Singapore.
The name alone evokes a sense of wonder and a promise of attractions, gastronomical adventures and unending shopping sprees.
You’re excited. You’ve booked your ticket to Singapore and now you’re planning your trip.
You can’t wait to dine at all the Michelin starred restaurants, shop for crafts at the local market, unearth historical gems and explore Singapore’s modern world-class attractions.
But, what should you pack?
What language do they speak in Singapore?
How will you get around?
If these are the questions running through your mind, we’ve got you covered!
Read on for the ultimate list of essentials to travel in Singapore.
17 Singapore Travel Guides & Tips
1. Currency
The official currency of Singapore is the Singapore Dollar.
Notes come in denominations of S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$1000 and S$10000.
Coins are broken down into 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and S$1.
2. Weather
Singapore enjoys tropical weather that is hot and humid all year round with temperatures exceeding 30°C most days.
Having said that, it is also wise to pack a parka or umbrella as Singapore does experience short spurts of torrential rain.
3. Prayer Facilities
Prayer rooms are conveniently available in most hotels and major attractions for Muslim travellers.
There are also numerous mosques located around the city as Singapore is a Muslim-friendly destination.
4. Power Plug
Singapore uses power plugs with three square prongs.
The standard electrical current is 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles).
5. Safe Drinking Water
In Singapore, you can drink water straight from the tap!
You can also easily purchase bottled drinking water from most shops and convenient stores.
6. No Smoke Areas
Smoking is not allowed in all air-conditioned areas including restaurants and malls.
However, some attractions and open-air eateries may permit smoking in clearly marked smoking zones.
7. Singapore Visitor Centre
If you need info about Singapore attractions or anything to do with Singapore at all, head to one of the many
Singapore Visitor Centres!
You can even purchase attraction tickets, book tours and day trips, or buy a souvenir to remember your trip by.
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8. Visa & Customs
Visitors from most nations will not need a visa to enter into Singapore and may instead be given a social visit pass.
To confirm if you need a visa, visit your local consular or check with the Singapore ICA.
Also read:
9. Wi-Fi & Connectivity
Staying connected is pretty easy in Singapore.
The airport, most hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and cafes offer free Wi-Fi service.
Alternatively, travellers can also register for a free public Wi-Fi account with their foreign mobile numbers at any Wireless@SG hotspots.
10. Useful Numbers
Just in case, it may be wise to key in the following useful numbers into your phone prior to your arrival in Singapore:
Police: 999
Ambulance & Fire Brigade: 995
Flight information: 1800 542 4422
11. Language
Singapore is a multilingual nation and most Singaporeans are able to speak English fluently.
A vast majority of Singaporeans also speak an additional language or dialect such as Mandarin Chinese, Hokkien Chinese, Malay or Tamil.
12. Tipping
While tipping is not necessary in Singapore, it is highly encouraged as an expression of gratitude for exceptional goods and services received.
In general, one would be expected to tip above the 10% gratuity to your bill added by some hospitality providers.
13. Tax Refund
To claim a tax refund on the 7% Goods & Services Tax (GST), you’ll need to spend more than S$100 in any participating shop.
14. Transport
If there is one thing Singapore does exceptionally well, it is their transport network!
Regardless of where you are, you can easily hop on a bus, MRT or taxi to get to your destination.
MRT
- Purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass which will allow you unlimited travel for one day (S$10), two days (S$16) or three days (S$20).
- Alternatively, your foreign issue Mastercards and Visa cards can also be used to for public transport fares. Please note that you may be charged processing fees if you decide on this method.
- Purchase an adult stored value smartcard (EZ-Pay/Nets Flashpay)
- Purchase single trip tickets as you go.
Bus
- You can use your foreign issued Mastercard or Visa card to tap on and off the bus.
- Purchase an adult stored value smartcard (EZ-Pay/Nets Flashpay) which you can also use for the MRT.
- Pay in cash – however, you will need an exact change!
Taxi
If you’re in a location that is not accessible by bus or MRT, your best bet would be to hail a taxi.
Taxis in Singapore are metered but you may incur surcharges depending on your location the time of you’re using the taxi service.
Always ask if there are any surcharges before getting in the taxi and ask for a receipt at the end of your ride.
You can hail a taxi by the side of the road or head to a designated taxi stand.
Should you need to book a taxi, you can call 6-DIAL CAB which will direct you to the next available taxi company’s call centre.
Also read:
15. Consumer Advisory
If you’re planning to shop in Singapore, do note the following:
16. Maps, Apps & City Guide
To help you navigate your way around Singapore during your visit, here are a few apps and maps you can download to get you started:
- Visit Singapore Travel Guide App: Apple Store | Google Play
- Singapore MRT/LRT App: Apple Store | Google Play
- Singapore Bus App: Apple Store | Google Play
- Singapore Train Map
- Singapore Bus Map
- MRT/LRT Fare Calculator, Travel Time and Route Guide
- Bus Fare Calculator, Travel Time and Route Guide
17. Accessibility
Singapore is a convenient travel destination for elderly folks and those with disabilities.
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