Modern, immaculately clean, tropical, and culturally diverse, Singapore is fascinating, but there are things you should know before you visit. This Singapore travel guide will help you discover the country’s unique rules and guidelines. We have filled it with useful Singapore travel tips and our personal recommendations.
Where is Singapore?
Singapore is a small island city-state off of the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, west of Sumatra and Borneo.
A tropical island, it sits about one degree north of the equator in Southeast Asia; consequently, it’s hot and humid.
A city-state is a small, independent country consisting of a single city and its dependent territories. Singapore, Monaco, and Vatican City are good examples.
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Singapore travel guide: Quick reference
With a multicultural population of 6 million people on an island a bit over 700 km² in area, Singapore boasts one of the world’s highest population densities at over 8,000/km² according to World Population Review.
- Emergency numbers: Police (999), Ambulance and Fire (995)
- Official Languages: Malay, English, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil
(Most Singaporeans can speak English) - Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD)
- Credit cards: Mastercard is more widely accepted than Visa
- ATM Machines: Easy to find in Singapore
- Electricity: 230V 50Hz Type G connectors (same as those used in the UK)
- Telephone country code: +65
- Water: Tap water is considered safe to drink
- Tipping: There is often a 10% service charge/gratuity automatically added at restaurants. Aside from that, tipping is generally not done in Singapore, except in cases of outstanding service.
Best time to visit Singapore
Hot and humid, it rains frequently in Singapore. Aside from a dry and wet season, the weather doesn’t change dramatically. Year-round average temperatures barely fluctuate from 26 – 27°C (79 – 81°F), with average highs and lows of 23°C and 31°C (73 – 88°F) respectively.
Plus, there is little variance in the number of daylight hours between summer and winter.
Singapore travel guide to the weather
February to April
- Dry season
- Avg temps: 27°C (81°F)
- Considered best time to visit.
- More crowded.
- Requires booking ahead.
May to July
- Dry season
- Avg temps: 27°C (81°F)
- Smokey and hazy from burn off in nearby Sumatra.
- Fewer tourists.
- Less planning required.
August to October
- Wet season
- Avg temps: 27°C (81°F)
- Longer rains.
- Fewer tourists.
- Less planning required.
November to January
- Wet season
- Avg temps: 26°C (79°F)
- Slightly cooler temps.
- Torrential rains.
- More crowded.
- Requires booking ahead.
Festivals and holidays in Singapore that affect travel
Annually, there are 11 public holidays observed in Singapore, many of which have religious roots. The majority of Singapore’s population classify themselves as Buddhist 33.2%, Christian 18.8%, Muslim 14%, Taoist 10%, or Hindu 5%. The key Singapore holidays and festivals that affect travel (larger crowds, higher prices) include:
- Chinese New Year (January or February): Also called the Lunar New Year, it is a fifteen-day festival in Singapore with markets, lion dances, a major parade, and lots of feasting.
- International Jazz Festival (early March): A three-night festival held at Marina Bay Sands.
- Ramadan (Fluctuates): This month-long celebration includes extensive night markets, as those who celebrate fast during the days.
- National Day (August 9): Commemorates the country’s independence from Malaysia in 1965.
- Singapore Grand Prix (September or October): A huge event in Singapore, it is a “jewel in the Formula One crown”.
- Deepavali (Diwali) (November): A five-day festival of lights, which affects mostly Little India.
Singapore travel tips: Know before you visit
Visas and entry
Tourist visas are not required for stays up to 90-days for visitors from many countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, and the USA. Click here to check the official government site to see if you need a visa. However, entry cards are issued at immigration and should be carried at all times with your passport whilst you are visiting Singapore.
Also, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required from travellers who are either from or have travelled in or through any of these African or Latin American countries in the past six days.
Health Safety in Singapore
Singapore is considered to be one of the safest countries in Asia. However, that doesn’t mean nothing bad ever happens. Petty crimes are the largest threat, and like everywhere, visitors should remain vigilant to their surroundings and their belongings.
From a health perspective, when we visited dengue fever was at epidemic levels. As a person who has already had this mosquito-borne illness, I can’t recommend highly enough to check the status with CDC before you visit, and use an insect repellent containing DEET, especially if there is an active threat.
If you are concerned about travel in Singapore and COVID-19 (coronavirus), check the official Singapore government information on it.
