Elite Experiences—Guides
Arriving in Singapore, without the small mistakes.
The practical things every visitor asks us in the car on the way from Changi — the arrival card, the taxi queue that isn't worth joining, and the tax refund most people forget to claim.
Last updated: 23 July 2026
Do I need to fill in the SG Arrival Card?
Yes — every visitor needs one, and it is free. Submit it online within the three days before you land; there is no paper form at the airport and no fee, so any site charging you for one is not the official service. Do it before you fly: airport wifi queues are the worst possible place to be typing passport numbers. You will also declare your health status in the same form, and you get an email acknowledgement — save it offline, because terminal wifi is not guaranteed.
What is the fastest way from Changi to the city?
A regular taxi from the public queue is usually faster than anything you can arrange inside the terminal. The queue looks long and moves quickly — it is marshalled, and it almost always beats waiting for a rideshare to find you in a multi-storey car park. Expect roughly 20–30 minutes to Marina Bay outside peak hours. The MRT is genuinely good and very cheap, but it means stairs and a change with luggage, which is a poor trade after a long-haul flight.
Should I book the airport limousine at the counter?
Usually not — the in-terminal limousine counters cost several times a metered fare for the same journey. They are worth it in exactly two cases: you are arriving with more luggage than a sedan holds, or you want a name board and a fixed price for someone travelling alone. Otherwise the surcharge buys you a slightly newer car. If you want a car waiting with a known driver and a known price, arrange it before you fly rather than at the counter.
How does the GST refund work, and is it worth claiming?
You can claim the Goods and Services Tax back on purchases you take out of the country, and it is worth doing above a few hundred dollars. Ask for the eTRS ticket at the point of sale — you need it, and you need the same card you paid with. At the airport, process the claim at the eTRS kiosk before you check the bags, because customs may want to see the item. Leave a spare twenty minutes; the kiosks queue badly at the evening long-haul bank.
How much cash do I actually need?
Very little — cards work almost everywhere, including most taxis. The real exception is hawker centres, where many of the best stalls are cash-only or accept only local payment apps. A hundred dollars in small notes covers a week of hawker meals comfortably. Do not change money at the airport beyond what you need for the first day; the rates in town are markedly better.
What is the tipping expectation?
There is none, and this genuinely surprises visitors. Restaurants add a service charge and GST to the bill, and rounding up a taxi fare is the most anyone expects. Tipping a guide or a driver is welcome but never assumed, and no one will chase you for it. If a service charge already appears on the bill, adding more on top is unusual rather than generous.
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