smart travel singapore

11 things to know before visiting Singapore

Mar 9, 2024 • 6 min read

Plan for your trip to Singapore with these things you should know and insider tips © Jakub Zajic / Getty Images

Singapore has a well-cultivated image of being a safe country .

Too safe perhaps for some, who balk at its infamously strict rules and fines for flouting them, and find the gleaming modern city too sanitized for their liking. Others appreciate the clean streets and manicured gardens amidst the tall buildings along with the intriguing mix of people that make up Singapore’s multifaceted culture.

As a Singaporean who’s lived here all her life (and who has always had to explain the country to fellow travelers in foreign hostel common rooms) here’s what you need to know about Singapore, its cultural landscape, and its local customs and quirks, to help you plan your trip to the Little Red Dot.

1. Singapore is small, but with lots to see and do

Compact Singapore takes less than an hour to drive from end to end but there’s a lot packed into this small country. For a first-time visitor, three to four days is usually sufficient to see the main highlights and get a feel of the top things to do in Singapore . 

If you’re really short on time, plan a layover with at least 5.5 hours and you can join one of three free transit tours organized by the excellent Changi Airport for a quick taster of what the country has to offer.

2. Pack for the tropics

Practically located on the equator, expect hot tropical weather ranging from 25 to 35ºC (77 to 95ºF) every single day in Singapore. A small umbrella is essential in case of scorching rays or sudden downpours.

What can be tough for those used to temperate climates is Singapore’s high humidity – 60 to 90% on average throughout the year, so be prepared to sweat it out. Pack light materials or bring a small fan or hankie around with you. Anyone basking under the afternoon sun who’s not on the beach is definitely a tourist – be sure to slap on the sunblock!

Funnily enough, it tends to be a lot colder indoors than outdoors because shopping malls and central cooling overcompensate for the heat.

A scarf or a light jacket will keep you warm, offer extra sun protection and are the perfect cover-up if you plan to visit religious buildings.

3. Singapore is an independent country 

With a majority Chinese population, some people mistakenly assume that Singapore is a part of China, which is not the case. Most Chinese Singaporeans are descendants of southeastern Chinese immigrants who sailed across the seas decades ago. 

Singapore may be hard to spot on a map, but you’ll find it just south of the Malaysian peninsula in Southeast Asia, four hours away from China by plane. On that note, despite its proximity and commonalities in shared culture and history, Singapore is also not a part of Malaysia, though it was very briefly back in 1963 before Singapore became fully independent in 1965, making next year – 2025 – the 60th anniversary of the republic.  

4. Most Singaporeans speak excellent English

Singapore is an easy place for Western tourists to explore on their own because of the widespread use of English here. Fun fact: Singapore actually has four official languages: Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu and Tamil represent the three major ethnic groups found here (Chinese, Malay and Indian respectively), and English is the main language used in schools and for business, which also allows for conversation across ethnicities.

5. Natural disasters are unlikely in Singapore 

Singapore may not have scenic mountain ranges or awe-inspiring topography, but it’s also out of the path of any major tectonic movement. You are unlikely to face any major natural disasters – no earthquakes, volcanos, typhoons or sandstorms here.

In the worst case, there may be flash floods during particularly rainy periods or haze blanketing the island from forest fires around the region, but these are usually temporary and minor inconveniences.

6. Singapore is a safe and stable place to visit 

Singapore is also well-known for its generally stable political and business climate, often ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Strikes that can disrupt travel plans are practically nonexistent here.

The crime rate in Singapore is also relatively low with lots of surveillance and a police force that people trust in. As a single woman, I’ve never been too worried about wandering around Singapore on my own even at night, but do maintain some common sense for your own safety as one of our popular slogans here goes: low crime doesn’t mean no crime.

7. Carry both cash and credit cards

How many Singapore dollars you change before your trip largely depends on where you plan to go . Most major tourist attractions and shops in shopping malls will accept credit cards, and other cashless options like contactless payments and smart wallets are also common.

Those planning to take public transport in Singapore can use their credit cards on the public buses and MRT card readers for convenience, but purchasing a local EZ-Link card or transport pass may be more worthwhile depending on how much travel you plan to do. However, do carry some cash around with you as it remains the prevalent method of payment for most small businesses, eating at hawker center stalls, or taking a taxi. Try to break notes of larger denominations ($50/$100) into smaller ones ($2/$5/$10) when possible.

8. Prebook attractions to avoid waiting in line

There’s a joke that a Singaporean’s favorite pastime is to queue for things, but that’s not something you want to waste time on. If there is an option to prebook tickets online or make a reservation, just do it. This is key on busy weekends and peak vacation periods like the mid- and year-end school holidays.

An attraction’s official website is usually the best place to get tickets, but browse other booking platforms before you check out as these sites may offer special seasonal discounts or multi-bundle prices. Also check the Visit Singapore website as it sometimes runs incentive programs for tourists.

9. Tipping is not expected

Tipping is not expected in Singapore. If you’re eating out in a restaurant or cafe, there is usually a 10% service charge included in the bill. Some places may have a tip box but otherwise, additional tips are not mandatory or expected, though they are appreciated in the service line.

10. Understand the art of "chope-ing"

If you are eating at food centers or working at co-working spaces, particularly within the central business district, you may notice empty tables with strategically placed items like umbrellas, tissue packets or lanyards on the seats. This is a local practice to "chope" or reserve a seat while everyone is queuing up at the stalls. Most people honor this informal reservation system and will look elsewhere for available seats.

11. Yes, you can drink the tap water

There's no need to buy bottled water in Singapore. The tap water here is treated and perfectly safe to drink. You'll find that most attractions have water coolers where you can refill your reusable bottles while you're out and about during the day.

This article was first published Sep 22, 2023 and updated Mar 9, 2024.

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24 Best Apps for Singapore Travel: Explore the City with Ease!

As avid travelers, we know how essential it is to have the right tools when exploring new places.

Thankfully, Singapore has many handy apps that make our urban adventures a breeze.

We’ve identified 24 of the best apps for Singapore Travel designed explicitly to cater to various aspects of the travel experience.

These apps will ensure that our trips go smoothly, from transportation and rideshare options to food and accommodation.

Also included in our list are apps that help travelers grasp the local language and culture and book tours and activities to make the most out of their stay in this incredible city.

Apps for Singapore Travel: Key Takeaways

• Essential apps help travelers in Singapore navigate, dine, and book accommodations efficiently.
• Language and culture apps can enrich visitors’ experiences and understanding of the city.
• Rideshare, tour, and ticket booking options keep travelers well-prepared for a hassle-free trip.

Got any queries about your Singapore travel adventures?

Come on over to the  Singapore For Everyone  Facebook group. I’ll be hanging out there, ready to help you out with answers!

Essential Singapore Route Planning Apps

Google maps.

We can’t emphasize enough how crucial Google Maps is for navigating Singapore. It is the best app to use, especially for first-time travelers.

The public transport system in Singapore is reliable, and Google Maps provides accurate information on bus and MRT routes, making it a breeze for us to explore the city.

MyTransport

For a more comprehensive view of Singapore’s public transport system, we recommend MyTransport . This app provides information on bus services, MRT lines, road conditions, and parking availability.

We find it especially helpful when traveling during peak hours, as it shows real-time crowd levels at MRT stations.

Gothere.SG is another app we like to use for exploring Singapore. Its primary focus is providing accurate directions and estimated travel times for various transportation modes, including walking, cycling, driving, and public transport.

Additionally, it offers information on nearby attractions, restaurants, and shopping malls, making it a great tool to plan our day and discover new places in Singapore.

This is how we use all the tools above as a local;

1. We decide where to go, access our Google Maps app, and type the destination to see an overview of our trip.

2. Then we access Gothere.SG App and input our locations; why do we prefer this app compare to Google Maps? Because Gothere.sg, since it is a local app, it often shows the route only local knows.

Moreover, If you are a bus traveler, Gothere.SG main strength from the beginning is to show what are the bus numbers you can use to get to your destination. Also, the combination of 2 transportation modes, bus and MRT, to reach your goal and how long the next bus or MRT will come.

MyTransport is our last weapon to know the real-time bus timing. It can be more accurate than GoThere.SG but mostly, we can choose not to use it.

Transportation Rideshare Apps

We found Grab a lifesaver for getting around the city during our travels in Singapore! Initially known as GrabTaxi, this app has grown extensively since 2012 and now offers various transportation services such as JustGrab, GrabTaxi, and GrabHitch.

With over 100,000 drivers, ride booking is effortless. One of the best features of Grab is the app’s user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for us to book rides and track our drivers in real time.

Zig is a one-stop app that offers a range of services to tourists in Singapore, including ride-hailing, food delivery, and ticket booking for events and attractions.

The app is owned by ComfortDelGro, one of Singapore’s largest land transport companies, and six other countries.

If you see blue and yellow color taxi in Singapore, they are owned by ComfortDelGro.

As a local, compared with other taxi companies, this blue taxi and yellow taxi are our go-to taxis.

The good thing about Zig is besides taxis, they also work with privately hired drivers to increase their fleet coverage in Singapore.

Tourists can download Zig for the first time and get a $3 ride promo code. The app also features a shopfront where users can explore various services and discounts.

In our experience, Gojek is another fantastic option for commuting in Singapore.

Originally from Indonesia, Gojek started as a motorbike ride-hailing platform and later expanded to include cars, making it a great alternative to Grab. Whether you’re hopping in a “GoCar” or going for a thrilling “GoRide” on the back of a motorbike, Gojek has you covered.

