An Easy Travel Guide to Singapore in 2022

At the end of 2021, Singapore opened its border to allow quarantine-free travel for vaccinated travelers! When I heard this announcement, I decided to spend my holiday and the beginning of 2022 exploring the Garden City of Singapore.

This small city-state has everything to offer from delicious food, modern architecture, rich vibrant culture, to white sandy beaches. Since I was able to spend a month in Singapore, I’ve grown familiar with the area and thought it would be great to share my experience through this travel guide. I hope this guide helps you!

Traveling to Singapore during Covid

Vaccinated travelers can visit Singapore through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL). This travel program consists of strict travel protocols with rules that are constantly changing. To be up to date with the latest information, I recommend checking Singapore’s Safe Travel website.

If you’re interested, I also created a guide to Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane. Although the rules I experienced might not be current to the requirements today, people still found it helpful as some of the requirements might still be the same.

Facts about Singapore

Although it is one of the smallest countries in the world, I found Singapore to be one of the most diverse countries I’ve ever experienced, both culturally and religiously. One thing I found interesting is that Singapore does not have an official language.  Similar to The United States, this country is a melting pot of different cultures; Chinese, Indian, and Malay being the most prominent.

In this city, you’ll see tall skyscrapers while being surrounded by lush greenery, hence its nickname, The Garden City. The country is considered one of the greenest cities in the world and is represented by the iconic Merlion, a mythical creature that’s half lion, half fish. Currently there is only one merlion statue in all of Singapore. You’ll see this statue within Marina Bay, across from the infamous Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Art Science Museum.

When to visit Singapore

Singapore is a very warm, humid, and tropical area to visit year-round. During my visit, the weather was always above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with random occurrences of rain. If you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend not visiting during major holiday months such as Christmas, and Lunar New Year.

I have been told it is impossible to avoid rain as it is fairly wet all year long, with December through March being the wettest months.

Getting to Singapore & Airport Transportation

To get to Singapore, you will need to fly into Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).

Did you know that this airport cost $1 billion to develop? This nature themed airport reflects Singapore for being truly a garden city. Inside you’ll find the Rain Vortex, which is also one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls.

For airport transportation, you can either take a taxi or take the local Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). If you are planning to take the MRT, just make sure you are following safety covid protocols and this option is available for use after landing at the Singapore airport.

I found taking the MRT to and/or from the airport is the most cost effective as it is about $2.50SGD one way if you are staying near the city center. This option is great for solo-travelers or anyone looking to save money. Just be prepared to lug your bags through escalators or stairs and riding public transportation for about 30-60minutes.

However, if you are landing at an odd time such as 5am, too tired to take public transportation, or just want a convenient trip to or from the airport, then I recommend taking a taxi. I found that trips to the airport by taxi are quite inexpensive. From my experience, my taxi ride from the airport to my hotel in Chinatown cost about $25.00 SGD ($18.50USD).

Where to stay in Singapore

Luckily, you definitely do not have to be a Crazy Rich Asian to travel and stay in Singapore! Believe it or not, accommodations in Singapore could be budget friendly. I was able to find relatively decent places to stay for about $20-30/night. However, it all depends on what you are willing to spend. Below are some places I stayed at during my trip, all in different price points.

1. Louis Kienne Residences Havelock Singapore; this accommodation is great for families or groups of 3 or more staying in Singapore. They offer full serviced apartments with choices of one or two bedrooms. I stayed here with a couple of friends, and we enjoyed it because we were able to stay in the same unit while having our own private rooms.
2. ST Signature; This boutique hotel is great for both couples traveling together or solo travelers looking for extra privacy.  I stayed here twice during my Singapore trip and couldn’t recommend it enough. The rooms and public space is modern while also being budget friendly. It is mainly a co-living hotel but some of their locations offer rooms with private bathrooms at higher price points.
3. iStay.inn; this urban art hostel is conveniently located in the Chinatown district of Singapore. In all the hostels I have stayed, this one would have to be one of the cleanest. The staff is also friendly and always tried their best to make sure you were well accommodated. My only complaint is the bedding and furniture are a bit worn out, but you get what you paid for since this accommodation is very inexpensive.
4. Marina Bay Sands Hotel; If you are ready to splurge, and want an amazing view of the bay, then definitely check out the Marina Bay Sands hotel. This hotel is iconic because it is home to one of the largest infinity pools in the world. It offers incredible expansive views of Marina Bay and the city at almost 200 meters high (about 600 feet).

