the ground works The Groundworks
The Basics Time Zone SGT, UTC +8 hours. Temperature and Climate Singapore is hot and humid year-round and the average temperature is 31°C at daytime and 24°C at night. Like the rest of Southeast Asia, Singapore’s climate is largely influenced by two monsoon winds. The northeast monsoon (November to March) brings bursts of heavy rain and thunderstorms that sometimes last overnight. April to June are the hottest months where relative humidity is higher than 80%, after which the southwest monsoon arrives, bringing with it a relatively dry climate. Hence, it is wise to always carry an umbrella and to keep hydrated at all times while travelling in Singapore. Electricity Thanks to Singapore’s colonial heritage, the standard electricity supply is 230V/50Hz on the British three-pin rectangular socket. Water Tap water in Singapore is safe for drinking, and water coolers are often found in shopping malls and complexes.
Important and Emergency Contacts Police emergency: 999 Ambulance/Fire emergency: 995 Singapore police: +65 1800 225 0000 Traffic police: +65 1800 547 1818 On-call medical service: 1777 Directory Assistance: 6777 7777 Tourism Information: +65 1800 7362 000
money matters Currency
Singapore dollar (SGD), S$1 = 100 cents
In the tourist areas, money exchange shops easily found and offer much better deals than the airports, banks and hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted and you should not be charged any additional fee although there might be a minimum spending at some small stores. Prices Compared to the majority of Southeast Asia, Singapore is generally on the more expensive side. However, food and necessities can be found at cheaper prices. Admission fees to Singapore museums and tourist attractions usually have discounts and promotions that you can find out from our concierge. Meals in Singapore range from SGD 2.50 (from a hawker centre) onwards. Tipping Tipping is generally unusual in Singapore as almost all restaurants and hotels to add a 10% service charge so be sure to check! Tax Refunds You are eligible for a tax refund if you purchase goods in retail shops participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme and spend more than $300. You must fill in the Premier Tax Free refund voucher in-store and present it together with the goods and receipts at the customs of Singapore Changi Airport. You can choose to have your refund in cash, credit card deposit or bank check. Learn more about the tourist refunds at the Singapore Customs official website (www.customs. gov.sg).
communication Languages Singapore has four official languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Almost every Singaporean is able to speak and communicate in English. Another common language Singaporeans speak is ‘Singlish’, where many Chinese dialects, Malay and Tamil words are incoporated into daily conversations as slangs. Internet Free Wi-Fi hotspots can be found all around the city. You only need to sign up for the Wireless@ SG service and confirm your registration with your phone. Fast food outlets and international chains provide free Internet access as well. Data roaming services can also be arranged through Singapore’s local mobile service providers as well as your local mobile service provider.
Mobile Phones The international country code for Singapore is +65. Singapore doesn’t use area codes; to call a number within Singapore, simply dial the eight-digit number. Phone booths can still be found at many places in Singapore and Pre-paid SIM cards (S$10 to S$50) are available at 7-Eleven stores, Cheers convenience stores and at the Singapore Post. The three mobile phone service providers are SingTel, MobileOne (M1) and Starhub. To call Singapore from outside the city, dial +65, the country code, then the eight-digit number. To make an international call from Singapore, dial the access code 001 (Sing Tel), 002 (M1), or 008 (StarHub), followed by the country code, area code and the number.
getting around Public Transportation The Singapore public transportation system is very efficient and accessibility is hardly an issue. Public transport in Singapore runs from 5.30a.m. to midnight. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) are the most common means of transport as they extensively cover the city and connect it to the Changi airport. The MRT stations are modern and clean, usually equipped with free restrooms and an array of vending machines as well as convenience stores. Buses run all throughout Singapore and the easiest way is to pay with the EZ-link card, however you can also pay by cash and you can check the fares at the bus stop and also with the bus captains. NightRider services run on Fridays, Saturdays and eves of Public Holidays from 11.30PM to 4.35AM and cover all the popular nightlife areas. Depending on the route, single tickets for the MRT and LRT cost between SGD 0.66 and SGD 3.04 with SGD 1 as deposit on a refundable card. You might also consider purchasing the Singapore Tourist Pass: for one (SGD 10), two (SGD 16) or three consecutive days (SGD 20). With it, you can use public transport for the fixed price, with no limits. Don’t forget to return the card within five days to get your deposit of SGD 10 back.
