Singapore Travel Guide
Singapore is small on the map, but it absolutely overdelivers in real life. It’s sleek, tropical, and ridiculously well-run, with shiny skyscrapers one minute and buzzing hawker centres the next. You’ve got rooftop bars, leafy parks, futuristic architecture, and neighbourhoods packed with colour, history, and food that will have you planning your next meal while you’re still chewing the last one.
Sitting right at the tip of Southeast Asia, Singapore is a city-state that’s famously multicultural, and you feel that everywhere, from Chinatown and Little India to Kampong Glam’s cafés and mosques. The whole place is easy to explore, super safe, and designed for travellers who like their trips smooth and stress-free, but still full of personality. Spend your days strolling Gardens by the Bay, wandering the Marina Bay waterfront, shopping on Orchard Road, or escaping to Sentosa for beach time and theme-park energy.
Whether you’re here for food, city vibes, skyline views, culture, shopping, or a quick stopover that turns into “wait… why am I leaving?”, Singapore has got you covered. 🇸🇬✨
Best Time To Visit
Singapore is warm and humid year-round, so the big question is less “will it be hot?” and more “how wet will it be?”. You can visit any time, but picking your season well makes sightseeing a lot more comfortable.
February to April is often the sweet spot, with slightly lower rainfall, plenty of sunshine, and good conditions for walking around neighbourhoods, gardens, and waterfront areas without feeling like you’re in a permanent steam room.
June to August is busy and can be a bit drier, but it’s also peak holiday season, so hotels can jump in price. It’s still a great time to go if you don’t mind crowds and you love indoor air con breaks between outdoor exploring.
November to January is typically the wettest period, with heavier rain showers and occasional thunderstorms. It’s still very doable because rain tends to come in bursts, just pack a light rain jacket or umbrella and plan a few indoor options (museums, malls, hawker centres) so your day doesn’t get wrecked. ☔🌴
What To Expect
Capital: Singapore
Language: English is one of Singapore’s official languages (alongside Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil), and it’s the main one you’ll use day to day. You’ll hear a mix of languages everywhere, plus the famous “Singlish” slang, which is basically English with extra flavour. You’ll have zero issues ordering food, using transport, or asking for help. Easy wins: “Hello” works, “Thank you” works, and if someone calls you “lah”, they’re not insulting you, they’re just being Singaporean 😅
Currency: The Singapore Dollar (SGD). Handy ballpark maths: 10 SGD ≈ £6 / €7 / $7–$8, and 100 SGD ≈ £60 / €70 / $75–$80(rates wobble, so a quick currency app check before you go saves guesswork).
Cash Machines & ATMs: ATMs are everywhere and super easy to use. Cards and contactless are widely accepted, and you can pay by card in most places from malls to cafés. Cash is still handy for some hawker stalls, small kiosks, and markets, so keep a little on you, ideally smaller notes.
Plugs: Type G (same as the UK). Standard voltage 230 V, frequency 50 Hz. UK travellers can relax. Everyone else, bring a UK-style adapter.
Safety: Singapore is one of the safest, easiest cities in the world to travel. It’s clean, well-lit, and very organised. Normal common sense still applies (watch your stuff in crowded places), but overall it’s a very low-stress destination.
Never ever: Don’t underestimate the heat and humidity. It’s the kind of weather where you step outside and instantly feel like you need a shower again 😅 Pack light, breathable clothes, carry water, and plan a few air con breaks into your day. Also, be mindful of local rules (no vaping, and public behaviour standards are higher than in some places), because Singapore does not mess about with fines.
