13 Useful Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit to Singapore

Singapore travel tips should be at the top of the every traveller’s to-do-list prior to putting your seat into the full upright position and safely stowing away your tray table. Gaining an increasing amount of visitors every year, the vivacious melting pot that is Singapore in a nutshell, is fast becoming one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia; despite its costly nature. And with its eclectic fusion of diversifying cultures, languages, art, traditions and food; it’s not difficult to understand why.

Affectionately dubbed the Little Red Dot, Singapore is commonly known for being one of the most heavily populated countries on earth. Despite its world-famous skyline, iconic architecture, buzzing city life and prosperous financial status; 50% of Singapore is covered in fertile greenery making it an ideal travel destination for nature lovers, city mice, business tycoons and shopaholics. Due to the fact that this country can be rather expensive to travel, as well as the fact that it’s so well suited to every type of traveller, means that travel tips for Singapore are essential pieces of information before visiting.

Below we will explore thirteen handy tips for planning travel to Singapore so that you can make the most of your time in this young, colourful city-state.

Singapore Travel Tip #1: Customs and etiquette

Singapore is a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, religions and customs with a society that consists of three main ethic groups (Chinese, Indian and Malay) as well as plentiful Western tourists. This rich ethnic fusion is host to an abundance of diversity, regard and tolerance within the peacefully co-existing nation in terms of respectful customs and polite etiquette. Any traveller would do well to consider these customs and traditions when travelling within the country.

Removing one’s shoes is considered polite when entering someone’s home, a temple or a mosque and keeping the soles of your feet flat on the ground when sitting is considered respectful. When wanting to greet a Singaporean warmly, visitors may offer a warm handshake or a low bow of the head and the elderly are held in high esteem and generally greeted first. Clothing and appearance in Singapore is mostly rather conservative and the same can be said for Singaporean’s behaviour and communication styles.

Singapore Travel Tip #2: Fines

Frequently called ‘The Fine City’, Singapore is known worldwide for being exceptionally well-regulated, spotlessly clean and strictly law-enforcing and travellers who do not abide by the stringent rules should expect the law to come down hard on their misdemeanours. Jay walking, spitting, chewing gum, littering, vandalism, public urination, not flushing the toilet and smoking in public are all forbidden and rigorously enforced in urban areas. It is also forbidden to consume any food and beverages in any of the MRT stations or in the trains themselves. If regulations and laws are ignored one may be met with a harsh fine or jail time and justice for law-breakers in Singapore is consistently swift and harsh. With a zero tolerance for drugs of any kind, life sentences, caning and even the death penalty is legal for drug offenders in Singapore. Horror stories litter the internet of travellers in Singapore who have been convicted and executed even with miniscule amounts of illegal drugs found in their possession and it’s wise to steer clear of any and all drugs before entering the country.

Singapore Travel Tip #3: Weather

Similar to the majority of destinations in Southeast Asia, Singapore boasts a very tropical climate which is characterised by high temperatures and high levels of humidity. Luckily, the island nation features a warm climate year-round with an average daily temperature of roughly 27 degrees Celsius, making it a perfect travel hotspot at any time of year. Despite the wonderful weather, paradise is green for a reason, and Singapore rainfall is no exception. With almost daily rain showers, even out of the monsoon season, visitors would do well to pack a lightweight, foldable umbrella in their travel bags.

Singapore also has two main monsoon seasons that could damper any holiday and being aware of the monsoon dates prior to travel is necessary to plan ahead. The northeast monsoon season occurs from December to March, and the southwest monsoon season occurs from June to September and if possible avoiding these dates would be best.

Singapore Travel Tip #4: Avoid the haze

Another piece of practical advice when travelling to Singapore is understanding another weather condition, the South-east Asian annual haze. This is when Singapore is shrouded in a smoky haze of air pollution as a result of the slash-and-burn agricultural fires and forest fires that burn out of control in Indonesia. This pollution is carried to Singapore by south-easterly or south-westerly winds and stretches over hundreds of kilometres. The haze typically occurs from August to October, and is best avoided due to the potential health risks and breathing discomfort as a result of the significant deterioration in air quality.

Yet another must know travel tip for travelling to Singapore is to wear a protective mask over one’s face if caught during the haze period. Travellers can buy these in any pharmacy and should wear them when exploring the city if one is struggling to breathe. The National Environment Agency has created a website that broadcasts whether the haze is a serious threat and those with concerns or respiratory issues should check it out.

Singapore Travel Tip #5: Currency and ATMS

Priding itself on being the Switzerland of Southeast Asia with its well-developed banking system, high standard of living and almost non-existent government corruption, Singapore has one of the most stable and dependable currencies in the region. The currency in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar and visitors will have no issues changing their US Dollars for the local currency at any of the plentiful banks or moneychangers throughout the island. Major credit cards are also accepted everywhere. ATMs are generously scattered throughout the country and most machines allow Visa or Mastercard withdrawals.

