Quick Guide

The tropical climate here means that the Lion City enjoys warm, fairly consistent weather year-round.

Expect moderate temperatures and humidity, punctuated by short afternoon rain showers. From December to early March is monsoon season in the northeast.

Visas

Travelers from the United States do not need a visa to enter Singapore. Make sure to bring a passport with at least six months validity.

Money

The currency is Singapore dollars and ATMs are easily accessible throughout the city. Most businesses now accept international credits cards. Tipping is not necessary, although most restaurants will automatically include a 10 percent service charge on the bill.

Travel Health

Check with the Singapore Tourism Board for the latest health and safety information, including travel protocols and requirements like negative COVID-19 tests, quarantines, mask mandates, and more in connection with COVID-19. Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.

Getting Here

Fly into Changi Airport. With a butterfly park, the world’s tallest butterfly park, plus top-notch dining and entertainment options, Changi Airport has so much going for it that locals come here just for fun. Consider showing up a few hours early before your flight home in order to take in the sights and art installations.

Getting Around

Singapore’s ultra-modern public transportation system would be the envy of almost any city. The MRT is reliable, spotlessly clean and covers just about every destination. Public buses are also an excellent option, although taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced.

Local Lingo

English is widely spoken here, although Tamil, Malay, and Mandarin are all also official languages. Locals often tend to speak in Singlish, an English-based creole language that borrows from Hokkien, Malay, Cantonese, Tamil and Teochew. Expect to hear “lah” at the end of sentences. It’s a word that has no direct English equivalent, but is used for emphasis on certain phrases.

Must-Have Apps

Visit Singapore; Grab; BALIKSG

Insider Tip

The Lion City is as green as it gets. Don’t miss the chance to visit the UNESCO-lauded Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Super Tree Grove at the Gardens by the Bay, a towering haven of biodiversity plucked straight from a sci-fi film set.

The tropical climate here means that the Lion City enjoys warm, fairly consistent weather year-round.

Expect moderate temperatures and humidity, punctuated by short afternoon rain showers. From December to early March is monsoon season in the northeast.

Visas

Travelers from the United States do not need a visa to enter Singapore. Make sure to bring a passport with at least six months validity.

Money

The currency is Singapore dollars and ATMs are easily accessible throughout the city. Most businesses now accept international credits cards. Tipping is not necessary, although most restaurants will automatically include a 10 percent service charge on the bill.

Travel Health

Check with the Singapore Tourism Board for the latest health and safety information, including travel protocols and requirements like negative COVID-19 tests, quarantines, mask mandates, and more in connection with COVID-19. Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.

Getting Here

Fly into Changi Airport. With a butterfly park, the world’s tallest butterfly park, plus top-notch dining and entertainment options, Changi Airport has so much going for it that locals come here just for fun. Consider showing up a few hours early before your flight home in order to take in the sights and art installations.

Getting Around

Singapore’s ultra-modern public transportation system would be the envy of almost any city. The MRT is reliable, spotlessly clean and covers just about every destination. Public buses are also an excellent option, although taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced.

Local Lingo

English is widely spoken here, although Tamil, Malay, and Mandarin are all also official languages. Locals often tend to speak in Singlish, an English-based creole language that borrows from Hokkien, Malay, Cantonese, Tamil and Teochew. Expect to hear “lah” at the end of sentences. It’s a word that has no direct English equivalent, but is used for emphasis on certain phrases.

Must-Have Apps

Visit Singapore; Grab; BALIKSG

Insider Tip

The Lion City is as green as it gets. Don’t miss the chance to visit the UNESCO-lauded Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Super Tree Grove at the Gardens by the Bay, a towering haven of biodiversity plucked straight from a sci-fi film set.