Overview
Everything you need to know before visiting Singapore. From visa requirements to local customs, we've compiled the essential information to help you travel confidently and avoid common pitfalls.
Currency
Singapore Dollar (S$)
Best SIM Provider
Singtel
Main Ride App
Grab
Payment
Cash preferred
Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa requirements vary based on your passport country. For the most accurate information, always check with your country's embassy or the official immigration website.
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Medication Restrictions
Prohibited outright
Cannabis and CBD products are illegal regardless of US state legality, as are medications supplied in chewing-gum form. Travelers have been detained over medication that is legal at home.
⚠️ Penalty: Detention and prosecution possible
Requires prior HSA approval
Opioid painkillers, benzodiazepines, ADHD stimulants, and some cough syrups may require prior approval from the Health Sciences Authority, applied for at least 2 weeks before arrival and tied to your stated arrival date.
Apply for approvalEssential Apps
GrabThe dominant ride-hailing and superapp. Cars, taxis, food, and payments in one place. Accepts international credit cards and needs no Singapore phone number. Install this one.
GojekMain competitor to Grab, often slightly cheaper outside surge. The app covers Indonesia too, so make sure you are booking a Singapore ride.
TADA (Singapore)Smaller zero-commission platform run by MVL Foundation. Works, but a thinner driver pool means longer waits. Unrelated to the Korean app of the same name.
CDG ZigThe app for ComfortDelGro, Singapore's largest taxi fleet. Best for booking a metered street taxi rather than private hire.
Notes for Visitors
- There is no Uber in Singapore. Uber sold its Southeast Asia business to Grab in 2018. Install Grab before you fly.
- You can tap your US contactless Visa, Mastercard, or Amex directly on MRT gates and buses. No transit card, no top-up, no app. Fares cap automatically. This is the simplest thing a visitor can do.
- PayNow, PayLah!, and NETS all require a Singapore bank account and are unavailable to visitors. Do not plan around them.
- Vaping is fully banned in Singapore, including possession. Leave e-cigarettes and all vape gear at home. This catches travelers out constantly and the penalties are real.
- Some routine US prescriptions, including ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, and opioid painkillers, need Health Sciences Authority approval applied for at least two weeks before arrival. Check every medication against the HSA list before you travel.
SIM Cards & Internet
A local tourist SIM is worth it. Buy a physical SIM at a Changi arrival hall stall on landing, which is the cleanest route. Visitor eSIM activation in Singapore often requires a local number for verification, which creates a catch-22, so do not count on eSIM unless you have confirmed it works for your provider.
- Expect roughly S$10 to 20 for a week of generous data. M1 advertised S$13 for 250GB over 30 days as of August 2026.
- Stalls in the Changi arrival halls of all terminals keep long hours, and 7-Eleven and Cheers also sell tourist SIMs.
- Airalo and Saily sell data-only Singapore eSIMs you can install before departure, which sidesteps the local-verification problem.
WiFi Reliability
Changi WiFi is fast and free, and hotel WiFi is universally good. The national Wireless@SG public network exists but needs registration and is patchy, so do not depend on it.
eSIM Options
Skip the airport SIM queue with an eSIM
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Money & Banking
Cards vs Cash
Singapore is highly cashless but not uniformly so. Malls, restaurants, hotels, and chain retail take contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, and Google Pay without trouble. Hawker centres are a patchwork: some stalls take QR payment, some take card, plenty are still cash only. Carry S$50 to 100 in small notes at all times, and do not walk into a hawker centre with only a credit card assuming you can eat.
ATM Tips
DBS, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered, HSBC, and Citibank ATMs are everywhere and accept international Visa and Mastercard. Expect your US bank's foreign transaction fee (typically 1 to 3 percent) plus an operator fee of around S$2 to 5. Always decline the 'charge in US dollars' prompt and choose Singapore dollars, since dynamic currency conversion costs roughly 3 to 7 percent. Changi moneychangers are competitive; hotel front desks are not.
Tipping Culture
Singapore genuinely does not have a tipping culture, and this is one of the things US travelers get wrong most often. Do not tip at hawker centres, kopitiams, or most local restaurants. Full-service restaurants automatically add a 10 percent service charge plus 9 percent GST, shown as '++' pricing on menus, and that service charge goes to the establishment. Tipping on top is not expected. For taxis and Grab, round up if you like. Not tipping causes no awkwardness; over-tipping sometimes does.
