Singapore Travel Guide and Tips

Singapore

Singapore is a fascinating melting pot of cultures and conventions. The city-state is a vivid amalgamation of modern skyscrapers, tropical rainforest remnants and vibrant ethnic urban areas. It is an affluent country with heavy Chinese, Malay and Indian influences. Singapore features a tropical climate, delicious food, great shopping options and a pulsating nightlife scene. All these special characteristics blend together to make this Garden City a great stopover in the region.

Travellers to Singapore can enjoy a variety of experiences, such as night safari, go-karting, rock climbing, mountain biking and underwater diving. Singapore’s shopping scene throbs with a maze of designer stores, boutiques and bargain friendly shops. Accommodation in the city spans swanky hotels, budget lodgings, guesthouses and camps.

Singapore is truly an enticing platter of exhilarating day life and astounding nightlife.

Important Statistics

• Location : Singapore is  located in South-East Asia  between 01º 22′ N, 103º 48′ E
• Time Zone : GMT+8
• Capital: Singapore
• Largest Cities: Bedok, Seletar and Woodlands
• Government: Parliamentary republic
• Area: 710.2 sq km
• Population:  4,987,600 (2009 mid-year estimate)
• Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD)
• Calling Code: +65
• Official Language(s): English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Tamil
• Religion: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism and Confucianism
• Visa information: For information about obtaining a visa for Singapore British Nationals can visit the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk or contact the relevant authorities.

Top Tourist Spots in Singapore

There is so much to do and see in the cosmopolitan city of Singapore. Lush green parks, scrumptious food and amazing nightlife are all to be found in this magnificent city-state. Walking around the city or swimming at the beaches or trying out the dragon boat racing, there is actually so much to do in this city that one will be spoilt for choices. Stroll over to any of the Chinatown’s bars, shake a leg at a Mohamed Sultan Road club, or just pay a visit to the Esplanade, an expansive cultural centre. Singapore is also brimming with a range of beautiful parks, such as Ann Siang Hill Park, National Orchid Garden and Mandai Orchid Garden. Tourists can additionally enjoy a bumboat cruise on the Singapore River.

Shopping Attractions in Singapore

Singapore is known for its lavish shopping options. In Singapore, one can find the world’s best labels and brands. Shoppers in the city are guaranteed a total satisfaction and great value for their money. One can grab exciting deals at following places:

Eating out in Singapore

The Singaporean cuisine is significantly influenced by Indian, Chinese, British, Malay, Tamil and Indonesian cuisine. The food served at various city restaurants is absolutely delicious and caters to every taste and budget

Hotels in Singapore

Accommodation in Singapore is slightly expensive by South East Asian standards. Luxury hotels can be outrageously costly. However, budget hotels remain affordable and available throughout the year.

Cheap Flights to Singapore

Find the latest airfares and discounted offers on flights to Singapore operating from UK.

Preferred Airlines to Singapore from UK

Malaysia Airline | Thai Airways | Singapore Airline | Qatar Airways | KLM Royal Dutch | Etihad | Cathay Pacific | Emirates | Air France

Airports in Singapore

Singapore Changi Airport (Airport Code: SIN), also known as Changi International Airport, is the main airport in Singapore. The awarded airport is a major aviation hub in Southeast Asia and is the home base of Singapore Airlines Cargo, Valuair, Tiger Airways, Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Jetstar Asia Airways and Jett8 Airlines Cargo.

Changi International Airport is connected to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network with the airport station being located underground between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

Local Transportation

There are plenty of transportation modes available within Singapore. Most parts of the city are easily accessible buses and taxis. Rail is another major form of transportation in the region with the Mass Rapid Transit running the lengths and breadths of the city. The main island of Singapore is linked to the other islands through ferryboat services.

Health and Safety Precautions

Health and hygiene standards in Singapore are pretty high. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers who have been in or have passed through any nation where yellow fever is prevalent.

Dengue and chikungunya cases have also been reported in Singapore. Travellers are advised to take appropriate preventative measures.

Cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) have also been reported and young kids are mostly at risk of being infected. One should take regular precautions to avoid the risk.

Crime is rare in Singapore. However, travellers must be vigilant about dangers of street crime.

Best Time to Visit Singapore

Tourists throng to Singapore almost throughout the year. However the best time to visit the city-state is undoubtedly the festive seasons. January is a peak tourist season in Singapore as locals celebrate the Chinese New Year. Tourists in this season are greeted with bouquets, oranges and popular street parades. Indians in Singapore celebrate Deepavali in November with great pomp and show. This festive season is reflected through music, dance, lights and cultural shows.

Culture and Lifestyle

Singapore is a cosmopolitan society where people from different races and religions live amicably and peacefully. The great diversity of Singapore is very prominent and very obvious. The city is heavily influenced by Malay, Chinese, European and Indian cultures.

Singapore is rated among the top cities in the world in terms of quality of living. The city offers safe environment, top class medical services, a range of housing options and excellent education opportunities. Public transport in the city is among the best in the world. Singapore boasts of a top living standard.

Social Conventions

Handshaking is the usual form of greeting in Singapore. It is advisable to remove shoes before entering a private home, temple or mosque. It is good manners to bring gifts when invited to private homes. Top class restaurants expect men to be formally dressed in the evenings. Each of the Singapore’s many racial groups has its own set of cultural and religious conventions that must be respected and followed.

Laws prohibiting littering and chewing gum are strictly enforced in the city. Smoking is illegal in public places and smoking illegally or dropping a cigarette butt in the street will lead to an immediate fine.

Money Exchange

Foreign Exchange can be procured at all the major banks as well as the international airport.

(Note: This destination guide is not exhaustive and is based on information gathered from reliable resources available on the internet. Southall Travel holds no responsibility for any misrepresentation of facts and will not be in any way liable for any kind of eventuality arising from the use of information given in this guide)