Planning well is the key to a successful and stress free vacation and can help avoid disaster. Seriously Travel has compiled a useful list of tips to help make it that much easier to pack and go…
Visas & Passport requirements for Singapore:
All visitors coming to Singapore from overseas countries will be required to carry the same travel documents as applicable for any other country. Check with your local Embassy for any Visa requirements.
US Passport Holders (regular, official and diplomatic) do not require a visa to enter Singapore for business or for social visit purposes.
Foreigners holding travel documents issued by the following countries will require either a Business visa or Social Visit visa to enter Singapore:
Georgia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, India, Myanmar, Nigeria, People’s Republic of China, Commonwealth of Independent States (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) and Holders of Hong Kong Document of Identity and Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit
For a comprehensive list of countries that require Visas to enter Singapore please visit http://www.ica.gov.sg.
The standard voltage in Singapore is 220V/240V, 50 Hz. If you have equipment that runs on a higher voltage, a voltage adaptor will be required to use your electrical devices.
Power Plugs: Singapore uses the British BS1363 three-pronged square pin type socket. Plugs from the US, Western and Eastern Europe, and Asia will not fit into a Singapore power plug.
Hotels almost always offer international conversion sockets/plugs and it’s always a good idea to purchase a universal converter as, depending on the time of year, hotels usually don’t have enough to go around. Converters can be purchased in all airports or from many shops around the island.
Currency:
Singapore’s currency is the Singaporean Dollar. The exchange rate can be confirmed online as it can change by a few cents each day but a general example is – one Singapore dollar = 0.79 USD (US Dollar), 0.58 EURO (European Dollar). Bank notes come in several denominations: SG 2, SG 5, SG10, SG50 and SG100, SG1000.
There are several major banks throughout Singapore; Citibank, Maybank, OCBC, UOB, and ATM’s are linked to international banking networks allowing withdrawal from overseas accounts easy. ATM’s are available island wide and banks and most hotels provide money-changing facilities, though prices for the convenience are considerably higher.
All major credit cards are accepted throughout the island, though it’s best to carry some cash as many of the small shops and Hawker centers accept cash only.
Language:
There are four official languages in Singapore they include: Malay, Tamil, Mandarin, and English. However, English is the universal language and it is rare to encounter people who do not speak it.
Internet Access/E-mail:
Internet is strong almost everywhere in Singapore and most hotels provide free Internet service as well as the many Starbucks throughout the island.
Mobile Phones:
In Singapore, mobile phones operate on GSM900 and GSM1800. If you are not sure whether your phone operates on these bands, check with your provider before bringing it along.
To avoid high roaming fees you can buy a local pre-paid SIM card once you are in Singapore. Before doing this however, please check with your provider that your phone has not been locked for use on a particular network. If it has, a local SIM card will not work.
The international telephone country code for Singapore is 65 and there are three major telecommunication providers in Singapore: SingTel, StarHub, and MobileOne.
Time Difference:
Singapore’s standard time zone is UTC/GMT +8 hours. This makes the time 12 hours ahead of the US East Coast: 13 hours ahead during daylight savings time. Singapore does not practice daylight savings time.
London, United Kingdom is 8 hours behind Singapore. Check online for a comprehensive time difference calculation for other countries and cities.
Weather:
Singapore lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and is 137 kilometers (85 mi) north of the equator. As such, it is hot and humid all year round with no distinct seasons. Bringing lots of cool, cotton or linen clothing is recommended. Singapore is a conservative country so limit the short shorts, crop tops, and low cut items to avoid feeling out of place.
Getting around Singapore:
Singapore has an amazingly easy, clean public transportation system that is convenient, safe, and a cheap way to view the island. You can purchase tickets for the MRT (Subway system) at a kiosk or information center in each station and exact change will get you a bus ride to anywhere on the island. Consequently, the taxis throughout Singapore are relatively inexpensive and can also bring you directly to your destination although traffic can be quite bad during most times of the day so adding extra travel time to your itinerary is highly recommended.
