Guide: Singapore
Singapore is nothing less than elaborate and extravagant. It’s full of Asian flavors and culture but also home to many expats — because of this, it’s considered a great starting place for westerners who want to experience Asia but not sure where to start.
Arriving
To get to Singapore, fly into the famous Changi Airport. You may have heard of this airport because it’s been dubbed the best airort in the world. With a movie theater, mall, and rooftop pool it is actually a hangout destination for my Singaporeans.
Since Singapore is a business hub, there are many direct flights but you should know that from the US, it takes about 17 hours. It’s also good to make Singapore your hub if you plan to travel elsewhere in Asia because since it is serviced by so many airlines, the flights out are actually cheaper than if you were to fly from, say, Kuala Lumpur.
If you are a US Citizen, you don’t need a visa to get into Singapore but make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to enter other countries in the region. You do not need a visa for tourist or business visits up to 90 days. More details for US Citizens can be found here.
Once you get through customs and immigration, you can either take a taxi or take the train (MRT) to your destination. I highly recommend taking the MRT since it is cheap, fast, and convenient. Just remember to bring some cash with since cards are not accepted when buying a ticket.
If you don’t want to take public transportation, remember that is no Uber, but Grab works well. Download it from the app store.
Money
Ideally you have a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred — most establishments take credit cards but many street vendors do not so do carry some cash. The local currency is the Singapore Dollar.
$1 SGD = $.73 USD
You will either need to use your credit card or the local currency as foreign currency is not widely accepted.
Language
Singapore is “western-friendly” because almost everyone speaks English. In fact, English is an official language of Singapore.
The other official languages are Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. These languages reflect the main ethnic groups of Singapore.
Transport
To get around Singapore, MRT (the train) truly is the best option. The trains come once every three minutes, they’re clean, and they’re punctual. Singapore is a super small city so it is all connected by MRT (mostly). Simply find a station by looking for a colored sign, usually with an escalator that takes down to the train, and then find a ticket kiosk. Select the destination and you will be prompted to pay the fare for that destination. It is usually just a few bucks each way so use the MRT and save your dollars for an over-priced drink atop the Marina Bay Sands.
Power and Internet
You should always bring a universal adapter whenever you travel. In Singapore the power plugs and sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. This is the same as what they use in the UK so if you are visiting from the US, you definitely need an adapter.
You won’t need VPN in Singapore but don’t be surprised if your activity is monitored.
Dynamics
You’ve probably heard that you can’t spit on the street in Singapore and that’s basically true. There is virtually no crime in Singapore because any one who commits a crime faces harsh punishment. Though, much like America, depending on your race, you have some flexibility here.
It’s difficult to pin point what “Singaporean” is. To many, it means Chinese Singaporean, however the Malay and Indian populations are very large. In fact, Little India is essentially its own district and it is filled with (you guessed it) Indians! That being said, the different groups don’t really mesh. You will rarely see a Chinese Singaporean hang out with an Indian Singaporean. Have you seen Crazy Rich Asians? The only Indians in that movie worked for the Chinese family — they weren’t equals.
There’s also much concern around free speech and coloring outside of the lines in general. As a tourist, Singapore is a great place to visit but definitely follow the local laws because you won’t be immune to them.
Where to stay
I personally stay in the Champion Hotel City in Chinatown. It is really central, near good eats, and near the MRT. It’s far from fancy but it has the most reasonable prices in all of Singapore, especially for the location. You can get your own room for under $100 USD — a steal in pricey SG!
There are, of course, more lavish hotels such as the Fullerton Bay Hotel ($459 USD/night) and the famous Marina Bay Sands (MBS) ($364 USD/night). These hotels aren’t the most convenient but they are bay front with beautiful views and interiors.
Generally, staying in Little India is your cheapest option for those looking to be in the middle of the hustle and bustle but not looking to pay an arm and a leg.
Places to go
Gardens by the Bay has a free light show every night and Marina Bay, just across the way, does as well. There’s not much else in the area but the gardens are vast and you can walk around for free unless you want to get into the flower dome (that’ll cost you).
Little India is beautiful for the Insta, especially around November when Deepvali celebrations are happening. The streets are decorated with colors to make the already-beautiful district even more stunning.
The botanical gardens are far but easily accessible by MRT. It’s free to roam these massive grounds (you’ll have to pay to get into the orchid area) and it’s a great place to have a picnic.
Orchard Road is a fancy district for those excited to shop willing to splurge on the luxurious and finer things in life.
Chinatown is filled with good and cheap eats, including the famous Michelin starred food cart — enjoy a Michelin meal for under $2!
Food and Drink Reviews
