10 Tips for Surviving Singapore

Singapore is a unique place - a city, statute and country in one, 1.5 degrees north of the equator, incredibly prosperous, multicultural, lively and humid...oh so humid. Here are 10 tips to make the most of your time on the island

Climate

1. Carry a small towel: The average humidity in Singapore is ~86%, and this frequently reaches 100% after the rain. If you are a sweaty person, I recommend having a small towel on you at all times, especially if you expect to be outside for a long time

2. Attire: Synthetic fabrics are a nightmare in humidity - where possible opt for cotton and loose clothing

3. Umbrella: Due to its geographic location, you can expect rain in Singapore at least every other day and almost always in the afternoon or evening. Take an umbrella with you wherever you go

4. Mosquitos: You very rarely see mosquitos in Singapore. I have no idea why. So unless you're going to a park or jungle area, or travelling across to Indonesia or Malaysia you don't need to worry too much about mosquito repellent

5. The Sun: The sun in Singapore doesn't necessarily burn (like it does where I grew up in Sydney), but I still recommend wearing sunscreen. Always heed Baz Luhrmann's advice.

Travel

1. Citymapper: Download the Citymapper app and use as your public transit bible. It's much more accurate than Google maps, and has a handy feature telling you which exit to take (which in Singapore could save you from walking an extra 15 minutes in the humidity).

2. Tourist MRT pass: A tourist MRT pass allows you to take unlimited trips. The MRT will be your best friend in Singapore, and the unlimited trips proposition is excellent if you're unfamiliar with the MRT because it means you can go in and out of stations for free

3. Grab is the local Uber: If you have mobile internet, Grab is the leading ridesharing service in Singapore

4. Taxis: Unlike in many other countries, taxis aren't excessively expensive in Singapore A 30 minute taxi from the Airport to the city will cost you about S$20 - 40.

5. Time needed: I think you can see all the things you need to in Singapore in 3-4 days. You can supplement this with a trip to Sentosa island or a nearby island in Malaysia or Indonesia