Travel to Singapore questions

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qwertee

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#3151664 24-Oct-2023 09:03

Spent 4 nights in Singapore in Feb 23

I took some US$ and exchanged them for Singapore dollars (Money changers located in most malls give a better rate)
Used my Westpac card for paying for my coffees, meals, travel and shopping. ( cash for small vendors)

Used a tourist sim from 7 eleven ( valid for 7 days, I think it was S$15). You need to scan your passport to register for the service, that I did once I came back to the hotel

Carry your passport as I heard that at some places they need it to register you on the spot.

Download the ' GRAB' app, Singapore's Uber service.
If you buy a costly item, get the GST return receipt so that you can claw back the refund at the airport, located inside after you go though immigration. (only to be hit here at NZ customs!)

If you visit the Night Safari, do book your tickets online - you cant pay at the venue. Saw a lot of people get caught out and trying to purchase online.

I know most people might disagree, but dont get too bogged down with the best conversion rate and bank fees.
Just enjoy Singapore! :)

beenz

644 posts

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#3151698 24-Oct-2023 11:19

qwertee:
Spent 4 nights in Singapore in Feb 23

I took some US$ and exchanged them for Singapore dollars (Money changers located in most malls give a better rate)
Used my Westpac card for paying for my coffees, meals, travel and shopping. ( cash for small vendors)

Used a tourist sim from 7 eleven ( valid for 7 days, I think it was S$15). You need to scan your passport to register for the service, that I did once I came back to the hotel

Carry your passport as I heard that at some places they need it to register you on the spot.

Download the ' GRAB' app, Singapore's Uber service.
If you buy a costly item, get the GST return receipt so that you can claw back the refund at the airport, located inside after you go though immigration. (only to be hit here at NZ customs!)

If you visit the Night Safari, do book your tickets online - you cant pay at the venue. Saw a lot of people get caught out and trying to purchase online.

I know most people might disagree, but dont get too bogged down with the best conversion rate and bank fees.
Just enjoy Singapore! :)

Great reply.
Thanks so much

MikeAqua

8031 posts

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#3151736 24-Oct-2023 13:13

RE data, we just got a local SIM for the duration our stay (8 days). There is also a local Uber equivalent and the MRT and buses are a good service. Taxi's are cheap and efficient and usually very nice drivers. Often semi-retired professionals.

Beer is cheapest at Hawker markets or some of the cheaper outdoor type eating places.

I don't remember how we paid. The locals all seemed to be using PayLah (QR payment system) but IIRC you can't use it as a visitor.

Mike

bonkiebonks

389 posts

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#3151767 24-Oct-2023 14:51

beenz: It's not cashless by my understanding.
Small vendors and street food take and prefer cash.
I believe that is the case.
I might just take some cash with me and leave it at that.
Thanks

You can always withdraw cash from ATMs in Singapore using your NZ bank card. I believe UOB ATMs in Singapore don't charge a fee, and you just have to check with your NZ bank if they do. ANZ don't. And I find this is the easiest way rather than bringing cash with you. Cash forex rates in NZ aren't great either.

kiwibob1

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#3152010 25-Oct-2023 11:14

beenz: It's not cashless by my understanding.
Small vendors and street food take and prefer cash.

Just visited Sg and had no problems with street food using the Wise virtual card on my phone. No cash changed hands at any stage.

I paid the $8 per day for roaming and the whole thing was seamless

KiwiSurfer

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#3152215 25-Oct-2023 19:50

I am confident that Wise would not be an issue in Singapore. Wise is just like any other Debit Visa/Mastercard issued by the usual NZ banks. It has worked fine for me in many countries including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand for both ATM withdrawals and POS payments (although I've used it much more for the latter).

However for any international trip it is always worth having a second card on hand just in case, and even better if it is a different type e.g. having a Visa as your main card and a Mastercard secondary. There are all sort of reasons your card may fail to work while overseas (such as your bank flagging international transactions as suspicious) so having a backup card is always a good idea.

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Basil12

124 posts

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+1 received by user: 74

#3152222 25-Oct-2023 20:29

KiwiSurfer:

There are all sort of reasons your card may fail to work while overseas (such as your bank flagging international transactions as suspicious) so having a backup card is always a good idea.

Re the above it's a good idea to tell the bank that supplied your credit card that you are going overseas - some want a list of every country you might be visiting.

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Tzoi

425 posts

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+1 received by user: 90

#3152268 26-Oct-2023 03:13

kiwibob1:

beenz: It's not cashless by my understanding.
Small vendors and street food take and prefer cash.

Just visited Sg and had no problems with street food using the Wise virtual card on my phone. No cash changed hands at any stage.

This will depend on where exactly you are eating, the touristy hawker centres may accept cards (though will be more expensive)

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