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Singapore is the smallest country in Southeast Asia. Over 14 million tourists visit Singapore each year, and one of the biggest questions people ask when deciding whether or not to visit Singapore is is Singapore safe?
Singapore is a very modern country. It’s also a very rich country. The government has spent a lot of money building the country up, modernizing it, and making it a desirable tourist destination.
There are also strict law in Singapore. People know that there are harsh punishments for even the smallest and most seemingly innocent of crimes.
This means that the answer to the question is Singapore safe is yes.
Singapore is a very safe country for tourists. It has a good tourism infrastructure, low crime rates, safe roads and public transportation, low risk of natural disasters, and no political unrest.
So, if Singapore has been on your bucket list, and you weren’t quite ready to pull the trigger and book your trip because you weren’t sure if Singapore was safe for tourists, I’m happy to tell you that it is!
However, there are a few things you need to be aware of when travelling in Singapore. Just like any country there are things you need to be aware of when travelling in Singapore and things that could make Singapore less safe than it otherwise is.
I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about safety in Singapore in this article, so you’re aware of what to watch out for and have to stay safe in Singapore as a tourist.
Table of Contents
Is Singapore Safe for Tourists?
Just in case you skimmed the first part of this article (I don’t blame you), I want to reiterate that Singapore is a safe country for tourists to visit.
There is very little petty crime, the tourist areas are safe to walk around in both during the day and at night, and the Singaporean people are incredibly kind and welcoming.
It is definitely one of the safest and easiest countries to travel to in Southeast Asia.
Plus I found it to be one of the cooler countries in the region, which was a huge plus. It’s still super hot, but I didn’t feel like I was melting as soon as I walked outside. Surprisingly, it was much cooler than it’s northern neighbour Malaysia. It doesn’t really make sense since they’re less than an hour drive apart, but, again, I’m not complaining about a less intense climate.
Overall, the answer to the question is Singapore safe is yes absolutely it is safe!
Buy your Gardens by the Bay ticket online in advance to save time and money!
Is Singapore Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
I’m a solo female traveller, so I feel extra qualified to speak about this next point.
I never once felt unsafe during my solo trip to Singapore. Even when I was walking around at night, which is saying a lot because I hate being out at night.
Yes I’m a woman in my 30s who is still afraid of the dark. Haha.
I never felt unsafe using the metro, walking around, or being in the underground walkways/malls, which are another place I tend to feel on edge.
Singapore is rated as one of the safest countries in the world. I think that since it’s so safe and easy to travel in, Singapore is a great place for people wanting to take their first solo trip.
It’s similar to Dubai where there is low crime rates, easy transportation, English is widely spoken, and it doesn’t feel too different or “exotic”. You’re able to get your feet wet and learn how to travel alone without being too overwhelmed.
Is Singapore Safe for LBGTQIA+ Travellers?
The Singapore government doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to LBGTQIA+ rights. In late 2022, they decriminalized same-sex relations, but same-sex marriage is still illegal in the country.
Even though the government doesn’t have the best stance towards the LBGTQIA+ community, that isn’t reflected in the community.
Hotels gladly accept same-sex couples, and the community in general is accepting of same-sex couples.
That being said, PDA isn’t a big thing in Singapore. Even between heterosexual couples.
Small signs of affection like holding hands for a brief period of time or a very quick kiss are becoming more acceptable and common in Singapore.
It isn’t common to see large displays of affection or constant contact between couples in Singapore. Affection tends to be something that’s done behind closed doors and in private in Singapore.
Even non-consensual hugging is a “soft crime” in Singapore.
So, while it may be socially acceptable to be in a same-sex relationship in Singapore, it isn’t common for anybody to show affection in public. The reason you get weird looks in public may not be because of your relationship but because you’re showing affection in public.
So, while the law may not be on your side, Singapore is still a friendly place for LBGTQIA+ travellers. You shouldn’t face discrimination when checking into your hotel or if you’re out and about with your partner.
Is Singapore Safe for Family Travellers?
Yes! Singapore is absolutely safe for family travellers. It is one of the cleanest and most modern cities in the world.