Singapore travel guide: Travel insurance
Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Note: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Singapore travel guide: What to bring to Singapore
Hot and tropical, Singapore’s consistent weather means you can leave that winter coat at home. You will want a good pair of walking shoes, a sun hat, and swimwear.
We always travel light and include clothes and light jackets that can be layered as needed. Therefore, our basic kit needed nothing extra for Singapore. You can get a free copy of our packing list when you sign up for our newsletter.
Top 10 things to do and places to visit in Singapore
Singapore is filled with fascinating and unusual things to do. Below is a summary of the highlights. Click here to see our detailed recommendations.
- Gardens by the Bay
- Little India
- Chinatown
- Singapore Botanic Garden
- Kampong Glam
- Jewel Changi airport
- Night Safari
- Spectra sound and light show
- Garden Rhapsody
- Sands SkyPark Observation deck
- One of the many interesting bars
Travelling in Singapore
With the exception of one taxi ride, we took public transportation or walked everywhere in Singapore. We neither had nor needed our own car.
Public Transportation
The MRT trains and buses are easy to use, on-time, and immaculate. In fact, I have never been on public transit that was so clean. One of the reasons is that there is no drinking, eating, smoking, or carrying durian fruit on the MRT. There are huge fines for the first three, and just a rule about the durian.
Pro tip: Get a Singapore MRT Tourist pass
- If you are planning on taking public transportation, you can get an MRT Tourist pass for one, two, or three days. The cost is a $10 deposit for the card plus $10 – $20 fee depending on the number of days you will use the pass. Your pass can be topped up if you are staying longer.
- Return your pass within five days of its expiration, and the $10 deposit is refunded.
- We returned ours at the MRT station inside Jewel Changi Airport and were given $10 cash. Of course, we turned around and spent the Singapore dollars at the airport as we were leaving the country.
Self-driving – know before you visit Singapore
In Singapore, people drive on the left side of the road. It’s a small island nation with heavy traffic despite high taxes for vehicle owners.
As stated just above, we found the MRT system to be easy to use. Alternatively, we took a taxi. However, if you have your heart set on driving yourself, you can easily rent a car in Singapore. As always, we recommend RentalCars.com. We have been renting cars through them successfully worldwide since we discovered them a few years back.
Go with a guide: Take a Singapore day tour
We travelled on our own in Singapore and found it easy to get around. If you prefer a local Singapore tour guide, here are four top-rated options. Be sure to read the reviews and details before booking.
Private customizable tour with a local host: An ideal option for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable on their own but doesn’t like the confines of a group tour. This one is flexible for time (from 3-8 hours) and activities, allowing you to see it all or just a few of the best places in Singapore. Plus, you get the added bonus of the knowledge that comes from a local guide. You will get an opportunity to discuss and select the details of your tour with your guide on the night beforehand.
⇒ Check price and availability for this private customizable tour
Lion city highlights half-day bike tour: See more in less time on a bicycle during this 4.5-hour tour that starts at 9 am and hits many of the key Singapore tourist spots. Ride through Marina Bay, Merlion Park, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, and more. Remember, Singapore is close to the equator, therefore, hot and humid during the day. Refreshments are included, but a reasonable level of fitness is required for this Singapore city tour.
⇒ Check price and availability for this half-day bicycle tour
Tour Singapore at night
Big Bus night tour: This 3-hour evening tour on an open-top double-decker bus includes Marina Bay, Chinatown’s food street, Gardens by the Bay (including the Garden Rhapsody show), fresh tropical fruit samples at Singapore’s largest night street market, a ride down Orchard Street, and a few surprises along the way.
⇒ Check price and reviews for Big Bus night tour
Private nighttime sightseeing with a river cruise: Another evening option, this private tour is loaded with fun, including a visit to Little India, watching the light and sound show at Gardens by the Bay, a visit to the Skybar on top of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and a river cruise to see the skyline light up.
