Singapore
The Lion City in a few brilliant days
Use Singapore as a compact city break for world-class hawker food, distinct neighbourhoods, effortless transport and a futuristic waterfront.
Daniel Case / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image licence
The honest overview
Get to know Singapore before fixing the route.
Known as the Lion City, Singapore is famed for its hawker food culture, futuristic skyline and spotless streets, attracting stopover travellers, digital nomads and food-focused backpackers from across the region. Singapore is known for being most backpackers' Southeast Asia gateway or breather stop rather than a full leg in itself, thanks to Changi's connections, a highly walkable core and prices that run noticeably higher than everywhere else on a typical SEA route, making it the spot people budget a short, sharp visit around rather than a long stay.
Part of the joy of backpacking in Singapore is deciding what deserves more time. Keep space for weather changes, longer travel days and recommendations from people you meet on the road.
Card and contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere, including hawker stalls in most centres now, so carrying large amounts of cash isn't necessary the way it is elsewhere in the region.
Singapore doesn't really have a "route" in the way a bigger country does – it's a city-state you can walk, cycle or MRT across in a day, so most backpackers treat it as a short, self-contained stop rather than something to plan a multi-day itinerary around. It functions as a common jumping-off point for onward travel into Malaysia (the causeway crossing to Johor Bahru is a popular budget entry point north) or as a flight hub connecting into wider Southeast Asia and beyond. Plenty of backpackers on a Malaysia–Indonesia loop tack on two or three days here either at the start or the very end of the trip, more as a reset and a food stop than a destination to explore in depth.
Season by season
What each season means for your trip
Singapore is hot and humid year-round. Rainfall shifts through the year, so plan for short heavy showers in any month.
Hotter, somewhat drier days
Often the easiest window for long walks, though midday heat is strong and a shower is still possible.
Warm, humid afternoons
Expect brief thunderstorms. Check air quality if regional haze is reported, particularly later in this period.
More frequent showers
Transitional weather brings increasing rain. Keep an indoor stop in reserve when exploring on foot.
Northeast monsoon
This is generally the wettest stretch. Allow flexibility around outdoor plans and carry a light rain layer.
Check the local rain and air-quality forecast for your dates, then group nearby sights so a shower does not disrupt the whole day.
Cost of day to day travel
Build a budget around the route
Singapore is the most expensive stop most backpackers will hit on a wider Southeast Asia route. £40–55 a day can cover a dorm bed, hawker meals, local transport and a modest allowance for attractions.
Singapore is the most expensive stop most backpackers will hit on a wider Southeast Asia route.
Long transfers, specialist tours and headline activities can change the daily total quickly.
Card and contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere, including hawker stalls in most centres now, so carrying large amounts of cash isn't necessary the way it is elsewhere in the region.
Average the full trip rather than forcing every day into the same number. Keep emergency funds separate from daily spending.
Key backpacker routes
Find the route that feels right for you
There is no single route you need to follow. Let your timeframe, interests and season shape the journey through Singapore.
Start with the natural route Core journey
Singapore doesn't really have a "route" in the way a bigger country does – it's a city-state you can walk, cycle or MRT across in a day, so most backpackers treat it as a short, self-contained stop rather than something to plan a multi-day itinerary around.
Add the region that earns your time Build depth
It functions as a common jumping-off point for onward travel into Malaysia (the causeway crossing to Johor Bahru is a popular budget entry point north) or as a flight hub connecting into wider Southeast Asia and beyond.
Keep the order flexible Adapt as you travel
Plenty of backpackers on a Malaysia–Indonesia loop tack on two or three days here either at the start or the very end of the trip, more as a reset and a food stop than a destination to explore in depth.
Main destinations and attractions
Where to spend your days
Pick a connected group and leave room for hostel friendships and changing plans. Singapore rewards depth more than a checklist of stops.
Marina Bay. Photo: victorulijn / flickr, BY-SA 2.0.Marina Bay
The postcard skyline: Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion statue and the Gardens by the Bay Supertree Grove, best seen lit up after dark.
Chinatown. Photo: Glen Bowman / flickr, BY-SA 2.0.Chinatown
Temples, traditional shophouses and one of the best food streets in the city along Smith Street. Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple are both worth a stop, and Maxwell Food Centre nearby is one of the best-known hawker centres in Singapore.
Little India. Photo: www.SamAntonioPhotography.com / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0.Little India
A noticeably different pace and colour palette from the rest of the city, centred around Serangoon Road. Tekka Centre is the go-to for South Indian food, and the area is one of the more atmospheric parts of Singapore rather than a manufactured "cultural quarter."
