Singapore: Cheap Flights & Best Hotels

Singapore Travel Guide

Singapore packs an astonishing amount into a small island city-state. In a single day you can breakfast on kaya toast in a heritage coffee shop, walk through a cloud forest under a glass dome, explore Hindu temples in Little India and Malay mosques in Kampong Glam, and finish with a light show among futuristic "supertrees". It is clean, efficient, multilingual and very safe, which makes it an easy introduction to Southeast Asia, a popular stopover and a favourite family destination for travellers from India.

Weather and Timing

Singapore is hot and humid all year, with frequent short, heavy showers and thunderstorms. Rather than seasons, think about monsoons and events:

• December to early March (Northeast Monsoon) can be wetter in December and January, followed by drier, breezier weeks in February.
• March to May is often very hot between monsoons.
• June to September (Southwest Monsoon) is relatively drier, with occasional early-morning squalls. Haze from regional fires sometimes affects air quality around this time.
• Events such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali in Little India, Hari Raya, the Great Singapore Sale and the Formula 1 night race in autumn bring atmosphere and higher hotel rates.

Top Attractions

1. Gardens by the Bay – The Supertree Grove (free to walk around, with a nightly light show), plus the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories.
2. Marina Bay – The waterfront promenade, Merlion Park and the Marina Bay Sands skyline, with a free evening light-and-water show.
3. Hawker centres – Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat, Chinatown Complex and Old Airport Road are classic places to eat like a local.
4. Sentosa – An island resort with beaches, Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium.
5. Little India – Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Tekka Centre, garland shops and the 24-hour Mustafa Centre.
6. Chinatown – The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple (Singapore's oldest Hindu temple) and heritage shophouses.
7. Kampong Glam – The golden-domed Sultan Mosque and the colourful shops and cafés of Haji Lane.
8. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari – Open, naturalistic enclosures in Mandai, popular with families.

Food Culture

Food is a national passion, and the hawker culture is recognised by UNESCO. Try Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow, satay, chilli crab, roti prata with curry, nasi lemak and kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs. Vegetarians are well served, especially in Little India, with dosa, thali and banana-leaf meals, and many Chinese vegetarian stalls. Hawker meals are among the best-value food in any developed city, and some stalls have even earned Michelin recognition.

Getting There and Around

Changi Airport (SIN) is a destination in its own right, with Jewel's indoor waterfall, gardens and shops. Direct flights connect it with many Indian cities. The MRT reaches the city in about half an hour, and taxis and ride-hailing (Grab, Gojek) are plentiful.

The MRT and bus network is excellent; tap in and out with a contactless bank card or an EZ-Link card. The Singapore Tourist Pass offers unlimited rides for set days. Many attractions are connected by covered walkways, which help in the rain. Taxis are metered and reasonably priced by developed-city standards.

Where to Stay

• Marina Bay: Iconic views and luxury hotels; expensive.
• Orchard Road: Shopping street with many mid-range and upscale hotels.
• Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar: Heritage shophouses, food and nightlife.
• Little India: Budget-friendly, lively and great for Indian food.
• Bugis and Kampong Glam: Central, with shopping and cafés.
• Sentosa: Resort-style stays, good for families.

Budget Tips

• Eat at hawker centres and food courts for excellent, inexpensive meals.
• Free attractions include the Supertree Grove, Marina Bay light shows, Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO site) and many temples and mosques.
• Use public transport instead of taxis.
• Drink tap water, which is safe.
• Look for attraction bundles if visiting several paid sights, especially on Sentosa.
• Hotels are pricey; compare dates, as rates jump during big events and conferences.

Practical Information

• Visa: Many nationalities enter visa-free; Indian passport holders need a visa, usually applied for through authorised agents. All travellers must submit the SG Arrival Card online before arrival. Check the ICA website.
• Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD). Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere.
• Language: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are official languages.
• Safety and rules: Singapore is very safe but strict. Littering, jaywalking, eating or drinking on the MRT and importing chewing gum for sale are penalised, and drug laws are severe.

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