Singapore is a city-state known to tourists as 'Instant Asia' because it offers tourists the opportunity to experience Asian cultures brought by immigrants from across the continent. The republic consists of a main island and some 64 smaller offshore islands, including Sentosa, Pulau Ubin, St John's and Sisters Islands.

In addition to tourism, the country is famous for being a global financial centre, one of the most densely populated places in the world and a world-class city airport with a waterfall and botanical garden listed as a World Heritage Site.

From 1 April 2022, fully vaccinated travellers can travel to Singapore without quarantine through simplified COVID-19 measures and explore the island with peace of mind. Read the article below for details and to make your trip unforgettable.

How to get there

Changi International Airport, Singapore's main airport, is considered the best in the world. It is connected to all major cities in the world by scheduled flights. Singapore Airlines is the national airline providing direct flights to and from many countries around the world. If your airport transit time is five hours or more, you can sign up for a two-hour city tour.

Flights tend to be expensive during July and August, Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.

Location: Changi district, about 30 km from the city centre. You can easily take a taxi from the airport to any part of Singapore.

Local transport

With a wide range of well-organised transport systems, Singapore is one of the easiest cities in Asia to get around. 

MRT: Mass Rapid Transit, or simply the underground, is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around the island. The underground starts operating at 05:30 in the morning and runs until midnight. Trains run at a frequency of 2-3 minutes during peak hours and 5-7 minutes the rest of the time. A single MRT ride can cost between SG1.40 and SG2.50 plus a refundable deposit of SG1. However, if you plan to stay for at least a week, the best option is the EZ-Link card, which can be purchased at the customer service desk for S$10 (+ a non-refundable deposit of S$5). An alternative is the Singapore Tourist Pass, which offers unlimited use of buses and trains (costing S$10 + S$10 refundable deposit).

Visa requirements

Most foreigners do not need a tourist visa to enter Singapore. Visitors with passports from countries that do not have visa-free travel with the city-state can apply for a tourist visa online at the Immigration and Checkpoints website. You can also check the visa requirements for your country on the website.

Documents required

All visitors to Singapore must meet the following entry requirements:

• Valid travel document (minimum validity of 6 months at the time of departure);
• Confirmed return tickets;
• Sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in Singapore; and
• Entry visa to Singapore (if applicable);
• Yellow fever vaccination for nationals of at-risk countries.

Places worth visiting

Gardens by the Bay – a 101-hectare nature park and botanical garden. It is home to almost 4,000,000 plants and the park is famous for its amazing groves of 'supertrees', aerial tracks, Flower Dome and the hypnotic Garden Rhapsody, a light and sound show.

The Singapore Botanic Garden – the only tropical garden on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The 82-hectare garden is home to more than 10,000 species of flowering plants and trees. Major attractions include the National Orchid Garden and the Jacob Ballas Nursery.

Singapore Zoo – one of the best zoos in the world and is famous for having the largest colony of orangutans in the world. A plus for travellers with children is Rainforest Kidzworld, a technical playground for the little ones.

Universal Studios Singapore – an amusement park located at Resorts World Sentosa. With 28 exciting rides and shows and divided into seven entertainment zones, it is a must-see in Singapore.

The picturesque Merlion Park – a distinctive landmark in Singapore, featuring two statues of the Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, which is considered the symbol of the Lion City.