Is Singapore a city or a country? Big or tiny? Historic or modern?

The answer to all these questions is yes.

Singapore is a tropical island in southeast Asia that’s one of the world’s few city-states—meaning it’s a metropolis that’s also its own city. It’s small but densely populated, with some 5 million people living in an area about the size of New York City. And while it’s best known for its glittering skyline and futuristic Supertrees, Singapore retains many charming old neighborhoods and temples.

While many visitors spend only a short time in Singapore on their way to somewhere else, this destination rewards those who go deeper. Let’s take a quick tour!

Do you need travel insurance for Singapore?

Travel insurance isn’t just for adventure travel and remote locations. Anytime you travel overseas, you need travel protection. Here’s why.

1. In a medical emergency, travel insurance can save you from paying huge medical bills. Is medical care free for tourists in Singapore? No. Medical providers generally do not accept U.S. health insurance, and private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of insurance coverage before they admit you.¹ It’s essential to have emergency medical insurance that includes emergency medical benefits and emergency transportation benefits.
2. Travel insurance protects the money you spent on your trip. Singapore is an expensive destination. Kayak says you should expect to pay around $161/night for a 4-star hotel in Singapore, or $442/night for a 5-star.² (Looking for a more affordable Singapore hotel? We have recommendations below.) Get travel insurance for Singapore that reimburses you for covered trip cancellations and trip interruptions.
3. When you need help, insurance is there. Singapore is considered one of the safest countries in the world—but tourists must be aware that Singapore’s ultra-strict laws apply to them, too. Even a minor offense like jaywalking, littering, or eating on a train can result in a fine or even arrest.³ If you get into legal trouble, need an interpreter, or just want help solving a travel problem, contact us. All Allianz Travel Insurance plans include 24-hour assistance, accessible by phone or with the Allyz® app.

3 of the best travel insurance options for a trip to Singapore

1. Looking for affordable travel insurance plans covering Singapore travel? OneTrip Basic is a trustworthy pick for international trips. You get up to $10,000 in emergency medical benefits and up to $50,000 in medical transportation benefits, plus trip cancellation/interruption benefits and more.
2. Traveling with family? OneTrip Prime offers robust protection for international travel. Plus, kids 17 and under are covered for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents).
3. Planning an epic adventure? With high maximum benefit limits, OneTrip Premier is our best travel insurance for dream vacations and pricey getaways. OneTrip Premier also can cover kids 17 and under for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents).

Discover why 59 million American travelers each year trust Allianz Travel Insurance: Get a quote for your next trip.

3 of the best things to do in Singapore

1. Explore Singapore’s diverse neighborhoods. There are the pastel houses of Katong-Joo Chiat; the temples and street hawkers of Chinatown; the boutiques and galleries of Kampong Gelam; and the bustling markets of Little India.
2. Spend the day on Sentosa Island. This small island is Singapore’s playground. Take the cable car over and splash at the beach, stroll around the resorts, ride go-karts, play mini golf, and just have fun.
3. Go on the Night Safari. Singapore’s famed Mandai Wildlife Reserve offers a unique experience: the chance to visit at night and encounter nocturnal animals living at the zoo. If you’d rather see native wild creatures like scorpions and owls, book a night hike with a naturalist on Sentosa Island.

3 of the best budget hotels in Singapore

Searching for an appealing budget hotel in Singapore? We found a few gems. lyf Farrer Park Singapore is a friendly, affordable hotel that’s just a few minutes from Little India. Designed for digital nomads, its rooms are small but kitted out with everything you need, including a kitchenette. The building offers a coworking lounge, social kitchen, outdoor dining, a gym and on-site launderette.

If you’re willing to go even smaller, consider checking into a capsule hotel in Singapore. Kinn Habitat is a design-forward hotel with comfortable capsule rooms that feature a half-size locker, folding desk, folding mirror, and charging stations. The hotel also offers communal hangout spaces and complimentary breakfast bites.

Hotel 81 Premier Star offers simple, sleek, and modern rooms. Guests praise the kind and competent staff. It’s close to public transportation and the hip Arab Street, located in the Kampong Gelam district.

3 of the best restaurants in Singapore

Whether you prefer street-vendor snacks or Michelin-star fine dining, Singapore is a foodie’s dream. It has not just one culinary tradition, but several: Indian, Chinese, Malay, Eurasian, and more. Expect never-ending noodles and lots of seafood. 

Singapore’s national dish is Hainanese chicken rice: a homey combo of chicken and chicken-flavored rice that’s often served with greens and garnishes. The Tian Tian food stall in the Maxwell Food Centre is often named as the best place to get Hainanese chicken rice, but an ardent fan base claims its neighbor, Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice, is even better. (You really can’t go wrong either way.)

Hua Yu Wee Seafood Restaurant is a family restaurant that has been serving since the 1950s. Go there for classic Singaporean seafood dishes such as chili crab, black pepper crab, and hokkien mee, a noodle dish with seafood and pork.

While visiting Singapore, don’t miss the chance to try Peranakan/Nyonya food: a combination of Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesian and Indian flavors born of Singapore’s melting-pot history. Book a table at Candlenut, the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. There, you can taste dishes like short ribs satay, crab curry, and wing bean salad.

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