Here's a money secret most visitors never discover: in plenty of Singapore shops, you can pay with a Brunei dollar note and nobody bats an eyelid. The two currencies have been interchangeable at par since 1967, one of the longest-running currency friendships in the world. Singapore's money is full of little surprises like that, and knowing them can save you a lot more than a few cents.
Singapore has a reputation for being expensive, and yes, a cocktail with a view of Marina Bay can make your eyes water. But this is also a city where a Michelin-recognised hawker meal can cost less than a coffee in London, where public transport is spotless and cheap, where some of the best sights are completely free, and where the price on the menu comes with a little code you need to crack: those mysterious "++" symbols.
This guide is the friend-who-lives-here version of Singapore money. We'll cover the Singapore dollar, cards versus cash (and where cash still rules), the smartest places to change money, ATMs, the "pay in SGD" trap, how tipping and service charges really work, tapping your card on the MRT, what things actually cost, daily budgets, free things that feel priceless, the tourist GST refund, and some fun facts about the "fine city" that will make you smile. Let's make every dollar work harder.
The 20-second answer
Singapore uses the Singapore dollar (SGD, S$). Contactless cards and phone wallets work almost everywhere, including the MRT and buses: just tap your card. Carry some cash for hawker centres, where smaller stalls may not take cards. Restaurant prices marked "++" add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST. Tipping isn't expected. For cash, licensed money changers in the city usually beat the airport. Always pay in SGD when a card machine offers your home currency, and claim your GST refund at Changi if you spend S$100 or more at one retailer.
Meet the Singapore dollar
The Singapore dollar is written SGD, S$ or just $ on price tags. It's divided into 100 cents. It's one of Asia's most stable currencies, managed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which is why prices here don't swing wildly from year to year.
| Type | What you'll see | Fun detail |
|---|---|---|
| Notes | $2, $5, $10, $50, $100 (and rarely $1,000) | Most notes are polymer; the backs celebrate Singapore's values, such as education, arts, youth and the garden city |
| Coins | 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 | The $1 coin is gold-coloured with a lion-head design on the latest series |
| Big notes | $1,000 and the legendary $10,000 | No longer issued, but still legal tender. You'll almost certainly never see one in change |
| Brunei dollars | Accepted at par in many shops | A currency interchangeability agreement dating from 1967 |
Quick tip: break your large notes early. A S$50 or S$100 note at a small hawker stall selling a S$5 plate of chicken rice will earn you a polite sigh. Supermarkets, convenience stores and MRT station shops are the easiest places to get smaller change.
Cards, phone wallets and the cash question
Singapore is one of the most cashless-friendly cities in Asia. You can tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or use Apple Pay and Google Pay, at malls, restaurants, taxis, convenience stores, attractions and most cafés. Locals use a whole alphabet of payment methods, including NETS, PayNow and SGQR codes, but as a visitor you'll mostly rely on your international card and phone wallet.
So where does cash still matter? Hawker centres. Many hawker stalls now accept cards or QR payments, but smaller, older stalls, and often the best ones with the longest queues, may still prefer cash. Carrying around S$50–100 in small notes and coins keeps your food adventures stress-free. Cash is also handy at wet markets, small neighbourhood shops and some traditional kopitiam coffee shops.
| Where you're paying | Card / phone | Cash | Local tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malls, restaurants, hotels | Yes, almost always | Accepted | Check the bill for "++" charges |
| MRT and buses | Yes, tap contactless | Not at the gates | Use the same card every time |
| Hawker centres | Many stalls, not all | Always welcome | Carry small notes and coins |
| Taxis and ride-hailing | Yes (cards in taxis; in-app for ride-hailing) | Yes in taxis | Watch for midnight and peak surcharges |
| Wet markets, small shops | Sometimes | Preferred | Keep coins for small buys |
| Attractions and tours | Yes, and cheaper booked online | At some counters | Book ahead to skip ticket queues |
Where to change money (hint: not at the airport)
Here's a very Singaporean money habit: locals often swear by the licensed money changers in the city, which frequently offer rates much closer to the market rate than airport or hotel counters. The Arcade at Raffles Place is famous for its cluster of money-changer booths competing side by side, and shopping centres around Little India, Chinatown and Orchard Road have plenty too. Mustafa Centre in Little India is legendary among travellers for its currency counters.
