Transportation Details
 
 
Exploring Singapore
 
Getting around is easy and inexpensive. Excellent bus services complement one of the world’s most modern and efficient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) systems. The island’s plentiful taxis are metered and air-conditioned. From public buses to taxis and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains, you can explore every corner of the island with Singapore’s modern transport system.
 
 
Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT)
 
The trains operate from 5.30am until midnight. Travelling on the MRT is cheap with rides ranging from S$0.80 (US$0.45) to a maximum of S$1.80 (US$1). A S$10 TransitLink farecard, which excludes a S$2.00 deposit, is available at all MRT stations and is valid for use on the MRT and bus services operated by Singapore Bus Service (SBS) and the Trans Island Bus Service (TIBS).
 
 
 
Tourist Day Ticket
 

Priced at S$10, the TransitLink Tourist Day Ticket allows you to take up to 12 rides on a chosen day regardless of distance traveled, on the MRT and on all basic fare bus services.

There is the Singapore Trolley Ticket at S$ 14.90 (US$8.50) for adults and S$9.90 (US$5.60) for children if you intend to move mainly around the city and major shopping areas.

 
Bus
  
You can easily get from one point to another by bus with a TransitLink farecard, which can also be used on the MRT. The fares are S$0.70 (US$0.40) to S$1.80 (US$1) for air-conditioned buses. The buses operate from 6am until midnight every day.
 
Maxicab
  
An easy way to get to and from the airport is with the Maxicab, a 6-seater taxi shuttle service operating daily from 9am to 11 pm. Fares are S$7 per trip for adults and S$5 per trip for children aged 2-12 years old. The shuttle offers flexible routing between Singapore Changi International Airport and almost all hotels within the city. Bookings can be made at the service counter at the arrival halls.
 
Public Transport Prices
Rates (S$)
Rates (US$)
Buses
0.70 - 1.80
0.40 - 1.00
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
0.80 - 1.80
0.45 - 1.00
Taxis
Flag down S$2.40 for the first 1.5km, $0.10 increment for every 0.24km. Other surcharges apply.
US$1.40 first km, US$0.05 increment for every 0.24km
 
Estimated Transport Cost from Singapore Changi International Airport to Convention Hotels within 5 minutes walking distance from the Raffles City Convention Centre
 
Public Transport Prices
Rates (S$)
Travel Time
Bus (minimum walk)
0.70 (1.00)
45 - 70 mins
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
1.40 (0.80)
25 - 30 mins (exclude waiting time)
Taxis

18.00 - 20.00 (10.30 to 20.00)
20 - 30 mins
 
 
 
Useful Information on Singapore
 
Airport Information  
Singapore is served by the Changi International Airport that is approximately 20 minutes by car from Raffles City Convention Centre
 
Airport Tax  
An S$21 Passenger Service Charge should be incorporated into your air ticket. If this has not been done, you are required to pay the S$21 during check-in.
 
Airlines  
Visitors to Singapore are encouraged to confirm their departure flights 36 to 48 hours in advance
 
Bartering  
Bartering with retailers, to negotiate a lower price than that advertised is not a common practice in Singapore.
 
Climate and Dress  
Singapore has a relatively calm and consistent climate throughout the year. The average daily temperature is 26.7 C with a mean temperature of 30.8C in the afternoon and 23.8 C just before dawn.
 
Relative humidity often exceeds 90% at night. On dry afternoon, it is usually between 60 to 70%.
 
There are no distinct wet or dry seasons but the heaviest rainfall occurs between November and January. Dress is generally informal but formal wear may be required at a few places.
 
Credit Card and Traveller’s Cheques  
Credit and charge cards such as American Express, Diners, Master and Visa are acceptable at most establishments. Should any shop insist on adding any surcharge, contract the relevant credit card company involved.
 
Traveller’s cheques can be conveniently cashed at all commercial banks and authorized money changers
 
Currency  
The basic unit is the Singapore Dollar (S$). For money changing, banks and moneychangers are located in most shopping centers and airports. You are advised to check the rate of exchange applicable to your own country before leaving for Singapore.
 
Custom Formalities  
There is no limit on the amount of currency that can be bought into Singapore. Visitors who are 18 years old or above and are arriving from a country other than Malaysia and have spent no less than 48 hours outside Singapore immediately before arrival, may use the following duty-free concessions for personal consumption: 1 litre each of spirits; wine or port; beer, stout or ale. There are no concessions on cigarettes and other tobacco products as Singapore Government is campaign to discourage smoking.
 
Drinking Water  
Singapore water is clean and safe to drink from the tap. It doesn’t need boiling.
 
