According to physicscat, Singapore is a country in Asia that consists of approximately 60 islands. The largest and most famous islands are: Singapore, Jurong, Tekong, Ubin and Sentosa. Singapore has been independent from Malaysia since 1965. The capital of Singapore is the eponymous Singapore.
Singapore used to consist mostly of tropical rainforest and there were many animal species. Due to deforestation, many nature reserves and animal species have disappeared. In recent years, a lot of land has been reclaimed to accommodate the large growth of people and to create new industrial sites. Today, Singapore is known for its skyline with many high skyscrapers and large industrial estates. On the coastline you will find a number of wide sandy beaches and inland a number of nature reserves and botanical gardens. The country is also known for its shopping streets, strict legislation and always clean streets. See sunglassestracker for the best of Singapore.
Where is Singapore?
Travel information of Singapore
Official name: Republic of Singapore
Continent: Asia
Area: 683 km²
Capital: Singapore
Country code: SG, SGP
Population: 6,209,660 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 164 m (Bukit Timah)
Distance (Amsterdam – Singapore): 10,492 km
Flight time: approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in place in Singapore that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Singapore, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Singapore. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Singapore?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Singapore at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Singapore has a tropical climate. Temperatures are around 25 to 30 degrees all year round.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Singapore can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Singapore can be found at Climate info.
Best time
February, March, April, May, June, September and October are the best months to travel to Singapore. In these months you have the least chance of precipitation.
Language
Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil are the official languages in Singapore. In addition, approximately 20 local languages are spoken.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Singapore.
A visa is not required if you stay in Singapore for less than 90 days.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Singapore: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Singapore in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): mfa.gov.sg.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
It is advisable to get one or more vaccinations before visiting Singapore.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Money and Currency
In Singapore, payment is made with the Singapore dollar (SGD).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Singapore can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Singapore are much higher than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is +11% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (30% cheaper), food (28% more expensive), imported beer in catering (85% more expensive), cigarettes (33% more expensive) and public transport (60% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Singapore it is not customary, and sometimes even forbidden, to tip. By default, service costs are already added to the bill.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 6 hours later in Singapore.
During our winter time, it is 7 hours later in Singapore.
Singapore has no difference between winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone of Singapore can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
You must drive on the left in Singapore.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Singapore, you must have an international driver’s license or a legalized English translation of the Dutch driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
Information about public transport in Singapore can be found on Mytransport.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Singapore.
Electricity In Singapore you may need a travel plug
in some cases. More information about common plugs and sockets in Singapore can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 999
– Fire Brigade: 995
– Ambulance: 995
With a mobile phone you can also call the international numbers 112 or 991.
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Singapore can be found on Google news.
An overview of Singapore’s newspapers can be found at Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Singapore end in.sg.
Singapore official websites: gov.sg and yoursingapore.com.
Telephony
The country code (international prefix) to call someone in Singapore is 0065 or +65.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Singapore? Then use the Dutch country code 00131.
(If you use a country code, you must omit the first 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Singapore.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Singapore.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Singapore can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Singapore, supplemented with photos, videos and points of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Singapore?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Singapore. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Singapore can be found on Protected Planet.
Singapore is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Singapore? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. In addition, on this website you will find the laws and regulations regarding the importation of pets and a list of everything that may not be imported and/or exported to Singapore.
Doing business and doing business
If you are planning to do business in or with Singapore, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Singapore, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, product requirements, business partners and subsidies.
Studying and internship
Are you considering a study, internship or gap year in Singapore? You are by no means the only one and certainly not the first. To help you on your way, Nuffic (the Dutch organization for internationalization in education) has set up the WilWeg.nl website. On this website you will find all the information that can help you on your way, such as admission requirements, forms of education, accommodation, scholarships, internships, health insurance, study costs and of course experiences.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Singapore.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.5.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 21.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Not allowed for men (imprisonment up to 10 years), allowed for women.
Did you know that…
…Singapore is the smallest country in Southeast Asia?
…Since 1819, the number of animal species in Singapore has declined by 87%?
…The first night race in Formula 1 history was held in Singapore in 2008?
…In 2010 the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games was held in Singapore?
…It is illegal in Singapore to sell chewing gum?
…Singapore’s national anthem is depicted on the 1000 dollar bill?
