12 things to know before visiting Singapore

It's easy to understand why Singapore is one of the world's favorite layover stops – this multicultural city-state has a reputation as one of the safest and most well-organized destinations in the world. You can pass your days touring museums and temples, enjoying cutting-edge theme parks and stunning gardens, shopping in glittering malls, and feasting on some of the world's best hawker food.

Many visitors fall head over heels for the city-state’s spectacular cuisine, manicured gardens and soaring architecture – and the intriguing mix of peoples who make up its multifaceted culture. Others, however, feel less charmed by Singapore's infamously strict rules and regulations – and the fines for breaking them – and the slightly sanitized feel of those spotless streets and malls.

As a Singaporean who’s lived here all her life (and who has spent many hours explaining the country to fellow travelers abroad), I can tell you that both arguments have validity. Yet by making yourself aware of a few key aspects of life in the Little Red Dot (a nickname referring to the depiction of Singapore on world maps) before you set off, you'll be able to make the best of your time in this very special destination.

From its cultural landscape, local customs and quirks, to practical information about payments, safety and more, here’s all you need to know before visiting Singapore.

1. Singapore is small, but there's lots to see and do

At just 284 sq miles, measuring just 50km from east to west, compact Singapore takes less than an hour to drive from end to end. Yet there's a whole lot packed into this densely populated country, which includes the smaller islands of Sentosa and Pulau Ubin, and other beach-fringed isles dotted around the bay.

For a first visit, I'd recommend allowing 3–4 days to see the main highlights and get a feel for life here. This will give you enough time to visit top sights such as the Gardens by the Bay and the theme parks on Sentosa Island, and fit in some trips to the malls and hawker centers.

Even if you’re really short on time, Singapore rewards a fleeting visit. If you have a layover of at least 5 hours and 30 minutes, you can join one of the free transit tours organized by the excellent Changi Airport. Expect an exciting introduction to what the country has to offer – don't be surprised if you're inspired to plan a (longer) return visit.

2. Pick your time to travel

Singapore is an important aviation hub, and a popular layover destination for people traveling from Europe and the Middle East to Asia or Australia. While the weather doesn't vary massively through the year, it's a little cooler and less humid from February to April, and a little cheaper to visit during the rainier months from November to January, except over Christmas and New Year.

Air fares are more influenced by the cultural calendar, with spikes over the summer school holidays and the Chinese Lunar New Year, and during major sporting events such as the Singapore Grand Prix. Busy times for transit travel to Australia, such as Christmas and New Year, can also be more expensive.

3. Prebook attractions to avoid lines

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There’s a joke that a Singaporean’s favorite pastime is queuing for things. If there’s an option to prebook tickets online for activities and sights, or make an advanced reservation, do it, as lines can be long. This is doubly important on busy weekends and during peak vacation periods such as the mid- and year-end school holidays.

While the official websites of attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore and the Gardens by the Bay are usually the best place to get tickets, it's worth browsing other booking platforms before you book, as these sites sometimes offer special seasonal discounts or bundle pricing. Also visit the Visit Singapore website, as the city sometimes runs promotions with discounted prices aimed at tourists.

4. Singapore is an independent country

Some people mistakenly assume that Singapore – with its majority-Chinese population – is somehow part of China. This isn't the case. Most Chinese Singaporeans are the descendants of southeastern Chinese immigrants, who sailed across the seas decades or even centuries ago. Politically and culturally, Singapore is very much its own nation!

You'll find Singapore just south of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia, 4 hours away from China by plane. However, despite its geographical proximity and shared history, Singapore is also not part of Malaysia (though it was very briefly back in 1963, before the city-state became fully independent in 1965).

5. Pack for the tropics

Located practically on the equator, Singapore delivers hot, tropical weather year-round, with temperatures ranging from 25–35ºC (77–95ºF) almost every day of the year. A small umbrella is essential, both to provide shelter from the scorching rays and to keep off sudden downpours, which can come at any time of year.

Singapore’s high humidity – averaging 60–90% throughout the year – can be tough for those used to more temperate climates, so arrive prepared to sweat it out. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, and carry a portable fan or a thin scarf you can dampen to cool down. Singaporeans know that anyone basking in the sun away from the beach is definitely a tourist; be sure to slap on the sunblock.