- Compare two or three booths. Rates are displayed on boards, and they can differ noticeably for the same currency.
- Bring clean, undamaged notes. Torn or heavily marked foreign notes may get a worse rate or be refused.
- Use licensed changers only, which are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and always count your money at the counter.
- Change only what you need. With cards accepted so widely, most visitors need far less cash than they expect.
At Changi Airport, changing a small amount for your first taxi or MRT top-up is fine, but don't change your whole holiday budget there.
ATMs and the "pay in SGD" trap
ATMs are everywhere: at MRT stations, malls and hawker centres, run by the big local banks. International cards generally work fine. A few habits save money:
- Check fees on screen before confirming. Some ATMs charge foreign cards an access fee, and your home bank may add its own overseas withdrawal fee.
- Decline "conversion" offers. If the ATM or card terminal asks whether you'd like to be charged in your home currency, say no. This is dynamic currency conversion, and it almost always uses a worse exchange rate than your bank. Always choose SGD.
- Withdraw less often, in larger amounts, to limit per-withdrawal fees, since you won't need much cash anyway.
- Use a card with no foreign transaction fees if you can. Over a week of spending, the savings really add up.
Curious fact: Singapore is one of the world's biggest foreign-exchange trading hubs, which is part of why the city's money changers can be so competitive. You're shopping for currency in one of the most exchange-savvy places on Earth.
Cracking the code: "++", service charge and GST
You'll see menus priced like "$22++". Those two little plus signs are Singapore's way of saying: this isn't the final price. The first "+" is a 10% service charge, and the second is 9% GST (goods and services tax), applied on top of the price including service charge. In practice, "$22++" works out to roughly $26.40 at the till. That's worth knowing before you order the lobster.
| Where | Service charge | GST | What you pay vs menu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawker centres and food courts | No | Usually included | Price on the board |
| Casual cafés and coffee shops | Often no | Usually included | Usually the price shown |
| Sit-down restaurants and bars | Usually 10% | 9% on top | About 20% more than "++" prices |
| Hotels | Usually 10% | 9% on top | Check whether a rate is quoted "nett" or "++" |
So, do you tip in Singapore?
Generally, no. Tipping isn't part of the culture, and where there's a service charge on the bill, that already covers service. At hawker centres and food courts, nobody expects a tip at all. If a taxi driver, tour guide or hotel porter goes above and beyond, rounding up or a small token of thanks is appreciated but never required. Relax: in Singapore, the maths is already on the bill.
Getting around: tap, ride, repeat
Singapore's MRT trains and public buses are clean, safe, air-conditioned and wonderfully cheap. The best money news for visitors is that you don't need to buy a special card. You can tap your contactless Visa or Mastercard, or your phone wallet, directly at the gates and on buses, and fares are calculated by distance. Tap in and out on trains, and tap on and off buses, every time.
- Use the same card or device throughout your trip, and don't switch between your phone and the physical card.
- Consider a tourist pass if you'll ride a lot: the Singapore Tourist Pass gives unlimited standard bus and train rides for one to five days.
- Taxis add surcharges: a midnight surcharge (roughly 50% on top between midnight and 6am), peak-hour surcharges on some trips, and extra charges for certain locations, including rides from the airport. The meter shows everything, and ride-hailing apps show fares upfront.
- From Changi Airport, the MRT is cheapest, while a private airport transfer is calmer for families and groups with luggage.
Food: where Singapore gets gloriously cheap
This is the part where Singapore's "expensive" reputation falls apart. Hawker centres, the open-air food halls that UNESCO recognised in 2020 by adding Singapore's hawker culture to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, serve some of the best food in the city at wonderfully low prices. A plate of Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow or nasi lemak typically costs just a few dollars, and some hawker stalls have been recognised by Michelin guides.
- Look for the queue. Singaporeans will happily queue for twenty minutes for great food, and that's your best review system.
- "Chope" your seat. A packet of tissues on a table means it's reserved. Yes, really. It's one of Singapore's most charming unwritten rules.
