Singapore Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Practical tips for Singapore

• Any contactless card taps directly on MRT gates — no separate card needed for tourists.

• Return your hawker tray — enforced since 2021 with S$300 fines.

• Singapore Sling is a tourist ritual at Raffles Hotel Long Bar (S$40) — expect queues.

Staying safe and comfortable

Local emergency number: 999.

• One of the world's safest cities — violent crime extremely rare.

• Strict drug laws — possession of small quantities can carry the death penalty.

• Emergency 999 (police), 995 (ambulance/fire).

Visas and entry

Entry policy: mixed, typically up to 90 days. Most Western, GCC, Japanese, Korean and Chinese passport holders enter visa-free for 30–90 days. All arrivals must submit an SG Arrival Card online within 3 days before entry.

Budgeting your trip

Accommodation is the largest controllable cost in Singapore. Compare live rates for your dates and neighbourhood shortlist before locking in flights — the difference between areas is often larger than the difference between travel weeks.