekdays and Saturdays between 5-10pm: $0.50 per 1/2 hour

Angullia Park
Everyday 8.30am-10pm: $0.50 per 1/2 hour