Languages
There are four official languages in Singapore: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of business and administration, and is widely spoken and understood. Most Singaporeans are bilingual, and speak their mother tongues as well as English.
Currency
The unit of currency used in Singapore is the Singapore dollar, denoted by the sign S$ or SGD. You can exchange your foreign currency for Singapore dollars at most major banks, where exchange rates vary from one institution to another. Most banks open from 9.30am to 3pm during weekdays and 9.30am to 11.30am on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
All major credit cards are widely accepted, with Visa and MasterCard being the most common. Traveller’s cheques are another convenient and safe way for you to conduct transactions in Singapore. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are found all over Singapore, and a large proportion of these allow for cash withdrawals from Visa or MasterCard credit cards.
Time Difference
Singapore uses a time zone eight hours in advance of UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), (UTC+8). It is known as Singapore Standard Time or SST, and is the same as Australian Western Standard Time, Central Indonesia Time, Malaysian Standard Time, Philippines Standard Time, Chinese Standard Time and Hong Kong Time.
Best Time to Visit
Many overseas visitors make annual shopping expeditions to Singapore as it has established a worldwide reputation for wonderful services and a great variety of products.
The Great Singapore Sale, held annually from May to July, is an event not to be missed as huge savings can be obtained from thousands of participating stores all over Singapore.
It is sometimes a good idea to time your holiday with special events taking place in your destination. Throughout the year, Singapore’s events calendar is filled with a unique blend of colorful ethnic festivals, dazzling international performances and thrilling spectator sports.