The Ultimate Travel Guide to Singapore: The Lion City

Singapore. The gleaming jewel of Southeast Asia. A futuristic city-state where towering skyscrapers meet lush gardens, where Michelin-starred restaurants coexist with humble hawker stalls serving $3 meals, and where East meets West in the most harmonious and fascinating way possible.

Often dismissed as "expensive" or "sterile" by backpackers rushing through Southeast Asia, Singapore deserves far more credit than it gets. Yes, it's pricier than Thailand or Vietnam, but it's also safer, cleaner, more efficient, and packed with incredible food, culture, and experiences that you simply can't find anywhere else in the region.

This tiny island nation punches far above its weight. In just 730 square kilometers, you'll find a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western cultures, some of the world's best street food, stunning modern architecture, pockets of pristine nature, and a level of organization that makes traveling here an absolute breeze.

Here's everything you need to know before visiting Singapore.

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Table of Contents

• How To Get To Singapore
• Where To Stay in Singapore
• How To Get Around
• The Best Things To Do
• Food Guide: Hawker Centers & Must-Try Dishes
• Neighborhood Guide
• Day Trips & Nearby Islands
• Budget Tips for Singapore
• Essential Tips

How To Get To Singapore

Changi Airport (SIN) is one of the world's best airports and a major hub for Southeast Asia. You'll find direct flights from virtually everywhere, and it's often a convenient stopover point when flying between Europe/North America and Australia/New Zealand.

Budget airlines like Scoot, AirAsia, and Jetstar offer affordable flights to Singapore from neighboring countries. If you're island-hopping through Southeast Asia, flying into Singapore is often cheaper and more convenient than you'd expect.

From Malaysia: You can also enter Singapore by bus or train from Malaysia. The bus from Kuala Lumpur takes about 5-6 hours and costs around $10-20. Many travelers take the bus from Johor Bahru (just across the border) which takes about an hour including immigration.

Airport to City: Changi Airport is incredibly well-connected to the city. The MRT (metro) takes about 30 minutes to reach the city center and costs just $2-3. Taxis are also affordable (around $20-30) and convenient if you have heavy luggage. The airport even has free city tours if you have a long layover!

Visa Requirements: Many nationalities get visa-free entry for 30-90 days. Check Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website for your specific country's requirements.

Where To Stay in Singapore

Singapore is compact and well-connected, so most areas are convenient. Here's where to stay based on your budget and interests:

Budget ($30-80/night)

Hostels in Little India & Bugis

• Great for backpackers and solo travelers
• Close to MRT stations
• Authentic local neighborhoods
• Recommendations: The Pod Boutique Capsule Hotel, Footprints Hostel, Beary Best Hostel

Chinatown Hostels

• Central location with great food options
• Walking distance to many attractions
• Vibrant neighborhood
• Recommendations: The Hive Backpackers' Hostel, Woke Home Capsule Hotel

Mid-Range ($80-200/night)

Bugis & Kampong Glam

• Hipster cafes, boutique shops, and great food
• Arab Street and Haji Lane are incredibly Instagram-worthy
• Excellent MRT access
• Recommendations: Hotel Boss, Wanderlust Hotel

Tiong Bahru

• Charming neighborhood with pre-war architecture
• Trendy cafes and local markets
• More residential and quieter
• Recommendations: Link Hotel, boutique guesthouses

Luxury ($200+/night)

Marina Bay

• Iconic views and world-class hotels
• Walking distance to Gardens by the Bay
• Marina Bay Sands, Raffles Hotel, Mandarin Oriental
• Recommendations: Marina Bay Sands (for the experience), The Fullerton Hotel

Sentosa Island

• Beach resort vibe
• Family-friendly with Universal Studios nearby
• Recommendations: Capella Singapore, W Singapore

Pro Tip: Even budget travelers should consider splurging on one night at Marina Bay Sands for the famous infinity pool and rooftop bar experience.

How To Get Around Singapore

Singapore's public transportation is world-class—clean, efficient, air-conditioned, and incredibly affordable.

