In the old days you'd fuss around in your seat looking for a pen to fill in a white arrival card. Now, it's all digital! You can submit your SG Arrival Card up to 3 days before landing. Our ideal moment is while waiting to board the aircraft. It takes 5 mins and you can also do a group submission. Either download the app or submit your SGAC on the website

• Submit up to 3 days before arrival
• You'll need your passport details, flight info & accommodation address
• You'll receive an email acknowledgement, meaning the system is updated. You don't need to print anything out.
• Everyone needs to fill this in. If you need a visa, that's a different document you'll need to arrange.

Singapore has some of the fastest mobile networks in Asia — 4G and 5G coverage is excellent, even underground in MRT tunnels. You'll need your passport to register a SIM card.

📱 SIM Card vs eSIM — What's the Difference?

A physical SIM card is the small chip you insert into your phone — you collect it at the airport or a store and slot it in. An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone that can be activated remotely — no physical card needed. Check if your phone supports eSIM (most phones from 2021 onwards do) before deciding which to get.

📡 Top Providers

Singtel and StarHub are Singapore's top-tier providers with the widest network coverage across the island, including MRT tunnels and more remote areas. Both are highly reliable and well-regarded for tourist SIM plans.

📦 Collecting or Installing

If you order a physical SIM, you can collect it at the airport immediately on arrival — many counters are open 24/7. If you've purchased an eSIM, you'll receive a QR code by email to scan and activate. Either way, only activate your Singapore SIM once you've arrived in Singapore for the best experience.

🛒 Where to Buy

• Singtel Tourist SIM →
• StarHub Tourist SIM →
• Or at the airport: Changi SIM locations →

Changi Airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout all terminals the moment you step off the plane — even before you collect your SIM card. Connecting is straightforward, and we've put together a simple tutorial to walk you through it:

These 4 apps cover everything you'll need in Singapore. Download and set them up before you board your flight — you'll thank yourself the moment you land. 🙌

Prepare to be wow-ed! Changi Airport isn't just a transit point — it's a full destination. Multiple times voted the world's best airport, and you'll understand why the moment you step off the plane. 😊

🗺️ Terminal Layout

Terminals 1, 2 & 3 are connected to each other and to Jewel by covered walkways and a free Skytrain. T1 is directly attached to Jewel; T2 and T3 are a 7–10 min walk or a free Skytrain ride. You can wheel your trolley onto the Skytrain too!

Terminal 4 is separate — a 10-min free shuttle bus ride from T2 (or about 25 mins walking). Check your ticket to know which terminal you're at.

💎 Jewel Changi Airport

Jewel is a spectacular circular shopping mall with 5 above-ground and 2 basement levels. At its heart is the HSBC Rain Vortex — the world's tallest indoor waterfall at 40 metres. It runs daily from 10am to 10pm.

• Use the digital wayfinder boards — the circular layout is confusing and some levels don't do a full loop. If you get lost, don't worry - same as us.
• Jewel is open to everyone, no boarding pass needed. Its a public shopping mall not linked to airside transit. So if you want to visit while you've got a few hours spare, you will need to exit immigration and come out - be sure to keep your new boarding pass with you.
• Free light show at the Rain Vortex nightly at 8pm & 9pm
• Some restaurants line the inner circle facing the waterfall — which creates a nice ambience but note conversation can be tough with the noise.

✈️ Airside Attractions (for Transit Passengers)

If you have a layover, don't just sit at the gate. Changi's transit areas have genuinely amazing free attractions:

• 🦋 Butterfly Garden (T3) — 1,000+ butterflies across ~40 species flying freely. It's humid — intentionally so!
• 🌻 Sunflower Garden (T2 Rooftop) — A rare outdoor airside space. Fresh air, runway views, and real Singapore sunflowers. Can be hot at midday.
• 🌵 Cactus Garden (T1 Rooftop) — 100+ desert plant species in tropical Singapore. Unique contrast, quieter crowd, and a bar nearby!
• 🐟 Orchid Garden & Koi Pond (T2) — 30+ orchid species by theme. Serene and beautiful. Speak softly here, people treat it as a rest space.
• 🎮 Entertainment Deck (T2) — Free PlayStation and Xbox consoles, movie screening corners. Great for long layovers and families.
• 🎬 Free Movie Theatre (T2 & T3) — Yes, actual cinema, free movies, no catch. 24 hours.
• 🌸 Dreamscape (T2) — Digital sky ceilings, water elements, 20,000+ plants. Part of Changi's next-generation vision.

