Singapore

Climate Tropical, hot and humid. Temperatures average 23°C - 30°C with heavy rainfall from November to January.

Clothing Smart casual and light. Jacket and dress may be required at more formal restaurants and nightspots. * On arrival Travel time from Changi Airport to the city is approximately 25 minutes by car or taxi, and 45 minutes by public bus.

Customs Duty-free for 1 litre of liquor, wine and beer for visitors aged 18 years and above who arrive from a country other than Malaysia. There are no concessions on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Prohibited items include: explosives, firearms, pornographic materials and controlled drugs. Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty.

Language Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, with English as the lingua franca.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in public areas, e.g. lifts, theatres, cinemas, air- conditioned restaurants and shopping malls, government offices, and on public transport. It is permissible at pubs, discos and lounges.

Tipping

Tipping is prohibited at the airport and discouraged at hotels and restaurants where there is a 10% service charge.

Airport Tax

A SGD15 Passenger Service Charge should be incorporated into your air ticket. If this has not been done, you are not required to pay the SGD15 during check-in. Your airline will absorb the service charge. If you are in transit for less than 24 hours, you may leave the airport without having to pay for the service charge upon departure.

3% GST A 3%

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied on most goods and services. Visitors may apply for a refund from various shops displaying the TAX FREE SHOPPING logo. GST refunds can be claimed on goods worth SGD300 or more from one outlet or accumulated receipts from various outlets with a minimum purchase of SGD100 from each outlet. Complete the Tax-free Shopping Cheque and present it together with the goods to the customs for inspection at the airport upon departure. Refunds will be in the form of a direct transfer to credit card accounts or a Bank Cheque via mail. Alternatively, cash your Tax-free Shopping Cheques at the Global Refund counters at Changi Airport.

DRIVING IN SINGAPORE

Electronic Road Pricing Scheme (ERP) To manage traffic flow along the expressways and arterial roads, all vehicles using these roads are required to pay ERP charges through the use of an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) installed in the vehicle and a CashCard (stored value card). The IU automatically deducts the ERP charges from the CashCard each time the vehicle passes through an ERP gantry. Foreign-registered vehicles can be fitted with a permanent IU (installation cost SGD150) or a Temporary IU (TIU) rented at SGD5 a day (two days minimum) with a deposit of SGD120. There are 2 outlets near Woodlands checkpoints and one at Tuas for this purpose.

Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) Scheme Foreign registered cars or motorcycles are required to have a valid VEP whilst in Singapore. Upon arrival at the Checkpoints, the owner of the vehicle may purchase an Autopass Card at a cost of SGD10 (only Singapore currency will be accepted), made up of SGD6 non-refundable card cost and SGD4 stored value. The value of the card can be topped up in Singapore for payment of VEP and/or tolls upon departure.

ALL THAT SEPARATES YOU IS AN INCH OF GLASS.AND OO MILLION YEARS OF EVOLUTION.

At our Underwater Viewing Gallery, you can come face to face with an endearing pygmy hippo, rub noses with a magnificient polar bear and stand cheek to beak with a penguin. Out in the open air, you can wander through 28 hectares of lush jungle, and see over 2,000 rare and endangered animals just like you would in the wild. So while you’re in Singapore, don’t miss the Lion City’s premier attraction.The Singapore Zoo is open daily from 8.30am to 6pm. Animal shows: 10.30am, I 1.30am, 2.30pm and 3.30pm (everyday).

Helping you Discover New Asia - Singapore ... with the ease of an efficient, safe and inexpensive transport system.

MRT

Operates from 5.30am to 12.30am. Fares range from 70 cents to S$1.60. Each station provides coin-operated ticket dispensers for single trips. Stored value passes are also available, including a S$7 tourist souvenir ticket.

BUSES

Exact fares are required, ranging between 60 cents and SS1.20 (70 cents and S$1.50 for air-con buses). A Tourist Day Ticket (TDT) priced at S$10 allows up to 12 rides a day regardless of distance travelled. The TDT is available at Translink ticket sales offices. Or try the Singapore Trolley Pass for S$14.90 (adult) and S$9.90 (child) for unlimited travel, on that day of travel only.

TAXIS

Flag fare is S$2.40. Travelling from the airport incurs a S$3 surcharge (Mons to Thurs) and S$5 (Fris to Suns after 5pm to midnight). Between midnight and 6am, an additional 50% of the metered fare is charged. In the Central Business District, an extra SS1.50 is charged between 4.30pm and 7pm weekdays, and between 11.30am and 2pm Saturdays. Taxis booked by phone include a surcharge. Check with taxi operators before hiring.

StarHub HomeConnect

The affordable pre-paid calling card to call home or anywhere else in the world from Singapore.