Private Luxury Tours of Malaysia & Singapore

Tourist visas are NOT REQUIRED for American and Canadian citizens for visits to Singapore of up to 90 days. However, all visitors are required to have a passport validity of at least 6 months, onward/return tickets, onward facilities (e.g. visa, entry permit, etc.) to their next destination and sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore.

For nationals who do not have exemption or those looking to obtain other types of visas (work, student, etc.), please refer to the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for details.  

New Year’s Day – Jan 1st
Chinese New Year – January/ February
Good Friday – April
Labour Day – May 1st
Vesak (Birth of Buddha) – Jun 2nd
National Day – Aug 9th
Diwali – Nov 12th
Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan) – Nov 14-16th
Christmas Day – Dec 25th

Singapore airport departure taxes are already included in your international air ticket.

On major carriers, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. However, low fare carriers will charge a fee for checked baggage. These costs vary depending on the city pair and method of purchase (prepaid vs at check-in). When booking these flights on your own, be sure to pre-purchase this service before arriving at the airport as they will be much more expensive at check-in. If you’re booked on one of our Singapore tours, checked baggage service of up to 20kg is always included. 

Excess luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated allowances, and these charges are your responsibility.  At most major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually for a small additional fee.  All on board luggage is limited at 23 pounds.

Climate in Singapore is tropical, with average temperature between 73°F – 86°F. November to January receives more rain than usual. The climate of Singapore demands light weight clothing and linens throughout the year. An umbrella, a light raincoat and a good sun-protection is recommended.

Singapore’s the perfect holiday destination for a shopping getaway, family trip, or even an island escapade. Our island’s multi-ethnic culture is also reflected in an array of festivals all through the year, so you can immerse yourself in the local traditions no matter when you visit.

International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is provided at all hotels featured on our Singapore Tours. SIM Cards for your mobile phones are also widely available. You may also check with your mobile service provider if an international plan may be available. 

Internet Access will be available at all hotels  included in your Singapore vacation package although charges may apply. Wifi is widely available in public areas including restaurants and hotel lobby. Mobile Apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger provide free/cheap and convenient ways to stay connected. 

Most hotels provide postal services for documents and small packages. 

The local currency is Singapore dollar and cents. The currency unit is the Singapore dollar (S$). Approximately S$1.35 = US$1 (April 2020). Notes are in denominations of: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 and $10,000.

Banking hours are: Monday to Friday, 9:30A.M.-3P.M.; Saturday, 9:30A.M.-1P.M.; Sunday, 9:30A.M.-3P.M. (some banks in Orchard Road). ATMs are abundant and available throughout the city. 

American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted throughout Singapore. 

According to related laws and regulations, the luggage of inbound and outbound passengers must come under customs supervision and control. Passengers should make accurate declarations to customs officials regarding the luggage they carry into or out of the territory. Warning: Drug Trafficking is punishable by death.

Voltage in Singapore is 220 volts, though electrical converters are usually not needed for portable electronic devices such as phones, cameras, tablets, laptop computers, etc. However, electrical adapter that can change the shape of the plug prongs may be necessary. 

All hotels featured in your Singapore tour package provide hair dryers and other amenities expected in an international standard 4 or 5-star hotel. 

Dining in Singapore is a gastronomic experience. Choices are bewildering, ranging widely from inexpensive local dishes (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Nonya) found at food courts/hawker centers to sophisticated restaurants serving international cuisine. Tap water is clean but drinking from it directly should be avoided. Bottled water is recommended.

There are no vaccinations required for entering Singapore from anywhere around the world. However, a yellow fever certificate of vaccination is required from persons over 1 year of age who have been in or passed through any country classified either partly or wholly as a yellow fever endemic zone within the previous 6 days. You can visit the Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.) website for the most up-to-date  information. Health care in Singapore is exceptionally good.

Bring light clothing that is easy to wash and iron. Sandals and light shoes are adequate. A sweater is handy for cool season nights and drastically air-conditioned buildings. Fine-dining venues usually require a tie, sometimes a jacket.

Other essential items include: Valid Passport.  Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Departure documents. Electrical adapters. Camera(s). Sunscreen/Tan lotion.  Pocket size Kleenex.  Folding Umbrella. Comfortable walking shoes.

A 3 percent sales tax is added to all goods and services in Singapore. In most hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs, an additional 4 percent government entertainment tax and, occasionally, a 10 percent service charge are also tacked on to the bill.  Taxis drivers normally do not get tipped.

For your transfers and sightseeing included in your Singapore tour package itinerary, we recommend tipping between $12-$15 per person, per day of service. This amount is to be split between the guide and driver at a 2:1 ration. You may, of course, adjust this amount up or down depending on the level of service you received. 

All of our Singapore vacation packages include Airport transfers and sightseeing by private car. While on your own,  you are free to explore on your own through a variety of efficient transportation.

The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) – Known as one of the most efficient and the  cleanest systems of the world, the MRT  is a modern, air-conditioned passenger train service with stations spread through the city.

Buses – The bus service is also very regular and another inexpensive means for getting around Singapore. Singapore Explorer tickets (for 01 day or 03 days) can be bought at leading hotels. These tickets are fully equipped with a map featuring the major tourist attractions and directions to reach them. 

Taxis are available 24 hours for hassle-free and reasonably priced in and around the city.  All taxis are metered but certain surcharges apply depending on time of travel, place of hire, mode of hire, type of cab and applicable tolls. 

Visitors of Malaysia must be in possession of a current passport or other internationally recognized travel documents with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period in Malaysia. No visas are required for most countries for stays not exceeding three months. 

