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TRAVEL GUIDE TO SINGAPORE
Airport Taxes
A Singapore airport departure tax of S$ 15.00 is already included in
your international ticket.
Baggage
Passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Excess
luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated
allowances, and these charges are your responsibility. At most
major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually
for a small additional fee.
Climate
and Clothing
Climate in Singapore is tropical, with average temperature between
73°F - 86°F. November to January receives more rain than usual.
The climate of Singapore demands light weight clothing and linens
throughout the year. An umbrella, a light raincoat and a good
sun-protection is recommended.
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Communications
Telephone: Full IDD is available. Country
code: 65. Outgoing international code: 001. International calls can be
made from public pay phones using a credit card or a phone card (S$2-50)
available from Telecom centres and retail outlets. IDD calls made from
hotels are free of surcharge.
Internet: Internet cafes throughout Singapore provide public access to
Internet and e-mail services.
Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to 1 week.
There are limited postal facilities at many hotels. Post office hours:
Mon-Fri 0830-1700, Sat 0830-1300. The airport and Orchard Point branches
are open daily 0700-1900. The General Post Office on Fullerton Road
(near the river) and the Comcentre near Orchard Road are open 24 hours.
Currency
The local currency is Singapore dollar and cents. The currency unit
is the Singapore dollar (S$). Approximately S$1.80 = US$1. Notes are in
denominations of: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 and $10,000.
Banking hours are: Monday to Friday, 9:30A.M.-3P.M.; Saturday,
9:30A.M.-1P.M.; Sunday, 9:30A.M.-3P.M. (some banks in Orchard Road).
Travelers' checks/cheques and foreign currencies may be changed at most
banks and licensed money changers. Most automated teller machines (ATM)
offer the PLUS, STAR or CIRRUS network systems.
American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are
widely accepted.
Customs Regulations
According to related laws and regulations, the
luggage of inbound and outbound passengers must come under customs
supervision and control. Passengers should make accurate declarations to
customs officials regarding the luggage they carry into or out of the
territory. Warning: Drug Trafficking is punishable by death.
Electricity
Voltage in Singapore is 220 volts, so a
transformer will be needed to operate 100-volt appliances.
Electrical appliances will require an adapter that can change the shape
of the plug prongs, as well as an electrical voltage converter that will
allow a normal 110-volt American appliance to take 220 Volt current.
Most major hotels provide hair dryers
and other amenities.
Food and
Water
Dining in Singapore is a gastronomic experience. Choices are
bewildering, ranging widely from inexpensive local dishes (Chinese,
Malay, Indian and Nonya) found at food courts/hawker centers to
sophisticated restaurants serving international cuisine. Tap water is clean but drinking from it
directly should be avoided. Bottled water is recommended.
Heath
Matters
There are no vaccinations required for entering Singapore from
anywhere around the world.
However, a yellow fever certificate of
vaccination is required from persons over 1 year of age who have been in
or passed through any country classified either partly or wholly as a
yellow fever endemic zone within the previous 6 days.
You can also
contact the Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.) 404-639-3534 for updated
information. Health care in Singapore is exceptionally good.
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Holidays
New Year’s Day - Jan 1st
Chinese New Year - Jan/Feb
Hari Raya Haji (Feast of the Sacrifice) - Feb 2nd
Good Friday - Apr
Labour Day - May 1st
Vesak (Birth of Buddha) - Jun 2nd
National Day - Aug 9th
Diwali - Nov 12th
Hari Raya Puasa (End of Ramadan) - Nov 14-16th
Christmas Day - Dec 25th
Passports and Visas
Tourist visas are NOT REQUIRED for American and Canadian citizens for
visits of up to 30 days. However, all visitors are required to have a
passport validity of at least 6 months, onward/return tickets, onward
facilities (e.g. visa, entry permit, etc.) to their next destination and
sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore.
Time Difference
Singapore Standard Time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Tipping
A 3 percent sales tax is added to all goods
and services in Singapore. In most hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs,
an additional 4 percent government entertainment tax and, occasionally,
a 10 percent service charge are also tacked on to the bill. Tipping is
not customary in Singapore. Taxis drivers do not get tipped.
Transportation
Airport transfers and sightseeing transportation are included in our
tours. Airport transfers are provided via private car and sightseeing
will be provided via air-conditioned motor coach. While on your own, you are free to explore on
your own through a variety of efficient transportation.
The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) - Known as one of the most
efficient and the cleanest systems of the world, the MRT is a modern,
air-conditioned passenger train service with stations spread through the
city.
Buses - The bus service is also very regular and another inexpensive
means for getting around Singapore. The Singapore Bus Service (SBS) and
the Trans Island Bus Service (TIBS) are the main bus operators.
Singapore Explorer tickets (for 01 day or 03 days) can be bought at
leading hotels. These tickets are fully equipped with a map featuring
the major tourist attractions and directions to reach them. Some routes
are air-conditioned.
Taxis are available 24 hours for hassle-free and reasonably priced
in and around the city. Singapore has more than 15,000 taxis which can
be flagged down or picked up from designated taxi stands which are well
located throughout the city. All taxis are metered but certain
surcharges apply depending on time of travel, place of hire, mode of
hire, type of cab and the place where the taxi passes through an
Electronic Pricing Gantry.
Rental Cars by the day or the week can be hired from a number of local
operators. These are air-conditioned and can be hired for self drive or
with the services of a chauffeur. A valid international driving license
is preferred for those wishing to self-drive.
What to Pack?
Bring light clothing that is easy to wash and
iron. Sandals and light shoes are adequate. A sweater is handy for cool
season nights and drastically air-conditioned buildings. Top hotel
restaurants usually require a tie, sometimes a jacket.
Other essential items
include: Valid Passport.
Travelers Checks. Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Departure
documents. Travel alarm clock. Camera(s), batteries & films. Sunscreen/Tan lotion. Pocket size
Kleenex. Extra luggage locks/keys. First Aid kit. Soft, foldable
slippers. Extra set of eyeglasses. Folding Umbrella. Comfortable
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