Travel Guide
Airport
Singapore Changi Airport is recognized as one of the best airports in the world. With over 80 airlines serving more than 180 cities in over 50 countries, Changi Airport has established itself as a major aviation hub in the Asia Pacific region. With the recent opening of Terminal 3, Changi Airport now has an annual handling capacity of 70 million passengers a year.
For more information about Singapore’s Changi Airport, 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.
Airport Tax
A passenger service charge of SGD 21 should be incorporated in the air ticket (including tickets issued outside of Singapore). If this has not been done, you may be required to pay the SGD 21 during check-in. In some cases, the airline may absorb the service charge. Passengers who are in transit for less than 24 hours may leave the airport without having to pay the service charge upon departure from Singapore. Transportation from/to Airport and Hotels
For all visitors arriving at Changi airport,Taxis, Rental Cars, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Public Busses are available. Also, 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 SGD30-SGD40 (including surcharges for trips originating from the airport. Midnight charges will be 1.5 times the normal charge). The MaxiCab airport shuttle service operates every 30 minutes and costs SGD 7.
Transportation from Changi Airport to The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore To book airport transfers through The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, please call Concierge Services at +1.65.6434.5201. A limited number of free parking passes are available on-site if you inquire at the EO Information Desk during open hours.Weather
There is no distinct wet/dry season. Most rain falls during the northeast monsoon (November to January) and showers are usually sudden and can be heavy. Generally, expect temperatures to average around 31°C (88°F) during the day and linger around 24°C (75°F) at night.
Dress
The dress code for all meetings during the University is business casual. Lightweight cottons and linens are recommended.
Men's Dress Code Glossary
Casual – Khaki or comparable slacks, shirt, golf shirt
Business Casual – Nice slacks, collared shirts
Cocktail Attire – Coat and tie or suit
Formal – Coat and tie, or suit
Women's Dress Code Glossary
Casual – Khaki or comparable slacks, skirt, shirt
Business Casual – Nice slacks, skirt, blouse
Cocktail Attire – Cocktail dress, nice pantsuit
Formal – Nice dress, pantsuit, cocktail dress Country: Singapore
Area: 692.7 sq km
Population: 4,430,000
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8 (Standard Time)
Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD) S$
Weights and Measures: Metric If there is one word that best captures Singapore, it is “unique”. A dynamic city rich in contrast and color, you'll find a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture here. Brimming with unbridled energy, this little dynamo in Southeast Asia embodies the finest of both East and West.
Singapore is both an island and a country, but perhaps its best description is that of city-state. Like the great city-states of the past, it offers civilization and order in the highest degree. Its combination of Western-style development and Eastern-style calm seems to present the best of both hemispheres: It's a modern metropolis where you feel safe walking the streets and an Asian business center that's a model of efficiency. Singapore is also a multicultural city, and close to one-quarter of its population are expatriates or foreign workers from all over the world. Known for its desire to become the technology hub of Asia, Singapore is the most wired country in the region.
A single day's trail will take you from the past to the future, from exotic ethnic enclave to efficient business centre, from serene gardens to sleek skyscrapers but you can still recapture the colonial era with a Singapore Sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel.
At first glance, Singapore appears shockingly modern and anonymous, but this is an undeniably Asian city where Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions from feng shui to ancestor worship create part of the everyday landscape - colorful contrasts that bring the city to life.
Electrical Plugs
230V 50Hz
Etiquette
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, non-air conditioned eating houses, hawker centers, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. In line with efforts to improve the nightlife experience for all, there are smoking restrictions on entertainment outlets. Smoking is no longer allowed in all pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots, unless within approved smoking rooms or smoking corners. Offenders can be fined up to SGD 1,000.
Spitting
Spitting in public places is an offense.
