Singapore is a unique destination in Southeast Asia: futuristic, modern and multicultural. These are some of the words that best describe this country/city. Some people find it boring, superficial, expensive but I think there are many reasons why you should visit Singapore and experience the city for yourself.
In this post you will find:
Singapore is a group of Islands which is city and country at the same time. It is the smallest country in Southeast Asia and also one of the most expensive. This modern city leaves you speechless with its surreal gardens, its modern architecture and its order.
At times Singapore doesn’t feels like Asia at all. If you’ve been to Thailand or Cambodia, visiting Singapore will be like traveling to the future!
How to get to Singapore
If you’re travelling around Southeast Asia, the best way to get to Singapore is by plane. There are several low cost airlines that have flights to Singapore, some of them are: Jet Star, Tiger Airways, y Lion Air.
Flights arrive to Changi Airport which is one of the greatest airports in the world. From there you can take different transports to get to the city centre:
- Taxi: An expensive option but also convenient if you’re travelling with a group of people. The cost of a journey from the airport to the city center is around $20/30 SGD.
- MRT: Changi airport is well connected to the city center by MRT, the metro system in Singapore. The journey lasts 30 minutes and it costs $2 SGD.
- Bus: Another cheap option is to take bus number 36 which takes you to Singapore center. The journey lasts 1 hour and costs $2 SGD.
- Official airport shuttle: The best option to save money on expensive taxis but at the same time be confortable is to book a transfer to the city in the official Changi airport shuttle for just $8.4 per person.
Find out more about the Official Airport Shuttle here
Visa information
People from some countries need to get a VISA for entering Singapore. You can read the list of countries that need a VISA and the application process here. If you have a passport from some of the following countries, you don’t require a VISA: United States, Australia, UK, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and more.
Getting around in Singapore
The city centre is connected by MRT (mass rapid transit) system. As the city, Singapore’s public transport system efficient, clean and punctual. Operating hours are from 5:30 am to 00: 30 in the evening and fares vary between $1 and $3 (SGD) each way.
You can also use the Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off bus to move around the city for 24 or 48 hs. More information about Singapore Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour here.
Information about the city and why you should visit Singapore:
- Laws in Singapore
Singapore is the cleanest and tidiest city I’ve ever been (so far). The reason why the city remains clean and tidy is because of the strict laws imposed.
These are some of the prohibitions: Chewing gum, spitting, feeding pigeons, not flushing a public toilet, carrying durian (fruit with awful smell) in the subway, etc. If you break a law, it can lead to imprisonment or big fines. Drug Trafficking is punished by death and spanking is a legal form of punishment. It is not surprising that Singapore is one of the countries with the lowest crime rates in the world. This makes it a safe destination for travelers and one of the biggest reasons why you should visit Singapore.
- A multicultural city
Even with its strict laws, Singapore is one of the countries with the best quality of life and one of the most popular countries among expats. Singapore has the best quality of life among all Asian cities and that’s why many people choose to live here.
The mix of cultures and people make it a very interesting place to visit and this is the thing I liked the most about Singapore. Within the same city you can find the colorful neighborhood of Little India, Kampong Glam (Arab quarter) with its beautiful mosque and Chinatown, of course. Different cultures and religions living under the same flag.
Language: the four official languages of Singapore are Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English.
- How much does visiting Singapore costs?
It is true that Singapore is much more expensive than other cities in Southeast Asia. You will notice this mainly in accommodation prices, which are much higher. I suggest you book your hotel with time to find good prices. If you’re with a partner or group,you will always get good deals through Airbnb.
-A taxi from the airport to the city centre should cost around $20 (SGD) = $15 USD.
-As for food, it is still relatively cheap. In the hawker centers (food courts), you can get a plate for between 2 and 6 SGD (between $1.5 and $4.5 usd).
