Singapore is a cosmopolitan city state that is colourful and rich in the arts, architecture, entertainment, hospitality and culinary fare.
A bridge between the East and the West for centuries, Singapore is a vibrant melting pot of ideas, cultures and people. Local in its perspective but global in outlook, Singapore has evolved uniquely, where age-old traditions and cutting-edge innovations are celebrated, a place brimming with unbridled energy and bursting with exciting events.
Get ready to bring home a wonderful memory that’s “Uniquely Singapore.”
Visit: www.visitsingapore.com for more details. |
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Climate and Dress
Singapore has a mild tropical climate with abundant rainfall throughout the year with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. Dress code is generally informal but formal wear will be required at some places or occasions. |
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Air Transport
Singapore’s Changi International Airport is a premier international air hub and a crucial point on air traffic routes across the world.
With over 4,200 weekly flights by more than 80 international airlines, Changi International Airport connects Singapore to over 190 cities in 59 countries around the world. With many low cost carriers serving the region, travelling to Singapore is indeed very affordable. |
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Tour & Airport Transfer
Singapore has a mild tropical climate with abundant rainfall throughout the year. Temperatures reach a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius during the day, falling to a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius during evening hours. Humidity often exceeds 90 percent at night and in the early hours of the morning. In dry afternoons, it is usually between 60 to 70 percent. There are no distinct wet or dry seasons but the heaviest rainfall occurs between November and January.
Safety
The World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) identified Singapore as the most politically stable country in Asia. In research done by Mercer Human Resource Consulting in 2003, Singapore was ranked second in personal safety among the world’s top 50 cities.
Credit Card and Currency
Major credit cards and charge cards such as American Express, Diners, MasterCard, Visa are acceptable at most establishments. The currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Banks and exchange bureaus are located in major shopping centres and airports to facilitate currency exchange. |
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Time Difference
Singapore Time is 8 hours ahead of GMT.
Tipping
Tipping is officially discouraged in Singapore. Most hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge on their bills.
Electricity
Singapore’s voltage is 220-240AC, 50 Hertz. Most hotels can provide a transformer to convert from 110-120AC, 60 Hertz.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, non-air conditioned eating houses, food centres, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. In line with efforts to improve the nightlife experience for all, there are smoking restrictions on entertainment outlets. Smoking is no longer allowed in all pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots, unless within approved smoking rooms or smoking corners. Offenders can be fined up to SGD1,000.
Public Transport
Transportation is comprehensive and inexpensive in Singapore. An efficient public transportation network of taxis, buses and the modern Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system ensures that getting from point A to point B is hassle-free and extremely affordable.
The following modes of travel are available:
- Buses
- A fleet of more than 3,500 fully air-conditioned buses operate daily from 0530 hours till 2300 hours. Fares for buses are as low as SGD1.00 to about SGD2.00 depending on the fare stages.
- The Singapore Trolley bus service runs between the Orchard Road shopping belt, the colonial district, the Singapore River, Raffles Hotel, Clarke Quay, Marina and Suntec City. The fares are SGD15.00 per adult and SGD10.00 per child per day (unlimited rides) and include a free riverboat tour.
- Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
- The air-conditioned passenger train service has stations all over the city. Trains operate from 0600 hours to 2330 hours at frequencies of 3 to 8 minutes (peak hour) and 10 to 15 minutes (off-peak hours). Travelling by MRT is very affordable, with rides ranging from SGD1.00 upwards.
- Stored value cards are used for travelling on MRT trains. There is a host of ticketing schemes based on stored value smartcards to suit a wide variety of needs. From standard tickets for one-time travel to tourist passes, and student and senior citizen concession passes. Stored-value cards can be purchased from the TransitLink Ticket Office located at selected MRT stations and standard value tickets may be purchased from the General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) located at all MRT stations.
- Taxis
- Singapore has more than 24,000 air-conditioned cabs, including the unique London cabs that are operated by eight different companies namely, CityCab, Comfort, SMRT, Premier, SMART, SilverCab, Trans Cab and TIBS. They can be flagged down 24 hours a day on most roads. Well-marked taxi stands are available outside most major shopping centres and hotels. Current rates and surcharges applicable are obtainable at tourist information.
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Shopping
The famous Singapore shopping scene features mall after mall of glitzy clothes, shoes, electronic goods, furniture, rugs, cosmetics, etc. There’s always a big sale going on somewhere, the people all around you are laden with shopping bags - it’s impossible not to join in the fun. Shops are mostly open from 1000 hours to 2130 hours daily.
Good and Services Tax
A 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied on most goods and services imported into Singapore. In line with most other countries, Singapore prohibits the entry of some items, while others are subject to controls and restrictions.
Language
The official commercial language of Singapore is English.
Visa Requirements
Nationals of a large majority of countries do not require visas for social visits of 30 days’ duration provided they are in possession of recognised valid travel documents, adequate funds and a return or onwards ticket.
For more information on visa application and requirements, visit: www.ica.gov.sg or click here |
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