Lying almost on the equator, Singapore is a thriving city-state that has overcome its dearth of natural resources to become one of the juggernaut economies of Asia. In the crowded streets of Chinatown, fortune tellers, calligraphers and temple worshippers are still a part of everyday life. In Little India, you can buy the best sari material, freshly ground spices or a picture of your favourite Hindu god. In the small shops of Arab Street, the cry of the imam can be heard from the nearby Sultan Mosque.
Singapore may have traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for hi-tech wizardry, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a gin sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel. It is this carefully stage-managed combination of Western modernity and treasured Eastern and colonial past that makes Singapore such an accessible slice of Asia.
Apart from visitors from China and India, most foreigners coming into Singapore do not require visas for entry and may be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore. However, it is best to consult your local consular office for the latest information with regards to coming into Singapore.
If you would like to stay in Singapore for a longer period, you may apply at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) upon your arrival. However, you should have your valid passports, onward or return tickets, onward facilities (such as visas or entry permits) to your next destination and of course, sufficient funds for your stay in Singapore.
Should you lose your passport while in Singapore, please make a police report immediately, then head to the ICA (right across from the Lavender MRT Station at 10 Kallang Road) to get a temporary visa. Finally, inform your respective embassy so that you can get through immigration when you reach home.
Women in an advanced state of pregnancy (six months or more) who intend to visit Singapore should make a prior application with the nearest Singapore overseas mission.
Travelling in Singapore is a breeze with its efficient network of public and private transportation. Car ownership in Singapore does not come cheap so the general population relies heavily on the highly affordable public transport to get around. If you are a tourist, you will be able to experience the average Singaporean domestic travel affair.
You can travel by public buses, trains, taxis or private cars. If you intend to travel by buses and trains throughout your stay, it is recommended that you get a copy of the TransitLink Guide for more information. You can purchase the guide for SGD 2 at Singapore Changi Airport upon arrival. It is also sold in most MRT stations and bus interchanges as well as major bookstores.
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is the electric-powered railway system of Singapore that spans the entire island. The comprehensive train network has three main lines - the North-South line (Jurong East to Marina Bay), the East-West line (Pasir Ris/Changi Airport to Boon Lay) and the North-East line (HarbourFront to Punggol), with a fourth line - the Circle line scheduled to be fully operational by 2011.
The Light Rail Transit (LRT) was introduced in 1999 to complement the MRT as a feeder service in some parts of Singapore to better serve the public housing residents. The LRT has three lines operating in Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol.
Travelling on these train services requires the use of the EZ-Link smartcard which can be purchased at any TransitLink Ticket Sales Office located in most MRT stations and bus interchanges.
If you are a tourist, you can purchase a single-trip card at any of the MRT and LRT stations. Fares are low, ranging from SGD 0.70 to SGD 1.90. To find out your exact fare for a single trip, you can use the fare calculator at SMRT. Train frequency is generally high with trains arriving at intervals between two and a half minutes and eight minutes. Most train stations are wheelchair friendly.
Transitlink Hotline - 1800-CALL ONE (1800-2255 663)
Bus transportation in Singapore is dominated by two major transport companies; SBS Transit and SMRT Corporation. There are more than 300 bus services covering all parts of Singapore.
Fares start from SGD0.65 and can be paid with cash (exact value) or an EZ-Link card (a stored-value smart card). You can purchase an EZ-Link card from any TransitLink Ticket Office located in most MRT stations and bus interchanges at SGD 15 (consisting of SGD 3 refundable Travel Deposit, non-refundable SGD 5 card cost and a minimum travel value of SGD 7).
If you choose to travel on buses with an EZ-Link card, do remember to tap your card on the card reader near the entrance when you board the bus, and tap it again on the card reader near the exit before you alight.
You can plan your trips around Singapore using the Journey Planner at SBS Transit.
There are over 22,000 air-conditioned taxis providing easy and comfortable travel at a reasonable cost in Singapore.
