Some Useful Information Before Traveling to Singapore

Most countries nowadays have done away with paper arrival cards. For Singapore, you are required to fill out the ICA | SG Arrival Card within three days before arriving in the country. Immigration Clearance is also automated: all done through a machine (just scan your passport and biometrics).

The languages that are widely used in Singapore are English (or Singlish, if you will), Mandarin Chinese, and Malay. Though many of those I interacted with spoke Singlish, there were times when the accent threw me off...especially the older ones. And they would get annoyed that I could not understand them.

To purchase anything in Singapore, you will need Singapore dollars (SGD). At the time of our visit (September 2025), one Singapore dollar was equivalent to 44.80 Philippines pesos. You don't need to bring a lot of cash; you can pay with a credit card almost anywhere (except maybe in hawker centers). Some places don't even accept cash, like HyperDrive Karting in Sentosa Island. If you are from the Philippines and have a GCash card, use it! GCash currency exchange rates are quite low!

The MRT and Bus system in Singapore is extensive and easy to understand. The minimum fare is 1.19 SGD. You can pay for your fare using a credit card. If you'd rather not use a credit card, you can purchase an EZ-Link Card (transportation card) at any of the MRT stations. The EZ-Link Card will cost 10 SGD, which already includes 5 SGD worth of credits. The card can also be used in 7Eleven stores and vending machines. It can be topped up using cash or credit card at machines at the MRT station. For cash, you need to have the exact amount: the machine does not dispense change.

Singapore uses Type G power outlets. Most of the outlets in our hotel room was Type G, but there was one Type C, and a USB outlet. If you forget to bring an adapter, there are adapters available in 7Eleven.

A Rich Country But With Poor Hospitality

Yes, that's how I felt about Singapore. 

We encountered at least one rude/unfriendly person almost every day we were in Singapore.

At immigration, my sister told my father and me to queue at the assisted lane (for which there was a graphic sign for elderly, disabled, family with kids). Since my father is 71 years old, we queued there. After scanning our passports and entering the gate, the immigration officer asked if we had a small child with us. I said no, but my father is a senior. He berated us and told us we should be at the regular lane because "Even if senior, he can still walk!". Well, sorry, we did not know that the lane is not applicable to all seniors.

The other times (three that I can remember) were at an eatery, kopitiam, and a hawker center. The persons taking the order/cashier sounded angry and annoyed when we could not understand them or we took too long to decide what to order.

Mind, all of them were maybe in their 50s or older. The younger ones that we interacted with in the service industry were not rude. And yes, I know, these were just four people out of the country's 6-million population, but these four people left a bad impression.

I guess to me, as a visitor, the citizens attitude towards foreigners will matter.

Explore with GPSmyCity

If you're a traveler who likes to explore on your own and skip group tours, then let me introduce you to GPSmyCity.

GPSmyCity is a mobile app (available in iOS and Android) that contains a treasure trove of city guides and insider tips written by intrepid travelers. There are city guides for over 600 cities and insider tip articles for over 1300 cities!

What's special about this app is that each guide/article includes a map with a detailed travel route plotted out (all maps can be accessed for a minimal yearly subscription fee). You can also create your own walking tours! Plus, these can also be saved for offline use. The GPSmyCity app lets you explore at your own pace without worrying about roaming charges or erratic network signals!

I am happy to announce that three of my articles are now available in GPSmyCity:

• Strolling and Snacking in Miyajima
• Remembering the Past in Hiroshima
• Temples and Cherry Blossoms in Yoshino (Nara)

And just in time for the cherry blossom season in Japan, Temples and Cherry Blossoms in Yoshino (Nara) full version article with GPS-aided map is available for FREE from April 14 to 28, 2025. Just click on the link and try it out! (If you haven't already downloaded and installed the GPSmyCity app, it will prompt you to do so.)

With the GPSmyCity app installed on your smartphone, you have the world on the palm of your hand!