Currency and Payment Options in Singapore

Currency in Singapore: A Simple Guide for Tourists

Singapore is one of Asia’s most modern and efficient countries. That also includes its payment systems. The official currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD), symbolized as S$ or SGD. Currency in Singapore is accepted everywhere from hawker centers and MRT stations to luxury hotels and malls.

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While digital payments and cards are widespread, it’s still smart to carry some cash. Especially for small purchases. In this guide, you’ll learn where to exchange money, how digital wallets work, what cards are accepted, and the local tipping etiquette.

• 1 Singapore Dollar = 100 cents
  
• Notes: S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$1,000
  
• Coins: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, S$1
  

Currency Exchange Options in Singapore

You can exchange money at the airport, money changers, or banks. Airport counters are convenient but usually offer lower rates. The best rates are typically found at money changers in places like The Arcade (Raffles Place) or Mustafa Centre. All changers are licensed and safe to use.

Where to exchange safely:

• Mustafa Centre, The Arcade @ Raffles
  
• Any licensed money changer in malls or business areas
  
• Banks like DBS, OCBC, UOB
  

Highlights:

• No passport is needed for small exchanges.
  
• Rates are competitive and transparent.
  
• Avoid exchanging large sums at the airport.
  

Digital Payment Options in Singapore

Singapore is highly cashless, with contactless and mobile payments widely used. Locals use apps like PayNow, GrabPay, and DBS PayLah!. Tourists can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and QR code payments with Visa or Mastercard. Even hawker centers and taxis now accept digital payments.

For tourists:

• Contactless payments are widely accepted.
  
• Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card-linked QR codes.
  

Highlights:

• No local app is required your own bank wallet may work.
  
• Mobile payments are accepted even in food courts.
  
• GrabPay can be topped up using a foreign card.
  

Credit Card and Debit Card Payments

Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Singapore. Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are commonly used in hotels, restaurants, and stores. Even small shops and food courts accept cards with no extra fees.

Accepted cards:

• Visa, Mastercard, Amex
  
• UnionPay and Discover in many places too
  

Highlights:

• No minimum amount for card use in most places.
  
• No surcharge for card payments in 95% of shops.
  
• ATMs accept foreign cards with international logos.
  

Tipping Culture in Singapore

Tipping is not required in Singapore and is not part of local culture. A 10% service charge is usually included in hotel and restaurant bills. However, you may tip as a token of appreciation in upscale services or personal interactions.

When to tip:

• Hotel porters, private guides, or spa therapists (optional)
  
• Taxis and restaurants do not expect tips
  

Highlights:

• Tipping is neither expected nor common.
  
• You won’t offend anyone by not tipping.
  
• Service charge is automatically added to most bills.
  

Useful Tips for Tourists

• Use contactless cards or mobile wallets for most purchases.
  
• Keep S$10–S$20 in cash for vending machines or small items.
  
• Use multi-currency cards like Revolut or Wise for better exchange rates.
  
• Singapore ATMs are reliable and support most foreign cards.
  
• Watch for S$1,000 notes, they’re not accepted everywhere.
  

FAQs About Currency in Singapore

1. What payment method is used in Singapore?
Singapore uses cash, debit/credit cards, and mobile wallets like PayNow, GrabPay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

2. What are the payment options in Singapore?
Common forms include card payments (Visa/Mastercard), QR payments, NETS (local debit), and digital wallets.

3. What are payment options in Singapore Airlines?
You can pay using credit/debit cards, PayPal, Alipay, or bank transfer, depending on your country of booking.

4. How to pay in Singapore without cash?
Use mobile wallets, contactless cards, or QR payments. Most places, even hawker centers, support cashless transactions.

5. Which payment app is used in Singapore?
PayNow, GrabPay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay are the most widely used apps in Singapore.

6. Does Singapore use PayPal?
Yes, PayPal is accepted for online payments and with select merchants.

7. What payment method is most used?
Card payments and PayNow QR transfers are the most popular in Singapore.

8. What are the 4 special forms of payment?
Digital wallets, contactless cards, bank transfers, and QR-based apps like PayNow.

9. Does UPI work in Singapore?
UPI is accepted at select merchants partnered with Liquid Group and via some Indian banking apps.

10. How do tourists pay in Singapore?
Tourists can pay using international Visa/Mastercard cards or use mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay.

11. How do I pay at Singapore airport?
Cards and mobile payments are accepted at shops and restaurants. Taxis accept cash, card, or Grab.

12. What is the best payment method for travel?
Use a travel-friendly debit/credit card or digital wallet with no foreign transaction fees.

13. Can you pay with debit at the airport?
Yes, major airport merchants accept debit cards from Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay.

14. How much cash do I need for 3 days in Singapore?
SGD 150–300 is enough for local transport, food, and attractions if most big expenses are paid by card.

15. Is Uber in Singapore?
No, Uber exited Singapore. Use Grab or Gojek instead.

16. Which payment method works in Singapore?
Cards, NETS, and mobile wallets like PayNow, Google Pay, and GrabPay work across the country.

17. Can I go cashless in Singapore?
Yes, Singapore is highly cashless. Even small shops accept digital payments.

18. Which app works in Singapore?
Grab, PayNow, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and DBS PayLah are widely used for everyday transactions.

19. What is the most popular mobile payment in Singapore?
PayNow is the most common, followed by GrabPay and Google Pay.

20. Is PayPal available in Nepal?
PayPal can be used to send money from Nepal but not to receive funds directly.

21. Is PayPal located in Singapore?
Yes, PayPal has operations in Singapore and supports local users.

22. Which countries use Cash App?
Cash App is available only in the U.S. and the UK.

23. Which online payment is best?
In Singapore, PayNow and GrabPay are best for locals, while tourists prefer Visa or Google Pay.

24. What is the full form of UPI?
UPI stands for Unified Payments Interface, a real-time payment system from India.

25. Is there an alternative to PayPal?
Yes, alternatives include Wise, Stripe, Google Pay, and GrabPay.

26. What is Singapore’s fast payment method?
PayNow allows instant bank-to-bank transfers using mobile numbers or QR codes.

27. Which pay wallet is best?
GrabPay is versatile for food, rides, and retail. PayNow is great for peer-to-peer transfers.

28. How to pay without a cash card?
Use mobile wallets like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayNow via QR scanning.

29. Is Google Pay available in Singapore?
Yes, Google Pay works for both online and offline transactions at most locations.

30. Is it better to use cash or card in Singapore?
Card is better. Most vendors accept contactless or digital payments.

31. How to pay bus fare in Singapore?
Tap your EZ-Link card, contactless debit/credit card, or use SimplyGo app for MRT and buses.

32. What is fast cash in Singapore?
Fast cash refers to instant loans or ATM withdrawals available through banks and apps.

33. How to pay in SG?
Use NETS, cards, or mobile apps. Most daily transactions can be done without cash.

34. How to do transactions in Singapore?
Scan a QR code, tap a contactless card, or use PayNow with a mobile number.