|
|
|
|
| National: 4 official languages - Mandarin, Malay Tamil, English. No problems to travel only in English. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tropical, up to 90% humidity. Temperature:, 24-31C Hottest: Jul-Aug Coolest: Dec - Jan Monsoon : Mar-May & Nov-Jan It rains throughout the year, heaviest during Nov - Jan Monsoon. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Min. prices | |
| Room dorm bed: S$:9-20 | Food(Hawker center): S$2+ |
| Food Restaurant S$6 | Mineral Water: S$1.2 |
| coffee(instant): S$0.80 | coffee(real): S$1-3 |
| Starbacks: house grande $3.75 | Coke at shop: S$0.8+ |
| Big Mac: S$3.5 | Big Mac set: S$5.9 |
| breakfast(Cont.): S$5 | |
| Beer(pub): S$3 | Beer(happy hour): S$10-12 |
| breakfast(local): S$2 | breakfast(Ame.): ? |
| Postcards: S$0.50 | Cinema: S$6.50-7.50 |
| Film Develop: S$3 | Print 3R: S$0.25+/p |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banks, Moneychangers and hotels change all
major currencies - cash & T/Cs. Some banks may charge commission,
some don't. Moneychangers and hotels don't usually charge
commission. The rate can be negotiable slightly. May need to
show passport and T/C receipt when changing. Moneychangers are the best option for cash & T/C's, higher rates for cash especially for larger denominations - 50's and 100's notes, check around. Bargaining sometimes possible. $1=S$1.64/1.648, 100yen=S$1.5/1.48 Opening hours: Banks M-F 9:30/10:00-15:00, Sa 9:30-11:30. Moneychangers daily 9:00-21:00. Cash Advance: Visa, MC possible at most banks, no charge. Credit Cards: Accepted in many hotels (mid-level+), high class restaurants, dept. stores, transport booking offices. Rates at Airport: not so bad. Rate cash/TC: $1=S$1.655/1.652, 100yen=S$1.531/1.512 ATM: There are 500+ ATM's in Singapore. Many at banks & shopping centers. |
|
|
|
|
|
Visas are not required: for most nationalities. 'Social Visit Passes' are automatically issued to most nationalities at airport (30days), sea ports (14 days) & land border (14days). Visa Extensions: are possible- apply at Immigration, or 'leave' the country - go to Johor Bahru (Mal.) and return. Bus #170, O/W S$1.70, or Johor Bahru Express, S$2.40, + S$2.40 baggage from Ban Sat Terminal on Queen St+Arab St. !Warning: Never carry drugs, may face the death penalty if caught. |
|
|
|
|
|
| AIR | Changi Airport: - See city info for details |
| LAND |
BUS: Via Johor Bahru
(Malaysia). TRAIN: Train services to Malaysia and on to Thailand. for the schedule info. see transport sheet International trains Singapore - Malaysia - Thailand. To/from Singapore: PRIVATE VEHICLE ONLY: Via Johor Bahru. Tuas Link, bridge in the W. |
| SEA | BOAT: There are several boat services to/from: Malaysia(Tioman & more) & Indonesia(Bintan, Bentan). See Transport |
|
Local Transport: Singapore has an excellent transport system see city info for details. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excellent services. Though mail rates are
cheaper in Johor Bahru. POST OFFICE: Opening hours: M-F 8:00-18:00,Sa8:00-13:00 check city info. Poste Restante available at GPO Printed Paper & small Packages: Air mail Aust/Jap= first 20g S$0.40, add. 20g S$0.20. US/EU= S$0.50, add. S$0.25 www.singpost.com |
| Japan | Europe | USA | AZ/NZ | Thai | Mal/Bru | |
| aerogram | S$0.5 | S$0.5 | S$0.5 | S$0.5 | S$0.5 | |
| Post Card | S$0.5 | S$0.5 | S$0.5 | S$0.5 | S$0.5 | S$0.3 |
| Letter(20g)/add10g | S$0.7/0.30 |
|
|
|
||
| document | Japan/AZ/NZ | Europe | USA/UK | canada | Thai | Mal |
| upto 1kg | S$24 | S$35-40 | S$30 | S$35 | S$18 | S$12 |
| saver package | AZ/NZ/Thai | Japan/Canada/Europe/USA | Mal |
| 5kg/10kg/add 1kg | S$60/90/7 | S$90/130/8 | S$40/60/6 |
| Parcel | AZ/NZ | Europe/UK | USA/canada | Japan | Thai | Malaysia |
| air 10kg/20kg | S$95/145 | S$126.5/216.5 | S$143.5/243.5 | S$105.5/185.5 | S$63.3/93.3 | S$47/77 |
| SAC 10kg/20kg | S$84/132 | S$111.2/191.2 | S$123.5/233.5 | S$85.5/155.5 | S$52.8/96.8 | S$42.2/72.2 |
