Question: Where is Singapore?
Answer:
Singapore is an island nation, both a city and a country, located just off the southern tip of Malaysia in Southeast Asia.
Although located just east of Sumatra in Indonesia and west of Borneo, Singapore is a highly developed country with a strong economy. Singapore is slightly smaller than the U.S. city of Lexington, Kentucky, however, 5.3 million residents are squeezed into the tiny country's 274 square miles of land mass.
- First, read more about Singapore travel and what to expect there.
How to Get to Singapore?
Singapore's Changi Airport (airport code: SIN) is an impressive welcome into the country and is considered one of the best airports in the world. Numerous carriers connect Singapore with more than 200 major hubs all over the world. The pool, nature trail, butterfly garden, and dizzying amount of shopping opportunities at Changi will give you a whole new perspective on airports!
- See the best time to visit Singapore.
Singapore can also be reached overland by bus from Malaysia. Numerous companies offer comfortable buses to and from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The journey by bus takes between five and six hours, depending on traffic.
- See more about the bus from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
Is a Travel Visa Necessary for Singapore?
Most nationalities receive a free 90-day stay in Singapore upon entry.
Singapore has stricter duty restrictions than surrounding nations in Southeast Asia. Although sometimes an opened pack of cigarettes is overlooked, Singapore does not have a duty-free allowance on tobacco products.
Chewing gum, pirated DVDs and CDs, and electronic cigarettes are prohibited and may be confiscated as you pass through immigration controls.
See the official Singapore Customs site for specifics on what you can and can't bring into Singapore.
What Is the Weather in Singapore?
Singapore is 85 miles north of the Equator and has a tropical rainforest climate. Temperatures stay consistently warm throughout the year and rainfall is persistent. The wettest months in Singapore are typically November, December, and January.
- Read more about Southeast Asia weather.
Is Singapore Expensive?
Singapore is generally considered an expensive destination when compared to other places in Southeast Asia. While food is incredibly cheap and delicious, accommodation prices and too many shopping temptations can give budgets a beating. As with other destinations, a little self control goes a long way.
Singapore maintains their clean city and excellent infrastructure through liberal taxation, and to some extent, by collecting fines for small infractions. If caught, you can receive a fine for jaywalking, not flushing a public toilet, or consuming food and drinks on public transportation!
Other Tips for Singapore
The tap water is safe to drink in Singapore, so you can at least save money that would have been spent on bottled water.
A night out can can really add up; smoking and drinking in Singapore are expensive activities.
Singapore's efficient MRT train system is a great way for see parts of the city that are beyond walking distance. If you intend to spend several days of moving around, consider purchasing an EZ-Link card that can be tapped on readers at train stations and on buses.
The museums in Singapore are world class and should be a part of your itinerary. If you intend to see more than one museums, consider purchasing a three-day pass that includes access to all of them. Most of the museums are centrally located; you will not need transportation for moving between the museums.
Food courts such as the famous Lau Pa Sat are a great way to eat cheaply and to sample lots of regional cuisine in the company of locals. See 10 dishes you should try in Singapore.
Singapore isn't just concrete and shopping malls! Numerous nature trails and bike paths connect parks and green spaces throughout the city.