From the glittering skyline of Marina Bay to the chaotic brilliance of a hawker centre at lunchtime, Singapore is one of those places that gets under your skin quickly. This guide aims to cover the fun stuff as well as the more practical side of planning, including why travel insurance is so useful.
In this guide:
One of Singapore’s most iconic sights, this vast nature park on the waterfront is home to the spectacular Supertree Grove, a cluster of enormous tree-like vertical gardens that light up at night in a dazzling sound and light show. The two conservatories, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, are well worth a few hours of your time. The area encapsulates Singapore’s futuristic identity, combining striking modern architecture with vibrant nature.
The three-towered hotel with its famous rooftop SkyPark is one of the most recognisable buildings in Asia. Non-guests can visit the SkyPark Observation Deck for panoramic views across the city, the harbour and on a clear day, all the way into Malaysia and Indonesia.
Connected to the mainland by a short cable car, bridge or monorail, Sentosa is Singapore’s playground. With Universal Studios Singapore, beautiful beaches, the Skyline Luge and countless restaurants, you’d struggle to get bored. It’s a well thought out area which caters to families and backpackers alike.
Singapore’s Chinatown is one of the most vibrant in Southeast Asia, a tangle of shophouses, street food stalls, temples and market vendors. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple at its heart is a striking piece of Tang dynasty architecture and houses an extraordinary collection of Buddhist artefacts across four floors. When you’re done perusing, there will be a tasty lunch nearby in every direction.
The Singapore Zoo is consistently ranked among the world’s best, with open enclosures set within a rainforest environment. It’s home to a whopping 4,200 animals, so there’s a fair chance you’ll see something you’ve never seen before. The adjacent Night Safari is the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park, offering a completely different experience after dark on tram or on foot.
A short MRT ride from the centre and you’re in a completely different world. Little India developed through communities of Indian migrants coming to Singapore as cattle traders in the 19th century, before then moving into other areas of business. There became an increasing need to supply these migrants with the tastes of their homeland, and still today Serangoon Road is alive with colour, the scent of incense and fresh jasmine, and some of the best South Asian food in the city. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of the oldest in Singapore, is a must-see.
Don’t leave without spending serious time in Singapore’s hawker centres. These open-air food courts are the heart of local life, serving extraordinary food at low prices. Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat and Old Airport Road are three of the best. Hainanese chicken rice, laksa and char kway teow are all dishes to be on the lookout for.
Singapore’s Malay quarter is anchored by the gold-domed Sultan Mosque, one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. The surrounding streets, especially the narrow and colourful Haji Lane, are lined with independent boutiques, street art and excellent cafes.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest in Asia, the Botanic Gardens show how Singapore is more than just impressive skyscrapers. The gardens are free to enter and offer a green escape from the city’s intensity. The National Orchid Garden within the park holds the world’s largest orchid display. This part does require a small entrance fee, but it’s worth it.
The riverfront district of Clarke Quay is a great base for an evening out, with restaurants, bars and clubs in converted warehouses along the water. A bumboat river cruise at dusk is a lovely way to see a side of Singapore that’s easy to miss on foot.
Singapore is one of Asia’s more expensive destinations. As a financial hub and global city, expect prices for restaurants, hotels and attractions to be broadly comparable with major Western European cities. That said, if you know where to eat (hawker centres), travel (the MRT) and spend your time (some of Singapore’s best sights are free or low cost), you can keep daily costs very manageable.
Singapore’s currency is the Singapore dollar (SGD). You can check today’s exchange rate using our currency converter.
Numbeo has collated data on average prices in Singapore. The below is accurate as of June 2026.
Post Office can also help you get your travel money sorted before you leave. With our prepaid multi-currency travel card you can load Singapore dollars and spend throughout your trip without conversion fees. You can top it up through an app or online if you run low. If you’d prefer to travel with cash, you can exchange money at your local Post Office branch or order online for home delivery. Find more in our travel money tips.
Travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement to enter Singapore, but it’s recommended by the FCDO. Singapore has world-class healthcare facilities, but they come at a significant cost. Foreign visitors are often taken to private hospitals, and if you’re in need of urgent medical care, you might not be in the position to insist where you want treatment from.
Some private hospitals may ask for proof of insurance or upfront payment before admitting a patient. If the worst should happen, you’re not going to want to shop around for a more ‘affordable’ hospital, you’ll just want to be treated. Insurance helps give you the peace of mind that if you need medical help, you can get it, and avoid coming home to an eye-watering bill.