One of the most notable features of Gojek was the competitive pricing, which makes traveling around the city more affordable.

Lastly, we’d like to introduce TADA as our final recommendation for transportation rideshare apps in Singapore.

A relatively new player in the market, TADA focuses on providing a zero-commission policy for drivers and maintaining an ad-free environment for riders.

The unique benefit of TADA is its point-based reward system. As travelers, we loved earning points for using their service and exchanging them for discounts or other benefits.

Overall, finding reliable and cost-effective transportation in Singapore is a breeze with these four rideshare apps.

This is our choice of the rideshare app as a local;

1. Focus on Grab & Zig .

Why? Grab has the largest fleet in town – and they have various sizes of vehicles that can cater to your big traveling family or a luxury ride if you need it.

Zig is an alternative because their blue and yellow color taxis are everywhere in Singapore.

2. Based on our experience and other locals, Gojek is slightly harder to get the drivers if you are located outside of the city area.

You can wait longer to get the driver in Gojek, which is not worth it if you have limited time in Singapore.

3. TADA: not yet a challenger to Grab and Gojek regarding price and booking time.

Food Delivery and Dining – Apps for Singapore Travel

Regarding food and dining in Singapore, many options are available to satisfy our taste buds.

We’ve handpicked some of the best food-related apps for Singapore travel that have been our go-to for dining out and food delivery services in this vibrant city.

Chope quickly became our favorite restaurant booking app in Singapore. This user-friendly platform allows us to easily search for restaurants by location, cuisine type, and more.

We particularly enjoyed the exclusive deals and discounts on the app, making our fine dining experiences in Singapore even more delightful.

If you’re looking for great discounts on restaurant meals, you must try Eatigo . We were pleasantly surprised to find discounts of up to 50% off regular menu prices at various dining establishments in Singapore.

We enjoyed delicious meals at fantastic prices by making a reservation through the app.

When exploring the local food scene in Singapore, Burpple is an invaluable resource. We loved browsing through the app’s extensive collection of food journals, reviews, and photos, which helped us find hidden gems and popular spots.

Plus, the Burpple Beyond membership offered us 1-for-1 deals on selected dishes, allowing us to indulge guilt-free during our trip.

For those nights when we preferred to stay in and have food delivered, we found Foodpanda to be a reliable option.

With an extensive list of restaurants and cuisine types, Foodpanda catered to our cravings for local and international dishes.

The app is easy to navigate, and we can track our orders in real-time, ensuring a seamless dining experience right at our doorstep.

Another excellent food delivery service we relied on during our Singapore adventures is Deliveroo . We appreciated the app’s sleek interface, and the delivery times were consistently fast.

With an impressive collection of restaurants, Deliveroo helped us discover a diverse range of eateries we might have otherwise missed.

GrabFood is a popular food delivery app in Singapore widely used by locals and tourists. As a part of the Grab App, this app offers a wide range of food options from local hawker stalls to high-end restaurants.

GrabFood also offers island-wide delivery, making it convenient for tourists to order food anywhere in Singapore.

Compared to other food delivery apps in Singapore, such as Deliveroo and Foodpanda, GrabFood has a few key advantages.

Firstly, GrabFood offers a broader range of food options, including local hawker stalls and street food, often unavailable on other food delivery apps.

Secondly, GrabFood has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for tourists to navigate and place orders.

Finally, GrabFood often offers promotions and discounts, making it a more affordable option than other food delivery apps.

However, Deliveroo and Foodpanda also have their unique advantages.

Deliveroo offers a curated selection of high-quality restaurants and is renowned for fast delivery times.

Foodpanda, on the other hand, has a more extensive selection of restaurants and often offers free delivery promotions.

This is our choice of the dining and food delivery app as a local;

1. For Dining

Chope and Eatigo are both useful for us; in terms of interface, Chope is easier to navigate.

2. For Food Delivery

GrabFood and Foodpanda are our go-to apps; we always compare the price, shipping fee, and promo between these two. The food selection vendors that we found in these 2 apps are huge!

Burpple is good for inspiration for what you gonna eat in Singapore, especially their social media content; you can make a decision instantly.

READ ALSO The best food content that we have:

7 Best Places To Eat Crab In Singapore: Beyond Chilli Crab

19+ Best Places To Eat At Orchard Road (Local’s Guide)

Accommodation Booking Apps

When traveling to Singapore, finding the perfect place to stay can be challenging. But fear not, fellow explorers! We’ve gathered some of our favorite apps to help you book your accommodation in Lion City.

Agoda is in our number one spot; Because of its advantage in Asia’s properties. So for us, it is great for finding amazing deals on properties in Singapore, be it budget hostels or luxurious hotels.

With its reward system, we can accumulate points on each booking, which can be redeemed for future discounts – great for saving some pennies!

Our personal experience shows that communication with customer service is fantastic. Agoda solved our problem with the wrong booking date. They did it quickly and came up with the solution.

Booking.com

We love Booking.com for its vast selection of hotels, hostels, and apartments in Singapore.

The app offers detailed descriptions, photos, and reviews of each property, making finding our ideal stay a breeze. Plus, the app has exclusive deals so that we can save on bookings!

Its user-friendly interface lets us quickly filter our search by price, location, and other preferences.

We strongly recommend giving Booking.com a try when searching for accommodations in Singapore.

HostelWorld

If you’re on a tighter budget or prefer a more social environment, we suggest checking out HostelWorld .

This app specializes in hostels, offering various options catering to different preferences. From cozy, quiet spots to lively party hostels, we’ve found HostelWorld an invaluable resource in Singapore.

The app provides hostel overviews, ratings, and reviews from fellow travelers, helping us make the best choice for our stay. It even allows us to book directly through the app – so convenient!

So, there you have it! Next time you plan a Singapore adventure, explore Booking.com , Agoda , and HostelWorld to find your ideal accommodation. Happy travels!

Local Language and Culture Apps

We loved using the Hosay! App during our travels in Singapore. This little gem is a must-download for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the local language and culture.

Hosay! Offers users an engaging way to learn Singlish, a colloquial language that combines elements of Singapore’s official languages, including English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. With this app, we were able to:

• Learn commonly-used Singlish phrases
• Practice pronunciation with audio clips
• Understand the unique blend of languages in Singapore

Not only did this app help us feel more connected to the local culture, but it also made our interactions with Singaporeans much more enjoyable and authentic.

SG Heritage Trails

Another fantastic app we discovered is SG Heritage Trails . This app allowed us to dive deep into the history and culture of various neighborhoods all over the island. Through self-guided walking tours, we could explore historical sites, architecture, and cultural attractions at our own pace. Some of our favorite features in the Singapore Heritage Trails app include:

• Detailed route maps and descriptions of each trail
• Stories, anecdotes, and historical facts about the places we visited
• Pictures to help identify landmarks and architectural styles

With this app, we saw Singapore’s beauty and learned about its rich multicultural history. It’s an essential travel companion for the culturally-curious visitor to Singapore.

Using these two fantastic apps, we broadened our understanding of Singapore’s unique local lingo and cultural heritage, significantly enriching our travel experience.

Whether you’re already in Singapore or planning a future visit, we highly recommend trying these apps!

Tour & Tickets Booking

When we first set foot in Singapore, we knew that finding the best apps for Singapore travel in the booking tours and tickets category would help maximize our experience.

Why waste time searching for individual attractions when you can easily find and book them all in one place? Enter Klook, Get Your Guide, and Viator – our top picks for exploring Singapore!

Klook is an absolute lifesaver for us during our trip to Singapore. We could book exciting tours, attractions, and even transportation with just a few taps.

The app boasts a user-friendly interface and offers fantastic deals on popular activities like the Singapore Flyer , Gardens by the Bay , and Universal Studios Singapore .

With Klook , we found the following:

• Exclusive discounts on attractions and activities
• Convenient mobile e-vouchers for seamless entry
• A vast array of options for discovering Singapore’s best spots

Get Your Guide

Another gem we discovered, Get Your Guide quickly became our go-to app for booking guided tours and experiences. We could easily explore Singapore’s rich history and vibrant culture by offering various activities curated by experts. Some highlights we booked through Get Your Guide include:

• A mouth-watering food tour through the hawker centers
• A fascinating walking tour of Chinatown and Little India
• A serene river cruise to appreciate Singapore’s stunning skyline

Last but not least, Viator is a fantastic app that helped us enhance our Singapore adventure. With unique experiences and engaging tours, Viator ensured we didn’t miss a must-visit spot in the city.

Thanks to Viator, we got to:

• Take a thrilling Night Safari adventure .
• Embark on a fascinating bike tour to explore hidden gems.
• Witness the mesmerizing Wings of Time on Sentosa Island.

Armed with these three amazing apps, our Singapore trip was truly unforgettable.

Why not try them out and see what incredible experiences you can find? Happy exploring!

If we can choose one app for our tour and experience booking in Singapore and Asian countries, we will go with Klook.

Because Klook covers 90% of your travel needs in Singapore.

It is Singapore’s most extensive travel and ticketing platform, and the price is very competitive. That’s why as a local, we recommend it to travelers.

Don’t believe us? Check it for yourself at Klook Singapore.

Miscellaneous Travel Support Apps

Parking.sg is a mobile app that allows tourists in Singapore to pay for parking charges using their mobile devices at all coupon parking car parks.

The app offers a convenient way to calculate parking fees automatically, eliminating the need to display parking coupons. Instead, users can key in their vehicle number, select the car park, and indicate their parking duration.

