About Singapore

Several dozens of world airlines take regular flights to Singapore. The most popular national airline – Singapore Airlines, known internationally for a very high level of service. Another Singapore-based Tiger Airways is famous for the fact that it runs like clockwork and has very low prices for flights. Changi Airport in Singapore offers a free city tour to guests planning on spending more than seven hours waiting for their flight! If you’re lucky, you might be able to see the largest passenger aircraft in the world – the A380 in the Singapore airport. A service known as the “Visit Center” is intended to assist guests with directions. There are plenty of taxis in the city. They are mostly located at taxi stands around shopping malls or business center areas. If there is none, just thumb for a ride to taxis that have a green light at the top. Taxis in Singapore operate strictly by a meter. You may also call, sms a cab or use your smart phone application to find one.

Singapore has excellent roads, equipped with all the necessary infrastructure, with convenient interchanges, parking lots and signage. It is easy to rent a car and drive it, but Embassy Alliance Travel Group still suggests public transport as it is much safer and quicker to get to the main tourist destinations.

Singapore’s MRT (mass rapid transit) system is probably the fastest way to go around the city. The extensive rail network means that most of Singapore’s key attractions are within walking distance from an MRT station. You can buy tickets for single trips, but if you intend to use the MRT and basic bus services frequently during your visit, you can buy a Singapore Tourist Pass, a special EZ-Link stored-value card which will allow you unlimited travel for one day (S$10), two days (S$16) or three days (S$20). The cards can be bought at the Transit Link Ticket Office at the following MRT stations: Changi Airport, Orchard, Chinatown, City Hall, Raffles Place, Ang Mo Kio, Harbour Front, Bugis, Lavender and Bayfront. More information on the pass: http://www.thesingaporetouristpass.com.sg/ Singapore’s trains and stations are accessible to wheel chair users and the visually impaired, as well as families with strollers.

Singapore’s bus system has an extensive network of routes covering most places in Singapore and is the most economical way to get around, as well as being one of the most scenic. You can pay your bus fare using an EZ-Link stored-value card or the Singapore Tourist Pass, which you tap on the card reader located next to the driver as you board. Do remember to tap your card again, on the reader located at the rear exit, when you disembark. You can also pay in cash but you need to have exact change. Most buses in Singapore have air-conditioning – a much needed comfort in a tropical city.

The railway connects Singapore with the Malay Peninsula. Using the railway, you can travel to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.

Ferry service connects the most famous islands with the mainland. Despite the modern, highly developed road infrastructure (length of Pinang bridge is 13.5 km ), the ferry service between the town of Butterworth and Penang island is very popular. Centralized extensive line of marine shipping and ferry service between sea and river ports provides a quick and timely delivery of goods and passengers to almost anywhere in the mainland and islands.

Passengers of 18 years of age or older, having been outside Singapore for at least 48 hours prior to arrival and not arriving from Malaysia are allowed to bring in alcoholic beverages not exceeding the following limits: 1 liter of liquor + 1 liter of wine + 1 liter of beer or 2 liters of wine + 1 liter of beer or 1 liter of wine + 2 liters of beer All tobacco products must be declared on arrival as they are subject to tax and duty. Free import of other goods, gifts, souvenirs and foods for stays outside Singapore of less than 48 hours: SGD 150.-; or for stays outside of Singapore of 48 hours or more: SGD 600.-. Free import of liquor products is not allowed if arriving from Malaysia. Exempt are passengers coming from a third country transiting in Malaysia, who do not enter Malaysia. Prohibited: chewing gum (except oral dental and medicated gum approved by Health Sciences Authority (HSA)); chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products (including electronic cigarettes); controlled drugs and psychotropic substances; endangered animals and their by-products; firecrackers; obscene articles and materials; reproduced materials infringing copyright. Detailed information on the Singapore Customs official web site: Food items for personal consumption are permitted. However, certain foods are prohibited or controlled depending on country of origin and may be limited to a maximum amount or weight. Detailed information can be found at www.ava.gov.sg Warning: Trafficking of illegal drugs is punishable by death.

Free export of reasonable quantities of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. Baggage Clearance regulations: Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Singapore.

Currency Import regulations: Local currency (Singapore Dollar-SGD) and foreign currencies: no limit. However, amounts exceeding SGD 30,000.- (or equivalent)(incl. traveller cheque, bearer cheque, bill of exchange, promissory note) should be declared on arrival.

Visa application is required for citizens / passport holders of the following countries: Georgia, Guinea, India, Myanmar, People’s Republic of China, Sierra Leone, Commonwealth of Independent States (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Holders of Hong Kong Document of Identity and Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen Please visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website for entry requirements into Singapore: www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=96

7% tax applies to all products. You can return the amount of tax, if you have purchased goods for at least $300 in Singapore. Ask the seller to fill in a form (Tax Free Refund Form), which you will need to show at the «GST Refund» or «Tax Refund» front desk at the airport, along with the purchases. This desk is located in each terminal of the airport, on the left side of the departure hall. The amount of tax will be refunded to you in the form of cash in Singapore dollars or debited to your account or credit card.

Be aware that in bars, restaurants and cafes tipping is usually included as 10% in the final billing. However, if you are very satisfied with the service of the waiter, you may give them an additional tip.