The city-state of Singapore has undergone a process of violent change in the past couple of years. Everywhere new office buildings are being built, and today Singapore is the second richest nation in southeast Asia, exceeded only by Japan. But Singapore is much more than a center of commerce: Interesting museums, national parks, and recreational areas - Singapore has it all! In Singapore City the old fascinating Chinatown has survived this modernization, and maintained its charm in spite of the fact that it is losing ground to the grinding modern progress of the city. Moreover the country has many interesting mosques and Chinese temples.
Find your travel arrangement to Singapore here
Region and City Guides
Region:
City:
Facts
Local name
Singapore
Capital
Singapore City
Principal Languages
Chinese, Malaysian, Tamil, and Mandarin-Chinese are the official languages. Malaysian is the national language.
Principal Religion
Buddhism, Islam, and Taoism are the three main religions.
Inhabitants
4,151,264 (2000)
Government
Republic
Geography
Singapore is cmposed of more than 50 small islands. The main island is about 42 km long and 23 km wide. Most of the island used to be covered by forest, but today only 4% of it still remains, while 50% of the island has been urbanized. In the north, Singapore is connected with Malaysia by a one-kilometer long dam.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
You can visit Singapore all year around, and you don't have to worry about weather conditions because it is warm and sunny all the time. Festivals and celebrations take place all year in Singapore, and it is possible to plan your holiday according to which festivals you want to experience.
Literature
Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
Fodor's Singapore
Culture Shock! Singapore
Footprint Singapore Handbook
Frommer's Singapore & Malaysia
Fodor's Singapore
Culture Shock! Singapore
Footprint Singapore Handbook
Frommer's Singapore & Malaysia
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
The following weight and measure units are used in Singapore:
Length: metres
Weight: kilos
Temperature: Celsius
Cubic content: liters
Length: metres
Weight: kilos
Temperature: Celsius
Cubic content: liters
Photography
There are no photography restrictions in Singapore. However, you should avoid taking pictures of military installations and airports. Films and film development is inexpensive in Singapore.
Drinking water
It is safe to drink the tap water in Singapore.
Electricity
The following power sources are used in Singapore:
220-240V/Ac, 50 Hz
220-240V/Ac, 50 Hz
Behaviour
It is illegal to chew chewing gum in Singapore, and therefore it is illegal to bring it into the country. Also spitting and littering the streets, smoking in public, not flushing the toilet, crossing the street outside pedestrian crossings and the like is illegal. Violations of these regulations can result in fines of up to $1000.
Business Hours
The banks are open between 09:30 a.m. and 03:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday), and between 09:30 a.m. and 01:00 p.m. (Saturday).
The stores have different business hours, but mostly they are open between 09:00 a.m. and 06:00 p.m. all the week.
The stores have different business hours, but mostly they are open between 09:00 a.m. and 06:00 p.m. all the week.
Food and drink
Food from all over the world is served at good restaurants in Singapore. If you want to try the local cuisine, it is recommended that you visit one of the many hawkers shops where a wide variety of different dishes are served. The local cuisine is based on Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian cuisine.
Disabled travellers
There are good facilities for the disabled at most hotels and in most restaurants. On Sentosa Island you'll find special facilities for wheelchairs to enable easy mobility around the island.
Holidays
New Years Day, 1st January
Labor Day, 1st May
National Holiday, 9th August
Christmas Day, 25th December
Changing holidays:
Chinese New Year, February.
Labor Day, 1st May
National Holiday, 9th August
Christmas Day, 25th December
Changing holidays:
Chinese New Year, February.
Accommodation / Hotel
In Singapore, you can spend the night either in luxury hotels, old-fashioned Chinese hotels, or in cheap dormitories. In spite of its size, the country has countless hotels in all price categories. If you arrive in Singapore without having booked a Hotel in advance, the Singapore Hotel Association will gladly help you to find means of accommodation.
Book your Hotel in Singapore here
Book your Hotel in Singapore here
Camping
The closest you'll get to actual camping is on Pulau Island where it is possible to rent a tent for up to four persons - and on Sentosa Island where it is also possible to rent a tent.
hotels can be found in all price categories in Singapore. It is possible to stay at everything from international luxury hotels to inexpensive Chinese hotels with shared bedrooms.
Bed og breakfast or guesthouse
Most guesthouses are located on Bencoolen Street and Beach Road in Singapore City. However, this mode of accommodation is not as nice as one would imagine. Mostly the rooms are small, the water cold, and the bathroom shared!
Hostels
Instead of actual hostels, you'll find the so-called "Crash Pads", which are really public dormitories, where you can buy a bed cheaply.
Local transport
The public transport system in Singapore is extensive and efficient. The Metro, which already connects large parts of the main island, is constantly being expanded and improved. The areas not connected by the Metro are instead linked together by bus routes. If not keen on public transport it is possible to get around in one of the more than 10,000 air-conditioned taxis which operate in the country.
Planes
There are no domestic Flights available in Singapore.
Bus
Singapore has an extensive and efficient system of bus routes. Always remember to carry exact change for the fare. A Singapore Explorer Ticket allows you to use the buses as much as you like for an entire day. These tickets can be bought in kiosks and bookstores everywhere.
Trains
Trains to different destinations in Malaysia depart on a daily basis from Singapore City.
Taxi
There are more than 10,000 air-conditioned taxis in Singapore, and most of them have a meter. You do not normally hail a taxi in the street in Singapore. Instead there are cab-ranks everywhere. You are charged extra when leaving or entering the business district in the city during daytime. If a taxi is flashing a red sign with a certain destination written on it, this means that the driver is just about to quit for the day, and would prefer to make a fare towards that particular destination.
car rental
The biggest car rental companies are represented in Singapore, but since the public transportation system is both cheaper and faster, it is not worth the trouble to rent a car.
Other Transport
Singapore has a very extensive and efficient metro system that is constantly being expanded. It is both cheap and fast to use this mode of transportation.
Special conditions
In Singapore, you drive in the left side of the road.
Local calls are free of charge.
It is recommended that you drink at least six glasses of water due to the high temperatures.
Local calls are free of charge.
It is recommended that you drink at least six glasses of water due to the high temperatures.
