Singapore Travel Guide: What I Wish I knew! (2023 Update)
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- If you’re traveling to Singapore in 2023, you’ll want to know the current entry requirements, Gardens by the Bay tips, how to take the MRT the right way, and more. Singapore sits close to the equator so the heat can be intense. Watch this to find out what I wish I knew, so you can prepare for the best vacation ever! This is up to date just in time for 2023.
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Singapore Entry Requirements: 2023 Updated (How To Fill Out The ICA Arrival Form)
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UPDATE: All visitors must submit the SG Arrival Card to enter Singapore. I show how to do it in this video:
ruclips.net/video/JXaByEAj0CA/видео.html
Link please
Even layover?
@@rajeshwarsharma1716 Hope you can see the link now!
@@andrewtubilan2957 Only if you go through security
Jewel fountain does run 24 hours normally, but sometimes it closes for maintenance unexpectedly. It is cool to see it when it is not running too. It's the only time when there is no sound of rushing water.
We were there twice on different days, once in the morning around 10:30 and once at night around 10. The fountain wasn’t running both times. Hopefully the fountain schedule will be more consistent, or at least their website could provide more reliable real time info.
@@TheNomadicFoodie Depends. The waterfall does not run 24 hours. There was once (before COVID) I landed at 6 in the morning, and the waterfall wasn't working. It also depends on the events happening at Jewel, some events are just not right for the waterfall to run. So this also depends on schedule.
Yeahhhh, but usually the waterfall is running, so I think she was just unlucky :( as a Singaporean, I've never seen the waterfall not run before and I've went to jewel many times in my life.
@@breeze2981 Hello, there I have a doubt which you can clear since you are a Singaporean. Is this waterfall and all the cool places of jewel changi airport on the arrival side or on the departure side? And if they are availlable through both sides, then when would you recommend? Thanks in advance :)
@@aishwaryshukla8880hi! Thanks for asking! I'm happy to help! :) after some research, I believe terminal 1-2 is the arrival and 3-4 is the departure. Jewel is in between where the waterfall is.
About the cool places, they are spread across Changi airport but it depends on how you define 'cool':
In Terminal 3, there are more features that are natural, artistic and scenic like the butterfly garden and sculptures.
However if you have kids to entertain and like more fun stuff, you should head to Jewel where the most cool and exciting stuff are. It's actually where most Singaporeans go to so if you see a lot of Singaporeans around and area, it's best if you check it out 😂
Hopefully I helped you! P. S. Thanks for letting me use my secondary school personal response at least once in my life.
This is so helpful! Thank you! I am planning my first solo trip to be Singapore! I am so excited!
That's so exciting! Have a lovely time! ☺️
The MRT charges you when you leave because that's the only way to automatically count and calculate it according to distance travelled. You log in where the journey starts, log out where it ends, and the system does the rest. It makes a lot of sense and is economically efficient.
It made sense once we figured it out 😂 We really liked the MRT - clean, convenient, and AC! 😅
Similar system in Australia
@@TheNomadicFoodieyou’re ignorant
Similar to BART transit in San Francisco area.
Just like the DC Metro. Any distance-based system, in fact.
4:00 It's HOT because Singapore is close to the EQUATOR
Well, most food count at the shopping mall will accept payment by credit card or cash. But if you are going to those normal food count you still need cash.
American Express or diner club is still acceptable at some shops just that you need to ask.
MRT and all public transport are credit card “friendly” so just tap in and out! ☺️
We loved that we could see all the top sights like Gardens By the Bay and Marina Bay Sands without cash, and yes the MRT was so convenient! If you know of a website that lists all cashless food courts etc please feel free to share!
You are just completely disorganise. A minimum research before travel next time and you won’t need to post anymore videos😅
Just saw this video! We're going to Singapore soon. I will say that make sure your visa and mastercard DONT have foreign transaction fees when using touchless!!
So true, having a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees is a must for me. Have a great time in Singapore!
How do I check if my card have/doesn't have those fees?
