About Singapore

GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

Currency Exchange

Singapore’s currency is the Singapore dollar (S$ or SGD). Money changing services can be found at Singapore Changi Airport, shopping centres and hotels around the island. There is also an abundance of automated teller machines (ATMs) which accept most major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Drinking Water

It is safe to drink water straight from the tap in Singapore. However, for those who prefer bottled mineral water, local supermarkets and grocers always have ample stock.

Electricity

Singapore voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. The power plugs used in Singapore are of the three-pin, square-shaped type.

Language

English is the language primarily spoken in Singapore. Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, together with other dialects, are used as well.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all airconditioned areas (e.g. shopping centres, restaurants, cinemas, public buses, the MRT, taxis, lifts), common corridors, void decks and staircases within residential buildings, outdoor hospital compounds, as well as a 5-metre radius from any entrance/exit and bus shelter.

Transport

By Public Transport

Singapore’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and bus systems have an extensive network of routes that will help you zip around the city.

Most of our popular attractions are just a short walk away from an MRT station, making our trains a great way to get around. 

Our bus routes are also some of the most scenic, allowing you to indulge in the lush greenery and beautiful architecture of our ‘city in a garden’. All public buses are wheelchair accessible and open strollers are allowed. Please approach our friendly bus captains if you need assistance. Do take note that you may be required to fold your stroller if the bus has too many passengers. You can refer to the the SBS Transit, SMRT, Go-Ahead Singapore, and Tower Transit Singapore websites for more information and guidelines.

Visitors can use the following payment options for their respective MRT or bus journeys:

  1. Get a Singapore Tourist Pass (STP), a special EZ-Link stored-value card which will allow you unlimited travel for one, two or three days. The Pass can be bought at the TransitLink Ticket Office at selected MRT stations listed here.

  2. Adult Stored-Value Smartcard (EZ-Link / NETS FlashPay): These cost $10 and come with a stored value of $5 for you to use on your commutes. You’ll be able to purchase these at Passenger Service Centres in train stations, any Transitlink Ticket Office or convenience stores such as 7-11, Buzz and Cheers.

  3. You can use your foreign-issued Mastercard® and Visa contactless bank cards*, as well as your mobile wallets for the payment of public transport fares in Singapore. No registration is required.

    *Admin fees apply for foreign-issued bank cards.

  4. Travellers may also opt to pay in cash on buses. Please prepare the exact fare as no change will be given.

By taxi or ride-hailing apps

Taxis are comfortable and especially handy if you want to go to places not accessible by the bus or MRT. Cabs here are metered, but there may be surcharges depending on when, where and which company’s taxi you board.

To get a rough idea of the final fare, check with the driver on the surcharges and ask for a receipt at the end of the trip. You can also check out this website for a quick and easy comparison.

You can hail a taxi by the roadside at most places, or by queuing for one at a taxi stand, which you’ll find at most malls, hotels and attractions.

Alternatively, you may use one of the ride-hailing applications available in Singapore to book a ride from your preferred pick-up point to your desired destination. Some options available include Grab, Gojek, Ryde and TADA.

Tax Refunds and Others

The most updated information and guidelines can be found on the Singapore Customs website.

Accommodations

The nearest hotel to the conference venue (University Town, National University of Singapore) which we recommend, would be Park Avenue Rochester. You may browse their website for further details.

Singapore has many other hotels which we encourage you to explore, to find what will best meet your needs.