Singapore
Travel tips for Singapore: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cards widely accepted. Contactless cards work seamlessly for public transit, malls, and most restaurants, but you should carry some cash for hawker centres and small neighborhood shops that only accept cash or local QR codes.
Try the food
- Hainanese Chicken Rice: Poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, accompanied by chili and ginger paste.
- Chili Crab: Stir-fried crab coated in a sweet, savory, and spicy tomato-based sauce, best eaten with fried mantou buns.
- Laksa: A spicy noodle soup with a rich coconut milk curry broth, topped with shrimp, fish cake, and cockles.
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type G
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Left side
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Emergency
- 999 (police), 995 (ambulance/fire)
- SIM tip
- Pick up a prepaid tourist SIM card from the Changi Airport arrival hall or download an eSIM via apps like Airalo before landing.
Etiquette
Tipping is not customary as a 10 percent service charge is typically included in restaurant bills, but reserving a hawker center table with a tissue packet is a local norm.