MRT & LRT (Metro)

The backbone of Singapore's public transport. The MRT covers the entire island with color-coded lines that are easy to navigate. Trains run from 5:30am to midnight, with extended hours on weekends.

Get an EZ-Link card or Singapore Tourist Pass:

• EZ-Link card: $5 deposit + top-up amount, works on all public transport
• Singapore Tourist Pass: Unlimited travel for 1-3 days ($10-20)

Buses

Extensive network that complements the MRT. Google Maps works perfectly for navigation and will tell you exactly which bus to take.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing

Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber) is widely used and affordable. Taxis are also reliable and metered. Expect to pay $8-20 for most trips within the city.

Walking

Singapore is incredibly walkable, especially in areas like Marina Bay, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, and Little India. The city is pedestrian-friendly with covered walkways and well-maintained sidewalks.

Bicycles

Some neighborhoods have bike-sharing programs (like SG Bike), but Singapore's heat and humidity make cycling less popular than in other cities.

Pro Tip: Download the MyTransport app for real-time public transport information.

The Best Things To Do in Singapore

Gardens by the Bay

Singapore's most iconic attraction and absolutely unmissable. This futuristic garden complex features the famous Supertree Grove (massive tree-like structures that light up at night), Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome conservatories.

Tips:

• Visit in late afternoon to see the gardens in daylight and stay for the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show (7:45pm and 8:45pm, free)
• The conservatories (Cloud Forest & Flower Dome) require admission ($28), but the outdoor gardens and Supertree Grove are free
• The OCBC Skyway between the Supertrees offers amazing views ($14)

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

The iconic hotel with the rooftop infinity pool and observation deck. If you're not staying at the hotel (pool is guests-only), you can still visit the observation deck for incredible 360° views of Singapore's skyline.

Tips:

• Observation deck tickets: $28 for adults
• Visit at sunset for the best lighting
• The rooftop bar CÉ LA VI is accessible to non-guests (expensive drinks, but you're paying for the view)

Sentosa Island

Singapore's island resort getaway, connected to the mainland by bridge, cable car, or monorail. Sentosa is home to beaches, Universal Studios, the SEA Aquarium, and numerous attractions.

Must-do experiences:

• Universal Studios Singapore - Smaller than other Universal parks but still fun ($81 entry)
• S.E.A. Aquarium - One of the world's largest aquariums ($41 entry)
• Siloso Beach - The best beach on Sentosa for relaxing and beach bars
• Skyline Luge - Fun downhill luge ride with great views
• Cable Car - Scenic ride offering amazing harbor and city views

Pro Tip: Sentosa can easily eat your budget. Pick 1-2 attractions rather than trying to do everything.

Singapore Zoo, Night Safari & River Wonders

Singapore's wildlife parks are world-class. The Night Safari is particularly unique—the world's first nocturnal wildlife park where you can see animals in their nighttime habitats.

Which to visit:

• Singapore Zoo - Daytime, open concept zoo with excellent enclosures ($42)
• Night Safari - Evening safari with tram rides and walking trails ($55)
• River Wonders - Freshwater habitats featuring pandas and manatees ($40)
• Bird Paradise - New bird park that replaced Jurong Bird Park ($48)

Pro Tip: Multi-park tickets offer discounts if you want to visit more than one park.

Explore the Cultural Neighborhoods

Chinatown

• Ornate temples like Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• Bustling street markets on Pagoda Street
• Traditional shophouses and modern street art
• Chinatown Food Street for hawker food

Little India

• Vibrant, colorful streets bursting with life
• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
• Tekka Centre wet market and hawker center
• Shop for textiles, spices, and gold jewelry

Kampong Glam (Arab Quarter)

• Sultan Mosque with its golden dome
• Haji Lane - narrow alley with hipster cafes, boutiques, and street art
• Arab Street for Middle Eastern restaurants and shisha bars
• Malay Heritage Centre for cultural insights

Walk Through the Southern Ridges

A 10km trail connecting parks and nature reserves with incredible canopy walks and forest views. The Henderson Waves bridge is particularly stunning—a wave-shaped pedestrian bridge 36 meters above the ground.

Pro Tip: Start early morning to avoid the heat. The walk from Mount Faber to Kent Ridge Park takes about 3-4 hours.

