💰 This page covers what you need on the ground: card acceptance by neighborhood, hawker centre payments, transport, and day trips. For ATM networks, tipping norms, and currency overview:
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Order SGD → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Singapore?
Barely. Singapore is one of the most card-friendly cities in Asia. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, including most hawker stalls. You can go days without touching cash. Budget S$20–30 for a few edge cases.
Where You Might Need Cash
Older hawker stalls in neighborhood hawker centres (many now accept PayNow QR, but a few holdouts remain). Wet markets (Tekka Market, Tiong Bahru Market produce sections). Traditional shops in HDB neighborhoods and Little India. Tipping is not expected in Singapore, but cash tips are appreciated by hotel porters.
Paying by Card in Singapore
Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere. Amex works at malls, hotels, and larger restaurants. Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are standard.
Marina Bay & CBD
Marina Bay Sands, the Shoppes, Gardens by the Bay, and every restaurant and bar in the CBD accept cards. The ArtScience Museum and observation deck accept contactless. Lau Pa Sat hawker centre in the financial district has strong digital payment adoption with SGQR codes at most stalls. Raffles Hotel and surrounding bars all take cards.
Orchard Road
Singapore's shopping boulevard is fully card-friendly. ION Orchard, Takashimaya, Paragon, and every boutique on the strip accept contactless. Food courts in the mall basements accept cards. The only cash situation is the occasional Orchard Towers late-night vendor. Tourist GST refund counters accept the receipt from any card purchase.
Sentosa Island
Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove, and every restaurant on Sentosa accept cards. Beach bars and clubs at Siloso Beach take contactless. The Sentosa Express monorail accepts contactless bank cards or EZ-Link. Cable car tickets can be purchased with a card. Essentially a cashless environment.
Chinatown
The tourist-facing shops along Pagoda Street and Trengganu Street accept cards. Restaurants in the Chinatown Complex food centre are mixed: some display SGQR codes, others are cash-only. The Chinatown Street Market souvenir stalls prefer cash for haggling. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is free to enter. Maxwell Food Centre nearby has good digital payment adoption.
Little India
Mustafa Centre (24-hour department store) accepts cards. Tekka Centre hawker stalls are mixed on digital payments. The sari shops and gold jewellers along Serangoon Road mostly accept cards for larger purchases but prefer cash for small items. Restaurants along Race Course Road (famous for fish head curry) mostly accept cards. The Mustafa Centre also has some of the best money exchange rates in Singapore.
Kampong Glam & Haji Lane
The Arab Quarter and its trendy Haji Lane boutiques and cafes all accept cards. Restaurants along Arab Street and Bussorah Street take contactless. The Sultan Mosque is free to visit. Zam Zam Restaurant (famous murtabak since 1908) accepts cards. This area is popular for evening dining and cocktails, all card-friendly.
Tiong Bahru & Holland Village
Two popular local neighborhoods with strong cafe and dining scenes. Tiong Bahru's specialty coffee shops and bakeries all accept cards. The Tiong Bahru Market hawker centre has strong SGQR adoption. Holland Village's restaurants and bars along Lorong Mambong accept contactless. Both areas represent how locals actually eat and shop.
Hawker Centres (General)
Singapore's UNESCO-listed hawker culture is the main place where cash remains useful. Major centres like Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat, and Old Airport Road have strong SGQR/PayNow adoption. Neighborhood centres in HDB estates are more mixed. As a tourist without PayNow, your options at cash-only stalls are: cash, or politely checking if they accept Visa/Mastercard contactless. Bring S$20–30 for a hawker centre visit.
Where to Exchange Money in Singapore
The Arcade at Raffles Place
The Arcade (colloquially called "Money Changer Arcade") at 11 Collyer Quay in the CBD has a concentration of licensed money changers offering competitive rates. Compare 2–3 shops before exchanging. Rates here are significantly better than airport or hotel exchanges. Open weekdays, limited hours on weekends.
Mustafa Centre (Little India)
The money changer inside Mustafa Centre on Syed Alwi Road offers excellent rates, often matching or beating The Arcade. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Convenient if you are arriving on a weekend or late at night. Mustafa is worth a visit regardless for its enormous selection of goods at reasonable prices.
