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Singapore 2023
Singapore: on to the little red dot.
Such a difference. After ten weeks in Asia, ten weeks of looking away from the heaps of discarded plastic of terra firma and the floating garbage on the water, avoiding inhaling the stench of drains and sewers and steadfastly ignoring any rats which cross our path, and instead concentrating on the many very good bits, we find ourselves suddenly on the pristine streets of Singapore.
Singapore, where the sidewalks look permanently swept and the tiniest sweet wrapper has been dutifully binned, where chewing gum is illegal and cigarettes are only smoked on designated street corners, where the posters on the metro carry more instructions and guidance on how to be polite than the usual advertisements for language courses and healthcare.
Singapore, where everything seems beautifully new, updated with the latest technology, and works the way it’s meant to. When we last visited here, six years ago, we left saying that any Singaporeans visiting England must feel like they’ve gone back in time by about ten years. Well, maybe make that twenty.
Somewhat ironically though this resolutely twenty-first century island nation packed with gobsmackingly space age buildings still hides clues to British colonisation: in some neighbourhoods the back streets look and feel like those of London, so much so that you almost expect a Nicholsons pub on the next corner. They drive on the left too.
And then there’s the cost of things. It’s easy for the traveller to live frugally in Vietnam and Cambodia, which is not something you can say about Singapore. It’s hard to get your head round the difference that a couple of hours on the plane makes: the bill for our first night out here comes to more than TEN TIMES the cost of our last meal in Phnom Penh. After ten weeks of spacious accommodation at low cost we now have a modest room at wallet busting rates – a comparison of £s per square metre wouldn’t make good reading.
But make no mistake, it’s wonderful to be here again, looking up at the fantastically designed and beautifully shaped structures of the skyline, reflections twinkling in the water, the iconic and marvellous Marina Bay Sands Hotel capping the whole scene. What an amazing building. What a fabulous city, one of those cities where there is so much to do that you almost don’t know where to start.
Some things are essential, like indulging in a Singapore Sling at Raffles, where the Long Bar is so popular that there’s always a queue to get in. In our case it’s a wait of about 40 minutes but as this is a rite of passage for all world travellers the wait is immaterial. Once through, sipping the iconic drink in this more-than-iconic bar is enormous fun, as is joining all the other revellers in scoffing peanuts and throwing the shells on the floor. Raffles is beautifully grand and cleverly retro classic, the current incarnation having been redesigned in 1991 with none of the original elegance lost in the refit.
The Singapore Sling cocktail was originally created here by an enterprising barman seeking a way around the fact that it simply wasn’t the done thing for ladies to drink alcohol in public places – fruit juices and teas were de rigeur. This bright pink, fruity looking drink enabled the ladies to join in the fun without looking “uncouth”. As for the peanut shells, legend has it that, originally, customers were encouraged to discard the shells as a way of keeping the dust down, but it’s long become a quirky tradition with no benefits other than enormous fun and sense of occasion. Sip your Sling, throw shells on the floor, and imagine that you are Rudyard Kipling about to add another chapter. It’s now the only place in Singapore where you can throw something on the floor and not get fined.
The LRT/MRT (metro) is, as you would expect, brilliant. Clean, efficient, easy to use, and with a network which covers most of the city. You can get anywhere quickly. No tickets – you pay contactless with your Visa card – and journeys are quite a bit less than £1 a time.
One such ride brings us to Bayfront, gateway to one of Singapore’s many wonderful delights. We absolutely loved Gardens By The Bay when we were here six years ago and it’s lost nothing of its beauty or intrigue. In fact, with a further six years’ growth on all of the climbers, it’s probably even better now than it was then. Greenery is creeping up the stems of the “Supertrees”, which rise above the lush, packed gardens with true 21st century majesty. The Skyway, a walkway suspended at the precise height of a rainforest canopy, affords sweeping views over the intense foliage, the fifty shades of green, and the breathtaking vista which is the Singapore skyline.
Pathways wind through lush tropical scenes, waterways drift between cafes subtly hidden behind shrubbery, the truly magical Cloudforest domes concealing re-created rainforests within their space age exteriors. The Gardens are endlessly fascinating, hugely interesting – and every few moments our eyes are again drawn upwards to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel seemingly soaring through the clouds above us.
The “Supertrees” are ingenious, so much more than just the base for the nightly spectacular light show. As well as the Supertrees being conductors for solar energy, the creepers growing up these colossal towers are, like the Gardens in their entirety, soaking up pollution from the city and creating cleaner air for its inhabitants.