Trishaws Pedal Trishaws are also available and often seen around Singapore. The service is aimed at tourists and the fares are therefore high. However, the trishaw drivers in Singapore are generally more honest than in surrounding countries.
Taxis Singapore taxis are also a part of the public transport network. Taxis are more expensive and often require extra charges on top of the fare, e.g. for entering the CBD at peak hours, travelling after midnight or from the airport. All official taxis use meters, most accept credit card and NETS payments and some accept EZlink. It is always better to book your taxi in advance especially during peak hours. You can use the hotline 6555 8888 or SMS booking service: For immediate booking, simply send the following to 75588: Book <space> Postal code <space> #Pickup Point For advanced booking, simply send the following to 75588: AdvBook<space>Postal code<space> Pickup point <space> #Pickup time (24 hour format) <space> Pickup date Phone numbers: Dial-A-Cab: +65 6342 5222 Comfort Taxi: +65 6552 1111 TransCab: +65 6555 3333
It is always handy to have a good knowledge of where you are going (or have a map with you) as the taxi drivers can have surprisingly poor knowledge of some parts of the city. Others For sightseeing, or just for fun, you can take a harbour cruise or a bumboat cruise down the Singapore River, for a glimpse of what the harbour must have been like in the old days.
tips & tricks Singlish Safety Singapore is deemed one of the safest cities in the world, however you should always be on the alert. Make sure you pay attention to the restriction signs and note that littering, chewing, spitting, urinating and smoking in public is forbidden. Carrying chewing gum across the border is against the law too. Don’t leavve your personal belongings unattended and always keep an eye on your bags. Also it is best to avoid unlit and abandoned streets at night.
Singlish is a unique blend of many Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil dialects. These are a few common phrases used to help you along! Aiyah (or Aiyoh): Cantonese “Oh No!”, “Oh Dear!” Boh liao: Hokkien Nothing better to do Mandarin translation: “wu liao” Botak: Malay Bald head
Opening Hours Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays; offices stay open longer. Official opening hours of shops and malls are from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., but some malls offer late night shopping until 11 p.m. Small shops usually close on Sunday. Museums close on Mondays. Their opening hours are varied, usually from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended opening hours on Wednesdays.
Chikopeh: Hokkien Pervert Chiobu: Hokkien Good-looking female, similar to use of “hot chick” in America. Chope To reserve a seat Derived from chop; to leave a mark. Singaporeans have a habit of leaving objects on seats/tables to “Chope” places. v
Legal Age The legal drinking, clubbing and smoking age is 18, although some clubs have their own (higher) limits.
Heng Hokkien. Lucky, fortunate.
No smoking The smoking ban in Singapore dictates that smoking is not allowed anywhere except in allocated smoking areas and not allowed in air-conditioned areas, such as shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment outlets, MRT trains, public buses, taxis, lifts, public eateries and within a five-meter radius from most building entrances.
Kopi “Malay” Coffee
Haggling and Bargaining Most things in Singapore are of a fixed price, so be sure to look around and do price comparisons if you are unsure about the prices!
Kena To be afflicted with, to suffer (from)
Lah Tagged as an exclamation usually (but not in questions). Most basic and commonly used of all Singlish expressions. Sayang An affectionate term for someone you love, adore and is fond of Shiok Punjabi. An expression of satisfaction. Originally “shauk” in Punjabi. Siam Move aside/Go away Wah lao/Wah seh: Hokkien Exclamation of shock