Making the Most of Your First Visit to Singapore

Photo by Swapnil Bapat

As one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating destinations, Singapore is a diverse island nation that always has something interesting for every traveller. Located off the southern coast of Malaysia, Singapore is rich in all aspects that span from centuries-old traditions of cuisine and hospitality to ultra modern virtual tours. This country has a little of everything that globetrotters look for! 

Whether you’re staying in Singapore for 24 hours or a week, it’s time to pack your bags and venture into this tech-savvy city. Here are some travel trips to make your first time travelling in Singapore more enjoyable:

• Go Public or ‘Grab’

Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a traveller’s best friend! The country has a well-connected public transportation network that can ease your day-to-day sightseeing. To save cash and time, check out the Singapore Tourist Pass. The pass offers unlimited rides in the MRT network based on the validity and they can span from one day up to three days. Perfect for those on a budget!

Although the MRT is great, sometimes it’s more convenient to get a car to roam around freely. But with taxis being more on the pricey side in Singapore, it’d be wiser to get the Grab app. It works just like any other online taxi services but offers features that not only accommodate your needs, but also personalise your riding service. It’s a local must-have app!

• Have Travel Insurance

There can be many potential risks when travelling without insurance!  If you run into problems while travelling, like losing your wallet or getting badly injured, you can rest assured knowing that you’re covered with your travel insurance. From assisting with lost or delayed luggage to medical expenses, cancelled flights or more, you’ll find that having the right travel insurance will ease your troubles while visiting Singapore. It’s definitely worth your while.

• Go for Local F&B

Travellers relish the cuisine in Singapore! Fine-dining is not something you go for everyday, after all. Go for the local hot spots – the food courts and hawker stalls! You can spot plenty of them in ChinaTown and Marina Bay. Chicken Rice, Chilli Crab and Laksa (a spicy noodle soup) are all global Singaporean delicacies to be included in your foodie checklist.

• Be an Early Bird at Tourist Spots

Photo by Bna Ignacio

As you might have guessed, there are a variety of tourist attractions in Singapore that you can pick and choose from for your itinerary. The Gardens and SuperTree Grove are free to visit and they open at 5am, but they can get quite busy throughout the day. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest open up at 9 a.m., so be there about 15 minutes early so you’re among the first ones to purchase tickets. Follow this rule of thumb at Universal Studios and Singapore Zoo too, if these ‘Must Visit’ attractions are in your list!

• Alcohol at ‘Happy Hours’

Alcohol is quite pricey in Singapore. You’ll find cocktails for $22 SGD ($16.50 USD) at trendy spots downtown and beers in neighbourhood bars for as much as $10 SGD ($7.50 USD). Happy hour is the time you can look forward to; from around 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., they offer great deals on drinks of all kinds at most bars, helping you leverage your budget!

• Get Unlimited Internet

There are many restaurants and cafés in Singapore with Wi-Fi. But if you think that you can get by with an internet connection from cafes everyday, think again! You could be paying much more than simply getting an internet service provider. There are a few easy and affordable service providers available in Singapore that you can use; it’ll save you the money, time and effort you’d need to sit in a cafe for a long period of time.

• Be Prepared for the Weather

Singapore is hot and humid all-year-round. 90 degrees (°F) is usual for Singaporeans. You will rarely see nighttime lows dip below 75 degrees (°F). This doesn’t happen very often. Aside from the heat, you’d also need to keep the monsoon seasons in mind. Bring light clothes and be sure to bring a rain jacket.

The city-state of Singapore is small, and easy to navigate. However, to help make your first visit to Singapore as smooth as possible, follow the tips above and most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!