This packing list for Singapore will help you enjoy the warm weather, world class shopping and some of the best food in Southeast Asia that this fascinating city-state has to offer.
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Singapore is a highly developed city, meaning you won’t need many of the outdoorsy items you might need for other countries in Southeast Asia. However, you’ll still want to bring a few things from home to make sure you have a comfortable experience.
Our packing list for Singapore covers everything from clothing and footwear to document scans, travel wallets, mobile apps and more.
Before You Pack Your Bags
Before you pack your suitcase, it’s important to get the logistical side of your visit to Singapore prepared. From travel insurance to passport validity, make sure you’ve got the following things covered before you start packing your bags.
- Accommodation – Singapore is a major tourism destination, meaning hotels can get very heavily booked at certain times of year. Our Singapore Travel Itineraries list a wide range of hotel recommendations, from budget to luxury.
- Cheap Flights – As one of Southeast Asia’s travel hubs, there are numerous flights connecting Singapore with most major cities every day. Check Skyscanner to compare flight prices and timings from multiple airlines. It’s usually best to book your flights as early as possible to get the lowest prices.
- Visa – People from most Western countries can enter Singapore free, although some countries may need to apply for an e-visa. You can check the latest visa requirements using the Singapore MFA website.
- Credit and Debit Cards – ATMs are easy to find throughout Singapore, meaning you’ll have no problems withdrawing SGD to spend. As always, you should call your bank or card issuer before you travel to let them know you’ll be in Singapore (and any other countries you’re visiting) to prevent your cards from being blocked.
- Vaccinations – Singapore is a highly developed country and tropical diseases are not a major risk. View Fit For Travel’s Singapore vaccination advice for the latest updates.
- Face mask – COVID is still very active in many countries and you may be required to wear an SFP2 facemask on the plane and in some indoor spaces. It’s also a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser when you travel.
- Passport – Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months to enter Singapore. If you’re travelling to another country in the region after Singapore, check that you’ll have at least six months of validity remaining for the rest of your trip.
- Prescription Medication – Make sure you have a valid prescription for any medication you bring into Singapore.
- Document Scans – Keep scans of your passport photo and identity page, driving license, flight tickets, hotel bookings and any other important information on your phone — you’ll never know when you might need them.
- Travel Wallet – Singapore is an extremely safe country, but it’s still worth keeping your essentials safe while you travel. A large travel wallet will let you store your cash, cards, passport and other items securely while you’re out and about exploring Singapore.
- Travel Guidebook – Singapore is packed with things to do and places to see, and the right guidebook can help you find them. Lonely Planet Singapore is the most popular option, with a comprehensive list of attractions, shops, restaurants and more.
- Mobile Apps – Apps like Grab (Singapore’s Uber clone), SMRTConnect (metro maps and train routes) and iChangi (an all-in-one app for Changi Airport) make finding your way around Singapore much easier.
Travel Insurance For Singapore
Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
What Should You Pack For Singapore?
- Singapore is a tropical destination located less than 100 miles from the Equator, meaning it’s hot and humid all year. As such, it’s best to pack for summer, even if temperatures aren’t so warm in your home country.
- As a city, Singapore is highly developed. Toiletries, everyday items and consumer goods are just as easy to find here as they are at home (or potentially even easier), meaning there’s no need to worry if you forget your toothpaste or deodorant.
Clothes, Accessories and Useful Items
- T-Shirts and Other Summer Clothing – Singapore is hot and humid all year, meaning you’ll want to dress for summer weather. Cotton t-shirts, shorts and other clothing made using lightweight, breathable fabric is the way to go.
- Underwear – Likewise, it’s best to stock with lightweight underwear for Singapore. You might find brands like Under Armour, which offers breathable underwear for hot weather, a better option than standard cotton underwear.
- Shoes – Singapore is a highly developed country, meaning you won’t need to pack any heavy duty footwear unless you plan to go hiking. Any casual shoes will keep your feet comfortable in Singapore’s urban areas, while lightweight hiking shoes are ideal if you plan to walk the Macritchie Nature Trail.