The app will then automatically calculate the charges and allow users to pay using their credit or debit card.

The app also offers additional features such as the ability to extend parking duration remotely, receive notifications when the parking session is expiring, and get a refund calculated on a per-minute basis if the parking session is ended earlier.

Overall, Parking.sg is a great app for tourists driving in Singapore who need to park their vehicles in public car parks.

The Changi app is a must-have for those flying into or out of Changi Airport. We found it an indispensable tool, as it provided us with essential airport information, facilitated navigation through the terminals, alerted us of flight updates, and even informed us about ongoing promotions and events within the airport.

In addition to these features, the app also offered useful tips on public transport options, making planning our journeys in Singapore easier.

Bike Rental App

When we wanted a change of pace from taxis and buses, we turned to bike rentals for a more active mode of transportation. One bike rental app that helped us explore the city on two wheels was Anywheel .

The app showed us the availability of bikes for rent and their pickup locations. Riding through the vibrant streets of Singapore while enjoying the impressive urban landscape was one of our trip’s highlights.

In conclusion, these apps greatly enhanced our travel experience by providing relevant and up-to-date information on various aspects of Singapore, like parking spaces, Changi Airport, and bike rental services. We highly recommend them to anyone planning a visit to this fantastic city.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR SIGNATURE SINGAPORE TRAVEL GUIDE:

The Ultimate Guide Of Things To Do In Chinatown Singapore

Best Beaches On Sentosa Island Singapore: Coastal Escapes Await!

Best Hotels On Orchard Road Singapore – Where To Stay?

Royal Albatross Sunset Cruise Review: Is It Worth It?

Apps for Singapore Travel: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the top mrt and bus apps for navigation.

As seasoned travelers in Singapore, we can’t recommend Google Maps enough to get an overview of your journey. But for a more focused and detailed transportation app, use Gothere.SG. This universal app has helped us easily navigate the city’s MRT and LRT system; it’s an essential tool for exploring Singapore hassle-free, from finding the nearest station to displaying timetables and routes.

Best food finder apps in Singapore?

As foodies, we know the importance of discovering mouth-watering dishes on a trip. We’ve found that the Burpple app is an excellent choice for finding inspiration for both famous and hidden gems in the city. With its curated list of eateries and insightful reviews, you’ll never be at a loss for delicious food options! For booking the order, we suggest Grabfood or Foodpanda.

Most helpful money-saving apps?

Saving money on a trip is always our top priority, and we’ve found a few apps that are immensely helpful in cutting costs while in Singapore. The EZ-Link card app can help you save on transport fares. Watch apps like Shopback, Chope, and Fave for dining and shopping deals to keep your wallet happy throughout your Singapore adventure!

Traveler and Photographer

Dirgan Fasa is a traveler and photographer based in Singapore. Love to share travel information about Singapore with the world through my community platform, Singapore For Everyone.

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Security Alert May 17, 2024

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Travel Advisory July 24, 2023

Singapore - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed . 

Exercise normal precautions in Singapore.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Singapore.

If you decide to travel to Singapore:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Singapore. 
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To enter Singapore, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended stay. If you plan on regional travel beyond Singapore, make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to enter other countries in the region. You do not need a visa for tourist or business visits up to 90 days.

Visit the  Embassy of Singapore  website for the most current visa information. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to Singapore. Foreign workers applying for an employment pass are required to undergo a medical screening for HIV/AIDS and a positive test will result in the rejection of a foreign worker’s application.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

COVID-19 Requirements: There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.  

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Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.  

In Singapore, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. Travelers should be aware of the following penalties for certain crimes in Singapore:

·         Possible arrest for jaywalking, littering, or spitting

·         Mandatory caning (a form of physical punishment) for certain vandalism offenses

·         Possible imprisonment, caning, or fines for immigration violations

·         Possible imprisonment, caning or fines for sex crimes or sexually inappropriate behavior. Lewd, unwanted behavior, including inappropriate comments, messages, or photography toward women who find it offensive may result in fines and imprisonment (“Insulting the modesty of woman”). If there is unwanted physical contact of any kind involved (“Outrage of modesty,” molestation), the laws are gender neutral and punishments generally more severe.

·         Severe penalties for drug-related charges, including the death penalty or caning.

·         Strict penalties for those who illegally possess or carry firearms, or who commit crimes with firearms

If you are suspected of consuming or possessing illegal drugs , police may:

·         Conduct unannounced drug tests and property searches, including upon entry into Singapore

·         Require you to provide a urine or blood sample on short notice

A positive finding or an unwillingness to participate can lead to:

·         Denial of entry into Singapore

·         Detention

·         Confiscation of your passport while under investigation

Singaporean authorities may arrest and convict any permanent residents of Singapore even if they have consumed illegal drugs outside of Singapore.

Singapore does not recognize dual nationality beyond the age of 22, and it strictly enforces universal national service for all male citizens and permanent residents. To determine if you have a national service obligation, contact the  Ministry of Defense.

Drunk and disorderly conduct can lead to a SG$1,000 fine or imprisonment. It is illegal to drink alcohol in a public place between 10:30 pm and 7:00 am. The areas of Geylang and Little India are designated as “Liquor Control Zones” where drinking in public places is prohibited all weekend, on public holidays, and on the eve of public holidays.

Public Demonstrations:  Public demonstrations are legal only at Speakers’ Corner in Hong Lim Park. Most outdoor public assemblies require a police permit. Singapore forbids foreign nationals who do not have permanent resident status from participating in or observing permitted public demonstrations, assemblies, and processions at Speakers’ Corner. Penalties may be severe, including large fines and/or imprisonment.

Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers:  The Singapore Convention of Jehovah’s Witness and the Unification Church are banned by the Singapore government. All written materials published by the International Bible Students Association and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, publishing arms of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, remain banned. Possible penalties include fines and imprisonment.

See our following webpages for additional details on faith-based traveling:

• Faith-Based Travel Information

International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports

• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  Singapore does not recognize same-sex unions. The Penal Code criminalizes any “act of gross indecency” between two men and prescribes a sentence not exceeding two years for those found guilty under this law. The Singaporean government has stated that it will not enforce this section of the Penal Code but it remains on the statute books. The government restricts foreigners from involvement in public events that champion LGBTI issues. LGBTI individuals may have difficulty gaining employment in certain sectors of the civil service. The  Ministry of Manpower  does not issue dependent passes (work permits) to partners in lesbian and gay relationships, even if legally married in another country.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Singapore does not explicitly prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility include accessible facilities, information, and access to services. Expect accessibility to be common in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, imprisoned, or even caned. 

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

• Possible arrest for jaywalking, littering, or spitting
• Mandatory caning (a form of corporal punishment) for certain vandalism offenses
• Possible imprisonment, caning, or fines for immigration violations
• Possible imprisonment, caning or fines for sex crimes or sexually inappropriate behavior. Lewd, unwanted behavior, including inappropriate comments, messages, or photography toward women who find it offensive may result in fines and imprisonment (“Insulting the modesty of woman”). If there is unwanted physical contact of any kind involved (“Outrage of modesty”, molestation), the laws are gender neutral and punishments generally more severe.
• Severe penalties for drug-related charges, including the death penalty or caning.
• Strict penalties for those who illegally possess or carry firearms, or who commit crimes with firearms

Singaporean authorities may conduct unannounced drug tests and property searches, including upon entry into the country, on foreign citizens who are suspected of consuming or possessing illegal drugs. Police may require you to provide a urine or blood sample on short notice. A positive finding or an unwillingness to participate can lead to a denial of entry into Singapore, detention and/or confiscation of your passport while under an investigation. Singaporean authorities may arrest and convict any permanent residents of Singapore even if they have consumed illegal drugs outside of Singapore.

Singapore does not recognize dual nationality beyond the age of 22, and it strictly enforces universal national service for all male citizens and permanent residents. To determine if you will have a national service obligation, you should contact the Ministry of Defense .

Drunk and disorderly conduct is treated seriously, and can lead to a fine or imprisonment. As of April 1, 2015, it is illegal to drink alcohol in a public place between 10:30 pm and 7:00 am. The areas of Geylang and Little India are designated as “Liquor Control Zones” where drinking in public places is prohibited all weekend, on public holidays, and on the eve of public holidays. Under the Liquor Control Act, you could be fined up to SG$1,000 for consuming alcohol in a public place during prohibited hours.

Public Demonstrations:  Public demonstrations are legal only at Speakers’ Corner in Hong Lim Park and most outdoor public assemblies require a police permit. Singapore amended its laws in April 2017 to forbid foreign nationals who are not permanent residents from observing permitted public demonstrations, assemblies, and processions at Speakers’ Corner. The law does not distinguish between participants and observers, so anyone at Speakers’ Corner could be considered part of an event. Penalties may be severe, including large fines and/or imprisonment.

Faith-Based Travelers:  The Singapore Convention of Jehovah’s Witness and the Unification Church continue to be banned by the Singapore government. All written materials published by the International Bible Students Association and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, publishing arms of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, remained banned by the government.