Skip the Airport
Changi Airport exchange counters charge a premium. If you need cash immediately for a taxi, exchange only S$30–50 at the airport. Use a no-FX-fee card for the rest, or head to The Arcade or Mustafa once you are in the city. Since Singapore is so card-friendly, many visitors never exchange cash at all.
ATMs in Singapore
For ATM network details, see the Singapore guide. Here are convenient locations.
Look for these bank logos. All have ATMs that accept foreign Visa/Mastercard.
DBS
OCBC
UOB
Best ATM Locations
DBS, OCBC, and UOB ATMs are everywhere in Singapore. You will find them in every MRT station, every shopping mall, and on nearly every commercial street. DBS and POSB (same network) have the largest number of machines. ATMs at bank branches are accessible 24 hours via the card-activated lobby doors. Singapore bank ATMs generally do not charge foreign card operator fees, though your home bank may charge its own fee.
⚠ Decline Currency Conversion at ATMs
Some ATMs offer to convert to your home currency. Always select SGD. The ATM's conversion rate includes a hidden markup. Your own bank will give you a better rate. This is less aggressive in Singapore than in Thailand or Europe, but still worth watching for.
Paying for Transport in Singapore
MRT & Buses
Singapore's MRT (subway) and public buses accept contactless Visa and Mastercard directly at the gates and bus readers via the SimplyGo system. Tap your card when boarding and again when alighting. Fares are S$1–3 depending on distance. You can also buy an EZ-Link card (S$5 non-refundable card fee + stored value) at any MRT station or 7-Eleven. The Singapore Tourist Pass offers unlimited rides for 1 day (S$22), 2 days (S$29), or 3 days (S$34).
Taxis & Ride-Hailing
Singapore taxis are clean, metered, and accept credit cards via the in-car terminal. Flag fall is S$4–4.50. A ride across central Singapore is S$8–15. Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app and accepts card payment. Gojek is a cheaper alternative for shorter rides. Both are widely available. From Changi Airport, a taxi to the city center costs S$25–45 (including airport surcharge) with card payment.
Changi Airport to City
The MRT from Changi Airport to the city takes about 30 minutes and costs around S$2.50 (contactless card at the gate). Runs from roughly 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM. Taxis cost S$25–45 with card payment. Grab from the airport is usually S$20–35. The airport shuttle bus service has been discontinued; MRT or taxi are your options.
Tipping in Singapore
No Tipping Required
Singapore does not have a tipping culture. Most restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge and 9% GST to the bill. Menu prices shown as "S$25++" mean the dish costs S$25 plus service charge and GST, bringing the actual cost to about S$30. At hawker centres, there is no tipping whatsoever. You order, pay the listed price, and eat. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. Hotel bellhops may receive S$2–5 per bag but it is not expected.
Prices in Singapore
Singapore has an extreme range. You can eat a Michelin-starred meal for S$5 at a hawker stall or spend S$500 on dinner at a fine dining restaurant.
| Item | Price (SGD) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Kopi (local coffee) | S$1.20–1.80 | $0.90–1.35 |
| MRT ride | S$1.50–2.50 | $1.10–1.90 |
| Hawker meal (chicken rice, laksa) | S$4–7 | $3–5.25 |
| Latte (specialty cafe) | S$6–8 | $4.50–6 |
| Tiger beer (hawker centre) | S$6–9 | $4.50–6.75 |
| Taxi across town | S$10–20 | $7.50–15 |
| Beer at a bar | S$12–18 | $9–13.50 |
| Restaurant main course (mid-range) | S$20–35 | $15–26 |
| Cocktail (top bar) | S$25–35 | $19–26 |
| Gardens by the Bay | S$28 | $21 |
| Singapore Zoo | S$48 | $36 |
| Dinner with drinks (per person) | S$60–100 | $45–75 |
| Universal Studios | S$82 | $62 |
USD estimates based on approximately S$1.33 = $1. Rates fluctuate. Happy hour (5–8 PM) is the way to save on Singapore's expensive alcohol.