The charges are only at the exit of the MRT is because fare for the ride is in accordance to the distance you travelled.
Yes that’s what the MRT attendant told us, she was very nice too.
Not just the MRT, the public buses too. And you can get rebate if you transfer from MRT to bus or vice versa to continue your journey within a stipulated time frame. This also works for transfers between different bus services.
Thanks for the extra tip! Is there an official website that talks more about the rebate? Feel free to share thanks!
This was SO helpful. I leave for Singapore in a week and I wondered if I could just use tap to pay everywhere because I really didn't want to have to exchange money like when I'd visit Japan and end up withdrawing too much or too little. So knowing that I could use apple pay for nearly everything is SO helpful. Also, yeah I'm afraid of the heat. I live in Hawaii and I am packing ONLY light airy clothes because I am expecting it to be brutally hot and muggy there. The info about the ICA Health declaration app is also so informative. I was wondering how I'd need to submit it or what website to go to. Knowing there's an app makes it easier! Thanks for the vid! Love it!
I'm happy that this was helpful to you! I'm thinking of making a video on how to fill out the ICA form because it can be daunting. Have a wonderful trip!
It's actually much better this month due to the monsoon, around 27 Degrees Celsius. Whereas on a regular month, it's 33 degrees and above 🫠
....if you do not carrry SIN Dollars when visiting Singapore, you will quickly learn that you made a big mistake listening to this mediocre Blogger. Most of the best Street food places and authentic markets will not accept Cards or similar.
@@AlfWilbert mediocre? That was a bit harsh you could’ve just said bringing cash would be helpful for certain authentic food places.
I got back from my trip. I only needed actual money for one place while I was there. It was just one hawker center. All the other hawker centers I’ve been to didn’t require cash. And I ate at many different hawker centers almost exclusively. I converted $60 usd to $79 sgd and didn’t even need it except for that one place. I used paywave (tap) for everything. And I traveled the whole ten days with 5 locals who live there so it’s not like we did only touristy stuff.
Compared to Japan where I have to stress over how much to calculate to bring, I’d say the suggestion of not NEEDING cash or not needing to worry about converting money is pretty accurate. And if you did need to convert or withdraw it’s easily accessible around Singapore cause from what I gathered during those 10 days is Singapore is insanely convenient and efficient as a country.
Without this video I would have needlessly converted too much, and then when I would have tried to convert my leftover money back I would have lost money due to the conversion rates. The video was helpful. I’m grateful for it.
@@ItsCottonie first and foremost, "mediocre" was still polite, considering all the things being said in this video. A proper travel Blogger would have known the entry requirements into a foreign country, especially just after a global pandemic. Also, referring everything found in a foreign country back to her country of residence is, at best, very poor and don't get me started on the climate observations....if you travel to a tropical country, you find extremely high humidity, which just can't be compared to the climate in the US. Not even Florida! Summarising, it has to be said, that this is nothing more than a "mediocre" Blogger, bordering on lousy.....
Informative video. Short an too the point. Lovely ❤
In Singapore, the heat is not the main point, it’s the humidity that makes it feel hotter and sticky.
American Express are accepted here too just not all.
The best hawker foods are usually out of touristy locations, try asking some locals if you plan to stay here for more than 3-4 days and they might introduce you to some. And it’s best you bring some cash. Cause some of them be old school cash only.
Mrt’s around the world operate the same as Singapore, you get charged for the length of your trip. Start scan and finish scan, enabling the system to calculate how far you have travelled
Thank you
Accidentally clicked this while trying to close another video and you had all the information I needed and had been looking for for hours
This really comes across like someone that has never travelled or bothered to research before. Every public transit system in the world calculates the fare when you get off except for flat fare systems. And no. The Jewell fountain does not run 24 hours. Any check of the website can see the hours it operates. How has this RUclipsr got so many subscriptions with so little ability to do basic research.
