Local Information
Brimming with unbridled energy, Singapore embodies the finest of both East and West.
An island city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture.
The official site of the Singapore Tourism Board is a great resource for more information on traveling to this fascinating city.
Getting Around
Singapore has a sophisticated public transportation system including taxi, public bus, and mass rapid transit (MRT) rail. The EZ-Link system allows contactless smartcards to serve as stored value tickets for use in the public transport systems in Singapore. For more detailed information on how to get around during your stay in Singapore, please click here.
Marina Bay Sands Shuttle & Concierge Service
Marina Bay Sands Shuttle Bus (24 hours a day): Please click here for addtional information.
Board our shuttle bus at the coach pick-up bay at Changi Airport Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the Budget Terminal. The service is complimentary for guests who stay at our hotel. A fee of S$25 applies for all other visitors.
Marina Bay Sands has also commenced a concierge service at the Arrival Hall at Terminal 2 of Changi Airport.
The dedicated Marina Bay Sands counter will provide property wide concierge services including general property information & bookings (for both our hotel, restaurants and SkyPark), as well as pre-registration for our loyalty program Premier Advantage. Stop by when you arrive in to Singapore!
Weather
Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinctive seasons. Its climate is characterized by uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures range from 22 °C to 34 °C (72° to 93 °F). On average, the relative humidity is around 90% in the morning and 60% in the afternoon. During prolonged heavy rain, relative humidity often reaches 100%. The lowest and highest temperatures recorded in its maritime history are 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) and 35.8 °C (96.4 °F) respectively.
From August to October, there is often haze, sometimes severe enough to prompt public health warnings, due to bush fires in neighbouring Indonesia. The length of the day is nearly constant year round due to the country's location near the equator.
Language
Singapore is effectively a multi-lingual nation. The official languages are English, Malay, Chinese (Mandarin) and Tamil. The national language of Singapore is Malay for historical reasons, and it is used in the national anthem, "Majulah Singapura".
Curency
The currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar, represented by the symbol S$ or the abbreviation SGD. You can exchange currency at all banks, hotels, and wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed.
For travellers’ cheques and other financial matters, approach the banks which generally operate from 0930 hrs to 1530 hrs, from Mondays to Fridays, and from 0930 hrs to 1130 hrs on Saturdays. For greater convenience, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are conveniently located at banks and most shopping centres and are open round-the-clock. Keep a lookout for these machines displaying Plus and Cirrus signs.
Credit Cards
Almost all stores accept major international credit and charge cards. Should you come across a shop insisting on adding a surcharge, do contact the local office of the card company so that corrective action can be taken.
Tipping
Tipping is not a common practice in Singapore as most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge in the final bill. While tipping is not expected, it is appreciated, be it in restaurants where there is no service charge, or where excellent service is encountered.
Telephone
Payphone Services
Public payphones operated by credit card and/or stored-value phonecards can be used to make both local and international calls. Public payphones can be found in most shopping complexes and MRT stations. Local calls are charged at 10 cents per three minutes. Stored-value phonecards in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 can be purchased from post offices and phonecard agents. To make an international call, dial the access code followed by the country code, area code & telephone number. Different telephone companies use different access codes - 001 for SingTel, 002 for M1 and 008 for Starhub. International Calling Cards in denominations of SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 are also available at all post offices including Singapore Changi Airport, 7-Eleven stores and other retail outlets.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Here is a list of useful telephone numbers.
Police
999 (toll-free)
Emergencies/Ambulance/Fire Brigade
995 (toll-free)
STB Touristline (24-hr automated tourist information system)
Tel: 1800 736 2000 (toll-free in Singapore only)
International Calls
Tel: 104
Time of day
Tel: 1711
Trunk Calls to Malaysia
Dial 109 for operator assistance or 02 for direct dial.
Toll-free lines
Dial 1800 followed by the toll-free line number (in Singapore only).
Weather
Tel: (65) 6542 7788
The international code for Singapore is 65.
Electricity
Singapore voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. On request, most hotels will provide transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage, such as 110-120 volts, 60 cycles per second. When shopping for electrical appliances, do remember to check the voltage of the item against the acceptable voltage in your home country. The power plugs used in Singapore are of the three-pin, square-shaped type.
Population
Singapore has almost 5 million inhabitants.
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