Singapore travel guide: what to pack, what to eat & entry rules

What to pack for Singapore

Singapore is hot and humid all year, with frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms. Indoor spaces are strongly air-conditioned.

That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.

Pack with Singapore in mind

• Light, breathable, quick-drying clothes
• A compact umbrella for sudden downpours
• A light layer for air-conditioned malls, cinemas and trains
• A Type G plug adapter if you are visiting from outside the UK

Start from a full checklist

Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:

• City break packing list · 48 items
• Business trip packing list · 49 items
• Carry-on only packing list · 45 items

What to eat in Singapore

These are dishes most visitors to Singapore will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.

• Hainanese chicken rice

  Poached chicken with fragrant rice, chilli and ginger sauces.

  Soy

• Chilli crab

  Crab in a sweet, spicy tomato-chilli sauce.

  ShellfishEgg

• Laksa

  Spicy coconut noodle soup with prawns and fish cake.

  ShellfishFish

• Char kway teow

  Stir-fried flat rice noodles with Chinese sausage, cockles and egg.

  Contains porkShellfishEggSoy

• Kaya toast

  Toast with coconut-egg jam and butter, with soft-boiled eggs.

  Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenEggDairy

• Roti prata

  Flaky fried flatbread served with curry.

  Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairy

• Bak kut teh

  Pork rib soup with pepper or herbs.

  Contains pork

Avoiding pork? In this list, Char kway teow and Bak kut teh usually contain pork.

Meal times, tipping and water

Hawker centres serve good, cheap food all day.

• Halal-certified stalls and restaurants carry a MUIS certificate.

Local chains you will see

Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:

• Ya Kun Kaya Toast — Kaya toast and coffee.
• Toast Box — Kaya toast, coffee and local dishes.
• Old Chang Kee — Curry puffs and fried snacks.
• Bengawan Solo — Local cakes and kueh.
• Mr Bean — Soy milk and pancakes.

General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.

Entry rules for US and UK passport holders

A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Singapore. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.

Quick answers

Is tap water safe to drink in Singapore?

Generally safe to drink. Tap water is generally treated to a safe standard, though some travellers prefer bottled water for taste. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.

Do you tip in Singapore?

Not expected; most restaurants add a 10% service charge plus GST.

Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Singapore?

Halal food: easy to find. Vegetarian food: easy to find. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Kaya toast and Roti prata. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.