Did you know that chewing gum is banned in Singapore? If you get caught selling, improperly disposing, or consuming chewing gum, you may be slapped with a $2,000 fine. 

For first-time travellers, this law sounds ridiculous, but anyone who frequently visits Singapore already knows that fines and strict laws are just a few things they have to prepare for when travelling to the Lion City. 

So, if you want to travel around the island with ease, here are a few things you should be ready for when travelling to Singapore!

Secure your tourist visa and flights to Singapore a month in advance

You should be ready with two things before travelling to Singapore: your tourist visa (if needed) and your flight tickets. People visiting Singapore must secure valid travel documents such as to and return tickets and a visa for entry.

If you’re from any of these 34 countries, you will need to secure a visa to enter Singapore. 

This includes travellers with a refugee travel document, a temporary passport issued by the United Arab Emirates, a travel permit from Macao or Hong Kong, and travellers holding a PRC Travel Document. 

Visa applications need to be secured at least a month before your designated arrival date in Singapore. Failure to do so, as well as failure to secure confirmed return flight tickets, may result in denied access to the country. 

Get an EZ-Link Card as soon as you arrive

To ensure you have easy access to Singapore’s public transport system, get yourself an EZ-Link Card as soon as you arrive in Singapore. 

An EZ-Link Card is a transportation card that allows you to buy credits for bus and MRT rides at a fixed rate and within a specific period. 

Tourists can also purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass, which is a type of EZ-Link Card that gives travellers unlimited rides for 1 to 3 days. Getting an EZ-Link Card or Singapore Tourist Pass helps you save money on fares and rides across the city. 

Refer to the table below for rates, pass types, and their durations and inclusions: 

Pack lots of light and airy clothes to beat Singapore’s hot climate

Singapore is a tropical country with high humidity and lots of sun, so packing light and airy clothes will help you stay comfortable as you explore and walk around the city. 

A few examples of light and airy clothing are items made from linen and cotton. It’s also advisable to bring clothes in lighter colours like white and cream to avoid trapping heat. 

You’re free to wear any kind of outfit around the city, but be mindful when showing up at temples, government buildings, and national landmarks. Some places might require dress codes, such as bars and restaurants, so pack modest clothing just in case. 

Take note of emergency hotlines in Singapore

You can reach Singapore’s police and health services by calling the hotlines 999 and 995, respectively. It’s best to take note of these hotlines in case an emergency happens during your visit to the island.

As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Having these numbers prepared as well as following local news outlets when you watch television can help you travel responsibly and safely. 

Grab a tourist map from the airport, your hotel, or any tourist centre in Singapore’s landmarks

Tourist maps come in handy when you’re exploring the city and your phone runs out of battery. Use them to navigate through Singapore’s streets or plan your itinerary if you prefer to jot them down! 

You can grab tourist maps from the airport, your hotel concierge, or at tourist or visitor centres located inside Singapore’s major attractions and landmarks. 

Most attractions like Gardens by the Bay or Universal Studios Singapore have their own maps readily available and free of charge by the entrance. 

Tourist maps also help you navigate your way to the nearest MRT or bus stations, so you won’t get lost in case your phone battery runs out! 

Wear lots of sunscreen 

Singapore’s hot and humid climate means you’ll not only be sweating but also exposing yourself to lots of sun. Protect yourself from the harsh sun rays by wearing sunscreen all over your face and body. 

Reapplying your sunscreen is also advisable in case you’re out and about for most of the day. Plus, doing this will not only protect your skin from burning but also reduce pigmentation or your chances of getting skin cancer! 

Keep your shopping receipts and claim your tax refund 

Instead of dumping your shopping receipts or stuffing them into your wallet and pockets, keep them until the end of your trip and claim your tax refunds at the airport. 

If you spend over $100 at a retail store, you can surrender the receipts and get a 9% GST refund at Singapore Changi Airport’s tax returns kiosks. 

Note that not all stores are part of the Tourist Refund Scheme, so it’s best to always ask the store staff if they’re a participating partner. 

It’s often easy to spot them. Just look for a store that has a “Tax Free” sign on their storefront!

You can combine up to three receipts with items purchased on the same day to reach the minimum value of $100. 

As a rule of thumb, tourists should bring their passports along with them in case stores require authentication and identification for processing GST returns. 

Prepare three-square-prong power plugs and adaptors compatible with 220 to 240 volts 

n Singapore, the standard power plugs feature three square prongs, and adapters are readily available. The electrical currents typically range between 220 to 240 volts.

If you’re from a country that doesn’t use this type of plug, make sure to bring compatible adaptors along with you! 

Doing so will save you the hassle of trying to power your devices when working at a restaurant or hotel room. Many stores in the airport sell these types of plugs, but you might save more by buying your own before leaving for Singapore. 

Purchase travel insurance for your whole trip

Purchasing travel insurance for you (and your family, if applicable) secures you when an emergency strikes during your trip. 

There are many travel insurance policies you can buy, with some airlines giving you the option to purchase one when you book your flight. 

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to purchase travel insurance that covers medical bills, accidents, lost baggage, flight delays, and even trip cancellations. 

It’s unlikely that you’ll have to use it (and hopefully, you never do), but it’s still better to be financially secure when travelling to a foreign country. Besides, who doesn’t want worry-free travelling?

Book VIP or express passes to attractions in Singapore

If you have money to spare, it’s best to book VIP or express passes to attractions in Singapore so that you can enjoy skipping the queues. 

Some attractions offer these kinds of experiences, and you can easily book them ahead of time. 

Universal Studios Singapore, for example, offers the Universal Express Pass starting at $50 on top of your admission ticket fee. This add-on lets you skip the queue for participating shows and rides, as well as the priority entrance to the park. 

While it’s an added expense, getting VIP or Express passes is worth it, especially if you don’t want to spend a lot of time waiting under the sun! 

Keep some cash with you just in case

When you arrive in Singapore, it’s best to withdraw some money and exchange it for Singaporean cash. Many, if not all, stores and establishments in Singapore accept international credit cards, but keep some cash with you in case. 

Payment terminals could get offline or you need to buy essentials quickly, so keeping some cash with you can be really handy! 

Also, don’t keep the cash for tips. Tipping is not the norm in Singapore, so you can keep the change. 

Another travel tip: the best place to exchange your money is at Mustafa Centre in Little India. There are many foreign exchange kiosks there that are open 24/7! 

Get a Singaporean e-SIM card for all-day connectivity

If you need to stay connected on your phone or laptop while you’re out in Singapore, getting an e-SIM card enables you to buy data credits so you can access the Internet anywhere and anytime. 

The most common e-SIMs tourists can purchase is the Connect Lah! e-SIM. If you’re travelling only around Singapore, their local packages start at $4.50 for 1 GB of data, valid for seven days. 

You can buy up to 20 GB for 30 days, or purchase a global e-SIM that allows you to connect to data around the world. Connect Lah! Isn’t the only e-SIM provider in Singapore, but they’re very tourist-friendly and accessible from the airport. 

Read up on Singaporean laws and customs

To avoid spending thousands of dollars in fines or the hassle of getting in trouble for something seemingly innocent, read up on the most common Singaporean laws and customs before venturing out around the island. 

It’s a no-brainer for tourists to respect the laws of the countries they visit, but Singapore has a bunch of unique rules that, honestly, sound a little ridiculous for first-time visitors. 

For starters, you can’t sell, chew, or import gum into the country. Doing so will incur a $2,000 fine and even some jail time if you’re found to dispose of them improperly! 

Tipping is not the norm either, and you might receive less than happy feedback if you try to tip a server. 

So, to make everyone happy, including yourself, do your research!