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Singapore Information

Our hosts at NAFA have generously provided helpful information for visitors to Singapore. Please review this guide before travelling.

Contents

Arriving in Singapore

  1. Check if a Visa is required on the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority: Entering Singapore webpage.
  2. Submission of SG Arrival Card (can be done up to three days before arriving in Singapore, or can also be completed upon arrival in Changi Airport).
  3. Read the Custom Guides for Travellers to Singapore
  4. Review the List of Prohibited and Controlled Items
  5. Local Rules and Laws in Singapore: In Singapore, rigorous laws uphold law and order. Singapore has the following important local laws and regulations:
    • Tough drug laws with very harsh punishments.
    • No importation or sale of chewing gum.
    • Serious penalties for jaywalking and littering.
    • Requiring seatbelt use in automobiles.
    • Bans on smoking in some public places.
    • Consideration for cultural and religious sensitivity.
    • Strict penalties for graffiti and vandalism.
    • Vaping is illegal.

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Weather

In Singapore, the climate is characterised by high temperatures, humidity, and abundant rainfall throughout the year. Here are some key features:

  • The average temperature range from 27°C (81°F) to 34°C (93°F). 
  • The relative humidity typically ranges from 70% to 90%. 
  • Rainfall can occur as sudden downpours, often in the afternoon.
  • There is plenty of sunshine with an average of 5-6 hours of sunshine per day.

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Advice for Visitors

Clothing

  • Wear lightweight and breathable fabrics (cotton and linen are ideal).
  • Bring comfortable shoes for walking around attractions.
  • Prepare an umbrella for unexpected rain showers (raincoats are not commonly used in locally).
  • Wear sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses to protect from the intense sun

Hydration

  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated in the humid climate.
  • Carry a reusable water bottle: Convenient and eco-friendly.

Health Precautions

  • Bring Insect repellent to protect against mosquito bites, especially in parks and nature reserves (they can be easily purchased in local pharmacies).
  • Bring necessary medication and basic first aid supplies.

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Transportation

Transportation options from the airport to hotel

  • Taxi – Taxis are available at the pick-up points at the arrival levels. Fares range from S$25-S$40 for the 30-minute trip to the city.
  • Public Bus – Catch a bus at the bus stops under Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4. Operating from 6am to midnight daily with a fare of up to S$2; it takes about an hour to reach the city centre.
  • Train (MRT) – Changi Airport MRT Stations are found under Terminals 2 and 3, with the first train arriving at 5.30am and the last leaving at 11.18pm. Fares are about S$2.70 for the 30-minute journey into the city.
  • Airport Shuttles, Limousine Taxis and Large Taxis – The airport’s Ground Transport Desk offers a shuttle bus and a limousine taxi transfer service with rates from S$9 for the bus to S$50 for a 7-seat taxi.
  • Car Rental – Avis and Hertz car rental counters are found in the arrival halls of all four terminals. Hours of operation are 7am to 11pm (this option is costly, and one can easily get around with public transports). 

Getting around in Singapore

  • The public transportation in Singapore is both clean and efficient, making it easy to navigate the city-state. 
  • Singapore’s transportation system allows easy access to all parts of the island via bus, MRT, taxi or private car hire (Grab, Tada, Zig- Comfort Delgro and GoJek).
  • Payments on public transport is possible via a purchase of an EZLINK Card (which you can then top-up), or via Visa/Mastercard Contactless Payments. Do note that trains do not take cash payments (you will have to purchase single trip tickets) and buses do not offer change if you pay in cash. 
  • A useful tip for travellers is to avoid rush hour traffic between 8-9am and 5-7pm. Roaming around Singapore is still a pleasure outside of these hours. Transitlink Guides are available at MRT stations, bus interchanges, and major bookstores.

More information can be found on the Land Transport Authority: Getting Around webpage.

