Singapore
Last checked:
- Capital
- Singapore
- Currency
- SGD · Singapore dollar
- Languages
- English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil
- Plugs
- Type G · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Gardens by the Bay · Singapore
Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories; free light show at night.
- Marina Bay · Singapore
Waterfront promenade with the skyline, Merlion and Marina Bay Sands.
- Sentosa · Singapore
Resort island with beaches, Universal Studios and the S.E.A. Aquarium.
- Singapore Zoo and Night Safari · Singapore (Mandai)
Open-concept zoo and a separate nocturnal wildlife park.
- Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam · Singapore
Historic districts with temples, mosques, shophouses and hawker centres.
Getting around
Public transport
MRT and buses (SimplyGo)
Clean, fast and cheap. Tap in and out with a contactless Visa or Mastercard or phone wallet (SimplyGo); fares are distance based. EZ-Link cards also work.
Ride-hailing app
Grab
Most used ride app; prices rise at peak times and in rain.
Ride-hailing app
Gojek / TADA / Ryde
Alternatives that can be cheaper than Grab at times; worth comparing.
Taxi
Taxis (CDG Zig and others)
Metered and reliable. Surcharges apply for peak hours, late nights, airport pickups and city-area entry, shown on the meter or receipt.
Bike share
Shared bikes
Anywheel and HelloRide bikes via app. E-scooters are banned on footpaths and are not available as shared rentals.
Buses
Causeway Link / KTM shuttle to Johor Bahru
Cheap cross-border buses and the KTM Shuttle Tebrau train to Malaysia; expect border queues at peak times.
Money and cash
Currency: SGD · Singapore dollar
Contactless cards and phone payments work almost everywhere, including MRT gates and buses. Some hawker stalls are cash only or use local QR (PayNow), so carry a little cash. Tourists can claim GST refunds on larger shop purchases through the eTRS system at the airport.
Tipping
Tipping is not part of Singapore's culture and is not expected. Most restaurants, bars and hotels add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST on top of menu prices (shown as '++'), so the bill is about 20% above listed prices.
| Restaurants | No tip expected. Restaurants with '++' pricing already add a 10% service charge. Hawker centres and food courts have no service charge and no tipping. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Not expected. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Not expected; some people round up. |
| Hotels | Not expected; a few dollars for porters is fine but optional. |
| Tours and guides | Optional for good guides on private tours. |
| Food delivery | Not expected; optional in apps. |
Service charge: what’s true
Most full-service restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge, and GST (9%) is charged on the price plus service charge. Businesses must state on the menu that prices are subject to service charge and GST, and itemise them on the bill. The service charge is a business decision, not a government fee. It goes to the business; how much is passed to staff varies by company. Once you order where it is clearly displayed, legal guides say you are bound to pay it. If it was not disclosed, you can query it.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Little tipping pressure. Some sources claim the service charge is optional and can be refused; a Singapore legal guide says it is payable if it was clearly displayed before ordering, so sources disagree in spirit. Complaints about undisclosed charges can go to CASE (Consumers Association of Singapore).
Useful phrases
- Can I have the bill, please? The bill, please.
- Is service charge included? Is the service charge included?
Etiquette
- Laws are strictly enforced: no littering, no eating or drinking on the MRT or buses, no durian on public transport, no jaywalking, and smoking only in designated areas.
- Bringing in or selling chewing gum is illegal (personal amounts for chewing are tolerated). Vapes and e-cigarettes are completely banned.
- Public drinking is banned from 10:30pm to 7am outside licensed premises; stricter zones apply in Little India and Geylang.
- At hawker centres, a packet of tissues on a table means the seat is reserved ('chope'). Return trays to return points; it is required.
- Remove shoes before entering homes and Hindu temples and some mosques; dress modestly at religious sites.
- Queue patiently; queue jumping is frowned upon.
- Prices are fixed in most shops; bargaining is only usual at some small electronics or street stalls.
Scams and how to handle them
Electronics shop overcharging
Where: Sim Lim Square and some Lucky Plaza stores
How it works: Shops quote low prices, then add hidden charges, warranty fees or pressure buyers into expensive add-ons after payment.
How to avoid it: Buy from established chains, get the full price in writing first, and check the receipt before paying.
Phone and online impersonation scams
Where: Calls, SMS and messaging apps
How it works: Callers pretend to be police, bank staff or officials and ask you to transfer money or share codes.
How to avoid it: Hang up and call the official number. Police never ask for money transfers by phone. Check scamalert.sg.
Fake ticket and tour sellers
Where: Online marketplaces and social media
How it works: Cheap attraction or concert tickets that never arrive or are fake.
How to avoid it: Buy from official sites or authorised resellers.
Unlicensed taxis at the airport
Where: Changi Airport arrivals
How it works: Touts offer rides at inflated fixed prices.
How to avoid it: Use the official taxi queue or book Grab/Gojek.
Accommodation rental scams
Where: Online listings
How it works: Fake listings take deposits for rooms that do not exist or are illegal short-term rentals.
How to avoid it: Book licensed hotels or verified platforms; never pay by bank transfer to individuals.
Bar and KTV bill padding
Where: Some nightlife venues (Orchard Towers area historically)
How it works: Hostesses order drinks charged to your bill at high prices.
How to avoid it: Check prices first and pay per round.
Safety
- Violent crime and theft are rare; Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world. Still guard your passport and phone in crowds.
- Fines are real and enforced on the spot for littering, smoking in non-smoking areas and eating on public transport.
- Drug penalties are extremely severe, including the death penalty for trafficking; small amounts can count as trafficking.
- Vandalism can be punished by caning.
- Foreigners must not join outdoor protests or demonstrations.
- Heat and humidity are high all year: carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for morning or evening.
How widely English is spoken
English is an official language and the language of business and signage; nearly everyone speaks it, often as Singlish in casual speech.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Singapore, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Singapore
- SingaporeLegalAdvice.com: Do I have to pay the 10% service charge in restaurants?
- IRAS: GST for hotel and food and beverage businesses
- Skymedia: Tipping in Singapore, service charge and GST explained
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.