Travel Guides
City Guides
Itineraries + Map
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit (City Specific)
Singapore Travel Tips and Advice
Everything Else
Search for your Accommodation
Find the Cheapest Flights
Book tours and purchase tickets
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Singapore
1. Doing the Marina Bay Walk at Golden Hour (yes, it’s as pretty as the photos)
Marina Bay is Singapore’s greatest hits album in one neat loop. You’ve got the skyline, the water, Gardens by the Bay glowing in the distance, and that “how is this place so clean?” feeling. Go around sunset for the best light, then stick around as everything switches to night mode and starts sparkling like it’s showing off. It’s touristy, sure, but it’s also genuinely brilliant 🌆✨
2. Eating Your Way Through Hawker Centres Like It’s a Sport
Singapore’s food scene is not a “grab a quick bite” situation, it’s a full-on hobby. Hit a hawker centre and you’ll find everything from chicken rice and laksa to satay and chilli crab, usually for way less than you’d expect in a fancy city. The trick is simple: follow the queues, order with confidence, and accept that you will plan your day around meals. Hydrate though, spicy + humidity is a combo 🤝🔥
3. Exploring Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam in One Trip
Singapore does neighbourhood hopping ridiculously well. Chinatown has temples, street markets, and hidden cafés, Little India is colour, spice, and energy in every direction, and Kampong Glam brings cool boutiques, mural walls, and that iconic mosque moment. You can see a lot in one day without it feeling rushed because everything links up so neatly. Wear comfy shoes and keep your camera ready 📸🏮
4. Getting a Nature Fix at Gardens by the Bay (future jungle vibes)
Gardens by the Bay is where Singapore goes full sci-fi rainforest. The Supertrees look wild, the indoor conservatories are a lifesaver when it’s sticky outside, and the whole place feels like a mood reset even if you’re not a “garden person”. Go early for fewer crowds or later for the lights. Either way, it’s one of the city’s best “wow” moments 🌿🌺
5. Escaping to Sentosa for Beach Time and Easy Fun
Sentosa is Singapore’s quick switch from city mode to holiday mode. You’ve got beaches, viewpoints, theme-park energy, and loads of places to just flop with a cold drink and pretend you’re not in one of the world’s busiest cities. It can be pricey if you do every attraction, but even a simple beach day and a sunset stroll makes it worth it 🌊😎
Singapore Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorms – £25–£55 / $32–$70 / €29–€64
- Hostel Private Rooms – £60–£120 / $75–$150 / €70–€140
- Budget Hotels – £80–£160 / $100–$200 / €93–€186
- Airbnb Private Rooms – £55–£110 / $70–$140 / €64–€128
- Airbnb Apartments – £120–£220 / $150–$275 / €140–€255
- Campsites – £10–£25 / $12–$32 / €12–€29 (very limited, not really a Singapore “thing”)
Transportation
- Metro or Bus (MRT/LRT) – £1–£2.50 per ride / $1.25–$3.20 / €1.15–€2.90
- Airport Train/Metro – £1.50–£3 / $2–$4 / €1.75–€3.50
- Taxi or Ride-Hailing (short trip) – £6–£15 / $8–$20 / €7–€17
- Taxi (per km, rough average) – £0.70–£1.30 / $0.90–$1.70 / €0.80–€1.50
- Bike/Scooter rentals – £5–£15 / $6–$20 / €6–€17 (mostly for park connectors and leisure rides)
Food
- Hawker Centre Meal – £3–£6 / $4–$8 / €3.50–€7
- Budget Meal (simple café/food court) – £6–£12 / $8–$15 / €7–€14
- Mid-Range Restaurant Meal – £15–£35 / $20–$45 / €17–€40
- Coffee – £2.50–£5 / $3–$6.50 / €3–€5.80
- Beer – £6–£12 / $8–$15 / €7–€14
Activities
- Museum Entry – £8–£20 / $10–$25 / €9–€23
- Gardens by the Bay Conservatories – £15–£25 / $19–$32 / €17–€29
- Observation Deck (skyline views) – £20–£35 / $25–$45 / €23–€40
- River Cruise or Guided Tour – £20–£60 / $25–$75 / €23–€70
- Day Trip (e.g. Sentosa extras) – £40–£120 / $50–$150 / €47–€140
Singapore Suggested Budgets
Backpacker
€65–€120 per day (≈ £55–£105 / $70–$132 / SGD 95–SGD 175)
Singapore can be done on a budget, but you’ve got to be a bit tactical. Think hostel dorms, loads of MRT and buses, and living your best life at hawker centres where a proper meal costs less than a fancy coffee back home. Your biggest cost swing is accommodation, so booking early matters, and you’ll want to balance paid “big sights” with free wins like neighbourhood wandering, parks, waterfront walks, and skyline views from public spots. Basically: city glow-up, endless snacks, and minimal wallet damage 😅🍜
Midrange
€130–€220 per day (≈ £112–£190 / $143–$242 / SGD 190–SGD 320)
This is the comfy sweet spot in Singapore. You can stay in solid hotels, mix hawker meals with a couple of nice restaurants, and use ride-hailing when you cannot be bothered with humidity and walking. You’ll have room for key attractions like Gardens by the Bay, a skyline deck, museums, and maybe a Sentosa day without constantly doing budget maths. It’s smooth, easy, and feels like a proper “treat yourself” city break without going fully feral on spending.
Upscale
€300+ per day (≈ £260+ / $330+ / SGD 440+)
Now you’re in rooftop pool hotels, great restaurants, premium experiences, and the kind of trip where you casually say “let’s just get a taxi” ten times a day. Think luxury stays in Marina Bay, tasting menus, cocktail bars with views, and paid attractions without the mental tug-of-war. Singapore at this level is polished and effortless, with maximum comfort and zero compromise, apart from maybe how tight your jeans feel after all the food 😅🥢
Singapore Money-Saving Tips
Bring a reusable water bottle – Singapore’s tap water is safe to drink, so refill at your hotel, cafés, gyms, and public refill spots and save your cash for something more important. Like snacks. Always snacks 💧
Use public transport smartly – The MRT and buses are clean, fast, and cheap, and they cover loads. Use a contactless card or a transit pass so you’re not faffing with ticket machines when you’re already sweating.
Travel off-peak – Midweek is often calmer for big sights like Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay. School holidays and big events can push up hotel prices fast, so aim for quieter weeks if you want better deals.
