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.
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Baby-sitting
Baby-sitting services are provided in most hotels.
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Banking
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.
Banking hours are Mondays to Fridays: 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. Saturdays: 0930 hrs to 1300 hrs (some banks are open until 1500 hrs. Sundays: 0930 hrs to 1500 hrs (some banks in Orchard Road).
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.
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Credit/Charge Cards
Major cards are widely accepted by establishments in Singapore. Should any shop insist on adding a surcharge, contact the respective card company to report the errant shop-owner.
American Express
Tel: (65) 6880 1111
Diners Card
Tel: (65) 6416 0800
JCB
Tel: (65) 6734 0096
MasterCard
Tel: 800 - 110 0113 (toll-free in Singapore only)
Visa
Tel: 800 - 448 1250 (toll-free in Singapore only)
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Currency
Other than the Singapore Dollar, the US and Australian Dollars, Yen and British Pound are also accepted in most major shopping centres and big departmental stores.
An online currency converter service is available at asiaone. Check on today's exchange rate.
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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.
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Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited.
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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.
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Fireworks
Any individual found keeping, possessing, having under his control, discharging or letting off dangerous fireworks (including firecrackers, rocket fireworks, sandcrackers and such other fireworks) is liable to a fine not exceeding SGD 5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years or both.
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Gambling
Charity draws, Toto and Singapore Sweep lotteries, and on-course betting at the Singapore Turf Club on horse races are the only authorised forms of gambling in Singapore. All other gambling activities are illegal in Singapore.
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Hair Salons
Most major hotels provide a full range of hair styling services. Hair salons are also found in shopping centres, offering standard haircuts as well as more elaborate services like hair treatments, facial treatments, and manicure and pedicure services.
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Hotel Phone Services
Most hotels offer in-room international direct dial (IDD) telephone services. However, some hotels may impose a minimal 30 cents successful call transaction surcharge. As there are different IDD service providers in Singapore, rates and access codes are dependent on the service provider used by the hotel. Generally, local calls are charged at 10 cents for every three minutes.
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Laundry
Same-day laundry service is available in most hotels. Typically, it costs SGD 5 for a laundered shirt, SGD 10 for a dress and SGD 14 for a dry-cleaned suit. Independent dry-cleaners can be found in the Yellow Pages of the Singapore Phone Book.
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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.
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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.
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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.
An online currency converter service is available at asiaone. Check on today's exchange rate.
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Payphone Services
Public payphones operated by credit card and/or stored-value phonecards can be used to make both local and international calls. Public payphones can be found in most shopping complexes and MRT stations. Local calls are charged at 10 cents per three minutes. Stored-value phonecards in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 can be purchased from post offices and phonecard agents. To make an international call, dial the access code followed by the country code, area code & telephone number. Different telephone companies use different access codes - 001 for SingTel, 002 for M1 and 008 for Starhub. International Calling Cards in denominations of SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 are also available at all post offices including Singapore Changi Airport, 7-Eleven stores and other retail outlets.
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Postal Services
Singapore Post operates a network of more than 1,300 postal outlets conveniently located throughout the island. These outlets offer a wide range of postal, telecommunication and agency services. Most postal outlets are open Monday through Friday, from 0830 hrs to 1700 hrs and until 1300 hrs on Saturday.
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Pro-Family Businesses
Traveling with young children or with the elderly? Singapore businesses welcome families. We have retailers who have will pay that extra attention to your family's needs.
For more information, click here.
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Safety
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.
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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.
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Spitting
Spitting in public places is an offence.
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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.
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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.
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Transit Passengers
Passengers who are in transit for less than 24 hours and holding valid travel documents may leave the airport without having to pay the passenger service charge of SGD 21 upon departure from Singapore.
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Trishaws
An interesting way to tour the streets of Singapore is to take a trishaw ride. We recommend that you avoid hailing a trishaw off the road. If you do, make sure that you agree on the fare to your destination before the trip commences. However, there are many trishaw tours that you can join that are run by some of the major tour operators.
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Useful Telephone Numbers
Police
999 (toll-free)
Emergencies/Ambulance/Fire Brigade
995 (toll-free)
STB Touristline (24-hr automated tourist information system)
Tel: 1800 736 2000 (toll-free in Singapore only)
CitySearch (operator-assisted Yellow Pages)
Tel: (65) 1900 777 7777
International Calls
Tel: 104
Time of day
Tel: 1711
Trunk Calls to Malaysia
Dial 109 for operator assistance or 02 for direct dial.
Toll-free lines
Dial 1800 followed by the toll-free line number (in Singapore only).
Weather
Tel: (65) 6542 7788
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Visa and Entry Facilities
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, click here. To find out more about the types of visas and to download the necessary application forms, click here.
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Weather and Climate
Located just 2? north of the equator, Singapore enjoys a warm tropical weather that is relatively calm and consistent throughout the year. The average daily temperature is 26.7'C with a mean temperature of 30.8?C occurring in the afternoons and a minimum of 23.8?C just before dawn.
Relative humidity often exceeds 90 percent at night and in the early hours of the morning shortly before sunrise. On dry afternoons it is usually between 60 and 70 percent.
Rainfall is most abundant during the Northeast Monsoon season from November to January. Much of the rain falls in sudden showers. February is usually the sunniest month while December is often the wettest. However, July and August are the hottest months when average temperatures are at their peak.
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What to Wear
Singapore has a warm and humid climate throughout the year with a daily average temperature range of 24 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius. 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.
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