Backpacking in SingaporeBackpacking in Singapore may not figure on the list of many South East Asian travellers. Home of the swish Singapore Sling, and with a reputation as a sanitised and expensive destination. But – if backpacking is about seeing as many and varied places as possible – Singapore is an absolute essential and an awesome experience. The former British Colony is central to South East Asia’s economy and the skyscrapers and extensive shopping options are testament to the fact that – by South East Asian standards – this is a capitalist nirvana! Take a wander around however, and get away from the CBD and shopping areas and you’ll find as broad a cultural mix as you would expect elsewhere in this part of the continent. And it definitely needn’t break the bank: you can do Singapore on the cheap (you might have to pass up the Singapore sling though!).
Where is it and what’s there?Singapore if effectively tagged on to the southern coast of peninsula Malaysia. It is only 275 square miles in size and around 70% of the island is developed. The financial and business district is home to some huge skyscrapers and there is evidence of Singapore’s financial strength at every corner.Singapore is spotless. Although some may say too so, it is great to wander around and see no litter or rubbish or any of the detritus that we expect nowadays. It is also essentially ‘crime free’, so there is none of the petty crime that can become demoralising elsewhere in the region and you can walk around after dark in pretty much complete safety. The ClimateAs a small and relatively flat landmass, Singapore doesn’t have any of the regional nuances that you experience elsewhere in South East Asia. The island is classed as being ‘tropical’ with a warm and humid climate throughout the year.This said, there are some ‘trends’ worth noting – June and July are statistically the hottest months, and November and December the wettest. The fact is though, that you are unlikely to be too inconvenienced if the weather is poor: the infrastructure is excellent and you won’t be in the middle of a rainforest days away from anywhere. Consequently, many backpackers elect visit when the weather is wetter elsewhere in the region: a good call Getting there and visasSingapore’s Changi International airport is recognised as being one of the best in the world. You may well stop here en route to another South East Asian destination, or you may elect to start backpacking (a good option). Either way, the airport is efficient and spectacular so a good choice.Alternatively, it is possible to arrive by either rail or road with relative ease. Indeed, the rail network runs through Malaysia all the way up to Bangkok, so if you fancy a ‘whistle-stop’ tour of this part of the continent - before returning to your beach hut - then this can be a great option. Most people (including all EU and American citizens) can stay in Singapore for up to 30 days visa-free. You can arrange to stay for longer but – in reality – 30 days is plenty of time to explore an essentially fairly small island! Getting aroundWith no tuk-tuks or decades-old buses you’re stuck with either the city’s super-efficient rail network, or the slightly slower and cheaper but no less clean and efficient bus system. If Singapore is later on your list this will be a definite plus!All of the transport systems are seamlessly intertwined, so it is easy to choose the shortest route to your destination and switch between buses and trains as required. One point of note is that the buses don’t give change, so if you don’t have a travel-card for the day, make sure you have a pocketful of SGD. 
Things to do while backpacking in SingaporeBackpacking in Singapore can definitely be done ‘on the cheap’ if you start travelling around and paying to see some of the city’s many attractions, you may start to worry that what you’re spending in a day could last much longer elsewhere in the region. If you have the money, then maybe do all of these, if not – just choose one or two...• Night safari. A different twist on the safari! See leopards, hyenas and lion’s skulking about at night, as well as nocturnal animals such as huge fruit bats. There are over 1000 animals from 120 species. • Raffles Hotel. Declared a national monument in 1987, the Raffles hotel is the ultimate in classic hospitality. Probably best to spruce yourself up and definitely leave your backpack behind, but if you spend a couple of nights in and save some money then it’s well worth splashing a bit of cash on a couple of drinks at Raffles and just soaking up the classic retrospective style. • Food. Ok, a fairly broad category! But if there is one element of its culture that Singapore shares with its South East Asian counterparts it’s the cuisine. Reflecting the array of cultures on the island, you can eat a continent’s worth of cuisine within a few square miles: all cooked up on the street, or by hawkers tucked away down side alleys... And food is comparably cheap to the rest of the area. • Sentosa Island. Sentosa has Singapore’s best and coolest beaches which merit chilling on for an afternoon. And if you fancy spending a bit of money, there are some spectacular rides and touristy attractions that (this being Singapore) really are a cut above the rest... • National Orchid Garden. Whether you imagine yourself seeing out your time in the garden or not, the spectacular number and variety of one of the world’s most revered flowers make the orchid gardens well worth a visit. Singapore is a fantastic island. It succeeds in melding money, culture and fun into a unique experience. This said, it can also be a very good way to go through your budget... Perhaps the best approach is to spend limited time there, and have a definite (not too tight!) budget. If you can relax and enjoy what the island has to offer for a few days then you’ll definitely understand the allure of Singapore. Return from Backpacking in Singapore to the Home Page
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