Traveller information
Local laws and conventions: Possession of even small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment, and drug trafficking may result in the death penalty.
It is against the law to smoke in any public place or indoor restaurant or to drop a cigarette end in the street, and those caught will face an immediate fine. It is also prohibited to chew gum on the MRT system and failure to comply will attract an immediate fine.
Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Visitors should remove their shoes if entering a private home or when visiting a temple or mosque. Dress is generally informal.
Business travellers should dress smartly for meetings and English is spoken in business circles. Appointments should be made and punctuality is important. Business cards are essential, although it is policy for government officials not to use them. Singapore is a popular destination for business conventions and has conference venues with state-of-the-art facilities. Office hours are Mon–Fri 0900–1300 and 1400–1700, Sat 0900–1300.
Immigration and customs: All visitors must have passports valid for six months from the date of arrival in Singapore. Visas are only required by some nationals. The length of stay permitted to foreign nationals also varies, depending on the country of origin, and must be checked well in advance of travel.
There are restrictions on entering Singapore with replica guns, radio communications equipment, weapons and ammunition, as well as fruit, vegetables and fish. Chewing gum and tobacco products must be declared on arrival, and all liquor or tobacco products with ‘Singapore Duty Not Paid’ on the packaging are prohibited.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required from those arriving from infected areas.
Travel within the country: Traffic drives on the left hand side and visitors can use a national driving licence for stays of up to one month. For longer visits, an international driving permit is required. On entering Singapore, drivers are required to pay ERP (Electronic Road Pricing) – a system based on the principle of ‘pay as you use’. Driving under the influence of alcohol can lead to imprisonment.
The MRT, one of the most advanced metro systems in the world, operates daily in and around Singapore offering inexpensive, fast and comfortable travel.
Taxis are widely available; they can be picked up from outside hotels and official ranks, or flagged down in the street. Fares are metered. Trishaws are also found in Singapore.
Travel health: Comprehensive medical insurance is recommended for all travellers, as health care is exceptionally good but can be very expensive. Visitors should also pack enough medication to last their stay, as some prescribed drugs are unavailable in Singapore. Dengue fever occurs in Singapore, so visitors should take insect repellent and suitable clothing to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Money: Credit cards are widely accepted, and US dollars, Australian dollars, yen and sterling can be used at most major retail outlets. Travellers cheques can be cashed in most banks on presentation of a passport. Banking hours are Mon–Fri 1000–1500, Sat 0930–1300.
There were 5,705,000 tourists in 2003.