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> Singapore Travel Tips
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Singapore Travel Tips - with Wired Destinations
Singapore Arrival
Most foreigners are granted a 30-day visitor pass upon arrival at Changi International or Singapore International Airport. Tourists should have a valid passport, onward or return tickets and sufficient funds for their intended stay. After your arrival, if you wish to stay longer at a Singapore hotel, contact the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Singapore has no currency restrictions for entering the country. Women in an advanced state of pregnancy intending to visit Singapore should make prior application to the nearest Singapore overseas mission. Be sure to carry a physician's prescription for medicine such as sleeping pills, anti-depressants or stimulants, etc. There is a departure tax of 21 Singapore dollars (SGD 21) for travelers staying longer than 24 hours. Check with your travel agent to see if this is inclusive of your ticket purchase. For more information call the Singapore Tourism Board 24-hr Tourist line at 1-800-736 2000 (toll-free in Singapore only) for tourist information or to speak to a Customer Service Officer.
Wired Destinations' Singapore Travel Info presents helpful advice and Singapore travel tips. For serious Singapore hotel discounts on recommended hotels, visit Singapore Hotels. Wherever you travel in Singapore, Wired Destinations offers your ideal accommodation at the best rates.
Singapore Climate
Singapore is under the influence of equatorial weather systems. The average annual temperature is 27C (81F). Annual rainfall averages 2,413 millimeters (95 inches); the wettest months are November through January. If you are not carrying an umbrella, do not despair, Singapore has many air conditioned shopping centers and handy overhangs to duck under. The downpours can be torrential but usually won't last long.
Singapore Currency
 The Singapore Dollar (SGD) notes come in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 10,000. Coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. There is also a one-dollar coin. Passports are required when cashing travelers' checks. Major credit cards are widely accepted. US and Australian Dollars, Japanese Yen and the British Pound are also accepted in most major shopping centers. Most shopping complexes have a licensed moneychanger if you are not using your hotel or a bank.
Singapore Time
UTC / GMT (+8 hours) Noon in London is 8 pm in Singapore, 7 am in New York and time in Los Angeles is 4 am. During daylight savings time, add one hour.
Singapore Business Hours
Banks open Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 3 pm and Saturday 9 am to 1 pm. Postal outlets are open weekdays from 8.30 am to 5 pm and until 1 pm on Saturday. Shopping centers are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm, staying open later on some public holidays. Government offices open from 9am to 5pm during the week and from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturdays. Nightclubs close at 2 am on weekdays but stay open one hour later on Friday and Saturday nights.
Singapore Communication
Singapore has advanced communications systems. Payphones are found in most public places and are operated by credit card or prepaid phone card. Cyber-cafes are common throughout the city. Most hotels offer in-room international direct dial (IDD) telephone services. Rates and access codes are dependent on the service provider used by the hotel. Many Singapore hotels have mail services at the front counter and will accept mail sent to you at their address.
Singapore Electricity
Current in Singapore is provided at 220 volts AC (50 cycles). Some Singapore hotels supply transformers upon request. Check your appliances for an operating range, as some will accept voltages from 110 – 230V. Plug adapters may be required.
Singapore Language
There are four official languages: Malay, Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil, and English. The national language is Malay though English is used for government operations, law, and major financial transactions. Most Singaporeans speak English, and some Malay in addition to one or more dialects of Chinese.
 Singapore Dress Code
Singapore is hot and humid so lightweight loose fitting clothing of natural fibers is best. Casual dress is fine for most occasions but check with the establishment if you think something more formal might be required. The tropical sun can be brutal on exposed unprotected skin, even through high cloud cover. Generally speaking, Singaporeans dress conservatively.
Singapore Transport
Singapore has developed a mass rapid transit system admired by many nations. Punctual and effective bus routes link a metro rail system that quickly transports hundreds of thousands of commuters daily. Metered taxis are not hard to find. Trishaw tours are operated by a various tour companies as well as freelance individuals. Be sure to agree on the fare prior to departure when hailing a trishaw on the street.
Singapore Health Facilities
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world. They are staffed with well-qualified doctors and dental surgeons. Pharmaceutical drugs, brand-name medications and toiletries are available from a wide variety of outlets. If filling a prescription, note that registered pharmacists work from 9 am to 6 pm. Some Singapore hotels have a doctor on-call 24 hours a day. For general enquiries, contact the international patient liaison center of any leading hospital. In the event of a medical emergency, dial 995 or 999 for police.
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