Stay in budget digs – Hostels and compact hotels can be great value if you book early. Staying a few MRT stops out of Marina Bay usually saves a chunk, and you’ll still be ridiculously well connected.
Eat hawker, not “tourist-menu” – Hawker centres are your budget superpower. Big flavours, low prices, and you’ll eat better than some restaurants. Follow the queues and trust the aunties.
Shop supermarkets for snacks and breakfast – Grab fruit, yoghurt, drinks, and easy breakfast bits so you’re not paying café prices every morning. Also ideal if you’re doing a long, wander-heavy day.
Do self-guided exploring – Neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam are perfect for wandering for free. Add public parks and waterfront strolls and you’ve got a full day with minimal spending.
Hunt discounts and off-peak tickets – Big attractions sometimes have cheaper time slots or online promos. A quick check before booking can save a surprising amount, especially for observation decks and paid gardens.
Prioritise free viewpoints and green spaces – Singapore does parks and waterfront walks really well. Places like the Supertree area (even without paid domes), Marina Bay promenades, and city parks can be some of the best bits and cost nothing.
Skip overpriced “experiences” when DIY works – You do not always need a pricey tour. Many of Singapore’s best moments are self-made: a hawker crawl, a skyline walk, a free light show, or a slow café hop 😅
Book popular stays early – Singapore’s hotel prices can jump quickly, especially on weekends and during major events. Early booking usually means better deals and better locations.
Use cards almost everywhere, keep a little cash – Cards and contactless are widely accepted, but a bit of cash is handy for the odd hawker stall or small market buy. Keep a physical card too, because phone batteries love chaos.
Aim for shoulder periods – Singapore’s weather is warm year-round, so your “sweet spot” is more about crowds than climate. Avoid big holiday peaks if you want cheaper rooms and calmer sightseeing.
How to Get Around in Singapore
Getting Around Singapore: The Basics
Singapore is small, super organised, and ridiculously easy to navigate once you realise the MRT basically runs the country. Public transport is clean and reliable, taxis are plentiful when you cannot be bothered, and walking is genuinely enjoyable in a lot of areas. The main wildcard is weather, heat and sudden rain can make you switch plans fast, but everything is built for that.
Walking
Walking is brilliant in places like Marina Bay, the Civic District, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, and along the river. Pavements are solid, crossings are sensible, and there are loads of covered walkways and malls you can duck into when the sky decides to empty its entire soul. Midday can feel sticky, so mornings and evenings are the nicest for longer strolls.
Public Transportation
The MRT and buses are the backbone of getting around, and they are genuinely traveller-friendly.
Tickets: Use a contactless bank card or a stored-value transit card, no need to overthink it.
MRT: Fast, air-conditioned, and connects almost everything you actually want to see.
Buses: Great for the gaps the MRT does not cover and for seeing neighbourhoods at street level.
Airport Transfers
Main gateway is Singapore Changi (SIN), and it is one of the easiest airports on the planet to get in and out of.
City connections: MRT and airport taxis make it simple.
Ride-hailing: Easy option if you have luggage or you land late.
Private transfers: Nice if you are in a group or you just want the smoothest door-to-door start.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are safe, regulated, and everywhere, but they can add up fast compared to the MRT.
Best for: Late nights, heavy rain, tired feet, or when you want a direct door-to-door hop.
Tip: Have the place name and postcode handy if you are going somewhere specific, it makes pickups smoother.
Intercity Travel
Singapore is a city-state, so you are not doing big domestic travel days. But if you are linking to Malaysia, it is very doable.
Buses and trains: Options exist for crossing into Malaysia, but queues and border timing can vary.
Day trip reality: Plan early starts for anything cross-border, especially on weekends.
Car Rental
Honestly, most travellers do not need a car in Singapore. Public transport is too good, and parking is not a fun hobby.
If you do drive: Expect paid parking, strict enforcement, and traffic that can get chunky at peak times.
Better move: Use MRT and taxis, and save the driving for elsewhere.
Cycling
Cycling can be great in the right places, especially parks and dedicated paths.
Best for: East Coast Park, park connectors, Marina Bay area, and early mornings before the heat gets rude.
City streets: Fine in some areas, but it is not the most relaxing “cycle anywhere” city.
Apps to Use
Google Maps works well. Local transport apps can help with live MRT and bus times. Ride-hailing apps are handy for rainstorms and late-night food missions.
Money & Tickets
Singapore is very card and contactless friendly, so you can pay almost everywhere without thinking. Keep a physical card as backup in case your phone battery decides to retire mid-journey. Cash is rarely essential, but it can help at some hawker stalls or small shops.
Tips for Smooth Travel
Start early for outdoor stuff, it is cooler and quieter.
Carry a tiny umbrella, rain turns up uninvited.
Use the MRT for big hops and buses for “I want to see the streets” days.
Give yourself buffer time at peak hours, commuter rush is real even in a very efficient city.
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