Travelling tips: From Singapore to Boston

At Dubai International Airport. Waiting for the connection flight to Boston.

Being prepared and well-planned for the trip from Singapore to Boston, United States has been helpful for the solo traveller in me to feel safe and at ease.

I am thankful for the generosity of one of my friends, Emz, for being gracious to share useful information about travelling to Boston with me. Thanks to her, I had a relatively easier time figuring out what are the important travelling issues to take note of even though I was a first-time traveller to United States. A few other friends have also contributed useful tips for me.

Travelling tips for a Singapore citizen travelling from Singapore to Boston, United States:

1. Travel authorization will be required for a Singapore citizen to travel to the United States. There will be an administrative fee to be paid to apply for travel authorization. To apply for the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), please visit: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

2. A citizen of Singapore as well as citizens of any one of the Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to apply for admission to United States under the Visa Waiver Programme.

3. However, for Singapore citizens who intend to visit the Unitied States for more than 90 days, or are travelling to the United States for a purpose other than short-term tourism or business, or a few other circumstances, it will be necessary to obtain a visa to travel to the United States. For more information, please visit: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm

4. Physical inspection of baggage by the US Transportation Security Administration is to be expected. It will be very helpful to use locks that TSA approved. If we are using luggage bags with built-in locks, it helps to ensure that the built-in locks are TSA approved. Otherwise, if the locks are not TSA approved, in the event of physical inspection of the baggage, the officer may be forced to break the locks of the bag, and TSA will not be liable for damage to the locks resulting from this necessary security precaution.

5. It is fairly convenient to travel about Boston and Greater Boston using public transport. It helps to plan our trips about Boston and Greater Boston using the online Trip Planner services available on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The T-Pass is worth a consideration for visitors who are travelling on the subway, local bus, inner harbour ferry and Commuter Rail Zone 1A for at least 4 days while in Boston and Greater Boston.