What Do You Need for the Trip?

Unlike countries like Thailand, Singapore does not offer a visa-on-arrival facility. Travelers must obtain a visa in advance. Kerala does not have a Singapore visa consulate; the nearest one is in Chennai. The original passport must be submitted along with the visa application. Residents of Kerala can simplify the process by applying through a travel agency.

There are specific requirements for the visa application photo:

White background.
The face should cover 80% of the photo.
Matte finish (not glossy like regular passport photos).
The visa processing takes about 5 working days, excluding weekends and public holidays. It’s advisable to apply at least 15 days in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

Weather Conditions

Make sure the time of your visit aligns with favorable weather conditions. Online forecasts might not always be reliable. For example, November is listed as the wettest month, with August and September showing an 80% chance of rain. Initially, this made us consider canceling the trip. However, further research revealed that the rains during these months are usually brief and intermittent, with clear skies in between. This turned out to be true during our visit, where most of the days were sunny with minimal rain only on the way to places like Jurong Bird Park and the Night Safari.

How to Travel?
AirAsia is a budget-friendly airline that operates flights to Singapore. For those looking to save on travel costs, AirAsia offers a layover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for 1-2 hours. This layover can be extended to explore Kuala Lumpur if you book a connection with a 12-hour gap. However, you would need a Malaysian visa in advance.

AirAsia tickets typically range from 6000-7000 INR, but prices may vary depending on the season.

For those prioritizing convenience, direct flights from Kochi to Singapore are available. Tigerair is one of the most affordable options among direct flights. However, keep in mind that Tigerair flights usually depart at midnight, arriving in Singapore by 8 AM, with hotel check-ins happening around noon. This can leave you tired and unable to make the most of the first day. To avoid this, consider flights that arrive at night, allowing you to start fresh the next morning.

We chose an 8 AM AirAsia flight from Kochi, which reached Singapore by 6:30 PM.

How Many Days and What Places to Visit?

The duration of your trip largely depends on your budget. With 5 days, you can cover most major attractions in Singapore. If you’re traveling through a travel agency, try to keep one day free for personal exploration, as agency-planned tours are usually group-based with strict schedules that might limit your ability to enjoy at your own pace. For instance, a “Singapore City Tour” offered by agencies typically lasts just 3 hours, which is far too short to fully explore the city.

Choosing Places to Visit

The choice of places depends on individual preferences. Singapore offers attractions for everyone—be it kids, adults, or seniors. Use online resources to explore detailed descriptions and pictures of various tourist spots. Based on your interests, you can create a personalized list of places to visit.

For those traveling through an agency, you can provide a customized list of places and request a tailored itinerary. However, with Singapore’s excellent public transport system, it’s easy to plan your own trip without depending on an agency. This approach not only makes the trip more enjoyable but also helps save costs.

Before your trip, research the following:

Opening hours and ticket prices of attractions.
Rules and regulations, such as restrictions on tripods or flash photography.
If you plan to rely on public transport, get an EZ-Link card or a similar prepaid card. This card can be used on the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and buses, eliminating the need to carry loose change. Credit cards are also widely accepted for such payments.

Getting Around Singapore

Singapore boasts a highly efficient public transport system, especially the MRT network, which connects almost all parts of the city. Trains run every 2-3 minutes, so there’s no need to wait long.

The MRT lines are color-coded and categorized as:

North-South Line
East-West Line
North-East Line
Downtown Line
Circle Line
When planning your trip, identify:

The nearest MRT station to your accommodation.
The MRT station closest to your destination.
Once you’re at the station, detailed metro maps are available to guide you on which line to take. If your destination is on a different line, the map will also show where to transfer. Additionally, announcements on the train will assist you during your journey.

For places not covered by the MRT, there are ample bus services. Together, the MRT and buses make traveling around Singapore convenient, efficient, and budget-friendly.

What Do You Need for the Trip?

Unlike countries like Thailand, Singapore does not offer a visa-on-arrival facility. Travelers must obtain a visa in advance. Kerala does not have a Singapore visa consulate; the nearest one is in Chennai. The original passport must be submitted along with the visa application. Residents of Kerala can simplify the process by applying through a travel agency.