Beyond medical cover, a trip to Singapore often involves booking long-haul flights and accommodation well in advance. Travel insurance can help you recover those costs if you need to cancel before you go or come home early. It can also cover lost or stolen belongings, travel delays and a range of other events that can disrupt even a well-planned trip. You’ll find details about cover and the limits involved in your policy documentation, so you’ll know what’s included before you set off.
No. Your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) only works in countries that have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, primarily within the European Economic Area. Singapore has no such agreement, which means there’s no equivalent of free or subsidised emergency treatment for UK visitors. If you need medical care in Singapore, you’ll be paying for it, which makes a solid travel insurance policy all the more important. Even a minor injury or illness requiring hospital treatment can quickly result in a significant bill.
Post Office Travel Insurance can help you when things don’t go to plan. Here’s what’s included. Limits apply and not every situation will be covered, so it’s worth checking the full policy details before you travel.
There are situations where you won’t be covered. It’s important to understand these before you travel:
We have a document with all policy wording on our make a claim page so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered. It’s available online, whether you’ve bought a policy or not.
You can tailor your policy with optional add-ons to suit your specific trip. These add-ons are available for an additional cost. You’ll find more information on limits and cover on the dedicated page for each add-on.
Singapore’s position at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula makes it one of Asia’s great travel hubs. Changi Airport is widely regarded as the world’s best, and from it you can reach Bali, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Phuket and countless other destinations in as little as one to two hours. Many UK visitors build their Singapore trip into a wider Southeast Asia itinerary, spending a few days in the city before heading further afield.
If that’s your plan, it’s important to make sure your travel insurance covers Singapore as well as your ultimate destination. With Post Office Travel Insurance, a worldwide policy covers you across multiple destinations on the same trip. Check that each country you’re visiting is included in your level of cover before you book.
If you’re visiting other countries nearby, you might also find our guides to travel insurance for China, travel insurance for Vietnam and travel insurance for Thailand useful reading.
If Singapore is one of several trips you take in a year, an annual multi-trip policy can be a more cost-effective option than arranging separate insurance each time. It covers an unlimited number of trips within a 12-month period, removing the hassle of remembering to insure each booking individually. Individual trips are covered up to 31 days as standard, with trip extension cover available for longer stays.
Singapore has a well-earned reputation as one of the world’s safest and cleanest cities. A large part of that reputation comes from its strict laws and robust enforcement. As a visitor, it’s important to understand the rules, since breaking them, even unknowingly, can result in serious consequences and could invalidate your travel insurance.
Always check the FCDO’s Singapore travel advice page for the latest guidance before you travel.
Singapore is a compact city-state with excellent public transport. You don’t need a car and you’ll rarely need a taxi for getting between main attractions.
UK passport holders don’t need a visa to enter Singapore for stays of up to 30 days for tourism or business. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Singapore.
All travellers must complete a Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) declaration up to three days before arrival. This is done online and is free. Any website asking you to pay for this is a scam.
Check the FCDO’s Singapore entry requirements page before you travel, as rules can change. If you’re planning to stay longer than 30 days, you’ll need to arrange a visa in advance.
Print or save a copy of your insurance policy and know who to call if you need to make a claim
It’s not a legal requirement, but it’s recommended by the FCDO. Singapore has excellent but expensive healthcare, and there’s no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, so your GHIC card won’t help you here. Without insurance, you’d be responsible for the full cost of any medical treatment, which can be substantial, particularly at private hospitals.
Remember that even a brief stopover carries risks. A medical emergency, a delayed flight, lost luggage or a cancelled connection can happen regardless of how long you’re in the country. With Post Office Travel Insurance, Singapore is covered under our worldwide policy whether it’s your main destination or one stop on a longer itinerary. A few days in Singapore before heading to Bali or Vietnam, for example, would all be covered under the same policy.
Over 100 activities are covered as standard with Post Office Travel Insurance, but there are some, such as deep-sea diving, which we don’t cover. Check your policy details carefully before you book any activities in Singapore. If you’re planning something adventurous, it’s worth confirming cover before you travel rather than after.
If Singapore is your only trip this year, a single-trip policy might be the straightforward choice, depending on how long you’re going for. If you travel two or more times a year, an annual multi-trip policy can work out as better value and means you’re automatically covered for every trip you take within the year. It’s particularly good value for people who use Singapore as a starting point for regular trips around Southeast Asia.
1 Medical Assistance Plus is not available for trips taken in the UK, only for international travel. The service allows up to 3 separate medical events per person listed on the policy, and up to 3 appointments per event. All appointment charges are covered by your travel insurance policy. You will not need to pay any excess fees for this service. You may need to pay for your prescription upfront and claim on your return home.
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