🇸🇬 Singapore · SGD
Singapore uses the Singapore dollar (SGD, often shown as S$), and it's one of the easiest places in Asia to manage money. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, ATMs are plentiful, and licensed money changers in the city offer excellent rates with full transparency.
The Singapore dollar (SGD) is divided into 100 cents. Notes come in S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$1,000 and S$10,000, while coins are 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and S$1. You'll rarely see the very large notes in daily use; S$2, S$10 and S$50 are the most practical. The Brunei dollar is pegged 1:1 and sometimes circulates, but stick to SGD.
Singapore is largely cashless and cards (including contactless and mobile wallets) are accepted nearly everywhere. Carry a small amount of cash mainly for hawker centres, wet markets and some small stalls, though even many hawkers now take PayNow or cards. A debit or credit card with no foreign-transaction fee is your best everyday tool here.
Licensed money changers offer the best rates, far better than banks or hotels, and they post rates openly. The clusters at Mustafa Centre (Little India), The Arcade near Raffles Place, and shopping malls like Lucky Plaza are well known for competitive rates. Compare two or three nearby counters and ask if the rate improves for larger amounts.
Changi Airport counters are convenient but offer noticeably worse rates than city money changers. Change only a small amount at the airport for transport if needed, then exchange the rest in town. Better yet, simply withdraw from an ATM or tap your card, since cards work seamlessly from the moment you land.
ATMs from major banks (DBS/POSB, OCBC, UOB) are everywhere and reliable, accepting international Visa, Mastercard and most network cards. Singapore bank ATMs generally do not charge their own surcharge, though your home bank may. Always choose to be charged in SGD, not your home currency, to avoid poor dynamic-currency-conversion rates.
Tipping is not customary in Singapore and is not expected. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST (often shown as '++' on menus), so there's no need to tip on top. Rounding up a taxi fare or leaving small change is appreciated but entirely optional.
Singapore is low-crime and money scams targeting tourists are rare. The main thing to watch is dynamic currency conversion: when a card terminal offers to bill you in your home currency, decline and pay in SGD. Use only licensed money changers (they display a licence) rather than informal street offers, and check your change at busy stalls.
You can get by on very little cash here, perhaps S$50-100 for a few days of hawker meals, transport top-ups and small purchases. Rely on cards for everything larger and withdraw more from an ATM only as needed. There's no advantage to carrying large sums in such a card-friendly, safe city.
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