A well-known, extremely developed and prosperous country, Singapore was founded as a British colony, yet its best years started after gaining independence.
Its charm lies in the mixture of its breathtaking skyscrapers and subways of a modern, contemporary city and a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures.
Also, some of this country’s many virtues are tasty food (Singaporean food is legendary and very well known, with huge and crowded food centers and 24-hour coffee shops offering cheap food from all parts of Asia), excellent shopping opportunities and a lively night-life.
However, it’s not all about technology and vibrant city centers: more than 50% of Singapore’s area is covered in greenery, while boasting over 50 major parks and 4 nature reserves, resembling a real enchanting garden city.
Since it’s known for its stability, it earned the nickname ‘Switzerland of Asia’ since it’s so predictable, squeaky clean and, many say, sterile compared to the poverty, dirt and crime rates of much of Southeast Asia.
But if you scratch below the surface just a stray from the tourist trail you’ll see there’s so much more to this amazing country.
Warnings & Dangers in Singapore
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Generally, Singapore is very safe to visit. It is probably the safest country in Asia to travel to, but it has its dangers. Use your common sense and keep your valuables closely by your side, since the most common type of crime is petty theft.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Transportation is very safe, reliable and excellently maintained in Singapore. When renting a boat, keep in mind there's piracy near the coastal areas of Singapore.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Pickpockets aren't that common but they do operate. However, following and applying basic precaution should get you out of any uncomfortable situations.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Singapore is immune to natural disasters: there is nothing in its near vicinity that could represent a threat, though Indonesia's earthquakes can sometimes be barely felt. Other landmasses shield this country from tsunamis, typhoons, and tornadoes. Flooding from November-January monsoon season has been known to happen but represents a minor threat.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Singapore is very safe when it comes to kidnapping and mugging: they rarely occur, and even less so to tourists and foreign visitors.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There haven't been recent terrorist attacks in Singapore's recent history, but they shouldn't be ruled out, so remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There are scammers in Singapore but are easily avoided, only if you use your common sense. There are con artists pretending to be landlords offering a property for rent on the website, and as soon as you pay, they disappear, so be very cautious when making reservations through untrustworthy resources. Like in the rest of Asia, the street or store vendors are pretty persuasive and tiring, so if you feel pressured into purchasing goods, leave the store.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women should feel completely safe in this country, even at night. That does not mean you should let your guard down - keep to your wits and your common sense, and do not do anything you wouldn't in your own country.
So... How Safe Is Singapore Really?
Singapore is extremely safe to visit, by virtually any measure.
The majority of tourists, including women traveling solo, will not encounter any problems walking along the streets alone at night.
There’s no police on the streets either, but it is still very safe.
However, it is not without its dangers: beware of pickpockets in crowded areas and tourist landmarks and do not let your guard down just because you are feeling safe.
Keep your valuables close by your side and remain vigilant at all times, especially in the area along Orchard Road, since it is known as a pickpocketing heart of Singapore and there were numerous reports of theft submitted in this area.
Now, even though it’s perfectly safe, Singapore women avoid walking alone through the “lorongs” in Geylang and prefer sticking to the main road.
Geylang is the red light district of Singapore, so women avoid appearing there in order to steer clear of unwanted attention at night.
However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid this area completely: it is an area well-known for its late-night local food fare.
So, if you are dressed conservatively (to set yourself apart from the sex workers) or look like a tourist, you should have no problems.
How Does Singapore Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Singapore | 90 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| New Zealand | 90 |
| Sweden | 83 |
| Uruguay | 77 |
| Switzerland | 89 |
| South Korea | 82 |
| Oman | 76 |
| Canada | 88 |
Useful Information
Visas
Many countries need a visa to enter Singapore, but it is relatively easy to acquire. US residents intending to stay less than 30 days do not need a visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of return. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
The official currency in Singapore is the Singapore dollar. ATMs are widely available and credit cards are accepted and used throughout the country. Your best shot when exchanging money in Singapore is to withdraw it from the ATM. This way, you are getting the best exchange rate possible and you avoid any chance of getting scammed.
Weather
Singapore has a tropical climate. Since it is located only 1.5 degrees north of the Equator, its weather is mostly sunny with no distinct seasons. There is rain, almost daily throughout the year, but it falls in sudden, heavy showers that usually don't last longer than an hour.
Airports
Singapore Changi Airport. usually simply referred to as Changi Airport, is the primary and busiest civilian airport for Singapore, and also one of the largest transportation hubs in Southeast Asia.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Singapore, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Singapore Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 31 |
| Low °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| High °F | 86 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 88 |
| Low °F | 75 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 |
How safe is Singapore? I have seen people reserve seats with iphonex or laptops. That’s how safe it is. For lady traveler, beware of hidden cams in toilets and crocs. That’s about it. The article is correct about being safe to travel around at night.
