Singapore
Phone Code
+65
Capital
Singapur
Population
6 Million
Native Name
Singapore
Region
Asia
South-Eastern Asia
Timezone
Singapore Time
UTC+08:00
On This Page
Singapore is a city-state that packs a staggering amount into 733 km² — one of the world's smallest countries and one of its most impressive. Marina Bay Sands' rooftop infinity pool against the skyline, Gardens by the Bay's Supertree Grove lit up at night, Michelin-starred hawker stall chicken rice for SGD 4, the world's best airport (Changi, with an indoor waterfall), and a multicultural food scene that rivals any city on earth. This former British trading post transformed itself from developing country to global financial hub in a single generation. Four official languages (English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil) reflect the cultural mix — Chinese 75%, Malay 15%, Indian 8% — that makes Singaporean food, architecture and daily life so layered. Singapore is famously strict: chewing gum is banned, littering carries substantial fines, and drug trafficking can carry the death penalty. But it's also famously safe (walk anywhere at any hour), clean (spotlessly), and efficient (the MRT subway runs like clockwork). Visa-free entry for citizens of 150+ countries: most Western nationalities get 90 days. Singapore Arrival Card must be submitted online before arrival. Passport valid 6 months. Return ticket strictly enforced.
Singapore Visa & Entry System
Singapore offers visa-free entry for citizens of over 150 countries. Most Western nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand) receive 90 days. China, India and Russia receive 30 days. Myanmar receives 14 days. Around 30 nationalities require an advance visa through Singapore embassies. The Singapore Arrival Card (SG Arrival Card, electronic) must be completed online at eservices.ica.gov.sg up to 3 days before arrival — it replaced the paper disembarkation card. No visa fee for eligible nationalities — entry stamp on arrival. Passport must be valid 6 months. Return or onward ticket strictly enforced. Extensions are difficult and discretionary — apply through ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority) only for compelling reasons (medical emergencies, compassionate grounds). Singapore is one of the world's safest countries with virtually no crime risk for visitors.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (150+ countries)
For tourism and business. US/UK/EU/AU/CA/JP get 90 days. China/India/Russia 30 days. No advance application, no fee. Singapore Arrival Card (electronic, free) required before arrival at eservices.ica.gov.sg. Passport valid 6 months. Return ticket mandatory. Extensions rare.
Advance Visa (approx. 30 nationalities)
For nationalities requiring advance application through Singapore embassies/consulates. Passport valid 6 months, completed form, photos, return ticket, hotel booking, financial proof, visa fee SGD 30-60. Processing 3-5 business days.
Essential Information for Singapore Travellers
Travel Guide
Singapore delivers world-class experiences in a city you can cross in 45 minutes by car. Marina Bay is the centrepiece: the three-towered Marina Bay Sands with its rooftop SkyPark (observation deck SGD 26, infinity pool for hotel guests only), the Merlion statue, and ArtScience Museum. Adjacent Gardens by the Bay is a 101-hectare garden blending nature and technology: the Supertree Grove (16 artificial trees 25-50 m tall, lit up with free sound-and-light shows at 19:45 and 20:45), the Cloud Forest conservatory (indoor mountain with 35 m waterfall), and the Flower Dome (Mediterranean plants under the world's largest glass greenhouse). Combined conservatory entry SGD 53. The ethnic neighbourhoods give Singapore its cultural depth: Chinatown's temples and shophouses, Little India's Tekka Market and garland shops, Kampong Glam's Sultan Mosque and Arab Street. Sentosa Island is the resort playground: Universal Studios Singapore, beaches, cable car and S.E.A. Aquarium. Singapore Zoo and the famous Night Safari (nocturnal wildlife viewing by tram) are among Asia's best. And then there's the food — Singapore's true religion. Hawker centres (open-air food courts with dozens of stalls) serve some of the world's best affordable food: Hainanese chicken rice (national dish, SGD 3-5), char kway teow (flat noodles, SGD 4-6), laksa (spicy coconut noodle soup), satay, nasi lemak, roti prata (SGD 1-2), and chilli crab (iconic, SGD 40-80 at restaurants). Maxwell Food Centre's Tian Tian chicken rice is Michelin Bib Gourmand. Hawker meals cost SGD 3-8. At the other end, Singapore has multiple Michelin-starred restaurants. Changi Airport's Jewel — a glass dome with the world's tallest indoor waterfall (40 m), canopy park and luxury shopping — is a destination in itself.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Marina Bay Sands (rooftop SkyPark, observation deck SGD 26, infinity pool for hotel guests), Gardens by the Bay (Supertree Grove with free nightly light shows at 19:45 and 20:45, Cloud Forest with 35 m indoor waterfall, Flower Dome — combined SGD 53), Merlion, ArtScience Museum, and the Marina Bay waterfront promenade. The F1 Singapore Grand Prix street circuit runs through the Marina Bay area annually (September).