See our following webpages for additional Faith-based traveling details:

• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports

LGBTI Travelers:  Singapore does not recognize same-sex unions. The Penal Code criminalizes any “act of gross indecency” between two men and prescribes a sentence not exceeding two years for those found guilty under this law. The Singaporean government has stated that it will not enforce this section of the Penal Code but it remains on the statute books. The government issues permits for open air events that openly champion LGBTI issues on a limited basis but new regulations restrict foreign involvement. LGBTI individuals may have difficulty gaining employment in certain sectors of the civil service. The  Ministry of Manpower  does not issue dependent passes (work permits) to partners in lesbian and gay relationships, even if legally married in another country.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  Singapore has established a comprehensive code of standards for barrier-free accessibility, including facilities for persons with physical disabilities, in all new buildings and has mandated the progressive upgrading of older structures. The  Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and implementing programs and services in the disability sector.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Good medical care is widely available in Singapore. Doctors and hospitals:

• expect immediate, up-front payment for health services by credit card or cash
• generally do not accept U.S. health insurance
• may require a substantial deposit before admitting you for any major medical treatment.

U.S. Embassy Singapore maintains information on doctors and hospitals here . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

In certain circumstances, the Ministry of Health may access patient medical records without the consent of the patient, and in certain circumstances physicians may be required to report information relating to the diagnosis or treatment without the patient's consent.

Employment pass holders are subject to medical exams and may be denied or deported on medical grounds, including for HIV infection.

For emergency services in Singapore, dial 955.

Ambulance services are widely available. We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage.

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority to ensure the medication is legal in Singapore.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available throughout the country.
• Hospitals and doctors may require payment “up front” prior to service or admission.
• Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery:

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on Medical Tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Singapore.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.

Pharmaceuticals:

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy:

• If you are considering traveling to Singapore to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page .
• Surrogacy is illegal for foreigners in Singapore, subject to complex local regulation. For additional information, visit the Government of Singapore’s website for information on foreigner surrogacy.

Adventure Travel:

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel .

General Health:

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Chikungunya

Use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays.

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Singapore.

Mosquito-borne diseases: Dengue is active in Singapore and can be monitored at the  Singapore National Environmental Agency . In addition, most neighboring countries are Zika endemic.

Haze: Air pollution from forest fires in neighboring countries occurs intermittently, usually between July and October. Singapore’s National Environmental Agency’s  Haze  provides public updates on conditions.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Singapore has a highly developed, well-maintained road and highway network. Be aware of motorcyclists, who often ignore lane markings.

The  Automobile Association (AA) of Singapore  provides roadside assistance, and the  Land Transport Authority  has rescue vehicles on the road at all hours. In addition, closed circuit cameras monitor all major roads.

Traffic Laws:  Driving is done on the left-hand side of the road. Laws involving traffic rules, vehicle registration, and liability in case of accident are strictly enforced and violations may result in criminal penalties.

Public Transportation:  Public transportation and taxis are abundant, inexpensive, and reliable. Bus stops and trains have panels indicating all routes and stops.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. Visit the website of Singapore’s  national tourist office  and  national authority responsible for road safety .

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Singapore’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Singapore should check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted via to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website  and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Singapore . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

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• Entering, Transiting and Departing

Entering Singapore

To ensure a smooth journey, travellers seeking to enter Singapore should comply with the  Entry and  Public Health requirements listed below.

1) General Entry Requirements

To enter Singapore, travellers must meet the following immigration requirements:

i) Passport Validity

• Have minimum 6-month passport validity if you are not a Singapore passport holder
• Short term travellers holding a passport or travel document from a visa-required country/region must  apply for a Visa
• Visa-required travellers can use the  Visa-Free Transit Facility  for stay of less than 96 hours in Singapore, if eligible

iii) Security and Immigration Processes on Arrival

• Ensure that you do not bring prohibited items  into Singapore
• Familiarise yourself with  Checkpoint's Entry clearance procedures , including whether you are eligible for automated clearance
• Short-Term travellers should have sufficient cash and proof of onward travel (tickets, visas), and ensure that you do not stay beyond your visit pass validity. You may retrieve your e-Pass after arrival using the  e-Pass Enquiry Portal  or check your visit pass validity using the  visit pass validity tool .

iv) Customs Declaration

• Make a Customs declaration and tax payment using the Customs@SG web application  before arrival if you are entering Singapore with goods exceeding your Goods and Service Tax (GST) import relief and/or Duty-free concession . For more information, please refer to Baggage Clearance/Dual-Channel System .
• Those transiting/transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance; and
• Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders entering via land checkpoints.

Submission of SGAC is Free and can be done via the SGAC e-Service  or MyICA Mobile app . Please refer to SGAC with Electronic Health Declaration  for more information.

Short Term Visitors

• Visitors who wish to stay beyond the period of stay granted can apply for a  visit pass extension  online using the  e-Service . Applications are subject to approval.
• Travellers on short-term visit pass are also not permitted to engage in any business, professional or paid employment activities when in Singapore. Overstaying is also a punishable offence in Singapore.

2) Public Health Requirements

To avoid tests and quarantine, travellers must fulfil the public health requirements below. Travellers who cannot meet the public health requirements and refuse any test(s) and/or quarantine may be turned away from Singapore.

Produce an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever , if you have visited any country at risk of Yellow Fever transmission  in the six (6) days prior to arrival in Singapore.

Travellers must serve quarantine for six (6) days from date of departure from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission if they cannot meet the requirement. Quarantine also applies to those who are ineligible to receive the vaccination e.g., children aged one year and below and individuals with contraindications, and travellers whose yellow fever vaccination certificate has yet to become valid.

There are no longer any COVID-19 measures for travellers arriving in Singapore from 13 Feb 2023 , regardless of vaccination status or traveller profile.

Related Links

• Entry for Sea Crew/Pleasure Craft Owners
• Cargo and Postal Article Requirements
• Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints Traffic Updates
• Requirements for Transiting in Singapore
• Taking Cash In and Out of Singapore
• Use of QR Code for Immigration Clearance at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints

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Singapore Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Singapore. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Updated   Global Dengue June 25, 2024 Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Destination List: Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Laos, Mali, Martinique (France), Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Uruguay

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Singapore.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Singapore. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Singapore.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Singapore.

If rabies exposures occur while in Singapore, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites
• Mosquito bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Singapore, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although Singapore is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Singapore include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Singapore’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Singapore, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in Singapore.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Singapore for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Coming Soon: Travel Smart Journeys and Travel Smart Info Pack  

     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has reviewed its Travel Smart Programme to take into account rail network enhancements in recent years and changes to commuter travel patterns. Following its review, LTA will be concluding the Travel Smart Rewards (TSR) [1]  programme and will introduce a new initiative called Travel Smart Journeys (TSJ) later this year. 2.   Introduced in 2012 under the Travel Smart Programme, TSR aims to re-distribute peak hour travel demand and improve commuter experience by allowing commuters to earn points and rewards when they travel outside the morning peak period. Together with the introduction of lower morning pre-peak rail fares [2] across the entire rail network in December 2017, this has contributed to a 12% increase in commuters travelling during the morning pre-peak period in 2018, significantly larger than overall ridership growth of 2% [3] . 3.   Since the introduction of TSR, the rail network has expanded with the addition of the Downtown Line and Tuas West Extension. 99 new trains were also added to the North-South Line, East-West Line, North East Line and Circle Line from 2015 to 2019 to provide additional capacity. With these additions and recent efforts to renew and upgrade the network, peak hour loading has shown improvement across all rail lines. More Targeted Approach to Travel Management 4.   From running the TSR, we recognised that our scheme design must evolve and adapt to changing ridership patterns and circumstances to remain effective. This is why the emphasis of the Travel Smart Programme will shift to focus on more localised initiatives, given that network-wide lower morning pre-peak fares has been established. These initiatives will complement each other, and continue to help better distribute peak hour travel load for more comfortable rides and allow a more efficient use of our public transport network. 5.   Such a targeted approach will also allow LTA to be more flexible and responsive to changes in ridership patterns along specific stretches of the rail network, another key lesson learnt from our TSR journey thus far. One such localised initiative that LTA will introduce later this year is TSJ, to distribute peak hour travel demand more evenly by incentivising commuters along congested corridors or areas to consider alternative modes or routes. More details on TSJ will be announced in the second half of this year. 6.   Current TSR users can continue earning points for trips made on the rail network until 31 May 2019. They can convert their points into cash rewards, or use the points to win more points or cash rewards through the game on the TSR portal until 25 June 2019. Points which are not used by 25 June 2019 will no longer be valid. The Travel Smart Grant, which was established to encourage organisations to implement or trial some Travel Smart initiatives, will also be ceased in conjunction with the TSR programme. Travel Smart Info Pack Tailored For Residents of New Housing Estates 7.   As part of the more targeted approach for the Travel Smart Programme, LTA will introduce Travel Smart Info Packs from later this month for residents who will be moving into new housing estates. Besides travel smart tips, the Info Packs will provide residents with localised information on public transportation and active mobility options in their vicinity. Residents can use this information to plan and improve their commutes from their new homes. 8.   For a start, the Travel Smart Info Packs will be distributed to residents in the new HDB projects in Canberra and Sengkang.  

[1] Includes the cessation of corporate-tier TSR. [2] Commuters can enjoy up to 50 cents off their fare when they tap in at any train station islandwide before 7.45am on weekdays, excluding Public Holidays. [3] Refers to average weekday morning peak ridership growth.

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Singapore passport holders to enjoy short-term, visa-free travel to Timor-Leste under new agreement

SINGAPORE – Singapore passport holders can soon enjoy short-term, visa-free travel to Timor-Leste, following an agreement inked on June 27 between the two countries’ foreign ministers.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on June 27 that the visa waiver agreement was signed between Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Timor-Leste counterpart, Mr Bendito dos Santos Freitas, as part of the latter’s official visit to Singapore from June 26 to 28.

