Singapore Weather:
Singapore is known for its hot and humid weather, with little variation throughout the year. The average daytime temperature is 31ºC (88ºF), dropping to around 24ºC (75ºF) in the evenings. The monsoon season can bear down pretty heavily on our tropical weather from November onwards, so be prepared for rain on a daily basis during this period.
Local Time:
UTC/GMT + 8
Language:
English is the language primarily spoken in Singapore. Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, together with other dialects, are used as well.
Electricity:
220 Volts, 50 cycles
Tipping:
Tipping is not widely practiced in Singapore as most hotels and restaurants apply a default 10% service charge.
Smoking:
Smoking is prohibited in all air-conditioned areas (e.g. shopping centres, restaurants, cinemas, public buses, the MRT, taxis, lifts, taxi stands), common corridors, void decks and staircases within residential buildings, outdoor hospital compounds, as well as a 5-metre radius from any entrance/ exit and bus shelter.
GST Refunds:
To enjoy a refund on the 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on your purchases, you need to make at least S$100 worth of purchases from participating outlets which display a “Tax Refund” logo or a Global Blue “Tax Free Shopping” logo as shown below.
Dialling Code and Handphone Usage:
Singapore’s international dialling code is +65.
While in Singapore and if you have international roaming service on your cell phone, you don’t have to press +65 as it will automatically connect you to the local numbers here.
Emergency Telephone Numbers:
Ambulance: 995
Fire: 995
Police: 999
Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates:
| Australia | +65 6836 4100 |
| Hong Kong | +65 6418 0252 |
| Netherlands | +65 6737 1155 |
| United Kingdom | +65 6424 4200 |
| United States of America | +65 6476 9100 |