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Population
4.1
million
Capital
City
Singapore
is a City State
Language
Malay,
Tamil, Mandarin Chinese and English are the official
languages. But almost all Singaporeans speak English,
which is the main language of business and administration.
Principal
Religions
Buddhism,
Taoism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Confucianism
Public
holidays 2003
| New
Year's Day - 1 January |
| Chinese
New Year - 1, 2 and 3 February |
| Hari
Raya Haji - 12 February |
| Good
Friday - 18 April |
| Labour
Day - 1 May |
| Vesak
Day - 15 May |
| National
Day - 9 August |
| Deepavali
- 23 October (not yet confirmed) |
| Hari
Raya Puasa - 25 November |
| Christmas
- 25 December |
Please
note: When a public holiday falls on a weekend , the
following Monday is taken as the public holiday.
International
dialling code from UK
00
65 (note that all Singaporean telephone numbers, except
mobile numbers, have now been prefixed with a 6, i.e.
the High Commission’s telephone number has changed
from 424 4200 to 6424 4200)
Local
currency
Singapore
Dollar (for the current rate of exchange consult a bank
Weights
and measures
Metric
System
Passports
/ Visas
Passports
must be valid for at least six months from the day of
arrival. Citizens of the EU, some Commonwealth countries
and the USA do not need visas.
Foreign
nationals intending to enter Singapore to take up employment
or to establish a business must apply for employment
passes before arrival. Approval or permission is usually
granted before entry, and finalised after arrival. Professional
visit passes permitting short-term work assignments
in Singapore are issued to foreign nationals such as
consultants, installation personnel and entertainers.
Dependants'
passes must be stamped into the passports of the spouses
and children of all persons to whom employment passes
have been issued. Applications for these passes may
be obtained from the Department of Immigration after
arrival and must be signed by the employment pass holder.
All
passport/visa enquiries should be made to the Singapore
High Commission in London.
Singapore
High Commission
5 Chesham Street
London SW1X 8ND
Tel: 0207 235 4558
Fax: 0207 235 4557
Health
advice / risks
Singapore
is no longer regarded as a risk area for malaria. Drinking
water is safe.
Information
on health hazards and the precautions to take when travelling
abroad can be found in the leaflet "Health advice
for travellers' available from main Post Offices.
It
is essential to take out full medical insurance when
visiting Singapore as there are no reciprocal healthcare
agreements between Singapore and the UK.
Travel
routes to Singapore
By
Air - As an international crossroads in South
East Asia, Singapore is within easy reach of all key
points in the region. Over 70 airlines operate through
Singapore's Changi Airport flying to 131 cities in 56
countries. There are regular daily flights between the
UK and Singapore with at least 6 direct flights per
day each way. Changi airport is efficient and clean
and regularly voted the world's leading, or favourite,
airport.
By
Sea - Singapore claims the world's busiest
port. Passenger lines serve Singapore from Europe, Australia,
USA, India and Hong Kong. Ships either dock at the World
Trade Centre or anchor in the main harbour with a launch
service to shore.
From
Malaysia
(By Train) Three fully air-conditioned
trains make the trip daily between Singapore (Keppel
Road Station) and Kuala Lumpur (Keretapi Tanah Melayu
station). The journey takes 5-7 hours and costs between
S$19-$60 (depending on class of travel).
(By
Road) It takes approximately 5 hours to drive
by taxi or private car from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore
on the Express Highway. There are two crossings from
Malaysia, the Causeway (S$1.50 toll) to Johor Bahru
and the East Coast of Malaysia, and the newer (and quieter/quicker)
Tuas Link (S$2.00 toll). The Express Highway is well
maintained and free-flowing (except on the outskirts
of Kuala Lumpur) but there are a number of tolls (approximately
£12).
Long
distance bus companies also operate between Singapore
and Kuala Lumpur costing between S$20 - S$30 one way.
How
to get to & from the airport
The
airport is situated approximately 20 km from the city
centre. Singapore Bus Services (SBS) operate a service
(No 36) which goes to Orchard Road via Marine Parade
and North Bridge Road. The fare is currently S$1.50
one way (June 2000).
Taxis
queue up outside the arrival halls. They are metered
and will cost approximately S$15-S$25 to Orchard Road
and take about 30 minutes. Avis and Hertz rental car
desks are in the Arrivals Hall (close at 1800).
