Please note that all visitors to Singapore must meet the following entry requirements:

To check if you require a visa to enter Singapore, please click here:
http://www.ica.gov.sg/services_centre_overview.aspx?pageid=252

Entry Visa Requirements

Before travelling, visitors are requested to check with the nearest Singapore Mission, or Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority to establish if you satisfy the entry requirements into Singapore.

For more information, please visit www.ica.gov.sg

Changing Money

Normal banking hours are Monday to Friday: 10am to 3pm, and Saturday: 9.30am to 1pm. Some bank branches, however, particularly those in the City (Suntec City: Standard Chartered Bank and Harbour front: OCBC Bank) are open till 3pm on Saturdays as well as operating on Sundays.

Passports are required when cashing travellers’ cheques. You’ll also find money changers at the conference venues, major shopping centres and hotels. You can also access the automated teller machines (ATMs) located everywhere in Singapore, that accept most of the main credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Drinking Water

Tap water in Singapore is perfectly clean and safe to drink. Bottled mineral water is available at any local supermarket or convenience store.

Drug Abuse

Singapore views drug abuse very seriously. The trafficking of drugs carries the death penalty. Misuse of drugs in Singapore is a criminal offence.

Duty-Free Allowance

Travellers above 18 years of age, who have arrived from countries other than Malaysia and have spent 48 hours or more outside Singapore immediately before their arrival, are granted the following duty free concessions for liquors:

Electricity

The voltage primarily used in Singapore is 220-240 volts AC, 50 hertz. The plug sockets tend to accept 3 pronged pins more often than not but adapters are cheap and easy to find. Most hotels also provide transformers and adapters on request.

Internet

There are four official languages in Singapore: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. The language of business and study, English, is widely spoken and written.

Language

There are four official languages in Singapore: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. The language of business and study, English, is widely spoken and written.

Mobile Phones / Cell Phones

Singapore’s international dialing code is +(65). While in Singapore and if you have international roaming service on your mobile / cell phone, you don’t have to press +(65) as it will automatically connect you to the local numbers here.

Pharmacy

Pharmaceuticals are available from numerous outlets, including supermarkets, departmental stores, hotels and shopping centres. Registered pharmacists work from 9am to 6pm.

Safety

Singapore is a very safe country with low crime rates. “Low crime,” however, does not mean “no crime,” so be smart and take normal precautions with your belongings.

Useful phone numbers:

Police: 999 (toll-free)

Emergencies/Ambulance/Fire Brigade: 995 (toll-free)

Smoking

Besides air-conditioned areas such as shopping centres, restaurants, entertainment outlets and cinemas, smoking is also an offence on the SMRT (Singapore Mass Rapid Transit system), public buses, taxis and in lifts. The smoking ban has also been recently imposed on public eateries and within a five-metre radius from most building entrances, except for allocated smoking areas that are clearly marked with bright yellow paint. A maximum fine of S$1,000 may be imposed on first-time offenders.

Taxes

There is a 7% sales tax, called the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Tax refunds may be obtained at Global Refund Singapore counters at Changi Airport for purchases of more than S$300 made at a store or retail chain participating in the Tax Free Shopping Scheme. Ask for a Tax Free Shopping Cheque to be completed, and show the goods and the cheques at the airport departure terminal for customs inspection and refunds.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Singapore. It is, in fact, prohibited at the airport. Most expensive hotels and restaurants already impose a 10% service charge, and a gratuity is not expected in excess of this.

Weather

Singapore is consistently hot and humid. Generally, temperatures reach around 32°C (90°F) during the day and 26°C (81°F) at night. December and January temperatures are normally cooler by 2°C due to the monsoon season.

For those who do not particularly enjoy the tropical climate, do not worry: most shops, hotels, office buildings, and restaurants are air-conditioned.

What to Wear

Loose and light summer clothing is highly recommended, and unless otherwise specified, casual attire is acceptable for most situations.

Smart casuals are recommended during all conference sessions.

Public Transportation

Singapore has a comprehensive bus network with frequent services and convenient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system. Both are cheap and simple to use.

For road directions in Singapore, try http://www.streetdirectory.com

Taxi

Taxi pricing is largely identical across all companies at $3.00-$3.20 as a flag down rate (depending on the type of vehicle used), which lasts you 1 km before increments of $0.22 per 385 m (for the first 10 km) or $0.22 per 330 m (after the first 10 km). On top of the normal meter charge there are various surcharges as well.

For more on information, go to http://www.taxisingapore.com

Getting to and from the Airport

Ground Transport Desk (GTD)

GTD is available at the Arrival Halls of Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to help arrange transportation services into the city.

Your transportation options include:

Airport Shuttle Service

Public Buses

Bus terminals are located at the basement of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Information on bus services is available near the bus stands.

Travel Fare: Below S$2.20

Taxis

Taxis are available at the taxi stands at the Arrival levels of each Terminal. The journey to the city is estimated to cost between $18.00 and $38.00 and takes approximately 30 minutes. Fares are metered and there is additional airport surcharge for all trips originating from the airport.

S$5.00 airport surcharge - 5.00pm to 12.00am (Fridays to Sundays)

S$3.00 airport surcharge - all other times

Midnight surcharge of 50% of final metered fare - 12.00am to 6.00am (daily)

Trains (MRT)

The MRT station is located in Terminal 2 and is also accessible via the Skytrain from Terminal 1 and 3. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the city.

Travel Fare / Destination: Around S$2.00