What to pack for a trip to Singapore

Figuring out what to pack for your Singapore trip will largely depend on the weather you're likely to experience with comfortable, loose-fitting clothing at the top of the list for all seasons. If you're travelling during the monsoonal season (December through to February) then prepare for constant rainfall and frequent thunderstorms by packing a portable umbrella and suitable wet weather clothing.

Regardless of the season you're travelling in, make sure to pack sunscreen and other sun smart items such as hats and sunglasses to ensure you're properly protecting yourself from the sun's high UV rays. To help you figure out what needs to be packed and what doesn't, we've put together a list (so you can't forget anything) of the clothing, essential and nice-to-have items that'll make your trip a stress-free one.

Clothing items

1. Flowy, loose-fitting clothing

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is an absolute must when travelling to Singapore. Temperatures throughout the year rarely dip below 25°C and are more likely to sit around 30°C so packing clothes that aren't going to stick to you when you start sweating is a great idea.

2. Shorts/t-shirts

Due to the aforementioned weather conditions, packing warm weather clothing such as shorts and t-shirts is a must. And not just any warm weather clothing. Try to pack clothes made out of linen, cotton, or an equally lightweight fabric so that you don't feel too restricted in the heat. The last thing you need when you're already dealing with 30°C+ temperatures is synthetic fabric clinging to your body.

3. Hat

This one's a no brainer. Singapore enjoys warm-hot weather all year round and even when it's overcast and cloudy, it still feels super sunny so trust us when we say your head's going to appreciate the shade a hat provides regardless of the season. If you can, pack a hat that has neck flaps or a wide brim to keep as much of your body as possible away from the sun.

4. Swimwear

It's no secret by now that Singapore gets extremely hot and humid. Because of this, you're going to want to submerge yourself in water every single day and to be able to do this, you need to pack some swimwear. Enough said.

The essentials

5. Daybag/backpack

Carrying everything you need when you're out and about and not planning on returning to your hotel room for a while can be an annoying problem. That is unless you pack a day bag or a backpack with you. Perfect for storing all the important bits and pieces (we're talking passports, reusable drink bottles, mini first aid kits, wallets, hand sanitiser, etc), a day bag or backpack allows you to pack the essentials in a comfortable and convenient way.

6. Comfortable walking shoes

Singapore is an urban metropolis full of fascinating things to discover and breathtaking places to explore so packing a comfortable pair of walking shoes just makes sense. And when we say comfortable, we mean fully lived in. You don't want to be halfway through the Singapore National Gardens and start to feel a blister forming on your little toes or at the back of your heel.

7. Sunscreen

For obvious reasons, packing sunscreen (and proceeding to put it on every day before stepping outside) should be high on your priority list. Even on the days when it's not super sunny outside, the sun's rays can still climb as high as 9 on the UV Index so taking extra precautionary measures to keep your skin from burning (like wearing sunscreen) is a must.

8. Portable umbrella

While some seasons in Singapore are more prone to receiving rainfall than others, it's still likely you'll experience some level of rainfall while you're there. In some cases, this rainfall will be short and unexpected so packing a portable/foldable umbrella for such occasions will definitely go a long way in keeping you dry. If you travelling during the monsoonal season and you know it's going to be rainy, it's also definitely worth packing an umbrella so you can still explore this fantastic destination without getting wet.

9. Camera

You can't go to Singapore and not take way too many photos of the amazing sights you see not only because you want to look back on your favourite memories but also because you want to make everyone back at home a little jealous. For this reason, packing a good-quality camera is non-negotiable. Granted, you don't need to have the newest Canon model to take epic photos (your phone camera will do just fine) but there's something about being able to adjust the lighting and snap in-motion photos without the fear of them being blurry that earns the trusty camera a spot on this list.

The nice-to-haves

10. Bug spray/insect repellant

While a lot has been done to rid Singapore of its Mosquito-borne diseases, it's still possible to contract viruses such as Dengue Fever and the Zika Virus so packing a bug spray or insect repellant that's been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a must, especially if you're travelling to the outer regions of the island where the Singapore Zoo is located.

11. Extra chargers

This one isn't a necessity if you've already packed a charger but having an extra electronic charger on standby can be super handy if you happen to misplace your original one. No one likes reaching for a charger when their iPhone's on 10% and realising it's not where it should be. In fact, it's nowhere to be seen and you have to find somewhere to purchase a new one or face the rest of your trip without your trusty communication device. Dark and scary times.

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