- GST is 9 percent as of August 2026. Menu prices marked '++' are shown before service charge and tax.
- The Tourist Refund Scheme lets you reclaim GST on goods (not hotels, meals, or services) with a minimum S$100 spend per retailer per day. Show your passport at purchase, then use the eTRS kiosk at Changi before departure. A handling fee is deducted, so you do not get the full 9 percent back.
- The Brunei dollar is interchangeable with the Singapore dollar at 1:1. If you get BND in change, any Singapore bank will take it at face value.
Recommended Travel Cards
Avoid foreign transaction fees with these travel-friendly cards
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Getting Around
From the Airport
Terminals 2 and 3 share an MRT station. One transfer at Tanah Merah onto the East-West Line gets you to the city in 35 to 50 minutes. Tap in and out with a contactless bank card. Runs roughly 05:30 to 23:30, so it is not an option for a late-night arrival.
Well-organised queue in the arrival hall, no app needed. Watch the surcharges: S$6 to 8 airport surcharge, 25 percent peak-hour surcharge, and a 50 percent midnight surcharge between 00:00 and 05:59 that stacks on top. A 10 percent admin charge applies if you pay by card. Journey 20 to 35 minutes.
Book in the app and you see the fare before confirming. Pickup is from the designated ride-hailing zone, not the taxi queue. Surge is unpredictable when several flights land together.
Local Transport
Clean, air-conditioned, reliable, and covering the whole island across six lines. This is the right way to get around for almost every visitor destination.
Tap your own US contactless Visa, Mastercard, or Amex on the gate to enter and again to exit. Your card is your transit card. No top-up needed and fares cap automatically over a rolling day and week. This is the recommended approach for most visitors.
A dedicated stored-value transit card, S$10 at any SimplyGo Ticket Office (S$5 of stored value plus a S$5 card fee). Worth it only if your bank card lacks contactless.
Unlimited MRT and basic bus travel. As of August 2026: 1 day S$17, 2 days S$24, 3 days S$29, 4 days S$37, 5 days S$45. Only pays off if you are making a lot of trips per day; otherwise tapping your own card is cheaper.
Extensive network at similar fares to the MRT, using the same contactless payment. Useful for places the MRT does not reach.
Street hail at taxi stands, or book via CDG Zig or Grab. Metered, clean, air-conditioned, and drivers are legally required to take the shortest route.
Driving & Rental Cars
International Driving Permit required
Singapore requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive or rent a car legally. Rental agencies often won't ask — but if you're pulled over, local police may require it and fines can be significant. Also required if your license isn't in the local language or script. Costs around $20, takes about a week, and you can't get one once you've left.
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries automatically charge to enter the city center at peak times — the charge bills straight to the vehicle.
Side of road
Left
Speed limit (km/h)
50 city / 90 hwy
Alcohol limit
0.08%
Right on red
Not allowed
Min rental age
21
Renting a car in Singapore
- Book early for busy seasons, and book an automatic ahead of time if you need one (manual is the default in many countries)
- Choose a "full to full" fuel policy so you only pay for the fuel you use
- Use a credit card in the driver's name, since the desk will hold a deposit on it
- Photograph or film the car at pickup, including every existing scratch
- Ask about tolls, cross-border fees and extra drivers before you sign
- Minimum rental age here is 21, and drivers under 25 often pay a young-driver fee
EconomyBookings
Compare rental car prices in Singapore across hundreds of agencies — often cheaper than booking direct.
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Safety & Accessibility
For Women Travelers
- Singapore is among the world's most comfortable destinations for solo women travelers. Walking after dark in Central, Orchard, or Clarke Quay is genuinely low risk, and the MRT is safe at all hours.
- Standard precautions still make sense: share your itinerary, keep your phone charged, and use Grab or a licensed taxi rather than an unmarked car.
- The bigger practical risk here is heat exhaustion, not crime. Plan outdoor activity for before 11 AM or after 4 PM.
