8 ESSENTIAL TIPS BEFORE TRAVELLING TO SINGAPORE

Located one-degree to the north of the Equator, Singapore enjoys a tropical climate with no distinctive seasons. It rains any time of year, though – with particularly heavy thunderstorms during the monsoon season, or around November to early February – so do as the locals do and have a light umbrella on hand, lest the skies open. 

Air pollution in Singapore can reach unhealthy levels during certain periods, thanks to the haze carried over from Indonesia’s annual forest fires. For the latest haze updates, look to the National Environment Agency’s dedicated page. If you’ve already booked your trip, consider planning an indoor itinerary – whether to check out some of Singapore’s best museums, sample a taste of Marina Bay Sands’ finest at one of these celebrity restaurants, brush up on your general knowledge at the Science Centre or explore the air-conditioned Cloud Forest and Flower Dome within Gardens by the Bay.

Temperatures in Singapore range between 29 to 33 degrees Celcius in the day, and 24-28 degrees Celcius by night. As a general guide, dress in loose and casual clothing – but bring along a shawl or cardigan, since it can get chilly in malls, movie theatres and on public transport. While most places in Singapore adopt relaxed dress codes, some restaurants and clubs only admit male patrons wearing covered shoes and long trousers. A handful of upscale venues also maintain a strict "no effort, no entry" dress policy. Standard corporate attire is expected for business meetings, and at places of worship, it’s best to dress conservatively. You may also have to remove your shoes before entering.

Public transport is easy, cheap, safe and reliable in Singapore. Purchase an RFID EZ-Link or Nets Flash Pay card from one of these locations. This stored-value card can be topped up at Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations, most ATM machines and 7-Eleven convenience stores, and are valid for use on public buses and the MRT – which is really all you need to get ’round Singapore. Familiarise yourself with the MRT map so you won’t hit a bumper while attempting to switch between different train lines – or approach a uniformed staff at train stations for help. If you’re keener on taxi services, ride-hailing app Grab is a great alternative, with instant and advance booking options at generally reasonable prices. To avoid getting caught in a jam, we recommend sticking to public transport during peak hours: 8am to 9am, and 6pm to 7.30pm.

Dengue is endemic to the country, so go liberal with the mosquito repellent if you’re planning on going for hikes or walks through Singapore’s more forested areas, whether the MacRitchie Treetop Walk (above) or Punggol Waterway Park. Stay hydrated – thankfully, tap water’s drinkable – with some delicious local desserts and drinks.

Apart from free Wi-Fi access in some malls, including Marina Bay Sands (search ‘Sands Hotspot’), the Wireless@SG app allows you to enjoy public Wi-Fi access in yet more areas around the island. Click here for a step-by-step registration guide.

Healthcare in Singapore, both private and public, is of excellent standard and Singapore is an ideal place to get inoculations for further regional travel. But getting treatment for an accident or medical emergency as a tourist can be costly – so be sure to have comprehensive travel health insurance before embarking on your trip here.

If you encounter any trouble while in Singapore, the local authorities are helpful and efficient. The police emergency number is 999 and the emergency ambulance can be reached at 995. In non-emergency situations, call the police hotline at 1800-225 0000. Alternatively, pop by the closest Neighbourhood Police Post for assistance.