How to get around Singapore

There are many modes of transportation when it comes to Singapore.

Public transportation

For public transportation, you can use either the MRT (metro) or public bus. Both options are fairly inexpensive for solo-travelers. For most short distances, it will cost you about 95 cents per ride. In my experience, for longer distances that are about an hour long, riding public transportation will be about $1.50SGD.  

To use public transportation, you will need an EZ link card, which is a rechargeable transportation card. They have these cards available for purchase at MRT stations, convenient stores such as 7-11, vending machines at certain locations and malls, etc. The transportation card itself cost about $5 SGD. You can re-load the card at the above-mentioned places as well, however, I recommend probably only loading the card with money at an MRT station since they do not charge to top off. There were times were I had to re-load my card at 7-11 but they do charge a 50cent fee. It may not sound like much, but if you top off your card a lot, the fees can add up.

Taxi and App-ride services

Taxis are definitely the most convenient way to travel anywhere in the world, especially in a city like Singapore! For this option, I recommend downloading the Grab or GoJek app, which is basically the Ubers and Lyfts of Singapore. I have used both services and they all work great. However, if I were to comment on the  platforms, I would say Grab is more reliable in terms of service, but I found GoJek offers more discounts on rides.

Currency and Exchanging Money

The local currency is Singapore Dollar (SGD$), with banknotes coming in mainly $2, $5, $10, $50, and coins coming in 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, and $1. I heard there are bills of $100, and $1000, however, I have never come into contact or have ever seen those bills.

If you are looking to exchange money, most places such as malls and plazas near MRT stations have an area to exchange money. If you want the best exchange rate, I recommend going to The Arcade at Raffle’s Place (11 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049317). I found their rates are nearly 1:1. When you arrive to the The Arcade, do make sure to walk around the different exchange tables/vendors to make sure you are getting the best rate. I know it could be intimidating and some will pressure you to go to their window, but I recommend taking your time and don’t be afraid to walk away.

Whatever you do, I recommend not exchanging money at the Airport unless you absolutely have to. I found that airports have the worst exchange rates and you will probably end up losing a lot of money. If exchanging money at the airport is your only option, only exchange enough to pay for your transportation out of the airport and maybe a meal.

Things to do in Singapore

Fortunately, even though this city-state is quite small, there is still so much to do here! Below are some of my recommendations.

Art Science Museum

This museum blends the elements of art, science, culture, and technology through a series of exhibitions. I loved this museum because I found that the rooms are very interactive. I highly recommend checking out the Future World exhibit at this museum because the activities allow you to immerse yourself into the art. If you’re a fan of the TeamLab Borderless museum in Japan, then this exhibit is definitely for you!

If you do come here, I suggest coming as early as possible! The queue getting into the museum can be quite long. My friends and I came to the museum around 11:30am, and waited about 20 minutes to get in. However, when we left the museum around 2:30pm, we saw the line increase about 2-3x as long.

Gardens by the Bay/Supertree Grove

Located near the Marina Bay Sands Hotel is Gardens by the Bay. It is an expansive nature park that houses Singapore’s infamous Supertrees. Here you’ll find a waterfront where you’re able to take scenic walks and admire Singapore’s luscious greenery. You can visit this park anytime of day but I recommend also coming to Supertree Grove during nighttime where you will be able to experience the Supertree light show. Every day at 7:45pm & 8:45pm, the trees light up to perform a garden rhapsody. Each lightshow last about 15 minutes each. Entrance to Supertree Grove is free unless there is a special holiday event.