- Return your tray. Tray-return is expected at hawker centres, and there are signs everywhere reminding diners.
- Drinks are cheap too: order kopi (local coffee) or teh (tea) from a drinks stall for around a dollar or two, and learn the fun ordering lingo, such as kopi-o (black with sugar) and teh-c peng (tea with evaporated milk, iced).
Want the full story with the guesswork taken out? A guided Chinatown hawker food tour or the Lau Pa Sat night street food tour shows you the dishes locals actually love, and makes you a much more confident hawker explorer for the rest of your trip.
How much do things cost in Singapore?
These are rough ballpark prices to help you plan. They vary by location and rise slowly over time, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
| Item | Rough price (SGD) | Money-saving tip |
|---|---|---|
| Hawker meal | $4–8 | Neighbourhood hawker centres are cheaper than tourist ones |
| Kopi or teh at a coffee shop | $1.50–2.50 | Order local-style, not a latte |
| Café latte | $6–8 | Save café visits for a treat |
| Mid-range restaurant dinner | $30–60 per person (before "++") | Weekday set lunches are great value |
| Beer at a bar | $12–18 | Hawker centre beer is much cheaper; hunt for happy hours |
| MRT ride | Around $1–2.50 | Tap your card; consider a Tourist Pass |
| Bottled water | $1–3 | Tap water is safe to drink; refill a bottle |
| Major attraction ticket | $20–90+ | Online prices and multi-attraction passes save money |
A realistic daily budget
| Style | Food | Getting around | Fun | Rough daily spend (excl. room) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hawker centres | MRT and buses | Free gardens, light shows, walks | S$40–70 |
| Comfort | Hawkers plus one restaurant meal | MRT plus the odd taxi | One paid attraction a day | S$100–180 |
| Splurge | Rooftop bars, fine dining | Taxis and private transfers | Theme parks, VIP passes, tours | S$300+ |
The Singapore sweet spot: eat like a local at hawker centres, ride the MRT, and spend on one or two headline attractions. You'll have a brilliant trip without the "Singapore is so expensive" horror story.
Free things in Singapore that feel priceless
- Gardens by the Bay's outdoor gardens and Supertree Grove are free to explore, and the evening Garden Rhapsody light-and-sound show among the Supertrees is free too.
- Spectra, the light and water show on the Marina Bay Sands waterfront promenade, is free most evenings.
- Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is free to enter, with only a small fee for the National Orchid Garden inside.
- The Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport, the world's tallest indoor waterfall, is free to see from the public areas.
- Merlion Park and the Marina Bay waterfront are free and iconic, especially at night.
- Haw Par Villa, a wonderfully quirky park of statues and dioramas from Chinese folklore, is free to enter.
- The Southern Ridges link parks and hills with walkways and the wave-shaped Henderson Waves bridge, great for free views.
- Neighbourhood wandering in Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and Tiong Bahru costs nothing and fills your camera roll.
Pair a free morning with one paid highlight, like the Gardens' conservatories or the Singapore Flyer at sunset, and you'll feel like you're living large on a sensible budget.
Save with passes and bundles
If you plan to see several paid attractions, multi-attraction passes can be excellent value, especially for families and first-timers who want the big hits.
| Pass or experience | Best for | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Tourist Pass | Unlimited MRT and bus rides | From S$15.12 | Book → |
| Destination Pass | Several attractions on one pass | From S$48.00 | Book → |
| Fun Discovery Pass | Families mixing fun activities | From S$50.00 | Book → |
| Food Discovery Pass | Foodies sampling the city | From S$48.47 | Book → |
| Gardens by the Bay | The conservatories, Singapore's must-see | From S$32.00 | Book → |
| Singapore Flyer | Skyline views at golden hour | From S$28.00 | Book → |
| Singapore River Cruise | An easy, affordable evening out | From S$17.62 | Book → |
| Sentosa Island Express | The cheap, fun ride to Sentosa | From S$6.00 | Book → |
Prices are "from" prices at the time of writing and change with dates and ticket types. The exact total is shown before you pay.
