Singapore (SG)

Singapore is highly cashless. PayNow (instant bank-to-bank transfer via phone number or NRIC/FIN), NETS, PayLah! (DBS), GrabPay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are universally accepted. Credit and debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) work everywhere. Hawker centres increasingly accept NETS, PayNow QR, and GrabPay. Cash is still useful for small vendors, traditional wet markets, and some older provision shops. A 10% service charge + 9% GST is added at restaurants, totalling approximately 19.9% — tipping is not customary.

ATMs (CDMs) are widely available at MRT stations, shopping malls, 7-Eleven, and bank branches. DBS/POSB has the largest ATM network. Overseas card withdrawals: typically S$5–7 flat fee plus 1–3% currency conversion. Use Wise or Revolut to minimise fees for international transfers.

Best exchange rates at licensed money changers — better than banks or airport counters by 1–3%. Top locations: Raffles Place (Change Alley), Lucky Plaza (Orchard), Mustafa Centre (Little India, 24h), and money changers in Sim Lim Square. Never exchange at airport except for emergency amounts. Wise is best for large international transfers.