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AIRPORT TAX
A passenger service charge of SGD21 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 SGD21 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.
BABY SITTING
Baby-sitting services are provided in most hotels.
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 Monday to Friday: 10 am to 3 pm, and Saturday: 9.30 am to 1 pm
(some banks are open until 3 pm). Sunday, 9.30 am to 3 pm (some banks
in Orchard Road). Most banks handle travellers' cheques and change
foreign currencies. However, some banks do not have foreign exchange
dealings on Saturday. Passports are required when cashing travellers'
cheques. A nominal commission may be charged.
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.
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American
Express
Tel: (65) 6880 1111
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Diners
Card
Tel: (65) 6416 0800
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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)
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.
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
always have ample stocks.
DRUG ABUSE
Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit traffic in
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.
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
2 years or both.
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.
HAIR SALON
Most major hotels provide hairstylists offering a full range of
services. Hair salons are also found in shopping centres, offering
standard haircuts as well as more elaborate services like hair perms,
facial treatment, manicure and pedicure services.
HOTEL PHONE SERVICES
Most hotels offer in-room international direct dial (IDD) telephone
services. However, some hotels may charge 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 3 minutes.
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.
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, 0r 019 for SingTel,
002 0r 021 for M1 and 008 or 018 for StarHub.
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
Business Times Online.
Euro Banknotes
As of 1 January 2002, the euro banknotes have been introduced in 12
member states of the European Union (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain,
France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Austria, Portugal
and Finland), replacing the 12 legacy national currencies.
If you still hold banknotes of the legacy national currencies, these
currencies may be exchanged at: the Changi Airport money exchange
counters (American Express Foreign Exchange Services Tel: (65) 6543
2580 and United Overseas Bank Tel: (65) 6542 0388)and most money
changers. However, a lower price may be quoted in view of the
additional cost incurred for redeeming the legacy national currencies
at the respective issuing central banks.
If you hold travellers cheques denominated in the legacy national
currencies, they can be encashed or exchanged at:
-
Travelex (S) Pte Ltd
Singapore Land Tower #01-02A/B Tel:(65)6535 0111
(for Thomas Cook Travellers Cheques only)
Please note that processing will take one month
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Changi Airport - American Express
Foreign Exchange Services Pte Ltd Tel: (65) 6543 2580
(for American Express Travellers Cheques only)
For more information, including
how to recognise the new euro banknotes and coins and their security
features, visit website at
http://www.euro.ecb.int.
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 3 minutes.
Stored-value phonecards in denominations of SGD2, SGD5, SGD10, SGD20
and SGD50 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
SGD10, SGD20 and SGD50 are also available at all post offices
including Changi Airport, 7-Eleven stores and other retail outlets.
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 8.30 am to 5 pm and until
1 pm on Saturday.
Post Restante service is also available at:
Singapore Post Pte Ltd.
10 Eunos Road 8
Singapore Post Centre
Singapore 408600
Open: 8.00 am - 9 pm (Mon - Fri), 8.00 am - 6 pm (Sat),
10.00am - 4.00pm (Sun and Public Holidays)
Tel: (65) 6741 8857
Fax: (65) 6841 6085
Internet:
http://www.singpost.com.sg
SAFETY
Travellers across the world are understandably more concerned about
personal safety and security issues today than ever before. The
Singapore Tourism Board would like to assure all our visitors that the
situation in Singapore remains calm and stable and it is business as
usual.
The Singapore Government has and will continue to be vigilant in
ensuring that Singapore remains safe. It has stepped up security
measures at key installations and other sensitive places. The
Government has also made it known that extremism originating from
religion or race has no place in Singapore and it will not hesitate to
take action against any extremist or terrorist groups or individuals.
The swift and definite actions of the Singapore Internal Security
Department over the recent arrests of the 15 terrorists in January
2002 is testimony to this.
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.
SPITTING
Spitting in public places is an offence.
TIPPING
Tipping is not encouraged 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.
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.
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.
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.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Here is a list of 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)
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CitySearch (operator-assisted
Yellow Pages)
Tel: (65) 1900 777 7777
-
International Calls
Tel: 104
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Time of day
Tel: 1711
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Trunk Calls to Malaysia
Dial 109 for operator assistance or 02 for direct dial.
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Toll-free lines
Dial 1800 followed by the toll-free line number (in Singapore only).
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Weather
Tel: (65) 6542 7788
WHAT TO WEAR
Singapore has a warm and humid climate throughout the year with a
daily average temperature range of 24 degrees Celsius to 32 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. |
Information
provided by
Singapore Tourism Board.