| Parcel | USA | Canada/UK | Europe | Japan/NZ | AZ | Thai | Malaysia |
| surface10kg/20kg | S$97.5/147.5 | S$57/93 | S$42.5/66.5 | S$44.6/64.6 | S$38.854.8 | S$30/46 | S$23.2/35.2 |
| TELEPHONE | Country code : 65 | ||||
|
Local Call ( 3 min): S$0.10. Coin, card (widely available from supermarkets
& news stands in denominations of S$2+ Many phones
also have credit card facility. International Call: IDD GPO, Telecom Center and from card phones. Access No. 001 + country - number. International Calling Card system: pin no. there are several companies issuing cards SingTel, Sunpage: S$10+ see below Assistance: T161 |
|||||
| IDD Call 1min.) |
|
|
UK |
|
|
| standard time | S$1.40 | S$1.90+ | S$1.95 | S$1.00 | S$1.30 |
| economy time |
about 10 % off from the price above |
||||
| Card call 1min. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Standard rate |
|
S$0.62+ | S$0.62 | S$0.52 | S$0.62 |
| Cheap rate (varies from company and time) | |||||
| New Telephone system: A few new telephone companies operate in Singapore. Star Hab, Singapore telecom, Sunpage. All are prepaid card system available at 7 eleven. 10-20% discounted. Singapore telecom accept to use credit cards with extra S$1 fee. Beside those 3 cards, many more prepaid telephone cards are available. They offer super discount rates, such as 200 mins for S$10. They are mainly sold at Indian shops. | |||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
| Accommodation is not good value compared to neighboring countries. Budget level is very basic hostel style, mainly crowded dorms or simple box style single/double rooms. |
|
|
|
|
|
Every kind of food is available in Singapore.
The quality is high at all price levels. The cheapest 2-3S$, most authentic local food can be found in the many hawker centers. Local foods are Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nonya, (mixture of Malay & Chinese) |
|
|
|
|
| Singapore has excellent city transport system, such as MRT(underground system), buses, metered taxi. See city info |
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Card: American Express: T299-8133, Diners Club: T294-4222 JCB: T734-0092, Visa/Master Card: 1-800-345-1345 Accident: Police: T999, Ambulance: T995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Singapore, like Malaysia, is a multi-cultural
society. Customs & traditions differ within its Chinese,
Malay, Indian communities. Toilet: Western toilets are common. All shopping centers have them - free of charge. Tipping: Not customary. Hotels and restaurants may add service charge to your bill. Bargaining: Many shops have fixed prices but bargaining is still common practice in markets and street stalls. Smoking: Prohibited in public areas such as shopping malls, a/c restaurants, cinemas, government offices, public transport. Fines of up to S$500 possible ! Fines: Very strictly prohibited for smoking in public places, littering, jaywalking,, importing chewing gum,etc, etc. You may face the fine. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medical facilities are of a high standard. See city info for hospitals. Treatment costs are high. Drinking water: Tap water is safe to drink. Food: hygiene Good. Vaccinations: Not required Health Hazards: Malaria Carried by mosquitoes. Not a problem in Singapore but a course of Malaria tablets is recommended if visiting other countries in SE Asia. Dehydration/Sunburn: Singapore is hot, drink often, cover up and apply sun-block regularly. |
|
|
|
|
|
Singapore is a shoppers paradise. It certainly
is the favorite activity of both Singaporeans and visitors. Good
buys are electronics, computers, optical goods, sports accessories
and brand name goods. Sale
time is June/July. Shopping General opening hours: 9:00-20:00/21:00 Credit cards are widely accepted. Souvenirs: Most traditional products T-shirts S$? post cards S$0.50 ! Warning: For cameras & electrical goods, don't bargain only over the price. Make clear all necessary accessories come with the price, especially international warrantee, case, batteries, etc. |
