Singapore Travel Guide

Some facts about Singapore

Singapore is one of only three city states left in the world – the other two being Monaco and Vatican City. Out of those three, Singapore is the youngest, gaining independence from Malaysia in 1965. Though the city itself is much older than that.

It's an intoxicating mix of old and new, traditional and modern, countless cultures, and loads of delicious food. All made up of one main island and 63 smaller islets. And despite what you might think, there's loads of parks and gardens making it one of the cleanest, greenest cities in the world.

Whatever you come here for you won't be bored – there's something happening all day and all night. Whether you head to the Gardens by the Bay – a futuristic park that's a slice of plant paradise in an urban setting, or the high-end malls of Orchard Road.

You have to hit Chinatown as well. With red and gold tones prevalent throughout, the area is a treasure trove of temples, traditional medicine shops, and markets. Don't miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations if you're visiting during the festive season.

Practical Info

Culture and etiquette

Religion

There's loads of different religions in Singapore – about 30% of the population are Buddhist, 20% are Christian, 15% are Muslim and 20% are not religious. There are smaller communities of other religions too.

Tipping

Tipping isn't really expected in Singapore – a service charge will usually be added instead.

Smoking

Smoking in indoor public places is banned unless it's in a designated smoking area. It's also worth knowing that the legal smoking age in Singapore is 21.

Jabs, visas and other advice

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

995 for ambulance and fire brigade. 999 for police.

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What's the weather like in Singapore?

Singapore has a tropical climate so it's hot and humid all year round and it rains quite a bit. The temperature hovers around 25ºC to 30ºC all year thanks to the city's position close to the equator, which means the seasons don't change much.

There are two monsoon seasons though, one from December to March and another from June to September. So if you want to avoid the worst of the weather, visit outside of those months. Either way it's a good idea to bring some waterproof clothes just in case.

Getting to Singapore

It takes about 13 hours to fly from the UK to Singapore directly. If you want to save a bit of money you can stop over in Istanbul or Shanghai although the journey will take a bit longer.

Getting around Singapore

The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit network, or SMRT, is the main way of getting around the city. It's the oldest and busiest metro system in Southeast Asia. It's got driverless trains, air conditioning and it's kept constantly clean and sparkling – 7,000 miles from the London Underground!

Stations are well-signposted and equipped with a range of facilities. Many have barrier-free access and are integrated with bus stations and shopping malls, so there's a seamless transition from one mode of transport to another.

One of the easiest ways to use the network is to get yourself an EZ-Link card from any station and top it up, or use the app.

LGBTQI+ rights in Singapore

Since November 2022 homosexuality in Singapore has been legal for everyone. That's to say, before then it was illegal for men to engage in homosexual acts but not women.

Same-sex marriage isn't legal yet but there are hopes it could be soon, along with adoption. Attitudes towards the LGBTQI+ community are becoming more liberal in Singapore and it's largely safe to visit as well.

The city celebrates Pride Month every June as well, with the intention of creating a more inclusive Singapore for everyone.

One thing to be aware of when visiting is that while there are no laws against public displays of affection, there are laws against indecency and it's not always clear where the line is.

Singapore for women

It's pretty safe for women in Singapore. There are very low crime rates and most people feel safe walking around at night regardless of their gender. There are strict laws against indecency and public nuisance so you're very unlikely to be harassed when out and about.

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