Travel Info

Singapore

Travellers Info

Visas: Most Western nationals either do not require a visa at all or do not require a visa for a social stay of up to 90 days. A 30-day permit is issued on arrival, and extensions are difficult to obtain. Health risks: None Time: GMT/UTC+8 Electricity: 220-240V, 50 Hz Weights & measures: Metric with local variations When to Go
Go anytime. Climate is not a major consideration, as Singapore gets fairly steady annual rainfall. You may like to co-ordinate your visit with various festivals and events: Thaipusam is one of the most spectacular festivals, occurring around February. If shopping and eating are your major concerns, July is a good month as the Singapore Food Festival and Great Singapore Sale are held then. Getting There & Away
A swag of airlines fly into Singapore's ultramodern Changi international airport - often voted one of the best airports in the world. The departure tax on international flights is US$9. Lots of visitors to Singapore combine their stay with a visit to Malaysia, which is just a kilometre away across the causeway over the Straits of Johor. You can travel between Malaysia and Singapore very easily by bus or taxi. A second causeway has opened to ease congestion - it links Tuas in Singapore with Geyland Patah - and is known pragmatically enough as the Second Link. It can only be used if you have your own transport. A vehicle and passenger ferry operates between north Changi and Tanjung Belungkor, east of Johor Bahru, and a daily high-speed catamaran links Singapore with Malaysia's Tioman Island. Immaculate air-conditioned buses link Singapore to almost all large Malaysian cities; fares are generally inexpensive. Singapore is the southern terminus of Malaysia's rail system and there are four trains a day to Kuala Lumpur.

There are no direct passenger ferries between Singapore and the main ports of Indonesia, but it is possible to travel between the two countries via the Indonesian islands of the Riau Archipelago, immediately south of Singapore. Modern ferries link Singapore with the islands of Batam and Bintan in the archipelago. Speedboats link Batam with Pekanbaru in Sumatra, and several ships a week link Bintan with Jakarta. Getting Around
Singapore has a comprehensive bus network with frequent services and a convenient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system. Both are cheap and simple to use. There is also a good supply of taxis and all are metered. There are branches of all major rent-a-car companies here and you can charter bumboats (motorised sampans) to take various tours on the Singapore River. Regular ferry services operate from the World Trade Centre to Sentosa and other islands, while luxurious junk tours can be taken around the harbour. Rickshaws have disappeared from Singapore's main streets, but can still be found operating in Chinatown and back streets; agree on a fare beforehand. Money & Costs
The currency of Singapore is the Singapore Dollar. Singapore is much more expensive than other South-East Asian countries, which may come as a shock if you are travelling on a shoestring budget. You can still stay here without spending too much money, as long as you can forego the temptation to run amok in the shops or indulge in luxuries you may have craved while travelling in less-developed Asian countries. It's possible to stay in Singapore for US$25 a day, if you stay in hostels and eat cheaply. If you're staying in mid-range hotels and eating at good restaurants, US$80 is a more realistic daily minimum. All major credit cards are widely accepted, although you're not going to make yourself too popular after a hard bargaining session for a new camera if you then try to pay for it with your Visa card. ATMs are widespread, although it's probably still a good idea to take cash and travellers' cheques for emergencies. You'll find moneychangers in shopping centres all over Singapore. Tipping is not usual in Singapore: expensive hotels and restaurants may impose a 10% service charge, and a gratuity is not expected in excess of this. Bargaining is falling by the wayside, but tourists should still expect to haggle for luxury items and souvenirs. It is unnecessary to bargain for everyday goods or transport. Meals Budget: US$3-12 Mid-range: US$12-20 Top-end: US$20 and upwards Tipping
Not generally expected at hotels or restaurants as they have a 10% service charge. Timezone
AEST less 2 hours; GMT plus 7 hours. Bintan is one hour behind Singapore time. Climate
Tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April). See also next weeks weather forcast for Singapore. Events
Singapore's polyglot population celebrates a number of festivals and events. Chinese, Hindu and Muslim celebrations follow a lunar calendar so dates of festivities vary from year to year. Chinese New Year, in January or February, is welcomed in with dragon dances, parades and much good cheer. Chinatown is lit up and there are fireworks and night markets. During Ramadan, food stalls are set up in the evening in the Arab St district, near the Sultan Mosque. Hari Raya Puasa, the end of Ramadan in January or February, is marked by three days of joyful celebrations. Vesak Day in April or May celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. It is marked by various events, including the release of caged birds to symbolise the setting free of captive souls. The Dragon Boat Festival, held in May or June, commemorates the death of a Chinese saint who drowned himself as a protest against government corruption. It is celebrated with boat races across Marina Bay. The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts is usually celebrated in September. This is when the souls of the dead are released for feasting and entertainment on earth. Chinese operas are performed for them and food is offered; the ghosts eat the spirit of the food but thoughtfully leave the substance for the mortal celebrants. The festival of Thaipusam is one of the most dramatic Hindu festivals and is now banned in India. Devotees honour Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing body-piercing masochism - definitely not for the squeamish. In Singapore, devotees march in procession from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Rd to the Chettiar Hindu Temple on Tank Rd. The festival is based on the lunar calendar but will be held in October for the next couple of years. Holidays & Festivals
Jan 14 - The Harvest Festival Jan 10-Feb 10 - Ramadan Jan 26 - Singapore River Raft Race Jan 23 - Thaipusam Feb 9 - Hari Raya Puasa - end of Ramadan Feb 15-16 - Chingay Feb 7-8 - Lunar New Year Apr 18 - Hari Raya Haji May 21 - Vesak Day Jun 7-8 - Dragon Boat Festival Jul (all month) - Singapore Food Festival Aug 9 - National Day Aug 3-Sep 1 - Festival of the Hungary Ghost Sep 16 - Mooncake Festival Sep 18 - Birthday of the Monkey God Oct 20 - Thimithi Festival - Fire Walking Festival Oct 2-10 - Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods Nov 16-Jan 2 - Christmas Light-up Activities
The expression 'shop till you drop' was probably first heard in Singapore, where shopping is more than just a casual activity to fill in a few loose hours. Orchard Rd offers a mind-boggling choice of shops and stores. Although discount shopping is still a by-word for Singapore, it is not the bargain centre it used to be. Singapore is also known as the food capital of Asia, so sampling the local cuisine is an experience in itself rather than simply a way to keep the energy levels up for another assault on the shops. Walking is still one of the best ways to get around. Singapore is a compact area with many of its star attractions within walking distance of the city district. The inner-city ethnic areas of Chinatown, Little India and Arab St are quickly losing their traditional cultures to drinking bars and venues but they are still fascinating areas to walk through.

Note: Singapore's clean and green image is the result of more than two decades of public education campaigns and strict laws against littering. Littering of any kind is subject up to S$1,000 fine for first offenders, and up to S$2,000 fine and a stint of corrective work order cleaning a public place for repeat offenders. As an extension of the law against littering, the import, sale and possession of chewing gum is prohibited. The high costs and difficulty in removing indiscriminately discarded chewing gum were the reasons for the prohibition. Singapore's laws are very strict on drugs trafficing. The deathpenaltyhas been applied at a number of serious cases..