THE ULTIMATE SINGPAPORE PACKING LIST

The Ultimate Singapore Packing List

Planning a trip to Singapore? Time to start getting ready!  One of the most important things is to determine what you'll be taking with you for your journey. We've put together a clear and comprehensive packing list for you. This way, you'll be well-prepared and won't forget anything.

Climate and Travel Seasons

Singapore is located just above the equator and has a tropical climate with year-round temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). It is humid and muggy throughout the year. During the monsoon season, from November to January, rain can occur, and the weather can feel particularly oppressive.

Air conditioning is widely used in Singapore and often set to very low temperatures. As a result, it can feel quite chilly in places like hotels, restaurants, or on the subway compared to the outdoor heat. If you plan to spend extended periods indoors, it’s important to consider this when choosing your clothing.

Traveling with a suitcase or backpack

The first choice you have to make when you go on a trip is whether you opt for a suitcase or a backpack. There are advantages to both, and the best choice depends on your travel itinerary, the activities you'll be doing, but mostly on your personal preference.

The biggest advantage of a backpack over a suitcase is that you can carry it on your back. However, in Singapore, you’ll find good sidewalks and paved roads almost everywhere, so a backpack isn’t really necessary here. On top of that, traveling with a suitcase is much more comfortable. You don’t have to carry it on your back, making it easier to walk longer distances in a more relaxed manner.

An important difference is that a suitcase is heavier than a backpack. With a suitcase, you quickly reach the maximum weight for checked baggage. A backpack can be packed heavier, but it often has less space than a suitcase.

A backpack offers a lot of flexibility, but in most places, you can travel just fine with a suitcase. For example, in locations with only unpaved roads, you can usually take a taxi. It may be challenging to move your suitcase only in places where there are no taxis and no paved roads. So, consider your route carefully and choose what's best for you.

We often travel with our Eastpak travel bags. These have all the benefits of a suitcase, but they are essentially wheeled bags. This results in a lower weight than a suitcase, allowing you to bring more.

Tips for Your Packing List

  • Don’t pack too much clothing. In Singapore, you can have your clothes washed at your hostel, hotel, or at one of the laundromats found in various locations.
  • Avoid bringing thick sweaters or jackets; instead, pack clothing that can be layered. This is useful for staying comfortable in cooler indoor environments or for protecting yourself against mosquitoes.

General

  • Passport + copies
  • Visa
  • Credit card(s) (with sufficient monthly limit)
  • Debit card (worldwide)
  • Cash
  • Driver's license
  • Medical passport
  • Vaccination passport
  • Copies of important documents such as health insurance, travel insurance, emergency numbers, contact information for family/friends
  • Passport photos
  • Boarding pass
  • Backpack/Daypack
  • Rain cover (for backpack/daypack)

Tip: Withdrawing cash abroad using your local bank card or credit card can be expensive. When withdrawing in a different currency, you often face unfavorable exchange rates and additional transaction fees. Our solution is Wise. For a one-time fee of $9 USD, you can open an account and receive a VISA debit card. You can hold and convert money in more than 50 currencies, always at a favorable rate. Additionally, you can spend money in over 170 countries without any extra charges.

Toiletries

Note: In Asia, tampons are harder to find compared to sanitary pads. In Singapore, tampons are available, but the selection is limited, and the prices are relatively high. We recommend bringing enough tampons from home if you are traveling to Asia.

Electronics

Clothing

Do you want to read more?

Check out all our articles with the best tips to discover the most beautiful places in the world.

Do you want to read more?

Check out all our articles with the best tips to discover the most beautiful places in the world.

About the authors

How nice that you are on our website and that you have read this article! We are Mirte and Matthew, two Dutch adventurers with a passion for traveling, discovering cultures, and gaining new experiences. We've translated our love for the world into this website. We hope our articles inspire you to go on adventures! You can learn more about us through the button below.
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