Major credit and charge cards are widely accepted. Call American Express International (6299 8133 or 6732 2244), Diners Club International (6294 4222 or 6292 7055), Visa International (1800-3451345) or Mastercard (6533 2888) for more information.

American Express has an Express Cash ATM in Terminal 1 at the airport and you can obtain emergency cash by card or cheque at its office. Call their hotline at 1800-7322244 for assistance. Diners Club members in need of quick cash can bring their card and their passport to its office at #03-201, 7500E Beach Road, Tel: 6294 4222. Visa card holders can get cash from any Visa-issuing bank, including Chase Manhattan 6291 1298 and Citibank 1800-2255225.

Smoking in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas, government offices, air-conditioned restaurants and shopping centres is against the law. First offenders may pay fines up to a maximum of $1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in most air-conditioned areas, smoking is not prohibited in air conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and other nightspots.

Littering of any kind is subject to a $1,000 fine for first offenders, and up to $2,000 with a corrective work order for repeat offenders. As an extension of the law against littering, the import and sale of chewing gum is prohibited.

Visitors must have passports valid for six months from the time of arrival. Visas are not required for stays up to 14 days for Commonwealth citizens, British passport holders and citizens of the Republic of Ireland. For information about visa requirements, please call the Singapore Immigration Department at 6391 6100.

Global Refund
To participate, simply ask for a Global Refund cheque when you spend a minimum of $100 at any Global Refund affiliated retailer displaying the Global Refund Tax Free Shopping sign. When you claim your GST refund at the Global Refund Counters in Changi Airport, Centrepoint Shopping Centre, Funan The IT Mall, Sim Lim Square or Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, lucky draw entry coupons will be issued to you. Hotline: 6225 6238 www.globalrefund.com

Premier Tax Free
Premier Tax Free is an electronic refund scheme that offers tourists the convenience of using international pre-paid envelopes to make refund claims from their home country after endorsement by the Singapore Customs. This system is electronic, fast and easy. All you have to do is spend a minimum of $100 at outlets affiliated with Premier Tax Free. Hotline: 6293 3811 www.premiertaxfree.com

In most food and beverage outlets and hotels, prices are quoted as nett or '+++'. The '+++' means an additional 10% service charge, 1% CESS (govt tax) and 4% GST (Goods and Services Tax). Changi Airport tax is $20. Coupons can be purchased at the airport, most travel agencies and some hotels.

Taxis can be flagged from hotels and taxi stands as well as on the streets, if there are no taxi stands nearby and traffic is not disrupted. Flagged taxi fare starts between $2.40 and $2.80 for the first 1km. Additional charges apply for trips from Changi Airport (from $3 depending on the time), to and from the CBD ($1 from Mon-Fri, 5pm-8pm), during Peak Hour ($1 from Mon-Sat, 7.30am-9.30am and 5pm-8pm), after Midnight (50% of the fare after midnight), on Public Holidays ($1 from the eve of Public Holidays) and ERP (Electronic Road Pricing - the charge is displayed on the in-vehicle unit). For more information, call City Cab at 6552 2222, Comfort at 6552 1111 or Tibs at 6555 8888. Please note that different taxi companies have different surcharges. The charges listed above serve as a guide.

This modern people-mover is extremely fast, with a train arriving every few minutes. Fares range from 80 cents to $1.80, from vending machines at the stations. Operating hours vary a little but trains run from around 5.15am to 12.49pm. It's wise to check what time the last train leaves if you're planning a late night.

Bus fares range from 70 cents to $1.40 on a non-air conditioned bus and 80 cents to $1.70 on an air-conditioned bus. Provide the correct fare, as drivers do not give change. The Transit Link Guide (for bus and MRT services) is your fail-safe guide, available from MRT station counters.

Chauffeured and rental cars are readily available. Call Sintat 6295 2211, Avis 6737 1668, Hertz 6734 4646 or Presidential Pacific Limousine 6339 9288. For sightseeing in a group, hire a mini bus from Lion Tourist, 6733 9897. Alternatively ride in comfort with Budget Rent-A-Car. They have quite an impressive fleet of cars to take you around Singapore. Please call 6742 0119 for more information.

Access Singapore, a guide on various places specially made accessible to physically disabled visitors can be obtained free from the National Council of Social Service (Tel: 6336 1544).

Most hotels provide postal services at the front desk. Telegram, telex and fax services are also available from the post office. Singapore Post is open from 8.30am-5pm (Mon-Fri). Takashimaya Shopping Centre Post Office is opened from 9.30am-6pm (Mon-Fri), 9.30am-2pm (Sat).

Tipping is not a way of life in Singapore. It is prohibited at the airport and discouraged in hotels and restaurants where there is a 10% service charge.