😴 Sleeping Airside (Overnight Layover)

• Snooze Lounges — The official free rest zones. At all 4 terminals, open 24 hours. All Snooze Lounge locations →
• Movie theatres and quiet zones work as unofficial backup options
• Sleeping in transit areas is allowed and common

🧳 Luggage Storage

Arriving early or have a late checkout? Luggage storage is available at all terminals and inside Jewel — hourly, daily, and oversized options. Drop bags at the Jewel counter before exploring so you're hands-free.

🛂 Do I need a Visa?

Singapore takes border control seriously, but the process is typically fast and professional. Most nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for 30–90 days — always check the latest requirements before travel. Check if you need a Visa here →

📋 Is a Visa and SG Arrival Card the same thing?

No — they are not the same thing. A Visa is a separate document that some nationalities need to obtain before travelling to Singapore. An SG Arrival Card, on the other hand, is required by everyone regardless of nationality — it is part of the standard entry process. It is FREE and must only be submitted through the official Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) site: eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard. Do not use third-party websites that charge for this — the official submission is always free.

🧾 What do I need to enter Singapore?

• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Visa (if required — check the ICA visa requirements page for your nationality)
• Completed SG Arrival Card (submitted online — free, official ICA site only)
• Return or onward ticket (sometimes checked)
• Accommodation address (sometimes checked)

🚫 Customs — Things Tourists Get Caught Out By

• Bringing large quantities of cigarettes without declaration (duty-free limit: 1 litre spirits, 1 litre wine or beer — no tobacco duty-free allowance since 2023!)
• Importing chewing gum in bulk (only medicinal/dental gum allowed)
• 🚭 No vaping — at all! E-cigarettes, vapes, and similar devices are completely banned in Singapore. This includes bringing them in for personal use. Possession, use, and importation are all illegal and can result in heavy fines or prosecution.
• Bringing goods purchased overseas into Singapore: All new goods bought abroad are subject to Singapore GST upon arrival. If you've been away more than 48 hours, you get GST import relief up to S$500; if less than 48 hours, the limit is S$100. Goods above your relief limit must be declared at the Red Channel. Importantly, removing price tags or packaging does not exempt goods from tax. Gifts are also included in the total value. If you're buying expensive items like designer handbags or luxury goods overseas and bringing them into Singapore, be aware that customs may assess their value even without a receipt.
• Goods intended for resale: GST import relief only covers goods for personal use. If you are purchasing goods abroad to resell in Singapore, these do not qualify for personal GST relief and must be declared. Singapore Customs takes a serious view of under-declaration — failure to declare can result in fines or prosecution.
• Carrying prohibited drugs or certain medications without a letter from your doctor — check HSA guidelines here →
• Bringing counterfeit goods

Singapore uses its own currency, the Singapore Dollar (S$). We do not use other currencies such as USD. Most people get around very easily cashless — cards are accepted almost everywhere: malls, restaurants, and taxis (though taxis may add a small admin fee for card payments). Hawker centres and small local shops may still be cash-only, so it's worth having some notes on you.

💱 Currency Exchange

Airport rates are convenient but slightly worse than in the city. That said, because Singapore is mostly cashless, the amount you'd typically need to change may not be that much — so it might not be worth travelling all around the city hunting for the best rate.

For reference you can check current rates at cashchanger.co/singapore. Money changers are usually not far from you — search Google Maps to find your nearest one. If you're in a shopping mall, they're often tucked away in the basement or on the top floor in some obscure corner.

Rates at hotels and banks aren't usually as competitive as money changers — worth knowing before you queue.

🏧 Cash & ATMs

The best approach is to bring your home currency and change cash at a money changer as and when you need it. For reference: a hawker meal is around S$8–$12, and a taxi ride between S$15–$25 (though most taxis also take card with a small additional fee).

• ATMs are widely available at MRT stations, malls, banks, and 7-Eleven
• Most accept international Visa/Mastercard
• Notify your home bank before travel to avoid card blocks

📲 Contactless Payments

Singapore is extremely cashless-friendly. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayNow, and contactless cards work at most places. The MRT accepts contactless bank cards directly — no EZ-Link card needed if you have a Visa or Mastercard.

🚇 MRT — Cheapest Option

The Changi Airport MRT station sits between T2 and T3. Take the train to Tanah Merah, then transfer to the main East-West Line heading into the city. Total journey is around 30–40 minutes and costs around S$2.00–$2.50.

🚕 Taxis

Available 24/7. Just follow the overhead yellow signs in the arrival hall to the taxi stand — the queue moves quickly and you'll be directed to the next waiting cab. Taxis are metered and driven by local Singaporeans who rely on this as their livelihood, so you're unlikely to be taken for a ride. If you're ever concerned, ask for a receipt before you get in — it'll show the taxi number, distance, time, and any surcharges, which covers you if there's ever a dispute.

