FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Singapore

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Singapore each year. The main ones are listed below.

For three days, Chinese New Year celebrations involve merry-making and entertainment of many kinds, both at home with family members and outside in the streets of Singapore's Chinatown: stage shows, firecrackers and fireworks displays.

The holy month of Ramadan, during which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, is an especially pious time for Singapore's Muslims, who represent nearly 15% of the population. Fasting begins each day at sunrise and ends at sunset. For the entire month within the Muslim community, everything moves at a slower pace during the day. The breaking of the fast at sunset is a time of togetherness for families.

Commemorates Singapore's independence from Malaysia on this day in 1965. Everything, from the streets to office buildings, homes and cars, not to mention the Singaporeans themselves, is decked out in red and white, the colours of the national flag. Highlights include a military parade, civilian processions, a spectacular fireworks display, and other festivities.

According to Chinese tradition, people stop working on that day, for hungry ghosts (criminals, thieves, drug addicts) are thought to return among the living to seek revenge and settle scores. On this particular night in the Chinese community of Singapore, it is thought best to not to set about doing anything, by fear of letting them near.

This festival honours the birthday of T'se Tien Tai Seng Yeh, a very popular deity in Asia, who cures the sick and frees the hopeless. Celebrations take place at the Monkey God Temple on Seng Poh Road. Mediums enter a trance state, during which they write special charms. Elsewhere in the city, Chinese street operas, puppet shows and acrobatic performances are held.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Singapore

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	23/73	30/86	239/9.4	Not the best period to go
February	24/75	31/88	173/6.8	Good period to go
March	24/75	32/90	187/7.4	Not the best period to go
April	24/75	32/90	183/7.2	Not the best period to go
May	25/77	32/90	172/6.8	Not the best period to go
June	25/77	31/88	168/6.6	Not the best period to go
July	25/77	31/88	159/6.3	Good period to go
August	24/75	31/88	180/7.1	Good period to go
September	24/75	31/88	172/6.8	Not the best period to go
October	24/75	31/88	201/7.9	Not the best period to go
November	24/75	30/86	253/10.0	Not the best period to go
December	23/73	30/86	281/11.1	Not the best period to go

Singapore Changi International Airport

The Singapore Changi International Airport is located about 17 kilometres (11 miles) north-east of the city centre.

• Three terminals
  • Terminal 1 (Air France)
  • Terminal 2
  • Terminal 3

• By car
  • Accessible via the Tampines Expressway (TPE).
  • Parking facilities with a total capacity of 5,500, located at each terminal (1, 2 and 3), with a rate of SGD 0.04 per minute, capped at SGD 35.00 for 24 hours).
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals halls of each terminal, open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• By rail
  • Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system connects the airport with the city centre. The Changi Airport station, on the East-West Line, is located below Terminals 2 and 3. Expect 50 to 60 minutes to reach destination. SGD 5 for a one-way ticket.
• By bus
  • Bus line 36 links the airport to central Singapore and runs from 6 a.m. to midnight. The trip takes about 1 hour and the fare is SGD 2.50.
• By shuttle bus
  • The airport operates a shuttle bus service offering connections to the city centre. The trip takes about 1 hour and the fare is SGD 9 each way.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the arrivals halls. The trip to the city takes about 50 minutes and costs between SGD 20 and SGD 40, plus a luggage surcharge of SGD 3 to SGD 5, depending on the time of day.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi), bank and post office available in the airport.
• Telephone: +65 6595 6868
• Website: http://www.changiairport.com

GETTING AROUND Singapore

It is very easy to get around Singapore. The city's modern, efficient and affordable transport options cover the entire urban area.

By rail

Both fast and convenient, the MRT, Singapore's urban rail network, is certainly the easiest way to get around. Modern and thoroughly reliable, it serves most city districts. Trains operate at 2-minute intervals during peak hours. Fares are about SGD 1.

Useful tips

If you will be using the MRT several times during your stay, the system's rechargeable EZ-Link card, available at all MRT stations, is the most convenient way to buy fares. The minimum initial stored travel value is SGD 10, to which is added a non-refundable deposit of SGD 5. At your last destination station before leaving Singapore, you can turn in the card and obtain a refund of any unused travel value. The card may be charged with fares up to SGD 500.

By bus

Singapore has a very efficient network of bus routes. However, it is essential to know the name of your destination, because there are no system maps on the buses. You can pay the driver in cash (exact fare only, no change is given). Fares within the city centre start at about SGD 0.70 for air-conditioned buses.

By taxi

For longer trips, taxis can be very useful. They are plentiful in Singapore (almost 25,000) and relatively inexpensive. Expect to pay between SGD 5 and SGD 20 for a ride within the city centre.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Singapore, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

At various locations throughout the city, Singapore's tourism authority operates these centres, where you can obtain helpful information and recommendations for visiting the city and its surrounding area.

• ION Orchard: ION Orchard, Level 1 Concierge
• Chinatown Visitor Centre: 2 Banda Street (Behind Buddha Tooth Relic Temple)
• Orchard: 216 Orchard Road

The official website maintained by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) provides a wealth of information on Singapore.

• Website: http://www.yoursingapore.com

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD).

EUR 1 = SGD 1,60

SGD 1 = EUR 0,63

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. Singapore counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home.

Booster doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccines are recommended. Depending on the length of your stay and hygiene conditions, the following additional vaccinations are also recommended: typhoid, hepatitis A and B.

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Phone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Tap water is safe to drink in Singapore.

Administrative formalities

As a general rule, a visa is required to enter Singapore. However, Singapore has entered into visa exemption agreements with a number of countries.

For further information, visit the website of the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority:http://www.ica.gov.sg/services_centre_overview.aspx?pageid=252&secid=165

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Singapore, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

00 65

+ phone number

7 : 00
of time difference with
Dublin

No daylight savings time in Singapore.

Banks

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Government offices

Usually open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
Tipping is not a common practice in Singapore. It is also largely unnecessary because most restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to the bill. But you can certainly leave something extra if no service charge has been included. Neither vendors at hawker centres nor taxis expect to receive a tip.