Singapore is a vibrant city-state blending futuristic architecture, lush gardens, and diverse cultural neighborhoods. From the iconic Marina Bay Sands to historic hawker centres and world-class attractions, this island nation offers an unforgettable travel experience.
Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the world's safest cities, with exceptionally low violent and street crime rates. Strict law enforcement, severe penalties for drug offences, and a strong culture of civic compliance make it very safe for travellers of all kinds.
Current safety advisory
Low
Standard precautions only. No elevated travel advisories are in effect for Singapore from major Western governments as of this review.
Last updated: 2026-09
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world. Exercise normal precautions.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Singapore has strict drug laws with severe penalties, including the mandatory death penalty for trafficking above threshold amounts -- never carry or transport any controlled substances.
Vaping and e-cigarettes are banned outright; do not bring vape devices or e-liquids into the country, even for personal use.
Public demonstrations and gatherings without a police permit are illegal, including one-person protests in some contexts -- avoid joining any public gathering.
Littering, jaywalking, and eating or drinking on the MRT carry on-the-spot fines of SGD 300 or more (approx. USD 220+).
Tap water is safe to drink straight from the tap island-wide.
Keep bags and valuables close in crowded tourist areas such as Orchard Road, Bugis, and Chinatown -- pickpocketing is rare but not unheard of.
Use only licensed taxis (ComfortDelGro, SMRT, TransCab) or ride-hailing apps such as Grab or Gojek; avoid unmetered touts, especially outside Changi Airport.
Use ATMs inside banks or major shopping malls rather than free-standing street units to reduce skimming risk.
Carry small amounts of cash for hawker centres, which frequently do not accept cards; malls, hotels, and most restaurants take major credit cards.
Never hold MRT train doors open -- door sensors trigger delays and fines can apply; wait for the next train instead.
Dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees) when visiting mosques, temples, and churches, and remove shoes where signposted.
Register with your home country's embassy or consulate for extended stays; most embassies are concentrated around Napier Road and Tanglin Road.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unlicensed airport taxi touts
Touts at Changi Airport arrivals halls offer 'fixed price' rides into the city, often charging SGD 60-80 (approx. USD 45-60) for a trip that costs SGD 25-30 (approx. USD 18-22) by metered licensed taxi or a similar fare by Grab.
How to avoid: Use only the official licensed taxi queue at arrivals or book a Grab/Gojek from the designated rideshare pickup point at the airport.
Informal 'tour agent' approaches
Individuals near Chinatown and other tourist areas sometimes offer informal 'exclusive tours' or 'special packages' that are overpriced or fail to deliver what was promised.
How to avoid: Book tours only through Singapore Tourism Board-licensed operators or established platforms such as Klook, Viator, or Airbnb Experiences.
Unclear seafood pricing at tourist-facing restaurants
Some seafood restaurants near Clarke Quay and the waterfront price crab and other seafood 'by weight' without stating the total upfront, occasionally resulting in bills of SGD 200-400 (approx. USD 150-295) for a single dish.
How to avoid: Always confirm the total price, including the per-kilogram rate and estimated weight, before the dish is prepared.
Money-changer short-changing
Standalone or unlicensed money-changer counters have occasionally been reported shortchanging customers or applying undisclosed fees not shown in the advertised rate.
How to avoid: Use licensed money changers inside malls such as Lucky Plaza, Chinatown Complex, or Mustafa Centre, and count cash before leaving the counter.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, influenza) should be up to date. Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid are commonly recommended for longer stays. Japanese Encephalitis is occasionally advised for extended rural or nature-reserve travel.
- Water
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout Singapore; it is treated to WHO drinking-water standards.
- Food
- Hawker centres and licensed food establishments are subject to routine NEA hygiene grading (A to D, displayed at the stall); food-borne illness risk is low compared to the regional average.
- Facilities
- Excellent medical facilities islandwide, including Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and National University Hospital (NUH). Guardian, Watsons, and Unity pharmacy chains are widespread, with 24-hour pharmacies at major hospitals.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Exceptionally safe for solo travellers. Public transport runs into the early hours (MRT until roughly 1 AM weekdays, 2 AM weekends) and Grab/Gojek are reliable after that. Streets are well-lit and pedestrian-friendly, and solo dining at hawker centres is completely normal.
Female travellers
One of Asia's safest destinations for solo female travellers, with rare street-level harassment. Standard urban caution is advisable at night in the Geylang entertainment district. Female-only MRT carriages are marked during peak hours on some lines.
Families
An easy destination for families. Paediatric emergency care is available at KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Pedestrian infrastructure, traffic management, and stroller accessibility are strong throughout the city, and tap water is safe for children.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Singapore repealed Section 377A (which criminalised sex between men) in 2022, but same-sex marriage and civil partnerships are not legally recognised. Public displays of affection by same-sex couples may draw unwanted attention in more conservative settings. The Pink Dot rally has been held annually and legally since 2009. Hotels and the tourism sector are generally welcoming.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 999
- Medical
- 995
- Fire
- 995
- Embassy
- Consult your home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the Singapore embassy or consulate address; most are located around Napier Road and Tanglin Road.
- Tourist Police
- Singapore Police Force non-emergency hotline: 1800-255-0000