Useful information for travelers in Singapore

Recommendations for Landing in Singapore

Singapore's airport is one of the most advanced in the world, and you'll quickly find yourself in the arrivals hall. Here are some recommendations for what to do after landing.

*For entry guidelines to Singapore, click here

*Tourists must present a return ticket upon entry to Singapore, otherwise you will not be allowed to enter. Upon entry, you receive a one-month visa.

• As soon as you exit the plane, you can connect to the airport's WiFi. You can notify your family that you've landed and communicate with anyone waiting for you in the arrivals hall (friends, family, service providers).

• In the arrivals hall, there are prominent money exchange booths that offer good exchange rates, and it's definitely recommended to use them. You can also purchase SIM cards at these booths, but we recommend purchasing them elsewhere.

• Our recommendation is to purchase a SIM card at one of the convenience stores located throughout the city (7/11 and Cheers). You can find a convenience store right in the arrivals hall and make your purchase there. So far, in our opinion, the most cost-effective SIM cards are those from M1 and StarHub, which cost $12 (Singaporean) and give you 100GB for a week. At the Cheers store in the airport, you can also buy special tourist cards for public transport (scroll down for more details).

• Transportation from the airport – In our opinion, the best way to get out of the airport is by taxi, especially if you have large suitcases. Look for the prominent "Taxi" signs in the arrivals hall and follow them. Don't be alarmed if the queue seems long; it moves very quickly. If you are a group of up to 4 people, take a yellow, blue, red (burgundy is also fine), silver, or green electric taxi. All other options are more expensive. Even if the dispatcher directs you to a white taxi (for example), you are allowed to refuse and wait for the next taxi. Ask if the driver speaks English, and if you can pay by credit card if you don't have cash. If you don't feel comfortable, ask to wait for the next taxi. It is not recommended to pay the taxi driver in cash that is not Singaporean dollars. If you are a group larger than 4 people, or have a lot of luggage, you can ask to wait for a larger taxi when it's your turn. People behind you in the queue will be allowed to pass until a larger taxi arrives. Larger taxis are generally readily available. The ride to the city center by taxi takes about 20 to 30 minutes and costs approximately $25 to $30 Singaporean. You can also leave the airport by subway and reach the city center in about 45 minutes, with at least one train change. This is a cheap and good option for backpackers (costing about $2.5 Singaporean). Or simply if you have time and want to save money. Look for the signs for the train (very prominent; you may need to take an internal airport tram to reach the train station).

  

  

 

Conduct in Singapore

Singapore has a reputation as a country with a very strict regime. There are many myths or outdated laws that fill the internet with stories and legends. We've compiled a few important things to know when traveling in Singapore.

• It is forbidden to drink or eat on the subway, not even water. Once you've swiped your card, you've officially exited the train, and the guidelines no longer apply.

• Smoking is only allowed in designated and regulated smoking areas. If you smoke in an undesignated area, it's likely you'll be reprimanded, and it's not advisable to ignore it, even if it's just an ordinary citizen, as they won't hesitate to report you to the police. Simply smoke where it's permitted. Of course, it is forbidden to smoke or consume drugs of any kind.

• Do not throw litter on the floor. Even if you can't find a bin, wait a bit, keep your rubbish with you until you find one.

• You can chew gum on the street, but you don't need to do it conspicuously, and when you're done, dispose of it only in the bin, of course.

• It is not recommended to purchase services from people who approach you on the street. Buy from authorized places or reputable online sites (through our website, for example, or the Klook app). If people approach you on the street and start telling you how lucky you are, how you're destined for a long life, etc., it's advisable to ask them to move along and leave you alone. They are usually of Indian descent, and no matter how nice they may be, in the end, they will want money from you.

• If you are purchasing expensive items, never pay in cash before you have the item in hand. Never sign anything before the form is completely filled out (with emphasis on the numbers) and the item is in your hand (in general, it is advisable to sign as few things as possible). A mall with a higher potential for scams is Sim Lim Square; it's an excellent mall for computer and electronics products, but you need to be careful and beware of various scammers.

• If you get scammed, the process with the local police is long and exhausting. You have to consider whether you want to get involved in that. Sometimes it's better to absorb the loss and not ruin the rest of your trip.

• Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, and the chances of being scammed are very low.

• Note that there are places in Singapore that you are forbidden to enter or photograph. The signage is very clear, there's no need to be clever.

• In general, if someone asks you for something, especially people in uniform, obey. They might let you off once, but it's highly doubtful they will a second time.

• WiFi connection - You can find a connection in all McDonald's, Starbucks, and Coffee Bean branches. In addition, you can connect to the internet in large malls. In any case, in my opinion, it is recommended to purchase a SIM card and connect to cellular internet.

Transportation in Singapore

Public transportation in Singapore is among the fastest and most efficient in the world, and it is highly recommended to use its services. The EZ-Link card is the payment method used for trains and buses. You can also pay with a credit card or mobile phone using contactless payment (WiFi). You can purchase an EZ-Link card at all train stations and 7/11 and Cheers convenience stores. Special tourist cards are available for unlimited public transport use for up to three days. These cards can be purchased at Cheers in the airport. For more details and purchase locations, click here. The subway operates daily from 6 AM to 11:30 PM; buses run a bit later. The cost of a ride is usually around $1 Singaporean per direction. In our opinion, it is most recommended to use a credit card or mobile phone payment. If you are a family with children, the best way is to distribute payment methods among family members. For example, a family of 4. One person uses a physical credit card, the second uses the same card, but through their phone, the third uses a different credit card, and the fourth, the same card (or a different card) through their phone or smartwatch. You can also add more than one credit card to your phone, and each can serve as a payment method.
You can also use taxi services or Grab (the local Uber). You can try to hail a taxi on the street, or stand at a designated taxi stand, or even order through the CDG Zig app. Ordering is more expensive but sometimes it's preferable because most taxis are occupied. The Grab app is very convenient and in many cases cheaper than taxis. You enter credit card details into the app or pay in cash. Through Grab, you can order food anywhere, similar to Wolt in Israel.

Payment Methods in Singapore

In most places in Singapore, you can pay by credit card. Places that accept cash are becoming fewer and fewer. In some hawker centers, you might only be able to pay with cash, and in some places, they might not accept your international card, so it's advisable to carry some cash with you. In less touristy areas of Singapore, there are places that are unwilling to work with cash; if that's your only means of payment, in many cases, if you insist, they will find a solution. A recommended place to exchange US dollars or Southeast Asian currency for Singapore dollars is People's Park Complex in Chinatown (Exit C at the MRT station, turn left after the escalators). There are several booths there, so you can "shop around" a bit to get a better exchange rate.

Tax Refund Upon Leaving Singapore

Singapore offers tax refunds for purchases over $100 (Singaporean) at selected stores across the island. Look for the logos displayed above these lines.

Before entering Singapore, if you filled out the entry form online, you will receive an E-pass for Singapore via email. To claim the tax refund, you will need to show the electronic pass to the salesperson at the counter and also your passport. The salesperson will enter your details into the system, and at the end of your stay in Singapore, you can go to the automatic tax refund machines in the departure hall (before passport control) to receive your tax refund. It is recommended to ensure that the salesperson has indeed entered your purchase details.
If you wish to receive a cash refund, choose this option through the automatic machine, which will direct you to an staffed kiosk to receive the refund. The convenient option, in our opinion, is a direct refund to your credit card.

For full details on Singapore's tax refund service, click here.