A money-smart three-day Singapore plan
Day 1: Marina Bay magic on a budget
Start with kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and kopi at a traditional coffee shop, which is Singapore's most famous breakfast and one of its cheapest. Walk the Marina Bay waterfront past the Merlion, then spend your first paid hours inside the Gardens by the Bay conservatories, the Flower Dome and the misty Cloud Forest, before exploring the free outdoor gardens. Eat dinner at a nearby hawker centre such as Satay by the Bay or Lau Pa Sat, then stay for the free Garden Rhapsody show among the glowing Supertrees and catch Spectra on the waterfront. It's a whole day of big-ticket feelings for a very reasonable price.
Day 2: culture and hawker heaven
Spend the morning in Chinatown: temples, shophouses and the heritage streets cost nothing to explore. Lunch is the Chinatown Complex hawker centre, one of the biggest in the city; a guided food tour here pays for itself in confidence alone. In the afternoon, take the MRT to Little India and Kampong Glam for colourful streets, spice shops, murals and the golden domes of Sultan Mosque. In the evening, a river cruise from Clarke Quay shows you the city lights from the water without the price of a rooftop bar.
Day 3: gardens, views and a splash of Sentosa
Begin in the Singapore Botanic Gardens while it's cool, since the gardens are free and gorgeous in the early morning. After lunch, ride the Sentosa Express monorail to the island for beaches and seaside views; you can keep costs low simply by enjoying the free beaches, or add one attraction if the budget allows. End with the Singapore Flyer at sunset, or save it for your final night as a fitting farewell.
Across three days, this plan mixes free highlights with a few carefully chosen paid ones, eats almost entirely at hawker centres, and uses the MRT for nearly everything. It's exactly how many Singaporeans themselves show visiting friends around.
Money tips for families, students and seniors
Families: Singapore is one of the easiest family destinations in Asia. Many attractions offer child pricing, and multi-attraction passes can reduce the cost of theme parks and wildlife parks when you're buying for four. Hawker centres are a lifesaver: everyone can choose different dishes from different stalls, and nobody pays restaurant prices. Free splash areas in parks, playgrounds in malls and the free outdoor gardens keep kids happy between paid outings.
Students: bring your student card and ask about concession prices at museums and attractions, because some offer them to international students with valid ID. Hawker food, the MRT and Singapore's many free sights make it very possible to explore the city on a student budget.
Seniors and travellers with accessibility needs: the MRT, buses and most major attractions are highly accessible, with lifts, ramps and priority seating. Ask about senior pricing at attractions, and consider a pre-booked airport transfer to avoid the queue at the taxi stand after a long flight.
Shopping and the tourist GST refund
Singapore's GST is 9%, and it's included in the price tags you see in shops. Visitors can claim it back through the electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS) on eligible goods taken out of the country.
- Spend at least S$100 (including GST) at a participating retailer. Look for "Tax Free Shopping" signs, and ask the shop for an eTRS transaction when you pay, with your passport ready.
- Keep your receipts and goods together, because you may need to show the items at the airport.
- Claim at the eTRS self-help kiosks at Changi Airport, before check-in if customs may want to inspect items you're putting in checked luggage, or after immigration for hand-carried goods.
- Leave within two months of purchase with the goods, and choose your refund to your card or another available option at the kiosk.
Not everything qualifies: services, hotel stays and goods consumed in Singapore generally don't. But for electronics, fashion and gifts, the refund is real money back in your pocket, so it's worth the few extra minutes at the airport.
The "fine city" money facts (and how to never pay one)
Singapore's playful nickname, "a fine city", comes from its famous penalties for small offences. They're rarely an issue for polite visitors, but knowing them saves you from an expensive surprise.
- No eating or drinking on the MRT, including water, in trains and paid station areas. Fines can be steep.
- No durians on public transport. The king of fruits is banned for its mighty smell. Signs literally show a crossed-out durian.
- Chewing gum isn't sold in shops under long-standing rules, so don't count on buying any.
- Littering is fined, and so is smoking outside designated smoking areas, which are clearly marked.
- Jaywalking near a pedestrian crossing can also be penalised. Use the crossings; they're everywhere anyway.
