Singapore Travel Guide for First Time Visitors

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While visiting Singapore this year, I took notes everyday, which led to this post, Singapore Travel Guide for First Time Visitors! It was very tiring for me when I was preparing for a trip, researching items all over the internet. I prefer reading articles to plan my trip rather than reading the whole Lonely Planet book.

My first post about Singapore included all my favorite places and pictures of the city. This was an overview of how I spent 7 days there. This post will help you build your Singapore itinerary.

The amazing skyscrapers, fascinating gardens, beautiful islands, cultural blend, well developed infrastructure, boosting corporate sector, and interesting shopping arenas has made this Lion City a very prominent part of Asia.

If you are planning to visit Singapore or considering it as one of the destinations you would want to visit, here’s my Singapore Travel Guide, which will provide you with all the useful insights that you must know before traveling to this wonderful city.

Best Time To Visit Singapore

You can visit Singapore anytime throughout the year. It’s summer all year round with a consistent temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius, and it’s also generally humid. I would still recommend you to visit during the year end between September and December, it might rain in these months, but it’s also comparatively cooler than the other months.

Singapore hosts the Grand Prix event for the Formula 1 motor race every year in the month of September.

Entry Requirements For Singapore

Travelers who are citizens of Europe, the United States, Australia, Norway, South Korea, and Switzerland can visit Singapore without a visa and stay up to 90 days. The Singapore Immigration Authorities have two lists of nationals: Assessment I and Assessment II.

If your country is not a part of these lists, you can travel to Singapore visa free. The ones on this list will have to apply for an e-visa or contact an authorized visa agent to get their visas processed. You can check out these lists on the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority website https://www.ica.gov.sg/ .

Where To Stay In Singapore

Singapore has various options for accommodations ranging from high-end luxury hotels, exotic boutique hotels to budget-friendly hotels.

Since Singapore is well connected by the MRT Rail system, it’s very easy to commute within the city from whichever area you are staying. If you are on a budget, you should be looking for hotels in Little India, Bugis, or China Town. These areas are very lively, close to many eateries and budget shopping stores.

Language

Language is not a barrier in Singapore. English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil are the official languages in Singapore. Most locals in Singapore are fluent in English and may also be well versed in Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil.

Currency

Singaporean Dollar (SGD) is the currency used in Singapore, and according to the current official exchange rate, 1 USD is 1.30 SGD. You can get your currency exchanged at any money exchange outlets or bank. However, the banks may charge a flat fee of SGD 3 per transaction.

List of Top Attractions to Visit in Singapore

Here’s a list of the must visit places in Singapore;

• Marina Bay Sands Skypark
• Universal Studios
• Sentosa Island
• Gardens By The Bay
• Merlion Park
• Singapore Botanic Gardens
• China Town
• Clarke Quay
• Singapore Flyer
• Sri Mariamman Temple

Read more about all these wonderful attractions in Singapore here and add them to your itineraries accordingly.

Where to eat in Singapore

It’s not a hidden fact that Singapore is a foodie’s paradise. You will find a variety of Asian cuisines at every nook and corner of this beautiful city. Little India and Chinatown are the top spots where you can find lip-smacking varieties of food. through various hawker stalls and restaurants.

These places are very budget-friendly and vegan-friendly too. Don’t miss out on trying Chilli Crab, Satay, Hokkien Mee (Egg Noodles), Dumplings, Chicken Rice, and Durian during your food trails in Singapore.

Public Transportation in Singapore

Singapore offers several modes of public transportation that interlink all the major attractions within the city efficiently and are very easily reachable.

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Rail System

The MRT Rail System is the fastest and most efficient way to commute within Singapore. All the major attractions are located at a short walking distance to the respective MRT stations, as per the localities.

You can also buy an EZ-Link Card at any MRT station, which you can refill with money to make your transportation easier and cheaper. The trains and stations are accessible for wheelchair users and for families carrying strollers.

Public Bus

The public bus system is another economical way to reach various attractions in Singapore. You can pay by cash or the EZ-Link Card while you are commuting by bus. If you are using the EZ- Link card, you will have to tap the card on the fare validator on entering as well as exiting the bus. The buses are very comfortable and air-conditioned.

Taxi

Hiring a taxi or cab is quite expensive in Singapore. You may also be charged an extra surcharge during peak hours. The Taxis have meters installed in them, and make sure you ask for a receipt before leaving it.

Where To Shop

In Singapore, you are going to find all kinds of shopping areas, whether you are looking for high-end brands, brand outlets, budget stores, or flea markets. If you want to check out luxury brands, then you should be heading to Orchard Road or the Marina Bay Sands shopping center.

If you are on a budget, you can find some great stuff at good bargain prices in Singapore too, just head to Little India or Chinatown marketplaces and enjoy some inexpensive shopping of goods.

Don’t Miss : The Best Attractions At Sentosa Island, Singapore;

Tipping In Singapore

Giving tips to the service staff is not compulsory in Singapore. Almost all the restaurants and cafes will add a 10% service charge on top of your total invoice. Hawker stalls or less formal restaurants do not apply the service charges. Leaving tips is not illegal in Singapore; you can leave a tip on the bill if you wish to.

Safety In Singapore

Singapore has very stringent rules and regulations, making it one of the safest cities in the world to travel to. It’s, of course, not crime-free, so you must take care of your belongings while visiting crowded places and avoid getting into brawls.

Nightlife In Singapore

Singapore has a fantastic and entertaining nightlife, which makes visiting Singapore more fun. You will have to head out to Clarke Quay, which has various nightclubs, pubs, and bars. Just make sure that you reach there early or make a prior reservation because these nightclubs get filled very quickly, especially during the weekends.

Well, I hope my Singapore travel guide has answered all your questions and considerations you might be having before visiting this amazing destination. You can find more about it by reading my posts on Singapore to get ideas and recommendations for your own travel adventures there.

Have you been to Singapore before? Let me know about your favorite places in this beautiful city. If you have any queries, drop a comment below. I would be happy to help.

If you are traveling alone to this wonderful city, here’s a solo traveler’s guide to Singapore to help you plan your visit.

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