Travel

Apart from visitors from some Assessment Level I and II countries, most foreigners coming into Singapore do not require visas for entry and may be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore.

However, participants are strongly advised to make sure they fulfill all legal requirements to enter Singapore. Besides a valid passport, an entry visa may also be required.

Countries requiring visas

Foreigners holding travel documents issued by the following countries will require a visa to enter Singapore:

Assessment Level I Countries
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Myanmar, Nigeria, Russia, People's Republic of China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Holders of Hong Kong Document of Identity, Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit, Commonwealth of Independent States.

Assessment Level II Countries
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, Holders of Palestinian Authority Passport, Temporary Passport issued by the United Arab Emirates, and Refugee Travel Document issued by Middle-East countries.

For more information on your entry visa to enter Singapore, please visit the official website of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.

For more information on duty-free concession and GST relief, click here.

For more information on controlled and prohibited goods, click here.

Taxis

Taxis are easily available at the designated taxi zones located outside of arrival halls on all airport terminals. The estimated cost to go to the city center (Orchard Road Vicinity) is approximately SGD$30 and the journey will take approximately 30 minutes.

For more information, click here.

MRT train

From the Singapore Changi International Airport, you will need to take the MRT to Tanah Merah Station and transfer to a west bound train (green line) which will take you straight into the city centre.

In Singapore, to travel on MRT you will need to purchase an ez-link card from any Transitlink Ticket Office within the MRT stations. Stored value ez-link cards come with a minimum stored value of SGD$10. The remaining amount in your stored value card is refundable at any Transitlink Ticket Office within the MRT station.

For more information and to download the MRT route map go to www.smrt.com.sg or www.streetdirectory.com, which will also highlight some of the major buildings and amenities around respective SMRT stations, bus stops and places of interest.

Public bus

From the Singapore Changi International Airport, public bus service 36 goes to the city. The first bus arrives at around 6:00 am and the last leaves at midnight.  A single fare costs below SGD$3 and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to go to the city centre (Orchard Road Vicinity). Bus stops are located at the basement bus bays of Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

To travel on the Public Buses, you may pay cash or use the ez-link card. For cash, please have the exact change as no change will be given. For more information on the different bus services offered, please visit www.sbstransit.com.sg

Mobile phone

Singapore’s international dialing code is +65.  There are 3 major telecommunications providers namely MobileOne Pte Ltd (M1), Singapore telecommunications Ltd (SINGTEL) and Starhub Pte Ltd (STARHUB)

While in Singapore and if you have international roaming service on your cell phone, you do not have to press +65 as it will automatically connect you to the local numbers here.  ALL Singapore telephone numbers have up to 8 digits.

Public Telephones are abundant within Singapore.  To avoid high roaming charges, you may consider purchasing international phone cards, whichare easily available at convenient stores, supermarket customer counters, telco stores and at hotel concierge services.

(No) Smoking

Cigarettes can be purchased at supermarkets and convenience stores by individuals aged 18 or over. Beware that smoking is banned within many vicinities in Singapore and a maximum fine of SGD$1,000 may be imposed on offenders.

Besides ALL air-conditioned areas such as shopping centres, restaurants, entertainment outlets and cinemas, smoking is also an offence on the SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit system), public buses, taxis and in lifts.

A smoking ban has also been imposed on public eateries and within a five-metre radius from most building entrances, bus stops, taxi stands and medical centres except for allocated smoking areas that are clearly marked with bright yellow paint.

Tax refund schemes

While you are in Singapore, you can get a refund on the 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on your purchases. Look out for retailers displaying the “Tax Refund” logo and spend SGD$100 or more to qualify. GST is refunded directly to you at selected retailers, Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport on goods that are brought out of Singapore. A handling fee for the refund service may be deducted from the GST amount. Please note that tax refund is available for departure by air only.

Weather

Singapore is known for its hot and humid weather, with little variation throughout the year. The average daytime temperature is 31ºC (88ºF), dropping to around 24ºC (75ºF) in the evenings.

With no distinct seasons, Singapore will get occasional rain throughout the year, however, the monsoon season can bear down pretty heavily from October to December.

Linen and lightweight cotton clothing is recommended.

Money Matters

Singapore's currency is the Singaporean Dollar. Singapore's currency denominations are:

Money changing services can be found not only at the Singapore Changi Airport but also at most shopping centres and hotels around the island.

You can also access the automated teller machines (ATMs) located everywhere in Singapore which accept most of the main credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Banks are usually open from 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday and 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. during Saturday. Banks are usually closed on Sundays.

Main credit cards are also accepted at major retail outlets, cafés and restaurants in Singapore.

Supply Voltage

Supply voltage is 230, 50Hz. Singapore utilizes the Type G British 3-pin Electrical Adapter Plug and Electrical Outlet. The Type G electrical plug is a British three-pin rectangular blade plug that has a protective fuse inside to protect cords from high-current circuits. Type G outlets generally include safety switches.

Find out more about Singapore

Important Telephone numbers

Emergency Hotlines
Police – 999
Ambulance – 995
Fire Brigade – 995
Flight Information – 1800 542 4422

Medical Services
Raffles Hospital (585 North Bridge Road) – (65) 6311 1111
Singapore General Hospital (Outram Road) – (65) 6222 3322
Gleneagles Hospital (6A Napier Road) – (65) 6473 7222

Credit Cards
American Express – 1800 396 6000
JCB – (65) 6734 0096
Diners Card – (65) 6416 0800
Visa – 800 448 1250
MasterCard – 800 110 0113

Foreign Embassies
Germany (50 Raffles Place) – (65) 6533 6002
Australia (25 Napier Road) – (65) 6836 4100
USA (27 Napier Road) – (65) 6476 9100
UK (100 Tanglin Road) – 6424 4200
Canada (1 George Street) – (65) 6854 5900
France (101 Cluny Park Road) – (65) 6880 7800

For more embassies, click here.