Where to Stay in Singapore
One of the most famous attractions in Singapore is Marina Bay Sands Hotel, an icon of the city. On the 57th floor you’ll find the famous infinity pool, which is the world’s largest elevated one. It is a great experience to stay here and finally see what the famous pool is really like.
Other places to stay in Singapore are:
- Raffles Singapore: a historic hotel built in 1887 which survived the war.
- Ritz Cartlton Millenia Singapore: a luxury hotel with incredible views of the city).
- Zen Rooms: a capsule hostel in downtown.
- Porcelain Hotel: modest hotel with good location.
The famous infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands
Things to do in Singapore
- Marina Bay
Not only the famous hotel is located in the marina area. A visit to Marina Bay is not complete without seeing:
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- ArtScience Museum: shaped as a lotus flower, hosts art, science and design exhibits. Book your ticket here.
- Singapore Flyer: one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels.
- Helix Bridge: a pedestrian bridge which architecture fans should not miss.
- The Gardens by the Bay: one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore, keep on reading for more details.
- Marina Bay Sands
You might not stay at the hotel, but you can still visit it. Marina Bay Sands does not go unnoticed in the city’s skyline. The hotel is an attraction for itself. Inside the hotel there is a luxury shopping mall with a Venice style canal, including the gondolieris! You can visit this for free.
The hotel also has an observation terrace, the SkyPark Observation Deck, located on the 57th floor, where you get 360-degree views over Singapore.
Book Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Skip-the-Line ticket here
- Raffles Place
Raffles Place is the commercial district of Singapore, where you find some of the tallest buildings of the country and also several buildings from the colonial period. Your can have some drinks at the the historic Raffles Hotel, named after Raffles, founder of Singapore. There are two sites along the Riverside which are nice for a walk and nice restaurants: Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.
Where the river ends you’ll find Merlion, the famous fish with lion’s head that spits water and where everyone gets a picture. Singapura means “Lion City” so Merlion is a symbol of the country.
- Gardens by the Bay – “A city in a garden”
Gardens by the Bay is a natural park of over 100 hectares, created to improve the quality of life along with the flora and fauna. Within the park there are two giant conservatories: the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, which has an artificial waterfall of 35 m high. But the real magic is the Supertree Grove: trees up to 50 m high made of steel and covered with plants. Singaporeans have invented a whole new concept of what a city should look like: ‘a city within a garden’ and its result is surreal.
Singapur Gardens by the Bay day admission ticket
Book Gardens by the Bay + OCBC Skyway combo here
- Garden Rhapsody
The real magic happens every evening, when the trees light up and the Supertree Grove Light show starts. You can’t miss this show! It’s seems from the outer space. Access to the show is free and it runs twice a day: 7:45 and 8:45 pm.
- Little India
As its name suggests, Little India is the indian neighborhood, with colorful houses and Sri Veeramakaliamman temple. I haven’t been to India but people who have been there say Little India looks nothing like it. Anyway you can still visit this beautiful neighborhood and find many cheap electronics shops and indian food restaurants.
- Chinatown
Your visit is not complete without a classic visit to Chinatown. It is a neat and clean version of Chinatown though,but you will find shops that sell cheap souvenirs and all kinds of objects as in any Chinatown. Some of the Buddhist temples you can visit in this area are the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Thian Hock Keng (oldest temple in Singapore).
- Kampong Glam
The Muslim Quarter, with its Arabic food restaurants, shops, shisha bars and the beautiful Masjid Sultan mosque. You can spend a couple of hours visiting the mosque, the textile stores and enjoy an Arabic plate. It is a very pretty neighborhood
- Bugis Street
I’m not a big fan of shopping but Bugis Street Market is one of the largest and cheapest Singapore markets. You can get anything: clothing, souvenirs, electronics. The food is also very cheap and even if you don’t want to shop, it is a fun place to visit. In the Bugis area you’ll also find stores like Uniqlo and Topshop.