Some
hotels operate a courtesy shuttle bus service from the
airport for guests. Check with the hotel when making
a reservation.
The
Land Transport Authority is currently building an extension
to the existing East-West Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) metro
rail line. This will consist of two stations, one at
the Singapore Expo Centre, and the other at Changi Airport.
The extension is due for completion in 2001.
Travelling
in Singapore
Car
Hire is expensive and probably not worth it unless travelling
to Malaysia. Parking can be difficult and expensive.
Driving is on the left, the speed limit is 50km/hour
(80 - 90km on the expressways). Wearing a seat-belt
is compulsory.
Taxis
are the fastest and easiest way to get around in comfort.
They are excellent value for money, metered and air-conditioned.
There are a number of operators and with more than 15,000
cabs on the road finding one is not usually a problem
(unless it is raining). Taxis can be booked in advance
for a small extra charge.
Smoking
is illegal in taxis.
Buses
Singapore Bus Services (SBS) and Trans Island Bus Services
(TIBS) cover the Island and are cheap, mostly air-conditioned
and efficient. Routes for all the buses are listed in
the (S$1.40) Transitlink Guide available at news outlets,
bookshops, train stations and some hotels. All buses
are operated by a driver only so it is necessary to
have the exact fare to hand. Fares range from 60 cents
- S$1.50 and run from 06.30 to 23.30 Monday to Sunday.
A Singapore explorer ticket is available at S$5 for
one day and S$12 for three days offering unlimited travel
on both SBS and TIBS.
MRT
Singapore has one of the most technologically advanced,
user-friendly rail (metro) systems in the world. The
trains run at regular intervals, are clean and air-conditioned.
There are presently only two Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
lines and one Light Rail (LRT) system in Singapore,
so not all destinations are covered. However, the Government
have plans to expand the rail network to cover the entire
island. In the meantime, there is a well organised bus
feeder system serving the existing MRT stations in an
effort to provide the traveller with as seamless a journey
possible.
Fare
stages are posted in station concourses and tickets
dispensed with change from vending machines. Fares range
from 60p to S$1.60. Stored value tickets, in various
denominations, can be bought at all stations from ticket
dispensing machines. It is also possible to buy Transitlink
cards for the MRT and buses (prices from S$10 to S$50).
Hotels
Singapore
has a wide range of modern hotels. Competition keeps
room costs reasonable but it is difficult to find a
really cheap hotel. Most of the international hotel
chains have flagship hotels on the island.
All
rates quoted are subject to 10% Service Charge, 1% Government
cess (local tax) and 3% Goods and Services Tax.
Restaurants
Being
a melting pot of various cultures as well as open to
new cuisines and gastronomic trends, Singapore offers
a host of dining experiences to suit all tastes and
budgets. The Singapore experience is incomplete without
a visit to open air hawker stalls and coffee shops where
local fare is offered at unbeatable prices. A wide range
of Chinese, Malay, Indian and other Asian food is also
available in indoor food courts, located in most shopping
malls. In addition, restaurants featuring Asian and
Western cuisine as well as New Asia fusion cuisine abound.
Visitors will be spoilt for choice, faced with a selection
between beautifully restored historical hotels, superb
French cuisine, Italian, Japanese and ethnic Asian restaurants,
seafront and cruise dining, lively pubs along the Singapore
river, theme cafes, coffee and juice bars and exciting
local food.
Singapore
also hosts the annual Singapore Food Festival and the
World Gourmet Summit, which brings internationally acclaimed
chefs to Singapore, and results in a host of exciting
culinary offerings at hotels and restaurants island-wide.
Standards
of cuisine are generally high. The Ministry of Environment
carries out rigorous checks of hygiene at food establishments.
Singapore's
restaurants cater for all tastes and budgets. The dress
code is smart casual in most restaurants. Most major
credit cards are accepted, except at food courts, hawker
stalls and smaller restaurants. Most hotels and restaurants
levy a 10% service charge, 3% Goods and Services Tax
and 1% cess tax. Tipping is not the norm, but could
be practised at discretion as appreciation of good service.
Electricity
supply
230
volts/50 cycles AC is used for domestic purposes or
400 volts/50 cycles for industry. Plug fittings are
the same as in the UK.
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