Things to Know Before You Travel to Singapore

Destination: Singapore

Things to Know Before You Travel to Singapore

Destination: Singapore

SINGAPORE TRAVEL GUIDE

Singapore is one of the most visited cities in Asia. Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819 and has become one of the world’s most prosperous, tax-friendly countries and also boasts the world’s busiest port.

Singapore’s medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences make it a vibrant place to visit. Due to its colonial past, English is an official language, as well as Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. The tropical climate, tasty food from hawker centers, enormous shopping malls, and vibrant night-life scene make Singapore a great stopover or springboard into the region.

Things to See and Do in Singapore

Visit the Gardens By The Bay
Watch the Merlion Fountain
Shop at Marina Bay Sands

Relax at Sentosa Island
Pray at Man Mo Temple
Eat delicious food at the hawkers

Shop at Orchard Road
Have fun at Universal Studios Singapore

Typical Costs When Traveling

Accommodation – A standard room in a 3-star hotel in Singapore costs around $70 USD and more depending on the location. There is also a hotel tax of $10 per night.

Food – The average traveler to Singapore spends about $20 USD on food per day. Food hawkers are a great way to eat on a budget but Singapore has also some of the best fine dining options in Asia and the world.

Transportation – The subway and bus network is very efficient in the city. Tourist passes are available for one day (S$10), two days (S$16) or three days (S$20).

Suggested daily budget

100-120 EUR / 112-134 USD

(Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation.

Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)

Money Saving Tips

Take Advantage of Freebies. While museum admissions are rather expensive in Singapore, most of them offer free admission or special deals on several days or evenings a month. Be sure to check at the counter and inside of the many free attractions magazines for promotion dates.
Don't buy bottled water. Unlike in many other countries in Southeast Asia, the tap water in Singapore is safe to drink.

Get a CEPAS/EZ-LINK Card. This card can be used on the LRT and MRT trains, along with the excellent public bus system in Singapore. By using an EZ-Link card, card holders only pay for the distance traveled, rather than a flat fare.
Eat in Food Halls.It's totally safe to eat street food in Singapore. In fact, the city is blessed with some of the best food courts and hawker stalls in the world - they are a part of daily life for the locals.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM SINGAPORE?

Singapore is a vibrant and modern city state that has a lot to offer. It’s a great gateway to visiting other places around Asia, such as Malaysia or Indonesia. Singapore experiences hot and humid weather all year round. The best time to visit Singapore is between February and April.

Despite its relatively small size, you’ll never run out of things to do in Singapore. The bustling city center offers all the perks of a metropolis, while the green outskirts and nearby islands are ideal for a refreshing getaway. There are also plenty of instagrammable places in Singapore to fill your social media feed!

TOP TRAVEL ESSENTIALS IN SINGAPORE

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR SINGAPORE

I’m always surprised how many people travel without travel insurance. For me, it’s as essential to travel as buying a plane ticket, backpack or accommodation, and I never go without it.

Although Singapore is relatively safe, unexpected natural disasters can always happen and I’ve witnessed people getting laptops and phones pickpocketed first hand.

Adequate insurance not only provides you with medical coverage (if you get sick or break your leg), but also covers things like your camera full of epic shots getting damaged or stolen, your flights getting cancelled, or you getting caught up in a natural disaster.

In short, it’s an insurance against potential issues that arise when you’re traveling and can save your life (or at the very least, a lifetime of debt).

BOOK | I recommend booking World Nomads travel insurance

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers 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.