Money in Singapore is straightforward once you know three things: you do not tip, your bank card is also your transport ticket, and hawker centres still like cash. Everything else is detail — but the detail includes a GST refund process that catches people out at the airport, so it is worth ten minutes.
Tourists can claim back Goods and Services Tax on eligible purchases from participating retailers. The process is simple but unforgiving about sequence:
The most common GST mistake: checking in the luggage containing the goods before processing the refund. Once the items are not available for inspection, the claim can be refused.
| Category | Reality |
|---|---|
| Hawker food | SGD 4–8 — the cheapest excellent thing in the city |
| Transport | SGD 1–2.50 a journey; taxis 10–20 for a short city trip |
| Alcohol | Heavily taxed. Beer 12–18, cocktails 20–28 in bars |
| Attractions | 25–60 for the major ones — and many of the best things are free |
| Service charge + GST | Added at most restaurants; check whether prices are quoted ‘++’ |
The single most useful money fact about Singapore: you control most of your spend through two decisions — where you eat and whether you take taxis. Hawker meals and the MRT put a day’s costs in the SGD 30–50 range; restaurant meals and default taxis put the same day above SGD 200. Everything else, including the GST refund, is rounding by comparison.
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No. Tipping is not part of the culture and is not expected in restaurants, taxis, hotels or hawker centres. Most restaurants add a service charge and GST to the bill, which is what the '++' on menu prices means. Leaving extra is unnecessary and occasionally causes confusion — the price is the price.
Almost everywhere. Cards and contactless payments are universal in restaurants, shops, taxis and cafés, and contactless bank cards work directly at MRT gates and on buses. The exception is hawker centres, where many older stallholders still prefer cash or PayNow QR — carry SGD 30–50 in small notes for this.
Tourists may claim a refund of Goods and Services Tax on eligible purchases from participating retailers, subject to minimum spend and conditions. You must request the refund paperwork or e-registration at the point of purchase, then process the claim at the airport before departure with the goods available for inspection. Allow extra time at Changi — the queues at peak departure hours are real, and unprocessed claims cannot be made after you fly.
No need. ATMs are everywhere and offer competitive rates, cards work almost universally, and the money changers in the city (particularly at Mustafa and the Arcade at Raffles Place) offer better rates than airport counters or your home bank. Withdraw a modest amount on arrival and use cards otherwise.
Overwhelmingly card and QR, with one important exception: hawker centres and older coffee shops, where cash remains the simplest option. The practical approach is to use cards for everything and keep small notes for eating.
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