Singapore Travel Tips

We welcome you to Live It Up in New Asia - Singapore! With its land enriched by a multicultural heritage, Singapore can offer you unending delights in a kaleidoscope of cultures, cuisine, festivals and traditions. Before you embark on your splendid journey to this Garden City of the East and enjoy the best of Asian hospitality, get to know Singapore better with the following essentials.

Land and Climate

One degree north of the equator, at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, linked to Malaysia by causeway. Weather is relatively uniform averaging 28? - 32? C / 82.4° - 89.6° F.

Time Difference

13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time; 14 hours ahead of Central and 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.

Visa Requirements

Tourist visas are NOT REQUIRED for American and Canadian citizens for visits of up to 30 days. However, all visitors are required to have a passport validity of at least 6 months, onward/return tickets, onward facilities (e.g., visa, entry permit, etc.) to their next destination and sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore. For all other nationalities please check the Singapore Immigration & Registration website (www.sir.gov.sg) or visa information is available from:

Air Carriers to Singapore

Trans Pacific: All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, EVA Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines.
Trans Atlantic: Alitalia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, German Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Swissair.

Airport Facilities

Singapore Changi Airport's two terminals (www.changi.airport.com.sg) offer comprehensive facilities as well as hotels with private bathrooms. Transit passengers who will not be clearing the customs and immigration facilities in Singapore can make advance reservation for temporary accommodation at The Ambassador Transit Hotel within the secured area of the airport (www.airport-hotel.com.sg).

Public transportation to the city center, about 10 miles from the airport, is readily available. Taxi fare costs SGD 15 - SGD 20 (add surcharge for trips originating from the airport). The Maxicab airport shuttle service operates every 20 minutes and costs SGD 7.

New Asia - Singapore Tours are available free of charge for transit passengers with a minimum layover of 5 hours. Passengers can sign up for this tour at New Asia - Singapore Tour counters located in the airport's transit areas.

Banking/Currency Exchange

Banking hours are 9:30am - 3pm weekdays; 9:30am - 1pm Saturdays. Traveler's checks and foreign currencies may be changed at most banks and licensed money changers in most shopping centers.

Most ATM machines offer PLUS, STAR or CIRRUS network systems. Major credit cards are widely accepted.

The local currency is Singapore Dollars and Cents. Approximate rate is USD 1 = SGD 1.8, CAD 1 = SGD 1.1.

Cruise Lines Serving Singapore

Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceanic Cruises, Orient Lines, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruise Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Star Cruise, Royal Caribbean International.

Cruise Terminal

The Singapore Cruise Centre is located at the World Trade Centre, about a 10-minute drive from the city center.
Harbor cruises and ferry services to Singapore's islands, Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau islands may be boarded at ferry terminals located at the World Trade Centre and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at Changi.

Dining

Dining in Singapore is a safe gastronomic experience. The city offers a vast array of dining options, including five-star restaurants, outdoor food stalls, fast food, sushi bars, and grand Chinese restaurants serving 10-course banquets.

Electricity/Voltage

Standard voltage is 220 - 240 volts AC at 50 cycles. Some hotels may be equipped with 110 - 120 volts AC power outlets.

Good & Services Tax (GST)

A 5% Goods & Services Tax is levied on most goods and services purchased from taxable retailers. Quoted prices of merchandise include GST. Combined purchases of SGD 300 or more (with a minimum of SGD 100 spent at a shop or different outlets of the same retail chain displaying the "Tax Free Shopping" logo) are eligible for a refund of the GST paid on goods not consumed in Singapore. Refunds must be processed at the airport only prior to departure flights with proof of purchase and inspection of goods.

Inoculation

None required unless arriving from a country where a disease is partly/wholly endemic.

Language

English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil are the four official languages, with Malay as the national language and English as the language of business and administration.

Festivals & Public Holidays

Religion

Main religions are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Taoism. Places of worship welcome visitors, however visitors are expected to be properly attired and to respectfully witness the ceremonies or rites. Please note that shoes are not to be worn in Hindu temples and mosques.

Shopping

Singapore is a duty-free port. Prices of goods such as electronic and electrical products, cameras, clocks/watches and jewelry are highly competitive. Department stores and shops usually open from 10am to 9pm daily.

Shopping Area :Arab Street, Beach Road, Changi Airport, Chinatown, Holland Village, Little India, Marina Square, North Bridge Road/High Street, Coleman Street, Bugis Junction, Bugis Street, Orchard Road, Shenton Way and Suntec City. Suburban shopping: Bedok, Bishan, Changi Village, Geylang, Holland Village, Katong, Yishun and Tampines.

Tipping

Prohibited at the airport and not encouraged at hotels. Restaurants include a 10% service charge.

Tourist Attractions

Animal, Bird & Aquatic Life: Jurong BirdPark, Night Safari, Underwater World and Singapore Zoological Gardens.
Gardens, Parks & Nature Reserves: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Chinese and Japanese Gardens, Fort Canning Park, Mandai Orchid Garden, Marina South City Park, Mount Faber, Singapore Botanic Gardens and Sungei Buloh Nature Park.
Landmarks: Civilian War Memorial, CHIJMES, Fullerton Hotel, Kranji War Memorial, Merlion Park, Parliament House, Raffles Hotel, Raffles Statue & Landing Site, Sri Mariamman Temple, Supreme Court and City Hall.
Museums: Asian Civilizations Museum, The New Changi Chapel and Museum, Images of Singapore, Mint Coin Gallery, National Museum, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Philatelic Museum, Royal Selangor Pewter Museum and The Battle Box.
Places of Interest: Bugis Street, Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Singapore River, Singapore Discovery Centre, Singapore Science Centre, Little India and Geylang Serai.
Singapore Isles: Kusu Island, Pulau Ubin, St. John's Island, Sentosa, Lazarus and Sisters Islands.

Transportation within Singapore

Taxis: Available 24 hours on-call. In addition to metered fares, there are applicable surcharges prominently displayed in taxis.
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT): Efficient and inexpensive, the MRT is an efficient way to self-explore Singapore. Operation hours are 6am to 12 midnight daily.
Rental Cars: Chauffeur driven or self-drive rental cars are available from rental car agencies.
Trishaws: Fun and exciting way to tour the streets of Singapore in traditional chauffeur-pedaled comfort.
Public Buses: Comfortable and inexpensive method of transportation operating 6am to 12 midnight daily.

Travel Season

Singapore's tropical climate offers visitors unlimited opportunities to experience a leisure vacation and the outdoors year-round. Casual attire is acceptable for most occasions, however some establishments may require more formal dress for evening hours.

(c) Provided by Tourism Authority of Singapore