Singapore General Info #2 - Travel guide
Singapore
Languages
Official Languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil
Language of Business: English
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.
Main Religions
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Taoism
Medical Facilities
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well-qualified doctors and dental surgeons.
Pharmacies are ready available at supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres. Registered pharmacists generally work from 0900 hrs to 1800 hrs.
Most hotels have their own doctor on-call around the clock. Other doctors are listed under Medical Practitioners in the Yellow Pages of the Singapore Phone Book. For an ambulance, dial 995.
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, or 019 for SingTel, 002 or 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.
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 Singapore 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 cashed in 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
- Singapore 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 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 three minutes. Stored-value phonecards in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 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 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.
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 0830 hrs to 1700 hrs and until 1300 hrs on Saturday.
Post Restante service is also available at:
Singapore Post Pte Ltd
10 Eunos Road 8
Singapore Post Centre
Singapore 408600
Open: 0800 hrs – 2100 hrs (Mon - Fri), 0800 hrs – 1800 hrs (Sat),
1000 hrs – 1600 hrs (Sun and Public Holidays)
Tel: (65) 6741 8857
Fax: (65) 6841 6085
Website: http://www.singpost.com.sg
Safety
Increasingly, personal safety and security are becoming critical concerns of international travellers. The situation in Singapore remains calm and stable, and the island remains one of the safest in the world to visit.
Enhanced security measures at key installations and other sensitive places ensure that Singapore continues to remain safe. The Singapore Government explicitly states that extremism originating from religion or race has no place in Singapore and swift action will be taken against any extremist or terrorist groups or individuals.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, non-airconditioned eating houses, hawker centers, 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 SGD 1,000.
Tipping
Tipping is not practised 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.
Touting and Soliciting
While shopping in Singapore is a hassle-free and pleasurable experience, there are, on occasion, incidents of touting and soliciting, as well as incidents where visitors feel pressured into buying products or services from vendors who approach them on the streets. As a consumer, you have every right not to transact with any of these vendors. If you are not interested, ignore the touts or tell them firmly you are not interested and then walk away.
Here is a short list of what to be wary of:
- representatives from companies selling timeshare programmes, promising freebies or deals if you fill in a survey form, visit their showroom or attend a briefing at their office.
- representatives claiming to be from reputable department stores selling premium products like perfume or watches at attractive prices.
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.
Travel Season
Singapore’s tropical climate offers visitors’ unlimited opportunities to experience a relaxing outdoor vacation all year-round. Average temperature: 75ºF to 88ºF (24ºC to 31ºC)
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.
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)
CitySearch (operator-assisted Yellow Pages) Tel: (65) 1900 777 7777
International Calls Tel: 104
Time of day Tel: 1711
Trunk Calls to Malaysia Dial 109 for operator assistance or 02 for direct dial.
Toll-free lines Dial 1800 followed by the toll-free line number (in Singapore only).
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 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.
Note:
Singapore is a duty-free port. Department stores and shops usually open from 10:00am to 9:00pm daily.
Tipping is prohibited at the airport and at your discretion at hotels. Restaurants include a 10% service charge to your bill.
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