Kampong Glam. Photo: williamcho / flickr, BY-SA 2.0.Kampong Glam
Home to the Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane, a narrow street of independent shops, cafes and street art. Small enough to cover in an hour or two alongside Arab Street next door.
Orchard Road. Photo: Eustaquio Santimano / flickr, BY-NC-SA 2.0.Orchard Road
Singapore's main shopping strip. Worth knowing it's essentially a large mall corridor rather than a must-see attraction in its own right – most budget backpackers pass through rather than linger.
Sentosa Island. Photo: emrank / flickr, BY 2.0.Sentosa Island
A resort island connected by cable car, monorail or a walkable boardwalk, home to Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A.
To get a feel for the city, we'd highly recommend booking a 'free walking tour' via Guruwalk. You sign up for the tour and pay via a tip based system. Our Outpacker chatbot is available to help you plan and build out your itinerary to make the most of your trip.
Singapore is compact enough that most of the city is reachable by MRT, but it's worth thinking about it in a few distinct pockets:
Getting around
Compare time, comfort and cost
Singapore's public transport is affordable, extensive and one of the easier systems in the region to navigate independently, so there isn't really a need for a booking aggregator the way there is elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
MRT and Buses
The MRT covers most of the city and is the fastest way to get around.
Taxi and Rideshare
Grab is the dominant rideshare app and covers the whole city. Metered street taxis are also common and reliable, unlike in some neighbouring countries where meter refusal is an issue.
Walking
The central areas (Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam) are close enough together to walk between, though the heat and humidity make an air-conditioned MRT hop appealing even for short distances.
Cable Car and Ferry
Used mainly for Sentosa (cable car, monorail) and Pulau Ubin (bumboat from Changi Village) – both straightforward and cheap.
Download offline maps, keep key booking details available without data and avoid placing an international departure immediately after a fragile overland transfer.
Make sure you've got an eSIM or local SIM set up, though Singapore has widespread free WiFi in malls, MRT stations and most cafes, so connectivity issues are rare here compared to the rest of the region.
Culture and events
Events worth knowing about
Singapore's multicultural make-up means its festival calendar draws from several traditions, often celebrated publicly and openly across the city.
A cultural festival marked by lion dances, lantern displays and a street light-up along Chinatown, with the Chingay Parade following shortly after as the city's biggest public procession.
A religious festival where Hindu devotees carry ornate kavadi structures, some pierced through skin as an act of devotion, on a procession route between temples – a striking, intense event to witness respectfully from the sidelines.
A religious festival marking the end of Ramadan, with Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai lighting up for weeks beforehand with bazaars selling food, clothes and decorations.
A cultural and civic festival marking Singapore's independence, headlined by the National Day Parade with a fighter jet flypast and fireworks over Marina Bay – worth timing a trip around if fireworks and crowds are your thing.
A religious festival of lights celebrated by Singapore's Hindu community, with Little India strung with elaborate light displays for weeks around the date.
Confirm the official programme, accommodation pressure and transport changes before committing non-refundable plans.
Singaporean food
Discover the flavours that make Singapore memorable
Singapore's food scene punches well above its size, and hawker culture here is UNESCO-recognised, not just a tourist gimmick.
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Chilli CrabSingapore's signature dish, a whole crab in a thick, sweet-spicy tomato and chilli sauce, best mopped up with fried mantou buns.Photo: Ted's photos - For Me & You / flickr, BY-NC-SA 2.0 -
Hainanese Chicken RicePoached chicken over rice cooked in chicken fat and stock, simple and everywhere, worth trying at Maxwell Food Centre's Tian Tian stall.Photo: avlxyz / flickr, BY-SA 2.0 -
LaksaA spicy coconut noodle soup, the Katong version (with the noodles cut short for eating with a spoon alone) is the local specialty.Photo: Jirka Matousek / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Char Kway TeowStir-fried flat rice noodles with prawns, egg, chives and lap cheong sausage, cooked over high heat in a wok.Photo: Ted's photos - For Me & You / flickr, BY-NC-SA 2.0 -
SatayGrilled skewered meat with peanut sauce, widely available at hawker centres and night markets.Photo: Black_Claw / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Bak Kut TehA peppery pork rib soup, a popular breakfast or late-night dish depending who you ask.Photo: Yutaka Tsutano / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Kaya ToastToasted bread with coconut jam and butter, served with soft-boiled eggs and kopi (local coffee) – the classic Singaporean breakfast.Photo: Tiberiu Ana / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Roti PrataA flaky, griddle-fried flatbread served with curry, found at Indian-Muslim hawker stalls across the city.Photo: avlxyz / flickr, BY-SA 2.0
Visible turnover is a useful guide. Explain allergies carefully and carry a translated note when an ingredient could cause a serious reaction.
