Money in Singapore

Cards and Contactless Are Accepted Almost Everywhere

Singapore is one of the most cashless societies in Asia. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at virtually every restaurant, shop, hotel, taxi and hawker centre chain stall. Contactless payments work seamlessly — Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are all widely supported at NFC terminals. The government-backed NETS and PayNow systems dominate local payments, but these require a Singaporean bank account. For foreign visitors, international Visa/Mastercard contactless is the most practical option, and GrabPay (linked to the Grab ride-hailing app) can be topped up with some international cards. Cash is mainly needed at traditional hawker centres (older standalone stalls), wet markets and some small shops in older neighbourhoods.

ATMs Are Plentiful — Withdraw in SGD Only

ATMs from DBS, OCBC, UOB and POSB (Singapore's major banks) are everywhere — in MRT stations, shopping centres, convenience stores and bank branches. All major ATMs accept international Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus cards. Withdrawal limits vary by card and machine — check your own bank's limit before travelling. Always decline dynamic currency conversion and withdraw in SGD to avoid inflated exchange rates; foreign-transaction fees vary by home bank, so it's worth checking those too. Given how card-friendly Singapore is, you may not need to withdraw much cash at all.

Get an EZ-Link or SimplyGo Card for Transport

The EZ-Link card is Singapore's integrated transport stored-value card, covering the MRT subway, buses, and some taxis and retail outlets. Buy and top up one at any MRT station or 7-Eleven; fares on both MRT and bus are distance-based rather than flat. Alternatively, SimplyGo allows a contactless Visa or Mastercard to be used directly on MRT and bus readers — no separate card needed, and both systems charge the same fares.

No Tipping — Service Charge and GST Are Included

Singapore does not have a tipping culture. Restaurants add a service charge and GST to the bill, so the price shown on the menu is not the final price — expect a meaningful markup once both are added. Do not tip at hawker centres, taxis, hotels or coffee shops; this is a genuine cultural norm, not false modesty. The only situation where a small gratuity might be appropriate is for exceptional service from a private tour guide or hotel concierge who has gone well beyond their role, but it is never expected.