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +8 (Standard Time)
On Wednesday, 5 November 2008, during the University when it is noon in Singapore it will be:
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Tuesday, 8 p.m. |
Los Angeles, CA, USA |
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Tuesday, 11 p.m. |
New York, NY, USA |
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Wednesday, 4 a.m. |
London, UK |
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Wednesday, 8 a.m. |
Dubai, UAE |
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Wednesday, Noon |
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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Tuesday, 11 p.m. |
Tokyo, Japan |
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Wednesday, 3 p.m. |
Sydney, Australia |
Language
The national language of Singapore is Malay, while English is the language of administration and commerce. Tamil and Chinese are also official languages. Mandarin is increasingly encouraged as the lingua franca for the Chinese in place of dialects like Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, Hainanese and Foochow. Among the Indian community, apart from Tamil, other languages spoken are Malayalam, Punjabi, Telegu, Hindi and Bengali. Most of the literate population is bi-lingual, and domestically English and Mandarin are the most commonly used languages. In parliamentary debates, members may speak Malay, Mandarin, Tamil or English and simultaneous oral translations are provided.
Currency and Money
The legal tender of Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD) S$.
As of 7 April 2008, 1 USD = 1.38040 SGD. For live currency conversion rates, click here.
Banks can be found all over Singapore. Exchange rates tend to vary from bank to bank and some even have a service charge on each exchange transaction - this is usually a few dollars, but can be more, so ask first. You'll also find moneychangers in shopping centers all over Singapore that do not charge fees, so you will often get a better overall exchange rate for cash and travelers checks. Most shops accept foreign cash and travelers checks with rates only a bit lower than at moneychangers.
Credit cards are readily accepted readily all over Singapore. Restaurants, retailers, hotels and even some taxis accept international credit cards. The most common credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected but is growing as a practice in Singapore: most expensive hotels and restaurants impose a 10% service charge, and a gratuity is not expected in excess of this. Don't tip at hawker stalls, though the more expensive coffee shops and restaurants that do not add a service charge may expect a tip. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip and may actually round a fare down if it is a little bit above an even dollar - similarly, they may expect you to round it up. Staff in the international hotels, such as room staff or the doorman who hails your taxi, may expect a tip if they have provided good service.
Telephones
There are plenty of public phones available that accept coins or card-operated phones are more commonly used and a phone card 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.
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.
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.
Passport and Visa Requirements
Below are the visa requirements for visitors from selected countries who visit Singapore for business or for social visit purposes.
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 your local Embassy of the Republic of Singapore or the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore before arrival or the Singapore Immigration and Registration after arrival.
American passport holders, US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) and US Re-Entry Permit (Form I-327) holders do not require a visa for up to 30 days. Canadian passport holders do not require a visa for up to 30 days.
Foreigners holding travel documents issued by the following countries will require a visa to enter Singapore:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bangladesh (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
- Commonwealth of Independent States* (Except Diplomatic/Official/Service passport holders for a stay of up to 30 days)
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Moldova
- Russia
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Egypt
- India (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Morocco
- Myanmar (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
- People's Republic of China (Except Diplomatic/Service/Public Affairs passport holders for a stay of up to 30 days)
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia (Except Diplomatic passport holders)
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tunisia (Except Diplomatic/Official passport holders)
- Yemen
In addition, visitors holding Hong Kong Document of Identity, Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Travel Permit, Palestinian Authority Passport, Refugee Travel Document issued by the Middle-East countries and Temporary Passport issued by United Arab Emirates will also require a visa to enter Singapore.
*Nationals of the Commonwealth Independent States may be granted entry into Singapore without visas if they are on transit to a third country. However, they are required to fulfill the following conditions:
- They are in transit to a third country;
- They hold a valid passport, a confirmed onward air-ticket, entry facilities (including visa) to the third country and have sufficient funds for the period of stay in Singapore;
- They continue their journey to the third country within the 96-hour visa free period granted; and
- They satisfy Singapore's entry requirements. As in all arrivals, the grant of the social visit passes to travellers will be determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officers at the Singapore Checkpoints.
For more information about Visa entry requirements, please click here.
Vaccination
Vaccinations are not essential for American and Canadian travelers when traveling to Singapore unless arriving from a country where disease is partly/ wholly endemic. However do check with your doctor if you have specific medical requirements or are traveling into other neighboring countries.
Dietary Restrictions
EO wishes to accommodate your dietary needs while you’re in Singapore. If you have any special needs or requirements, please fill out and fax the Dietary Restriction Form to +1.703.519.1864. If you suffer from severe food allergies, we encourage you to visit this Web site and consider purchasing food and travel translation cards to effectively communicate your needs while traveling. |
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