Little India
Little India is Singapore's Indian quarter. Hindu temples, spice and textile shops, and Indian restaurants line Serangoon Road.
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Little India is the Indian quarter of Singapore, centered on Serangoon Road and the side streets around it. Shophouses line the road, and many shops still sell garlands, bangles, saris and spices. Indian migrants settled here during the colonial era, and the district has kept its character as the rest of the city changed around it.
Most visitors come for the Hindu temples, the Tekka Centre food market and the street scene during Deepavali, which falls in October or November. Allow a half day, or a full day if you want a long lunch and time to browse. Little India station is on the MRT, and the district is an easy walk from there. The weather is hot and humid all year, so walk in the morning or late afternoon. Evenings and weekends are the busiest times, and afternoon showers are common in the wetter months.
Little India in five
- Tap in with an EZ-Link or contactless card on the MRTLittle India station is on the Downtown and North East lines. Tap a contactless bank card or an EZ-Link card at the gate.Getting around
- Carry socks for the temples on Serangoon RoadSri Veeramakaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal temples ask visitors to remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees. Wear shoes you can slip off quickly.Culture
- Keep small Singapore dollar notes for Tekka CentreTekka Centre on Buffalo Road holds a wet market and hawker stalls. Small notes speed up payment at the counters.Money and costs
- Plan a visit around DeepavaliDeepavali, held in October or November, brings street light displays and crowds to Serangoon Road. Book rooms early for those weeks.Festivals
- Drink in licensed venues, not on the streetLittle India is a liquor control area, and drinking in public is restricted in parts of the district. Use a bar or restaurant instead.
Things to do in Little India
See all attractions in Little India
Need to know
- Currency
- Singapore dollar (SGD)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; SG Arrival Card filed online before arrival Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, 995 ambulance and fire; 112 works from mobiles
- Tipping
- Not expected; a 10% service charge is often added
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryMonsoon rain
- FebruaryWet, humid
- MarchShowers, humid
- AprilHot, humid
- MayHot, storms
- JuneDrier, hot
- JulyHoliday crowds
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberHot, humid
- OctoberDeepavali lights
- NovemberDeepavali, rain
- DecemberMonsoon rain
Right now in Little India
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Marina Bay
09:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today33°25°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed32°25°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu30°24°100%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri29°23°95%Friday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Sat29°24°88%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sun30°24°100%Sunday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Mon29°23°100%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 05:56 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.278 SGD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Johor Bahru, Malaysiaabout 1 to 2 hours by bus across the CausewayCross the Causeway for Malaysian food and shopping. Bring your passport, since you clear two border checks.
- Sentosaabout 10 to 15 minutes by monorail from VivoCityAn island with beaches and the Universal Studios theme park. A half day is enough for the beaches.
- Pulau Ubinabout 15 minutes by bumboat from Changi PointA quiet island with bike trails and old quarries. Go by bumboat from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal.
Before you go to Little India
Rules for Little India, checked
- File the SG Arrival Card online before you fly, and check the current entry rules with Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
- Chewing gum cannot be sold in Singapore, and importing it is restricted. Check Singapore Customs' rules before you pack.
- Remove shoes before entering the temples, and cover your shoulders and knees. Follow the posted signs inside.
- Drinking in public is restricted in parts of Little India, a liquor control area. Keep to licensed venues and follow the signs.
Plan around Little India
MRT, buses and the card to tap at the gates
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free entry and the SG Arrival Card
Read the guideMoney and costsCash for hawker stalls, cards for shops
Read the guideFestivals and DeepavaliThe Deepavali light-up and the street crowds
Read the guideCulture and temple etiquetteShoes, dress and customs at the Hindu temples
Read the guideSingaporeThe city guide for the rest of the trip
Read the guideLittle India FAQ
Is Little India worth visiting in Singapore?
Yes, for the temples, the hawker stalls and the shops along Serangoon Road. The district is compact and walkable, and it differs from the Marina Bay and Orchard Road areas.
How long do you need in Little India?
Half a day covers the temples, Tekka Centre and Serangoon Road. A full day adds the Mustafa Centre and a long lunch, or an evening walk when the streets are busiest.
How do you get to Little India from the city?
Take the MRT to Little India station, served by the Downtown and North East lines. Tap a contactless bank card or an EZ-Link card at the gate.
When is the best time to visit Little India?
Deepavali, in October or November, brings street light displays and the busiest evenings. Singapore is hot and humid all year, so walk the district in the morning or late afternoon.
Can you visit the temples on Serangoon Road?
Yes, visitors are welcome at Sri Veeramakaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal temples. Remove your shoes at the entrance and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.