About Singapore
Welcome to a world of immense possibilities, where people, technology and ideas converge to create great value for your business. This dynamic city rich in contrast and colour excites with its harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture. Its geographical vantage point attracts global businesses and is seamlessly connected to almost every part of the world. An amalgamation of cultures, robust commerce, leisure and lifestyles, visitors will be enriched by the vibrant exchange of knowledge in this fertile business ecosystem. Brimming with unbridled energy, Singapore embodies the finest of both East and West with its strategic location, excellent facilities and fascinating cultures.
SG50 is a nationwide effort to celebrate our country's 50th birthday in 2015. That's a huge milestone – 50 years of independence! This is a momentous event for Singaporeans to reflect on how far we've come together as a nation and people
Check out the official website for SG50 at www.Singapore50.sg
Weather
It is generally warm and humid in Singapore throughout the year. Its equatorial climate has no distinct seasons and temperature is usually around 30°C/86°F during the day and 23°C/74°F in the evening. Humidity is around 60% in the afternoon but higher in the morning. Weather reports and forecasts can be found through National Environment Agency, but keep in mind that showers are usually sudden and heavy. Lightweight cotton or quick-dry clothing is recommended.
A coat or sweater can be useful as some air-conditioned venues (and public transportation!) can be a little cold.
Time Zone
The official time in Singapore is UTC/GMT +8 and there is no daylight time saving. Sunrise and sunset in September are at around 07:00 hrs and 19:00 hrs, respectively (more details).
Power Voltage
Electricity Singapore voltage is 220-240 volts AC. On request, most hotels will provide transformers / adapters to guests.
Water
Singapore water is clean and safe to drink from the tap. Bottled and mineral water are readily available in supermarkets or convenience stores located readily around the island.
Language
There are four official languages in Singapore: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of business and administration, and is widely spoken and understood. Most Singaporeans are bilingual, and speak their mother tongue (dialects) as well as English. Malay is tahe national language.
Currency
The official currency in Singapore is in the Singapore Dollars. The common denomination of dollar notes is $2, $5, $10, $50 and $100 and coins that are currently in circulation are 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents and $1.
Most major credit cards are widely accepted. Traveler cheques may also be accepted at major hotels, banks and money changers.
Getting around Singapore
Using Singapore Tourist Pass
You can explore Singapore via our public transport system with The Singapore Tourist Pass. The Singapore Tourist Pass offers unlimited rides on the MRT, LRT and basic buses services at just SGD 8 per day. You can purchase a one-day, two-day or three-day pass with a refundable SGD 10 deposit (the pass must be returned within five days). The pass also comes bundled with merchant offers, providing you with more benefits during your stay in Singapore. The Singapore Tourist Pass is sold at Singapore Visitors Centres and TransitLink ticket offices at the following MRT stations: Singapore Changi Airport, Orchard, Chinatown, City Hall, Raffles Place, Ang Mo Kio, Harbour Front and Bugis. For more information, visit TheSingaporeTouristPass.com.
Bus trips are less than SGD 3, while MRT rides cost around SGD 3 per trip. Signs are in English, Chinese, Tamil and Malay. Singapore Tourist Passes offer tourists unlimited travel on MRTs and public buses.
- 1-day Pass: SGD 10
- 2-day Pass: SGD 16
- 3-day Pass: SGD 20
**(Excludes SGD 10 refundable deposit if returned within 5 days of issuance.)
Using EZ-Link Card
The ez-link card was the very first contactless stored value card introduced for public transit use on the MRT, LRT and public buses. With the ez-link card, there is no more fuss and hassle of paying with coins or verifying the correct fare to pay. It is just tap and go! Almost every Singaporean carries at least one ez-link card in his or her wallet not just for transit purposes but for all kinds of lifestyle payment needs such as shopping at retail outlets, dining, government services and so much more. Wherever you are in Singapore, you can get an ez-link card easily as there is an extensive network of sales points across the island including: 42 TransitLink Ticket Offices and 6 Concession Card Replacement Offices located at MRT stations and bus interchanges Passenger Service Centres within most MRT stations.
At the above places, you can purchase an ez-link card at $12 out of which $7 is stored value for your use. The remaining $5 is the cost of the card which is non-refundable. For more information on both the MRT and bus services, visit publictransport.sg.Singapore has a modern public transportation system that includes taxis, bus network and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) rail system. All modes of transport are efficient, reliable and easily accessible.
Hotels may also offer shuttle services to and from Singapore Changi Airport. Visitors are advised to check with the hotel for the availability of such service.
Detailed information on the bus or MRT transport routes and fares can be accessed via
www.sbstransit.com.sg or www.smrt.com.sg
By Taxi
Taxis are very affordable in Singapore. You can get a taxi in many ways:
1. Hailing one along a road (except roads in the Central Business District (CBD) with public buses plying);
2. Queuing for one at a taxi-stand;
3. Through telephone booking.
Taxis are not allowed to pick up or alight passengers along roads in the CBD where buses ply between 7am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday, other than a public holiday. They are required to do so at taxi stands/stops and driveways of buildings. During peak hours, there is a 35% surcharge, and a 50% surcharge after midnight. As taxis may not be readily available during the morning and evening peak periods (7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 11 pm), you may wish to consider making a telephone booking for one. Taxi commuters can now make a taxi booking with just one number, 6-DIAL CAB (+65 6342 5222). However, there may be times when the demand for taxi bookings is also exceedingly high.
For details, please visit:
Singapore Land Transport Authority or
www.taxisingapore.com
Dining in Singapore
Here are 10 recommended hawker centres to eat for around SGD$10/pax:
- Lau Pa Sat, Boon Tat Street (Raffles Place MRT)
- East Coast Lagoon Food Village, East Coast Park (best reached by taxi)
- Geylang Serai Markets, Jalan Pasar Bahru, (Paya Lebar MRT)
- Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 335 Smith Street (Chinatown MRT)
- Maxwell Food Centre, Maxwell Road (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
- Newton Food Centre, Newton Circus (Newton MRT)
- Glutton's Bay, Esplanade Mall (City Hall MRT)
- Chomp-Chomp Food Centre, Kensington Park Road (best reached by taxi)
- Zion Riverside Food Centre, Zion Road (Tiong Bahru MRT)
- Tiong Bahru Market, Seng Poh Road (Tiong Bahru MRT)
Learn more about Hawker centers and TSP on QuantumBlah.
For restaurants and fine dining options, please visit www.singapore-dine.sg and www.hungrygowhere.com.
Sightseeing in Singapore
Use the Itinerary Planner for your customized travel plan
Event listings:
- Flying the Inkpot for the arts scene in Singapore
- Sistic for tickets to various events
Other Useful Links
- http://wikitravel.org/en/Singapore
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore
- http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/experience.html
- http://www.gothere.sg
- http://hotels.online.com.sg
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