Under the mutual visa waiver agreement for diplomatic, official, service and ordinary passport holders, Singapore passport holders will be exempted from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste passport holders will continue to enjoy up to 30 days’ visa-free stay in Singapore.

“The agreement will contribute towards fulfilling the requirements under the road map for Timor-Leste’s accession to Asean , and strengthen the people-to-people ties between Singapore and Timor-Leste,” said MFA in the statement.

The road map was adopted on May 10, 2023. 

Asean is now composed of 10 member states. Timor-Leste attended the Asean summit in 2023 as an observer for the first time, during which its then Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak pledged that the country would fulfil the steps needed to be part of the regional group.

Timor-Leste, Asia’s youngest democracy, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002. It immediately began the process of joining Asean, but formally applied for membership only in 2011.

Mr Freitas called on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on June 27, with both welcoming the longstanding and friendly ties between the two nations. PM Wong reaffirmed Singapore’s support for Timor-Leste’s preparations to fulfil the road map to join Asean. This includes the Singapore-Timor-Leste Asean Readiness Support package launched in December 2022 and the Initiative for Asean Integration.

Dr Balakrishnan also hosted a lunch for Mr Freitas, where they reaffirmed the excellent relations between the two nations and welcomed the set-up of the Singapore embassy in the Timor-Leste capital of Dili in April 2024.

They agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as human resource development, trade and investment, energy and education.

On the afternoon of June 27, Mr Freitas was briefed by the MFA Diplomatic Academy on the training of diplomats.

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What Do Travel Insurance Plans Cover?

While pricing is a an important factor when comparing travel insurance plans, other features such as overseas medical coverage, trip cancellation coverage and many other related aspects are as important. These benefits and the extent of coverage for each type of benefit usually varies from insurer to insurer. Here are a few aspects you’ll want to look out for when it comes to choosing a suitable travel insurance with adequate coverage .

Overseas medical expenses

In the event you get diagnosed with some sort of unexpected disease, you’ll be able to claim for the necessary and reasonable overseas medical costs incurred within a certain number of days of your trip (usually 90 days) up to the limit as specified according to your selected plan. For some plans there are also tiered coverage limits for different age groups.

In-hospital cash overseas or allowance

Reimbursements for in terms of cash for hospital stays is another benefit that many insurers include in their plans now, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Emergency medical evacuation and emergency medical repatriation

This is one of the fundamental aspects of every coverage plan. Any costs incurred for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation (including repatriation of mortal remains back to Singapore) that are related to your severe injury/illness diagnosis will be covered.

Keep in mind to have someone on your behalf to contact the insurer’s emergency service to provide your full name, dates of trip, NRIC/FIN number, policy number, name of the place and the telephone number that your insurance provider can reach you, as well as the nature of help required during the emergency, in case you are unable to do so during the emergency.

Trip cancellation/alteration/interruption/delay

Trip cancellations, postponements, delays, and interruptions are often covered if you as the traveller or you relatives travelling with you are diagnosed with a severe illness/get severely injured before the date of departure, subject to terms and conditions.

Pre-existing conditions

This benefit is not commonly included in most travel insurance plans, but currently there are several insurers providing such plans and they include MSIG TravelEasy® Pre-Ex, Income Insurance Enhanced PreX® (formally known as Income) and Etiqa Pre-Ex. The premiums are higher than regular plans, but they provide overseas medical expenses that cover pre-existing conditions.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Cancelled Flights?

Not always! While all travel insurance policies have a "Trip Cancellation" benefit, you can only claim for this if it's for an insured event, such as a serious illness or accident, or unforeseen events such as riots or natural disasters. However, different insurers exclude different scenarios, so it's best to read the policy wording carefully. The following are types of flight cancellations that are NOT covered by travel insurance.

Flight Cancellation Due to Known Event

Flight cancellations due to events which are already made known as public knowledge are not covered by travel insurance, as you are expected to have known about these at the point of buying your tickets. However, if you bought your flights and activated your travel insurance before they became public knowledge, you might still be able to make a claim.

Flight Cancellation with Refund / Replacement

If your flight was cancelled but you were put on a replacement flight, or your fare was refunded, you will not be able to make a travel insurance claim under the trip cancellation benefit. In general, travel insurance is only for unrecoverable costs. However, you may claim for trip delay benefits, such as an extra night's accommodation or extra meals.

You Cancelled Your Own Flight / Trip

Travel insurance typically covers insured events that are beyond your control. If you are the one who changed your mind about your trip, you generally won't be able to claim anything - unless your insurer offers a "Cancellation for Any Reason" benefit. However, in public health emergencies like the COVID-19 outbreak, airlines usually waive the usual penalties for flight cancellations, out of goodwill.

Different Types Of Travel Insurance Coverage

Single trip plans.

If you’re thinking of only taking one or two trips in a year, single-trip travel insurance is probably more suitable for you. As the name suggests, single-trip insurance plans are made for individual travellers, and those who are travelling as families, who need travel coverage for a single trip or holiday, especially for long overseas trips (usually up to 180 days).

It makes more economic sense for those who don't travel very often, plus, single-trip insurance plans can be purchased easily online, with less time in planning and consideration as compared to annual multi-trip plans. But on the flip side, you’ll face the hassle of getting a new travel insurance policy every time you go on an overseas trip. For some, a single-trip insurance plan can get relatively expensive if the trips are short.

Annual Multi-trip plans

Annual travel insurance plans, which are also known as multi-trip travel insurance plans, are designed for those who travel several times in a year. The great thing about this kind of travel insurance is that you only need to do the purchase once, and you’re covered for the next 12 months. It is a good option if you’re a frequent traveller who intends to make many long trips or short weekend getaways abroad in a year.

Individual plans

Going solo as an occasional traveller or frequent traveller means that you’ll most likely need a single-trip individual travel insurance plan or an annual multi-trip travel insurance plan, depending on the frequency of travel.

Family plans

Family travel insurance plans usually cover you and the members of your family who travel with you on your trip, with a maximum number of adults and children to be insured per policy purchased. The people who are insured under a family travel insurance plan may comprise of you and your spouse, and/or your children or grandchildren.

You may want to consider purchasing a family travel insurance plan if you are travelling with your family and thinking of getting a single policy for your family members who are travelling with you, as getting a family travel insurance plan can be more cost-effective than getting separate single trip plans for each family member. What if you and your loved ones are travelling very often as a family? Some travel insurers also offer annual multi-trip travel insurance for families who are frequent travellers.

Single-trip or Annual multi-trip plan - Which one should you pick?

Now that we've detailed out what the different types of travel insurance plans are, it’ll be easier for you to make a decision. If not, here are some examples to help you understand better.

Joshua flies frequently in and out of the country for his business trips. As he works as a legal advisor, his job requires him to travel between Singapore and Thailand twice or once a month. Each trip will last for about a week. In this case, multi-trip travel insurance works best for him as he wouldn't have to keep getting travel insurance before every trip.

Lisa and Amanda are university friends planning to take a long post-graduation trip to Australia. They seldom travel and even if they did, they go on overseas vacations once a year with their own families. For them, the single travel insurance policy is a more suitable choice Australia .

How Do I Choose The Best Travel Insurance?

When choosing travel insurance plans for your holiday or business trips, there are several factors to consider, depending on your priorities. Here are four simple steps to pick a suitable travel insurance plan.

Check general coverage

Instead of deciding solely by price, you should compare the benefits and reimbursement limits for common claims like medical expenses, trip cancellations, flight delays and baggage theft and/or damage.

Compare policy premiums

How much your travel insurance costs depends on your destination and length of stay. Most travel insurance companies have 2 to 3 tiers of plans at different price points, with varying comprehensiveness and reimbursement limits.

Special activities coverage

The breadth of coverage needed largely depends on your itinerary. For instance, if you’re planning to go skydiving, make sure you get a policy that covers aerial sports like MSIG’s TravelEasy® Standard, Elite and Premier plans. Or if you’re going golfing overseas, pick a policy that insures your equipment.

Consider the trip duration

This is one of the important determining factors of which kind of travel insurance you get. Single trip travel insurance plans are usually for short trips. If you’re the kind who travels far and for months, it might be worthwhile to consider buying annual travel insurance.

Unlike single trip travel insurance, annual travel insurance often charges a flat premium and insures you for an entire year of travel. It usually costs about $200 to $300 per year, which is more suitable for a frequent traveller who is probably going to travel overseas more than 7 or 8 times a year, at least.

Best Travel Insurance Plans in Singapore Benefits Coverage

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Travel Insurance Claims

How do travel claims work.

Before you make a claim from your travel insurance provider, there are several important things to take note of, whether it is for claims related to your COVID-19 diagnosis, loss of baggage, trip cancellation, or other reasons. These include knowing what type of plan you purchased, when did the incident/illness occur (pre-trip, during-trip or post-trip), what belongings or items to claim for, and who are involved.

Here are 3 simple steps to submit your travel insurance claim

Get your supporting documents ready.

Most travel insurers require claims within 30 days. Submit via mail, WhatsApp, their app, or online portal to avoid policy breaches. Keep originals for 6 months in the event the travel insurance provider needs to sight them. Required documents often include personal info, medical reports, ownership proof, trip records, and reports (e.g., police, airline).

Fill in your details and attach your supporting documents in your submission

Log in to your insurer's claims app or portal. Fill in your info, and the necessary details for the claims (email address. policy number, departure date or policy purchase date), upload soft copies of your documents and submit. Alternatively, mail hard copies of your original documents.

