Arriving in Style: Changi Airport and the Jewel
Singapore makes its first impression before you even clear immigration. Changi has been voted the best airport in the world more times than any rival, and it treats a stopover like a destination in its own right: there is a free 24-hour cinema, a butterfly garden, and a rooftop swimming pool at Terminal 1 where you can do a few laps between flights. The star attraction is Jewel, a vast glass dome connected to Terminal 1, where the 40-metre Rain Vortex, the tallest indoor waterfall on the planet, pours through a forest of real trees. One piece of admin before you fly: every traveller must submit the free SG Arrival Card online within three days before landing, so fill it in at home and save yourself the queue.
Getting Around: The MRT Is Your Best Friend
The MRT is clean, punctual, air-conditioned and cheap, which in a city this hot feels like pure luxury. A single ride costs roughly SGD 1 to 2.50 depending on distance, and trains run from around 5:30 in the morning until 23:30 or midnight. You do not need to buy paper tickets: simply tap in and out with any contactless bank card, or pick up an EZ-Link stored-value card if you prefer a local travel card. The network reaches almost every sight, from Gardens by the Bay to Little India and the gateway to Sentosa.
For everything the trains do not cover, use Grab, Southeast Asia's answer to Uber. Fares are fixed in the app before you ride, drivers are plentiful even late at night, and it is usually cheaper and far more predictable than flagging down a classic taxi on the street.
Money: Currency, Budgets and Why You Should Not Tip
The currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD). Cards and mobile payments are accepted nearly everywhere, though some hawker stalls still prefer cash. Tipping is simply not practised: restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the bill and nobody expects a cent on top. For budgeting, count on SGD 30-50 for a hostel bed, 150-250 for a solid mid-range hotel, 4-6 for a legendary hawker-centre meal and 25 and up for a sit-down restaurant. The golden rule: eat at hawker centres, and Singapore, famous for being expensive, suddenly becomes remarkably affordable.
Climate: Eternal Summer with Daily Plot Twists
Singapore sits almost exactly on the equator, so the weather script never changes: 30-33 degrees Celsius every single day of the year, high humidity, and short tropical downpours that arrive with theatrical force and vanish twenty minutes later. Pack light, breathable clothes, carry a compact umbrella or a cheap poncho, and schedule air-conditioned breaks in malls and museums during the early afternoon heat. Tap water is perfectly safe to drink, so a refillable bottle will save you money for the whole trip.
The Famous Laws: What Will Actually Get You Fined
Singapore's reputation for strict rules is well earned, but they are easy to respect once you know them:
- Chewing gum - importing and selling it is banned, so leave your stash at home.
- Littering - fines are steep and can exceed SGD 1000; the spotless streets are no accident.
- Eating and drinking on the MRT - forbidden, with fines up to SGD 500, and yes, that includes your takeaway coffee.
- Durian - the famously pungent king of fruits has its own prohibition sign on trains; admire it at a market stall instead.
- Jaywalking - crossing away from designated crossings is an offence, and locals genuinely wait for the green man.
- Drugs - Singapore has some of the harshest drug laws in the world; this topic is simply not negotiable.
Practical Essentials Before You Go
Power sockets are the British type G, so continental Europeans need an adapter. A tourist SIM or eSIM is easiest to arrange right at Changi, where kiosks compete for your attention in the arrival halls. Shoppers should keep their receipts: the GST tax-refund scheme lets tourists claim back tax on larger purchases at the airport before departure. Above all, relax: Singapore is consistently ranked among the safest cities in the world, and solo travellers, families and night owls can wander at any hour with complete peace of mind.