+ 7 h / + 6 h during our summer time

Singapore

• Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.
• English is the most widely used language.

• 230 volts
• A travel plug adapter for type G sockets is required.

Banks

9.30 am–3.00 pm (Mon–Fri)

Shops

10.00 am–9.00/10.00 pm (Mon–Sat)

In tourist areas, many shops are also open on Sundays.

• 1 January: New Year’s Day
• Chinese New Year: date varies, usually in late January or early February
• Good Friday: date varies
• Hari Raya Puasa: date varies, marking the end of Ramadan
• 1 May: Labour Day
• Vesak Day: date varies, in May or June depending on the Buddhist lunar calendar
• Hari Raya Haji: date varies, approximately two months after Hari Raya Puasa
• 9 August: National Day
• Deepavali: date varies, usually in October or November
• 25 December: Christmas Day

The following documents are required to enter Singapore:

• Swiss passport: it must remain valid for at least six months after the date of arrival and should contain sufficient blank pages.
• A visa is not required. On entry, travellers are granted permission to stay for 90 days.
• All travellers must complete the SG Arrival Card before arriving in Singapore.
• At passport control, each traveller’s thumbprints are scanned digitally on both entry to and departure from the country.
• Minors: minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents are advised to carry a travel consent form.

Last updated: April 2024

Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate, with high humidity and temperatures ranging from 25°C to 31°C throughout the year. There are no distinct seasons, although November to January is often wetter because of the north-east monsoon. From December to March and from June to September, monsoon-like rainfall and the outer effects of typhoons may occur, potentially causing flooding, landslides and travel disruption. High humidity and regular rainfall are characteristic of Singapore’s climate.

The ideal time to visit Singapore

• Beach holidays: Singapore has warm temperatures throughout the year, making it suitable for beach visits and water sports. However, the best periods are from February to April, as well as July and August, when rainfall is generally less frequent.
• City breaks: to avoid the highest humidity and heaviest rainfall, February to April, as well as July and August, are particularly suitable for city visits, when the weather tends to be slightly drier.
• Nature and outdoor activities: February to April, as well as July and August, are particularly suitable for activities such as hiking in nature reserves or visiting the botanical gardens.

• Mobile phone use in Singapore may incur roaming charges. Before travelling, it is advisable to check roaming rates and, where necessary, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.
• To avoid roaming charges and save money, purchasing a prepaid SIM card in Singapore is recommended. Providers such as M1, Singtel and StarHub offer suitable packages for travellers.
• Wireless@SGx: free Wi-Fi is available throughout Singapore, with hotspots in shopping centres, museums, MRT stations and many other locations. Simply download and set up the app to connect automatically.

Singapore’s top attractions include:

• Marina Bay Sands: a famous resort with a spectacular rooftop terrace and infinity pool.
• Gardens by the Bay: a futuristic park featuring impressive Supertrees and vast conservatories.
• Singapore Flyer: a large observation wheel offering magnificent views of the city.
• Sentosa Island: an island resort with beaches, theme parks and a wide range of leisure activities.
• Merlion Park: an iconic location featuring the famous Merlion statue.
• Chinatown: a lively district with traditional architecture and cultural attractions.
• Little India: a colourful neighbourhood with bustling markets and authentic Indian restaurants.
• Clarke Quay: a riverside district known for its vibrant nightlife.
• The Esplanade: a cultural centre renowned for its distinctive durian-shaped architecture.
• Orchard Road: a famous shopping street with a wide variety of shops and entertainment options.
• Asian Civilisations Museum: a museum displaying cultural artefacts from across Asia.
• National Museum of Singapore: modern exhibitions exploring the history of Singapore.

Travel inspiration

Singapore’s top attractions: a travel guide to the Lion City.

Singapore is world-renowned for its diverse and dynamic cuisine, which reflects a deep appreciation for fresh ingredients, refined culinary techniques and an impressive range of influences from around the world. Thanks to its geographical location and historic trade routes, Singaporean cuisine offers a broad spectrum of flavours, ranging from traditional hawker dishes to modern fusion creations.

• Hainanese Chicken Rice: often regarded as the national dish, it consists of tender poached chicken served with fragrant rice and a selection of sauces.
• Laksa: a spicy coconut milk noodle soup with prawns, fish cakes and sometimes chicken, typical of Peranakan cuisine.
• Chilli Crab: a popular seafood dish in which whole crabs are cooked in a thick, sweet and spicy sauce.
• Satay: grilled meat skewers, usually made with chicken, beef or lamb, served with a spicy peanut sauce.
• Roti Prata: an Indian-inspired flatbread, often served with curry and enjoyed at any time of day.
• Char Kway Teow: stir-fried rice noodles with egg, prawns, slices of spiced sausage and bean sprouts, a classic street-food dish.
• Bak Kut Teh: a hearty pork rib soup cooked in a flavourful broth made with garlic, pepper and a variety of Chinese herbs.
• Nasi Lemak: originally from Malaysia, this popular breakfast dish consists of rice cooked in coconut milk and served with sambal, egg, roasted peanuts and small dried fish known as ikan bilis.
• Durian: known as the “king of fruits”, this strongly scented fruit divides opinion but is a must-try for adventurous food lovers.

