09/01/2005
Getting Around Using a hired car may be more convenient than renting for short stays. To reduce downtown traffic, all vehicles in Singapore are fitted with an electronic card reader that deducts a fee each time a car enters the Central Business District between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. or the expressway during morning rush hour. Fees for parking garages and parking meters are also deducted. Drivers are responsible for purchasing the debit card.
Visa Requirements A visa is not necessary for U.S. citizens traveling to Singapore for fewer than 90 days for either business or leisure. However, visitors must meet the following entry requirements:
• U.S. passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the last day of intended stay in Singapore;
• Valid entry visa to the next destination after Singapore (if required);
• Confirmed onward/return air ticket;
• Sufficient funds to cover your stay. U.S. visitors may request an extension of stay by applying in person at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.
10 Kallang Road
Singapore 208718
+65.6391.6100
www.ica.gov.sg
Avoiding Fines Singapore is known locally as “fine city.” Jaywalking
will cost you $50, while street cleanliness crimes such as littering and smoking
in public places carry fines that range from $500 to $1,000.
Weather Because of its proximity to the equator, Singapore is humid and hot
throughout the year.
Singapore Specials
Hawker Stalls
A trip to Singapore is not complete without going to the
hawker stalls (rows of food stalls) at Newton Circus. Each stall sells freshly
made Indian, Malay and Chinese food for as little as $2.
Seafood at East Coast Park
Choose any restaurant along the waterfront
strip and order chili crab
or peppered crab.
Night Safari
Separate grounds at the Singapore Zoological Gardens open at
night where a thousand animals can be viewed from walking trails or trams.
The Local Beat
Newspapers
English language papers:
• The Straits Times
Local and international news
www.straitstimes.asia1.com.sg
•
The Business Times Commercial and financial news
www.business-times.asia1.com.sg
Website
• Asia1 Compilations of news from Singapore
Press Holdings
www.asia1.com.sg
Radio
• BBC World Service (88.9 FM)
Radio Corp. of Singapore’s
English-language stations:
• Gold (90.5 FM) classic hits
•
Symphony (92.4 FM) classical music
• News Radio (93.8 FM)
news
• Class (95 FM) pop favorites
• Perfect (98.7 FM)
contemporary
Television
Television Corp. of Singapore’s English-language
channels:
• Channel 5 Daily news, dramas, comedies
•
Premier 12 Cultural programs, sports, documentaries
At a Glance
Currency
Singapore Dollar (SGD)
US $1=SGD $1.67 (as of 6/15/05)
Tipping
A 10 percent service charge is usually added to restaurant
and taxi bills. If it is not, a 10 percent tip is acceptable.
Time Zone
GMT + 8 hours
Telephone Codes
Country code:
+65
City code by provider:
001 SingTel IDD
002 MobileOne
IDD
008 StarHub IDD
012 SingTel FaxPlus (fax over
IP)
013 SingTel BudgetCall
018 StarHub I-Call (voice over
IP)
019 SingTel V019 (voice over
IP)
Emergencies
Police
999
Fire/Ambulance 995
Private Hospital
Raffles Hospital
6311.1555
Electricity
230V, 50Hz