Singapore
Gardens by the Bay's Supertrees light up after dark in a genuinely futuristic display, while hawker centres serve some of Asia's best food at street-stall prices. Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan Singapore sit a few MRT stops apart, making this small, efficient island an easy stopover or a rewarding long weekend.
Overview
Singapore is an island city-state roughly 50 km across, and nearly everything a visitor wants lies within a short MRT ride of Marina Bay. Its character comes from layering: Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan neighbourhoods, colonial buildings around the Padang, and some of the world's most ambitious modern architecture. A first visit of three or four days usually covers Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, the Botanic Gardens and an evening at the Night Safari, with Sentosa or the Peranakan shophouses of Katong and Joo Chiat if time allows.
Hotels and alcohol are expensive, but food, transport and many sights are good value: a superb hawker meal costs a few pounds. Everything works, English is the common language and signs are clear, which makes it an easy introduction to Asia and a favourite stopover between Britain and Australia. The heat and humidity are constant, and sudden afternoon storms are common. Many visitors are surprised by how green the island is, with primary rainforest at Bukit Timah, otters in the rivers and canopy walks along the Southern Ridges and around MacRitchie Reservoir.
Map of Singapore
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Gardens by the Bay
Futuristic gardens beside Marina Bay: walk the OCBC Skyway between the Supertrees, see the misty Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome conservatories, and stay for the free Garden Rhapsody light and sound show each evening.
- 2Food
Hawker centres
Singapore's hawker culture is on UNESCO's heritage list: queue for chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre, explore the upstairs stalls of Chinatown Complex, then try Old Airport Road's local favourites or satay under the stars at Lau Pa Sat.
- 3Nature
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Founded in 1859 and the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gardens combine a patch of original rainforest, swan lakes and the National Orchid Garden, with more than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids on show.
- 4Culture
Little India and Kampong Glam
Little India's garland stalls, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and the 24-hour Mustafa Centre sit a short walk from Kampong Glam, where the golden-domed Sultan Mosque, Arab Street's textile shops and Haji Lane's bars mark the old Malay-Muslim quarter.
- 5Wildlife
Night Safari and Singapore Zoo
In the Mandai rainforest north of the centre, the open-concept Singapore Zoo is excellent by day, while the Night Safari, the world's first nocturnal zoo, shows leopards, tapirs and fishing cats after dark by tram and on foot.
Biggest cities
Singapore
The whole island is effectively one city: stay around the Civic District, Chinatown or Little India for easy MRT access and food, or near Orchard Road for shopping and hotel choice.
Singapore is a city-state with no separate towns; its main visitor districts are Marina Bay and the Civic District, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and Orchard Road.
When to go to Singapore
Best time: Feb–Apr.
Average climate in Singapore
Festivals & events
- Jan–FebChinese New Year
Chinatown's street light-up and festive bazaar build for weeks, followed by the River Hongbao fair at Marina Bay and the Chingay street parade; some hawker stalls close for a few days.
- Sep–OctSingapore Grand Prix
Formula 1's first night race lights up the Marina Bay street circuit over one weekend each autumn; hotel prices soar, so book early or avoid those dates.
- Oct–NovDeepavali
Little India's Serangoon Road is strung with lights and lined with bazaar stalls for weeks before the Hindu festival of lights, a public holiday in Singapore.
How much does Singapore cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Hainanese chicken rice
Poached chicken served at room temperature with rice cooked in chicken stock and fat, plus chilli-garlic sauce, ginger and dark soy; the unofficial national dish.
Chilli crab
Mud crab wok-fried in a thick, sweet and tangy tomato-chilli gravy with ribbons of egg, mopped up with fried mantou buns; best shared at seafood restaurants on the East Coast.
Laksa
Spicy coconut-curry noodle soup with prawns, fishcake and cockles; the Katong version uses noodles cut short so it can be eaten with a spoon alone.
Getting around
The MRT reaches almost everywhere, including Changi Airport, and buses fill the gaps; tap a contactless bank card or phone at the gates instead of buying a ticket. Grab, Gojek and TADA are the main ride-hailing apps, and metered taxis are plentiful. A cable car and the Sentosa Express monorail serve Sentosa, bumboats cross to Pulau Ubin from Changi Point, and ferries sail to Indonesia's Batam and Bintan.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +65
- Time zone
- UTC+8 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Not expected. Most sit-down restaurants add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST to the bill, and hawker stalls never expect a tip.
- Etiquette
- Rules are strictly enforced: no eating or drinking on the MRT, no littering or jaywalking, and no durians on public transport. Remove shoes in temples and homes, and return your tray at hawker centres.
- Main airports
- Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Singapore
Visas & entry for Singapore
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Singapore without a visa for tourism or business. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority decides who can enter Singapore and how long they can stay. The period of stay permitted is at the discretion of the immigration officer. It is normally between 30 and 90 days for British citizens.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisBat LyssavirusTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Singapore
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Diwali |
| Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Diwali (observed) |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year |
| Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (observed) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha |
| Thu 20 May 2027 | Vesak Day |
| Mon 9 Aug 2027 | National Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or your phone, at MRT gates and on buses; fares are worked out automatically, so most short-stay visitors never need a separate travel card.
- At hawker centres, a packet of tissues on a seat means it is taken ('choped'). Find a free table first, order from several stalls, and return your tray afterwards.
- Use the air-conditioned underground walkways linking malls and MRT stations around the centre, carry an umbrella for sudden storms, and plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning or evening.
Singapore travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Singapore?
The best time to visit Singapore is generally Feb–Apr. Peak months are February, March and April. Average highs in Singapore range from 30°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Singapore cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £150 mid-range and £320+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Singapore?
Singapore dollar (SGD).
What plug type does Singapore use?
Type G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Singapore?
Traffic drives on the left in Singapore — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Singapore?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Singapore?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Singapore without a visa for tourism or business. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Singapore before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Singapore?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Bat Lyssavirus and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
