Singapore General Info - Travel guide
Singapore
Airport Tax
A passenger service charge of SGD 21 should be incorporated in the air ticket (including tickets issued outside of Singapore). If this has not been done, you may be required to pay the SGD 21 during check-in. In some cases, the airline may absorb the service charge. Passengers who are in transit for less than 24 hours may leave the airport without having to pay the service charge upon departure from Singapore.
Baby-sitting
Baby-sitting services are provided in most hotels.
Banking
The local currency is Singapore dollars and cents. Notes come in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20, SGD 50, SGD 100, SGD 500, SGD 1,000, and SGD 10,000.
Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and SGD 1.
Banking hours
Mondays to Fridays: 10:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs.
Saturdays: 09:30 hrs to 13:00 hrs
(some banks in Orchard Road are open until 15:00 hrs. Sundays: 09:30 hrs to 15:00 hrs.)
Most banks handle travellers' cheques and change foreign currencies. However, some banks do not have foreign exchange dealings on Saturdays.
Passports are required when cashing in travellers' cheques. A nominal commission may be charged.
Credit/Charge Cards
Major cards are widely accepted by establishments in Singapore. Should any shop insist on adding a surcharge, contact the respective card company to report the errant shop-owner.
American Express
Tel: (65) 6880 1111
Diners Card
Tel: (65) 6416 0800
JCB
Tel: (65) 6734 0096
MasterCard
Tel: 800 - 110 0113 (toll-free in Singapore only)
Visa
Tel: 800 - 448 1250 (toll-free in Singapore only)
Currency
Other than the Singapore Dollar, the US and Australian Dollars, Yen and British Pound are also accepted in most major shopping centres and big departmental stores.
Check on today's exchange rate. [http://www.dbs.com/ratesonline/fxbra.html]
Dengue
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that dengue is prevalent in more than 100 countries worldwide, including Singapore. According to Singapore's Ministry of Health, the dengue situation in Singapore coincides with a general upsurge of dengue cases in the region, and many other countries elsewhere. Dengue is, however, under control in Singapore and the Government has put in place rigorous control measures.
In response to this upsurge, the Government has stepped up its efforts to manage and control the situation. A comprehensive information kit has been distributed to the general public on preventive measures they can take to reduce mosquito breeding and protect themselves against mosquito bites.
Singapore has an internationally recognised dengue control programme. This effort involves various Government agencies, private sector organisations and the community to monitor and control dengue outbreaks. Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA), together with 25 members of the Inter-Agency Dengue Taskforce, will continue with their stepped-up measures focusing on daily checks on the ground to search out and destroy mosquito breeding habitats. Checks are being done in homes, outdoor areas, drains, buildings, construction sites, parks and vacant land that could be potential breeding ground for mosquitoes.
According to the NEA, Incidences of dengue in Singapore largely occur in residential pockets away from the tourist, business and financial belts. Reports of dengue cases are monitored daily by the authorities and acted upon quickly with the cooperation of residents.
Daily, weekly and cumulative updates are provided by the Ministry of Health on their website www.moh.gov.sg. For more information or the latest dengue updates and health advisories, please visit the Ministry of Health's website www.moh.gov.sg or the National Environment Agency's website www.nea.gov.sg. Other sites include: www.dengue.gov.sg and www.who.int.
Drinking Water
It is perfectly safe to drink water straight from the tap in Singapore. However, for those who prefer bottled mineral water, local supermarkets and grocers usually carry a sizeable selection.
Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Singapore. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited.
Electricity / Voltage
Singapore voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. On request, most hotels will provide transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage, such as 110-120 volts, 60 cycles per second. When shopping for electrical appliances, do remember to check the voltage of the item against the acceptable voltage in your home country. The power plugs used in Singapore are of the three-pin, square-shaped type.
Fireworks
Any individual found keeping, possessing, having under his control, discharging or letting off dangerous fireworks (including firecrackers, rocket fireworks, sandcrackers and such other fireworks) is liable to a fine not exceeding SGD 5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years or both.
Gambling
Charity draws, Toto and Singapore Sweep lotteries, and on-course betting at the Singapore Turf Club on horse races are the only authorised forms of gambling in Singapore. All other gambling activities are illegal in Singapore.
Hair Salons
Most major hotels provide a full range of hair styling services. Hair salons are also found in shopping centres, offering standard haircuts as well as more elaborate services like hair treatments, facial treatments, and manicure and pedicure services.
Hotel Phone Services
Most hotels offer in-room international direct dial (IDD) telephone services. However, some hotels may impose a minimal 30 cents successful call transaction surcharge. As there are different IDD service providers in Singapore, rates and access codes are dependent on the service provider used by the hotel. Generally, local calls are charged at 10 cents for every three minutes.
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