LGBTQ+ Friendliness
Section 377A, which criminalised sex between men, was repealed by Parliament in November 2022. At the same time a constitutional amendment restricted the definition of marriage to a man and a woman and shielded it from court challenge. So as of August 2026: same-sex relationships are not criminalised, but same-sex marriage and civil partnerships are not recognised and same-sex couples cannot adopt. Socially Singapore remains conservative, particularly across older communities. Gay and lesbian travelers are not in legal jeopardy and will not be arrested, but public affection between same-sex couples attracts attention in many settings.
- Pink Dot SG, the annual LGBTQ+ gathering, has been permitted since 2009.
- Apply the judgment you would in a moderately conservative environment rather than a major US city.
- Do not expect legal recognition of a same-sex marriage for next-of-kin purposes.
In Partnership With
Everywhere Is Queer
Want to check out local queer businesses on your trip? Everywhere Is Queer maps queer-owned bars, cafés, restaurants, and shops so you can spend your money where it matters. Not every city is on the map yet, but coverage is growing fast — check if your destination is live.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Singapore is notably strong on accessibility. Every MRT station has at least one lift to every level, footpaths are well maintained with standard curb cuts and tactile paving, and Changi is one of the most accessible airports in the world. Building codes require accessible facilities across most building types.
- Wider swing gates designed for wheelchairs and strollers have been replacing older retractable gates across the North-South, East-West, and Circle lines through 2026.
- Many buses are low-floor and wheelchair accessible; check the LTA site for specific routes.
- Malls, hotels, and major attractions are generally straightforward to navigate with a wheelchair.
Pickpocket Hotspots
- Crowded stretches of Orchard Road
- Busy hawker centres at peak meal times
- Bugis Street and other dense night markets
Travel Insurance
Don't travel without coverage
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Scams to Watch Out For
Dynamic currency conversion
The card terminal or ATM offers to bill you in US dollars. The embedded exchange rate is typically 3 to 7 percent worse than your bank's.
Prevention: Always choose Singapore dollars. This is legal but expensive, and it is by far the most likely way you will lose money here.
Electronics and souvenir overcharging
A small number of tourist-area shops, historically around parts of Sim Lim Square, quote a low headline price and then add mandatory 'warranty' or accessory charges, or pressure you into signing before you understand the total.
Prevention: Buy electronics from established chains, check the total price in writing before paying, and walk away from any high-pressure pitch. Singapore's Consumers Association maintains guidance on this.
Unlicensed taxi touts
Someone approaches you outside the official queue offering a flat-rate ride.
Prevention: Use the official taxi queue, CDG Zig, or Grab. Licensed taxis are metered and plentiful, so there is no reason to accept a street offer.
Traveler Safety Essentials
Traveler Safety Essentials
These safety tips apply everywhere you travel. Small habits can prevent the most common security problems travelers face — from phone theft to home break-ins.
Don't forget anything
Turn these tips into a trackable checklist so nothing slips through the cracks.
Weather & Climate
Singapore's climate varies by region. Here's a seasonal overview to help you plan.
Dec – Feb
24-31°C (76-88°F)
Medium rainfall
Typically the driest month. Still hot and humid.
Mar – May
25-32°C (77-90°F)
Medium-High rainfall
Inter-monsoon. Hot with frequent thunderstorms.
Jun – Aug
25-32°C (77-89°F)
Medium rainfall
Relatively drier. Haze risk continues depending on regional conditions.
Sep – Nov
24-32°C (76-89°F)
Medium-High rainfall
Inter-monsoon with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Heat stress readings peaked in October 2025.
Packing Tip
Check the specific month you're traveling for detailed packing suggestions. Weather can vary significantly by region and elevation.
BAODINI mini umbrella
Packs into a daypack and blocks both UV and sudden downpours — a travel-day staple when the forecast can't make up its mind.
Shop on AmazonSun hoodie (UPF)
Lightweight UPF layer that covers your arms and neck, so you skip reapplying sunscreen all day. Sized by fit — pick your cut.
Diveblues portable fan
Rechargeable handheld fan for hot, humid days and stuffy transit — stands hands-free when you need both hands.
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Tap Water
Tap water is safe to drink.
Taste can differ from home, and some people prefer filtered or bottled water anyway. A refillable bottle saves money and plastic.