There are specific requirements for the visa application photo:

White background.
The face should cover 80% of the photo.
Matte finish (not glossy like regular passport photos).
The visa processing takes about 5 working days, excluding weekends and public holidays. It’s advisable to apply at least 15 days in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

Weather Conditions

Make sure the time of your visit aligns with favorable weather conditions. Online forecasts might not always be reliable. For example, November is listed as the wettest month, with August and September showing an 80% chance of rain. Initially, this made us consider canceling the trip. However, further research revealed that the rains during these months are usually brief and intermittent, with clear skies in between. This turned out to be true during our visit, where most of the days were sunny with minimal rain only on the way to places like Jurong Bird Park and the Night Safari.

How to Travel?
AirAsia is a budget-friendly airline that operates flights to Singapore. For those looking to save on travel costs, AirAsia offers a layover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for 1-2 hours. This layover can be extended to explore Kuala Lumpur if you book a connection with a 12-hour gap. However, you would need a Malaysian visa in advance.

AirAsia tickets typically range from 6000-7000 INR, but prices may vary depending on the season.

For those prioritizing convenience, direct flights from Kochi to Singapore are available. Tigerair is one of the most affordable options among direct flights. However, keep in mind that Tigerair flights usually depart at midnight, arriving in Singapore by 8 AM, with hotel check-ins happening around noon. This can leave you tired and unable to make the most of the first day. To avoid this, consider flights that arrive at night, allowing you to start fresh the next morning.

We chose an 8 AM AirAsia flight from Kochi, which reached Singapore by 6:30 PM.

How Many Days and What Places to Visit?

The duration of your trip largely depends on your budget. With 5 days, you can cover most major attractions in Singapore. If you’re traveling through a travel agency, try to keep one day free for personal exploration, as agency-planned tours are usually group-based with strict schedules that might limit your ability to enjoy at your own pace. For instance, a “Singapore City Tour” offered by agencies typically lasts just 3 hours, which is far too short to fully explore the city.

Choosing Places to Visit

The choice of places depends on individual preferences. Singapore offers attractions for everyone—be it kids, adults, or seniors. Use online resources to explore detailed descriptions and pictures of various tourist spots. Based on your interests, you can create a personalized list of places to visit.

For those traveling through an agency, you can provide a customized list of places and request a tailored itinerary. However, with Singapore’s excellent public transport system, it’s easy to plan your own trip without depending on an agency. This approach not only makes the trip more enjoyable but also helps save costs.

Before your trip, research the following:

Opening hours and ticket prices of attractions.
Rules and regulations, such as restrictions on tripods or flash photography.
If you plan to rely on public transport, get an EZ-Link card or a similar prepaid card. This card can be used on the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and buses, eliminating the need to carry loose change. Credit cards are also widely accepted for such payments.

Getting Around Singapore

Singapore boasts a highly efficient public transport system, especially the MRT network, which connects almost all parts of the city. Trains run every 2-3 minutes, so there’s no need to wait long.

The MRT lines are color-coded and categorized as:

North-South Line
East-West Line
North-East Line
Downtown Line
Circle Line
When planning your trip, identify:

The nearest MRT station to your accommodation.
The MRT station closest to your destination.
Once you’re at the station, detailed metro maps are available to guide you on which line to take. If your destination is on a different line, the map will also show where to transfer. Additionally, announcements on the train will assist you during your journey.

For places not covered by the MRT, there are ample bus services. Together, the MRT and buses make traveling around Singapore convenient, efficient, and budget-friendly.

Where We Stayed
We opted for a hotel in Little India, an area popular among Indians, located close to Farrer Park MRT Station. The proximity to the MRT made all our travels, including those outside the travel agency’s schedule, highly convenient. Additionally, the hotel was near the famous Mustafa Centre, a large shopping complex catering to Indian tastes, selling everything from spices to electronics. Most of the staff here are from Tamil Nadu, and you’ll feel at home with the variety of Indian products available.

