ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
According to youremailverifier, the Republic of Singapore Flying Club (Internet: www.singaporeflyingclub.com) offers sightseeing flights.
On the way by car / bus
Bus: Two local bus companies, SMRT Buses (Internet: www.smrt.com.sg/buses.html) and Singapore Shuttle Bus (SSB) (Internet: http://www.smrtbuses.com.sg/) are for the public Local traffic responsible. In addition, minibuses and shuttle services are used during peak times, and the SN NightRider buses at night.
The means of transport are reliable and inexpensive. Standard fares apply on buses without a conductor. Change cannot be given on the buses.
The fees are available on the TransitLink website at www.transitlink.com.sg. With the ez-link cardyou can use the buses and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). A brochure with an overview of the route network and timetables is available in bookstores. Buses run between 6 a.m. – 12 a.m.
The SIA Hop-On Buses are tourist buses that run through Orchard Road, Bugis Junction, Suntec City, the Civic District, the Wharf, Chinatown, Little India and the Botanical Gardens.
A bus shuttle runs to Sentosa Island (Sun-Thu 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri, Sat and public holidays until midnight) from the Harbor Front Bus Terminal (Tel: (6271) 95 20. Internet: www.singaporecruise.com).
Car: In the Central Business District (CBD), drivers have to pay a toll between 7.30 a.m. and 7 p.m.pay. This is collected via the Electronic Road Pricing Scheme (ERP) at the counters on the toll roads.
Repairs and other car-related services are offered by SMRT Automotive Services Ltd. in Singapore. (6, Ang Mo Kio Street 62, SG-569140, Tel: (6482) 38 88. Internet: http://www.smrt.com.sg/).
Rental cars can be obtained at the airport or through hotels.
Documents: National or international driver’s license.
Traveling in the city
The numerous, relatively inexpensive taxis (Internet: www.smrt.com.sg/taxis.html) are available in front of hotels or at special stops. All taxis are metered. Often surcharges are charged for luggage, night trips (00.00-06.00), trips to the airport. For island tours, it is best to agree a fare per hour in advance.
Metro: Singapore has one of the best subway networks in the world, the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) (Internet: www.smrt.com.sg/trains.html). Operating times from 5.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (on weekends and public holidays until midnight). Train timetables are posted in every station. Trains run approximately every 2-8 minutes.
Bicycle rickshaws: Trishaws (bicycle rickshaws) can be rented to enjoy the sights from a slightly different perspective.
Out and about by ship
The Singapore Cruise Center (www.singaporecruise.com) is located at the HarbourFront Center, 10 minutes from the city center. Harbor tours and connections to the Singaporean Islands, Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau Islands leave from the pier at the World Trade Center and the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at Changi. There is no longer a ferry to Sentosa Island, but a bus shuttle.
The new Marina Bay Cruise Center Singapore (Internet: http://mbccs.com.sg) is located on the Marina South Pier. The construction of a Marina South Pier MRT station should be completed by 2014.
MONEY
Currency
1 Singapore dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: S $, SGD (ISO code). Bills are in circulation in denominations of S $ 10,000, S $ 1,000, S $ 100, S $ 50, S $ 10 and S $ 2; Coins with denominations of 1 S $ as well as 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 cent.
The Brunei dollar is also valid in Singapore in a 1: 1 ratio.
Credit cards
American Express, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. ATMs are widespread and can be found in all major shopping malls.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank customer card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the options for using their card from their bank prior to departure.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 9.30 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat 9.30 a.m.-1 p.m. Branches of some major banks (e.g. on Orchard Road) are open on Sun 9.30am-3pm.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions. Cash over SGD 30,000 must be declared.
Currency Exchange
Money can be exchanged in banks and official exchange offices (“Licensed Money Changer”) (not always possible on Saturdays). In exchange offices you can also get the cheapest exchange rates.