It’s safe for children to walk around and take the metro. The streets are wide and not super busy with pedestrians, so there isn’t much of a chance of them wandering off in a crowd if they’re younger.
The one thing that parents need to watch out for is dehydration.
Singapore is hot. You need to drink more water than you normally do and make sure you spend time indoors in the air conditioning when possible. You especially need to watch out for dehydration in your children if you’re doing outdoor activities like visiting Universal Studios, taking a boat ride, or visiting the observation deck at Marina Bay.
You’ll get hot and dehydrated really quickly doing those activities. Children don’t always know how to recognize when they’re dehydrated so be sure to check with them more often than you normally do and have lots of water on hand. Carrying a fan also comes in handy.
Another way to help beat the heat is by taking a hop on hop off bus tour. Lots of them have a covered portion on the top that make them cooler, and there is always air conditioning on the bottom level.
A bus tour is a great way to see the city without having to rely on the metro or walking around in the heat to get place to place.
But other than the heat, there isn’t anything that parents need to be overly aware of or cautious of when visiting Singapore. Use normal precaution and keep a close eye on your children, and the answer to the question is Singapore safe for family travellers will be yes!
PS- Try to arrive at the airport early, so you can visit the Jewel. It’s a crowd pleaser (especially with children), and it shouldn’t be missed on your visit to Singapore! You can buy your tickets online in advance to save money and time!
Is Singapore Safe for BIPOC Travellers?
I’m not a BIPOC traveller, but I spoke to a lot of BIPOC travellers about their experiences in Singapore before writing this post.
Overwhelmingly, nearly everybody I spoke to agreed that they felt safe when travelling in Singapore.
Singapore is a multicultural country. There are three main ethnicities in Singapore: Malay, Indian, and Chinese. People are used to diversity.
That doesn’t mean that there aren’t people with prejudices though.
No matter where you are in the world, unfortunately, there are racist, and Singapore is no exception.
A few people I spoke to mentioned being stared at occasionally and sometimes feeling unwelcome or uncomfortable. Nobody said that it went beyond feeling uncomfortable. Nobody was confronted and nobody was physically harmed.
Overall, the experience in Singapore was a positive one, and everybody said they would recommend it to other BIPOC travellers.
So, the answer to the question is Singapore safe for BIPOC travellers is yes. You shouldn’t face any physical or verbal abuse, but you may get a few stares, unfortunately.
Is Singapore Safe at Night?
You might be wondering is Singapore safe at night? Most places in the world tend to get a bit shadier at night, but that isn’t the case in Singapore.
Singapore comes alive at night. Between the Hawker centres and the night shows at Gardens by the Bay and Marina Sands, there is an endless supply of things to do in Singapore at night.
It’s also cooler at night than during the day. Locals tend to come out and spend time outside during the evenings after work and when it’s a more agreeable temperature.
There is a lot to see and do at night. Most people only spend a day or two in Singapore. The best way to see everything that Singapore has to offer at night is by taking the night bus tour.
It’s three hours long and makes multiple stops throughout the city, so you can experience Singapore’s vibrant nighttime culture. It’s also a great way to learn about the city.
Plus if you’re a solo traveller or family traveller that doesn’t want to be exploring alone at night or wrangling children around at night, the night bus tour is super helpful.
Plus you’ll be tired at the end of the day after all the walking and sightseeing, so it’s nice to sit down and be guided through the city for a few hours.
Anyways, I’m getting off topic now.
Singapore is one of the few cities in the world that I’ve felt completely safe and comfortable walking around at night as a solo female traveller. The other cities are Seoul, Kaohsiung, and Kuala Lumpur.
So, the answer to the question is Singapore safe at night is yes. And that’s coming from somebody who hates the dark and being outside, so you can trust my opinion.
Most Common Scams in Singapore
Unlike many other popular tourist destinations like Paris, there aren’t many scams in Singapore you need to be on the lookout for. Even petty crime isn’t too common in Singapore.
That being said, there are a few things I want to bring to your attention. They’re pretty common scams all over the world, so if you’ve done any travelling before, you’re probably aware of these scams.