Cloud Forest & Floral Fantasy

Within Gardens by the Bay is the Cloud Forest, which is home to one of the world’s largest indoor waterfalls and is also one of Singapore’s most famous attractions. Other than the waterfall, you can discover many different plants from all around the world. If you’re from the San Francisco Bay Area, this place really reminds of the Osher Rainforest within the Academy of Sciences.

I found this attraction super interesting and how it really symbolizes Singapore of being a garden city, housing many different plants from around the world.

Another attraction to visit nearby is Floral Fantasy, which is another exhibit featuring a lot of flora. This place is very popular among girls since it is very instagrammable.

Island Hopping; Lazarus Island, St John Island & Kusu Island

Not a lot of tourists know about this activity, but if you’re looking to escape the city life of Singapore, then I recommend visiting the southern islands that is located just a 30 minute ferry ride away! During this activity, you can visit St. John Island, Lazarus Island and/or Kusu Island. All islands are fairly small, so you don’t have to spend that much time on each island.

St. John Island

Here you can explore the area and admire the scenery. This place is popular for having picnic lunches and just chilling by the water. You can also walk to Lazarus Island from here and will take about 15 minutes.

Kusu Island

On this island, you’ll find a lot of history here and learn about the story about how a tortoise turned into an island, hence the name Kusu Island since “Kusu” means “Tortoise.” While walking around the island, you’ll also find temples to visit as well as a tortoise sanctuary. There is also a hill where you can walk up to and spot some monkeys.

Lazarus Island

Close to St. John Island by a 15-minute walk, you will find Lazarus Island, a beautiful beach with turquoise water and white sand. This island was definitely my favorite island out of the three because of how beautiful the beach is. Plus, if you go on a weekday and it is not a holiday, you could have this beautiful beach to yourself!

To go island hopping in Singapore, you will have to book ferry tickets. There are a couple of companies that provide this service such as Singapore Island Cruise & Marina South Ferries. Both are great, and no matter which company you choose, I recommend buying the ferry tickets off of Klook. Klook is a site that sells travel activities at a discounted rate. Usually, a ticket to go island hopping cost about $14 for a round trip ticket but off of Klook, it is about $10. Yay for savings!

Klook discount for Marina South Ferries ticket

Klook discount for Singapore Island Cruise ticket

If you plan to visit these islands, do note that these islands have very limited access to restrooms. There is also no place to buy food so make sure to bring lunch and anything you need with you while coming here. I recommend if you plan to stay, let’s say, Lazarus Island for a few hours, bring a wagon or small suitcase with water, food, beach towels, and any necessities you might need. It is will definitely be better than carrying a backpack, especially if you’re visiting in a large group! Also make sure you respect the area and do not leave any trash here.

Tanjong Beach & Palawan Beach

If you’re looking to have a chill beach day, then definitely check out both Tanjong Beach & Palawan Beach on Sentosa Island! Both are right next to each other. These beaches are a great way to relax and chill out from the busy atmosphere that is Singapore. The water is blue while the sand is super soft. If you’re looking to eat and drink near the beach, then also check out Tanjong Beach Club. The club has a pool as well as day beds available by reservation.

SEA Aquarium

Located on Sentosa Island, you’ll find as many as 100,000 marine animals across 1000+ different species at this large and vast aquarium. It used to be the largest aquarium in the world until 2014.

At this aquarium, I loved looking at all the different sea creatures and learning about new ones I have not seen before. I think my favorite animals here are the sting-ray’s cos I think their bodies are so cute and make up a cute face.

If you do plan to come here, I recommend coming in the morning early so there are not as many people. You’ll probably only spend about 2 hours here so afterward I suggest eating lunch around Sentosa Island then heading to Universal Studios since it opens in the afternoon.