- Swimwear – If your hotel has a swimming pool or you plan on visiting the beaches or water park at Sentosa Island, make sure you pack a swimsuit.
- Hats and Sunglasses – Singapore is sunny, meaning you’ll want to pack a hat and a good quality pair of sunglasses for walks and trips outside the city centre.
- Dressy Clothes – Many of Singapore’s rooftop bars and upmarket restaurants have dress codes, meaning you’ll want to pack a set of semi-formal clothes if you plan on enjoying a classy night out.
- For men, a button down shirt with trousers and leather shoes is totally adequate. For women, smart casual dress is more than enough for most of Singapore’s restaurants, bars and clubs.
Daypacks and Luggage
- Travel Daypack – A small daypack makes getting around Singapore much easier. Stick to the 15-20L range for a good combination of size and portability — this size of daypack is more than enough to keep you well equipped while exploring Singapore.
- Toiletry Bag – Make sure you bring a toiletry bag to keep your razors, toothbrush and other hygiene products organised in your hotel room.
- Travel Cubes – A set of travel cubes makes packing and unpacking your suitcase much faster, helping you spend less time unpacking in your hotel room and more of your time exploring Singapore.
- Laundry Bag – Hotel laundry services are quite expensive in Singapore, meaning you might prefer to just keep your dirty laundry with you to clean once you get home. If so, the right laundry bag can make all the difference.
Electronics
Singapore is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia for consumer electronics, making it a good place to pick up items like unlocked smartphones, tablets and laptops. However, you’ll also want to bring some electronic items from home for an easier trip:
- Travel Adapter – Singapore uses Type G power outlets, the same as the UK. If you’re travelling to Singapore with electronic gear that uses a different plug type, make sure you bring a universal travel adapter with you.
- Smartphone – Singtel offers a cheap and convenient tourist SIM package that’s perfect for unlocked smartphones.
- Power Bank – If you’re planning on spending the day out at Sentosa Island or hiking the Macritchie Nature Trail, it’s worth bringing a portable power bank with you. Also, check that your power bank is below the airline capacity limit before you purchase anything.
- Amazon Kindle – Singapore isn’t a big island, meaning you won’t have many long bus rides to worry about. However, an Amazon Kindle can come in handy while waiting in queues or riding the MRT and LRT.
Toiletries and Small Items
All common Western toiletries, from deodorant to tampons and sanitary pads, are easy to buy in Singapore. However, bringing your own from home is a great way to save time and avoid having to make an extra trip to the convenience store after you arrive.
- Toothbrushes, Toothpaste and Mouthwash – Bringing these from home can be a huge time-saver, even though they’re all easy to find in Singapore.
- Deodorant – Most Western deodorant brands are also sold in Singapore, although you’ll save time by bringing your own supply.
- Tampons and Sanitary Pads – These are both readily available in almost all Singapore pharmacies and convenience stores, but as always, the easiest solution is to bring your own from home.
- Sunscreen – Singapore gets very sunny during the daytime, meaning you’ll want to bring a tube of SPF 30+ sunscreen with you to keep yourself protected from sunburn.
- Mosquito Repellant – Mosquitos aren’t an issue in urban Singapore, but it’s still worth bringing DEET insect repellent with you to keep yourself protected if you plan on going hiking or spending time at any of Singapore’s beaches.
- Pens – Keep a pen or two in your carry-on luggage and you’ll be able to fill in your entry card before you land, saving you a minute or two at immigration.
- Tissues – Most hawker stands in Singapore won’t provide tissues (or will only offer them for a fee), making it worth packing a small set of tissues, or simply picking some up after you arrive.
- Luggage Locks – Finally, a set of TSA luggage locks will help keep your suitcase secure (assuming it doesn’t have a built-in locking system) while you’re travelling.
Flying to Singapore from Europe, North America or Oceania? Our list of the Best Travel Comfort Accessories for Long Haul Flights includes several essentials that can make the journey easier, especially if you’re flying overnight.
Need help working out what to do after you arrive? Our Singapore Travel Guide section includes itineraries, hotel guides and other useful content to help you figure out what to do, where to eat, where to shop and more while in Singapore.