Interesting Facts About Mustafa Centre and Singapore’s Cleanliness

• Mustafa Centre: A shopper's paradise for Indians, offering everything under one roof. This was my second visit to Singapore, and just like the last time, shopping at Mustafa Centre was a delightful experience.
• Cleanliness: Singapore's reputation for cleanliness is unmatched. Fun fact: chewing gum is banned in Singapore, and its sale is prohibited, likely to avoid littering concerns. This strictness reflects in the spotless streets and public spaces.

By staying in a budget-friendly location like Little India and using Singapore’s excellent public transport system, you can explore the city comfortably without breaking the bank.

Where We Stayed
We opted for a hotel in Little India, an area popular among Indians, located close to Farrer Park MRT Station. The proximity to the MRT made all our travels, including those outside the travel agency’s schedule, highly convenient. Additionally, the hotel was near the famous Mustafa Centre, a large shopping complex catering to Indian tastes, selling everything from spices to electronics. Most of the staff here are from Tamil Nadu, and you’ll feel at home with the variety of Indian products available.

Interesting Facts About Mustafa Centre and Singapore’s Cleanliness

• Mustafa Centre: A shopper's paradise for Indians, offering everything under one roof. This was my second visit to Singapore, and just like the last time, shopping at Mustafa Centre was a delightful experience.
• Cleanliness: Singapore's reputation for cleanliness is unmatched. Fun fact: chewing gum is banned in Singapore, and its sale is prohibited, likely to avoid littering concerns. This strictness reflects in the spotless streets and public spaces.

By staying in a budget-friendly location like Little India and using Singapore’s excellent public transport system, you can explore the city comfortably without breaking the bank.

Luxury Cars Galore: The roads are dominated by high-end vehicles, including premium Toyota models, BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguars, Lamborghinis, and Ferraris. Hyundai i40 is the preferred taxi model. Compared to Thailand, motorcycles are rare, but occasionally, you might spot roaring Harley-Davidson bikes or cyclists cruising on one or two-wheeled bicycles.

Street Life and Lifestyle
Singaporeans truly enjoy life. Many streets remain vibrant late into the night with music, dance, and street performances. People are respectful, never interfering with others. However, one thing stands out—nearly everyone is glued to their mobile phones. Whether driving, waiting at bus stops, or riding the metro, they are often seen with their heads buried in screens or wearing earphones.

Fitness and Infrastructure
Fitness is a priority here. Joggers, both men and women, can be seen running on well-maintained footpaths at all hours. The pathways are thoughtfully designed to provide pedestrians ample space, ensuring smooth traffic without disruptions for vehicles.

Deepavali Preparations in Little India
As Deepavali approaches, the streets around Little India, where we stayed, are dazzling with decorations and lights. The festive atmosphere is vibrant, with the entire area lit up beautifully. It was a breathtaking sight to witness this festive transformation upon arrival.

Singapore’s roads, lifestyle, and infrastructure reflect a perfect blend of discipline, convenience, and celebration, making it an ideal destination for travelers.

Luxury Cars Galore: The roads are dominated by high-end vehicles, including premium Toyota models, BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguars, Lamborghinis, and Ferraris. Hyundai i40 is the preferred taxi model. Compared to Thailand, motorcycles are rare, but occasionally, you might spot roaring Harley-Davidson bikes or cyclists cruising on one or two-wheeled bicycles.

Street Life and Lifestyle
Singaporeans truly enjoy life. Many streets remain vibrant late into the night with music, dance, and street performances. People are respectful, never interfering with others. However, one thing stands out—nearly everyone is glued to their mobile phones. Whether driving, waiting at bus stops, or riding the metro, they are often seen with their heads buried in screens or wearing earphones.

Fitness and Infrastructure
Fitness is a priority here. Joggers, both men and women, can be seen running on well-maintained footpaths at all hours. The pathways are thoughtfully designed to provide pedestrians ample space, ensuring smooth traffic without disruptions for vehicles.

Deepavali Preparations in Little India
As Deepavali approaches, the streets around Little India, where we stayed, are dazzling with decorations and lights. The festive atmosphere is vibrant, with the entire area lit up beautifully. It was a breathtaking sight to witness this festive transformation upon arrival.

Singapore’s roads, lifestyle, and infrastructure reflect a perfect blend of discipline, convenience, and celebration, making it an ideal destination for travelers.