Visit Pulau Ubin

Escape Singapore's urban jungle for a day trip to Pulau Ubin, a rustic island that feels like stepping back in time. Rent a bicycle and explore the island's kampong (village) vibes, mangroves, and Chek Jawa wetlands.

How to get there: Take a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal ($4 each way, 10-minute ride).

Clarke Quay & Boat Quay

Historic riverside area now filled with restaurants, bars, and clubs. Clarke Quay comes alive at night with its waterfront dining and entertainment. Take a river cruise for a different perspective of the city ($25-30).

The Jewel at Changi Airport

Even if you're not flying, visit Changi Airport's Jewel complex for the stunning indoor Rain Vortex (world's tallest indoor waterfall), Canopy Park, and excellent shopping. It's free to visit the waterfall area, and there are free light shows every hour after 7:30pm.

Merlion Park

Singapore's most famous (and arguably most overrated) photo op. The Merlion statue spouting water into Marina Bay is iconic, even if it's a bit kitsch. It's free, quick, and worth the photo if you're nearby.

Food Guide: Hawker Centers & Must-Try Dishes

Singapore's food scene is legendary. This is where you'll find some of the world's best street food, Michelin-starred hawker stalls, and a mind-blowing fusion of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan cuisines.

Must-Try Dishes

Hainanese Chicken Rice - Singapore's unofficial national dish. Poached chicken with fragrant rice, chili sauce, and ginger paste. Try it at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (Maxwell Food Centre) or Boon Tong Kee.

Chili Crab - Sweet, savory, spicy crab in thick tomato-chili gravy. Messy and delicious. Try it at Jumbo Seafood or No Signboard Seafood ($40-60 for a whole crab).

Laksa - Spicy coconut curry noodle soup with seafood. A perfect blend of Chinese and Malay flavors. Try 328 Katong Laksa or Sungei Road Laksa.

Char Kway Teow - Flat rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, Chinese sausage, seafood, and bean sprouts. Try Hill Street Char Kway Teow or Outram Park Fried Kway Teow.

Satay - Grilled skewers (chicken, beef, mutton) with peanut sauce. Lau Pa Sat hawker center is famous for its satay street that comes alive at night.

Roti Prata - Indian flatbread served with curry. Try it at The Roti Prata House or Mr. and Mrs. Mohgan's Super Crispy Roti Prata.

Bak Kut Teh - Peppery pork rib soup, traditionally eaten for breakfast. Try Song Fa Bak Kut Teh or Founder Bak Kut Teh.

Hokkien Mee - Stir-fried noodles with prawns, squid, pork, and egg. Try Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Hokkien Mee.

Kaya Toast - Traditional breakfast of toasted bread with kaya (coconut jam) and butter, served with soft-boiled eggs. Try Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

Best Hawker Centers

Maxwell Food Centre - Chinatown's most famous hawker center, home to Tian Tian Chicken Rice and multiple other legendary stalls.

Lau Pa Sat - Historic Victorian-era market in the Financial District. Satay street comes alive at night.

Tekka Centre - Little India's best hawker center for authentic Indian food.

Old Airport Road Food Centre - Local favorite, less touristy, with excellent variety.

Newton Food Centre - Famous but touristy. Go for the experience, but watch out for overpricing.

Tiong Bahru Market - Hipster neighborhood's hawker center with both traditional and modern food stalls.

Chomp Chomp Food Centre - Open-air hawker center, excellent for satay and barbecue seafood.

Pro Tips:

• Most dishes cost $3-7 at hawker centers
• Look for long queues—they usually indicate the best stalls
• Chope (reserve) your table by leaving a packet of tissues before ordering
• Hawker centers are cash-only or use cashless payment options
• Don't be afraid to share tables during busy times

Budget Tips for Singapore

Yes, Singapore is expensive compared to other Southeast Asian countries, but you can absolutely visit on a budget:

Accommodation

• Stay in hostels in Little India or Chinatown ($20-40/night)
• Book in advance for better rates
• Consider staying in Johor Bahru, Malaysia and crossing into Singapore daily (extremely budget option)