For nationals who do not have an exemption or those looking to obtain other types of visas (work, student, etc.), please refer to the Malaysia Government website for details.  

• New Year’s Day – Jan 1st*
• Hari Raya Aidil Fitri- January*
• Chinese New Year- January/ February*
• Labour Day- May 1st
• Vesak Day- late May*
• The King’s Birthday- early June
• National Day* – Aug 31st
• Deepavali- October/ November**
• Christmas Day- Dec 25th*

*   National Holiday

** Except Sarawak and Labuan

Starting from Jan 2011, the departure tax for international passengers is included in the ticket price.

On Domestic flights, passengers are allowed 20kg (44 pounds of luggage per person) in economy class for most carriers. Low fare carriers will charge a fee for checked baggage. The cost varies depending on the city pair and method of purchase (prepaid vs at check-in). When booking these flights on your own, be sure to pre-purchase this service before arriving at the airport as they will be much more expensive at check-in. If you’re booked on one of our Malaysia tours, checked baggage service of up to 20kg is always included. 

Temperature fluctuates little throughout the year in Malaysia. Average temperature is between 21 to 32 degree Celsius (70 – 90 F). Humidity is high. Rain tends to occur between November to February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on western Sarawak, and north-eastern Sabah. On the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia the rainy seasons is April to May and October to November.

It is ideal to have light clothing to wear year round. In the evenings, a light wrap may be advised. It is also advisable for ladies to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts when entering mosques and temples.

International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is provided at all hotels featured on our Malaysia tours. SIM Cards for your mobile phones are also widely available. You may also check with your mobile service provider if an international plan may be available. 

Internet Access will be available at all hotels  included in your Malaysia vacation package (except at adventure lodges where wifi service may be unreliable and/or  limited to public areas). Wifi is widely available in public areas including restaurants and hotel lobby. Mobile Apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger provide free/cheap and convenient ways to stay connected. 

Most hotels provide postal services for documents and small packages. 

The Malaysian unit of currency is the Ringgit (M$), which is divided into 100 sen. Currency comes in notes of M$1, M$5, M$10, M$20, M$50, M$100, M$500 and M$1,000. Coins are issued in 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and M$1 denominations. 1US$ is about M$ 4. Foreign currencies can be converted at banks, hotels and money changers.

ATMs are available throughout Malaysia, especially in big cities and tourist areas. Both Visa and MasterCard have extensive lists of ATMs around Malaysia that accept their cards. It is advisable to carry local currencies when visiting rural areas or some of the coastal islands.

The country’s regulation requires all travelers to declare the amount of local and foreign currencies in their possession on arrival into and departure from Malaysia. Travelers Declaration Form (TDF) for this purpose can be obtained from any Malaysian Embassies/High Commission, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Office and all entry/exit points in Malaysia. Non-residents entering Malaysia are permitted to import up to a maximum amount of M$ 1,000 only and any amount of foreign currencies. Conversely, they are permitted to export up to a maximum amount of M$ 1,000 only and foreign currencies not more then what was originally brought into the country.

Voltage in Malaysia is 220 volts, though electrical converters are usually not needed for portable electronic devices such as phones, cameras, tablets, laptop computers, etc. However, electrical adapter that can change the shape of the plug prongs may be necessary. 

Nearly all hotels featured in your Malaysia tour package  (other than rustic homestays or adventure lodges) provide hair dryers and other amenities expected in an international standard 4 or 5-star hotel. 

We recommend refraining from drinking tap water. Bottled water is readily available through Malaysia and can be purchased inexpensively.

No vaccinations are required to enter Malaysia, but travelers visiting deep jungle areas in peninsular Malaysia or the island of Borneo should consult with their physicians regarding malaria medication.

The levels of hygiene and medical care in Malaysia are higher than in much of the rest of Southeast Asia; staff almost everywhere speak good English and use up-to-date techniques. There’s always a pharmacy in main towns. Private clinics are found even in the smallest towns; a visit costs around M$30, excluding medication. The emergency department of each town’s General Hospital will see foreigners for the token fee of M$1, though costs rise rapidly if continued treatment or overnight stays are necessary.

Tipping is usually not necessary, unless service is excellent. Most hotels and large restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge in addition to the 5% government tax to the bill (indicated by a ++ sign on menus and rate cards).

For your transfers and sightseeing included in your Malaysia tour package itinerary, we recommend tipping between $10-$12 per person per full day of service. This amount is to be split between the guide and driver at a 2:1 ration. You may, of course, adjust this amount up or down depending on the level of service you received. 

Private airport transfers and sightseeing are included in all of our Malaysia tour packages. While on your own,  you are free to explore through a variety of transportation. Public transport in Malaysia is extremely reliable. 

Taxis: Most taxis are fitted with meters. Taxi rates are currently M$ 2 for the first 2km and 10 sen for every 200 meters thereon. A surcharge of 50% is levied between midnight and 6.00am.

Trains: Malayan Railways (KTM) offers an inexpensive yet comfortable service on the peninsula. Foreign tourists may purchase at main railway stations a KTM Rail pass, which grants unlimited travel for ten days or thirty days. For information about service from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom (East Malaysia, Sabah), contact Sabah State Railways at (088) 54611.

Bring light clothing that is easy to wash and iron. Sandals and light shoes are adequate. A sweater is handy for cool season nights and drastically air-conditioned buildings.

Other essential items include: Valid Passport.  Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Mosquito repellent. Electrical adapters. Camera(s), batteries & films. Sunscreen/Tan lotion.  Pocket size Kleenex.  Folding Umbrella. Comfortable walking shoes.