These scams aren’t all that common or terribly serious (except for the last one), and they don’t change the answer to the question is Singapore safe from yes to no.
For a major country and tourist hub, they have some of the lowest crime rates and scams.
Taxi’s Overcharging
This is a scam in basically every country in the world. It’s not terribly common in Singapore but always make sure the taxi meter is running. Singapore is having a shortage of taxi drivers right now, so it can be hard to find a taxi to drive you where you need to go. Most people use Grab anyways, and that’s what I recommend you use. Just be sure to download the app and input your credit card information while you’re in your home country. You’ll run into major issues if you try to create a Grab account when you arrive in Southeast Asia.
The Picture Scam
This is a very common scam in Italy and has started showing up in Singapore as well. Someone will offer to take your photograph for a smell fee. It seems reasonable until they take 30 photographs and then charge you the small fee for each photo. If someone comes up to you and offers to take your photo for a fee, just politely say no thank you.
The ATM Helper
This is the most serious scam in Singapore you need to be aware of. If you’re taking money out of an ATM in Singapore and someone offers to help you get money out without you being charged a bank fee, leave immediately and find a different ATM. They’re actually trying to steal your banking information from you. Most places in Singapore accept credit cards, but if you do need to take cash out, it’s best to use an ATM at a bank instead of a free standing ATM.
Singapore Safety Tips
There isn’t too much you need to know to stay safe in Singapore, but I’m going to share a few Singapore safety tips with you anyways!
Stay Hydrated
Singapore is hot. It’s not as hot as other places in Southeast Asia (like Thailand), but it’s still extremely hot. You’ll be surprised at how much water you drink while in Singapore.
Even if you’re not walking outside too much because you’re taking the metro or a bus tour, you’re still going to be sweating a lot.
There are tons of places to buy water throughout Singapore so make sure you’re popping into a convenience store a couple times a day to purchase a water.
They also have fresh squeezed orange juice machines out and about in popular areas. I highly recommend you try at least one orange juice. I don’t like orange juice, but I was obsessed with it. It’s so fresh and delicious. Plus it’s only slightly more expensive than a bottle of water, so why wouldn’t you get a fresh orange juice instead?
Don’t Chew Gum
I think the one thing that most people know about Singapore is that gum is forbidden. You can’t buy it in Singapore, and you’re not allowed to bring it into the country.
There are actually fines if you’re caught chewing gum. As a tourist, you may be given a warning and told not to, but you could also be charged a fine anywhere between $500 and $1,000.
That’s a lot of money for something as simple as chewing gum. It can put a real damper on your holiday.
So, leave your gum at home and get used to using mints if you need to freshen your breath while you’re out and about in public.
Don’t Litter
Similar to not chewing gum, littering is a big no no in Singapore. Frankly, it’s a big no no everywhere in the world, and you should never litter.
There aren’t a ton of public trash bins in Singapore, so you need to be prepared. Most people carry a small plastic bag in their purse that they can use for any trash they may acquire while out and about during the day. Then they discard it when they find a trash can.
It’s not always fun carrying around a small bag to put your trash in, and it’s not terribly practical for people who don’t carry purses with them.
Most of the time if you’re buying street food, there will be a trash can near the seller. Stick around until you’re done eating your food, and stick your trash in there.
Shopping malls and metro stations also tend to have a couple public trash bins you can use.
The most likely item you’ll be carrying around is a water bottle. At least they’re easy to carry in your hand or stick into your pocket.
Just be prepared to not stumble across a trash can while you’re walking around.
Carry Your Passport
I’m always surprised by the number of people who tell me that they leave their passport in the hotel when they go out for the day.
I always take my passport with me whenever I travel. You never know when you’ll need it.
Sometimes you can save money on attraction tickets if you show your passport. You’ll need it if you are in a situation where you have to call the police or go to a hospital. And in some countries (like China or Turkey), a police officer can stop and ask you at any time to prove you entered the country legally.
You never know when you’ll need your passport so be sure to take it with you whenever you leave your hotel.
