This page contains a few general facts for all US/ Canadian travelers to Singapore. It is a supplement to our global site and entails useful information you need to plan for your trip to Singapore. We hope this information will be useful for you to enjoy an easy and stress free vacation in Uniquely Singapore. For more general information about, getting to and around Singapore, where to stay, eat and shop and to discover new facts that you haven’t been aware of such as the origination of the Merlion please visit our global homepage.
The $1 vouchers deals are back (from April 2008 til Dec 2008)! Click the link below to download each voucher:
|
 |
|
Passport and Visa Requirements
American passport holders and Canadian passport holders who visit Singapore for business or for social visit purposes do not require a visa for up to 30 days.
However, all visitors are required to have a passport validity of at least 6 months beyond the last day of intended stay in Singapore, confirmed onward/return tickets, onward facilities (e.g. visa, entry permit, etc.) to their next destination (if required) and sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore. If longer stay is needed please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore or the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore before arrival or the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore after arrival.
All other passport holders please contact:
|
|
|
| 3501 International Place NW |
595 Market Street, Ste. 2450
|
| Washington, DC 20008 |
San Francisco, CA 94105
|
| Telephone: (202) 537-3100 Fax: (202) 537-0876 |
Telephone: (415) 543-4775 Fax: (415) 543-4788
|
| Email: singemb.dc@verizon.net |
Email: sincgsf@aol.com
|
| |
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/sanfrancisco/
|
| 231 E. 51st Street |
999 West Hastings Street, Ste. 1820
|
| (Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues) |
Vancouver, Canada V6C2W2
|
| New York, NY 10022 |
Telephone: (604) 669-5115 Fax: (604) 669-5153
|
| Telephone: (212) 223-3331 Fax: (212) 826-5028 |
Email : singcg_vanc@sgmfa.gov.sg
|
| Email: singaporeconsulate@nyc.rr.com |
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/vancouver/
|
| http://www.mfa.gov.sg/newyork-consul |
|
 |
 |
Vaccination
Generally, vaccinations are not essential for American and Canadian travelers when traveling to Singapore unless you are coming from an area where Yellow Fever is prevalent, (Africa and South America). Singapore law requires yellow fever immunization certificate for anybody coming into the country who is above one year old and who, within the previous 6 days have been in or passed through any country endemic for yellow fever. Countries endemic for yellow fever are as follows: please click here. Also if you are traveling into other neighboring countries do check with them for vaccination requirements. For more information, please click here.
Air Carriers to Singapore
Non-Stop: Singapore Airlines offers non-stop service to Singapore from Los Angeles and New York.
Trans Pacific: All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, EVA Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines.
Trans Atlantic: British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates Air, Finnair, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Swissair. |
Flight Time
Flight times to Singapore are approximately:
America:
New York – 18-24 hours
Los Angeles – 16-21 hours
Chicago – 18-22 hours
Canada:
Toronto – 21-26 hours
Vancouver – 18-23 hours
|
|
|
Time Difference
13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time
14 hours ahead of Central Standard Time
16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
During Daylight Saving Time
12 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Saving Time
13 hours ahead of Central Daylight Saving Time
15 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Saving Time.
|
|
|
Airport Facilities
The two terminals at Singapore’s Changi Airport offer comprehensive facilities as well as hotels with private bathrooms (www.changi.airport.com.sg). Transit passengers who will not be clearing the customs and immigration facilities in Singapore can make advance reservation for temporary accommodation at The Ambassador Transit Hotel within the secured area of the airport (www.airport-hotel.com.sg).
* Please note: Passengers with a minimum layover of 5 hours can sign up at the Uniquely Singapore Tour Counter located in the airport’s transit area for a ‘Free City Tour’.
Transportation from/ to Airport & Hotels
For all visitors arriving at Changi airport there are Taxis, Rental Cars, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Public Busses available. Public transportation to the city center, about 10 miles from the airport, is readily available. MRT train fares are approximately SGD 1.50-SGD 2.00 and Taxi fares are approximately SGD 15 – SGD 20 (add surcharge for tips originating from the airport). The MaxiCab airport shuttle service operates every 30 minutes and cost SGD 7. For more information click here.
Hotel Rates and Reservations
Most Major credit cards are widely accepted. Please note that when booking hotel accommodations where rates are quoted in Singapore dollars, you may be subject to a 10% service charge plus 7% Goods and Services Tax.
Dining
If you enjoy food, you have come to the right place – the food in Singapore is among the best in the world. Thanks to the different ethnic groups and cosmopolitan environment, there is a huge variety of cuisines to try. In fact, you can try a different dish every day for a year and never eat the same one twice.
Options include: outdoor food stalls, air-conditioned food courts, sushi bars, fast food and five-star restaurants as well as grand Chinese restaurants who serve 10 course banquets. Find out more about the F&B Experience and Dining Precincts. |
|
|
Languages
Singapore has 4 official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil, with Malay being Singapore’s national language. However, English is the most widely spoken language and is the common means of communication. The local colloquial form of English is Singlish, which has borrowings from Chinese dialects and Malay and is spoken with its own unique inflections. One common example is the ending of certain sentences with “lah” or “lor” for emphasis.
|
Main Religion
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Taoism
Shopping
Singapore lies at the crossroad of Asia, the perfect place to shop for the finest products from both East and West. No wonder Singapore is the shopping haven of Asia. Department stores and shops usually open from 10:00am to 9:00pm daily. The main shopping area is located along Orchard Road (the most famous shopping street) and the surrounding vicinity. Find out more.
* Note: Singapore is a duty-free port.
Telecommunication
Local calls from public phones, either coin or card-operated, cost SGD 00.10 for 3 minutes. Card-operated phones are more commonly used and a phone card (from SGD 3.00) can be purchased at the post offices and some shops. Alternatively, you can use your credit card at selected phone booths. The IDD (International Direct Dialing) access code is 001.
For mobile phone users who would like to continue using their phones, SIM cards can be purchased from selected shops across the island.
More details can be found at:
SingTel: http://welcome.singtel.com/ or call hotline 1800 482 2800
M-One prepaid card: http://www.m1.com.sg or call hotline 1800 843 8288
StarHub: http://www.starhub.com or call hotline 1800 6820 1633
* Please note that the mobile phones in Singapore operate on a GSM 900/1800 network. Visitors who have phones operating on US or Japan networks can call SingTel Mobile hotline 1626 to enquire about renting cell phones.
Travel Season
Singapore’s tropical climate offers visitors’ unlimited opportunities to experience a relaxing outdoor vacation all year-round.
Average temperature: 75ºF to 88ºF (24ºC to 31ºC)
|
|
 |
Should you require further information on Singapore before you travel; to plan your stay, find out what’s going on and get suggestions on what to see and do, please contact the Singapore Tourism Board to request a FREE information kit. |
| 1156 Ave. of the Americas, Suite 702 |
5670 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1550
|
| New York, NY 10036 |
Los Angeles, CA 90036
|
| Tel: 1 (212) 302-4861 |
Tel: 1 (323) 677-0808
|
| Fax: 1 (212) 302-4801 |
Fax: 1 (323) 677-0801
|
| newyork@stb.gov.sg |
losangeles@stb.gov.sg
|
 |
The STB works with local travel partners to develop special offers and packages exclusive for you. Find out more about our current travel specials.
|
 |
The STB can make your job easier by providing you with information and brochures for your clients and some special offers when you are in Singapore. To request Brochures for your office, please email newyork@stb.gov.sg or losangeles@stb.gov.sg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