Receive an acknowledgement email and await for settlement

After submitting, you'll receive an acknowledgment email. Your claim will be reviewed. For COVID-19-related claims, contact the provided hotline or email. Upon approval, your insurer will coordinate payments, often offering cashless reimbursement through PayNow or iBanking for speed and convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is travel insurance and how does it help me, what's the difference between single-trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance.

When you buy travel insurance you can choose from 2 types of policies, either the single trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance plan. Single trip travel insurance covers you for a single trip and is usually for individual travellers, or those who are travelling as families, who need travel coverage for a single trip or holiday, especially for long overseas trips (usually up to 180 days).

Annual travel insurance plans, which are also known as multi-trip travel insurance plans, cover you for all trips starting and ending in Singapore, and are designed for those who travel several times in a year, each trip lasting for about less than 180 days. You should consider buying Annual Travel Insurance if you travel frequently (more than 10 times a year). You will enjoy significant savings, and you won't have to worry about purchasing travel insurance every single time as you’ll be covered for the entire year.

Are family travel insurance plans cheaper?

Can i buy travel insurance once i'm overseas, how do i compare travel insurance policies, what are the best travel insurance for east and southeast asia countries.

We have written a quick guide on buying the best travel insurance to the nearby countries whether you are travelling to Malaysia , taking a weekend trip to Thailand , holidaying in Bali , planning a trip to Japan or a getaway to South Korea . Before jetting off, here are the 5 must have list of travel essentials that you will need when on holiday.

Does travel insurance cover flight cancellation due to illness?

Is there a difference between family travel insurance plans and group travel insurance plans, we asked singaporeans about flight disruptions, and they answered..

Find out the worst airlines with delays and cancellations according to Singaporean travellers.

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Key benefits

Extended coverage for travel inconveniences due to covid-19.

Whether you, your relative or travel companion on the same trip is diagnosed with COVID-19, you can be assured that your coverage is extended to support cancellations and postponements. Get complete peace of mind with an automatic extension of coverage up to 30 days, without extra premium, if you are hospitalised or quarantined overseas due to COVID-19. 

Comprehensive worldwide protection with extensive medical coverage

Travel with ease as you are supported with our 24-hour international emergency assistance services including up to $1 million emergency medical evacuation coverage. 

Our plan also extends to cover medical expenses that includes Emergency Dental Treatment 2 , Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) and Chiropractor treatments. 

Protect against unexpected travel cancellation and inconveniences

Up to $15,000 coverage against flight cancellations and includes coverage for other travel inconveniences, like loss of baggage, non-recoverable accommodation expenses and trip disruptions due to unforeseen events. 

Complimentary benefits at no extra premium 2

Indulge in action-packed adventures like mountaineering, snowboarding and skydiving, knowing you are covered at no additional premium.

Your questions answered

(Applicable for Elite and Classic single trip 2-way plans and annual multi-trip plans, each trip must not exceed 90 days.)

If you are purchasing a new policy, we have extended the TravelSmart Premier policy to cover certain situations pertaining to COVID-19. This means that for some benefits, cover is expanded to include losses occurring after COVID-19 was a known event and could reasonably have been expected to lead to a claim. For a detailed summary of what is covered or not covered for COVID-19, please refer to the policy wording.

Before purchasing the policy, please note that: • Your Trip is under the latest permitted travel arrangement as per Singapore Government travel advisory. • For single-trip policies and annual multi-trip policies, the extension only applies if the trip is no longer than 90 days in a row. • The extension is applicable to Elite and Classic plans only. • You are not serving stay home notice or quarantined due to COVID-19 or traveled to any countries other than the list of countries permitted as per Singapore Government travel advisory within 14 days before your trip started. • If required by authorities, you must take a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or any COVID-19 equivalent test approved by Singapore authorities within 72 hours before the start of your trip and you must be tested negative. Otherwise, there is no cover under section 38a - Medical expenses while overseas, section 38b - Emergency medical evacuation, section 38c - Repatriation, section 38g - Automatic extension of cover, section 38h – Overseas quarantine allowance and section 38i - Overseas hospital allowance of this extension. • We will not cover if you, a relative, or a travel companion is diagnosed (or suspected of being infected) with Covid-19 at the point of purchase of this policy or trip.

Q1: What are the benefits provided for COVID-19 cover?

Please refer to the table below for COVID-19 coverage:  

Q2: Where can I find details on the latest permitted travel arrangements issued by the Singapore government?

For the latest permitted travel arrangements issued by the Singapore government, please visit ICA Safe Travel website at  https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/ .

Q3: If the destination that I am going to has been suspended from the latest permitted travel arrangement as per the Singapore authorities, will I still be covered for the COVID-19 extension if I proceed with the trip?

No, the COVID-19 extension is only applicable if your trip is under the permitted travel arrangements as per the Singapore Government travel advisory at the point of your trip commencement.

Q4: If I have already departed for my trip before the permitted travel arrangement was suspended by the Singapore authorities, will I still be covered for the COVID-19 extension?

Yes, you will still be covered under the COVID-19 extension in view that the permitted travel arrangement was suspended after you have departed for your trip.

Q5: Will the policy cover my loss if I need to cancel my trip due to being diagnosed with COVID-19?

We will pay for any non-recoverable travel, accommodation expenses and/or cost of entertainment tickets that were paid in advance due to the cancellation of your trip if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 in Singapore within 30 days prior to the scheduled departure date of your trip. Please note that reimbursement of any travel and/or accommodation expenses redeemed using mileage points, holiday points or any reward schemes is excluded. If the policy is purchased less than seven days before your departure date, the Trip Cancellation benefit will only apply upon death due to COVID-19.

Q6: Will the policy cover my loss if I need to postpone my trip due to being diagnosed with COVID-19?

We will pay for any non-recoverable administrative charges arising from your travel and accommodation expenses that were paid in advance due to the postponement of your trip if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 in Singapore within 30 days prior to the scheduled departure date of your trip. Please note that reimbursement of any travel and/or accommodation expenses redeemed using mileage points, holiday points or any reward schemes is excluded.

Q7: I want to cancel my travel plans because I'm afraid to travel due to COVID-19. Am I covered?

Trip cancellation due to concern or fear of travel because of COVID-19, is not covered under the policy.

Q8: Can I claim for compensation if my flight is delayed by airline following instruction or recommendation by the government due to COVID-19 situation?

Flight delay by airline following instruction or recommendation of the government due to COVID-19 situation does not fall under the policy coverage.

Q9: If I contracted COVID-19 while traveling overseas, can I claim for medical expenses incurred?

We will reimburse the overseas medical expenses incurred up to 90 consecutive days from the date you are diagnosed with COVID-19. Please note that the policy will not cover your overseas medical expenses incurred if you are travelling against the advice of the Government or any local authority at the destination.

Q10: Will the policy cover my loss if I am diagnosed with COVID-19 during my trip and as a result, I am unable to continue with the trip?

We will pay up to the sub-limit that applies to your selected plan for the reasonable extra travel expenses or the cost of the unused portion of non-recoverable travel expenses (economy class), accommodation costs and entertainment tickets (for admission to theme parks, musicals, plays, theatre or drama performances, concerts or sports events) that you paid in advance if you are forced to change any part of your trip as a direct result of you, a relative on the same trip, or a travel companion being diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner while you are overseas.

Q11: Will my policy be automatically extended in the event that I am hospitalised overseas or quarantined due to COVID-19?

We will automatically extend your period of insurance with no extra premium for up to 30 days if you are hospitalized or quarantined overseas as a direct result of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner while you are overseas.

Q12: If I am quarantined overseas, am I entitled to any overseas quarantine allowance under my travel insurance

We will pay you a cash benefit up to the limit that applies to your selected plan for each full 24-hour period of quarantine, if you are placed under mandatory quarantine by the local authorities as a direct result of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner while you are overseas. Quarantine benefit is payable for quarantine at designated facility which is legally recognized by respective countries’ legislation.

Q13: If I am hospitalised overseas, am I entitled to any hospital allowance under my travel insurance?

We will pay you a cash benefit that applies to your selected plan for each full 24-hour period that you are in hospital overseas as an inpatient as a direct result of you being diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner while you are overseas.

Q14: If I contracted COVID-19 upon my return to Singapore, can I claim for medical reimbursement?

The policy is designed to protect you during your overseas journey. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 within Singapore, after your journey, your policy will not cover the costs of any medical expenses incurred locally.

Q15: Who can purchase TravelSmart Premier?

In order to qualify for travel insurance from Great Eastern, you must meet the following criteria: • You are a Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident; or foreigner with a valid Employment Pass, Work Permit, Dependant’s Pass, Student’s Pass or Long Term Social Visit Pass residing in Singapore. • You are at least 18 years old at the time of purchase (only required if you are the applicant). • You are not travelling contrary to the advice of a qualified medical practitioner or for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment. • You bought the policy before you leave Singapore on your trip.

Q16: What is the difference between TravelSmart Premier Basic, Classic and Elite Plans?

The differences are in the policy features and maximum amounts payable per person per trip in the event of a claim. For the best cover and highest protection, we suggest you choose Elite plan. You can view the travel policy document and compare the amounts payable for each of the policy features, to help you choose a suitable plan.

Q17: Who is considered Family under TravelSmart Premier?

