Guide to Singapore

Weather in Singapore

Singapore is generally sunny and humid the whole year through. The temperature ranges from 26 to 32 degree Celcius. It may be a little cooler around January but keeps you sweaty in June. Wear summer clothes, sandals and sunblock. Unless if you plan to stay indoors a lot. Buildings in Singapore are notorious for being refrigerator cold, except the greener ones where they turn the aircon down to save the environment.

May to October is rainy season. However, sudden rain is common even beyond these months, therefore it is best to keep a folded umbrella tucked away in your bag everywhere you go.

During dry season, haziness could occur due to fire in Sumatra forest. 

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Visa Requirements for Singapore

Residents of most countries would not need a visa to visit Singapore. Generally, 30 day visit pass will be stamped on your passport upon arrival by air, but arrival by land and sea will only get you 14 days. Your passport must still be valid for more than six months.

You can visit this government site to find out more, including how to submit the visa application electronically, and whether you would need to have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate before you get on that flight: http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=96

Please be reminded that “all visitors on visit passes are not permitted to engage in any form of business, profession, occupation or paid employment while in Singapore”, and that “under the Singapore law, the penalty for the illegal importation of controlled drugs such as heroin or morphine is death“.

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Health in Singapore

Singapore takes its residents’ health seriously.  Particularly after the latest biggest epidemic in the country, the SARS outbreak, happened in 2003.

Earlier this year, in 2012, there had been some health concerns regarding flu, Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD) which usually attack preschool children, as well as dengue fever in the suburbs. The National Environment Agency works very hard to fight and contain this.

For those visiting Singapore, you may want to stick the anti-mosquito patch on you or your clothes when you explore the Zoo, the Night Safari, or Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

For more information about the state of Singapore’s health, please visit this site: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/

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Singapore Currency

All major credit cards are accepted in majority of retailers in Singapore.

But if you pay by cash, once in a while you may find a cashier handing you your change with some Bruneian Dollar among them. It’s fine. BND is accepted in Singapore at the same value as Singapore Dollar.

Say you are visiting one of the casinos and bringing in S$30,000 or more in cash, you would need to fill out a form upon your arrival. Here is more information on it: http://www.spf.gov.sg/cbni/

If you need to have money sent to you while you are in Singapore, or you wish to send some money to someone outside of Singapore, you may want to use this service, available at any Singapore Post Office branch: http://www.westernunion.sg/en/

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Best Time to Visit Singapore

If you are the type of person who enjoys shopping and the hustle and bustle of a vibrant city, then Singapore will be your playground.

Personally I would consider travelling to Singapore either in June, during the Great Singapore Sale, or between Nov - Dec during the Christmas season. My favourite time of year is Christmas and quite literally the entire shopping district will be decorated and lighted up from the start of Orchard Road to City Hall.

Food is never a problem on this island, where it is commonly said the people of Singapore 'live to eat'. Several times a year there will be cultural celebrations of the various ethnic races and food plays a big role in these celebrations.

The weather is pretty stable all year round, a balmy 28 - 30 degrees. Can be a bit humid for some, and during the rainy season it rains almost like clock work every afternoon.

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Security in Singapore

Singapore is arguably one of the safest countries in the world to travel in. It is generally safe for anyone to go out late at night. Nevertheless, do not leave your valuables unattended, and it is always advisable to be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas.

If you bring bulky items into train stations, be prepared to have it checked. There are armed policemen patrolling the airport, train stations, bus interchanges, so do not be alarmed. For emergencies, call 999.

For travel advisory from Singapore Customs, please visit this site:
http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/Travel+Advisory.htm

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What to Take to Singapore

Bear in mind that Singapore is generally hot and humid, with sudden showers. Therefore you would need to bring:
1. Summer clothes
2. Sunglasses
3. Sunscreen
4. Folded umbrella
5. Insect repellent
6. Comfortable walking shoes or sandals

There are plenty of free Singapore maps at the airport, so there’s no need to bring one from home. But do bring a universal travel power adapter, or borrow one from your hotel. Singapore uses the electric plug with three large flat prongs.

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Trains in Singapore

Singapore continues to find ways to minimize road travels, and therefore keeps extending its railway services. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train currently has four lines and another line, the Downtown line, will open in stages from 2013.

Although the company has been under scrutiny for a number of stalled services in recent months, Singapore’s subway remains one of the best in the world. It is easy to navigate, safe, well-lit, and very clean. No eating or drinking allowed in the stations and trains, and anyone doing so will be fined.

