Singapore

Honestly, Singapore works year-round. Temperatures stay between 77 and 91°F (25–33°C) no matter when you go.

The year splits into a dry season (March through September) and a rainy season (October through February). November and December are the wettest months — but even then, rain usually means a brief one- to two-hour downpour, not an all-day washout.

The one thing to watch out for is major holidays like Chinese New Year. The city fills up fast, hotels get expensive, and availability gets tight. Worth checking the calendar before you book.

We personally love Singapore in May — it’s one of the driest months of the year. Just know that hotel prices tick up a bit because plenty of other travelers have figured that out too.

If you want to know when it’s cheapest or when the best events are happening, check out our full guide on the best time to visit Singapore.

Flying to Singapore

Singapore is well connected from most major international airports. The flight time from Europe is around 12 to 13 hours, and from the US West Coast it’s roughly 17 to 18 hours.

To find the best fare, we recommend the flight search on Skyscanner.

Flying within Asia to Singapore

Changi Airport is one of the biggest hubs in Asia. From virtually anywhere in Southeast Asia, you’ll find plenty of airlines and routes into Singapore — often at very competitive prices.

Heads up: Cigarettes must be declared at customs when you arrive, including open packs. Fines for undeclared imports are seriously steep. Our advice: don’t bring any cigarettes at all — just buy them locally.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Changi Airport is about 20 kilometers from the city center, and getting in is easy and quick. You’ve got a few options:

By MRT from the Airport to the City

The cheapest option is the MRT (Singapore’s metro). For the equivalent of about $2, you can ride into the city in around 40 minutes. You’ll need one transfer, but it’s well signposted and totally straightforward.

By Taxi from the Airport to the City

If you want the easiest option, grab a taxi. Follow the signs to the taxi stand at the airport — the ride costs around $15 to $25 depending on your destination and usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

By Bus from Malaysia to Singapore

Traveling between Singapore and Malaysia? The bus is usually the fastest and most affordable way to do it.

Many of these buses are surprisingly comfortable — often just three seats per row, so you actually have space. It’s worth booking your tickets in advance here online.

Public transport in Singapore is seriously good. The metro is called the MRT and it’s fast, affordable, and will get you pretty much anywhere you need to go.

You can pay with single-ride tickets or the rechargeable EZ-Link card — and we’d strongly recommend the EZ-Link card. No more queuing at ticket machines before every ride, and fares are a bit cheaper too.

Pick one up at the ticket counters in any major subway station or at a 7-Eleven.

Just tap in and tap out at the card reader — the fare is calculated automatically based on distance. Fares are very reasonable, running between about $0.50 and $2 per trip. You can top up the card at any station machine, and your balance shows up every time you exit.

Singapore is one of those rare places where the food is both incredible and seriously affordable. The city’s mix of cultures means an amazing variety of Asian cuisines — all in one place.

The real secret is the hawker centers and food markets. These are open-air complexes packed with small food stalls serving up amazing dishes at any hour of the day or night. The food is genuinely some of the best we’ve eaten anywhere.

Our personal favorites are Lau Pa Sat and Tiong Bahru Market. Absolutely worth a visit.

If you want to sit down at a proper restaurant, go to Din Tai Fung. We had some of the best dim sum of our lives there.

For our full list of favorite restaurants and food tips in Singapore, check out our dedicated article.

If you just want to hit the main highlights, two days will do it. But we’d recommend three to five days — there’s a lot more to discover once you get past the obvious sights.

The last time we visited, we ended up staying over a week and still felt like we could’ve used more time.

Singapore also pairs really well with other destinations in Southeast Asia — or even further afield like Australia or New Zealand. As a major hub, it’s perfect for tacking on a few days at the start or end of a bigger trip.

You’ll need a valid passport — it must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Most nationalities don’t need a visa for tourist stays.

If you arrive by plane, you’ll automatically get a stay permit of up to 30 days at the airport. If you enter by land or sea (for example, from Malaysia), the permit is 14 days.

Singapore has a reputation for being expensive — and compared to somewhere like Thailand, it is pricier. But you can absolutely have a great time on a tighter budget.

Hotels and entry fees for big attractions like Marina Bay Sands will be the main costs. But plenty of sights are completely free, and you can balance things out easily.

The best money-saver? Eat at hawker centers and casual local restaurants. The food is cheap, the quality is fantastic, and honestly it’s the best way to eat in Singapore anyway.

Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar (SGD). The exchange rate from US dollars is roughly 1 dollar to 1.35 SGD — so things are a bit more expensive than back home, but not dramatically so.

Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Singapore — even at many hawker stalls. You can easily get through most of your trip cashless.

That said, it’s still worth keeping a small amount of cash on hand for the occasional stall or market that’s card-free. ATMs are plentiful and easy to find.

Singapore is a fascinating mix of cultures and religions. There are actually four official languages: Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil.

In practice, English is used everywhere — in shops, restaurants, transport, and everyday conversation. You won’t have any communication issues whatsoever.

Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world. Petty crime is almost nonexistent — largely thanks to the country’s strict legal system and serious penalties for offenses. You can walk around at night without a second thought.

Yes — tap water in Singapore is completely safe to drink. It’s not the most exciting water you’ll ever taste, but it’s perfectly fine.

It’s hot and humid all year, so pack light, breathable clothing. That said, bring at least one layer with more coverage — air-conditioning in museums and shopping malls can be seriously cold.

Shorts and casual Western clothing are completely fine in Singapore — no issues there.

One thing many travelers overlook: Singapore uses a different plug type than the US. Make sure you pack an adapter. A universal adapter is the best investment — it works in almost every country you’ll ever visit.