• Greetings: a friendly smile or gentle nod is customary. Handshakes are common on more formal occasions and in business settings, although care should be taken not to grip too firmly.
• Saying please and thank you: in Singapore, “Please” and “Thank you” are commonly used in English. In other languages, the expressions are “Tolong” and “Terima kasih” in Malay, “请” (Qǐng) and “谢谢” (Xièxiè) in Mandarin, and “தயவு செய்து” (Tayavu seythu) and “நன்றி” (Nandri) in Tamil.
• Clothing: cleanliness and appropriate clothing are important, particularly at religious sites and formal occasions, where shoulders and knees are often expected to be covered.
• Dining etiquette: when dining with others, wait until everyone has been served before beginning. Sharing dishes is a central part of the local dining culture.
• Smoking: smoking is strictly prohibited in many public areas. Designated smoking areas are clearly marked.
• Tipping: tipping is not customary in Singapore, as a 10% service charge is normally already included in the bill. Additional tips are not required unless the service was exceptionally good.

• Tap water is safe to drink. The water supply meets strict safety standards and is regularly inspected by the Environmental Public Health Division.
• No compulsory vaccinations are required to enter Singapore.
• Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended. For longer stays or specific risk situations, vaccinations against hepatitis B, typhoid and dengue should also be considered.
• Ensure that adults and children are up to date with the routine vaccinations recommended in the Swiss vaccination schedule issued by the Federal Office of Public Health.
• Several mosquito-borne infections occur in Singapore, including Zika virus, dengue and chikungunya. Travellers are therefore advised to use effective protection against mosquito bites.
• Cases of hand, foot and mouth disease occasionally occur in Singapore. This is usually a mild viral infection that can be controlled through good hygiene, particularly regular handwashing.

• Singapore has one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world, comprising both public and private medical facilities.
• Private facilities offer specialist treatments and shorter waiting times, although at a higher cost.
• Travellers are strongly advised to take out international travel health insurance covering the entire stay, including repatriation, to protect themselves against high medical expenses and possible emergency medical evacuation.
• Singapore has numerous pharmacies located in both shopping centres and residential areas. Large pharmacy chains such as Guardian and Watsons are widespread and offer a wide range of health and beauty products in addition to medicines.
• When bringing medication into the country, it is important to carry a copy of the medical prescription, particularly for prescription medicines or controlled substances.

• Before and during your trip, follow the latest developments in the media and remain in contact with your tour operator.
• Singapore has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Violent crime is rare, and petty theft such as pickpocketing is also uncommon.
• As in many other countries, there is a certain risk of terrorist attacks in Singapore.
• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

Last updated: April 2024

• Traffic drives on the left in Singapore. This may initially be confusing for visitors from countries where traffic drives on the right.
• To hire a car in Singapore, you must present your Swiss driving licence together with an English translation. An international driving permit is also required and is valid only when accompanied by your Swiss national driving licence. Both documents are essential for hiring a vehicle.
• The minimum age for hiring a car ranges from 21 to 25, depending on the car hire company. Additional charges may apply to drivers under the age of 25.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.8‰

• Long-distance and regional trains: Singapore has no long-distance rail services. However, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system connects the city’s main districts and major attractions.
• Buses: the bus network is extensive and serves areas not reached by the MRT. Buses are a cost-effective way to explore the city.
• Metro: the MRT system is the backbone of Singapore’s public transport network. It is fast, punctual and reaches most parts of the city.
• Tickets: public transport tickets can be purchased from machines at stations. Reloadable cards such as EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay are also available and can be used across all forms of public transport.
• Apps: useful apps for planning journeys by public transport include “MyTransport Singapore”, “SG Buses”, “Gothere Singapore” and “Citymapper”. These apps provide real-time information on timetables, routes and fares.

• Air travel in Singapore is largely centred around Changi Airport, one of the world’s best and most highly awarded airports. Changi offers numerous international and regional flights and is renowned for its efficiency, excellent service and first-class facilities.
• Singapore Changi Airport (SIN): direct flights from Zurich to Singapore with Singapore Airlines and Swiss.

00 41 (omit the zero from the Swiss area code)

• Police: 999
• Emergency ambulance and fire brigade: 995

1 Swiss Club Link
Singapore 288162
Tel. +65 6468 5788
Email: singapore@eda.admin.ch

Singapore has several specific legal regulations that visitors should observe:

• Strict drug laws: the possession, use and trafficking of illegal drugs are severely punished in Singapore, including the death penalty for serious offences.
• Chewing gum restrictions: the import and sale of chewing gum are prohibited in order to help maintain public cleanliness.
• Ban on public drinking: drinking alcohol in public is prohibited between 10.30 pm and 7.00 am.
• Vandalism laws: vandalism, including graffiti and damage to public property, may be punished with fines, imprisonment and even caning.
• Rules on public transport: eating, drinking and using bicycles or skateboards in MRT stations and trains are prohibited.