Travel to Singapore questions

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › Travel to Singapore questions

beenz

644 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

ID Verified

#310479 23-Oct-2023 11:53

Hello
I am going on holiday for a couple of weeks to Singapore in the new year.

Couple of questions the first is around payment.

As Singapore is mainly cashless and I will take some cash but expect to pay for most stuff with a card.
I have been told NOT to use a Wise card so looking at either a Travelex card or a NZ credit card.
What is the best option for payment.

The other question is around phone calls back to NZ.
I see there is wifi everywhere so thinking Wats App or similar.
I use 2deg with an international add on pack.
I presume that might be quite expensive.
Anyway your thoughts welcome.
Thanks

.

1 | 2

9186 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4840

#3151417 23-Oct-2023 11:54

Use wifi calling if your phone supports it. Stick it in airplane mode then turn wifi back on.

heavenlywild

5091 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 901

Trusted

#3151424 23-Oct-2023 12:31

What's wrong with Wise?

I'm travelling now and it works amazing, shopping and paying like a local.

Travelex has 10% worse conversion rates from my recent enquiry.

beenz

644 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

ID Verified

#3151427 23-Oct-2023 12:35

Interesting...a friend of mine just came back from Singapore, they told me lots of places including ATM do not accept Wise.
Is your travel include Singapore?
Thanks

Linux

12182 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8476

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3151428 23-Oct-2023 12:35

International addon pack is for calls made when you are in New Zealand not when roaming

As above use WiFi calling zero roaming charges and then the International addon calling pack is valid and all other calls are charged the same as if you were in your home country NZ

beenz

644 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

ID Verified

#3151429 23-Oct-2023 12:41

beenz: Interesting...a friend of mine just came back from Singapore, they told me lots of places including ATM do not accept Wise.
Is your travel include Singapore?
Thanks

I just did a Google and indeed you cannot use a Wise card in ATM in Singapore (although the Wise website says otherwise!)
It does the perfect way for shopping etc as you say.

Linux

12182 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8476

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3151430 23-Oct-2023 12:46

Singapore is also a $8 daily roaming (works on NZ time zone) and the first GB of the day is full speed then mobile data is slowed down

https://www.2degrees.nz/roaming?isoCode=SG

" You will automatically be charged the $8 daily rate for each day you do any of the following (a day counts as 00:00 to 23:59 NZ time "

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

heavenlywild

5091 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 901

Trusted

#3151491 23-Oct-2023 14:54

Yes I'm headed to Sg this week.

I can't see it not working. I've had zero issues so far in AU.

I don't use the physical card, I use Google Wallet. Spending like a boss 😬

Handle9

11925 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9675

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3151492 23-Oct-2023 15:09

A local eSIM (if your phone supports it) works really well in Singapore.

I think we paid SG$12 for 100GB for a 14 days. You can buy it before you arrive and install it then it’s active when you land.

https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile/prepaid-plans/hi-tourist-sim-cards/esim/product-detail?product-id=hiapp-esim-12

Jase2985

13732 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6205

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3151562 23-Oct-2023 18:37

Handle9: A local eSIM (if your phone supports it) works really well in Singapore.

I think we paid SG$12 for 100GB for a 14 days. You can buy it before you arrive and install it then it’s active when you land.

https://www.singtel.com/personal/products-services/mobile/prepaid-plans/hi-tourist-sim-cards/esim/product-detail?product-id=hiapp-esim-12

either that or a physical sim, cheap, readily available and heaps of fast data.

Been here for a week, and most places do card, or cash. i only have a visa so cant comment much more on wise.

just use your credit card for the MRT instead of buying a specific card. its pretty easy to get round and taxis/grabs etc are cheap.

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#3151610 23-Oct-2023 19:02

I haven't needed to pull cash of of an ATM in singapore for years as I can use my Wise card everywhere for payments.

Can you provide links about the ATM issues?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

beenz

644 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

ID Verified

#3151611 23-Oct-2023 19:05

Just words from a friend...but if you google it some stuff will come up 👍

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#3151617 23-Oct-2023 19:33

beenz: Just words from a friend...but if you google it some stuff will come up 👍

Seeing lots of posts saying it works.

Only one saying it doesn't, which appears to be if you've applied for the card in Singapore

https://exiap.sg/guides/using-a-wise-card-abroad

Couple of tips

Activate your card in an ATM locally to make sure PIN is working
Select CREDIT when making a withdrawl or it will fail.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80653 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41045

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3151621 23-Oct-2023 19:57

beenz:

I just did a Google and indeed you cannot use a Wise card in ATM in Singapore (although the Wise website says otherwise!)
It does the perfect way for shopping etc as you say.

If you are going to a cashless country, you shouldn't worry about not being available to use an ATM...

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

beenz

644 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

ID Verified

#3151624 23-Oct-2023 20:07

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

Tzoi

425 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 90

#3151643 24-Oct-2023 03:27

Hawkers and the smaller, more local shops will only take cash or QR code payment.

There'll generally be wifi in the malls, but travel sims are pretty cheap (can buy at 7/11s).

You can use your credit card to tap on and tap out at MRT stations and on buses. Google Maps is generally pretty good for directions on public transport.

1 | 2