First-Time Visitor Guides

Your first Singapore travel guide: the basics

This Singapore travel guide covers what first-time visitors most need to know. Singapore is a small, safe city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It is clean, green and easy to explore. English is widely spoken, and most signs are in English. Many visitors find it a gentle start to Southeast Asia.

The city is hot and humid all year. Short, heavy rain showers are common, so carry a small umbrella. Indoor air-conditioning can feel cold, so a light layer helps.

Before you fly: entry and arrival

Entry rules depend on your passport. Many visitors do not need a visa for a short stay, but always check first. Foreign visitors must also submit the SG Arrival Card online in the days before they arrive. It is free on the official Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website. Avoid other websites that charge a fee for it.

Changi Airport is well linked to the city. The MRT, the local metro, runs from Changi Airport station between Terminals 2 and 3. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also easy to use. Our Changi Airport guides explain the airport in more detail.

Where to stay on your first trip

Choose a hotel near an MRT station and you can reach most sights quickly. Good first bases include:

• Marina Bay: close to Gardens by the Bay and the waterfront. Hotels here tend to cost more.
• Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar: temples, shophouses and hawker food on your doorstep. Browse Hotels in Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar.
• Bugis and Kampong Glam: central, with good train links and a wide range of hotels.
• Orchard Road: malls, large hotels and an easy train ride to most sights.

Best Area for First-Time Visitors to Singapore compares these areas in more detail.

What to see first

Three or four days covers the main sights at an easy pace. Most first-timers include:

• Gardens by the Bay, with its giant Supertrees and two cooled glass domes.
• Marina Bay and Merlion Park, best on an evening walk around the bay.
• Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, three older districts with places of worship and street food.
• Singapore Botanic Gardens, a large green space that is free to enter, apart from the orchid garden.
• Sentosa Island Day Out, for beaches and theme parks on a resort island.

For a ready-made plan, see The Perfect 3-Day Singapore Itinerary.

Eating, money and getting around

Food

Start at a hawker centre. This is a large food court with many small stalls selling cheap local dishes. Try chicken rice, satay and laksa, a spicy coconut noodle soup. Locals often save a seat with a packet of tissues, a habit called chope. Return your tray when you finish. Read Hawker Centre Etiquette in Singapore: 9 Simple Rules before your first visit.

Money

The currency is the Singapore dollar. Cards and contactless payment work in most shops and restaurants. Some hawker stalls take only cash or local QR payment, so carry small notes. Tipping is not expected. Many restaurants add a service charge and GST, a goods and services tax, to the bill.

Transport

The MRT is fast, clean and air-conditioned. You can tap in with a contactless bank card, and buses take the same cards. Read How to Use the MRT in Singapore: A Tourist Guide before your first ride.

Rules and etiquette to know

Singapore has strict laws, and fines apply to visitors too. Keep these in mind:

• Do not eat or drink on the MRT or buses.
• Do not litter, and smoke only in marked smoking areas.
• Chewing gum is not sold in shops.
• Vaping is illegal, including for visitors.
• Cross roads at pedestrian crossings.

At temples and mosques, cover your shoulders and knees. Remove your shoes where others do. Ask before you photograph people at prayer. Our Etiquette & Local Laws guides explain more.

FAQs about visiting Singapore for the first time

How many days do I need in Singapore?

Three to four days is enough for the main sights and a good range of food. A week lets you add islands, nature reserves and quieter neighbourhoods.

Is Singapore expensive for tourists?

Hotels cost more than in many nearby countries. Food and transport can be cheap if you eat at hawker centres and use the MRT. Many top sights are free, such as the Supertree Grove and the Marina Bay light shows.

When is the best time to visit Singapore?

Singapore is warm all year, so any month works. Rain is common, and the end of the year is often wetter. See our Weather & Best Time to Visit guides for more.

Is Singapore safe for first-time visitors?

Singapore has a low crime rate and is generally safe, even at night. Still, watch your belongings in crowded places and follow local laws.

Do people speak English in Singapore?

Yes. English is one of the four official languages and is used on most signs, menus and transport. You will also hear Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.