PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Transportation
Before you leave your country, you have to be and will be responsible for making all travel
connections, any customs declarations when entering the country and the contents of
your own wardrobe, technical equipments that you may have or need to bring along for
your public presentations.
PLEASE OBSERVE THE UTMOST SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AT ALL TIMES. Passports, money,
travelers’ checks, debit cards, credit cards and all other identity cards should be secured
in separate inside pockets and/or money belts strapped to yourself. Please do not leave
valuables in your hotel room except when there is a safe provided for secure deposit
either in your room or at the hotel reception counter.
MAP
Singapore map indicating places of interest are available and complimentary / free at
Singapore Changi Airport’s arrival hall and tourist information counters throughout the
city or in most hotels. The organisers will be providing a copy of the Singapore Map in the
Information Kit that will be handed out to participants staying in the Royal@Queens hotel
or at the arrival in ASEF on the 24th in the morning for other participants.
TRANSPORT IN SINGAPORE
There are various modes of public transport in Singapore, namely, Mass Rapid Transit
(MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), bus and taxis / cabs. You may access the website
(http://www.smrt.com.sg/main/index.asp) for more information.
1. MASS RAPIT TRANSIT (MRT)
The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) are inexpensive, easy-to-use
and reliable modes of transportation in Singapore.
There is a host of ticketing schemes based on stored value smartcards to suit a wide
variety of needs. From standard tickets for one-time travel to tourist pass, and student
and senior citizen concession pass.
A stored value card termed as EZ-link card amounting to Singapore Dollars $30 will be
provided by the organisers to all participants for your local travel during the Art Camp in
Singapore. You can use it to enter and exit the MRT and even buses at discounted prices.
The card costs S$15, including S$7 of stored value and S$3 refundable deposit.
You can top up your EZ-link card at any TransitLink Ticket Office, General Ticketing
Machines (GTMs) or Add Value Machines (AVMs) in the MRT stations or bus interchanges.
The minimum top-up value is S$10, while the maximum stored value allowed is S$100.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Transportation
You may top up your card using cash or NETS. If you pay with cash at GTMs, please use
the exact amount as no change will be issued. A $1 deposit is required and is refundable
at GTMs or the Passenger Service Centre at your alighting station. AVMs accept only
payment by NETS.
Please refer to the below map for the MRT lines or access the url at
http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/network_map.asp
2. BUS
Buses connect various corners of Singapore. You can use your EZ-link card or pay cash
for all bus rides. If you are using cash and are unclear about the fare stage system,
please ask the driver for the fare to your destination. Please be prepared with sufficient
change.
Payment with the EZ-link card is the easiest method. You just have to tap your card
against the proximity reader at the bus entrance and tap the card again at the exit. The
fare amount will be deducted from your card. Kindly monitor the balance in your card and
ensure that you top up the card at your own expenses when the amount of S$30
provided has been fully utilised.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Transportation
3. TAXI
Cabs in Singapore use meters to charge for the fare for each ride and are reasonably
priced.
The price range for the different cab companies in Singapore are as follows:
NO.
