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.