A large number of the MRT stations are connected with a bus or Light Rapid Transit (LRT) interchange, as well as a shopping mall. Map of the network as well as information about each station can be viewed here (http://203.142.23.14/trains/networkmap.aspx).

If you are a tourist, you can purchase the unlimited travel Tourist Pass, or the regular EZ-Link card that everybody else uses in Singapore. Child concession ticket is available for the later upon presentation of his/her passport. Comparison of the two is available here (http://www.thesingaporetouristpass.com/html/faq.php1). 

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Singapore Flights

According to EDB Singapore’s report 2011, Changi International Airport serves 100 airlines, connecting Singapore to more than 210 cities in 60 countries, with a total of 6,300 flights buzzing in and out of it in per week.

There are T1, T2, T3, and Budget Terminal in Changi Airport.  The airport which is about 20 minute car-ride away from city centre, can easily be reached by train, bus and taxi.  For more information please visit: http://www.changiairport.com/

For a list of travel agencies in Singapore, please visit: http://www.natastravel.com/memberdirectory.aspx

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Singapore Tours

Aside from the regular hop on and off tour buses which you can purchase the 24-hour ticket as you aboard the bus, you can also try this popular amphibian tour bus: http://www.ducktours.com.sg/

If you prefer guided tours, a number of operators offer a variety of half day and full day itineraries, but RMG (http://rmgtours.com/) remains as one of the most prominent and convenient.  You can book at their tour desk at your hotels, or via your concierge, and pay for the tour as you show up at the rendezvous spot.

For the more independent folks, you can build your own itinerary by checking out what may interest you here: http://app.www.sg/

Content Last Edited by Christy Muliana on August 15, 2012, 6:01 am   EDIT NOW >>

Buses in Singapore

Public buses in Singapore are operated by two bus companies, namely SBS (http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/) and SMRT (http://www.smrt.com.sg/Buses/eBusGuide.aspx).  You can check their routes, operating hours and fares in their respective websites.  For SBS bus arrival times, you can use IRIS apps, or be advised by SMS (http://www.publictransport.sg/content/publictransport/en/homepage/mobile/SMS_bus_arrival.html).  

If you have an EzLink card or The Singapore Tourist Pass, it is cheaper to pay for your ride using any of these cards than to pay by coins.  

Content Last Edited by Christy Muliana on August 15, 2012, 7:14 am   EDIT NOW >>

Driving in Singapore

You may drive in Singapore with an International driving license or a foreign driving license for a limited of time.  If you wish to convert your foreign license to a Singapore license, please visit: http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/services/driving_in_singapore/information_drivinglicence_conversion.htm

People drive on the right side of the car, on left side of the road.  So if you are crossing the road, you have to check for incoming traffic from your right.

To familiarize yourself with traffic signs in Singapore before you rent that car, please check this out: http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/on_the_roads/traffic_management/traffic_signs.html  


 

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Boats in Singapore

If you take the train all the way to one end of North-East Line, you will find yourself at HarbourFront MRT station.  Above the station, there is VivoCity and HarbourFront Centre.  At HarbourFront centre, you will find the Singapore Cruise Centre.  It is a seaport from where you board a ferry to Batam Island, Indonesia, or join a cruise.  For lists of ferry and cruise operators, please visit: http://www.singaporecruise.com.sg/

If you are going to Bintan Island, Indonesia, you will depart from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.  To reach TMFT you can take SBS bus number 35 from Bedok Interchange.  For fares and schedules, please visit:https://www.brf.com.sg/eCommerce/default.aspx

For those going to Pulau Ubin, a Singapore’s tiny island for nature lovers, you can take bumboats from The Changi Point Ferry Terminal.  Further info is available here: http://www.pulauubin.com.sg/Getting-To-Pulau-Ubin.html

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Crossing Boarders in Singapore

Overland border crossing from Singapore will get you to Malaysia.  The common way to travel to Malaysia is either by driving a car, or taking a coach.  The bigger coach operators are: Five Stars, Luxury Tours, and Aeroline.  Via the newer Second Link Expressway from Tuas Checkpoint, you can get to Kuala Lumpur in 4 to 4.5 hours.

You can also cross the border to Johor Bahru, which is reachable by SBS bus number 170 or hire a special taxi, both departing from Queen Street Terminal near Bugis MRT station.  

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