For Single Trip Policies, Family means: • An adult and/or his/her spouse and unlimited number of biological or legally adopted children; or • One (1) or two (2) adults who are not related by marriage and a maximum of four (4) children who must be at least family related (i.e. biological or legally adopted child or ward, sibling, grandchild, niece, nephew or cousin) to any one of the adults; and All insured persons under the Single Trip Family Cover must depart from and return back to Singapore together at the same time as a Family.

For Annual Multi-Trip Policies, Family means: • An adult and/or his/her spouse and unlimited number of biological or legally adopted children; and • The insured persons under the family cover are not required to travel together on a journey. However, child insured person under the age of ten (10) years must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian for any trip made during the period of insurance.

Q18: What do I indicate as the Period of Insurance?

You will need to indicate the start date and end date of your trip for the Period of Insurance. The start and end date will be based on Singapore time. • Start date: The date you are departing from Singapore (e.g. If you are departing from Singapore on 04 Dec 2020 23:50, you should indicate the Start Date as 04 Dec 2020). • End date: The date you are arriving in Singapore (e.g. If you are arriving in Singapore on 05 Dec 2020 00:30, you should indicate the End Date as 05 Dec 2020).

Q19: Can I purchase TravelSmart Premier for my child who is traveling on a student exchange program or field trip?

Yes, child below 18 years old can apply for any plans under an individual cover, provided the proposal is made in the parent or adult guardian's name. Child below 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult (parent or guardian) for the entire trip. Please note that child benefits apply.

Q20: Can I purchase travel insurance if I am already overseas?

No, you will need to purchase your travel insurance before setting off for your overseas trip from Singapore. We strongly encourage you to purchase early before departure as our travel insurance provides pre-journey coverage as well.

Q21: If I have pre-existing illness, can I still purchase travel insurance?

Yes, you may still buy the policy. However, please note that the policy does not cover any loss, damage or liability directly or indirectly arising as a result of any pre-existing medical condition. For more information, please refer to your policy documents.

Q22: I will be travelling to more than two countries and will be back to Singapore before flying to the next country (e.g. Singapore > Bangkok > Singapore > Seoul> Singapore). Can I purchase one single trip policy for the entire journey in this case?

Sounds like a great trip! In this case, you will need to buy 2 separate single trip policies because the coverage for a single trip policy ends when you return to Singapore. Alternatively if you travel more than 3 times a year, an annual policy would be recommended as your insurance costs will be considerably cheaper compared to buying a single trip travel policy each and every time.

Q23: I’m travelling to more than one country during my trip. Can I still get a policy?

Yes, please select all destinations on your itinerary.

Q24: If I am travelling overseas to seek medical treatment, can I take up travel insurance?

Our policy covers people who are travelling overseas for business or for holiday. It is not intended to cover people who are travelling to seek medical treatment.

Q25: If I am only travelling one-way, will I be able to purchase travel insurance?

Yes, please select one-way trip. Your cover will cease when you arrive at your place of residence or workplace in the destination country within 4 days, or 3 hours after you have cleared immigration in the destination country, whichever is earlier.

Q26: Does the policy cover business travel?

Yes. Your policy will cover you for business travel except for • any loss, damage or liability arising as a result of manual or hazardous work; • travel relating to your job as a licensed tour guide or staff of a travel agency; • you taking part in naval, military, air force, civil defence or police training, duties, services or operations. For more information, please refer to the policy document.

Q27: What is the maximum period of coverage for an overseas trip?

• For Single Trip Policy: 182 consecutive days for Classic/ Elite Plan and up to 30 consecutive days for Basic Plan. • For an Annual Multi-Trip Policy: 90 consecutive days for Classic/ Elite Plan and up to 30 consecutive days for Basic Plan.

Q28: When will the coverage for my travel policy start?

Our pre-journey benefits provide coverage for trip cancellation and postponement 30 days before your departure date or policy issuance date, whichever is later. For all other benefits, the coverage starts after departure from Singapore.

Q29: I am stranded in a country and my policy is expiring. Can it be extended?

The Policy will be automatically extended (all plans except Basic Plan) without any additional premium for: • Up to a maximum of 30 days if you are hospitalised and quarantined overseas as advised by the attending medical practitioner. • Up to a maximum of 7 days if: a) The conveyance in which you are travelling is delayed through no act or omission of you. b) The airport or seaport is closed due to adverse weather conditions, strike, riot or civil commotion with the result that the Trip is not completed when the Period of Insurance ceases.

Q30: What are some of TravelSmart Premier’s general exclusions?

TravelSmart Premier does not cover any loss, injury or damage arising if: • You have a pre-existing medical condition. • You are not fit to travel or are travelling against the advice of a doctor. • Any strike, riot, civil commotion, dangerous health threat, natural disaster or any events in the destination you are traveling to which a government or any relevant authority issued a public warning or statement about before you left Singapore. Please refer to the policy wording for the full list of exclusions.

Q31: Are any countries excluded from coverage?

TravelSmart Premier does not cover any travel in, to, or through UN sanction list of countries such as: • Cuba • Iran • Syria • Crimea Region • North Korea

Q32: Does TravelSmart Premier cover adventurous activities?

If you have purchased the Elite or Classic plan, the Policy covers accidental injury or death when you participate in these activities for leisure purposes and under guidance and supervision of qualified guides or instructors of the local licensed tour operator: • Bungee jumping; • Canoeing or white water rafting with a qualified guide and below Grade 4 (of International Scale of River Difficulty); • Dog Sledding; • Hang gliding; • Helicopter or airplane rides for sightseeing; • Hot air balloon rides for sightseeing; • Jet skiing; • Mountaineering at mountains or trekking below the height of four thousand (4,000) metres above sea level; • Paragliding; • Parasailing; • Skiing or snowboarding all within official approved areas of a ski resort; • Sky diving; • Underwater activities involving artificial breathing apparatus for diving up to a maximum depth of thirty (30) metres and insured holds a PADI certification (or similar recognised diving qualification) and is diving with a buddy who holds a PADI certification (or similar recognised diving qualification) or with a qualified diving instructor; • Zip-lining, Zip-riding.

Q33: Does being pregnant affect my travel insurance cover?

We will pay for your necessary medical treatment outside Singapore within the stipulated policy limits for pregnancy-related sicknesses. However, this is not applicable if treatment is sought in home country or for a one way trip policy.

Q34: Am I covered for emergency medical treatment including air ambulance to get me home?

Yes, if the treating doctor and our medical emergency assistance provider agree that an air ambulance is necessary, you will be covered up to the limits shown in your policy.

Q35: Who decides when emergency evacuation is necessary?

This decision will be made by consultation between the treating doctor and our medical emergency assistance provider. Please call our 24-hour Emergency Assistance Hotline at +65 6708 7453 for assistance.

Q36: If I have misplaced my receipts/ documents, can I still claim for loss of personal items?

It is important that you keep the original documentation and receipts for any items that you intend to make a claim for, as this will provide a more accurate assessment of their value. If not, your claim may be affected.

Q37: What should I do if any of my belongings are lost or stolen? Is a police report required?

You need to report the theft or loss to the police within 24 hours of discovering it, and ask them for a report in writing. If applicable, report the theft or loss to your airline, transport company or hotel and ask them for a report in writing. These documents will be required when you are making a claim.

Q38: What should I do if I fall sick or encounter an accident abroad?

Please contact our 24-hour Emergency Assistance Services Hotline at +65 6708 7453 if you need emergency medical assistance while travelling.

Q39: How do I file for a claim?

To submit a claim, you can download a copy of our claim form here: https://giexchange-sg.greateasterngeneral.com/giexchange/pdf/Travel_Claim_Form.pdf. Claims submission should be filled in with full particulars and full facts of the claim including its occurrence, detailed circumstances and extent of loss, and submit it with any supporting documents as soon as reasonably possible but no later than 30 days after the incident. For general enquiries: Please contact our Customer Service Hotline at 6248 2888, Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 5.30pm (excluding public holidays) or email us [email protected] . Alternatively, you can inform your servicing agent who can also assist you with the claim.

Q40: Will I receive a premium refund if I decide not to proceed with my Trip?

• Cancellation for Single Trip Policy: The policyholder may cancel this Policy at any time prior to the commencement of this Policy coverage and the cancellation will apply from the date we receive the notice of cancellation. We will refund the premium paid less S$25 administrative charge. However, there will be no refund if we receive the notice of cancellation on or after your trip departure date.

• Cancellation for Annual Multi-Trip Policy: If this Policy is issued as an annual multi-trip Policy, it may be terminated by either party by giving 1 month’s written notice. If this Policy is terminated by us, a pro-rata refund of premium will be granted to the Insured for the remaining part of the Policy Period. If the Insured terminates this Policy, the refund of premium will be based on the following scale:

Q41: Can I amend the start date of my travel policy?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to amend the start date. The existing policy would need to be cancelled and replaced with a new policy. Please note that you cannot cancel a short-term travel policy once you have passed the designated start date.

Q42: What type of changes do we need to tell you about?

You will need to inform us of any changes to the information completed when taking out travel insurance from us. This will include, but not be limited to: your name, your travelling companion details, details of your children, trip details including region to be visited and duration of trip, and any other additional information that might impact on your risk either before or while travelling.

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Understand the details before buying

With effect from 15/10/2021, COVID-19 coverage will be extended under Elite and Classic plans automatically to countries under the latest permitted travel arrangements as per Singapore Government travel advisory. Kindly note that some countries may require COVID-19 insurance coverage as a condition of entry. Please ensure you select a plan that meet the requirement of your intended destination(s). For full details of the COVID-19 coverage, please refer to the brochure and FAQ.