With a city as stunningly exciting as Singapore, it’s worth seeking out different viewpoints for different aspects. The Singapore Flyer, the very lofty observation wheel with counterparts in so many other cities these days, is brilliantly sited above the waterways and gardens and provides fabulous panoramic 360-degree views of the entire city. Somehow it’s just as thrilling to marvel at the towering structures from the lowest point too: on the water. A ride in a so-called “bumboat” reveals the one remaining old wharf building, the opulent magnificence of the Fullerton Hotel (check out those prices!) and of course the seemingly endless run of futuristic buildings.
The way the towering buildings produce reflections of each other simply enhances the drama of the whole scene. Modestly but proudly standing at the water’s edge is the “merlion” mermaid/lion statue, calmly casting its fountain back into the river and managing to retain its iconic status despite being dwarfed by its surroundings. “Singapura” means, literally, “city of the lion”.
Half way through our time in this fabulous city, it’s plain that we won’t fit in everything there is to do here – there’s a need to restrict ambitions in order to do justice to the places we visit. This is a city with endless opportunities, a never ending supply of things to marvel at. It’s hard to imagine that any visitor would ever reach the point where Singapore is done and dusted.
Which is, for the most part, the main reason we have returned for a second taste. We aren’t done yet….
Last Days Of The Trip: Ending On A High, Literally
“Good morning Sir, will you be paying cash or card?”, she asks before we’ve even got past the gate.
“I don’t know yet. Probably card”.
“That’s one hundred dollars then, Sir, please”, she says, picking up the card machine.
“But I haven’t bought anything yet”.
“No, Sir, it’s fifty dollars per person minimum spend here”.
I grin, most probably an inane grin, thinking she’s joking. I look at her more closely. She definitely isn’t joking. She means it. This is a beach bar, it’s 11 o’clock in the morning, and they want a minimum of 100 dollars regardless of what we want to eat/drink/buy. We’re both speechless – well, speechless apart from saying “goodbye” as we turn and walk away.
This is the island of Sentosa, at the southern end of Singapore, where the journey by public transport turns out to be far more to our taste than the island itself. The MRT (metro) brings us to Harbourfront, from where there is a choice of three ways – cable car, monorail or ferry – to cross the water to Sentosa – it’s a transport lover’s heaven! We opt for the cable car. Sentosa itself turns out to be essentially a succession of adventure parks, full of log flumes, pools with wave machines, luge rides and the like, plus numerous resort complexes and a giant structure purpose built for bungee jumping. We wander through it all, eardrums pounded by the Yankee accented guy running the Kids’ Club whose voice can probably be heard back in his home state in America, so booming are his over enthusiastic tones. He’s clearly in the right job.
We take one last ocean swim for this Asia trip, just so we can say we did it in Singapore, buy bottled water from a 7-Eleven just to spite the money grabbing creeps at the beach bar, and spend no more time than is necessary on this rather overblown island. What Sentosa shows though, is that Singapore really does have everything, and by definition that means there will be some things we don’t like.
It’s massively outweighed by those things that we do like. Chinatown, for instance, with its garishly colourful temples tucked behind the shophouses, its market vendors hell bent on convincing us that what we really need more than anything in life is a lucky charm on a string, its eateries throwing out temptation on every waft of breeze. This is a neighbourhood steeped in history, its tales of squalid and sordid beginnings now told via a series of plaques on the walls of its tight streets; never ashamed of its past, proud of its heritage, regardless of the low points. Time has moved on, the city has changed immeasurably around it, yet the community still stands strong and proud.
Further north is the eclectic mix which is Kampong Glam, another former village once packed to the rafters with migrant workers seeking fortune at the tip of the continent where the seafaring trade teased with promises of wealth. The street names are evocative: Arab Street, Muscat Lane and Haji Lane lie within its confines, the last of which is named after Muslims returning from the Haj pilgrimage. These days this corner of Singapore has a wholly different persona.
Whilst adjoining streets celebrate the foods of North Africa and the Middle East, Haji Lane itself is a bohemian melange of bars, pizza joints and drinking dens, frequented as much by the youth of Singapore as it is by travellers like us drawn by the babble and pizazz of the evening. Arty, bohemian and hip by day, cradle of revelry by night, it has a convivial, bright, inclusive atmosphere all of its own.
