Singapore Travel Tips

Singapore travel tips: before you fly

These Singapore travel tips start with the steps to take before you leave home. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months when you arrive. Many nationalities can visit without a visa, but the rules depend on your passport. Check the official Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website before you book.

Foreign visitors must also submit the SG Arrival Card online in the three days before arrival. It is free on the ICA website and the MyICA app. Some other websites charge a fee for the same form, so use the official channels only. See Visas & Entry.

Arriving at Changi Airport

Changi Airport is large but clearly signposted. Many visitors can use the automated immigration gates. From the airport, the MRT, taxis, ride-hailing cars and buses all reach the city. Jewel Changi Airport sits next to Terminal 1 and is worth a look before you fly home. For a very early flight, consider Changi Airport Hotels. The Changi Airport topic covers the airport in more detail.

Getting around Singapore

• MRT. The MRT is the city's metro and covers most of the island. Tap in and out with a contactless bank card or phone wallet, or use a stored-value travel card.
• Buses. Buses take the same payment. Tap when you board and again when you get off.
• Taxis and ride-hailing. Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely used. Fares rise at peak times and late at night.
• Walking. Central areas are walkable, but the heat makes short rides worth it. Singapore Areas With Covered Walkways to the MRT shows where you can stay out of the sun and rain.

See Getting Around for more on transport.

Money, costs and tipping

The currency is the Singapore dollar. Cards and contactless payment work almost everywhere. Some hawker stalls take only cash or local payment apps, so carry a little cash. Tipping is not expected. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge plus GST, the goods and services tax. Menus often show this as "++" after the price.

Hawker food is cheap, while hotels, taxis and alcohol cost more than in many Asian cities. See Money & Costs. If you shop, read GST Refund at Changi Airport: Step-by-Step Guide.

Weather and what to pack

Singapore is hot and humid all year, with sudden heavy showers. The wettest months are usually around November to January. Pack light, breathable clothes, a small umbrella and sun cream. Malls, trains and cinemas are cold, so bring a light layer. Singapore uses three-pin, UK-style plugs. See Weather & Best Time to Visit and Packing Lists.

Local laws and etiquette

Singapore's rules are strict, and fines are common. Most are easy to follow once you know them.

• Do not eat or drink on MRT trains or in stations.
• Smoke only in marked smoking areas. Vaping is illegal, and that includes owning a vape.
• Do not litter, and cross roads at marked crossings.
• Ordinary chewing gum is not sold in Singapore.
• Drug offences carry very severe penalties.
• The legal drinking age is 18. Drinking in public places is not allowed late at night, so drink responsibly in licensed venues.
• At temples and mosques, dress modestly and remove your shoes when asked.
• At hawker centres, return your tray and crockery after eating.

See Etiquette & Local Laws and Hawker Centre Etiquette in Singapore: 9 Simple Rules.

Safety, health and staying connected

• Crime is low, but keep an eye on your bags in crowds.
• Tap water is safe to drink, so carry a bottle and refill it.
• Mosquitoes can spread dengue fever. Use repellent, especially near parks and gardens.
• In an emergency, call 999 for the police or 995 for an ambulance or fire.
• Tourist SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy at the airport and in convenience stores. You need your passport to register a SIM card.

See Safety & Health, SIM Cards & Wi-Fi and Accessible Travel.

FAQs about Singapore travel tips

Do I need a visa to visit Singapore?

It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can enter without a visa for a short visit. Check the ICA website before you book.

What is the SG Arrival Card?

It is a free online form that foreign visitors submit before arrival. Use the ICA website or the MyICA app, not a paid third-party site.

Do you tip in Singapore?

Tipping is not expected. Many restaurants already add a service charge, and hawker stalls do not expect tips.

Is tap water safe to drink in Singapore?

Yes. Tap water is safe to drink straight from the tap, so you do not need to buy bottled water.

What plug type does Singapore use?

Singapore uses three-pin, UK-style plugs, known as Type G. Bring an adapter if your devices use a different plug.