It's hot and humid in Singapore. The skincare and make up you use for colder drier climate will feel greasy on your skin. You may want to buy Japanese sunscreen here which is very suitable for the weather. Many local eateries accept payment by cards. But still a good idea to have $20 cash float daily in case you wish to buy something from vending machines or food stalls run by older folks in suburban areas.
Great tips, thank you for sharing with us! 😊
It was so cool looking at the live art in Changi on RUclips but when I went there last month..it looked so ordinary.
Every time you swipe your credit or debit card, there’s a 3-4% mark up fee that’s charged to you!
Make sure you use a card with no foreign transaction fees. Ours didn't charge any extra fees.
Singapore . Malaysia still better
About your point on going cashless (1:47), sure you can use the credit card but your bank will charge you fees and the exchange rate they use will not work best in your favour.
Cash is still better.
Hi when is the best day to visit USS or Zoo?
The jewel waterfall not running is the norm I think, at least for me, it was on everytime I go there, went there at 2pm in the afternoon recently, it was turned on, went there 8pm at night after a flight a month ago and it was turned on as well. Been there at least 5-6 times the past year and a half and it was always on, I think you were just unlucky and they were doing an impromptu maintenance.
i live here and except for the tourists attractions and public transport, the school system is really stressful
@donnell188 agreed but comes with alot of mental health issues due to high levels of stress
Who asked?
By the way the education or working environments in other countries also come with their own stresses that are not always immediately apparent or spelled out. This is not an exclusively Singaporean thing.
For me i use the ez link card to take the bus or the mrt because i live in singapore
😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
Oh cool so you're a pro! 😄 Please feel free to share any tips for visitors. Thanks for watching!
Nice Singapore guide.
that lightning.
I had a one night stand in Singapore back in 2019. It was the best time ever. Walked everywhere: Marina Bay Sands, Gardens By The Bay.
Perhaps you mean a one night layover ; )
@@soehian But it's confusing that "layover" actually sounds more sexy.
Looks boring
I’m heading there next week! These were great tips! 🙏🏽
I'm so happy to hear that! Have an awesome trip! ✈️
PAPaganda. Dig it?
Thank you so much for sharing this
I'm happy to help! Safe travels! ✈️
Thank you so much for this because I have been planning my Singapore trip. I had no idea. These are very helpful. I hope this video gets more recognized by others who are planning to go to Singapore for the first time.
I hope so too! Thank you for watching and I hope you have a wonderful trip to Singapore!
Apple Pay everywhere sounds great 🤭🤭🤭
Apple Pay is very convenient for sure! Even if a vendor doesn't have Apple Pay they might still have card terminals, and there are many food options in touristy areas so you can still be cashless - just confirm before ordering 👍🏼
Mrt is a tap in and tap out system. Good to know and makes leaving easier.
thank you, im singaporean and i didnt know half of these.
Thank you so much for your kind words! 😄
I loved this helpful video. It was kind of you to make it. Edit: I read you need to pay a small fee to use the toilets in the hawker centres. You'd need a little of cash then, right?
Planning my first visit to SG. Which area do you recommend for the hotels? Chinatown? Orchard St.?
Definitely Marina Bay and Haji Lane area for me personally, but yes Chinatown too especially for food! 😋 Not sure how long your trip is but I'd start with those for sure 👍🏼 Have a great time!
@@TheNomadicFoodie thanks!
Hello! I am traveling to Singapore in a few days, and just wanted to know about the MRT payment. Do we just need to use the wallet app to pay? Or is there a specific app we would need to download to pay? And is it more convenient than purchasing a ezlink/tourist pass? Thank you!!
You can use your credit card to tap right at the turnstiles. No need to buy the card if you’ll be using the train just a few times. Interestingly, my officemates were not aware of this. I discovered this two trips ago.
If you don’t want to use your card, you can purchase the EZLink card at the station. There are machines for this.
@@aggiemanalac9636 Thank you!
Good tips. Yes, the humidity here is crazy. So its super duper hot mid day. Together with the humidty, your body cant expell heat and it gets sticky and very uncomfortable.