Last time we were here, the heart and soul of nighttime Singapore seemed to be the Quays. Now, with Clarke Quay undergoing some rebuilding works, it’s not quite so lively, leaving Boat Quay with the responsibility to be “the place”, together with the narrow streets leading off from the waterfront. If you’re looking for a bar street in Singapore with that perfect ambience somewhere between too quiet and too rowdy…it’s here, just behind Boat Quay. But then, Haji Lane fits the bill too. And probably lots of others in other parts of the city do too.
Food wise, Singapore is as global and inclusive as it gets, as you might expect from such a modern, cosmopolitan place. You can go for any food you like, the whole world is here leaping out from the menu boards. In our first four nights we’ve opted for Chinese, Turkish, Lebanese and Indian, but we could have just as easily gone to Mexico, France or Italy, or even stayed in South East Asia.
Any sojourn in Singapore calls for two visits to Gardens By The Bay, one to amble around its delights during the day and one to return at sunset to see the light show. Twice each night the Supertrees are the focal point for a musically accompanied show incorporating various choreographed shifting of lights, best viewed by laying on your back on the grass and staring up at the ever changing patterns above. Actually, we’re not quite as thrilled this time as we were when we came a few years ago, maybe simply because it was our second time, or maybe because for us the accompanying opera music isn’t as dramatic as the rock pieces played last time. Just our personal taste, of course.
Unlikely as it is, Singapore boasts a garden even bigger than those “by the bay”, the Botanical Gardens which is the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a major, sprawling garden divided into sections of plant types, sumptuously green and beautiful, and packed with fascinating histories and facts about plant life and plant evolution. Our long walk around these lovely gardens involves constant shower dodging – Sunday has brought rain and a noticeable drop in both temperature and humidity.
By Monday, our last day of the entire trip, it’s as if Sunday’s flirtation with cooler weather was imagined, as once again the day is hot, humid and full of sunshine. In our last hours here, we do what we’ve purposefully left until last – the top of Marina Bay Sands, up on that incredible platform on the 57th floor. From up here, in the baking sunshine, this marvellous, wonderful city is spread out before us in all its glory, multiple ships out at sea waiting to dock, skyscrapers reaching for the sun like trees in a forest. Singapore is so green, a city in a garden rather than a garden city. This is a wonderful place to be, and up here on top of the world is a great way to end our visit. On a high, literally.
Public transport, mostly the MRT, has been our choice throughout these six days in Singapore, we have used it several times every day. The whole network is so good – clean, efficient, regular, cheap and with extensive coverage – that there is hardly ever any need to use taxis here, even though there seems to be plenty of them around.
It’s been amusing watching and getting to know the people here. Singapore is full of rules and regulations and is packed with advice on good behaviour (“it feels good to be thoughtful” appears regularly on billboards), and somehow this has resulted in the evolution of a race of obedient, dutiful people. Nobody jaywalks, nobody stands on the edge of the kerb waiting to cross, nobody disobeys the painted arrows on the floors of the MRT tunnels which guide everyone to walk on the left. Nobody litters and nobody smokes away from the designated areas, even outdoors. Nobody breaks the rules, nobody misbehaves. The flip side is….. now how shall we phrase this….well, you are highly unlikely to be served by a flamboyant waiter or to find yourself chatting to an extrovert in a bar. Let’s leave it at that.
Singapore is a wonderful place and it’s been fabulous to be back here, something we’d wanted to do ever since our first taste six years ago. After this long (over 10 weeks) tour through such different parts of Asia, being whisked up into Singapore life has been the biggest single culture shift of the whole trip.
It’s been a fabulous trip with so many aspects, but now it’s time to head home, just for a while. And then, there’s more of the world to see. It won’t be long…
Street Art & Tech Art In Singapore
For a fee which is eminently reasonable we are able to delay checkout till 6pm, hugely useful when it’s an overnight flight home. One last ride on the MRT and a couple of stops on the Skytrain and we’re wandering into a crowded Changi Airport, still far too early for our flight but happy to kill time with a beer and a sandwich. Until, that is, the lady at the check-in desk suggests we stay land-side and head to the Jewel.
Has anyone seen the Jewel at Changi in the last few years? At night? Just when we think we’ve seen all of the wonders which Singapore has to offer, we stumble upon this amazing, incredible scene. In the centre of what in any case is a hugely spectacular and brilliantly modern shopping-mall-with-everything, here is something which wouldn’t be out of place at the biggest and best rock gig you’ve ever been to. It’s called The Rain Vortex.
