ATMs in Singapore: Credit cards and fees
Singapore is a sovereign city-state, south of Malaysia, and just north of the equator - and a global hub for finance and trade. With a mixed and...
Travelling to Singapore from Australia. The Lowdown
Singapore is a tiny country located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula in SouthEast Asia. The country itself only spans 50 km wide, but boasts approximately 124 km of coastline. Due to its location, Singapore has grown to be a major transit hub to other international destinations, but also a popular tourist destination to stop in and explore.
In May 2024, around 79,000 Australians flocked to Singapore to visit.¹ If you’ve pondered a trip to Singapore, then read on and get to know an in depth guide to travelling to Singapore from Australia.
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Singapore entry requirement for Australians and Australia residents
Before travelling to any destination abroad, it's important to check the entry requirements so you don’t have any awkward or costly surprises at an overseas border point. We’ll cover what you need as an Australian Citizen or Australian Resident to enter Singapore and what to expect at the border.
Do Australians or Australia residents need a visa to visit Singapore
The good news is that Australian citizens do not require a visa to visit Singapore.
The conditions for entry for Australia residents will depend on the passport held. Australia residents from the following countries will require a visa to enter Singapore.²
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For Australian residents holding passports from countries outside this list, you will not require a visa to enter Singapore, though certain entry requirements have to be met.²
Customs in Singapore
While a visa may not be necessary for Australians, you will still need to clear customs to go enjoy all the sights, tastes and sounds that Singapore has on offer. Here is what to expect.
Customs Clearance Process
Within 3 days of arriving in Singapore, you are expected to complete a SG Arrival Card (SGAC).³ After you exit your flight, you’ll make your way to the Immigration Checkpoint Authority (ICA). Some of the conditions of entry include⁴:
- No prohibited items
- Sufficient money to cover your trip
- Proof of onward travel
Some passengers may need to provide a yellow fever certificate at the ICA. For those who want to bring cash over to Singapore, foreign currency equivalent to $20,000 must be declared or there could be a penalty imposed.³ All travellers are required to scan their thumb prints when passing through Singapore immigration.⁴
How to apply for Visas, e-visas or entry permits
For Australia residents that hold a passport from a visa required country, there is a specific process to apply for your Visa in Australia before you embark on your trip. You’ll need to provide further evidence to accompany your visa application including²:
- Evidence of your residence status in Australia
- Completed application form
- Recently taken passport sized photo
- Photocopy of your passport
- Confirmed flight details
- Confirmed accommodation details
- Contact details
There are two ways to apply. The first is to provide your application to a Singaporean local contact in Australia, and let them apply online on your behalf. The second can be in person at either one of the five visa centres or by appointment at the Singapore High Commission in Canberra. Certain countries may require other details not mentioned here. You should apply at least 30 days before your anticipated departure date.²
Costs for entry and required permits
Depending on how you apply will determine what your visa fee is. Here is a breakdown of the fees here.² The SGD to AUD mid-market exchange rate today (21 June 2024) is 1 SGD = 1.11 AUD. You can check the current rate here on Wise.
| Online local contact | In person at a visa centre | In person at the Singapore High Commission |
|---|---|---|
| SGD $30.00 (around $33.35 AUD) | $77.00 AUD plus the visa fee of $33.00 AUD | $33.00 AUD in cash only |
Australian citizens and Australian residents from other visa-free countries do not have to pay a fee to enter Singapore.
Vaccinations required to travel to Singapore from Australia
Unlike some of the neighbouring countries, the risk of falling ill from a preventative disease from a vaccine is low. However, some recommended vaccines are⁵:
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis
- Measles Mumps Rubella
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
As of February 2023, there are no COVID-19 measures to meet to travel to Singapore.³
Flying to Singapore from Australia
The flight time to Singapore from Australia will vary depending on which city you plan to depart from. There are generally direct flights from most capital cities around Australia, with major hubs like Sydney and Melbourne offering several a day. Here are the expected flight times from each city.
| City | Expected Flight time |
|---|---|
| Brisbane | 7 hours 55 minutes |
| Sydney | 8 hours 20 minutes |
| Melbourne | 8 hours |
| Perth | 5 hours 20 minutes |
| Darwin | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| Adelaide | 7 hours 30 minutes |
Several airlines offer flights to Singapore from Australia including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar and Scoot airlines to name a few.
Currency in Singapore and accepted payment methods
The local currency is the Singaporean Dollar (SGD). Generally card payments is the most popular method to make purchases in Singapore, but cash is always a good back up if for some reason your card has a moment.
As an Australian, you should be wary before taking your local bank card over, as conversion and international transaction fees may be incurred when using your card abroad. If you are looking for an international card to cheaply spend your money in Singapore, check out the Wise debit card.
English spoken
Aussies don’t have to worry too much about a language barrier when visiting Singapore as English is the most spoken language. Other local languages you’ll hear though include Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.
Useful apps to have before travelling to Singapore
If you're not a no-plan, no data explorer type, then there are plenty of apps available that can help fill out your itinerary, and then action it. Here's some apps you should consider downloading before you arrive.