DETAILS
AMOUNT
1
Flag down rate for 1st kilometre and less
S$2.80 to S$3.20
2
Incremental rate per 210 to 385 metres and
less/more
$0.10 to S$0.30
3
Booking fee for calling a cab via phone, on-line or text
messages
$2.50 to advance booking of
at least half hour $16
4
Peak hours premium / surcharge
35% of total metered fare
(Monday to Saturday - 7 to 9.30am and 5 to 8pm and
not applicable on public holiday )
5
Midnight surcharge
50% of total metered fare
(11.30pm to 6am)
6
Central Business District (CBD) surcharge
$3
(Monday to Saturday - 5pm to Midnight)
7
Public Holiday surcharge
$1
(From 6pm eve of public holiday to 12 midnight of
public holiday)
8
Electronic Road Pricing surcharge
9
Administrative charge for payment via credit and
charge card
10
Administrative charge for payment via NETS
11
Every trip starting from Changi Airport
As shown on upper display of
the In-Vehicle unit at the
front top right hand side of
the cab
10% of total metered fare
S$0.30 on top of total
metered fare
- Friday to Sunday – 5pm to Midnight
S$5
- All other times
S$3
12
Every trip starting from Seletar Airport
S$3
13
Every trip starting from Singapore Expo Centre
S$2
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Transportation
The fare sheet on the side windows of the back passenger seats will also provide the above
information. The fare payable upon arrival at your destination will be clearly shown on the
meter. If you have any issues or questions, please feel free to clarify with the cab driver. For
more details on the various fares and surcharges or to call for cabs, please refer to the below:
1
Comfort Transportation Pte Ltd , CityCab Pte Ltd
Address : 383, Sin Ming Drive
Singapore 575717
Tel : 6555 1188
Fax : 6552 4125
E-mail : feedback@cdgtaxi.com.sg
http://www.comfort-transportation.com.sg/main.asp
2
SMRT Taxis Pte Ltd
Address : 60, Woodlands Industrial Park E4
Singapore 757705
Tel : 6369 0111
Fax : 6369 3639
E-mail : taxisfeedback@smrt.com.sg
http://www.smrt.com.sg/main/index.asp
3
Trans-Cab Services Pte Ltd
Address : 58, Defu Lane 1
Singapore 539498
Tel : 6287 6666
Fax : 6287 7764
Email : transcab@singnet.com.sg
http://www.transcabservices.com.sg
4
Premier Taxis Pte Ltd
Address : No 14 Chang Charn Road,
Singapore 159642
Tel : 6476 8880 (For Feedback)
Fax : 6473 9339
Email : feedback@premiertaxi.com (For Feedback)
http://www.premiertaxi.com
5
Smart Automobile Pte Ltd
Address : 39, Tampines St 92, #01-01
Singapore 528883
Tel : 6485 7700
Fax : 6485 7711
Email : feedback@smartcab.com.sg
http://www.smartcab.com.sg
6
Prime Car Rental & Taxi Services Pte Ltd
Address : 5, Benoi Place
Singapore 629926
Tel : 6898 2000
Fax : 6862 2628
Email : primecar@singnet.com.sg
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Money Matters and Time
MONEY MATTERS
The unit of Singapore currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD or S$). Moneychangers can be found everywhere, especially in tourist areas such as Orchard
Road, Chinatown, Bugis Street, etc.
Travellers Checks are accepted by leading banks, hotels, and stores. International
credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, and Diners Club
are also accepted at major establishments and many others.
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can easily be found all over the island, and they
generally accept VISA / MasterCard as well as PLUS and Cirrus ATM cards.
TIPPING
Tipping is not a common practice in Singapore. Most hotels and restaurants already
levy a 10% service charge on the bill and a 7% Goods & Services Tax.
EXCHANGE RATE
1 Chinese Yuan (CNY)
1 Bulgaria Leva (BGN)
1 Czech Koruna (CZK)
1 Estonia Kroon (EEK)
1 Euro
1 Great Britain Pound (GBP)
1 Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
1 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
1 India Rupees (IPR)
1 Japanese Yen (JPY)
1 Korean Won (KRW)
1 Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
1 Pakistan Ruppes (PKR)
1 Philippines Pesos (PHP)
1 Thai Bhat (THB)
1 US Dollars (USD)
1 Vietnamese Dong (VND)
= 0.19871 Singapore Dollar (SGD)
= 1.09485 SGD
= 0.09023 SGD
= 0.13619 SGD
= 2.13135 SGD
= 2.69828 SGD
= 0.17452 SGD
= 0.0001476 SGD
= 0.0313655 SGD
= 0.01273 SGD
= 0.001325 SGD
= 0.41966 SGD
= 0.0190134 SGD
= 0.0296810 SGD
= 0.04102 SGD
= 1.36519 SGD
= 0.00008353 SGD
TIME
Singapore time is GMT +8 hours, without Daylight Saving Time.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Telecommunications, Language & Internet Access
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
All Singapore phone numbers have eight digits. Mobile phone numbers start with ‘9’ or
‘8’ while fixed land line numbers start with ‘6’. Country code for Singapore is 65.