|
|
|
|
||
| FESTIVALS/PUBLIC HOLS | ||
| This info is old. Use as reference only. *: Change every year. | ||
| Very complicated because of Singapore's multi-cultural/religious society, Chinese, Hindu, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. | ||
| Jan 1 | PH | New Years Day |
| Jan 14 | Ponggal | |
| Feb 8-17 |
Sing Hong Bao: Many performances are held. Fire works |
|
| Feb 12-13 |
Lunar/ Chinese New Year: New Year Light-up 15-day festivities held in Chinese communities. Shops close first 3-5 days. Chinatown is decorated with lights and lanterns. |
|
| Jan 28 |
Thaipusam Hindu Festival: honoring Lord Subramaniam. A procession from Sri Perumal Temple, Serangoon Rd to Chettiyar Temple, Tank Rd. The followers 'self-mutilate' themselves - skewers pierced through cheeks, tongues, etc. |
|
| Feb 16 | Chingay: Chingray Parade Colorful parade along Orchard Road, featuring Chinese dragons, floats, etc. | |
| Feb 23 | PH | Hari Raya Haji: Islam cerebration for the people who finish Haji, visiting Mecca. |
| April 29 | PH | Good Friday |
| Mar 29-Apr 30 | Singapore Food Festival | |
| April 12 - 28? | International Film Festival | |
| May 1 | PH | Labor Day |
| May 26 | PH | Vesak Day: The most important day for Buddhist communities. Celebrations for Buddha's Birth/Enlightenment/Death, held at most Buddhist temples. |
| May 31 - Jun 24 | Great Singapore Sale: | |
| Jun 25? | Dragon Boat Festival: Dragon Boat Races. | |
| Aug 9 | PH | National Day: Anniversary of Singapore's Independence in 1965. |
| Sep 9-16 | Hungry Ghost festival: Chinese festival lasts for 30 days. Offerings of food and paper money are made to appease tormented spirits released from hell and visiting for a month. Chinese opera is performed in the streets - for the entertainment of the Hungry Spirits. | |
| Sep 21-30 | Mid Autumn: On the last day, Grand lantern parade on Singapore river. | |
| Sep/Oct ? | Moon cake Festival: Chinese festival to celebrate the defeat of the Mongul Dynasty in China. During the war secret messages were smuggled in moon cakes. Lantern competitions are held, followed by a Lantern Festival Display at the Chinese Gardens. | |
| Oct 1-10? | Navarathri: 9 nights festival for the 3 Hindu goddesses. Classical Indian dance & music are performed at Chettiar Temple on Tank Rd. On 10th day a procession through the Indian neighborhood is held. | |
| Oct | Birthday of Monkey God | |
| Oct | Festival of Nine Emperor Gods:Festival to celebrate the return of 9 emperor spirits to earth. | |
| Oct 14* | PH | Deepvali Hindu: festival of light which defeated darkness. Ceremonies are help in Little India. |
| Oct - Nov? | Thimithi Festival: Hindu festival. Fire walking by devotees at Sri Mariamman Temple. | |
| Oct-Nov? | Pilgrimage to Kusu Island: Chinese & Muslims visit a small island, Kusu. And make offerings at the Malay Shrine and Chinese Temple on the island. | |
| Nov 16-Dec 15 | Ramadan | |
| Dec 16 | Hari Raya Puasa: (end of Ramadan) | |
| Dec 25 | PH | Christmas: Christian holidays. The streets are lit up, most impressive lights are on Orchard Rd. |
|
|
||
|
|
| Many internet cafes in town. the prices varies and are getting down, $3/hr. The speed is fast. |
|
|
|
|
|
Voltage: 220-240v 50 cycles Plug type: English style, 3pin,
square Goods hard to get here: Chewing gum, Cigarettes - not hard to get but expensive. Photo Developing/Quality: Cheap, good quality English Newspapers: The Straits Times The Business Times, The New Paper |
|
|
|
|
|
Many Japanese department stores in town, especially
on Orchard Rd. Have Japanese magazines. There are many Japanese
restaurants. Japanese Book Cafe: Mohamed Sultan Rd+ Unity St. Japanese menu. Also sells Japanese books, manga, magazines, CD's. |
|
|
| English Top | Travel Info | BBS| New BBS | Hot Info | Memories | Photos | Super Index | Mail |
