Singapore Travel Guide

My favorite thing about traveling has always been the opportunity to embrace the culture and lifestyle of the country. The 10 weeks I spent in Singapore were, as cliché as it might sound, undoubtedly some of the most memorable weeks of my life. Everyday, I would wake up early and spend hours before work walking miles around the city, stopping at local hawker centers for kopi (local coffee), and seeing how Singaporeans lived. In Singapore, you can see several ethnic enclaves, including the Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other ethnicities, all coexisting peacefully and embracing every culture. From the architecture and the food to the local customs, Singapore really showcases its multi-cultural society and its spot as a thriving financial hub. In this Singapore travel guide, you’ll find my top recommendations for places to see and dishes to try in one of the safest countries in the world!

Table of Contents

Things to know

Currency

Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar (SGD). I recommend keeping some cash on hand for smaller purchases and food stalls in the hawker centers. If you’re using a credit card, remember to use one with not international fees to avoid any extra charges!

Transportation

Singapore has one of the most well built out public transportation systems in the world. Their Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines can take you to pretty much anywhere you need to go on the island. Not only is it one of the most convenient ways to get around, it’s also very affordable and clean! Rides will cost you anywhere from $1.10- 1.80 USD depending on the length of the trip. The buses are also another great way to get around! If you plan on taking public transport a lot during your stay, payment options include:

Mobile Payment – If you only need to take public transport a few times, it’s cheaper to just pay for the fares through mobile.
Account-based EZ-Link cards – If you’re staying for longer than 3 days, it’s better to buy the EZ-Link card. You can purchase a card at any TransitLink Ticketing Office. You can then top up your card at anytime and you won’t have to return this card.
Singapore Tourist Pass – This pass is available for one, two, or three days of unlimited travel on buses, MRT, and LRT train lines. Check the EZ link website for more info on which pass is best for you. You can buy these at any TransitLink Ticketing Office located in certain MRT stations or at Changi Airport! There is also a $10 card rental fee that you get back if you return you card back to a ticketing office at the end of your trip. Also note that if you buy a 2 or 3 day pass, they must be used on consecutive days. These are the prices for each option if you return the card, otherwise add $10 more to each price.
- 1 day – $10
- 2 days – $16
- 3 days – $20

Language

There are actually 4 official languages: English, Malay Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil. You can really see how diverse the population here is, and most people know at least 2 languages! Many younger people commonly speak in English, so I didn’t find communication to be difficult. At hawker centers, you are more likely to encounter older people who may not be able to speak English. However, try your best pronouncing menu items and it should be enough to get by!

Things to do

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay is the famous luxury hotel with the world’s largest infinity pool offering stunning views of the Singapore skyline. As you get closer to the hotel, you realize just how amazing the architecture of the building is. Three large towers prop up the boat like structure on top that holds the SkyPark Observation Deck and pool. The observation deck also has unbeatable views of the city, Gardens by the Bay, and the sea. You can buy tickets up to the SkyPark here. And that’s not all. Marina Bay also has the world’s largest atrium casino, a large shopping mall, museums, “celebrity chef” restaurants, and more. Unfortunately, if you’re hoping to take picture in the famous infinity pool, you do have to be a hotel guest with a registered keycard. Why not use this to justify a luxurious stay at MBS?

Sentosa Island

For the perfect day trip from Singapore, check out the small island of Sentosa. Here you can find various resorts, beaches, Universal Studios, and the Southern Most Point of Continental Asia!

If you’re planning to take public transport to get there, you’ll first need to take the MRT to Harbourfront Station. Then, take the escalator up to level 3 of the VivoCity shopping mall (which you should check out if you have time!) where you’ll find the Sentosa Express. Tickets are 4 SGD upon entry at the station, but it’s free once you leave Sentosa. Other options to get there include the cable car (Mount Faber Line – $35), walking across the Sentosa Boardwalk, or driving.

Haji Lane

Haji Lane is the original “indie” neighborhood. Here, you’ll find hole-in-the-wall boutiques, plenty of cafes, and stunning murals! I loved walking through the colorful streets and popping into different shops!

Cloud Forest & Flower Dome

Located right outside Marina Bay Sands, these 2 nature conservatories are stunning green spaes in the heart of this little island. The Cloud Forest houses a 30 meter tall indoor waterfall (one of the tallest in the world) and a variety of plants native to Cloud Forest habitats. One of the highlights is the Cloud Walk that offers amazing views of the Gardens beneath and Marina Bay.

And don’t forget to visit the Flower Dome! It actually holds the Guinness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse and is home to thousands of exotic plants from 5 different continents. You can buy tickets for both attractions here.

Merlion Park

Singapore is known as the “Lion City”, so no trip would be complete without a stop at Merlion Park to see the iconic Merlion statue! The country’s name is actually derived from the Malay words “Singa” for Lion and “Pura” for city!

Things to eat

Kaya Toast & Kopi

This is the perfect breakfast or snack when you’re craving something sweet! I guess you can kind of think if it was the Singaporean version of PB& J? Kaya is a coconut pandan jam popular throughout Southeast Asia. It usually comes slathered on 2 thin (or thick) slices of toast with a T H I C K slab of butter. Kaya toast is the ultimate Singaporean breakfast paired with a cup of kopi and soft boiled eggs. Kopi is coffee typically made from Robusta beans that actually have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica coffee. I found Kopi to be super smooth and rich. There are many version of Kopi that locals tend to order, so here’s a quick guide to get you started:

Kopi – coffee with condensed milk
Kopi – O – coffee with sugar
Kopi-O Siew Dai – coffee with less sugar
Kopi-O Kosong – plain coffee

Some places I recommend for Kaya toast are:

Ya Kun Kaya Toast (multiple locations)
Killiney Kopitiam (multiple locations)
Toastbox (multiple locations)
Tong Ah Eating House – 35 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089142
Ah Seng (Hai Nam) Coffee – Amoy St Food Centre – 7 Maxwell Rd, #02-95, Singapore 069111

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Chicken rice is considered to be Singapore’s national dish and is a mix of Hainanese and Cantonese cultures. It features poached chicken and fragrant rice cooked in rich chicken stock all served with a side of dark soy sauce, ginger garlic sauce, and chili sauce. If you’re willing to wait, I suggest queueing up at Tian Tian Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre. It was voted the best Chicken Rice stall in the country! Even Anthony Bourdain loved this place!

Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, #01-10/11, Singapore 069184

Laksa

Laksa is a noodle soup that is popular throughout Southeast Asia. While there are different variations based on the region it originated from, you’ll commonly find either a spicy curry coconut milk base or sour Assam base.

Chili Crab & Black Pepper Crab

Also thought of as one of Singapore’s national dishes, Chili crab is stir-fried in a sweet and savory tomato and chili-based sauce. Fun fact: it’s listed as #35 on the World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods list by CNN Go in 2011. Another popular crab dish is Black Pepper Crab. I recommend trying both and seeing which one you like more!

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak is a popular Malaysian Dish featuring coconut milk and pandan infused rice, deep-fried fish or chicken, fried ikan bilis (anchovies), an egg, cucumber, and sambal (a spicy chili paste). Toppings may vary depending on the restaurant. This is one of my favorite dishes of all time! While anchovies might not be something you typically eat, don’t let it scare you! They add a nice salty crunch to the dish that pairs really well with the fragrant rice and sambal!