Singapore: The Practical Travel Guide

Singapore is one of the easiest cities in the world to visit. The infrastructure is the best, the safety is the highest, the food is the most-distinct, the culture is the most-refined. This is the practical guide.

Visas

90-day visa-free for 60+ countries. The SG Arrival Card is required (free, online at https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard). The passport must be valid for 6+ months.

Money

Singapore dollar (SGD). 1 USD ≈ 1.35 SGD. Credit cards are universally accepted. The cash is still useful for the hawker centers, the local markets. The ATMs are everywhere (DBS, OCBC, UOB), most accept international cards with no fee.

Tipping is not expected (the service charge is usually included in the upscale places). The hawker centers and the local restaurants don't expect tips.

Language

The official languages are English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. The most-spoken language is English. The "lah" particle is the most distinctive feature of Singlish (Singapore English).

Transport

The MRT (the subway)

The most efficient, the most-affordable, the most-photographed. The 6 lines cover the main city, the most-photographed stations: the Chinatown, the Little India, the Raffles Place. S$1.50-2.50 per ride. The tourist pass is the most-photographed: the Singapore Tourist Pass (S$10-30/day, unlimited rides).

The bus

The most-affordable, the most-photographed for the locals, the most-extensive. S$1.50-2.50 per ride. The bus is the most-photographed for the heritage neighborhoods.

Grab (the ride-share)

The standard for the ride-share. The most-affordable alternative to the taxis. S$10-30 per ride for the standard distances.

The taxi

The most-expensive, the most-reliable. S$10-30 per ride for the standard distances. The ComfortDelGro, the CityCab, the SMRT are the main companies.

From the airport

The MRT from Changi is the most-affordable (S$2.50, 30 minutes to the city). The Grab is the most-convenient (S$20-30, 20-30 minutes). The taxi is the most-expensive (S$20-40).

When to go

Year-round destination (the weather is the same, 25-32°C, high humidity). The best months are February to April (the dry season). The June and September are the rainiest. The Chinese New Year (January or February) is the most-photographed, the most-celebrated.

Food safety

Singapore hawker food is the safest in the world. The hawker centers are licensed, the stalls are inspected, the food is cooked in front of you, the turnover is fast, the temperatures are hot, and the government enforces hygiene standards (the "A" rating system, the most-photographed, the most-distinct). The tap water is safe to drink (the Singapore tap water is among the cleanest in the world).

Safety

Singapore is the safest city in the world for tourists. The crime rate is the lowest, the medical system is the best, the food is the safest, the people are the most-helpful. The headline risks:

Drugs: The drug laws are extremely strict (the death penalty is in place). Don't bring, buy, or use.
Vaping: Vaping is illegal in Singapore. The penalties are severe. Don't bring, buy, or use.
Crossing the road: The jaywalking fines are real. Use the crosswalks.
Littering: The littering fines are real. Use the bins.

Health

The mosquitoes (dengue fever) are a risk, especially in the dengue cluster zones. Use DEET-based repellent.
The sun is strong. Use reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water.
The hospitals are world-class. The standard: the Mount Elizabeth, the Gleneagles, the Raffles Hospital, the Singapore General Hospital.
Travel insurance is essential. World Nomads, SafetyWing, True Traveller are the standard.

Local laws and etiquette

Drugs: The death penalty is in place. Don't bring, buy, or use.
Vaping: The penalties are severe.
Littering: The fines are real. Use the bins.
Jaywalking: The fines are real. Use the crosswalks.
Chewing gum: The chewing gum ban is in place (since 1992). The contraband gum is legal to bring for personal use (the most-distinct law).
The mosques: The mosques require modest dress (covered shoulders and knees, no open shoes). The women may be asked to cover their heads.
The Hindu temples: The shoes are removed before entering.
The Buddhist temples: The shoes are removed before entering.
The "lah" particle: The most distinctive feature of Singlish. Use it liberally. The locals love it.

What to bring

Reef-safe sunscreen (the sun is strong)
DEET-based insect repellent (the dengue risk is real)
A light rain jacket (the rain comes without warning)
A scarf or a sarong (for the mosques, the temples)
Modest clothing (for the cultural sites)
A reusable water bottle (the tap water is safe, the plastic is a problem)
A power adapter (the UK-style 3-pin plug, the most-distinct)

What to skip

The "Singapore Sling" at the Raffles Hotel: The most-photographed cocktail, the most-overpriced (S$30+). The cocktail is fine, the experience is the point.
The "Sentosa Island" as a day trip: The Universal Studios + the S.E.A. Aquarium + the beaches is a full day. Don't try to do it in half a day.
The "Singapore Zoo" in the afternoon: The animals are most active in the morning. The afternoon is the sleeping time.