Sources: PUB, drinking water quality.
Power & Electricity
Voltage
230V
Frequency
50Hz
Plug Types
G
Singapore uses Type G, the three rectangular pin British plug. US travelers need a Type G adapter, easily bought before departure or at Changi. Most modern chargers are rated 100-240V and need only the adapter, but single-voltage US hair dryers and shavers need a converter. Most hotels supply hair dryers.
What You May Need
- •From US/Canada/Japan: Likely need adapter and possibly converter for non-dual-voltage devices
- •From UK: Likely need adapter, voltage usually compatible
- •From Europe/Australia: Check plug type, voltage usually compatible
EPICKA 70W GaN travel adapter
3 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports with 70W GaN fast charging, so the whole family's devices charge off one plug. Not a voltage converter.
Shop on AmazonAnker power bank
A dead phone is as useless as a stolen one. Compact fast-charging backup power.
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Most modern phone chargers and laptops work with 100-240V. Check your device's power adapter for compatibility before traveling.
Language & Communication
Languages Spoken
Official Language(s)
English Proficiency
English is the language of government, business, education, and law. All signage, MRT announcements, menus, and official forms are in English. US travelers will not encounter a language barrier. Singlish, the local English-based creole, is a genuine language variety rather than broken English, and locals switch between it and standard English by context.
Essential Phrases
Can!
Yes, that works / that can be done
kan
Cannot lah
No, that is not possible
KAN-not lah
Chope
To reserve a seat, usually with a tissue packet on the table
chope
Makan
To eat, from Malay
MAH-kahn
Shiok
Delicious or deeply satisfying
shee-OK
Kopitiam
Traditional coffee shop
KO-pee-tee-am
Kiasu
Afraid of missing out, competitive
KEE-ah-soo
Dietary Options
🌱 Vegan Friendly
Workable but needs more care than vegetarian, since most of the vegetarian abundance is lacto-ovo. Indian vegetarian food is often naturally vegan if you ask them to skip the ghee. Dedicated vegan restaurants such as Elemen and VeganBurg exist, and the cafe scene is increasingly vegan friendly.
🥗 Vegetarian Friendly
Genuinely easy. Little India has dozens of Indian vegetarian restaurants where the concept is fully understood, and Chinese Buddhist vegetarian stalls with convincing mock meat are common in hawker centres. The catch is that standard Chinese hawker food often contains fish sauce, oyster sauce, or lard. Ask specifically: no meat, no fish sauce, no oyster sauce.
🌾 Gluten-Free Friendly
Genuinely difficult. Singaporean cooking is soy sauce heavy and standard soy sauce contains wheat, and many noodle dishes are wheat based. Hawker cooks do not have the cross-contamination awareness you would find in a US restaurant. Rice-based dishes such as chicken rice are safer bets, but check sauces. Strict celiac travelers should lean on upscale Western restaurants that understand the protocol.
Traveling with a Pet
Pet-friendliness information coming soon for Singapore.
Cultural Tips
Singapore is genuinely multi-ethnic, with Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities and four official languages. Assume nothing about anyone's background from appearance.
The tissue packet on a hawker centre table is not litter. It is 'chope', a seat reservation, and the table is taken. Do the same to hold your own seat.
Queue properly and do not push. Orderly queueing is a real social norm here.
At mosques and temples, remove your shoes, cover shoulders and knees, and follow posted rules. Many provide robes at the entrance.
Do not eat or drink on the MRT, including water. It is a finable offence.
Air conditioning indoors is aggressive. Carry a light layer for restaurants, malls, and cinemas even when it is 33 degrees outside.
Local Quirks & Fun Facts
Singlish is a real creole, not broken English. 'Can!' means yes, 'cannot lah' means no, and 'shiok' means genuinely delicious.
Hawker centre food is world class and cheap. Two of them have held Michelin stars. Eat there rather than in hotel restaurants.
Singaporeans queue for food with real commitment. A long line at a hawker stall is a recommendation, not a warning.
The chewing gum ban is more nuanced than the legend, but it is still not sold in shops and importing it commercially is prohibited.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Bringing a vape or e-cigarette. Possession is illegal in Singapore, not just sale, and this is one of the most common ways travelers get into trouble.
