Entry requirements
British citizens, and those of the Republic of Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, don’t need a
visa to enter Singapore. Regulations change from time to time, though, so check with the embassy before departure. You’ll normally be stamped in for at least thirty days.
It is possible to extend your stay by up to three months. This being Singapore, you can apply online: check the section on extending short-term visit passes at w ica.gov.sg, or call the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on t 6391 6100 for more details. Otherwise, there’s always the option of taking a bus up to Johor Bahru, across the border in Malaysia, and then coming back in again with a new visit pass.
For a list of embassies in Singapore, as well as a list of Singapore embassies abroad, see the Missions section of wmfa.gov.sg.
Customs Upon entry from anywhere other than Malaysia you can bring into Singapore up to three litres in total of spirits, wine and beer duty-free; duty is payable on all tobacco. For up-to-the-minute customs information, including how the alcohol allowance works in practice, go to w www.customs.gov.sg. Under certain conditions, tourists can reclaim the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of seven percent on the cost of items they have bought in Singapore; for more on the red tape this involves.
Health
The levels of hygiene and medical care in Singapore are higher than in much of the rest of Southeast Asia. Tap water is drinkable throughout the island and all food for public consumption is prepared to exacting standards.
No inoculations are required for visiting Singapore. However, it’s a wise precaution to visit your doctor no later than four weeks before you leave to check that you are up to date with your polio, typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis A inoculations. It pays to use mosquito repellent in Singapore, particularly if you’re in a nature reserve or beach area. This isn’t because Singapore is malarial – it isn’t – but because mosquitoes may carry
dengue fever, an illness which is seldom fatal but can be debilitating while it lasts. Note that DEET-based repellents are not available in Singapore, so if you prefer these you will have to buy them abroad.
Travellers unused to tropical climates periodically suffer from sunburn and dehydration. The easiest way to avoid this is to restrict your exposure to the sun, use high-factor sunscreens, drink plenty of water, and wear sunglasses and a hat. Heat stroke is more serious: it is indicated by a high temperature, dry red skin and a fast pulse and can require hospitalization.
Medical services in Singapore are excellent, with staff almost everywhere speaking good English. Pharmacies are well stocked with familiar brand-name drugs, though only the largest outlets have pharmacists dispensing prescription medication; the two main chains are Guardian and Watsons, both ubiquitous.Private clinics are found throughout the city, even inside shopping malls such as the Tanglin Shopping Centre (19 Tanglin Rd) and Paragon (290 Orchard Rd). A consultation costs from $50. You can find a list of dentists at w www.yp.sg.
Insurance
Before you set off, it’s a good idea to arrange
travel insurance to cover medical expenses as well as loss of luggage, cancellation of flights and so on. A typical policy usually provides cover for the
loss of baggage, tickets and – up to a certain limit – cash or cheques, as well as cancellation or curtailment of your journey. Most of them exclude so-called dangerous sports unless an extra premium is paid. When securing baggage cover, make sure that the per-article limit will cover your most valuable possession. If you need to make a claim, you should keep receipts for medicines and medical treatment, and in the event that you have anything stolen, you must obtain an official statement from the police.
Internet access
The best place to look for
internet cafés is Little India, where they are ubiquitous and charge as little as $2 per hour. Chinatown and Orchard Road have a sprinkling of internet cafés too, though they may charge quite a bit more. Several café chains offer free wi-fi, too. It’s also possible to sign up for the free
Wireless@SG wi-fi service available in the lobbies of many shopping malls; though not always reliable, it’s mighty convenient when it works. One site where you can sign up is at bit.ly/dw6fFX. The snag is that you will need a friend with a Singapore mobile phone, as the system can only send your password by SMS to a local number.
For unlimited Wi-Fi on the go whilst travelling Singapore, buy a Skyroam Solis, which works in 130+ countries at one flat daily rate, paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. You can connect up to five devices at once. Prices start from as little as €5 a day.