1  COVID-19 extension is applicable up to 90 days each trip for Elite and Classic single trip 2-way plans and annual multi-trip plans.

2  Not applicable for Basic Plan.

• The above is for general information only. It is not a contract of Insurance. Please refer to the policy documents for the precise terms and conditions of the insurance plan.
• This policy is subject to the Premium Before Cover Warranty Clause, which requires the premium to be paid and received on or before the inception date of the Policy.
• This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of bene­fits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact us or visit the General Insurance Association (GIA) or SDIC websites ( www.gia.org.sg  or  www.sdic.org.sg ).
• TravelSmart Premier is underwritten by Great Eastern General Insurance Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eastern Holdings Limited and a member of the OCBC Group.

Information correct as at 22 June 2022.

Summer Travel Deal, till 30 June 2024!

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Use promo code <TSP30%> for 30% off ^ single trip 2-way plan.

Use promo code <TSP10A> for 10% off ^ annual multi-trip plan.

^ Promotion is valid until 30 June 2024. Applicable for Classic and Elite single trip 2-way plans and annual multi-trip plans only. Applicable for new policy sign up(s) excluding renewal(s). Campaign code must be keyed in to be eligible for the discount.

Use the Great Eastern App to make a faster purchase today!

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How to Take the Bus From Singapore to Johor Bahru

Craving some cheap and good makan on the weekends? It’s time to hop over the Causeway to Johor Bahru (JB). And the most convenient and cheapest way to do it is by bus! 

With trips lasting between 40 minutes and 2 hours (depending on traffic), the bus is your best bet for getting to Malaysia without too much hassle. 

Don’t be confused by the variety of buses and options around Singapore and JB—they give you the convenience that you can’t get with other modes of transport. (Unless you have a car but not all of us are that rich or want to risk our cars getting burgled).

We’re here to give the low down on all the things you need to know about taking the bus to JB.

Pros and Cons of Taking a Bus From Singapore to JB

Quick look at the pros and cons of going by bus: 

ALSO READ: Singapore Transport Fares to Rise By Up To 11 Cents—8 Tips to Save Money on Bus & MRT Fares

Types of Bus Services Available

Woodlands Temporary Bus Interchange or Opposite Marsiling MRT station (Bus Stop 46529) – JB Sentral Terminal. 

Frequency: 9 – 13 mins

SBS Transit Buses 

Jurong Town Hall Interchange – JB Sentral Terminal

Frequency: 6 – 15 mins (weekends), 6 – >15 mins (weekdays)

Queen Street Terminal (near Bugis) – Larkin Terminal

Frequency: >15mins (weekends), 11 – >15 mins (weekdays)

Opp Kranji Station – JB Sentral Terminal

Frequency: 1-5 mins (weekends); 1-15 mins (weekdays)

Private Bus Operators

Causeway Link

Another popular option is the yellow Causeway Link bus, a Malaysian bus company, for its convenient pick up and drop off points in the city. The buses also don’t make any stops along the way so once you get on, your next stop is the checkpoint. 

Check the full bus routes .

Transtar Travel

Private coach company Transtar plies several routes to JB from various locations in Singapore. These are typically more expensive than the others as you have to book in advance to get your own seat in a comfy coach bus.

Changi Airport – JB CIQ

Resorts World Sentosa – JB CIQ

Buona Vista The Star Vista (along Rochester Drive) – CIQ 2nd Link (via Tuas)

Website: www.transtar.travel/  

For those heading to Legoland, this is the bus to take as it gets you there directly. Choose from 2 pick up points — Suntec City Tower 2 coach bay or Jurong East (Venture Ave bus bay 5).

It operates daily except Mondays and Wednesdays.

Website: coach.wtstravel.com.sg/default.aspx  

Superior Coach

Another bus service to Legoland, this service has pick up points at Jurong East (Venture Ave bus bay 5) and Lavender MRT station exit B. Same thing, it operates daily except Mondays and Wednesdays.

Website: www.busonlineticket.com/bus/superior-coach-tour-pte-ltd-singapore/  

How to Book a Bus Ride From Singapore to JB

While the public buses are way cheaper, the coach buses have the advantage of taking you directly to Legoland. They also guarantee you a seat, and have comfortable reclining high-backed chairs, some with power sockets and wifi onboard. You also can store your luggage below the bus. 

What Is the Customs and Immigration Process Like?

The customs and immigration process for your JB bus trip has two main parts: departing Singapore and entering Malaysia. 

Singapore side

Once the bus reaches Woodlands Checkpoint, you (and everyone else) will have to alight and follow the signs or crowd to the immigration counters. It’s usually quick and smooth going for those who can go through the automated gates. For those who are not eligible to use the e-gates, simply queue up at the manual counter and get your passport checked.

Once you get through, you can board any bus—as long as it’s the same type that you were on—otherwise you may get charged for a new trip. If you were on an SBS bus, take the SBS bus again. If you were on a CW bus, take a CW bus. 

Malaysia side

The bus will take you over the Causeway to Malaysia where you’ll have to alight again to go through customs.  

As of 1 Jan 2024, there’s no need for Singaporeans entering Malaysia to fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) . Foreigners, however, still need to. 

Singaporeans can head towards the e-gate counters on the left side of the hall to get through immigration quickly. However, the e-gate may not always work. Some articles online have shared how some were able to get through the e-gates without any problems even though they’ve changed a new passport but others seem to still have problems, so there’s still a risk you may have to end up queuing for the manual counters.  Let’s hope the customs folks can work out the kinks in the system soon.

Once you’re through customs, you can explore JB to your heart’s content! 

Coming back from JB

It’s the same process again but in reverse. However, when entering Singapore, you may sometimes be subjected to a baggage scan. 

Your shopping purchases may also be taxed. According to ICA , “travellers will have to pay GST on the value of the goods which is in excess of the GST import relief granted to them.”

*Source: ICA

So if you’re going to be shopping a lot, just be mindful of the rules!

Best Time to Travel by Bus

When taking public transport, there’s technically no ‘best’ time. Of course, we know that rush hour, Friday evenings, weekends, public holidays and school holidays tend to be more crowded but if you gotta work Mondays to Fridays and have school kids, those are your only available times to go. 

ALSO READ: Taking the Train from SG to JB? The Ultimate Guide to KTM Ticket Prices, Train Schedule, and More (2024)

Fortunately, many buses are pretty frequent on weekends, so anytime is a good time, depending on your tolerance for waiting and crowds.

Some tips to make your journey less painful:

• Avoid rush hours when daily commuters between Singapore and JB head home after work
• Avoid Friday evenings, Saturdays (around 8 am – 1 pm), Sundays (around 3 pm to 8 pm) eve of and public holidays, long weekends
• Check the traffic conditions online
• Download apps such as Checkpoint.sg or Beat the Jam to check traffic flow 

Is It Safe?

We all know the horror stories of petty crime in JB where people’s bags, jewellery, or phones have been snatched. Those who drive have had their cars broken into. 

However, taking the bus to and from JB is pretty safe. Reputable bus companies have been operating for many years to ferry passengers to and fro.

Of course, as with anywhere you go, always watch your belongings and don’t jaywalk at the bus bays. If you see the bus leaving, there’s no need to run for it. Bus timings are frequent enough especially on weekends. 

Know someone who’s planning a trip to JB? Share this article with them!

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Passport-free travel in Singapore is here — but only for certain travelers

• From Tuesday, people traveling via car between Singapore and Malaysia can show self-generated QR codes rather than handing over their passports at two checkpoints.
• Authorities estimate the new procedure will reduce immigration processing time by more than 30%.

Singapore made global headlines last year when the government announced that biometric processing will replace travel document verifications at Changi Airport in the first half of 2024.

But the city-state is going "passport-free" in another area: its land border with Malaysia.

From Tuesday, people traveling by car between Singapore and Malaysia can show self-generated QR codes rather than handing over their passports at two checkpoints.

The new rule , which applies to those traveling via the country's Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, will expedite immigration clearance "without compromising on security," according to Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

Who is eligible

Singapore residents and foreign travelers can generate QR codes via the government's MyICA mobile app. Group codes for up to 10 people can be generated for passengers traveling in the same car too.

Like before, travelers are then subject to a face-to-face check by immigration officers.

However, the QR-code clearance is not available to two groups of travelers: those entering Singapore for the first time and those using a different passport from previous visits.

The new procedure is expected to reduce immigration processing time by more than 30% — saving around 20 seconds for cars traveling with four passengers and up to one minute for cars with 10 people, according to authorities.

One of world's busiest border crossings

The checkpoint linking the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru to Woodlands in Singapore is one of the busiest international border crossings in the world.

From March 7 to 10, more than 1.8 million travelers crossed Singapore's two checkpoints that link the island with Malaysia, according to its Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

On March 8 — the Friday preceding a week-long break for Singapore public schools — a record-breaking 495,000 people crossed the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, exceeding the 485,000 travelers recorded on August 2019, it said.

Singapore plans to roll out the QR code clearance to more travelers crossing checkpoints via other modes of transport at a later date.   

Part of a larger push

The QR clearance program is part of a larger push to modernize border control and security procedures in the city-state to manage higher traveler volume amid the crunch of its aging workforce.

Changi Airport's "passport-free" immigration clearance, which is based on biometric verification, is undergoing trials, a representative of Changi Airport Group told CNBC Travel.

A launch date for this program has not been released.