Money The local currency is Singapore dollars and cents.
Notes come in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20, SGD 50, SGD 100, SGD 500, SGD 1,000, and SGD 10,000.
Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and SGD 1.
Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at the airport, hotels, banks or licensed money changers.
All major credit cards are accepted: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB.
Banking Banking hours are Mondays to Fridays: 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. Saturdays: 0930 hrs to 1300 hrs
Most banks handle travellers' cheques and change foreign currencies. However, some banks do not have foreign exchange dealings on Saturdays.
Passports are required when cashing in travellers' cheques. A nominal commission may be charged.
Money Changers Apart from banks and hotels, money can be changed wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed. Most shopping complexes have a licensed money changer. Visitors are discouraged from changing money with unlicensed money changers.
Passport, Visa and Entry Facilities
A valid passport is required for entry into Singapore. Generally, foreigners who do not require visas for entry and are visiting Singapore as tourists, may be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore.
For more information on Visa requirements for entry into Singapore, or to find out more about the types of visas and to download the necessary application forms, please visit the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoint Authority’s website at: http://app.ica.gov.sg/serv_visitor/index.asp
Time Singapore time is 8 hours (+8 GMT) ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Climate Singapore has a warm and humid climate throughout the year with a daily average temperature range of 24 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius. It is not unusual to have intermittent showers on a sunny day but the showers rarely last long and they provide a cool respite.
Clothes Light and summer clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton is best for everyday wear. Casual dress is acceptable for most situations and occasions but some establishments may require a more formal dress code. It is always advisable to check beforehand on dress regulations, if any.
Smart casual attire for all Conference sessions and social functions is advisable.
Security Increasingly, personal safety and security are becoming critical concerns of international travellers. The situation in Singapore remains calm and stable, and the island remains one of the safest in the world to visit.
Enhanced security measures at key installations and other sensitive places ensure that Singapore continues to remain safe. The Singapore Government explicitly states that extremism originating from religion or race has no place in Singapore and swift action will be taken against any extremist or terrorist groups or individuals.
Drinking Water It is perfectly safe to drink water straight from the tap in Singapore. However, for those who prefer bottled mineral water, local supermarkets and grocers usually carry a sizeable selection.
Drug Abuse Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited.
Electricity Singapore voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. On request, most hotels will provide transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage, such as 110-120 volts, 60 cycles per second. When shopping for electrical appliances, do remember to check the voltage of the item against the acceptable voltage in your home country. The power plugs used in Singapore are of the three-pin, square-shaped type.
Mobile Phones There are two mobile phone networks - GSM900 and GSM1800 - and three mobile telephone service providers - SingTel, M1 and StarHub. To make international calls, the access codes are 001, 013, or 019 for SingTel, 002 or 021 for M1, and 008 or 018 for StarHub.
Smoking Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. Offenders can be fined up to SGD 1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is permitted in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.
Tipping Tipping is not practised as most hotels and restaurants in Singapore already levy a 10% service charge on customers' bills. Tipping is not a way of life in Singapore and is prohibited at the airport. Taxis drivers also do not get tipped.
Insurance It is recommended that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance.
Touting and Soliciting While shopping in Singapore is a hassle-free and pleasurable experience, there are, on occasion, incidents of touting and soliciting, as well as incidents where visitors feel pressured into buying products or services from vendors who approach them on the streets. As a consumer, you have every right not to transact with any of these vendors. If you are not interested, ignore the touts or tell them firmly you are not interested and then walk away.
Here is a short list of what to be wary of:
representatives from companies selling timeshare programmes, promising freebies or deals if you fill in a survey form, visit their showroom or attend a briefing at their office.
representatives claiming to be from reputable department stores selling premium products like perfume or watches at attractive prices.
Airport Tax A passenger service charge of SGD 21 should be incorporated in the air ticket (including tickets issued outside of Singapore). If this has not been done, you may be required to pay the SGD 21 during check-in. In some cases, the airline may absorb the service charge. Passengers who are in transit for less than 24 hours may leave the airport without having to pay the service charge upon departure from Singapore.
Medical Facilities Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well-qualified doctors and dental surgeons.
Pharmacies are ready available at supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres. Registered pharmacists generally work from 0900 hrs to 1800 hrs.
Most hotels have their own doctor on-call around the clock. Other doctors are listed under Medical Practitioners in the Yellow Pages of the Singapore Phone Book. For an ambulance, dial 995.
