Singapore Travel Guide

• Everything is close by so you really can see it all in Singapore!
• It’s a really clean, safe destination with some of the best slick city shopping you could ask for
• It’s a great way to sample all the cultures of Asia in one fell swoop!
• It’s the perfect stop-off on a round-the-world gap trip, or for travellers wanting to go onwards to Australia or New Zealand 
• The climate is warm for most of the year

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. 

Visa Assistance

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.

Entry Requirements for UK Travellers

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.

Passport validity requirements

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.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Singapore-British dual nationals

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.

Visa requirements

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

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.

Checks at border control

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).

Screening: Drugs

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

Ship’s crew

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.

Vaccine requirements

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.

Accommodation

There are strict laws that prevent private homes being used for short-term rental, including for tourists.

Customs rules

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:

• vaporisers and e-cigarettes
• tobacco products that are chewed or injected
• chewing gum to sell
• weapons and ammunition (including empty cartridge cases and air guns)
• replica guns, including lighters shaped like a pistol or revolver
• radio communications equipment

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. 

Health

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. 

Safety

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.