I know some people are worried about losing their passport when they travel. I like to put it into the inside zipper pocket in my purse. There is no way a pick pocket would be able to steal it.
It’s a little more complicated to store it if you don’t carry a bag with you. You can put it in your pocket between your wallet and phone to keep it safe from pick pockets as well.
The Importance of Internet Safety
I can’t talk to you about the safety of Singapore without reminding you that it’s so important that you remember to be internet safe as well.
You rely on public wifi as a traveller. Even if you use an esim, you’ll still be using public wifi when you scroll the internet at your hotel. Using public wifi puts you at a high risk of having your private online information stolen.
Even if the wifi network has a password, that doesn’t mean you’re safe. There are countless people who have the password and can access the same internet as you do. All it takes is one person with bad intentions, and your online information is compromised.
Trust me when I say you do not want to be dealing with the headache of having your banking information stolen while you’re abroad just because you didn’t protect your online safety. It’s a headache that I don’t wish on anybody.
The only way you can be safe while using public wifi is by installing a VPN on your devices. It essentially puts a forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for prying eyes to access your personal online information.
A VPN makes using public wifi just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.
It’s one of the simplest and easiest ways you can ensure you’re safe while travelling.
My Favourite VPN
I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my many years of travel. Honestly, most of them are awful.
VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, and you can really feel it with most VPN providers.
I’ve had many instances where I turned off my VPN and put my online data at risk just because I got frustrated with how slow the VPN was making my internet.
All that changed when I started using NordVPN. It’s the fastest VPN on the market, and I’ve never noticed a lag in my internet speed when using it. I’ve been using it for almost five years at this point, and I have no plans of switching to a different VPN provider.
You can protect up to six devices with a single NordVPN subscription, so you can protect all your devices for one low price. One account to rule them all as Gollum would say.
The best part is how affordable NordVPN is. A two-year subscription costs less per month than a single Starbuck’s latte. That’s a super small price to pay to keep your private online information safe while travelling.
I always say that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to protect yourself with a VPN.
My Top Singapore Travel Tip
I couldn’t let you leave without sharing what I think is the most important Singapore travel tip.
Buying tickets online for attractions through Klook will save you time and money.
I think a lot of people assume that if you’re buying tickets through a third-party like Klook that you’re being charged more, but that isn’t the case.
Every single attraction and activity I wanted to do in Singapore I bought tickets in advance through Klook.
There were long lines at Gardens by the Bay, but since I bought my tickets online in advance, I just skipped the line to buy tickets and went into the line to have my ticket scanned. I also paid less for my ticket than I would have if I bought it at Gardens by the Bay directly.
For the night bus tour I took, it was essential to purchase tickets in advance. The tour sells out almost every night. Showing up to the departure point and trying to buy tickets the same day as the tour likely won’t work.
Klook is primarily an Asian brand so not a lot of people who live outside Asia know about it. A lot of my friends I told about Klook were confused about whether it was legit or not because the prices are so affordable.
If you haven’t heard of Klook and are weary, don’t be. It’s a very legit company. I’ve used it dozens of times and have recommended it to everybody I know who travels to Asia. All the tickets and tours on Klook are legit, and their customer service team can help you if you run into any issues.
The other thing I love about Klook is that you pay in your home currency. That means you save money on the exchange rate and conversion fees applied by your bank if you were to purchase the tickets with your card at the attraction itself.
Trust me when I say that if you’re not using Klook to purchase your Singapore tickets, you’re wasting time and money!
Conclusion
I hope this helped answer the question is Singapore safe?
By every metric, Singapore is safe. It’s an easy country to travel in, has lots of interesting things to do, and travellers don’t face discrimination based on skin colour or sexual orientation.
I think Singapore is a great introductory country to Southeast Asia. It is cooler than most other countries in the region and doesn’t have as much hustle and bustle.
If it’s your first time to the region, starting in Singapore then branching out to Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, etc. is a great option.
But no matter where you’re travels take you, Singapore is a great option and a very safe place to travel.
It’s one of my mom’s favourite countries in the world, so it has to be worth a visit right?