Overall it seems a very safe place to visit since the new government came in power they made a few new laws and they seem to work. Petty crimes come with high punishment.
lol what new government? The ruling party has been unchanged since the founding of the city state.
Incredible place
Having traveled to Singapore all by myself last year as a 29-year-old woman, I can tell you it is SAFE. This breakdown is spot on about the place. There will be risks anywhere you go but in terms of being one of the safest places to travel to, you will struggle to find one safer than Singapore!
Hi Mel
Could you please share in which district was your stay in SG?
Thanks
One of the best
Singapore is a wonderful place with friendly and lively people. If you go there with a free open mind, you will feel like you are not visiting a place you never been to but rather going to a place you have known your whole life. My father was from Singapore and we went last year together. He loved it and now we will be going back every year, just the two of us.
Singapore, Exceptional Place to Visit.
Singapore has a rare culture whereby the Government did a great job in ensuring that the people do not use religion to suppress one another plus the 4 major groups of people, the Malays, Indians, Chinese and Eurasians all live together harmoniously through mutual respect.
It’s a great place to shop, eat and basically see the possibilities of a nation that is a dream to many.
The excellent transport system, from electric rail and buses will take you everywhere.
Simply installing certain apps can even tell you if your stop is coming soon, or simply ask any of the locals as almost everyone speaks the English language. Visit and be amazed! Just go to any housing estate!
There will be malls and fast food everywhere plus the usual hawker centers serving local cuisines at very affordable prices.
The country is very safe, just play it safe and watch over your belongings. Women are absolutely safe to go anywhere at any time, but as per usual, just be safe as well. That’s how the local life, that’s how you should too when you visit.
Small package big power.
This is the safest country out of all the SEA countries i have been to. Absolutely amazing and stunning. The food is delicious and offers a lot of different type of cuisines. Transport is accurate and timely, and road traffic was incredibly smooth except during evening at around 6pm, but this is not affected if you are travelling by rail. The malls, casino and cultural sites are well maintained. Love the environment and greenery. Would come back again.
Singapore is the safest country in the world crime rates are low and petty is usually uncommon
Not as safe as it once was
There is a preconception that Singapore is very safe, and it is (usually) but there have been plenty incidents of organized, premeditated violent attacks, usually many against one, against foreigners, Brits, Americans, Europeans and others without local accent should be careful, as well as other tourists, at certain places, usually in the early hours or late evenings, near circular road and boat Quay, for roaming groups of violent individuals, whether they be local or not. These attacks have been consistently downplayed, due to the death penalty existing, murders are sometimes charged as grievous bodily harm, for example, due to fear of racial pushbacks by local gangs (yes Singapore gang culture is there and its not just for show) so be careful and don’t believe that it is that safe. I have witnessed plenty violent fights in Singapore in the wee hours, in central areas. If you are alone Especially be careful, watch your back. The punches usually come from the back or the sides, usually a distraction or conversation is used to draw attention of the victim. Be wary of groups of guys at night.
Lived there for 2 years never had problem with locals on drunken yobbo tourist
I got raped here
nice
Hey! Watch your mouth!
That’s not very nice. Doesn’t mean you are anonymous means you can make such comments.
If you got raped then the police should have caught the rapist and put him behind bars.. I’m a Singaporean and the law here is strict!
No one escapes the law!
Basically everyone is treated equally..
this is true
went here before, great.
swag
as a local,, everything here is true! it really is safe,, and although some may argue that food here is expensive,, that’s not entirely true, if u explore more outside of the “tourist” zones (for eg Marina Bay, Esplanade, HarbourFront) and go to places like Tiong Bahru, Bishan, Sengkang you’ll definitely find cheaper options!! HAVE FUN IF YALL COME OK 🙂
Not so safe
Like the website says, don’t let your guard down just because you’re feeling safe. Crime does happen in Singapore, just as it does in other countries as well. Try to avoid carrying large sums of cash and keep your belongings with you.
Safe as it may be Singapore sucks. You can’t fart without incurring a thousand dollar fine. Chewing gum is not allowed. I mean really, chewing gum? What are we in grade school?Everything is uber expensive and you can’t enjoy anything.
You might be safe from criminals on the street but criminals in government abound.
I was extorted out of 4 grand for chewing nicotine gum on the subway. (I bought the gum at a local pharmacy and had no idea gum was banned in Singapore.)
This is why I give Singapore a 1 star rating. If I could I would give it zero stars.
I’ve been around the world three times and Singapore is at the bottom of my list of places to go.
Imagine rating a country poorly because you didn’t get to chew gum. And since when do you get a fine for farting? Are you high?
This isn’t true. No one gets fined for that. And you won’t be able to find chewing gums legally anywhere in Singapore, so it’s impossible to have bought chewing gums from local pharmacies that are regulated.