Universal Studios Singapore

If you love amusement parks, then definitely check out Universal Studios while you’re in Singapore! They have a lot of rides, and the lines are not that bad if you go early. There were rides similar to ones I’ve been to at their Hollywood location but a lot of rides I’ve never been on before.

Again, if you do plan to come here, I recommend buying tickets off of klook because they sell tickets at a discounted rate and sometimes offer packages where meals and merchandise vouchers are included in the ticket.

You can purchases tickets here from Klook.

Chinatown

I don’t know about you, but I love checking out Chinatown in every country/city that I visit. I love to experience the culture that goes on in this neighborhood as well as check out some of the local shops and eateries. Here you’ll colorful heritage buildings, temples, foodie streets, hawker centers, and more!

If you’re not sure of where to start, then I recommend checking out the multiple hawker centers in the area such as Chinatown Complex Food Centre (across from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple on the 2^nd floor), Maxwell Hawker Centre, and Hong Lim Market & Food Centre. All hawkers here carry a lot of delicious food at affordable prices!

If you’re looking to eat and drink in Chinatown, then explore Chinatown Food Street that’s located between New Bridge Road & South Bridge Road. You’ll find a variety of restaurants here where people come to hang out and drink. However, do be aware that in Singapore, you are not able to publicly consume, buy, or sell alcohol past 10pm.

For a more fancy, and modern experience of Chinatown, I recommend checking out Keong Saik Road. This street features some of the best places to eat and drink in Singapore and some restaurants even have a Michelin star!

Eat at a Hawker Centre

You cannot leave Singapore without trying out some of the hawker food! Hawker Centre’s are Singapore’s version of street food, but a more modern and sanitary approach. They’re large food courts serving local dishes at an affordable price point. Here you will mainly find a lot of dishes from Chinese, Malay, Indian and western cuisine.

Hawker centers are great for budget travelers because a lot of the meals are anywhere between $3-7 SGD. Sometimes you find the right places, there are some dishes for about $1.50 SGD! The best part about hawker food is that some of the meals might be even the best food you’ll eat in Singapore. At every hawker centre, you’ll probably find at least one hawker vendor with a Michelin recognition. If you see a line full of locals, then definitely check it out! I also found if hawker stalls have a lot of news articles about their food posted, then their food is worth checking out as well.

Here are some hawker centers I recommend visiting:

• East Coast Lagoon Food Village
• Old Airport Road Food Centre
• Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
• Maxwell Food Centre
• Chinatown Complex Food Centre
• Lau Pa Sat
• Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre
• Zion Riverside Food Centre

Hunt Singapore’s most beautiful buildings

Singapore is full of beautiful architecture and colorful buildings! This country has got it all and is a paradise for photographers. So bring your camera and take some shots!

Take pictures around Marina Bay

If you want to be a major tourist, then you definitely have to take some photos around Marina Bay, home of some of the most iconic landmarks of Singapore such as Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Art Science Museum, and the Fullerton hotel. Besides taking photos here, it is also a great spot to just walk around and enjoy the view.

Explore Little India

Singapore is a mixture of different cultures and one of them is Indian. This neighborhood is a such a vibrant and beautiful place filled with lots of temples, mosques, street art, restaurants and more! What I love about this little neighborhood is that the area has its own unique character, escaping from the modern transforming metropolis city that is Singapore.

Visit the Rain Vortex at Changi Airport

Whether you are leaving, arriving or want to see more of Singapore’s luscious greenery, then you have to check out the Rain Vortex inside Singapore Changi Airport.

This nature-themed airport definitely reflects Singapore for being truly a garden city. Inside you’ll find The Rain Vortex, which is also one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls! The best part is you don’t even need a plane ticket to visit this cool attraction! It’s free and open to the public. There are also many restaurants and cafes to check out while you’re here too!