Singapore
Time
GMT plus eight hours
Climate
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The climate is equatorial, with uniformly high temperatures, high humidity and mean annual rainfall of 2,463mm with no defined wet or dry season. Mean daily temperatures range from a minimum 24 degrees Celsius (C) to a maximum 31 degrees C. The hottest month is May. The driest month is July, with an average rainfall of 70mm. November to January are generally the cooler and wetter months. Sometimes it rains for several days continuously and there may be serious flooding. Between monsoons, from April to November, there are regular pre-dawn thunderstorms, known as Sumatras. |
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Entry requirements
Passports
Passports are required by all, with a few exceptions. Passports must be valid for six months from day of departure.
Visa
Are not required by most nationals. See http://app.ica.gov.sg/travellers/entry/visa_requirements.asp for a list of travellers who must make an application.
An Immigration Officer will determine the length of visit and grant a social visit pass on the basis of sufficient funds for maintenance during the expected stay and confirmed return/onwards passage, (including relevant visas for further destinations). Women who are pregnant by six months or more, should make prior application for entry through the nearest
Retain the Disembarkation/Embarkation card for submission to the immigration officer when departing.
Prohibited entry
Entry may be refused to male visitors whose hair reaches below the collar or extends over the ears or eyebrows. Despite its informal atmosphere,
Customs
Personal effects are duty-free.
Prohibited imports
Include: chewing gum, chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products, cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape, controlled drugs and psychotropic substances, endangered species and by-products, firecrackers, obscene articles, publications, video tapes and software, reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes or disks, records or cassettes, or seditious and treasonable materials.
Currency advice/regulations
There are no restrictions on the import or export of currency. Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted.
Getting there
Air
National airline
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International airport/s Changi International Airport (SIN), 20km north-east of Singapore City, two terminals with Skytrain transportation between terminals, free-of-charge, transit hotel complexes in both terminals with business facilities, disabled facilities, medical centre, banks/bureaux de change, bars, pharmacy, duty-free shops, car rental, child facilities, post office, restaurants, shops, tourist information. Work on Terminal 3 began in 2002. On completion in early 2006, the third terminal will add a capacity of 20 million passengers a year, bringing the airport's total annual capacity to 64 million passengers. |
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Airport tax
The departure tax of $15 is usually included in the price of the air ticket.
Surface
Road
Road transport arrives via two causeways from
Rail
There are rail services to
Water
There are excellent sea links with other countries.
Getting about
National transport
Rail
The Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) includes a light overland railway network which reaches all districts of
Road
The road network comprises some 2,900km of roads, including about 100km of expressways. Vehicular access to the Central Business District (CBD) is restricted and there are charges for vehicles entering the area at certain times. A causeway links the
Buses
Timetables for the extensive and inexpensive bus network are widely available at news-stands. Fares to various destinations are displayed on a signboard on the front of the bus stop.
Water
Regular ferry services from the World Trade Centre operate to some of the islands; others may be reached by charter boats.
City transport
A Tourist Day Ticket can be purchased for use on the MRTS and buses. It can be obtained up to seven days in advance, at MRTS stations.
The Transit Link Farecard can be purchased at MRTS stations and bus interchanges. Visitors can get the remaining card value refunded before they leave
Bicycles with sidecars (trishaws) are less common than they were, but can be hired for tours. There is no standard fare structure.
Taxis
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Metered taxis are widely available from taxi pick-up points (they cannot be flagged down in the street). Before undertaking a journey, make sure the driver knows the destination; check that the meter is running. Taxi companies are allowed to set their own fares. The basic meter fare is displayed on the window of the rear door and details of other surcharges are displayed on the fare card in all taxis.There is a 50 per cent surcharge of the metered fare from 2400–0600, a surcharge for taxis travelling from (but not to) Changi Airport and a surcharge for each adult in excess of two passengers. Taxis can also be hired by the hour. The six-seater Maxicab shuttle service plies between the |
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Buses/trams
There are easy-to-use bus services.
Metro
A 67km MRTS consists of two lines running north–south and east–west, with 42 stations (15 of them underground, 26 elevated, one ground level). It is fast, clean and efficient.
Car hire
An international driving licence is required for car hire. Driving is on the left. Coupons for use of the public car parks managed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) or Housing & Development Board (HBD) can be purchased at post offices, URA parking kiosks and some gas/petrol stations. Car hire companies are listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory.
Health (for visitors)
Mandatory precautions
Yellow fever vaccination certificates for anyone who, within the preceding six days, has been to an infected area.
Advisable precautions
Vaccinations for diphtheria, tuberculosis, hepatitis 'A' and 'B', polio, tetanus and typhoid are advisable. Tap water is safe.
All necessary medicines (especially sleeping pills, depressants, stimulants, etc.) must have a physician’s certification declaring their prescribed use.
The Singapore Medical Centre, on the sixth floor of Tanglin shopping centre, houses a large community of specialist doctors.
Dress codes
Dress is generally informal, with light summer clothing the norm. A shirt and tie, or a safari suit, is the usual office dress for men, although jackets may be required in some restaurants for dinner; women should also dress smartly for business. Singapore's predominantly Chinese population follows Western fashion, although a small section among the minority Indian and Malay communities wear traditional dress.
Social customs/useful tips
Singaporeans are highly 'face' conscious and try to avoid self-embarrassment at all time.
Observe local etiquette – suit jackets remain off only as a concession to the climate, otherwise Western-style business formalities are in place.
Visiting cards are essential (although government officials do not use them). The cards should be presented with both hands. As a courtesy, it is a good idea to have cards printed in both Chinese and English. Cards should never be written on, put away before the meeting is over, or left behind.
When addressing Chinese persons, family or surname is mentioned first. When addressing Malay persons, the first of their two family names is used. Singaporean Indians use many different conventions. Men and women should not touch each other. The heads of children should not be patted.
Tipping is not customary; it is not illegal, but is officially discouraged. In hotels and restaurants a 10 per cent service charge is included in the bill.
On-the-spot fines can be imposed for some offences. Smoking is not permitted in public buildings and restaurants, and is restricted in other public places.
Security
Tourists can walk the streets without fear of being robbed or attacked.
Public holidays
Fixed dates
1 Jan (New Year's Day), 1 May (Labour Day), 9 Aug (National Day), 25 Dec (Christmas Day).
Variable dates
Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Vesak Day, Diwali (Deepavali) (Hindu Festival of Lights), Hari Raya Haji (Eid al Adha), Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al Fitr).
Owing to its multi-ethnic composition,
The Islamic year contains 354 or 355 days, with the result that Muslim feasts advance by 10–12 days against the Gregorian calendar. Dates of feasts vary according to the sighting of the new moon, so cannot be forecast exactly.
Islamic year 1426: 10 February 2005 to 30 January 2006.
Working hours
During the Lunar New Year, many Chinese firms close for the whole week.
Banking
Mon–Fri: 1930–1500; Sat: 0930–1200; 0900–1500 (selected banks only).
Business
Mon–Fri: 0900–1300, 1400–1700.
Government
Mon–Fri: 0800–1300, 1400–1700.
Shops
Mon–Sat: 1930–2100. Some shops, particularly in tourist areas, open on Sundays.
Electricity supply
220--240V, 50 Hz, with three-pin (square) plug fittings.
Weights and measures
Metric system, with local variations.