Cascading from way up in the domed roof, water descends like a bridal veil waterfall, crashing into the pit below where it is joined by more H2O which heaves over the edges of the well and down the inside of this amazing creation. Then, to cap it all, the light-and-sound show begins, colourful forms projected on to the wall of water, moving and twisting, all accompanied by dramatic music. As good a special effect as you will ever see live, and it’s here, in an airport – in an airport shopping mall, no less. Singapore is endlessly magical, forever surprising.
Singapore is, in keeping with its clean and tidy nature, just about entirely free of graffiti, and instead leaves street artists free to work in the more bohemian and carefree districts. Having not included these previously in our Singapore posts, here’s a selection which does justice to what is an impressive collection, mostly telling stories of the history of Chinatown…
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Hi, I’m a Singaporean and you captured Singapore very beautifully in pictures. Well done! If you make another trip here, I will recommend you more of our local culture.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you Lyn. We saw lots in Singapore, and of course we didn’t include all of it in our posts…..but we love the place. Every chance we’ll be back…!
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YOUR ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE FOR SINGAPORE 2023
By LINDA JAMES | Updated June 17, 2023 | PLAN
This article may contain compensated links. Please read the disclaimer for more information.
If you’re planning a holiday and want to find out what you need to know before you go, this is your ultimate travel guide to Singapore for 2023. It will answer all of your FAQs and make sure you have all the information you need as well as loads of Singapore travel tips.
Singapore attracts so many tourists because it has a wide variety of activities to suit everyone as well as great shopping, fantastic food, cultural diversity and a rich history.
It doesn’t hurt that the main language spoken is English and it’s incredibly clean and green. There are so many places to visit in Singapore: Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari Singapore to name just a few.
How to Plan a Trip to Singapore steps out the planning process and contains some great tips. If you don’t want to do a tour package, check out my itineraries , which will give you heaps of ideas about the things to do in Singapore.
I’ve also put together guides to all of the key areas in Singapore.
Do I need a visa to enter Singapore?
Only travellers from some countries require a visa for Singapore. If you’re an Australian traveller you don’t need a visa to enter Singapore. If you’re from the United States, you don’t need one if you’re staying for less than 90 days. There are often other requirements such as a passport with at least 6 months’ validity at the date of arrival, confirmed return or onward tickets, a visa for your next destination (if not home) and sufficient money for your stay in Singapore.
However, all travellers (except for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term passholders) need to complete the Singapore Arrival Card up to 3 days before arrival. This is NOT a visa but does include a health declaration.
Some travellers may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. It’s best to check with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs well before your trip.
Does Singapore require quarantine?
Singapore does not require any entry approvals, testing or quarantining. COVID-19 travel insurance also is not necessary. The Singapore Government’s ICA website has comprehensive information about the requirements for all travellers.
What do I need to do if I’m transiting through Changi?
Changi Airport has a detailed section on the current transiting requirements .
Is Singapore worth visiting?
Absolutely! Singapore is a city of contrasts: history sits beside hip, gardens thrive in high-rises and cultures co-exist. There is so much to see & do – iconic attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands – and the food is amazing and much of it is very cheap. There’s also a huge variety of places to stay – from budget to luxury.
How much should I budget for a trip to Singapore?
This is a rough idea of what you can expect to pay for your Singapore trip. Prices are dependent on the time of year and location so you’ll always find more expensive and cheaper options. Also, someone staying in a luxury hotel, can still eat and travel cheaply in Singapore.
What’s the weather like in Singapore?
Between February and April is the best time to visit Singapore but it really is a year-round destination. Singapore is often referred to as the “little red dot” (ie on the map) thanks to its hot and humid climate. It rains reasonably regularly throughout the year but not for long so you generally won’t be prevented from visiting Singapore’s top attractions. The wet season usually runs from about September to February with the heaviest rain recorded between November and January. I’ve been 3 times during this period and not had activities interrupted by the rain. The dry season lasts from February until August.
From May to August, Singapore is sometimes covered in a haze caused by the smoke from Sumatran clearing fires, which can cause low air quality.
What special events happen in Singapore?
There are stacks of festivals and special events in Singapore each year such as Chinese New Year, the Chingay Parade, the Rugby Sevens and a fantastic food festival. Here’s a list of some for 2023:
- Thaipusam: 5 February
- C hinese New Year : 22 January
- Chingay Parade: 3 February
- Hari Raya : 21 April
- Vesak Day: 5 May
- Dragon Boat (Duanwu) Festival: 22 June
- Hari Raya Haji 28 June
- Singapore Food Festival: August
- Singapore Night Festival: August
- National Day: 9 August
- Diwali: 12 November
- Christmas: 25 December
To plan your trip to Singapore, try to do so around school holidays to avoid busy times especially if you have children.