- Changi Airport
You’re probably wondering why I added the airport to the things to do list and it’s because this airport is an attraction by itself. The installations include an entertainment deck, various gardens, a movie theatre and even a slide! Isn’t it awesome? You can actually have fun while waiting for your flight.
Jewel Changi Airport is the airport’s recent opening. It is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex on linked to three passenger terminals which contains the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.
Cactus Garden at Changi Airport
- Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island is an island resort home to Universal Studios Singapore, beaches, gulf courses and the Merlion (yes, another one). Visiting Sentosa is one of the top things to do in Singapore with kids.
Another great thing to do in Sentosa is to take the Singapore Cable Car Sky Pass which connects Mount Faber with Sentosa offering unique views of Singapore’s southern precinct.
- Other things to do in Singapore:
Go City Pass Singapore – Attraction Pass
If you plan on visiting many of the city’s attractions, it might be a good idea to buy the Go City Pass Singapore. This pass combines the best attractions, tours and activities into one pre-paid attractions pass to save you time and money. It allows you to save up to 45% on Singapore’s top attractions and activities.
Read more about Go City Pass Singapore
These are some of the main reasons why I suggest to visit Singapore and not let it out of your route around Southeast Asia.
Need more tips for visiting Southeast Asia? Check out these posts:
- Tips for planning a trip to Thailand
- What to do in Bangkok in 3 days
- Visiting the temples of Angkor in Cambodia
- Packing list for 2 weeks in Thailand
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18 comments
Singapore is high on my wishlist. A planned, systematic and beautiful place.
Exactly! Hope you visit soon 🙂
I love the order and cleanliness of Singapore! Such a great place to spend some time and so much to do. The public transport as you have mentioned makes it so easy to get around. There are some amazing chefs here too, especially pastry chefs leading the world in cutting edge cuisine. Thanks for all the tips.
You’re welcome Kerri! I need to go back and try some special food from the chefs
The lotus museum is new? I don’t remember to have seen it when I was in Singapore, in 2014. I wish I could stay at Marina Bay Hotel but it is too expensive for me. Is it any other way to enjoy its swimming pool? Thanks
I know, it really hurt to pay my night there! haha Unfortunately staying there is the only way to access the pool. You can still enjoy the views from the observation deck or from the fancy restaurants . The ArtScience museum is there since 2011, maybe you passed it by.
I loved Singapore when I visited. I was lucky enough to stay with friends in their apartment 5 minutes from Marina Bay Sands. I got to watch the light show there and the one in the Gardens by the Bay a few times. I really loved Singapore, so much to see and do and I loved eating in the food markets too with the locals rather than in restaurants.
Food markets are the best, I always choose to eat there. It’s so convenient to have friends in such an expensive city like Singapore haha !
While we have never been, I simply cannot fathom considering Singapore as boring!! It is stunning, and I’ve always wanted to see the Supertree Grove. The view from the hotel is incredible, I could spend all day there!
I know! I can’t understand people who find it boring. The Supertree Grove is the best experience in this city, I loved it!
I love that you added other information instead of just things to do. Laws/costs, etc is SO important, and really a main factor on whether someone visits another country or not
That is true Miranda. Specially in Singapore where you can even get a fine for chewing gum! Thanks for reading 🙂
You have to admire Singapore for its cleanliness. I didn’t know spanking was a legal form of punishment! I wonder how often that happens…Would love to check out those amazing gardens!
The gardens are the best attraction. I know.. it’s kind of scary.
A canal with gondoliers! Wow! That is cool and ostentatious. I haven’t been yet, but I’d love to see the Supertree Grove at night.
Haha yes! That’s way too much, Vegas style. The Supertree Grove was my favorite experience, you definitely can’t miss it.
I just love Singapore. Such a wonderful city. There is always so much going on. I definitely encourage you to try some fine dining and some of their great, healthy cafes as well as the hawker centres. You will pay more but the food is really great and that’s what Singapore is about – lots of eating!
It is true! I really enjoyed the food, Can’t way to visit again and try the cafes