Asia · Destination guide
Singapore
Capital: Singapore (city-state)
🛂Visa requirements
💳Money & payments
Cards: Cards and contactless (NETS, Visa, Mastercard) accepted everywhere. Singapore is nearly cashless.
ATMs: DBS/POSB, OCBC, and UOB ATMs are ubiquitous and free for most foreign cards.
Tipping
Not expected or culturally practiced. A 10% service charge is automatically added to most restaurant bills — this goes to the business, not the staff.
💬Language
English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
English is the language of business, government, and daily life. No language barrier for English speakers.
Useful phrases
- ·Lah — a particle added to sentences for emphasis ('okay lah')
- ·Singlish — the local English dialect is charming; speak clearly and you'll be understood fine
🔌Electricity & plugs
UK plugs work directly in Singapore without an adapter.
🤝Local customs & etiquette
- 1.Strictly enforced laws: no chewing gum sold, heavy fines for littering (S$300), jaywalking (S$50). These are actively enforced.
- 2.Eating and drinking on the MRT (metro) is prohibited — S$500 fine.
- 3.Respect for hawker centre culture: clear your own tray, do not reserve seats with tissue packs during peak hours (tissue-packing is acknowledged if you do it before queuing).
- 4.Dress modestly when visiting temples and mosques — shoulders and knees covered.
- 5.Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world — relax and enjoy it.
📶SIM cards & connectivity
Local SIM: Singtel, StarHub, and M1 are the operators. Singapore has near-universal 5G coverage. SIMs at Changi Airport.
WiFi: Excellent WiFi everywhere. Wireless@SG is a free public WiFi network available at most public spaces, malls, and libraries.
🛡️Safety
Exceptionally safe — one of the safest cities globally. Traffic safety: look both ways, traffic moves on the left.
💉Health
No vaccinations required. Tap water is safe to drink (it is legally required to be drinkable). Excellent world-class medical facilities.
🚨Emergency numbers
police
999
ambulance fire
995
non urgent
1800 255 0000
🚗Driving
🚆 Getting to the circuit in Singapore
Train, shuttle, and race day transport guide
Explore Singapore