SINGAPORE · Marina Bay, Chinatown, Sentosa, Katong
Rehearse your Singapore trip before you go
Singapore: a green city-state where Chinese, Malay and Indian food meet in hawker centres. It's small, so go slow and deep.
Dejavoy is a free game: plan a trip, then play it through day by day before you go, and catch closed days, missed bookings and tourist traps before they catch you.
Entry rules by passport
| Passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| Japan | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official ICA site or app, from three days before arrival; beware look-alike sites that charge |
| South Korea | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| China (mainland) | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| Taiwan | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| Hong Kong SAR | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| Singapore | Your own country |
| USA | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| Canada | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| UK | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| An EU country | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| Australia | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
| India | Get a tourist visa for Singapore Indian passports need a Singapore visa, applied for online through an authorised agent |
| Other | Submit the SG Arrival Card Free on the official site, from three days before arrival |
Checked Oct 2026. Rules change: check the embassy or official site before you travel.
Traps travellers fall into
In the game these hide among the recommendations. See if you can spot them.
- A seafood stall pricing 'per 100 g' Central SingaporeWith seafood priced 'per 100 g', confirm the weight and total before ordering, and be wary of stalls that tout
- A tissue packet on the table Central SingaporeA tissue packet on a hawker table means the seat is reserved ('chope'); find another
- Thirsty on the MRT Central SingaporeNo eating or drinking — even water — on Singapore's MRT and buses, with fines up to S$500; durians are banned too
Month by month
- JanuaryJanuary is still monsoon season, about 30°C; it cools a little after the rain.
- FebruaryFebruary is the driest month at 31°C. Chinese New Year (6–8 Feb) fills Chinatown while many hawker stalls close.
- MarchMarch is 32°C, mostly sunny with afternoon storms. Hari Raya Puasa on 10 March.
- AprilApril is a humid 32°C with fierce evening thunderstorms.
- MayMay is the hottest month (32–33°C) with afternoon storms.
- JuneJune brings the southwest monsoon: 31°C with short pre-dawn squalls. School holidays crowd the attractions.
- JulyJuly is 31°C with early squalls; National Day rehearsals take over Marina Bay ahead of 9 August.
- AugustAugust is 31°C. National Day (9 Aug) packs Marina Bay; some years haze drifts over from Indonesia.
- SeptemberSeptember is 31°C; in some years haze from Indonesian fires hangs over the city.
- OctoberOctober is 31°C with more afternoon storms. Deepavali (28 Oct) lights up Little India.
- NovemberNovember–December is the rainy season: about 31°C with heavy afternoon downpours; indoors the air-conditioning is fierce.
- DecemberDecember is monsoon season: about 30°C with heavy downpours.
Sample routes
- ClassicClassic: the bay and the hawker centresSupertrees at night and hawker centres of chicken rice and satay.Central Singapore
- DetourDetour: a night on SentosaAfter the city, an island of beaches and a show over the sea.Central Singapore → Sentosa
- Off the pathOff the path: the old east and a time-stopped islandStay among Peranakan houses and take a bumboat to Pulau Ubin's village.Central Singapore → Katong and Joo Chiat (the east)
Hidden gems
- The Botanic Gardens and National Orchid Garden Central SingaporeThe UNESCO-listed gardens are free; the Orchid Garden inside has over 1,000 species, including orchids named after famous visitors. Cooler in the morning.
- Palawan Beach and the 'southernmost point of continental Asia' SentosaFrom the white beach, a suspension bridge leads to an islet with towers looking over the shipping lanes.
- Day trip by bumboat to Pulau Ubin Katong and Joo Chiat (the east)From Changi Point, a bumboat leaves when 12 people have gathered: ten minutes to an island village and forest little changed since the 1960s, explored by bike.
- Chinatown's giant hawker centre Central SingaporeOver 200 stalls upstairs, mostly locals: char kway teow, roast meats and more.
Before you go
- Install a travel eSIMFor maps and Grab
- Learn what '++' means10% service + 9% GST
- Pack a folding umbrellaNear-daily afternoon downpours in the wet season