Custom travel to Singapore

Singapore is one of the world's most extraordinary cities, a 5.9-million-inhabitant city-state on 730 km², barely half of Paris. Independent since 1965, in 60 years it went from a fishing port to the world's 4th financial center. Exceptional multicultural society (74% Chinese, 13% Malay, 9% Indian). Marina Bay concentrates the iconic sites: Marina Bay Sands, Moshe Safdie's ship-hotel with its 57th-floor infinity pool, Gardens by the Bay with its illuminated Supertrees, ArtScience Museum lotus-shaped. Ethnic districts Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, trendy Tiong Bahru. UNESCO-listed hawker centres. Sentosa for leisure, Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO). 3-5 days, perfect as a stopover or combined with Malaysia or Indonesia.

Highlights

• Marina Bay Sands: SkyPark and infinity pool
• Gardens by the Bay: Supertrees and conservatories
• Hawker centres (UNESCO, street food)
• Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam
• Botanic Gardens (UNESCO 2015)
• Sentosa: Universal Studios and beaches

Sample itineraries

When to go

Singapore is 137 km from the equator, equatorial tropical climate, hot and humid year-round (28-32 °C, 80-90% humidity). No marked dry/wet season. Drier period: February-August (but showers possible). Avoid December-January (rainiest monsoon, but still practicable).

• Drier season (February – August), All sites, festivals (Chinese New Year, Vesak, Hari Raya)
• Inter-season (September – October), Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (September, night race)
• Wet monsoon (November – January), Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay (December)

Practical information

One of the world's safest cities (almost zero crime, severe sanctions for offenses, prison for theft, chewing gum forbidden, 500 SGD fine for jaywalking). No visa for French citizens < 90 days. Cards accepted everywhere, Apple Pay/PayNow QR. Tap water drinkable (one of the world's best). Free Wi-Fi everywhere. English spoken everywhere (official language). Powerful AC everywhere (bring a light sweater). Tipping not customary (10% service charge included in restaurants).

Frequently asked questions

When?

Singapore, just 137 km from the equator, has a hot and humid equatorial tropical climate year-round (28-32 °C, 80-90% humidity), with no truly marked dry or wet season: the city can therefore be visited anytime. The February-August period is slightly drier and remains the most pleasant, although showers remain possible at any time. September-October can bring a light haze from neighboring Indonesian forest fires, usually not severe. November-January is the wettest monsoon with more frequent rains, but the city remains fully practicable thanks to omnipresent air conditioning and covered walkways between buildings. For the night Formula 1 Grand Prix (September) or Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay (December), plan accordingly.

How long?

4 days are enough for the essentials: Marina Bay (3 nights, SkyPark, Gardens by the Bay, hawker centres, ethnic districts) and Sentosa (1 night, Universal Studios, beaches). This is the most chosen format, ideal as a stopover or long weekend. For deeper exploration, allow 5-6 days: UNESCO botanic garden, MacRitchie Reservoir and its TreeTop Walk, private hawker tour, gastronomic dinner. Singapore is frequently combined with another destination: 12 days for deep Singapore (5 nights) + Bali (6 nights, 2.5-h flight), a highly requested combination between ultra-modernity and spiritual atmosphere. Also consider a 1-2-day stopover if transiting to Australia or New Zealand, Changi being one of the world's best airports for that.

Budget?

Expect from €1,800 per person for 4 days in the Comfort tier (central 4★ hotels like Andaz, Pan Pacific Orchard, or JW Marriott South Beach, private transfers and MRT, hawker tour and Gardens by the Bay included). The Premium tier starts at €3,200 for 4-5 days at palaces like Marina Bay Sands, Raffles Singapore, or Mandarin Oriental, with a private French-speaking guide. The Exclusive tier from €5,500 for 4-7 days adds Marina Bay Sands Sky Suites, the Raffles Personality Suite, Capella Sentosa, and a dinner at Odette (3-Michelin star). Singapore is one of the world's most expensive cities, reflecting its status as the world's 4th financial center. Add €800-€1,200 for a Paris-Singapore round-trip flight in Economy (Singapore Airlines, Air France, 12-14 h).

Visa?

No visa is required for EU, UK, US, and Canadian citizens for stays under 90 days, only a valid passport is needed. Singapore is one of the administratively simplest destinations to access in Asia. Do note the city-state's strict rules: importing chewing gum is forbidden, jaywalking carries a 500 SGD fine, and drug possession penalties are severe. Tap water is drinkable (one of the world's best), no need to bring bottles.

Family?

Yes, exceptionally (Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Sentosa). Total safety, cleanliness.

How to get around?

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) metro is one of the world's best: clean, punctual, air-conditioned, serving all major sites (Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India, Sentosa Express). A rechargeable EZ-Link card lets you travel without buying a ticket each trip. The bus network is comprehensive and complementary. Grab taxis, abundant and cheap, are handy for one-off trips or late at night. Singapore Changi Airport, voted world's best airport 12 times, is just 20 minutes from downtown by MRT. No need to rent a car; the MRT + Grab combination covers all travel needs, including reaching Sentosa (cable car, monorail, or pedestrian bridge).

Marina Bay Sands: is the pool accessible?

Reserved for hotel guests only. Otherwise: paid observatory (~30 SGD), CÉ LA VI restaurant (minimum consumption), LAVO bar.

Hawker centres: safety / hygiene?

Hygiene standards are excellent: Singapore is one of the world's strictest countries on food safety, with regular inspections and A/B/C/D ratings clearly displayed at each hawker centre stand. This rating system easily guides your choice, aim for A or B stands, along with long local queues, generally a good quality indicator. The city's 110 hawker centres (6,000 stalls) offer very low-priced dishes (4-8 SGD), inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2020. Must-visits: Maxwell Food Centre (Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Michelin Bib Gourmand), Lau Pa Sat (1894 Victorian structure), Old Airport Road, Tekka Centre, and Newton Food Centre.

Combine?

Yes: Singapore + Bali (2 h 30 flight), Singapore + Malaysia (KL by 7-h train, 1-h flight), Singapore + Thailand, Singapore as stopover on Australia/New Zealand.

Tips?

No, 10% service charge included in restaurants. No tipping custom elsewhere.

How to pay in Singapore: card or cash?

Credit cards as well as Apple Pay and PayNow (QR code) are accepted almost everywhere, including at hawker centres, making cash largely unnecessary day to day. Still keep a bit of Singapore dollars (SGD) in cash for some small stalls or markets. Tipping is not customary: restaurants generally include a 10% service charge in the bill, and it's also not expected for taxis, Grab, or hotel staff.

What to pack for Singapore?

Favor light, breathable clothing suited to the hot and humid climate (28-32 °C year-round), but also pack a light sweater or small jacket: air conditioning is very powerful everywhere, restaurants, malls, the MRT. A Type G adapter (British, 230 V) is essential. Add sunscreen, a light raincoat or foldable umbrella for sudden tropical showers, and comfortable shoes for walking between Marina Bay, ethnic districts, and Sentosa. For dinner at a starred restaurant like Odette, smart attire is appreciated.