Singapore Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Singapore is one of Asia’s easiest and most efficient places to start or finish a trip. It is clean, safe, modern, and incredibly well connected, yet still full of character—historic shophouses in Chinatown and Kampong Glam, hawker centres serving Michelin-level dishes for a few dollars, lush gardens and waterfront walks, and a skyline anchored by Marina Bay Sands. Because it is compact, you can see a lot in a few days, and public transport makes it stress-free. It is also a foodie paradise and a shopping stop, but it is not the cheapest city in Southeast Asia, so arriving with a realistic budget, a plan for getting around, and an understanding of local rules (from chewing gum to smoking areas) will make your visit smoother. This guide is for first-time tourists who want practical, SEO-friendly information to get the most out of Singapore.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

• Marina Bay: Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum, Merlion Park, Helix Bridge, and the nightly light/water shows.
• Gardens by the Bay: Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome—one of Singapore’s must-see attractions.
• Sentosa Island: Beaches, cable car, Universal Studios Singapore, SEA Aquarium, and resorts—a good family add-on.
• Chinatown: Temples, heritage shophouses, souvenir streets, and hawker food.
• Little India: Colorful streets, Mustafa Centre, temples, and Indian food.
• Kampong Glam / Arab Street / Haji Lane: Sultan Mosque, street art, indie shops, and cafés.
• Orchard Road: Malls, shopping, and dining.
• Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO): Green escape and National Orchid Garden.

Good to Know

• When to go: Singapore is equatorial—hot and humid all year (27–33°C) with brief tropical showers. There is no real “bad” month.
• Clean & orderly: Littering, smoking outside designated areas, and some other offenses can be fined—follow the signs.
• Tap water: Safe to drink.
• Hawker centres: One of the best things about Singapore—cheap, clean, local food with government hygiene grading. Look for popular stalls.
• Cultural mix: Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan influences are everywhere—respect religious sites and modest dress codes.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD).

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD is often around SGD 1.30–1.40, 1 EUR around SGD 1.40–1.50, but check a live rate just before you arrive.

Average daily budget (approx.):

• Backpacker: 45–70 USD/day – hostel, hawker food, MRT/bus, a couple of low-cost attractions.
• Midrange: 90–180 USD/day – 3–4 star hotel, restaurants + hawker mix, Sentosa/paid attractions, some shopping.
• Luxury: 220–400+ USD/day – Marina Bay Sands or central luxury hotel, fine dining, rooftop bars, taxis/grab.

Tipping: Not compulsory. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge plus GST; if so, additional tipping is optional. Tip hotel porters or exceptional service if you like.

Credit card acceptance: Excellent. Visa, Mastercard, and Amex widely accepted, even at many hawker centres via stored-value cards or QR. Still, small cash is useful.

ATMs: Everywhere—Changi Airport, MRT stations, malls. Use ATMs from major banks (DBS/POSB, UOB, OCBC, HSBC, Standard Chartered) to keep it simple.

Best way to get local cash: Withdraw a small amount of SGD at the airport/ATM with a low-fee card, then pay by card or contactless (Apple Pay/Google Pay) whenever possible.

Language & Communication

• Official languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.
• English: De facto working and tourism language—first-time visitors find Singapore very easy linguistically.
• Local flavor: You may hear “Singlish,” a local English-based creole—friendly and informal.

SIM cards / eSIM

• Main operators: Singtel, StarHub, and M1.
• Where to buy: Changi Airport terminals, official telco shops, and many 7-Eleven shops. Bring your passport for registration.
• Tourist eSIM: Widely available—buy online and activate on landing.
• Coverage: Excellent across the island, including MRT and most indoor spaces.

Power Plugs & Voltage

• Voltage: 230V, 50 Hz.
• Plugs: Type G (three rectangular pins, same as the U.K.). Bring an adapter if your plugs are different.

Getting Around

• MRT (Mass Rapid Transit): Clean, safe, fast, and air-conditioned. Easily connects Changi Airport with the city. Get a Singapore Tourist Pass or use contactless/credit card directly at the gate.
• Buses: Extensive network and very affordable.
• Taxis & ride-hailing: Taxis are reliable; ride-hailing (Grab, Gojek) is very common and often similar in price—great at night or with luggage.
• Walking: Often practical in the central area (Marina Bay, Civic District, Chinatown), but remember the heat—carry water.
• From Changi Airport: MRT, taxi, Grab, or airport shuttle—all easy.

Safety

• Overall: Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world—very low violent crime.
• What to watch: Occasional pickpocketing in crowded tourist/retail areas. Keep valuables close.
• Laws: Drug laws are extremely strict; smoking/vaping is regulated; follow signage for eating/drinking on public transport (fines apply).
• Health: Tap water is safe; food hygiene is high—even hawker food is generally safe.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

• Overpriced “tourist” shops: Rare, but confirm prices in electronics or tailor shops before purchase.
• Taxi detours: Uncommon—cabs are regulated, but you can always ask for the metered fare or use ride-hailing.
• Hawker seat holding: Normal to “chope” tables with tissues or items—respect reserved seats.

Base yourself near an MRT line, eat at hawker centres daily, and mix modern (Marina Bay, Sentosa) with heritage (Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam) for the perfect first trip to Singapore.