In a strange reversal, conditions tend to be much colder indoors than out, since shopping malls and other public spaces use high-powered air conditioning to counter the heat and humidity. A scarf or a light jacket will keep you warm indoors, offer extra sun protection outside, and provide an ideal way to cover up if you visit religious buildings.

6. Carry both cash and credit cards

How many Singapore dollars you change or withdraw for your trip largely depends on the places you plan to visit. Most major tourist attractions and shops in Singapore's ritzy malls accept credit cards, as well as contactless payments and payments via smart wallets on mobile phones.

If you're planning to take public transport in Singapore, you can use credit cards to pay for rides on public buses and make payments via the card readers for MRT trains. However, purchasing a local EZ-Link card or a transport pass may be more worthwhile, depending on how much traveling you plan to do. Available for different durations, the Singapore Tourist Pass covers 1–3 days of unlimited travel by train or bus.

Despite the prevalence of cards and cashless payment options, be sure to carry some cash around with you. Bills and coins remain the main method of payment for most small businesses, including hawker-center stalls, non-chain stores and taxis. Try to break bigger bills into smaller ones where possible.

7. Most Singaporeans speak excellent English

Singapore is an easy place for tourists to explore on their own because so many residents speak English – a legacy of the period when Singapore was under British rule. In fact, Singapore actually has four official languages, with Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu and Tamil representing the country’s three major ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay and Indian, respectively).

English, the fourth major language spoken there, is used in schools and for business, which also allows for easy conversations between Singapore's ethnic communities. As a perk of this polyglot tradition, you'll have no trouble communicating with taxi drivers, food vendors and shopkeepers, and guides and staff at tourist sights.

8. Tipping is not expected

Tipping is not expected in Singapore, including for taxi rides. If you’re eating out in a restaurant or café, there is usually a 10% service charge included in the bill, but some places may have a tip box to let patrons show their appreciation for staff, and leaving something extra is always appreciated.

9. Understand the art of “chope-ing”

If you are eating at food centers (hawker courts) or working at co-working spaces, particularly within the Central Business District, you may notice empty tables with strategically placed items such as umbrellas, tissue packets or lanyards on the seats. This is a practice in which Singaporeans “chope,” or reserve a seat, while everyone is queuing up at the stalls. Most people honor this informal reservation system and will look elsewhere for available seats.

10. Singapore is a famously safe and stable destination

Singapore is known the world over for its stable political climate and low crime rate, and it is often ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, despite strict government controls over some aspects of life. Strikes, intercommunal tensions and other forms of political unrest that can disrupt travel plans in some parts of Asia are practically nonexistent here.

The crime rate in Singapore is also low, thanks to extensive surveillance, strict law enforcement and a police force that people trust. Theft is rare, and violent crime even rarer – as a single woman, I’ve never been too worried about wandering around Singapore on my own, even at night.

Still, it’s always wise to be aware of your own safety and avoid behaviour that might put you at risk, such as flashing your valuables and making financial transactions using an unsecured wi-fi connection – as one of our popular slogans here goes, “Low crime doesn’t mean no crime.”

11. Natural disasters are unlikely in Singapore

Singapore may lack the scenic mountain ranges or volcanic topography of some destinations in Southeast Asia, but this means that there's a low risk of major tectonic movement. Other natural disasters are also rare – which means you generally don't need to worry about the dangers of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons and the like during your time here.

In the worst case, you may encounter street flooding during particularly rainy periods, or haze blanketing the island from forest fires elsewhere in the region (particularly in August and September). These are usually minor inconveniences that pass quickly, but occasionally, the city experiences more severe weather, such as during Tropical Storm Vamei in 2001, which disrupted flights and local transportation.

12. You can drink the tap water in Singapore

There’s no need to buy bottled water in Singapore, as the tap water here is treated and perfectly safe to drink. Mother Nature will also thank you for not contributing to the region's problems with plastic waste. You’ll find that most attractions have water coolers where you can refill a reusable bottle while you’re out and about during the day.