Siba Smarak Panigrahi
 Email: siba.panigrahi@epfl.ch

A Bit of Singapore
Disclaimer:
  • Please feel free to ask specifics of any component below. I will answer best to my knowledge and memory.
  • This document is slightly looong (by my standards), but more detailed. You can refer to relevant parts only.
  • The following points come from my personal experience during ICLR 2025 conference in April 2025. As a result, there was a debate for the title between "ICLR 2025 @ Singapore", "Singapore @ ICLR 2025", and the current one.
  • Due to legacy reasons, "A Bit of Singapore" was selected.
  • It is always recommended to check the official websites for existing and new rules and regulations.
     Pre-arrival stuff
(e-Visa and SG Arrival Card)		 I am Indian (most, if not all, of you know this fact). I need an e-Visa to enter Singapore (accurate in 2025). Who knows, Indian passport might become more powerful in the future. I hope this comment ages well.
  • e-Visa
    • I applied for the e-Visa from Switzerland. Generally, it takes 2-5 working days to get the e-Visa. However, it took about 3 weeks for many students traveling to ICLR 2025 from Switzerland.

    • Application requirements:
      • Application form 14A (link from official ICA website)
      • One colour passport-sized photograph (within last 3 months)
      • Photocopy of passport's biodata page and cover page
      • Return/onward flight details
      • Booking confirmation from the hotel in Singapore
      • Swiss permanent residence card/valid Schengen visa

      → I submitted the documents physically in Geneva.
      → Passport should be valid for > 6 months from entry into Singapore.
      → Additional optional documents to strengthen your application - letter of explanation (especially, if you are staying before and after the actual trip) and proof of financial means for duration of stay.

    • Permanent Mission of Singapore (at Geneva) was pretty responsive on phone and email (more on phone). I used +41 22 795 01 01 to call and MFA_GVA_WTO@mfa.gov.sg to email. Fun fact, I had to call from India to ask about visa status. I don't know how much I paid for that international call but got the confirmation that my visa was approved :)

    • You should receive your e-Visa on email (well, it is "e"-visa, so make sure your email is correct), if approved.

  • SG Arrival Card (SGAC)
    • Extremely important to enter Singapore. Use MyICA Mobile App to submit the SGAC within 3 days before your arrival. If you are arriving on 10th, you can submit the SGAC on, 8th, 9th, or 10th of the same month.
    • Once filled, you can scan the QR-code from the app at the immigration kiosk and give your biometric information to enter.
    • After your entry, you can retrieve your e-Pass. You should receive an email also. I was not asked to show it, but this is the proof of your arrival and lists your allowed maximum stay.

    Also, look into official Entry Requirements for more details.
     Transport
  • Taxi/Cab
    • For most cab trips, I used Grab. There is another app for booking cabs called CDG Zig. There was no Uber (and opening Uber led me to Grab).
    • Both has nice offers for new users. Grab had more lucrative offers, both in prices and quantity.
  • Public transport
    • Takes more travel time due to stops at regular interval and the routes.
    • Suggestion - hop on double-decker buses while exploring.
    • For short term stays, you can use credit card for payment. Just tap in and out. It will automatically deduct the price as per distance travelled.
    • You can refer to MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) for metros. The metro station connectivity map is also present at each station and inside metros.
    Finally, public transport is really really good and really really cheap :)
     Universal Studios
    Overall personal verdict - it is good, pricey, great time with friends, and some amazing rides. Spoilers below!
    • The Lost World: "Rapids" was good in the very last part when there is a sudden drop. "Canopy Flyer" was chill and very short.
    • Sci-fi city: "Battlestar Galatica: Human vs. Cylon" is the GOAT! I don't know how people do it. I didn't. "Accelerator" was chill. "Transformers - The Ride" was unexpectedly amazing.
    • Ancient Egypt: I swear man, we need to talk about "Revenge of the Mummy". It starts so slow, and then bing-bop-boom-boom-bop-bam. It was crazy. The jeeps moved too slow in "Treasure Hunter", so didn't go.
    • Minion Land: Okay-ish. Great for people who really appreciate Minions.
    • Far Far Away: Fancy places to take dreamy pictures.

    Final tips
    • Book online tickets. It is cheaper. We booked from Klook Travel.
    • You can have lunch inside, there are some restaurants.
    • Plan on a week-day. It is less crowded. We went on a Wednesday. Between 1 pm - 4 pm, we did only 2 rides (~30 mins wait time). Between 4 pm - 7 pm, we did 6 rides (non-existent wait time). So, it is better to go on a week-day and later in the afternoon.
    • Take rest in between rides, hydrate yourself, and just chill and take many photos. We spotted the velociraptor in the evening near the Lost World, so it was a good ending for me :)
I couldn't explore other parts of Sentosa Island. It is highly recommended though.
     Gardens by the Bay Great to spend late afternoon and evenings! Check apriori the opening status of the attractions you plan to visit here. Always ask for combined tickets at the counter. It is usually cheaper than buying separately.
  • Light & Music show: Happens at the Supertree Grove. It is a 15 mins show (one at 7.45 pm, next at 8.45 pm). After the first show, an artificial Aurora environment was made. The show was so nice, I had to do it twice!
  • OCBC Skyway: A tad bit pricey, but there are nice spots to take pictures. You can stay as long as you want. Some people actually observe the Light and Music show from there. You can observe one show from here and next by lying on the ground. Let me know the difference in experience.
  • Cloud Forest: Again, a bit pricey, but beautiful spots to take pictures and enjoy an artificial rainforest. Heard on the streets that they are opening new attraction from May 28, 2025 - "Jurassic World: The Experience"
  • Flower Dome: Just rest and enjoy flowers from across the world - South African and American, Australian, Mediterranean gardens amongst others.
Night Safari Go there in the night :) As if!
  • Every bit worth it. First up, tram ride, immersive experience. Covers a lot of ground. Helps you to get familiar with different parts of the park.
  • I missed the "The Creatures of the Night" show at the amphitheatre because the last show is at 9.30 pm. So visit before.
  • The best part are the trails. The late in the night you visit them, the more spooky and eerie they are. All the four trails are connected.
  • Pangolin Trail - Saw pangolin, returned from the middle to meet with friends.
  • Tasmanian Devil Trail - good trail to get familiar with what comes next.
  • East Lodge Trail - got too real. It was dark, almost isolated, and a jump away from hyenas. We were surprised they didn't jump. The guard guessed that they won't because they haven't. Logic 101 :). There was white tiger too!
  • Leopard Trail - Leopard was difficult to spot. Malayan flying foxes were crazy.
  • You can have dinner inside, there are a few restaurants.
Final lesson Although I covered a lot of sights, I missed many things. Amongst basic ones, I couldn't go to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, the Merlion Park, the Infinity Pool (although I did go to LeVeL 33). I couldn't spend more time shopping. Plan your visit properly and enjoy your time!
Thank you for reading so far! I will keep updating this post, if required and on demand.