Singapore

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so always check your own situation before you travel. Most nationalities — including citizens of the US, UK, EU countries, Australia, Canada and Japan — do not need a visa for short tourist stays and are granted a visit pass of typically 30 to 90 days on arrival. Citizens of around 40 countries do need a visa in advance.

The one step every visitor must complete is the SG Arrival Card — a free, mandatory electronic arrival declaration that also includes a short health declaration. It is not a visa. You must submit it online within three days before arrival via the official ICA website or the MyICA app; travellers who fail to submit it can be denied entry.

Be careful: numerous unofficial lookalike websites charge a fee to 'process' the SG Arrival Card. The card is completely free — submit it only through the official ICA channels. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry.

The currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD). Singapore is highly cashless — Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, including restaurants, shops, taxis and even the MRT and buses, where the SimplyGo system lets you tap a regular bank card straight through the gates. Contactless mobile payments are ubiquitous.

It is still worth carrying a modest amount of cash, as hawker centres, small food stalls and older shops often prefer it for small purchases. ATMs are plentiful and reliable in malls, MRT stations and banks.

Tipping is not customary or expected in Singapore — this is a genuine cultural norm. Most restaurants, bars and hotels already add a 10% service charge to the bill, so there is no need to tip on top, and you don't need to tip taxi drivers or hotel staff either.

Singapore is multicultural — a blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian and other communities — and everyday etiquette is relaxed and polite. A handshake is the standard greeting, though some people, particularly older or more religious individuals, may prefer not to shake hands with the opposite sex; follow their lead.

When visiting religious sites — temples, mosques and churches — dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and remove your shoes before entering temples and mosques. Always ask before photographing people at worship. At hawker centres, the local custom of 'choping' — reserving a seat by placing a packet of tissues on the table — is widely respected.

Use your right hand, or both hands, when giving or receiving items, as the left hand is traditionally considered unclean among Malay and Indian communities. Public behaviour is generally reserved, and Singaporeans take great pride in their orderly, clean environment.

Singapore's main international gateway is Changi Airport, consistently ranked among the world's best and about 20 km from the city centre. From Changi you can reach the city in roughly 30 minutes by MRT, or by taxi and ride-hailing apps.

In the city, the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is fast, clean, affordable and the easiest way around, complemented by an extensive bus network. You no longer need a special tourist card — the SimplyGo system lets you tap any contactless card or your phone directly at the gates. For taxis and private hire, the main apps are Grab and Gojek.

Driving is generally unnecessary for visitors — public transport is excellent, and car ownership and parking are expensive. If you do drive, traffic moves on the left.

Connectivity in Singapore is excellent, with comprehensive 4G and 5G coverage across the island. The main mobile carriers are Singtel, StarHub, M1 and Simba. Prepaid tourist SIM cards are easy to buy on arrival at Changi Airport, and also at convenience stores and operator shops.

An eSIM is a convenient, popular option — you can buy one before you travel and activate it by QR code, often more cheaply than airport SIM bundles. Free public wifi is widely available via the government-supported Wireless@SG network, plus most hotels, malls and Changi Airport.

Singapore is exceptionally safe — among the safest countries in the world. The US and Australian advisories place it at their lowest risk level, and violent crime against tourists is rare. Petty crime is uncommon, though it is still sensible to watch your belongings in crowded shopping areas. Tap water is safe to drink straight from the tap.

Singapore's strict laws are the single biggest thing first-timers underestimate, and they are enforced on visitors exactly as on residents. Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty, and drug offences more broadly bring severe penalties. Vaping and e-cigarettes are completely banned — it is illegal even to bring them into the country.

Expect heavy fines for littering, for jaywalking (crossing away from a designated crossing), and for eating or drinking on the MRT; chewing-gum import is also restricted. Medical care is world-class but expensive for visitors, so travel insurance is advised. Emergency numbers: 999 for police, 995 for ambulance and fire.

Power: Singapore runs on 230V, 50Hz, and uses the Type G three-pin plug — the same square-pin design as the UK. Travellers from North America and continental Europe will need a plug adapter.

Language: Singapore has four official languages — English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of administration, business and daily life, so visitors can get by entirely in English.

Best time to visit: Singapore is hot and humid all year, with no true off-season. February to April is typically the driest and most comfortable stretch; the wettest period runs roughly November to January, though showers are usually short.

Time zone: Singapore Standard Time is UTC+8 year-round, with no daylight saving.