⇒ Check price and reviews for this private nighttime tour
Singapore travel guide: laws you need to know about before you get fines
Generally, everywhere we went was immaculate, even the public toilets. Some of the unique laws in Singapore help to explain this phenomenon:
- Selling chewing gum: fines up to $100,000 and up to 2 years in prison
- Littering (even small items): fines of $300 to $1000 and community service for repeat offenders
- Spitting in public: fines up to $1000
- Eating on public transportation: fines up to $500
- Failing to flush a public toilet: fines of $150
- Urinating in a public elevator may trigger the UDD (Urine Detection Devices), which will automatically lock the door until the police arrive
- Vandalism, like graffiti: both jail time and caning
- Entering Singapore under the influence of drugs: fines up to $20,000 and 10 years in prison
- Possessing illegal drugs (including cannabis): fines up to $20,000, 10 years in prison, and the death penalty for trafficking
- Smoking in public places: fines up to $1000
Other laws that could affect your travel
- Jaywalking: fines up to $1,000 or 3 months in jail
- Connecting to another user’s Wifi: fines up to $10,000 and up to 3 years in prison
- Feeding pigeons: fines of $500
- Singing in public if the words have obscene lyrics: fines and up to 3 months in jail
Local foods and drinks to try when you visit Singapore
If you’re going to spend any time in Singapore, even just a day, there are a few culinary delights and drinks you will want to try. Of course, we found the best way to discover culture through food is with a cooking class from Food Playground (one of the highlights of our time in Singapore).
- Chilli Crab: Singapore’s most famous dish (sometimes referred to as the national dish) is either prepared with a spicy tomato chilli sauce or with a black pepper sauce
- Chicken Rice: This simple dish is probably Singapore’s most popular
- Nasi Lemak: A popular Malay dish made with fragrant rice, cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf
- Laksa: a Peranakan (mix of Chinese and Malay cultures) dish typically made of vermicelli, coconut milk, beancurd puffs, fish slices, and shrimp
- Carrot Cake (Chai Tow Kway): don’t let the name fool you, there are no carrots in Singapore’s carrot cake. Instead, it is a fried patty made from rice flour, egg, and daikon radish
- Durian fruit: We tried it in Malaysia years ago; once was enough. But if you do try durian, remember not to bring it on public transportation. (It’s rather stinky.)
- Singapore Sling: This gin, Cointreau, benedictine, and pineapple drink is made famous at the Long Bar in Sinpare’s Raffles hotel
More useful tips on visiting Singapore
- If you are touring on your own, be sure to check out the Go City Pass for savings of up to 40% on a variety of activities, including the hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Reserve your Go City Pass here.
- Every public toilet block I entered had western (sit down) toilets. Some also had squat toilets. If you don’t like the style in your stall, check out another stall.
- At the airport on your way out, immigration (passport control) is early in the process, but security screening takes place near the gate. Therefore, you can keep your water right up until you enter your gate area.
- Tourists who buy more than $100 of goods at participating retailers can get 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunded through the Tourist Refund Scheme.
- Visitors can register for a free public Wi-Fi account (even with foreign mobile phone numbers) at any Wireless@SG hotspot.
- Singapore is a major world financial centre and has one of the world’s strongest economies. Real estate in Singapore is often ranked as the highest in the world.
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Will you visit Singapore?
Disclaimer: We worked with the local tourism board, Visit Singapore. Various entrances and other assistance were provided to aid in writing this page. The opinions expressed here are strictly our own.
Lauren Bonheim
This is such a great guide for first-time visitors. So complete- and a ton of info. I especially love the weather section, as it really helps you get a feel for the best time to go. Amazing post!
Annick Lenoir-Peek
I went to Singapore about 30 years ago and only got to spend overnight. I’m so jealous that you stayed at the Marina Sands! That has been my dream ever since I saw it on a tv show a few years ago. I’d love to visit the Gardens by the Bay. I love all the detailed information you gave about the country too and to prepare visitors. Things we take for granted, like eating food in public or singing songs that might be risqué in public that might expose us to fines are important to know ahead of time. I’m definitely planning on going and this blog post will be a useful resource.
Heather
I haven’t visited Singapore…yet! When we were in Thailand, my friend talked fondly of it and as you mentioned, how clean and safe it is. Good to know on the Yellow Fever vaccine-best thing I ever got I think! I love all of the tips you provide on where to find everything, the free wifi account travelers can sign up for. I’m dying to see the light show at the Gardens. But the things you can be fined for stopped me in my tracks-selling chewing gum? Singing in public (granted with profanity but still) and the UDDs that will shut down elevators? I do have to appreciate how hard they work to keep order, crime down and everything clean!
Maggie
What a comprehensive guide! I would LOVE to visit Singapore one day. The section about their unsual laws is fascinating. No selling chewing gum? Urine detection devices?! I can think of a few US cities that could benefit from both of those lol.
