Basic Tips: What to Know When Planning a Trip to Singapore
Language in Singapore
The official language of Singapore is Malay however most Singaporean’s speak at least two languages and a large percentage are fluent in English.
When to Visit Singapore
Singapore is fine to visit year-round. The best time to go to Singapore is during its dry season, which falls between February and April. Singapore is also nice during its “wet season” as it only rains a slight bit at that time.
Currency in Singapore
The currency in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar. ATM’s are safe and readily available. Most stores, hotels & big restaurants will take credit card payment but be sure to have some cash on you for local vendors and taxis.
Transportation in Singapore
Public transportation in Singapore is great. Cabs are readily available and reasonably priced. The mass-transit is also efficient, affordable & reliable.
Is it Safe to Visit Singapore?
Singapore ranks as one of the safest countries in the world and is ideal for solo female travelers.
Enjoy the Singapore Airport!
Singapore Changi International Airport is ranked as the best airport in the world. It’s a great airport for layovers. The airport features a live butterfly garden, movie theatre, and rooftop pool—just to name a few things. There’s also an airport tour of Singapore available if a layover is more than 6 hours.
What to Pack for Singapore
Here’s a list of what to pack for Singapore; not including the stuff that you’d normally carry:
- Power Adaptor: The power plugs & sockets in Singapore are type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
- Clothes to pack for Singapore: The weather is warm & humid in Singapore year-round. Be sure to bring light & breathable clothing. You’ll be walking around a lot in the heat and many of the tourist attractions can get very, very hot.
- Re-fillable Water Bottle: Singapore is super hot, and you’ll be walking a lot so it’s a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle with you to refill along the way.
Top Things to Do in Singapore
Singapore is known for its lavish and over-the-top architecture + delicious food and fun nightlife. Here’s a shortlist of things that you should be sure to do during your visit.
Gardens by the Bay: This is a #1 can’t-miss in Singapore and should be visited both during the day and at night if your itinerary allows. It’s a crazy cool combination of flowers + architecture that will literally make your jaw drop.
Marina Bay Sands: This hotel is built to look like a boat and is located next to Gardens by the Bay. It’s a really unique piece of architecture and offers great views of the city from the top. Non-hotel guests are allowed to the roof to drink & chill if they’d like.
Visit Pulau Ubin: a small island off the coast of Singapore. It’s a great escape from city life and a reminder of what Singapore looked like just a few short decades ago, before it became what it is today.
Walk Around Like a Local: Check out all of the culturally diverse neighborhoods that Singapore has to offer.
Eat a Meal at Hawker Center: A local market with many stalls that offer a variety of local foods to choose from. Hawker Center is reasonably priced and a great way to experience the local food.
Experience Chinese Culture in China Town: Pay a visit to China Town and experience a blend of old + new architecture.
Enjoy the Nightlife at Clarke Quay: Clarke Quay is super lively at night and attracts both ex-pats and locals.
Go to the Singapore Botanic Gardens: A trip here will make you feel like you’ve left the city and gone someplace else. It’s Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Do Some Shopping on Orchard Road: Orchard Road is usually full of shoppers and tourists that want to check out the luxury stores. There are also many restaurants & coffee shops nearby.
Watch the Spectra Light & Water Show: This is a 15-minute light show that happens every night near Marina Bay Sands. It’s a mesmerizing display of lights, projections & water.
Fun Facts About Singapore
Here are some basic facts about Singapore that you may not have already known:
Singapore is the most religiously diverse country in the world with the population observing Buddhists, Christians, folk religions, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and a mix of many other religions.
Singapore is made of 64 islands—including the mainland island. The other 63 islands, outside of the mainland are largely uninhabited.
Singapore is one of the top 20 smallest countries in the world.
It’s home to the world’s first night zoo. In Singapore, you can go to the zoo at night to see the nocturnal animals in action.
Chewing gum is forbidden in Singapore.
Singapore is the only island city-state in the world.
The airport is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.
Car use is discouraged by the government and owners have to pay a large fine to get it certified to drive. This is because they currently have too many cars on the road and are attempting to control it.
How to Budget for a Trip to Singapore
Below is a sample budget estimate to keep in mind while you plan a trip to Singapore. Note: this is only an estimate and costs may change based on the time of year that you visit.
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | High End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Accommodation | $15 - $45/Night (Hostel Dorm) | $45 - $100/Night (Private Hostel room or Budget Hotel) | $100+Night (Nice Hotel) | The sky's the limit for accommodation in Singapore. Nice hotels start at around $100/night but very lavish options are available. |
Food | $4 - $10/pp/meal (Local Food) | $15 - $40/pp/meal (Average Restaurant) | $40+/pp/meal (High-End Restaurant) | Meal costs vary; a nice meal usually starts at around $40/pp but scales up higher at times. |
Alcohol | $8 - $12 (Domestic Drinks) | $14- $20 (Imported Drinks) | ---- | The SIngapore government places hefty taxes on the cost of alcohol, which drives the cost up. |
Transportation | $0.60 - $2.00/each way (Local Transport) | $.70/kilometer for a public taxi. Most trips within the mainland will cost $4 - $8. | Unlimited passes for mass transit (buses, trains) are available for approx $10/day. | Moto-taxis's are the method of transportation in most cities outside of Lima. Prices range pending on distance & city but will typically run around $0.25 - $2.00/trip. |
Explore Singapore Virtually from Home
With COVID-19 and the change that the travel landscape has recently seen, I decided to make some virtual resources available for those who can’t currently plan a trip to Singapore & want to satisfy their wanderlust and explore it from home. If you have a trip to Singapore planned; then these can serve as great tools for getting amped for your trip!
– Visit Singapore’s Museums from home on visitingsingapore.com.
– Check out this drone footage of Singapore in 4K on Youtube.