Singapore Travel Tip #6: What to pack

A great deal of excitement and gusto goes into packing one’s bags for an international trip but in the midst of deciding on the perfect swimsuit or perfume, one can frequently forget the essentials and suffer the misfortunate consequences. Fortunately, due to being a shopper’s paradise, everything that’s forgotten can be purchased, but to avoid Singapore’s steep prices and the inconvenience and annoyance, we’ve compiled a brief list of travel must-haves for a stress-free holiday.

As already mentioned, a foldable umbrella and rain jacket are essential, so too are mosquito repellent, sun screen, a sun hat and lightweight clothing that is easy to layer. Although the outdoors in Singapore are generally warm and humid, the country has a tendency (much like most Asian countries) to blast up the air-conditioning to sub-zero artic temperatures in shopping centres, public transport and movie theatres. Bring a long a warm jersey or sweater to avoid shivering.

Another top tip that we’ve found useful when exploring Singapore on a budget is to bring along empty drinking bottles. The water is safe to drink and can be refilled while exploring instead of forking out money for bottled water.

Singapore Travel Tip #7: Travel Insurance

Whether you’re an established traveller or new to the jet-setting game, traveling with insurance allows one a rest assured trip and peace of mind should any eventuality occur. While Singapore is far safer than the majority of Southeast Asian countries, accidents and misfortunes can still happen and a comprehensive insurance package is recommended.

Singapore Travel Tip #8: Understand the duty-free laws and regulations

As a general rule, Singapore is extremely strict on a number of things and the zero-tolerance approach is consistent with Singapore’s authoritarian law enforcement culture. Rigorous laws and regulations are applied mercilessly applied to discourage even the pettiest of crimes and duty-free concession laws are no exception. Alcohol allowance limit is subject to what you are purchasing, for example, you can buy one litre each of beer, wine and spirits; or two litres of wine and one litre of beer, but you cannot exceed the one litre of spirits regulation.
Cigarettes and tobacco products have zero-duty free allowance, and if you are caught bringing cigarettes into Singapore from another country, you can expect to face very harsh fines.

Singapore Travel Tip #9: Budgeting on food

Hands down, one of the top attractions on The Little Red Dot is the food. The hodgepodge of cultural fusion occurring in this this multi-lingual, multi-racial and multi-religious society has brought about an enormous variety of culinary options. Known worldwide for its exceptional fine dining cuisine, those on a budget are often left feeling anxious about how to save money without going hungry. A must-know Singapore travel tip for visitors are the cheap and tasty dishes found at the famous hawker stalls and most hungry pangs can be satisfied with an affordable meal of around SGD 3 – SGD 10.

Singapore Travel Tip #10: Budgeting on sights and attractions

Known as one of the priciest destinations in the world, travellers with tight purse strings may feel apprehensive about the lack of zeros at the end of their bank balances when calculating Singapore travel expenses before visiting. But, fear not! Surprisingly, this vibrant and colourful city is home to a wealth of free attractions that offer wonderful natural, cultural and artsy experiences for those wanting to save a couple of bucks.

Gardens on the Bay, The Botanic Gardens, East Coast Park and Fort Canning Park are all completely free to enter and offer tranquil escapes from the pulsating city. Budding artists or arts and cultural aficionados will be delighted to learn that Singapore has plenty of museums and galleries that are free to enter and browse. Be sure to check out National University of Singapore Museum, The Ritz-Carlton Millenia and Singapore’s premier arts centre, Esplanade, which offers free shows and performances in addition to the paid performances.

Singapore Travel Tip #11: Buy combination attraction passes

Following on the free attractions, knowing about Singapore’s combination attraction passes will save you plenty of pennies too. The passes allow you free access into many different sights and attractions as well as offer the bearer discounted rates for certain bars and restaurants.

Singapore Travel Tip #12: Visas

All travellers are familiar with the headache associated with getting all the paperwork in order for visa application. Thankfully, citizens of almost 80% of the world’s countries are allowed to travel to Singapore for 30 days and some even 90 days without a visa at all. Hooray!

For those who are citizens of countries that require a visa into Singapore, there are two categories that you will fall into. These categories are, countries eligible to apply for an electronic visa and those countries whose citizens will need to apply for a visa vignette that is placed in one’s passport.

Much like most countries, the entry requirements into Singapore are pretty stock standard. Potential visitors must have a passport that’s valid for more than 6 months from time of departure, possess a return or onward ticket, have adequate funds, as well as have entry documents and visas (if required) to their next destination.

Singapore Travel Tip #13: Buy an EZ Link Card

All travel tips for Singapore would be incomplete without mentioning the EZ Link Card. This card grants visitors easy access to the MRT, is a sure fire means of saving money, and offers travellers a convenient and hassle-free means of transporting oneself around the city. It costs SGD 12, of which SGD 5 is a refundable deposit and can easily be topped up once the credit runs out.

Following all these Singapore travel tips should ensure that your trip to the captivating nation-state will be enjoyable and memorable. Much like any venture into the unknown, it is best to proceed with respect, care, a keen spirit of adventure and a whole lot of enthusiasm. Safe travels!