There are two mobile phone networks (GSM900 and GSM1800) and three mobile telephone
service providers (Singtel, M1, and Starhub). To make international calls, the access codes
are:

001, 013, or 019 for Singtel

002 or 021 for M1

008 or 018 for Starhub
Public payphones operated by credit card and/or stored-value phonecards can be used to
make both local and international calls. Stored-value phonecards can be purchased from
post offices, 7-Eleven stores and other retail outlets.
Prepaid SIM cards are available from the three main service providers. Just bring your own
GSM 900 or GSM 1800 mobile phone. The cheapest pre-paid SIM card costs around $10 and
can be purchased at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven or at mobile phone shops, which
are not difficult to find in most parts of Singapore.
As a result of a law recently passed in Singapore, all purchases of pre-paid SIM cards must
be registered, so have your passport on hand. A local phone call costs between 5-25 cents
per minute, whereas each local text message (SMS) costs about 5 cents (international SMS
cost about 15-25 cents).
LANGUAGE
The primary languages of Singapore are English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and Hindu. There
are mainly 4 major groups of people in Singapore, namely, Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian
and others.
INTERNET ACCESS
There is free 24 hours internet access the Royal@Queens and Albert Court Hotel.
Alternatively, the National Library offers free wireless connection. If your laptop or PDA is
equipped with a wireless network card, you can enjoy this facility. Public libraries all over the
island also offer cheap Internet access.
Some other free or cheap wireless internet connections are increasingly common at fast-food
restaurants like McDonalds or Burger King. For contact details of Internet cafes, please call:
1900 777 7777 for CitySearch.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Electricity, Water, Food, Medical, Attire & Embassies
ELECTRICITY
Electricity - Singapore voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. The power plugs
in use in Singapore are of the three-pin, square-shaped type.
WATER
Tap water is safe for drinking. You may also boil the water or buy bottled water.
MEALS/RESTAURANTS
Singapore is a food paradise with many cuisines from all over the world. You can
do it in group and order dishes to share with the others at the table. Through this,
you will be able to discover the diversity of Singapore cuisine!
ATTIRE
The climate of Singapore is tropical; mainly hot and humid with rain at times throughout
the whole year. Light, natural fabrics for example, cotton are best for staying cool. A sun
hat or baseball cap is another extremely useful item to take with you. Generally,
Singaporeans tend to dress informally (mostly in modern contemporary style) except for
office wear, business meetings and functions or in formal setting occasions.
MEDICAL CONCERNS
Please BRING along your medicines that you regularly take with you. If you are sick,
please contact the organisers or you could go to any nearby hospitals or clinics. (Please
note: In order not to get lost, please take a name card of the hotel you are staying in
always with you).
In event of any emergencies, you may also seek for help from your Embassy or Consulate
in Singapore. The telephone numbers are as follows:
EMBASSIES
Telephone Number
Bulgaria
China
Czech Republic
Germany
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Japan
Pakistan
Philippines
Thailand
The Netherlands (Dutch)
UK (British Embassy)
Vietnam
+ 65- 6737-1111
+ 65-6471-2117 / +65-6479-3250
+ 65-6332-2378
+ 65-6533-6002
+ 65- 6737-6777
+ 65-6737-7422
+ 65-6238-7616
+ 65-6235-8855
+ 65-6737-6988
+ 65- 6737-3977
+ 65-6737-2158
+ 65-6737-1155
+ 65-6424-4200
+ 65-6468-3747
Last but not least, please keep the organisers’ mobile phone numbers with you at all
times for any events queries or emergency contact. This kit contains the most current
information available at the time of printing.