What currency will I need?
You’ll need Singapore dollars when you’re travelling to Singapore though not too many if you have a good travel credit or debit card. Cash is needed to buy your EZ Link travel card though. After that you can top up at a machine using your credit or debit card. Most of the hawker food stalls only take cash but there are some that take cards. Most shops, supermarkets, attractions etc all take credit and debit cards.
What is the best way to travel to Singapore?
The main way to get to Singapore is by flying. Most of the world’s major full-service airlines land at Changi Airport such as Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Emirates and American Airlines as well as many budget airlines such as Air Asia, Scoot and JetStar to name a few.
However, you can also arrive overland by bus from Malaysia.
How do I get from Changi Airport to the city?
You can use the MRT (subway), which takes about 45 minutes and is quite cheap, or the public buses but this takes longer as they stop at many places along the way. All vaccinated travellers can now take public transport. Those who are unvaccinated need to take private transport.
The airport shuttle buses, which are more expensive, are not operating at the moment due to Covid.
A taxi will take about 40 minutes and is a more expensive option.
If you’d like more information, I have a detailed guide .
How do I get around Singapore?
Singapore’s public transport system is fantastic – clean, efficient and pretty cheap. The Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system is the subway. The lines crisscross Singapore making it really easy to get where you want to go and, if there’s no train to get you there, the bus lines certainly will.
A bus or train trip typically costs between $S0.92 and $S1.90 depending on distance and whether you use a travel card or cash. Travel cards and passes can make your transport much cheaper. My detailed guide gives a comprehensive comparision of all the options.
Taxis are reasonably cheap in Singapore. The flag down rate is $S3-$3.40 and $S0.22 a km every 400m up to 10km.
You can hire a car in Singapore provided you are over 21 years old and have a valid driver’s licence.
If you want to get to some of the islands off Singapore, you’ll need to catch a ferry. The main terminals are at HarbourFront, Tanah Merah and Changi.
Is Singapore safe?
Singapore is one of the safest cities I’ve ever been to. I’ve never felt at risk even when I’ve been there on my own. Of course, if you’re travelling on your own, it always pays to stay in an area where there are lots of hotels and people walking around at night.
What is the best area to stay in Singapore?
There are so many diverse areas in Singapore and most of them are quite central. The Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system is very efficient and as long as you get a hotel close to a station, it doesn’t really matter where you stay . However, it is really handy to be close to the top attractions.
To decide where you want to stay, check out my itineraries and area guides .
What are some good hotels in Singapore?
There are so many hotels in Singapore – from budget through to mid-range and five-star – as well as serviced apartments and hostels. Airbnb is not legal in Singapore although you will see them advertised. It’s best though to stick to other forms of accommodation.
I have put together an extensive guide on a variety of hotels in Singapore in different areas and budgets.
What are the best accommodation booking sites for Singapore?
I start my hotel research for my Singapore travels by going to Trip Advisor . While there is always debate about the accuracy of reviews, I find it a good starting point to check out the different hotels and apartments, where they are and what sort of prices might be available.
What can I see and do in Singapore and how do I get tickets?
There are so many places to see and things to do in Singapore. Check my comprehensive list of Singapore attractions from the cultural and historical to the fun and interesting. One of the key things to remember is that many places have different prices for tourists and residents so make sure you’re booking the right tickets.
What sort of food can I eat in Singapore?
This is one of the reasons I love Singapore. It’s one of the few places in the world you can get a meal from a Michelin-star restaurant for under $S10! Check out Eat & Drink for information about the smorgasbord of eating options in Singapore from fine dining to hawker centres.
Is it safe to drink the water?
It is perfectly safe to drink the water in Singapore. Sometimes I can find the taste a little different to what I’m used to but, in the interests of cutting down on plastic bottle use, I just boil the water and then store in the fridge.
Is alcohol expensive in Singapore?
Yes, it is. However, the happy hour is alive and well in Singapore so you can take advantage of the stack of offers available, some of which will also throw in a great view of Singapore.
It’s also a good idea to buy your duty-free alcohol as you leave your home country if you’d like to drink in your hotel. Keep in mind though that Singapore has strict rules about how much you can enter with duty-free (usually about 1 litre of spirits and one litre of wine).