Day Trips from Singapore
Johor Bahru, Malaysia (1 hour by bus)
Cross the Causeway to JB for cheaper shopping, food, and massages. You need your passport. Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) is the currency. ATMs on the JB side dispense MYR. Many JB malls (City Square, KSL) accept cards. Street food in JB is cash-only. Exchange money at JB money changers for better rates than Singapore. Grab works across the border. Budget RM 100–200 ($22–44 USD) in cash for a day.
Batam, Indonesia (1 hour by ferry)
Ferries from HarbourFront to Batam cost about S$30–50 return (bookable online with card). Batam uses Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). ATMs at the Batam ferry terminal dispense IDR. Resorts, spas, and golf courses on Batam accept cards. Local restaurants and the Nagoya Hill shopping area are better with cash. Some Batam businesses accept SGD at a poor rate, so get IDR from an ATM.
Bintan, Indonesia (1 hour by ferry)
Similar to Batam but more resort-focused. Ferries from Tanah Merah Terminal cost S$50–80 return (card payment online). Bintan Resorts has an integrated area where everything is priced in SGD and cards work everywhere. Outside the resort zone, you need Indonesian Rupiah. Beach bars, local restaurants, and water sports operators prefer cash.
Singapore Quick Reference
| Activity | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orchard Road shopping | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | GST refund for tourists |
| Marina Bay Sands area | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | Fully cashless environment |
| Hawker centres (major) | ✅ Most stalls | S$20–30 backup | SGQR at most stalls, some cash-only |
| Chinatown / Little India | ✅ Most shops | S$30–50 for markets | Street market stalls prefer cash |
| Sentosa Island | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | All attractions accept cards |
| MRT & buses | ✅ Contactless | Not needed | SimplyGo accepts foreign cards |
| Johor Bahru day trip | ✅ Malls only | RM 100–200 | Different currency (MYR) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Singapore?
Less and less. Singapore has pushed hard toward cashless payments, and most restaurants, shops, and transport accept cards or mobile payments. Hawker centres are the main exception: while many stalls now accept PayNow or NETS, some still prefer cash. Carry S$50–100 as backup for hawker stalls and small shops.
How do hawker centre payments work?
It varies by stall. Many display SGQR codes for PayNow or NETS payments via phone. Some accept contactless cards. Others are cash-only, especially older vendors. The majority of stalls at major centres like Maxwell and Lau Pa Sat now accept electronic payment. Cash is still the safest bet at smaller neighborhood hawker centres.
How do I pay for the MRT?
Tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard directly at MRT gates via the SimplyGo system. Alternatively, buy an EZ-Link or NETS FlashPay card at any MRT station or 7-Eleven (S$5 card fee plus stored value). The Singapore Tourist Pass offers unlimited rides for 1–3 days (S$22–34).
Should I tip in Singapore?
No. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge and 9% GST automatically. Menu prices shown as "S$25++" mean the dish costs S$25 plus these charges. At hawker centres, there is no tipping at all. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
How expensive is Singapore?
Singapore has a split personality. Hawker food is incredibly cheap (S$4–8 per meal), public transport is affordable (S$1–3 per ride), and many attractions are free. But restaurants, alcohol, and hotels are expensive. A cocktail costs S$25–35, a mid-range dinner runs S$50–80 per person, and a beer at a bar is S$12–18.
Can I use Grab in Singapore?
Yes. Grab is Singapore's dominant ride-hailing app and accepts credit card payment. It is often cheaper than regular taxis, especially during non-peak hours. Gojek is another option for shorter rides. Singapore taxis also accept cards directly via the in-car terminal.
Where should I exchange money?
The Arcade at Raffles Place and Mustafa Centre in Little India have money changers with competitive rates. Avoid Changi Airport exchange counters for large amounts. Since Singapore is so card-friendly, most visitors do not need to exchange much cash at all.
Tap to Pay Across Singapore
The Wise card converts at the real mid-market rate with no FX markup. Works on the MRT, at hawker centres, and everywhere else. Hold SGD, USD, and 40+ currencies. Free ATM withdrawals up to $100/month.
Get the Wise Card →Singapore money toolkit
Country-specific deep dives for Singapore: which card to bring, where the no-fee ATMs are at the airport, and how to dodge the local DCC traps.