Taxi Operated by seven taxi companies and independent drivers, these taxis can be flagged down at any time of the day on any public road. You can also book a taxi via the telephone for a fee. All taxi fares are metered and usually start from SGD 2.50. Additional fees are levied when you travel through city areas (ERP charges) or if you book the taxi (booking fee). The table below gives a feel of the charges to expect but do visit the operators' website for the latest as each maintains a different fee structure.
Climate
Warm and fairly humid summer temperatures throughout the year (approximately 30ºC/86ºF during the day and 23ºC/74ºF in the evening). There is no distinct wet/dry season. Most rain falls during the northeast monsoon (November to January) and showers are usually sudden and heavy.
Sightseeing
Be sure to bring along your camera so you can take some great photos of the city for your memories. One way to see a lot of Singapore is to take one of the many tours that are offered. See the tour section of our Guide to see some suggestions. There are so many great places to see and we’ve listed ten of the top attractions.
Chinatown
Off South Bridge Road
Singapore, Singapore
Chinatown is a great way to spend the day sight seeing in Singapore. There are many wonderful shops, building and restaurants there.
Singapore Zoological Gardens
80 Mandai Lake Road
Singapore, Singapore
What a great place The Singapore Zoological Gardens. It’s huge and you may need two days to see it all. Have fun.
Boat Quay
Mouth of the Singapore River
Singapore, Singapore
The Boat Quay has wonderful restaurants where you can dine under the stars for a great experience in Singapore.
Orchard Road
Between Dhoby Ghaut and Tanglin Road,
Singapore, Singapore
The Orchard Road has so much of everything, like shopping, dining and fantastic scenery.
Night Safari
80 Mandai Lake Road
Singapore, Singapore
The Night Safari has a fantastic amount of animals. You’ll be impressed.
Fuji Ice Palace
2 Jurong East Central 1
#03-01 Jurong Entertainment Centre
Singapore, Singapore
If you like to ice skate try the Fuji Ice Palace for some fun.
Time zone
GMT+8
Language
Singapore has four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Malay is the national language in recognition of our humble beginnings as a Malay fishing village. However, with such a diverse group of people living under one roof, it is imperative that there be a common language for communication. That language is English. It is the main language of instruction in schools and is also the language of choice in commerce and administration.
Singaporeans are encouraged to be bilingual. In addition to the English language, students also take Mother Tongue (Chinese, Malay or Tamil) in schools. Thus, most Singaporeans are fluent in at least two languages.
It is common to hear Singlish (Singaporean English) spoken on the streets. Singlish is a form of English with heavy influences from Malay and Chinese dialects.]
Currency
The unit of currency is the Singapore dollar, locally referred to as the 'singdollar', which is made up of 100 cents. Singapore uses 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢ and $1 coins, while notes come in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $50, $100, $500 and $1000. Singapore also has a $10, 000 note - not that you'll see many. The Singapore dollar is, not surprisingly, a highly stable and freely convertible currency.
Essentials
Medical
The standard of medical care in Singapore is uniformly excellent and Singapore is a popular destination for medical tourism (and medical evacuations) in the region. Despite the lower prices, standards are often as good as those in the West at both public and private clinics, making this a good place to get your jabs and tabs if heading off into the jungle elsewhere. You'll still want to make sure your insurance is in order before a prolonged hospitalization and/or major surgery.
For minor ailments, head down to the nearest suburban shopping mall or HDB shopping district and look for a general practitioner (GP). They usually receive patients without appointment and can prescribe drugs on the spot, and the total cost of a consultation, medicine included, rarely exceeds $30. For larger problems, head to a hospital:
Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth (off Orchard Rd),
+65-67372666. Singapore's largest private hospital and a popular destination for medical tourists. Consultations with specialists start from $100.
Electricity
Singapore voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. On request, most hotels will provide transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage, such as 110-120 volts, 60 cycles per second. When shopping for electrical appliances, do remember to check the voltage of the item against the acceptable voltage in your home country. The power plugs used in Singapore are of the three-pin, square-shaped type.
Internet: There are Internet cafes in all major cities and tourist destinations.
Useful Numbers:
Emergency Services: 999