Singapore

Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is your best friend—it's fast, clean, and connects you to virtually every major attraction. Most trips cost around 4 SGD ($3 USD), and the network is so extensive that you'll rarely need anything else. Before you arrive, grab a Hello eSIM to stay connected without roaming charges, so you can navigate with confidence using real-time transit apps.

If you're planning multiple days of exploration, invest in a Singapore Tourist Pass: 17 SGD for one day, 24 SGD for two days, or 29 SGD for three days (note the 10 SGD deposit, refunded when you return the card). The buses are equally reliable and accept the same pass. For a slower pace, Singapore is remarkably bike-friendly—rent from the Bicycle Hut for 35 SGD per day, or use the SG Bikes app at 1 SGD for the first 30 minutes. Skip trishaws unless you want a guided nostalgia tour; they're now mainly tourist experiences rather than practical transport. Pro tip: use Hello's expense-splitting feature to divvy up transport costs with travel companions at the end of each day.

Forget fine dining—Singapore's soul lives in its hawker centres, where you'll find some of the world's best food at astonishingly low prices. Newton Food Centre is famous, but venture into neighbourhood spots to discover authentic satay, char kway teow noodles, fish balls, and sticky rice in banana leaves that locals actually eat. Each dish typically costs 3–8 SGD ($2–5 USD).

For a sit-down splurge, Din Tai Fung offers exceptional dumplings. Kampong Glam's Arab Quarter serves incredible Arabic cuisine under the golden-domed Sultan Mosque. Little India's Mustafa Centre is a cultural experience as much as a food destination. Track your spending with Hello's budget tracker to see how far your money stretches at these casual eateries—you'll be pleasantly surprised. Download eatbook.sg before you arrive to discover hundreds of hawker centres and restaurants rated by locals. The key to eating well in Singapore isn't finding fancy restaurants; it's learning to navigate the hawker stalls like a regular and arriving hungry.

Start at Gardens by the Bay, a 100-hectare urban marvel where futuristic Supertrees tower above you, illuminated nightly with a free light and music show. The Flower Dome showcases thousands of plant species, while the Cloud Forest is an engineering marvel featuring aerial walkways around a 35-meter indoor waterfall. Walking the outdoor gardens is free; the canopy walk and biodomes require paid entry.

For wildlife, the Singapore Zoo and River Safari let you see orangutans, tigers, manatees, and capybaras—or experience a thrilling night safari. The Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, spans 128 acres with the stunning National Orchid Garden housing over 1,000 orchid species (admission free except for the orchid garden). Marina Bay Sands offers 360-degree city views from its SkyPark Observation Deck, plus a legendary 57th-floor infinity pool if you're staying at the hotel. Finally, spend an evening in Kampong Glam (also called the Arab Quarter), wandering Haji Lane's eclectic vintage shops and street art, then enjoy live music as the neighbourhood buzzes after dark.

Orchard Road is Singapore's shopping heartland—luxury brands line this long, walkable boulevard, and it's the place for high-end retail therapy. The nearby Marina Bay area pulses with energy, offering rooftop bars with panoramic views and waterfront dining.

Chinatown delivers authentic Asian experiences: colourful shophouses, temples, and heritage museums like the Chinatown Heritage Centre reveal the neighbourhood's layered history. Little India explodes with colour, spice, and culture—browse textiles at Mustafa Centre or grab curry at one of dozens of restaurants. Kampong Glam (the Arab Quarter) charms with Turkish homewares, vintage finds along Haji Lane, and the magnificent Sultan Mosque as its centrepiece.

For families, Sentosa Island offers Universal Studios Singapore, beaches, and a nighttime light show. Use Hello's trip planning feature to organize which neighbourhoods align with your interests—whether that's shopping, culture, food, or nature. Each area is easily accessible via MRT, so you can explore multiple neighbourhoods in a single day without feeling rushed. The beauty of Singapore is that these distinct cultural pockets exist within minutes of each other, letting you experience Asia's diversity in one compact destination.