Singapore and Australia are rumoured to be announcing a travel bubble, possibly as soon as this July. So which bubble is right for you? And what will the difference be in travel, your stay and what happens if something goes wrong.
These two countries couldn’t be more different – and not just culturally or as a travel destination. Singapore has been through quite a few iterations of its COVID policy, and as you might expect from the city state, lockdown means lockdown – from masking up everywhere to strict social distancing. And we do mean strict.
And while New Zealand is two islands – they are the real deal. Singapore, on the other hand, has a road bridge to Malaysia.
So here’s how to compare two great – and different – holidays destinations:
Entry Requirements
New Zealand
- You must not have had a positive COVID-19 test in the past 2 weeks and must not be awaiting the results of a test
- Masks will be required on flights
- Travellers must download the NZ Covid Tracer app
- You do not require a COVID vaccination
- Anyone who has been in either country for 14 days before departure is eligible to travel, but if you’re a permanent resident of Australia and not a citizen you’ll need to apply for a NZeTa Visa
Singapore
- Full requirements will obviously not be completely clear until the bubble is officially announced, but reportedly travellers will need to be vaccinated. This could depend on the progress of Australia’s vaccine roll out.
- The current requirement for entering Singapore involves applying for a free Air Travel Pass at least a week before arrival, and then 3 days before departure, visitors need to submit their health, travel history and accommodation declaration
- Visitors also currently require travel insurance that specifically covers COVID-19 medical treatment
- A pre-departure COVID test is not currently required, however, it is compulsory that you pay $S160 (approx $150AUD) for a PCR test on arrival. You will receive results within 48 hours and then the vacation can begin
- However, based off the two countries track record, Singapore appears less likely to have a snap lockdown
What type of destination are you after?
New Zealand and Singapore are wildly differing countries. For starters, New Zealand is 268,021 square kilometres, meaning its vast and attractions are spread out from each other. Whereas, Singapore is 728 square kilometres with advanced transport infrastructure that allows you to easily zip around different parts of the country. New Zealand may appeal more to the adventurer in you, there are plenty of activities to get your adrenaline charged up and jaw-dropping landscapes line the country. Singapore is more of a metropolis, boasting endless world class restaurants, art galleries and shopping centres, all tied to Singapore’s unique culture. In saying this New Zealand travel offers an opportunity to learn about Maori culture, as well having its own impressive selection of food and sensational wine.
It may be a consideration that New Zealand and Australia are relatively similar, whereas Singapore is its own splash of culture and boasts meticulously designed cities that can offer both glimpses into the future and the fascination of the past. There are also adventure tourism and nature attractions in Singapore, but it simply won’t quite measure up to New Zealand’s natural beauty that makes it one of the best hiking destinations in the world. It’s essentially going to depend on what you want from your trip, but both are stunning and versatile destinations.
Costs
Flights
- Flights to New Zealand are quite modest, with plenty of return flights from Sydney and Melbourne over the next few months sitting in the $300-$450 range
- It’s obviously difficult to predict exactly how flight prices would respond to a bubble announcement, but based on previous rates $450-650 for return flights seems to be a safe estimate
Travel cost
- Budgetyourtrip.com has New Zealand and Singapore at almost identical price points, estimating you’ll need a daily budget $184aud for New Zealand and $160aud for Singapore
- This will obviously depend on your exact travel plans, if you’re on a barebones New Zealand hiking trip you won’t be spending this much
If you are a first-time traveller, don’t go at all. You can wait a bit longer.
However, NZ is the easiest entry to overseas travel, as it is so much like an eighth state. Friendly, and similar, but with the same sort of differences which you get by going to a non-adjacent state within Australia.
If you are a regular, you can make up your own mind.
Now that I have had one year without overseas travel, I am not travelling just for the sake of going, and NZ and Singapore are regulars, not essential. A 45 year annual tradition has been broken. I am waiting for a destination which I want (and this year it’s Saudi Arabia).