Layover guideSingapore · SIN

Local laws that catch crew out in Singapore

Vapes are illegal to even bring into the country, and drug penalties extend to caning and the death penalty.

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E-cigarettes and vapes are banned outright. It is illegal to bring them in, including for personal use, and they will be confiscated and fined. This catches more crew out than anything else on this list.

Drug penalties include imprisonment, caning and the death penalty. Possession above set thresholds is charged as trafficking, and detection technology at the airport is sophisticated.

Public drinking is restricted: only in restaurants, bars and licensed venues between 22:30 and 07:00. Geylang and Little India ban alcohol all weekend and on public holidays and their eves.

Drunk and disorderly behaviour is not tolerated. Drunk incapacity, fighting, or inappropriate touching while intoxicated can bring fines, imprisonment and caning.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice: Singapore · checked 2026-08-17

The rest of Singapore

The whole guide

Getting out of the airportMetered taxis to the city for about S$25 to S$45, plus an airport surcharge the meter adds for you.Ride-hailingSix licensed apps, with dedicated pickup points in every terminal.Staying connectedFree unregistered WiFi across Changi; tourist SIMs from three operators in every terminal, passport or other ID required.WeatherEquatorial and identical year-round: 31-33C days, high humidity, afternoon storms; wettest Nov-Jan, stormiest Apr-May and Oct-Nov.Eating near the crew hotelsEat at hawker centres: 123 government-run centres, with Maxwell (Chinatown), Lau Pa Sat (CBD), Tekka (Little India) and Changi Village the ones crew actually reach.What to buyOrchard Road is the shopping strip; edible souvenirs (bak kwa, kueh, tea) are the local buys; GST refund via eTRS kiosks at Changi, minimum S$100 spend.TippingTipping is not common; many establishments already include a 10% service charge on the bill.