Driving Tips  
In Singapore, cars are driven on the right side of the road. Cars are parked at your care, make sure all windows and doors are locked. Do not leave any valuables inside the car.
 
Drugs  
It is an offence to manufacture, traffic, import and export, cultivate or possess any form of drugs. Severe punishments including death penalties, apply to drug abusers and traffickers.
 
Electricity  
Singapore’s domestic electricity supply is 220 - 240 volts AC, 50 Hertz. Most hotels can provide a transformer to convert it to 110-120 volts AC, 60 Hertz.
 
Entry and Exit Requirements  
If you are holding travel documents issued by the following countries, you will require a valid visa to enter Singapore. Applications for such visas can be made at the respective countries’ high commissions or overseas missions: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, *Bangladesh, Belarus, Cambodia, China, People’s Republic of Estonia, Georgia, Hong Kong (Document of Identity), *India, Iraq, *Jordan, Kazakhstan, *Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Middle East countries (Refugee Travel Documents issued to Palestinian refugees), Moldova, *Myanmar, Russia, Syria, Tajikstan, *Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, *Vietnam, Holders of Palestinian Authority.
 
Generally, foreigners who do not require visas for entry and are visiting Singapore as tourists, may be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival to Singapore. Tourist, however, should have valid passports, onward / return tickets, onward facilities (eg. Visas, entry permit etc.) to their next destination and sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore. If they require a longer stay, they may apply to the Singapore Immigration Department, 10 Kallang Road, or call the Hotline at Tel: 6391 6100 after their arrival. The processing of extension of stay will take at least one working day.
 
Notes:  
-
Holders of Diplomatic / Official Passports are exempted from visa requirements. Holders of Laos Diplomatic / Official Passports are exempted from visa requirements for social visits up to 30 days only.
-
 More information is available at this website: http://www.mfa.gov.sg/consular/visa/frame_visa2.htm
 
Foreign Exchange outlets  
Foreign Exchange Outlets can be found in most Hotels, Shopping Centres, and Tourist attractions. The Foreign Exchange Outlets at the Changi Internaitonal Airport are available round-the-clock. While licensed moneychangers may give a better rate than most hotels and banks, visitors are advised against changing with unlicensed operators.
 
Medical Facilities  
Singapore’s medical facilities are amongst the finest in the world.
 
Pharmaceuticals are available form numerous outlets including supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centers. Registered pharmacists work from 9:00am to 6:00pm with some open until 10:00pm.
 
Public Transport  
Transportation is comprehensive and inexpensive in Singapore. The following modes of travel are available:
 
-
 Buses
Singapore Bus Services and Trans-Island Bus Services both operate regular and inexpensive services. Visitors can buy a Tourist Day Ticket at S$10. This allows tourists to take up to 12 rides a day regardless of distance traveled, on the MRT and on all basic fare bus services. The Singapore Trolley bus services plies between the Orchard Road shopping center belt, the colonial district, the Singapore River, Raffles Hotel, Clarke Quay, Marina and Suntec City. The fare is S$14.70 for adults and S$9.90 for children per day (unlimited rides) and includes a free riverboat tour.
   
-
 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
  This air-conditioned passenger train service has stations all over the city. Trains operate from 0600 to midnight at frequencies of 3 to 8 minutes. Travelling on the MRT is cheap, with rides ranging from $0.70 to a maximum of $1.80 to S$7.00 tourist souvenir tickets (with maps) or stored value Transit Link cards are also available.
   
-
 Taxis
 
Singapore has more than 15,000 air-conditioned cabs, including the unique London cabs, operated by three different companies; CityCab, Comfort and TIBS. They can be flagged down 24 hours a day on most roads, with well-marked taxi stands available outside most major shopping centers and hotels. Current rates and surcharges applicable are obtainable at tourist information.
 
Smoking  
Smoking in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, government offices, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants Shopping centers and covered areas is banned. First-time offenders may be fined up to a maximum of S$1,000.
 
Smoking is permitted in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.
 
Taxes  
There is a 5% Goods and Service Tax (GST) levied on most goods and services imported into Singapore.
 
An accumulation of minimum of S$300.00 in purchases will qualify you for GST refund. Upon leaving Singapore, simply show the Global Refund Shopping Cheques, your purchases, receipts and passport to the customs Officer at the GST Refund Inspection Counter (after airport immigration) to have your Global Refund Cheques validated and stamped. Proceed to collect back your refund at the Global Refund Counter located next to Customs.
 
All rental/ accommodation, food and beverages consumed at restaurants and hotels are subject to the 10% (service charge), 1% (Government Tax) + 5% (GST)
 

Tipping

  
Tipping is officially discouraged in Singapore. Most hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge on their bills.
 
 
More Information on Singapore