Hawker centres are Singapore's soul — open-air food courts with dozens of stalls. Hainanese chicken rice (national dish, SGD 3-5), char kway teow, laksa, satay, nasi lemak, roti prata (SGD 1-2), chilli crab (SGD 40-80). Maxwell Food Centre (Tian Tian — Michelin Bib Gourmand, 1-hour queues), Lau Pa Sat, Newton Food Centre, Tekka Centre, Chomp Chomp. Hawker etiquette: place a tissue packet on the table to 'chope' (reserve) it — uniquely Singaporean. Meals SGD 3-8.
Chinatown (Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, shophouses, street markets), Little India (Tekka Market, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, garland and spice shops), Kampong Glam (Sultan Mosque, Arab Street, Haji Lane street art and independent boutiques). Each neighbourhood has its own food, architecture and atmosphere — walking between them reveals the cultural layers that make Singapore unique.
Sentosa Island: Universal Studios Singapore (SGD 81), S.E.A. Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, cable car, Palawan Beach, and the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia. Singapore Zoo (SGD 48, open-concept enclosures, one of the world's best) and Night Safari (SGD 55, nocturnal wildlife by tram — unique). River Wonders for giant pandas. Jurong Bird Park.
Changi Airport (consistently world's best): Jewel Changi with 40 m indoor waterfall, canopy park, luxury shopping. Free Singapore tours for transit passengers with 5.5+ hour layovers (register at iChangi counters). Movie theatre, butterfly garden, rooftop pool. Singapore is a natural stopover hub between Europe/Middle East and Australia/Southeast Asia — the airport alone justifies a stop.
Orchard Road (Singapore's shopping boulevard — ION Orchard, Takashimaya, Paragon), Clarke Quay (riverside bars and restaurants, nightlife hub), Haji Lane (independent boutiques, street art, craft cocktails), VivoCity (Sentosa gateway mall). Alcohol is expensive due to high taxes (beer SGD 12-18 at bars, cocktails SGD 18-30) — happy hours and hotel bars offer better value.
Money & Currency
Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Currency code: SGD
Practical Money Tips
Cards and Contactless Are Accepted Almost Everywhere
Singapore is one of the most cashless societies in Asia. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at virtually every restaurant, shop, hotel, taxi and hawker centre chain stall. Contactless payments work seamlessly — Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are all widely supported at NFC terminals. The government-backed NETS and PayNow systems dominate local payments, but these require a Singaporean bank account. For foreign visitors, international Visa/Mastercard contactless is the most practical option. GrabPay (linked to the Grab ride-hailing app) can be topped up with some international cards. Cash is mainly needed at traditional hawker centres (older standalone stalls), wet markets and some small shops in older neighbourhoods.
ATMs Are Plentiful — Withdraw in SGD Only
ATMs from DBS, OCBC, UOB and POSB (Singapore's major banks) are everywhere — in MRT stations, shopping centres, convenience stores and bank branches. All major ATMs accept international Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus cards. Withdrawal limits are typically SGD 500-2,000 per transaction. Always decline dynamic currency conversion and withdraw in SGD to avoid inflated exchange rates. Fees vary by your home bank — check before travelling. Given how card-friendly Singapore is, you may not need to withdraw much cash at all.
Get an EZ-Link or SimplyGo Card for Transport
The EZ-Link card is Singapore's integrated transport stored-value card: MRT subway, buses, and some taxis and retail outlets. Buy one at any MRT station or 7-Eleven (SGD 10, including SGD 5 stored value). Tap in and out at MRT gates, tap on buses. Fares are distance-based (SGD 0.90-2.50 per MRT trip). Alternatively, SimplyGo allows you to use your contactless Visa or Mastercard directly on MRT and bus readers — no separate card needed. Both systems charge the same fares. EZ-Link can be topped up at machines in any MRT station or 7-Eleven.
No Tipping — Service Charge and GST Are Included
Singapore does not have a tipping culture. Restaurants add a 10% service charge and 9% GST to the bill — the price you see on the menu is not the final price (expect roughly 19% added). Do not tip at hawker centres, taxis, hotels or coffee shops. This is a genuine cultural norm, not false modesty. The only situation where a small gratuity might be appropriate is for exceptional service from a private tour guide or hotel concierge who has gone well beyond their role — but it is never expected.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Cities with missions
Where this country maintains embassies or consulates
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Embassies in Singapore
These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.
Key origin countries
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Planning a trip to Singapore? Whether you need to check your visa-free eligibility, submit the Singapore Arrival Card, or apply for a visa — get step-by-step guidance for your application.
Apply for Singapore Visa