Singapore Travel
Singapore is one of the ultimate gems of Southeast Asia. Expect to find beautiful architecture, lush gardens, beaches, and more! Singapore is known as a huge travel hub and has something for everyone.
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Singapore Culture
Singapore is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual country. Singaporeans consist of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian backgrounds, therefore Singapore practices freedom of Religion (mainly).
This Singapore guide will dive into basic things to expect when traveling to Singapore along with tons of tips, recommendations, and a detailed 2 Days in Singapore Guide blog post. Get ready to start planning the most epic trip to Singapore!
What to Expect in Singapore
Here is some practical information and travel tips you can expect when traveling in Singapore.
Language: Since Singapore is multi-cultural and multi-lingual, Singapore has 4 national languages. English, Malay, Tamil, Mandarin Chinese, and Standard Mandarin.
Singaporeans are bilingual usually speaking English and their mother- tongue.
This makes it very easy to communicate in Singapore, with no need to pre-download languages from Google Translate.
Currency: In Singapore, the Singapore Dollar, also known as SDG.
Cards/ATM’s: Credit Cards are widely accepted and ATMs can be found everywhere in Singapore.
Tipping in Singapore: Tipping is not customary in Singapore unless otherwise stated. Do not tip, unless it is mentioned on your bill. The best way to show your appreciation to Singapore businesses is by leaving a review on Trip Advisor!
Singapore Safety: In General, Singapore is very safe to travel including solo female travelers. Singapore is also known as one of the safest places in the world! We walked all over and not once felt uncomfortable.
Singapore Water Safety: Singapore is currently the only Southeast Asian Country that has safe drinking water.
Visas: Visas are not required in Singapore for travelers visiting for less than 90 Days.
Power outlets: In Singapore, the power plugs and sockets are of type G with a standard voltage of 230 V. The standard frequency is 50 Hz. Here is our favorite universal adaptor.
Getting Around: It’s very easy to get around Singapore by public transportation and by foot. You can also use Grab (like Uber) at an affordable price for further destinations.
Singapore’s train line is called the MRT (mass rapid transit). Depending on how long your stay is, they have a Singapore Tourist Pass (STP). This pass allows you unlimited travel for one day (S$10), two days (S$16), or three days (S$20). These can be purchased online (link above) or at the Changi Airport. Single tickets can also be purchased at the station.
Singapore also has an extensive bus line. Bus fare can also use the Singapore Tourist Pass.
Sim Cards: It is very easy to get Sim Card and cell phone data packages in Singapore. You can get Hitourist right at the airport. The plan gives you 100gb costs $15 SGD. The wifi worked well everywhere and we were able to use the mobile hotspot for our computers.
Weather in Singapore
Singapore is a favorite travel destination all year round for its tropical climates. Average temperatures all year range between 76 F – 86 F.
November – January tend to get the most rainfall, however being a tropical climate, rain can always be expected, so a light raincoat could be in order.
Singapore Travel Tips Guide
While Singapore can be a very expensive destination, it is possible to see Singapore on a Budget! It is also very easy to see a ton of Singapore in just a few days!
Most travelers actually use Singapore as a stop-over before their final destination. We even did this! Instead of leaving directly from Bali, we flew into Singapore and then back home to New York. Flights are way more inexpensive doing it this way and you get to experience Singapore!
Even with just a layover, it also doesn’t hurt that Singapore’s Changi Airport was voted the number one airport in the world! It boasts a swimming pool, all types of spas, a movie theater, and more! Many travelers just want to visit the Changi Airport for its insta-worthy attractions like the Jewel, the largest indoor waterfall in the world!
Travel Guide: The Best of Singapore in 2 Days on a Budget!
Best Things to Do in Singapore
With so many amazing attractions, here are the top things to see in Singapore that you won’t want to miss!
Gardens By The Bay
The famous Gardens by the Bay are something you can’t miss when visiting Singapore! These beautiful gardens span 101 hectares and include the top two must-see attractions! It is completely free to walk around the main gardens.
Supertree Grove
The insta-famous Supertree Grove has most likely appeared on your feed once or twice! You can find them all spread out through Gardens by the Bay. At night they hold two FREE light shows with music!
Showtimes: 7:45 PM ; 8:45PM
Tip: Get there early to snag a good seat on the ground!
Cloud Forest and Flower Dome
Singapore’s Cloud Forest is most notably popular for having the largest indoor waterfall (now 2nd largest, after the Jewel in Changi Airport). The gardens are absolutely stunning and a must-see.
The Flower dome directly across from the Cloud Forest is equally as beautiful and boasts mainly Mediterranean plants across 5 regions.
Both domes are the largest column-less greenhouses!
Sentosa Island
If you are looking for a little time away from the city or want to get your adrenaline pumping head over to Sentosa Island. You can find both beaches to relax on, as well as, Universal Studios! If you’re looking to relax on the beaches, check out Palawan Beach. This is the hot spot with the suspended bridge across the water!
ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum in Singapore is an Instagram favorite with tons of amazing exhibits. It is popular among all ages and should be at the top of your list of things to do in Singapore!
Marina Sands Hotel
Experience a night in Luxury at the most famous hotel in Singapore! Marina Sands is most notably recognized for having the largest rooftop infinity pool. If you’re not looking to splurge on a room, you can always check the view from their Skypark Observation Deck, giving you the best views in all of Singapore!
Additional Things to See in Singapore
Helix Bridge: Cross over this cool bridge designed to look like DNA! At night, the whole bridge lights up.
Singapore Flyer: Get a view of Singapore while taking a ride on the Singapore Flyer. It’s the largest observation wheel in Asia and even serves an exclusive dinner for those looking to really splurge!
Singapore Botanical Garden: Another beautiful garden founded in 1859 and covers 183 acres.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: Discover the Buddhist temple and museum located in the Chinatown district of Singapore.
Merlion: Stop by the Merlion, an 8.5 m fountain shooting water into the river located in the Central Business District.
Take a Cooking Class: Get a real feel for Singapore’s Cuisine, by taking a cooking class! It’s a fun way to have a memorable experience! Check out cooking classes here!
Take Tour Through Singapore
If you don’t like to plan, another great way to see Singapore is through a group tour. If you don’t feel like touring the city alone, there a ton of guided tours you can experience!
Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Singapore
Singapore has a lot of great areas to explore and book accommodations in! Because Singapore has a great public transportation system and Grab, staying outside the main city center is perfectly fine!
Little India
Little India has become an increasingly popular area for Instagramers to visit due to how colorful the neighborhood is. Here you will find colorful buildings, great food, and affordable accommodations right in the center of Singapore’s Indian Community!
Arab Street
Arab Street is another increasingly popular area to visit with tons of new trendy food places popping up everywhere!
Orchard Road
Orchard Road is one of the fanciest areas to be with top-of-the-line shopping. If you have come to Singapore to shop, this is where you will want to be with all the top designer stores.
Chinatown
We stayed in Chinatown at the The Fragrance Hotel Riverside. This neighborhood is close to all the main attractions and we had no problem walking everywhere except to Sentosa Island. We also had Clarke Quay, which is a historical riverside right down the block from us with tons of food options!
Singapore Accommodations
There are tons of places to stay in Singapore. So much that it can be hard to choose. When in doubt, choose locations that are most central to the main attractions. One of the most popular (but expensive) places to stay is at Marina Bay Sands. This is the hotel that you will generally see in the background of most Singapore photos. This unique hotel is located in the heart of Gardens by the Bay and has the largest rooftop infinity pool in the world! Even if it is just for one night, a stay here is a real experience.
Marina Bay Sands | Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay | Raffles Singapore