Follow these, and the only money you'll part with in Singapore is on things you actually enjoy.
Staying connected (it saves money too)
Mobile data from the moment you land lets you compare taxi and ride-hailing fares, find the nearest hawker centre, check your bank app for foreign fees, and use digital tickets without printing anything. It also helps you avoid home roaming charges, which are often far pricier than a local eSIM.
Money safety in Singapore
Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world, and pickpocketing or card fraud against visitors is rare. Still, a few easy habits keep your money trip-proof: keep a backup card separate from your main wallet, switch on instant transaction alerts in your banking app, and check each receipt for an unexpected service charge or duplicate item before you pay. Be wary of "too good to be true" attraction tickets sold by strangers or unofficial websites, and book through reputable platforms instead. If a card goes missing, freeze it in your banking app straight away, then call your bank. Singapore's police are also very approachable if you need a report for your insurance.
Seven money mistakes visitors make in Singapore
- Changing all their money at the airport, when city money changers usually offer better rates.
- Choosing their home currency on card machines and ATMs. Always pay in SGD.
- Forgetting the "++" and being surprised when dinner costs about a fifth more than the menu.
- Tipping on top of a service charge, which means paying twice for the same thing.
- Eating every meal in malls and hotels instead of hawker centres, where the food is often better and far cheaper.
- Taking taxis after midnight without thinking, when the midnight surcharge can add a lot to the fare.
- Throwing away receipts for bigger purchases, and missing the GST refund.
Your pre-trip money checklist
- ☑ A card with no (or low) foreign transaction fees, plus a backup card
- ☑ Phone wallet set up for tap-to-pay and the MRT
- ☑ S$50–100 in small notes and coins for hawker centres
- ☑ A plan to change larger amounts at a city money changer, not the airport
- ☑ Remember: always pay in SGD
- ☑ "++" means about 20% more at restaurants
- ☑ A packet of tissues (for choping seats and for chilli-sauce emergencies)
- ☑ A Singapore eSIM ready before you fly
- ☑ Passport handy when shopping, for eTRS GST refunds
- ☑ A refillable water bottle, because tap water is safe
Fun money facts to share over kopi
- Singapore and Brunei dollars are interchangeable at par, thanks to an agreement dating back to 1967.
- Singapore once issued a S$10,000 note, one of the most valuable banknotes in the world. It's no longer issued but is still legal tender.
- Singapore's hawker culture is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, so your cheap lunch is officially world heritage.
- Some hawker stalls have earned Michelin recognition, making them among the most affordable Michelin-listed meals anywhere.
- A packet of tissues can "reserve" a table, possibly the world's most polite, and cheapest, booking system.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need cash in Singapore?
Only a little. Cards and phone wallets work almost everywhere, but carry around S$50–100 in small notes and coins for hawker centres, wet markets and small shops.
What does "++" mean on Singapore menus?
It means a 10% service charge and 9% GST will be added to the listed price, so the final bill is roughly 20% more than the menu price.
Should I tip in Singapore?
Tipping isn't customary. Restaurants usually add a service charge, and hawker centres don't expect tips. A small tip for exceptional service is appreciated but optional.
Can I use my credit card on the MRT?
Yes. Tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or a phone wallet, at the MRT gates and on buses, and use the same card for every trip. A Singapore Tourist Pass is an alternative for unlimited rides.
Where is the best place to change money in Singapore?
Licensed money changers in the city, such as those at The Arcade in Raffles Place or in Little India, usually offer better rates than airport and hotel counters. Compare a few booths before you change.
How do I get a GST refund in Singapore?
Spend at least S$100 including GST at a participating retailer, request an eTRS transaction with your passport, keep your receipts and goods, and claim at the eTRS kiosks at Changi Airport when you leave, within two months of purchase.
Is Singapore expensive for tourists?
Hotels and bars can be pricey, but food at hawker centres, public transport and many top sights, like Gardens by the Bay's outdoor gardens and the free evening light shows, are very affordable or free.
Featured experiences in this guide
Spend smart, see more of Singapore
Book Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer, river cruises and money-saving passes ahead at clear prices, and save your cash for chicken rice.