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's area), at the extreme south of the Malay Peninsula. Independent since 1965 (after separation from Malaysia), it went in 60 years from a fishing port to the world's 4th financial center, with a per-capita GDP higher than the US. Exceptional multicultural society (74% Chinese, 13% Malay, 9% Indian, 3% Eurasian, 4 official languages). Marina Bay (the heart) — Marina Bay Sands (the iconic Moshe Safdie 2010 ship-hotel, 3 towers topped by a 340-m SkyPark, infinity pool on 57th floor), Gardens by the Bay (101 ha, 25-50-m Supertrees covered in plants — nightly 'Garden Rhapsody' show, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories), Helix Bridge, ArtScience Museum (lotus flower shape). Singapore Flyer (165 m, former world's largest Ferris wheel). Districts: Chinatown (Buddha Tooth Relic Temple), Little India (Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple), Kampong Glam (Sultan Mosque), Tiong Bahru (the trendiest). Hawker centres (UNESCO 2020, multicultural street food). Sentosa (leisure island). Botanic Gardens (UNESCO 2015, first tropical UNESCO garden). A modern, exotic 3-5-day interlude, perfect as a stopover or combined with Malaysia/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

Frequently asked questions

When?

Year-round (equatorial). Drier February-August. Avoid November-January (more frequent rains but city practicable).

How long?

4 days for essentials. 5-6 days for deeper exploration (botanic garden, MacRitchie, food tour). Often combined with Bali or Malaysia.

Budget?

€1,800-€2,500 per person for 4 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €3,200-€4,600. Flights: €800-€1,200. Singapore is expensive (one of the world's most expensive).

Visa?

No for French citizens < 90 days.

Family?

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

How to get around?

Excellent MRT metro (one of the world's best). EZ-Link card. Cheap Grab/taxis. No car needed.

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?

Excellent (one of the world's strictest countries on food hygiene). A/B/C/D ratings displayed on each stand.

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.