Budget around S$25–S$40 to the city centre. A few things worth knowing:

• Airport surcharge: S$5–8 added on top of the metered fare for airport pickups
• Peak hour surcharges: 25% surcharge Mon–Fri 6–9:30am and Mon–Sun 6pm–midnight. Off-peak (midday and early afternoon) is the cheapest time to take a taxi.
• Late night surcharge: 50% surcharge midnight–6am
• Change of shift: You may see a taxi with a destination sign like "Tampines" or "Woodlands" — this means the driver is heading back at end of shift and will only take passengers going roughly in that direction. It's not personal, just wave the next one down.
• "On Call" sign: the taxi has been pre-booked and is on its way to collect someone else — not available for hailing.
• "Busy" sign: confusingly, this often means the driver is on a break or not taking passengers — not that they're occupied. Wave the next one.
• Identifying available taxis: Look for the illuminated roof sign — if it's lit, the taxi is free. Taxis come in different colours from different companies, but pricing is broadly the same.

You generally don't need to pre-book from the airport — just join the queue. From your hotel, ask the concierge or flag one from the street. Taxis also have their own booking app called CDG Zig.

📱 Grab — Private Hire Vehicle (PHV)

Grab is our version of Uber, available across several Southeast Asian countries, so installing it before you travel is well worth it. It has the largest fleet of private hire vehicles in Singapore — look for the blue PHV sticker on the front or rear windscreen. Beyond rides, you can also order food delivery from the same app.

Pickup zones at the airport are separate from the taxi stands — follow signs for "Private Hire Vehicles." Be early — drivers often can't stop for long, and going around for another pass adds 10 minutes. Payment is cashless via card (we prefer Wise), so when you arrive, just open the door and go — it's already been paid. No haggling, no surprises — the price was fixed when you booked.

🏨 Hotel Shuttle

Some hotels offer shared or private airport shuttles — great if you have heavy luggage or your hotel isn't near an MRT. Check with your hotel at the time of booking.

Singaporeans are often misread as cold or unfriendly by first-time visitors. They're not — they're efficient, private, and reserved in public. Once you understand the cultural context, interactions become much more comfortable.

• "Mind your own business" culture — Singaporeans avoid interfering in others' matters. Being overly inquisitive about salary, religion, or personal life with strangers feels intrusive.
• Public composure matters — Displaying strong emotions (shouting, dramatic reactions) is seen as loss of self-control. Calm, composed behaviour earns respect.
• Efficiency over small talk — In shops, taxis, and food stalls, expect functional communication rather than chattiness. This isn't rudeness — it's cultural efficiency.
• Friendliness develops slowly — Singaporeans may seem reserved initially but warm up considerably over time. Don't push it.
• "Sorry" is used casually — People say "sorry" even for minor situations like brushing past someone. It's politeness, not admission of serious fault.
• Group harmony first — Singaporeans often prioritise not causing inconvenience to others over personal preference. This is why the queuing and escalator etiquette is taken so seriously.

Singlish is a uniquely Singaporean creole — English mixed with Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese, and Tamil. English is perfectly understood everywhere, but hearing Singlish is part of the cultural experience!

• Escalators: LEFT = stand, RIGHT = walk. This is taken seriously. Breaking it is an instant signal you don't know local norms.
• Don't block MRT doors. Move inside the carriage. Standing in the doorway frustrates everyone.
• Phone volume: Use headphones. Playing videos or calls on speaker is one of the most complained-about behaviours. Keep the volume for your ears only — the person next to you doesn't want to know what happened to Aunty Val.
• Backpacks off in crowded trains — hold in front or place on the floor between your legs.
• Priority seats: Avoid them if someone in need is visible. Even if they're empty, sitting there can attract silent judgment.
• Queue at platform doors: Yellow line markings show where to stand. Queue beside the door markers — don't cut in.
• Keep conversations between yourselves. Singaporeans generally keep to themselves on public transport — they're not unfriendly, just private. Keep your conversation volume to your group, not the whole carriage, and don't spread out across seats or handrails in a way that takes up the space of others.
• Exiting the station: When tapping out, use the same card you tapped in with. Tapping a different card won't let you through the gantry — and yes, this includes accidentally tapping your entire wallet at the reader. One card at a time at the exit.

Singapore is religiously diverse — Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Taoism all coexist. Religious sites are active places of worship, not just tourist attractions.

• Dress modestly at all temples and mosques — shoulders and knees covered. Many places lend sarongs or robes at the entrance.
• Remove shoes before entering Hindu temples and mosques. Look for shoe racks at the entrance.
• Ask before photographing inside. Some areas and rituals are restricted.
• Head covering for women at mosques may be required — scarves are often available to borrow at the entrance.
• Halal awareness: When eating with Muslim friends, ensure food is Halal-certified. This is a matter of deep respect, not inconvenience.