About Singapore

Passport / Visa
People & Culture
Getting Around
Currency

Time Zone
Telephones & Communications
Climate
Shopping.

Do's & Don'ts

About Singapore: Singapore is located 1° or 136.8 km north of the equator. Situated at the crossroads of East and West, Singapore is one of the busiest sea and airports in the world. A short causeway and a super highway link Singapore to its nearest neighbour Malaysia. ferries regularly travel the short distance between Singapore and the Riay Archipalego of Indonesia.
 The Singapore Changi airport is one of the world's best airports offering unparalleled service and efficiency at it's two terminals. The airport us equipped with 73 transit hotel rooms at each terminal, business centres, internet cafes, Banks, over 100 tax-free shops and 30 food and beverage outlets. The airport also offers free Singapore tours for transit passengers who have more than 5 hours to spare before their next connecting flight. A sky train for passengers commuting between the 2 terminals. This frees service takes less than 2 minutes. The airport also offers children's play area and a separate rooms for feeding mothers.

Passport / Visa: All travelers are required to go through immigration clearance on arrival into Singapore.
The granting of social visit passes to visitors is determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the point of entry.

Visitors must satisfy the following basic entry requirements before they are allowed to enter Singapore:

• A passport with at least 6 months validity.

• Valid Singapore visa, if applicable.

• Sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in Singapore.

• Confirmed onward/return tickets (where applicable).

• Entry facilities to their onward destinations, e.g. visas.

  top

The period of stay granted is shown on the social visit pass endorsement given on the visitor's passport. Visitors are advised to check their passports for the arrival endorsement and take note of the number of days stay given before leaving the checkpoint.
All visitors on social visit passes are not permitted to engage in any form of business, profession, occupation or paid employment while in Singapore.
 

People & Culture: Singapore's multi-ethnic population of 4 million comprises 77% Chinese, 14% Malays, 8% Indians and 1% Eurasians and people of other descent. The four official languages in Singapore are English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil, English is the language of business and administration, and is widely spoken and understood. A multi-cultural society, Singapore has many churches, mosques, Chinese temples, Hindu shrines and even two synagogues. The main religions practiced in Singapore are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism and Zoroastrainism.

Getting around: Travelling around Singapore is a cinch! 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 taxi fares start from SGD 2.40 for first 1km or part thereof (flag down fare) SGD 0.10 for every 200m thereafter (from 10km onwards) SGD 0.10 for every 30 secs/25 secs of waiting time. An interesting way to tour the streets of Singapore is to take a trishaw ride. If you do make sure you agree on the fare to your destination before the trip commences.

Currency: USD 1 = SGD 1.6903 (approximately) 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. there is no restriction on the amount of currency you can bring in.

Time zone: UTC+08:00

top

Telephones & Communications: Public payphones operated by credit card and/or stored-value phone cards 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 phone cards in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 can be purchased from post offices and phone card agents. 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.

Useful Telephone Numbers:

• Police: 999 (toll-free)
• Emergencies/Ambulance/Fire Brigade: 995 (toll-free)
• STB Tourist line (24-hr tourist information system)
Tel: 1800 736 2000 (toll-free in Singapore only)
• CitySearch (Yellow Pages): Tel:(65)1900 777 7777
• Time of day: Tel: 1711
• Weather: Tel: (65) 6542 7788
 

Tipping: Tipping is not practiced 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.

Climate: The temperature averages around:

26C (79F) daytime, 24C (76F) at night in December and January

31C (89F) daytime, 26C (80F) at night for the rest of the year.

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.

top

Shopping: A good many stores and some smaller shops are open daily from 10 AM to about 10 pm. Check out the local newspaper for current sales and promotions. There are quite a few shopping malls across Singapore. Orchard street is lined up with maximum number of malls offering worldwide brands. A detailed listing of shops for specific items can be found in the Buying Guide directory placed in most hotel rooms. prices of most products in Singapore include a 5% Goods and Services Tax 9GST). The minimum purchase amount to qualify for a GST refund ranges between SGD 300 and SGD 500.

Do's & Don'ts:

• 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 in public places is an offence.

• Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotic substances is strictly prohibited.

• Chewing gum, except those with therapeutic value, cannot be brought into Singapore (not even for personal consumption) as there is a ban on its import and sale.

                 get away, your way!           destination guide