🇸🇬 Singapore · Southeast Asia

Singapore travel guide

The most efficient city in Asia, and an easy first Asian trip

Written and last reviewed by the Bemer Travels team on 20 August 2026

Singapore removes almost all the friction from travel: the metro is immaculate, English is an official language, and the airport is repeatedly ranked the best in the world. For travellers nervous about a first trip to Asia, it is the softest possible landing.

It is also small. Three to four nights covers the city comfortably, which is why we usually plan it as part of a wider itinerary or a substantial stopover rather than a two-week trip.

Why visit Singapore

Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands — genuinely impressive modern architecture and landscaping.
Hawker centres, where Michelin-recognised food costs a few dollars.
Distinct, walkable neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Katong.
Sentosa's attractions and Singapore Zoo, both excellent for families.
Safe, clean, efficient and unusually easy to get around.

Best time to visit Singapore

Any month works — February to April is marginally drier

February – April: The driest stretch and the most comfortable, though it is still hot and humid.
May – August: Hot and humid with afternoon storms. The Great Singapore Sale falls in this window.
September – October: Warm with occasional haze depending on the year. Formula 1 weekend in September pushes hotel prices sharply higher.
November – January: The wettest months, with heavy but usually brief afternoon downpours. Festive decorations along Orchard Road.

Singapore sits just north of the equator: expect 26-33°C and high humidity every month. Plan indoor activities for the early afternoon.

Main attractions in Singapore

Gardens by the Bay: The outdoor gardens and Supertree light show are free; the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are ticketed and worth it.
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark: The observation deck is open to non-guests. The infinity pool is for hotel guests only, despite what the photos suggest.
Hawker centres: Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat, Old Airport Road and Tiong Bahru. Chicken rice, char kway teow, laksa and satay for a few dollars each.
Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Glam: Three very different quarters within a short metro ride — temples, mosques, textile shops and street art.
Sentosa Island: Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, beaches and cable cars. A full day, mainly for families.
Singapore Zoo & Night Safari: Consistently rated among the world's best zoos. The Night Safari is a separate ticket and a separate experience.
Singapore Botanic Gardens: A UNESCO site, free to enter, with a ticketed orchid garden. Best in the early morning.
Southern Ridges walk: An elevated forest walkway across the city's southern hills — free and much quieter than the tourist sites.

Where to stay in Singapore

Marina Bay: Iconic views and the most photographed part of the city. Expensive and slightly corporate at night.
Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar: Our usual recommendation: central, great food, good-value boutique hotels, well connected.
Orchard Road: Shopping district with the widest hotel choice at every price point.
Kampong Glam & Bugis: Characterful and lively, with independent cafés and lower rates than Marina Bay.
Sentosa: Only if the trip is built around the island's attractions; otherwise you are separated from the city.

Getting around and airport transfers

The MRT is fast, cheap and covers almost everything. Tap a contactless card or phone directly at the gate — no separate ticket needed.
Changi Airport connects by MRT in about 30-45 minutes to the centre, or 20-25 minutes by taxi.
Taxis and ride-hailing are metered, honest and reasonably priced by international standards.
The city is walkable in stretches but the humidity is punishing; plan air-conditioned breaks.
Never rent a car. Vehicle ownership costs make it one of the most expensive places in the world to drive, and it is entirely unnecessary.

Need a vehicle at the other end? Our car rental page explains how driver requirements, deposits and insurance excesses usually work abroad.

Choosing a hotel

Rooms are small, particularly in boutique conversions in Chinatown. Check the stated floor area.
Hotel rates are quoted before a service charge and GST — the total at checkout is meaningfully higher than the headline.
Formula 1 weekend and major conference weeks can double rates. Check the events calendar before fixing dates.
A hotel directly above or next to an MRT station saves real time and heat exposure.

We can shortlist properties against your budget and travel dates — see how our hotel booking service works.

Tours and activities worth booking

A hawker-centre food tour on the first evening is the best-value orientation in the city.
Book Universal Studios and the Night Safari ahead; both have timed entry and sell out at peak times.
Half-day trips to Johor Bahru in Malaysia are possible but require a separate visa consideration — check before planning it.
Free walking tours in Chinatown and Kampong Glam are well run and tip-based.

Browse Singapore tours and experiences, or tell us what you want to see and we will build the day around it.

Visa information for Singapore

Nigerian passport holders need a visa for Singapore

Singapore requires a visa for Nigerian passport holders. Applications are submitted through an authorised local agent or a Singapore Overseas Mission rather than directly by the traveller, and a local contact or sponsor may be required depending on circumstances.

Supporting documents typically include confirmed flights and accommodation, proof of funds, and evidence of employment or business in Nigeria. Applications are usually processed within a defined working-day window, but we allow buffer time.

Bemer Travels arranges the travel documentation and works with authorised partners on the submission. Approval is at the discretion of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

How our visa assistance works Travel insurance

Independent agency notice: Bemer Travels is a private travel agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government, embassy or immigration authority. Visa approvals are solely at the discretion of the relevant embassy or consulate. Government and visa application fees are paid directly to the relevant authority. See our Disclaimer for details.

Families, couples and solo travellers

First-time visitors: Three to four nights. Chinatown base, one Gardens by the Bay evening, two neighbourhood days and one hawker crawl.
Families: Sentosa and the zoo will fill two days. Stay near an MRT station and use the aquarium as the wet-weather plan.
Stopover travellers: Even a long layover works — Changi itself has a butterfly garden, a rain vortex and a free city tour for eligible transit passengers.
Business travellers: Marina Bay or Tanjong Pagar. Both put you within walking distance of the financial district.

Tips for first-time visitors to Singapore

Chewing gum import, littering and eating on the MRT carry real fines. The rules are enforced.
Tap water is safe to drink straight from the tap.
Carry a light layer — indoor air conditioning is aggressive.
Tipping is not customary; a service charge is usually already on the bill.
At hawker centres, 'choping' a table with a packet of tissues is a genuine local convention. Respect it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Budgeting for hotel restaurants when hawker centres serve better food for a tenth of the price.
Booking a week. Three to four nights is usually right unless you are combining with Malaysia or Indonesia.
Walking long distances at 14:00 in full humidity.
Assuming the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool is open to the public.
Underestimating the visa lead time because Singapore feels easy in every other respect.

What things typically cost

Mid-range hotel, per night: About S$180-S$320 before service charge and tax.
MRT travel, per day: A few dollars — one of the cheapest metro systems for the quality.
Hawker meal: S$4-S$8 per dish, and among the best food in the city.
Gardens by the Bay conservatories: Roughly S$32-S$53 depending on the ticket combination.

Indicative planning ranges only. Actual prices move with season, exchange rates and availability — ask us for a current quote for your dates.

FAQs

Singapore travel FAQs

How many days do I need in Singapore?

Three to four nights. It is a small city and easy to cover.

Is Singapore expensive?

Hotels and alcohol are expensive; food and transport are not. Eating at hawker centres and using the MRT keeps daily costs surprisingly low.

Is it a good first trip to Asia?

The best one, in our view. Everything works, English is official, and it is extremely safe.

Can I combine it with Malaysia or Bali?

Yes — both are short flights and Singapore is a natural hub for a multi-stop Southeast Asia itinerary.

Planning a trip to Singapore?

Tell us your dates, budget and who is travelling. We will come back with flight options, a shortlist of hotels that fit, and a realistic visa timeline — no obligation.

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