In any case, consumption of chewing gum is legal. It’s the sale of chewing gum that’s illegal.
there’s literally signs everywhere on the subways that you are not allowed to eat or drink on trains and stations.. maybe KNOW the law beforehand and RESPECT the it before rating it one star ya?
I have spent more than 52 weeks in Singapore. Basically a good overall view of Singapore. But it lacks one key issue. Singapore keeps the antiquated colonial British law against the LGBT community. It is against the law to be gay in Singapore. That is not to say there is no gay sex to be found in the city and no gay bars. But gay and lesbian tourists should bear in mind that there is possibility, however remote, that you will be discovered and charged under Section 377A of the criminal code. This should definitely be added to your comments above. Incidentally, the same law is in effect in Malaysia.
Thank God they have this law, this kind of law should be available in the whole world.
377A is off the books now. Thank God. But pity for Anonymous.
If you’re wondering how safe Singapore is, you can pretty much go for a jog in a public park at night and you’ll most likely have no problems, since there are now widespread police-operated CCTVs in the country. Avoid going in isolated alleys/places at Geylang/Little India as you might encounter unsavory people looking to make a quick buck out of you. Food is amazing here as long as you know where to find them. A good amount of the law enforcement in the streets are conscripts but they still uphold the law with no issues. Public transport and infrastructure is well-maintained and laid out which makes it convenient to get to places within a short amount of time. If you’re lost as a tourist, people will most likely help you in finding your location as long as they are able to. Crime is quite low as the media will somehow find the time report a petty theft case or someone not wearing a mask (yes, Singapore takes mask mandate seriously as of right now in writing, which failing to comply can land you in jail or a fine) on the news. As the article has mentioned, as long as you use your common sense and stay vigilant, you will most likely have no problems. I hope you will find Singapore an experience different from any other when you come here as a tourist or an expat.
And CCTVs can be hidden even in unusual places
Amazing country. Safest in the world, don’t do anything stupid and nothing stupid will happen to you.
One of the most beautiful cities on earth!
Singapore is an amazing place. It’s so hard to understand why aren’t there more cities/countries following what they are doing? I mean, this place is one of the most modern, clean and filled with attractions I’ve seen in the whole world! And you feel very safe here at all times, day and night. Of course bad things can happen here as well, but it’s a rarity to hear about muggings, murders or even pickpocketing. The rules here are stricter than in other places but seeing as they seem to be working very well, I tend to agree with them. Just do your research before coming here to know what is ok or not, don’t do stupid things and you’ll be fine.
The food here is amazing and I didn’t find something I didn’t like. You’ll find food and entertainment at any hour of the night. And I love that so much of Singapore is covered in greenery. Why can’t other major cities do this as well? Our planet is going to s*** and here’s a good example of what to do and we don’t follow it?! Why?
Once I saw the Gardens by the Bay I didn’t want to leave this place. It’s one thing to see them on Youtube and another to be here and see them from up close. Then there’s the Cloud Forest Dome that has the world’s tallest indoor waterfall which is spectacular.
There are so many things to see and visit here, like the Orchard Road, Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer, Chinatown, Sentosa Island, Clarke Quay, Universal Studios Singapore, Merlion Park, Asian Civilizations Museum, Granite Island, Fort Canning Park.
Take the time to visit everything because they all have something special worth seeing. To fully explore Singapore you need much more than a few days.
Great country to visit
I live there most of my life and it still my number one place to go to on holiday.
It’s people is so polite and helpfully, the only thing I see is the importers and
you can tell who they are, just don’t have want true Singaporean care about
each other. Hopefully I can make it there this year.
My opinion is travel to there
Travel to there if you have the time. Maybe you feel lucky. However if you commit a crime don’t expect a pleasant punishment. They cane their prisoners and many criminals stop doing crime over fear of pain rather than fear that they will get in trouble. I never been there but i would like to go someday.
Very unsafe if you are homosexual
Not safe if you are of male homosexual identity. I was at bar one night exclusive for men and a group of men followed me around and put drug in my drink. I then was gang raped whilst being unconscious and horrid words written on my body. I wish I stay at home in Korea because it ruin my life and holiday.
I want my privacy thank you very much
Of course i’ll feel safe with cameras watching me everywhere i go cause thats what you want the cops knowing your every move. Thats sarcasm by the way. I don’t feel safe having someone watching over me like a 12 year old.
It’s safe but the people are very dull, rude and phone addicted. I have never see so many people shuffling like zombies along the street while watching TV on their phone. Not much politeness or compassion shown in public.
People go on about how great the food is, but the local food is filthy crap.
Singapore hates gay people
It’s a fact that Singapore hates gay people. I’m not gay myself but for some reason people detest gay people over there. If you’re gay don’t go.
Best Country Ever
Extremely good! When I went I don’t even want to leave. Everything is clean and ordered, on the subways people immediately makes room for little children, and everyone is friendly. The only thing is that the things are pretty expensive there.