Assuming a routine US prescription is fine. ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, and opioid painkillers may need HSA approval applied for at least two weeks in advance.
Bringing CBD products. Legal in your US state is irrelevant; cannabis and cannabis extracts are prohibited outright.
Looking for Uber. It does not exist here. Use Grab.
Tipping out of habit. Service charge is already on the bill.
Buying a transit card when your own contactless bank card already works on the gate.
Eating or drinking on the MRT, which is finable.
Renting a car. Between the cost, the ERP road pricing gantries, and expensive scarce parking, it makes no sense when the MRT and Grab reach everywhere.
Underestimating the heat. Apparent temperature routinely hits 33 to 36 degrees Celsius with humidity, and that is a genuine risk for older travelers, not a minor discomfort.
Tours & Experiences
Book ahead — the best tours sell out fast.
Tours and experiences in Singapore
Browse bookable tours, tickets and day trips on Viator, our tours partner.
Browse tours on ViatorWant the tour list shown right here?
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Gear to make your trip easier
Pack smart
4BAGAIL compression packing cubes
Six compression cubes plus vacuum bags and a hand pump, so you can squeeze bulky items down hard when mesh alone isn't enough. Sold as a bundle; every piece is also available on its own.
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Notabag packable backpack/tote
Folds into its own pocket, then opens into a backpack or tote for market runs, day trips, and overflow on the way home.
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FYY electronics organizer
Keeps chargers, cables, and adapters untangled in one place, so you're not digging through your bag at security.
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TSA toiletry containers (3oz set)
Refillable, TSA-approved bottles so you carry your own products in a carry-on without the airport surprise.
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Rest on the way
7Mavogel sleep mask
Blocks light completely for sleep on planes, in bright rooms, or across time zones — contoured so nothing presses on your eyes.
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Sea to Summit Aeros neck pillow
Inflatable, so it packs down to nothing but still holds your head up on long flights and buses.
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Twelve South AirFly SE
Pairs your own headphones with any 3.5mm jack — seatback screens, gym equipment, whatever doesn't have Bluetooth. Reusable, so you're not relying on (or wasting) a disposable pair every flight.
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Children's EarPlanes
Reduces the pressure change in a child's ears during takeoff and landing — less pain, less crying. 3-pair value pack.
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Pedialyte electrolyte powder packets
Single-serve oral rehydration packets — lightweight, no fridge needed, and often not available at your destination.
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Compression socks
Keep your legs from swelling and aching on long flights and bus rides — the cheap habit frequent flyers swear by.
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Loop Quiet earplugs
Reusable, low-profile earplugs that dull engine drone, snorers, and noisy streets so you actually rest.
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Keep it safe
9
NordPass
Keep every login and a passport photo encrypted, so losing your phone doesn't lose your accounts. Use code TRAVELREDDI for 4 months free on a paid plan.
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NordVPN
Encrypts your connection on sketchy public and hotel WiFi. Use code TRAVELREDDI for 4 months free on a paid plan.
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Apple AirTag
Slip one into a checked bag, daypack or even your wallet, then find it in Find My. For iPhone users.
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Tile tracker
The same idea for Android and iPhone. Great in luggage, a daypack, or a wallet.
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Pacsafe crossbody
Locking zippers and a slash-resistant strap. The bag I wish I'd had when mine got unclipped.
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Peak Gear money belt
A hidden belt for cash and a backup card, out of reach of pickpockets.
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Guard Dog door lock
For when you're in the room. Adds a sturdy lock to almost any hotel or rental door so no one can open it while you're inside or asleep.
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TSA locks with cable
For when you're out. Use the cable to lock your bags to each other or to a fixed piece of furniture, so they're harder to grab and more obvious if someone tries. TSA-approved, 2-pack.
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TORRAS phone lanyard
Keeps your phone on your body, much harder to snatch out of your hand.
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Weather ready
3BAODINI mini umbrella
Packs into a daypack and blocks both UV and sudden downpours — a travel-day staple when the forecast can't make up its mind.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Diveblues portable fan
Rechargeable handheld fan for hot, humid days and stuffy transit — stands hands-free when you need both hands.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we'd suggest to a friend.
Nearby destinations
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