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Singapore is Asian fusion in action, a mixture of flavours that bursts together in a delicious taste sensation! With the ultimate in slick city living going hand in hand with a range of exciting cultural influences, you can move effortlessly from little India, to a miniature slice of Malay life, to a capsule of Chinese culture all with a western twist.
Singapore is a truly unique destination, a small island that has become an authentic Asian melting pot and has the vibrant mix to prove it. Go shopping crazy in the city malls, have elegant tea at Raffles hotel and take a trip back in time, head down to the quays for a street food extravaganza, or go OTT on Sentosa Island. Then head out of the city and find some beach bliss or a nocturnal safari you’ll never forget!
You’ve never seen a forest like this before! Gardens by the Bay is where you can marvel at the Supertrees of Singapore, giant spectacles that sparkle under the moonlight. Grab your spot for the Garden Rhapsody, when the neon lights play around to the sound of music. Gardens by the Bay is in full bloom every season.
When you picture Singapore, the glamorous harbour of Marina Bay is what immediately comes to mind. Sleek skyscrapers and futuristic hotels, including the most famous one of all, Marina Bay Sands, face opposite each other from across the ocean. Another unmissable landmark has to be Merlion Park: home to the half-lion, half-fish statue.
Chinatown needs to be at the top of your list on our Singapore trips. First impressions are that it could not be more different from the waterfront, swapping bright city lights for historic laneways adorned with paper lanterns. Get a taste of Singapore’s most delicious street food here, experiencing hawker culture in all its glory.
If only every airport could be like Jewel Changi. You may be surprised to see it on our list, but trust us, it’s a genuine highlight for any layover. From the world’s tallest indoor waterfall to walking nets, mazes and seemingly endless shops and restaurants to choose between, getting bored is pretty much impossible.
Food is one of the main reasons for coming to Singapore; with influences from every Asian culture, you will be spoilt for choice in Singapore. If you are inspired by Indian cuisine, head to Little India for a mouth-watering curry, or you can munch on satay street food at Clarke Quay or get your chopsticks out in Chinatown. Make a meal of some Malay cuisine, or have a burst of flavour from some Balinese treats; whatever you are looking for, Singapore will indulge your taste buds until you’ve had your fill. With western influences around too, you won’t have to go far to get a familiar meal if you’re missing a taste of home.
Singapore has a hot and wet climate for most of the year, rarely falling below 20°C and often reaching around 30°C during the day. Humidity is high throughout the year but being a modern city, everywhere is air-conditioned, even the buses, so you won’t melt in the heat for long if you don’t want to. November to January are the wettest months, with the driest being May to July.
Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.
To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Singapore set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Singapore High Commission in the UK.
To enter Singapore, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
If you are resident in Singapore, there is no minimum passport validity required. Apply for a renewal before your passport expires.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
Singapore does not recognise dual nationality beyond the age of 21. A citizen of Singapore is required by Singapore law to renounce any other nationalities before the age of 22 in order to retain their Singaporean citizenship.
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.
Penalties for overstaying the time allowed include fines, imprisonment, caning and deportation depending on how long you have overstayed. When arriving and departing Singapore, biometric details, including your fingerprints are recorded electronically.
You must complete an electronic SG Arrival Card in the 3 days before you arrive in Singapore. This online form asks for travel details and a health declaration. It is illegal to submit a false declaration. Biometric information is also recorded and scanned when you enter and depart Singapore (iris, face and fingerprints).
Penalties for drug possession, including cannabis, are severe. If you are carrying or transporting drugs, you can be imprisoned, caned or executed.
You can be screened for drugs in your system on arrival in Singapore, including if you’re in transit. You can be charged with drug consumption or detained without trial even if the drugs were taken in another country, including countries where the use of that particular drug is legal. See Illegal drugs
There are different entry requirements if you are crew working on ships, small vessels, or pleasure crafts arriving at one of Singapore’s ports or marinas.
To enter Singapore, if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk for yellow fever, or if you have been in such a country in the previous six days prior to arrival, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination. If you arrive from one of these countries without a certificate, the authorities may put you in mandatory quarantine or refuse you entry to Singapore.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Singapore guide.
There are strict laws that prevent private homes being used for short-term rental, including for tourists.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Singapore. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
It’s illegal to import controlled drugs. If convicted, you could be imprisoned, caned or executed.
The following items are also illegal to bring into Singapore:
See the complete list of prohibited items on the Singapore Customs website.
With a diverse range of cultures mixing in Singapore’s melting pot, there will be different cultural considerations depending on which area of the city you are in. In general, Singapore has a traditional hierarchical Asian culture and respect for elders, modesty and good behaviour are expected.
Singapore is hot on rules and regulations, and you can be fined for chewing gum, littering, smoking or jaywalking. Homosexuality is still not widely tolerated. Drink driving is heavily clamped down upon and drugs and drug use are not tolerated and may incur severe penalties.
There have been a few incidents of Dengue Fever in Singapore, which is spread by mosquitoes, so taking anti-malarial precautions is advised. Visit your GP before travel for specific advice and medication. If you are entering Singapore from a country that has Yellow Fever you will need to produce a yellow fever certificate on entry to the country. There have been some incidents of Scarlet Fever during 2011, but this is usually a mild infection. Healthcare in Singapore is of a very high standard so if you do need healthcare, you’ll be in good hands.
Singapore is a well-policed and very safe destination and incidents of crime are rare, although take all sensible precautions with your money and belongings. As with all of this area of Asia, there are possibilities of terrorism but the risk to tourists is low. Be aware of the drug laws and the severe punishments drug offences can incur.
We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.
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