Marie Moody
Being disabled I don’t get to travel hardly at all, so I live my life through people like you sharing your trips with us all. I thank you very much. These pics are awesome. Actually it’s all things I would be interested in too! Awesome pics! Thank you so much!
Katherine
I think I visited Singapore at the very beginning of summer and couldn’t believe how humid it was! I felt sorry for the poor kids walking to school or to catch the bus. It felt like I was breathing water. I’m sure you get used to it though.
Suzy Godfrey
Fantastic photos! What an awesome place to visit. Thank you for the tour!
Jackie
There are so many things about Singapore in this comprehensive guide I didn’t know about! Some are fascinating, like the fines for singing songs with obscene lyrics in public, and others are really important for me to know: I am sure I would have been guilty of eating on public transportation. I do that all the time! I appreciate you saving me some embarrassing and potentially costly scenarios in Singapore. Thanks also for all the fun things see and do. I’d love to catch the Jazz Festival at Marina Bay Sands. I’ve heard great things!
Shiju Sugunan
This is really exhaustive! Will be really helpful.
Sandra Papas
A great guide for a great city! Aren’t those some crazy fines though! No wonder the city is so clean and pristine. Perhaps other countries need to take note.
Anda
This is a great guide, Rhonda. It’s good to hear that Singapore is not only modern and beautiful but also very clean. I like the idea with the security check placed close to the gate. I always hate to throw my water bottle away and have to buy another one a few minutes later. However, having to pay $1,000 or stay 3 months in jail for jaywalking seems ridiculous!
Loredana
Singapore is a lovely place! Lived there for 1.5 years – it is a very clean and safe place to live.
kelly
Thank you for sharing this information and wow I knew about some of the laws back in 2018 when I went there but didn’t know about the ones in your post!
Cassie Bailey
Really enjoyed my solo weekend in Singapore. So many unique things to do there! Great, informative post too.
Hannah
Thanks for the great guide! I’ve not visited Singapore before so I’ll be sure to save this to come back to when I get to go!
Kelsey
I’ve never been to Singapore, but it looks like such a cool place to visit! That rooftop pool looks especially amazing!!
Paul Pietrangelo
All these scary laws would frighten me to want to go Singapore. The Garden Rhapsody sound and light show at Gardens by the Bay looks fantastic and the city itself looks great but the laws scare me enough to stay away. I might break one of their laws without knowing and then what would happen? No away. I did enjoy your story about the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and that beautiful pool. Is I did go to Singapore, I would just say in the hotel. See ya Rhonda.
Cruisin Paul
Lisa
So many interesting things to see and do. The architecture looks particularly amazing! I do like those strict laws. I agree with them all!
Sue Davies
Good guide for first-timers. I’ve been there many times (including right now). Singapore is a fantastic place to visit. You might add that Singapore has Grab (not Uber), though I agree that mass transit is the very best way to get around.
Amy
Going to Singapore at the end of the year! Great post, saved for future reference 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Some steep fines. Promise I won’t spit if I go to Singapore.
With that many people, I’m amazed they have room for that garden.
I couldn’t tell – what is in that drink that looks like it contains black beans and green beans?
Stephanie
What a great post! I loved Singapore so much, reading this post makes me want to go back. Those fine amount are ridicelous aren’t they? But the city is so green and clean!
Suvarna Arora
This is really a very informative and comprehensive post about Singapore. I love how you have captured everything for the first timers.
Jacquie
You’ve really captured all the important information for a first time visit to Singapore. it’s so helpful. And even though I’ve been before, there are some new things that I haven’t seen. Great post!
Travelling Tam
How interesting! I was thinking about having an extended stop over in Singapore for a few days o an upcoming trip actually. Singapore has always intrigued me. I’d have to take note of all those laws to ensure I don’t get fined though!!
Jan
A comprehensive and almost exhaustive guide to Singapore visitors! I love this city although i am not a fan of its humidity. It is so inclusive to other cultures to the extent that its news channels include Chinese and Tamil (South Indian) languages apart from English! 🙂 Also, I remember years ago, the government offered part time jobs to housewives encouraging them to contribute to its economy rather than bring outsiders.:-)
Paula
Thanks, really helpful guide – thanks for the jaywalking tip – I always jaywalk so will have to keep that in mind.