Airport Tax
A Passenger Service Charge of SGD 15 should be incorporated in
the air ticket (including tickets issued outside of Singapore).
If not, you are not required to pay the SGD 15 during check-in.
Your airline will 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 denomination of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and SGD
1.
- Banking hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am to 3 pm, and Saturday:
9.30 am to 1 PM (some banks are open until 3 PM). Sunday, 9.30
am to 3 PM (some banks in Orchard Road).
- Most banks handle travellers' cheques and change foreign currencies.
However, some banks do not have foreign exchange dealings on Saturday.
- Passports are required when cashing 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.
OUB Credit Card
Tel: 1 800 221 7888 (toll-free in Singapore only)
Standard Chartered Visa
Tel: 1 800 789 7662 (toll-free in Singapore only)
UOB Card Centre
Tel: (65) 355 6933 / 6940 / 6937 / 6942
Currency
Other than the Singapore Dollar, the US and Australian Dollars,
Yen, Deutsch Mark and British Pound are also accepted in most
major shopping centres and big departmental stores.
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 always have ample stocks.
Drug Abuse
Trafficking, manufacturing, importing or exporting more than
15g of heroin, 30g of morphine, 30g of cocaine, 500g of cannabis,
200g of cannabis resin and 1.2 kg of opium carries the death penalty
if convicted. Possession of such quantities is deemed as prima
facie evidence of trafficking. Persons convicted of unauthorised
traffic in the following drugs in the respective quantities face
an imprisonment term of 20-30 years and 15 strokes of the cane.
Opium
Not less than 800g and not more than 1200g
Heroin
Not less than 10g and not more than 15g
Cannabis
Not less than 330g and not more than 500g
Morphine
& Cocaine
Not less than 20g and not more than 30g
Cannabis
Resin
Not less than 130g and not more than 200g
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.
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 hairstylists offering a full range
of services. Hair salons are also found in shopping centres, offering
standard haircuts as well as more elaborate services like hair
perms, facial treatments, manicure and pedicure services.
Jaywalking
Pedestrians crossing a road within 50 metres of a pedestrian
crossing risk a SGD 50 fine.
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.
Littering
Any person convicted of littering faces a fine of up to SGD 1,000
for the first offence. Repeat offenders may be fined SGD 2,000
including a stint of a corrective work order cleaning public places.
Medical Facilities
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world,
with well-qualified doctors and dental surgeons.
Pharmaceuticals are available from numerous outlets, including
supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centres. |