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Payment Modes

  1. Singapore has multiple alternative payment methods and payment service providers. The most common methods of payment for visitors include are below and you can read more on the A Guide Of Payment Modes In Singapore For Travelers: Best Tips For Transport, Dining, And Hawker Centres.
    • Credit Cards (Visa and Master cards) and Paywave (ApplePay, GooglePay) are accepted in most retailers. 
    • Cash are accepted nearly most places, and is helpful for eating at the hawker centres.
    • NETs are accepted by retailers, taxis and some hawkers
  2. Money Changes – Finding money changers in Singapore is easy, as they are widely available in various locations across the city-state, such as airport, shopping malls, popular tourist Areas and business districts. The nearest money changer to NAFA is located just a few minutes’ walk from NAFA Campus 1:

    United Money Exchange (Authorised Money Changer)
    48 Bencoolen Street
    V Hotel @ Bencoolen, #01-04
    Singapore 189627
    (located near Bencoolen MRT Exit A)

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Cultural Aspects

  1. Cultural Diversity – Singapore’s population is a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including Chinese, Malays, Indians, and Eurasians. The country’s festivals, cuisines, languages, and daily life showcase its multicultural tapestry.
  2. Cuisine – Singaporean cuisine is a culinary reflection of its cultural diversity, with influences from Chinese, Malay, Indian, Indonesian, Middle Eastern and Western cuisines. Popular dishes include:
    • Hainanese Chicken Rice: Steamed chicken served with fragrant rice and dipping sauces.
    • Laksa: A spicy noodle soup with Peranakan origins.
    • Satay: Grilled meat skewers served with peanut sauce.
    • Chilli Crab: A seafood dish featuring crab cooked in a spicy tomato and chili-based sauce.
  3. Languages – English is the primary language of instruction and business in Singapore. Our official languages are Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English.
  4. Arts and Heritage – Singapore’s cultural scene is vibrant, with numerous museums, art galleries, and heritage sites. Some that are in the near vicinity of the Bras-Basah-Bugis District are:
    • National Gallery Singapore: Showcases Southeast Asian art.
    • Museums – Asian Civilisation Museum, Art Science Museum, National Museum and Peranakan Museum.
    • Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam: Ethnic enclaves that preserve traditional architecture, crafts, and customs.
    • Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay: A major performing arts venue hosting a wide range of cultural performances.
  5. Other places of interest in Singapore

    You can find tickets at Singapore Tickets.
    • Mandai Reserves: Bird Paradise, Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
    • Gardens by the Bay
    • Singapore Botanic Gardens – UNESCO site
    • Universal Studios Singapore
    • Resorts World Sentosa
  6. Other (sometimes) peculiar things to note in Singapore
    • If you see packets of tissues or umbrellas or water bottles on the tables at most self-serve eateries (such as hawker centres, food courts, fast food restaurants), it means someone has ‘reserved’ the seat and are purchasing their foods at the moment.
    • Majority (almost all) self-serve eateries (such as hawker centres, food courts, fast food restaurants) have a ‘clear your table after your meal’ policy – not doing so at hawker centres may cause you to be fined.
    • General Rule of Thumb in crossing roads: if there is a pedestrian crossing, cross when the lights turn green – crossing at the ‘red man’ may impose a fine if caught.
    • There are numerous no-smoking zones in the city:
      • Near Educational Institutions, near and in parks, 
      • Most of Orchard Road is stipulated as a no smoking zone – smoke in Designated smoking areas that can be identified with the yellow boxed markers on the ground.

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Singapore Design Week 2024

Singapore Design Week (SDW) is set to return, casting its illuminating glow over the city from 26 September to 6 October 2024. Organised by the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg), this year’s theme, “People of Design,” promises to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes whose creativity shapes our everyday lives. From bustling exhibitions to thought-provoking showcases, SDW 2024 will showcase a dazzling array of design events across Singapore’s vibrant landscape. It’s an unmissable celebration of Singapore’s distinctive design and creative ingenuity! Read more in the Your Ultimate Guide to Singapore Design Week 2024.

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Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

NAFA-UAS is located in the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct, Singapore’s arts and heritage district. Surrounded by museums, galleries, and other educational institutions such as School of The Arts (SOTA)

The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is located in the central area of Singapore. 

  • NAFA Campus 1: 80 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189655
  • NAFA Campus 3: 151 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189656

Nearby MRT Stations:

  • Bencoolen MRT Station (DT21) on the Downtown Line is the closest, and leads directly to Campus 1 TowerBlock (Student Panel and Breakout sessions)
  • Bras Basah MRT Station (CC2) on the Circle Line is 4-min walk to NAFA Campus 1 (Student Panel and Breakout sessions)
  • Rochor MRT Station (DT13) on the Downtown Line is a 6-min walk to NAFA Campus 3 (Keynote Session)

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