Thank you! It's so true about the humidity. One reason why we really enjoyed ice kopi and ice kacang with fans on 😆
Didn’t u know Singapore is located in Southeast Asia? All Southeast Asia countries are hot & humid, oh forgot to remind u none of them are snowing🙄At least Singapore is least hot among all the S.E.A countries, SG has lots of shelters, greenery & shades unlike other Southeast Asia❤
Sometimes SG can be vy windy & sometimes no wind, really depends on the day u visit..But night time is usually vy cooling, that’s why Singapore pioneered the world’s 1st night Safari in 1990s(some Southeast Asia have copycat us later on; is that 2 sourgrape neighboring countries of SG 😂🤭) HAHA🥰
is there card swipe option in MRT stations? because my card is swipe system don’t have tap and go. my iphone doesn’t support apple wallet either from our country.
there are no more swipe option in mrt
It’s cause the state of Florida is north compared to Singapore even the keys are more north than like Hanoi in Vietnam. Singapore is almost near the equator
Hello,
Great video !
Which area do you recommend to stay/budget near convenience stores, street food markets, attractions and public transportation ?
Thank you so much
Your reality is just more sad than other people's reality. 😂
Was it very rainy and cloudy during this time? I'm trying to go to Singapore in September but I'm kind of worried about the weather. Thank you for the video!
Thank you so much dear
It is helpful
Thank you for watching!
Can you recommend an affordable hotel. I am planning my trip for the end of March and having a difficult time finding a hotel
Try looking on Agoda- the sooner the better! Get a free cancellation room and cancel if you see a better deal.
Try getting a hotel out of the city center (where all the tourists often get trapped in). I would always suggest katong / joo chiat area. It is a very interesting heritage neighborhood in the east of Singapore that too many tourists missed out. Great cafes, tons of local food, vast international restaurants, but all these caters to the locals so this isn't touristy craps. It is also not far from the beach. You can always rent a bicycle amd cycle via the park connector to matina bay!!
It is just about 15mins or so by taxi to city centre. Local bus and train gets you to city hall in no time.
Before I enjoy Singapore but now no 2 days ago I travelled after almost 4 years not coming because of pandemic I travelled to unwined to visit zoo and some attractions by myself but to my surprise the immigration officers ask questions in a rude manner its very degrading . I will not recommend for a travel as I got surprise with how the officers has treated me without explanation. I was held in a locked room by myself without telling me what is going on for more than 3 hours. I want to go bathroom but I cannot.when I refuse to show whatsapp on my phone one officer told me to save the drama for later. When all I do is to fight for my rights. My vacation turn into a chaos that left me traumatised .they treated me like a criminal when I'm not and I spend so much on my travel. I was even ask if I study and know how to speak English. Very humiliating experience. I don't know how 4 yrs ago officers are nice and welcoming now become monsters with abusive power . Never ever will come back in that country. For me the heart and soul of the country are its people ,but those people who did this to me are heartless you are shame of your country. Tarnishing your country's name.
The mrt payment is already efficient. Tap in and tap out. Yet travellers still want to make it more complicated. Facepalm
Maintanace at morning 3hr, SG arrival card editable at any time ,
thank you
No problem, thanks for watching!
some restaurants only take cash.. plenty of cash exchanges around.
Tissue at many restaurant, you must buy ? OMG
I've been at jewel many times and the waterfall was always running
You are in Rome, do as Romans do. Stop comparing!
Hi. What month did you travel to Sg? was it raining a lot?
Previously these few months have been more like monsoon season but it’s most likely gone now it’s so incredibly hot I swear I’m gonna get sunburn
Singapore is a tropical country so just prepare for rain at some point... 🌧️
Watch my latest short video on the best time to visit - that's my personal advice from experience 🙂
ruclips.net/user/shortsG-SAx9Oy3QY?feature=share
Water falls only starts after 10am it’s on the website.