To get around
Whether you want to try out the Singaporean public transport system, cycle or use private transport services, there's an app to get you where you want to go. Here's a few useful transport apps.
- MyTransport.SG
- Citymapper
- Gothere.SG
- CDG Zig
- Grab
- Gojek & Tada
- Anywheel
- SG Bike
It is also good to download Google offline maps to complement the above apps, especially if you want to save on data usage.
To eat and drink
There are apps that you can use for food delivery, restaurant bookings, and to find amazing local delicacies. Some apps to download include:
- Foodpanda
- Eaitgo
- Chope
- Burrple
You’ll quickly realise that the local food scene is something that must be indulged.
To see and do
To get to know some of the main attractions you might want to see, the app YourSingapore Guide: Singapore is a necessity.
Top tourist locations in Singapore
You don’t need to go far to experience some of the top tourist locations Singapore has to offer. Here are some attractions to include in your Singaporean itinerary.
Jewel Changi Airport
Jewel Changi Airport sets the scene of what's to come as a tourist attraction in itself. In the airport you’ll find the world's tallest indoor waterfall, a rain vortex, large nature filled green gardens, a shopping centre and plenty of dining and entertainment options. Fortunately, coming and going, you can plan ahead to explore the airport while waiting for your flight.
Marina Bay Sands Towers
As one of Singapore's most luxurious 5-star hotels, the Marina Bay Sands Towers literally tower over Singapore city. It is arguably one of Singapore's most famous attractions, where visitors come to visit the SkyPark observation deck to take in some of the best views of Singapore. A caveat though, is that the world famous views seen from the rooftop infinity are only accessible to guests of the hotel.
Resort World Sentosa
Imagine visiting an island dedicated to fun. Resort World Sentosa is located in the south of the city and is where you can find Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island and Adventure Cove Waterpark. You can choose to stay in one of the many hotel choices on the island or make it a day (or two) trip.
Clarke Quay
Located adjacent to the Singapore River, Clarke Quay is a key historial area that has been revamped as a top tourist destination. You’ll find restaurants, bars and entertainment venues along the river line.
Other attractions
While we only touched on four of the top attractions, there is plenty of other popular places to visit including:
- Gardens by the Bay
- Botanical gardens
- National Gallery SIngapore
- Singapore zoo
- National museum
- Helix bridge
Planning is key so you can make sure you get the most out of your Singapore trip.
Hidden “non-touristy” locations to visit
If you're more interested in going off the beaten path of tourist attraction, here’s some of the hidden “non-touristy” locations to visit.
- Asian Civilisations museum
- Fort Canning Park
- The Southern Ridge
- Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
- Coney Island
Similarly, this is only a handful of hidden gems. Depending on your interests, whether that be exploring nature, trying local delicacies or getting deep into Singporean history, there is something to do for everyone in Singapore.
Local etiquette or customs to respect
While Singapore is highly developed and westernised, there are a few local customs that visitors should try to respect. Singaporeans are very courteous and punctuality to booked activities is crucial.
Pointing is seen as disrespectful and you’ll find that attempting to skip queues is a big no-no. The city itself is incredibly clean, and this transcends into Singaporean home life or when visiting any major religious sites where you should always remove shoes before entering.⁴
Safety in Singapore
Singapore is a very safe country to visit as crime rates are low and strict order is integrated into everyday life in the country. However, one thing to keep in mind is Singapore does experience severe weather conditions such as tropical storms, especially in monsoon seasons. Singapore also experiences increased smoke haze from June to October.⁴
Getting around in Singapore
Despite its size, there is an extensive network of transport options to get visitors anywhere they desire to get to. For example, to get from Changi airport to the Marina Bay Sands Towers takes only 15 minutes by taxi or via the local Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail. You can pre-plan your transport routes by downloading some of the handy apps we have mentioned above.
Keep in mind before you leave
While Singapore is an incredibly safe destination to visit, here are a few tips that can ensure all trips go ahead without a hitch. You should:
- Keep up to date with AU Travel Advisories
- Organise adequate travel insurance
- Let your bank know your travel plans
- Check international news for events close to your destination
- Book flights that have adequate transit times
- Take a backup payment method (cash, extra card etc.)
- Research things to do before you go
- Get an international sim card with data
Above all, make sure you have your passport and that it has at least 6 months validity left on it. Also check if you need to bring any other necessary documents packed and ready to present if asked.
Singapore embassy addresses and contacts in Australia
If you want to get in contact with the Singapore embassy before your trip, here are the details.
| Embassy | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore High Commission in Canberra | 17 Forster Crescent, Yarralumla ACT 2600 | +61-2-6271-2000 |
For those that require a visa, it is recommended to either contact the above embassy or contact a SIngapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorised visa agent.
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Sources:
- Singapore statistics for Australian visitors
- MFA Singapore visa
- ICA Singapore entry
- Smart Traveller Singapore
- Singapore vaccinations
Sources checked on: 14 June 2024
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