A
passenger service charge of SGD21 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 SGD21 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 are Mondays to Fridays - 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs. Saturdays: 0930 hrs to 1300 hrs (some banks are open until 1500 hrs. Sundays: 0930 hrs to 1500 hrs (some banks in Orchard Road). 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 1111Diners 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. An online currency converter service is available at asiaone. Check on today's exchange rate.
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
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 2 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.
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.
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.
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