Food

• Eat at hawker centers for 90% of your meals ($3-7 per meal)
• Supermarket sandwiches and snacks from 7-Eleven
• Refill water bottles (tap water is safe to drink)
• Avoid tourist restaurants in Marina Bay

Attractions

• Many top attractions are free: Gardens by the Bay (outdoor), Supertrees, Merlion, cultural neighborhoods, walking trails
• Visit free museums on specific days
• Walk everywhere possible to save on transport

Transport

• Get an EZ-Link card and use public transport exclusively
• Walk when possible—Singapore is compact
• Skip taxis and use the MRT

Daily Budget Estimates:

• Budget: $50-80/day (hostel, hawker food, public transport, free attractions)
• Mid-range: $120-200/day (budget hotel, mix of hawker and restaurants, some paid attractions)
• Luxury: $300+/day (nice hotel, fine dining, taxis, all attractions)

Day Trips from Singapore

Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Just across the border, JB (as locals call it) offers a taste of Malaysia. Visit for cheaper shopping, Legoland Malaysia, and authentic Malaysian food. Cross via the Causeway by bus.

Batam & Bintan Islands, Indonesia

Quick ferry rides (45 minutes to 1 hour) to these Indonesian islands. Batam is more developed with shopping and golf. Bintan has beautiful beaches and resorts. Ferries depart from HarbourFront or Tanah Merah ferry terminal.

Tioman Island, Malaysia

A bit further (4-hour ferry) but worth it for pristine beaches, diving, and a tropical island escape. Great for a weekend getaway.

Essential Tips for Singapore

Weather

• Hot and humid year-round (25-32°C)
• No distinct dry season—rain can happen anytime
• Peak tourist season: December-January, June-July
• Consider visiting during shoulder season (March-May, September-November) for fewer crowds

Safety

• Singapore is one of the world's safest cities
• Violent crime is extremely rare
• Petty theft is uncommon but still be cautious in crowded areas

Laws to Know

• Littering: $300-1000 fine
• Chewing gum: Not banned, but importing it for sale is illegal
• Jaywalking: $50 fine
• Smoking: Only in designated areas, $200-1000 fine for illegal smoking
• Drugs: Extremely severe penalties including death penalty
• Vandalism: Caning and jail time

Money

• Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)
• Credit cards widely accepted
• ATMs everywhere
• Hawker centers are usually cash-only
• Tipping is not expected

Language

• Official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
• English is widely spoken everywhere
• You'll often hear Singlish—local English dialect with unique slang

What to Pack

• Light, breathable clothes (it's always hot)
• Light jacket for heavily air-conditioned places
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Umbrella or light rain jacket
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Power adapter (Type G, three-pin UK-style)

Internet & SIM Cards

• Free WiFi in many public places, shopping malls, and MRT stations
• Get a tourist SIM card at the airport (Singtel, StarHub, M1)
• $15-30 for a week of data

Cultural Etiquette

• Singapore is multicultural—be respectful of all cultures and religions
• Remove shoes when entering temples, mosques, and some homes
• Use your right hand when eating or giving/receiving items (left hand is considered unclean in Malay and Indian cultures)
• Dress modestly when visiting religious sites

Conclusion

Singapore might not have the backpacker vibe of Bangkok or the beach paradise feel of Bali, but what it offers is unique and utterly captivating. This tiny island nation has perfected the art of blending cultures, cuisines, and modern innovation with nature and heritage.

From devouring chicken rice at a hawker center to marveling at the futuristic Gardens by the Bay, from exploring colorful ethnic neighborhoods to sipping cocktails at rooftop bars with million-dollar views, Singapore packs an incredible amount of experiences into its small footprint.

Yes, it's more expensive than neighboring countries, but the value you get—in terms of cleanliness, safety, efficiency, and sheer quality of experiences—makes it worth every dollar. Whether you're spending two days or two weeks, Singapore will surprise, delight, and leave you wanting more.

So book that flight, bring your appetite, and prepare to fall in love with the Lion City.

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Planning your trip to Singapore? Search for cheap flights or browse our other Southeast Asia travel guides for more destination inspiration.