Singapore travel money tips
Heading to Singapore? Here's a quick rundown of how to handle money on the ground — tipping etiquette, when to use cards versus cash, the best ATMs to use, and the most common pitfalls travelers run into. The local currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD, S$).
Tipping
Not expected. Restaurants add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST — no extra tip needed.
Cards vs cash
Effectively cashless. Cards, PayWave, and PayNow QR work everywhere, including hawker centres.
Payment methods accepted
ATMs & cash tip
DBS, OCBC, and UOB ATMs are everywhere and fee-free for most foreign cards.
Heads-up
- Chewing gum, jaywalking, and littering carry steep fines — laws are actually enforced.
- Always check whether the menu price includes the 10% service charge and 9% GST ('++' means it doesn't).
About the Singapore Dollar (SGD)
The Singapore Dollar (SGD, symbol S$) is the official currency of Singapore. Knowing the live SGD rate against your home currency helps you sanity-check menu prices, taxi fares, and souvenir markups while traveling.
More travel tips
See all country tips →Tips are general guidance for travelers, not legal or financial advice. Customs vary — confirm with local sources for important plans.