Overview
Singapore is a compact city-state that works smoothly: the Marina Bay skyline, Gardens by the Bay, hawker centres, Chinatown, Little India and Sentosa. It is one of the easiest places to visit in Asia, and it is a major connecting hub for travel across the region.
The rules are strict and clearly signposted. Know them before you arrive, and the city rewards you with efficiency and good food at every price.
Entry requirements
Visa rules depend on your passport, so check the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) before you book. Many nationalities can enter without a visa for a short stay, and others need to apply in advance. Nigerian passport holders need a visa before travel. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana and Zambia are not on ICA's visa-required list, and UK passport holders do not need a visa for a short visit. Check ICA for your passport, as the list can change.
Most visitors must submit the SG Arrival Card online, free of charge, within three days before arrival, including the day you land. Your passport needs at least six months of validity, and you should carry proof of onward travel.
Singapore has strict laws on drugs, vaping devices and some medicines, and penalties are severe.
Yellow fever: if you were in a yellow fever risk country in the six days before arrival, you must show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. The list includes Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. Without one you can be quarantined, and visitors who refuse quarantine are refused entry.
Best time to visit
Singapore is hot and humid all year, with temperatures that vary little. February to April tends to be drier, while the northeast monsoon from November to January brings more rain. Plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and evenings, and use air-conditioned malls and museums at midday.
Money
The currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, including at many hawker stalls, and ATMs are everywhere. Tipping is not expected, as a service charge is often added at restaurants. Prices on menus may exclude service charge and GST, so check the bottom of the menu.
For everyday spending, compare the best ways to pay while travelling and always choose the local currency when a terminal offers to convert (why).
Mobile data and eSIMs
Singtel, StarHub and M1 sell tourist SIMs at Changi Airport and in shops. Coverage is excellent. A travel eSIM is easy and works well for a short stay.
A travel eSIM avoids hunting for a SIM shop after a long flight. Use our eSIM Finder to estimate how much data you need.
Getting around
The MRT metro and buses are efficient and cheap, and you can tap a Visa or Mastercard contactless card or phone at the gates in most cases. An admin fee applies to cards issued outside Singapore. Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful. Singapore is walkable and well shaded, though the heat makes short taxi rides tempting. Singapore drives on the left.
Safety and health
Singapore is considered very safe, but rules are enforced: littering, jaywalking and smoking in banned areas draw fines, and drug offences carry severe penalties. Do not bring vapes or e-cigarettes. Since September 2025, visitors caught with one have it seized and pay a S$700 fine, and visitors who offend again are banned from returning. Vapes laced with etomidate are treated as a drug offence. Dress for the heat, drink water and carry a small umbrella for sudden rain.
Things to do
- Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay skyline
- Hawker centres such as Maxwell and Lau Pa Sat
- Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India
- Sentosa, the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari
- Changi Airport's Jewel
Airports
Changi (SIN) is regularly rated among the world's best airports and has an MRT station for quick city access. Allow time for your SG Arrival Card, and check onward travel requirements if transiting.
Local customs
Queue and keep to the left on escalators. Remove your shoes at homes and some temples. Public behaviour is orderly, and loud noise or eating on public transport is discouraged. Hawker centres are casual, and you can reserve a table with a packet of tissues.
Emergency numbers
Police: 999. Ambulance and fire: 995.
