I’m visiting a friend in Singapore and exploring the city state for one week late August/early September. In previous posts I have covered the signs of Singapore and the Singapore skyline. In this post I share travel advice based on personal experience. Singapore is an easy city to visit as a tourist so go if you have the opportunity. But the advice below may still make for a smoother visit so please do read on.
Language
English is all you need in Singapore. You will encounter also Chinese, Tamil, and Malay in the public transportation and on restaurant menus. But for museums, shopping and navigation, English is all you need.
Money
Cash is still the most widely used payment method for every day conveniences in Singapore. For street vendors bring cash. You can take out cash at ATMs at or near metro stations. You can pay with credit cards in malls and restaurants. Fast and convenient.
One Singapore dollar (SGD) is around 0.7 EUR/USD, just under 8 SEK, and just over 5 DKK. Price levels are 50-80% of Scandinavia.
Many sights such as the spectacular Singapore Botanic Garden have free admission at least to parts of the area. Entrance fee to the National Museum of Singapore is 10 SGP with discounts offered for students and seniors. Affordable compared to Scandinavia and with great value for money.
Visa and vaccinations
Singapore usually requires no visa or vaccinations to enter. But check current terms at Singapore is quick to respond to outbreaks worldwide due to their status as transit hub.
Fill in an electronic arrival form up to three days before arrival. Essentially stating when you arrive, when you leave, where you will stay, and that you are not sick. Of course don’t bring anything illegal.
Weather
Watch out for the midday sun and the afternoon heat. Slow down, stay in the shade. Drink plenty of water. Bring a bottle of water always. Find a place with aircondition to cool down. Jump in a pool.
I visited in late August/early September with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, 80% humidity, and a pleasant breeze. Most days were clear or partly cloudy, one day overcast. No rain. My local expat friend advice against visiting in the monsoon season (November).
Food
You will find excellent food at great value in the many food courts of Singapore. Wide selection of delicious Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian dishes. Spicy food is tasty, not necessarily hot. Chicken and shrimps are ever present, but you will also find fish cakes, crab, duck, beef, and lamb. Indian restaurants are a good choice for vegetarians. Bring wet wipes when visiting food courts.
Dairy products such as milk and cheese are rare though you can find them. Why not try coconut cream, soy milk, or tofu for a change? Most people in Asia are lactose intolerant so don’t expect a wide selection of dairy. You can find ice-cream but in this climate I rather cool down with a spicy soup.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink and taste fine. You can fill up your bottle at dispensers throughout the city. There are plenty of places to buy cold bottled water throughout the city.
Public toilets are clean, free and abundant.
Sleep
Modern day long distance travelling is super comfortable. I got plenty of sleep on the Airbus A350 airplane. I arrived in the early evening and after a good night’s sleep at my destination I was ready for action the next morning. Aircondition in your bedroom is a must.
Phones
There is reliable 4G or 5G coverage over most of the city. You will want to get a local SIM card (you can get one at the airport) to get a decent rate as roaming charges are exorbitant. It will take you online in a minute and keep you in touch with your friends and relatives through your favourite messaging app.
Clothing
Pack light clothing. Shorts, t-shirts, and trainers are all you need for sightseeing — also in the evening. Bring long trousers for visiting temples though. Speedos for the pool. If you run into a pour, stay under a roof or get an umbrella locally. You won’t need a jacket. If you like me start getting a little high temples, wear a hat.
Public transportation
Public transportation is clean and convenient. Not at all crowded. Swipe your credit card on entrance and exit. No need to get a travel pass. The network of metro and bus lines will get you within a short walk of any sightseeing you want to visit. Sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and covered walkways are plenty and convenient. Watch out for the occasional cyclist though, these share the road with pedestrians. I encountered no electric bikes.
Safety
Singapore is a safe city. There is an alhohol curfew after 22:30 but drinking on premises is allowed. They do drive in the wrong left side of the road so do be careful when crossing the road especially when jaywalking which by the way is illegal by sign many places. A few people still mask up in public transportation but most don’t and masks are not mandated (at the time of writing).