Great video. I was wondering about the credit card sit and you covered it. Thanks
What month did you travel in SG?
nyc subway is a century late to the rest of the world
54:45
Great advice thank you
No problem! 👍🏼
this is definitely helpful! Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
This video is quite inaccurate. Don't expect using cards everywhere, especially in the hawker centres, which usually only accept paynow not available for tourists, or just cash
I mentioned using cards at top sights, not "everywhere". It’d be hard to imagine anyone watching this that would think that there are any countries on this planet that’s exclusively cashless in every transaction everywhere.
This was based on our personal experience in the places mentioned and frequented by tourists, like Marina Bay, Haji Lane, the MRT, and malls like Suntec city that’s not super popular. We literally didn’t convert any money into SGD and just used credit cards or Apple Pay. And yes, do ask before ordering to make sure you have the form of payment accepted, which I clearly stated as well.
Thanks for commenting though because I wouldn't want anyone watching this to get the wrong idea. If you have a list of hawker centers that accept cards, that would be helpful.
Yes...nothing much to see and enjoy
thanks for the tips....I am a singaporean hoping to return early next year for a visit and find this useful.
Glad it was helpful! It's changed a lot as they're always aiming to improve things there. Enjoy your trip and the wonderful food! :)
Beautiful Of Singapore...
Great guide! I have liked and subscribed to your channel.
Great video, very helpful! Thank you so much ❤
I actually wished NYC uses such subway calculation payment system, as i feel over paying when im only taking a 3-4 stops in the subway yet im charged the same as 10 stops.
I know what you mean! 🙈😆
Are the credit card transactions not subject to extra charges due to international payments? Someone pleas help
Depends on your bank’s terms and conditions. Check your contracts or their website
Nice Singapore
Discover card purchases in Singapore are transacted as Diners Club International.
Good to know, thanks for sharing!
Maam needed ba fully vaccinated para maka punta po dyan?
This is from the US embassy in Singapore's website:
There are no longer any COVID-19 measures for travellers arriving in Singapore from 13 Feb 2023, regardless of vaccination status or traveller profile.
Super helpful!
Thank you for watching! Happy travels! ✈️
Nagkamali ako ng arrival date sa SG Arrival card, it means di na s’ya pwede baguhin? Gagawa na ukit ako bago?
Good to know about it. 🙏🙏🙏
Lol
This is so helpful since we will be going there in a few weeks as a family with three kids. I still wonder how I will get the kids through the MRT if we are going to using the same travel credit card/apple pay.
We didn't travel with kids, but there are attendants at the MRT if you have any questions. Here is a link to their official website. Have a wonderful family vacation!
www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/who_we_are/statistics_and_publications/Connect/parentsonPT.html
You just scan the card through the turnstile for each traveller individually in your party and so the same for when you leave. We do the same thing on the London underground
Really helpful.
Great video, thank you❤
Thanks for watching!
So irresponsible to not research the requirements before entering a country.
Ok, Karen
What's the best month to travel to Singapore../?
What’s the best month to travel to Singapore? #singapore
@@TheNomadicFoodie Month of December
theres not really a best month, just bring an umbrella along, showers can happen quickly and randomly
As an European traveling to Singapore, the tropical climate shocked me. It almost ruined my vacation, so hot and humid and unbreathable. I got anxiety going outside and cannot enjoyed much because of the lack of fresh air..it is something I've never experienced nor I will want to experience again 😅 if you're not a fan of tropical climate you should really take this into consideration.
Thanks for sharing your personal insight! Yes, the heat and humidity is no joke! ☀️
Welcome to realizing the entire world isn't the same. That's the point of traveling. If you can stop being so sift you can open yourself to great growth. Obv you can still prefer an environment you are accustomed to
When did you go to Singapore?
From Europe too and I experiences a hot humid windless day before in Europe and I could barely breathe as well giving me anxiety so I went inside. Thanks for the tip because I want to visit Singapore.
Marina bay is usually very hot
It's because it's a city place
Is the arrival card also necessary for transit only?