What is the mobile phone coverage and Internet like?
Most phone plans will give you some option to use your mobile phone overseas. Generally, though, while you might be able to send and receive texts fairly cheaply, phone calls and data will often be expensive. An alternative is to make sure your hotel gives you free wifi and then, when you’re out and about, visit cafes such as Starbucks and McDonald’s and use theirs. If you think you’ll need to make phone calls, Skype is a really cheap option and, if you’ve never used it before, you can generally get a free deal.
How do I start planning a trip to Singapore?
The first step is to read How to Plan a Trip to Singapore then look at the itineraries I’ve put together. Use these and the detailed information under Eat & Drink and See & Do to get started.
What languages are spoken in Singapore?
The main languages in Singapore are English, Tamil, Mandarin Chinese and Malay. However, most people are bilingual and I’ve never had difficulty communicating on my trips. This makes it one of the easier Asian countries to visit.
What should I pack to visit Singapore?
The weather changes quickly in Singapore. It can be sunny one minute and raining the next – it’s pretty much always humid though so light clothes are best especially those made of natural fibres so they breathe. There are a lot of temples in Singapore , so carry a scarf to use when entering. This can always double as a rain or sun shield as well.
Aside from that, I always take an umbrella with a UV screen, a light rain jacket, good walking shoes, swim wear, a travel adapter and a camera.
What sort of power adapter will I need?
To make sure you can charge all of your devices (and these days we all travel with a few), you’ll need a Type G power adapter for your Singapore vacation. Many hotels will lend or hire them to you and Singapore is known for selling cheap electronics and gadgets so you can easily buy one if you forget. Just make sure you’re confident of the quality of the product you buy. I also take a small power board so I can charge multiple devices with just one adapter.
These days, too, you can charge a lot of devices straight from your laptop (though it takes a little longer). If this is going to be the first of many trips to different countries, then you should buy a universal travel adapter, which covers up to 150 countries. They are more expensive but you’ll get your money back after 3 different countries and save a lot of room in your bag.
Am I allowed to smoke?
Smoking is banned in many places in Singapore and there are expensive fines – from $S200 to $S1000. There are designated smoking areas outside although it’s generally not allowed indoors. There are also hefty penalties for spitting from $S1000 to $S5000.
Can I get a Tax Refund for my purchases?
Yes, you can. If you spend more than $S100 (including GST) at a participating shop and are over 16, you can get a refund of the 7% GST. You can use up to 3 receipts from the same shop (same GST registration number) on the same day to meet the minimum spend. You’ll see a “Tax Free” logo in shops that participate – it’s definitely most of the shops in centres. In many shops, you can get the money back in store. Otherwise, you can claim it back at the airport. The purchases must have been made within 2 months of departure.
This is ONLY eligible if you’re leaving from Changi or Seletar airports not by sea.
Do I have to tip in Singapore?
You don’t have to tip in Singapore – staff at Changi Airport are actually not even allowed to accept them. Hotels automatically add a 10% service charge and restaurants often do too. If it’s on your bill then don’t provide anything extra. If it’s not on your bill, then it’s entirely up to you.
Should I do any tours in Singapore?
You don’t really need a Singapore tour guide especially not if you check out my area guides and my detailed list of things to see & do . However, perhaps if you’re travelling alone or have mobility challenges, it might be easier to have someone take over the planning for you. The following come highly recommended: Tour Radar, Trafalgar Tours, G Adventures and Intrepid.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Singapore?
No. There is no mandatory requirement for travel insurance but I would never leave home without it. In fact, I suggest you organise it as soon as you’ve booked your flights.
Travel insurance provides cover for emergency medical costs, lost or stolen bags and delays. It’s important though that you read the coverage details VERY carefully. There have been many reports in the news about people who thought they were covered, had an accident and then had to pay huge amounts of money.
One of the common issues is coverage for accidents that occur when you’re driving or doing some activities. I’m not an expert on insurance but I read the fineprint to make sure I understand the product.
If you have questions, you can often ring the insurer and ask for written clarification. This is especially important if you are relying on the travel insurance product that is free with certain credit cards. Some of these policies are excellent but, again, read carefully to make sure you are covered.
What days are businesses open in Singapore?
Most businesses are open 7 days and often long hours in Singapore.
I hope this ultimate travel guide to Singapore has given you all the information you need to know before you go . It’s such a fantastic destination that I’m sure you’ll love your Singapore travel experience and that this is just one of many trips you’ll make!
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