Hostels
Choose the atmosphere, not just the bed
Hostel choice in Singapore mostly comes down to location, given how compact the city is – staying anywhere near an MRT line keeps you close to everything.
Atelier Hostel
Singapore, SingaporeProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →The Pod
Singapore, SingaporeProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →The Bohemian
SingaporeProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Betel Box Backpacker Hostel
SingaporeProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →What you need to pack
Pack for the route, not every possibility
For a short Singapore stop, a small quick-drying wardrobe and a light rain layer will do more than extra outfits.
Climate and clothing
Prepare for humid streets and cool, air-conditioned interiors.
- Breathable tops and light shorts
- One thin jumper or cardigan
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat and sunscreen
Rain and terrain
A short downpour can arrive even outside the wetter months.
- Light rain shell
- Compact umbrella
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Quick-drying spare layer
Hostels and travel days
Keep the essentials easy to reach on a short city stop.
- Small padlock for lockers
- Power bank
- Reusable water bottle
- Type G adapter if your plug needs one
Activities and health
Only add specialist items for plans beyond the city.
- Basic first-aid kit
- Personal medication
- Insect repellent if continuing regionally
- Swimwear for pool or beach plans
Language
A few local phrases go a long way
English is one of Singapore's four official languages and functions as the working lingua franca across the whole country – you won't need translated phrases to get by day-to-day.
Malay
| English | Say it in Malay | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Selamat pagi | seh-lah-mat pah-gee, literally "good morning," used generally |
| Goodbye | Selamat tinggal | seh-lah-mat ting-gal |
| Yes / No | Ya (yah) / Tidak | tee-dak |
| How much? | Berapa harga? | buh-rah-pah har-gah |
| How are you? | Apa khabar? | ah-pah kah-bar |
| Please | Tolong | toh-long |
| Do you speak English? | Anda boleh cakap Inggeris? | an-dah boh-leh chah-kap ing-guh-ris |
| Help, please | Tolong saya | toh-long sah-yah |
| Where are you from? | Anda dari mana? | an-dah dah-ree mah-nah |
| What is your name? / My name is... | Siapa nama anda? / Nama saya... | see-ah-pah nah-mah an-dah / nah-mah sah-yah |
| Thank you | Terima kasih | teh-ree-mah kah-seh |
You'll rarely need any of this in practice, but it's a nice courtesy, and locals tend to be pleasantly surprised by even a basic attempt.
Visa requirements
Check the rule for your passport
Entry rules depend on nationality, journey and length of stay. Confirm the current rule before booking, then check it again shortly before departure.
Check your exact requirements
Use Sherpa to review entry requirements for your passport and journey. Also confirm passport validity, permitted stay, proof of onward travel and any current arrival-form requirements.
Vaccinations
Make the advice fit your route
Vaccination and health advice depends on your route, duration, medical history and activities.
Review current CDC guidance
Read the current CDC Singapore traveller guidance, then discuss personal recommendations with a qualified clinician.
Arrange appropriate travel insurance and keep policy details available offline. Consider the practical risks created by climate, altitude, insects, animals, water activities and road travel on your specific route.
Safety and common scams
Standard caution, specific habits
Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world for solo travellers, with low street crime and a heavy, visible police presence.
Unlicensed airport taxis
Occasionally drivers outside the official taxi queue at Changi will offer a flat "discounted" fare that ends up pricier than the metered official taxi or Grab. Stick to the marked taxi queue or book through Grab.
Currency exchange mark-ups
Money changers along Orchard Road and in some tourist-heavy strips post rates that look competitive but bake in a wide spread or a hidden minimum-transaction fee. Compare a couple of changers before committing, or just use a card with no foreign transaction fees.
Menu-less pricing at tourist-facing restaurants
A handful of restaurants near major attractions skip visible pricing and pad the bill for tourists. Check for a displayed menu with prices before sitting down.
None of this should put you off the trip – Singapore is about as low-hassle as international travel gets, it's really just a place to know the rules rather than watch your back.
On the scam side, there's very little of the tourist-targeted hustle culture you'll find elsewhere in the region:
Sources and feedback
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