Currency in Singapore: Your Complete Money Guide (2026)

• Singapore's official currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD, S$) — USD and most foreign currencies are not accepted at shops, restaurants, or public transport
• Money changers beat airport exchange counters by a meaningful margin; The Arcade at Raffles Place is the city's best-known hub for competitive rates
• Cards and contactless payments work at virtually every mall, restaurant, and attraction — but carry SGD 50–100 in cash for hawker centres and street markets
• Apple Pay and Google Pay work for tourists; local apps like PayNow and PayLah! typically require a Singapore mobile number to set up
• Daily budgets range from SGD 120 (budget) to SGD 400+ (premium-to-luxury), excluding accommodation

Currency in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD, S$), accepted everywhere from hawker stalls to Orchard Road malls. Most international credit and debit cards work without issue across the city, but carrying SGD 50–100 in cash ensures you're covered at hawker centres and local markets where card readers are still uncommon. Exchange at a reputable money changer — not the airport — for the best rates.

The first thing many Singapore first-timers notice at Changi Airport is the row of currency exchange counters — and how quickly the rates disappoint. The spreads are wide, the fees are vague, and the convenience is priced accordingly. Getting your SGD right, before and during your trip, takes about ten minutes of planning and can save you noticeably on a week-long stay.

This guide covers everything you need: what the Singapore Dollar looks like, where to exchange it at the best rates, which venues prefer cash and which are card-first, what tourists can actually use for digital payments, and how much to budget depending on how you travel.

Singapore's Currency — The Singapore Dollar Explained

The Singapore Dollar (SGD, S$) has been the official currency since 1967, when Singapore established its own monetary authority two years after independence from Malaysia. It replaced the Malayan dollar and has been managed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) since 2002, which oversees issuance and ensures all notes in circulation are fully backed by external reserves.

As of 2024, SGD is ranked the 13th most traded currency in the world — a reflection of Singapore's position as a global financial hub. For travellers, what that means practically is a stable, predictable currency with no risk of sudden devaluation during your trip.

SGD Denominations: Notes and Coins in Circulation

The current Portrait Series of notes (issued from 1999) features Yusof bin Ishak, Singapore's first president, on the front of every denomination. Notes you'll commonly handle:

• S$2 — green; the smallest note, useful for hawker stalls
• S$5 — green; polymer version also in circulation
• S$10 — red; the most commonly used mid-range note
• S$50 — blue; standard for larger purchases and ATM withdrawals
• S$100 — orange-brown; ATMs often dispense these

Coins come in 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, and S$1. The S$1 coin features the Merlion on its face. Coins are worth keeping — hawker stalls and public transport card top-ups frequently involve exact change.

Why SGD Is One of Southeast Asia's Strongest Currencies

Unlike most of its regional neighbours, Singapore operates a managed float system — the MAS adjusts SGD's value against a trade-weighted basket of currencies to control imported inflation. The result is a currency that rarely spikes or drops dramatically. For travellers coming from countries with weaker currencies (INR, IDR, PHP), expect SGD to feel expensive. For those from Europe, the US, or Australia, purchasing power is broadly comparable to home.

At the time of writing (early 2026), approximate reference rates are: 1 SGD ≈ USD 0.74 / GBP 0.58 / EUR 0.69 / INR 63 / AUD 1.20. Always check a live converter before exchanging, as these shift daily.

The Brunei Dollar: Singapore's Legal Tender Sibling

Few travellers know this: the Brunei Dollar (BND) is accepted as customary tender in Singapore at a 1:1 rate under a Currency Interchangeability Agreement between both countries. In practice, you're unlikely to have Brunei Dollars unless you've recently transited through Brunei. If you do, spend them freely — Singapore vendors accept them without question.

Where to Exchange Currency in Singapore (and Where to Avoid)

Getting a good exchange rate in Singapore is less about luck and more about location. The gap between the best and worst rates in the city can amount to 3–5% on a typical transaction — meaningful if you're exchanging several hundred dollars.

The Arcade, Raffles Place — The Gold Standard for Rates

The Arcade is a small commercial building in Singapore's central business district, steps from Raffles Place MRT. Its first two floors house more than 20 money changers competing side by side — which keeps rates sharp. Major operators include Arcade Money Changers (in business since 1979), Arcade Plaza Traders, City Money Changers, and Eng Lok Money Changer. Electronic rate boards on display make it easy to compare before you commit.

• Best rates for: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, THB, TWD, MYR
• Tip: Avoid peak hours (12–2pm weekdays). Visit before 11am or after 2pm for shorter queues
• Rate lock: Arcade Money Changers allows you to book rates online in advance — useful if you're exchanging a large sum and want to lock in today's rate
• Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS lines)

Lucky Plaza, Orchard Road — Best for Southeast Asian Currencies

Lucky Plaza is a shopping centre on Orchard Road with money changers spread across its basement and ground floor. It's the preferred spot for travellers needing Philippine Pesos (PHP), Thai Baht (THB), and Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), where it frequently beats The Arcade on rates. Rabi Trading and Rahiman Trading are among the most reviewed operators here. Rates aren't displayed on boards — you'll need to ask — but staff are used to comparison shoppers.

• Best rates for: PHP, THB, MYR
• Hours: Most changers open 9am–9pm daily
• Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE lines)

Mustafa Centre, Little India — The Only 24-Hour Option

Mustafa Centre operates around the clock every day of the year, making it the go-to for late-night or last-minute exchanges. It also carries the widest range of currencies in the city, including South Asian options (INR, PKR, LKR, BDT) and Middle Eastern currencies (AED, BHD, JOD) that are harder to find elsewhere. Indicative rates are available on their website before you visit.

• Best rates for: INR, IDR, CNY, MYR, HKD, AED — and 30+ other currencies
• Hours: 24/7, 365 days
• Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE line)

Changi Airport — Convenient but Costly

Airport counters at Jewel Changi Airport and the main terminals are useful in one scenario: arriving with zero SGD and needing taxi or MRT fare immediately. Exchange SGD 30–50 there to get you to your hotel, then convert the rest at a city moneychanger. The spread at airport counters typically runs 3–6% worse than street rates.

What to Avoid

• Hotel exchange desks — convenient, but rates are consistently weak
• Bank branches — better than hotels, still worse than moneychangers for cash exchange
• Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at ATMs — always choose to withdraw in SGD, not your home currency; DCC locks you into the bank's inflated rate

Cash vs Card in Singapore — A Venue-by-Venue Guide

Singapore is one of Southeast Asia's most cashless societies — about 92% of Singaporeans used a digital payment method in the year through November 2025, and retail point-of-sale transactions are now largely card or wallet-based. But "largely cashless" is not the same as "cash-free." Knowing where cash still matters saves you the awkward moment of standing at a hawker stall with only a Visa card.

Venue Type	Cash Needed?	Card / Contactless?	Notes
Hawker centres	Yes — carry SGD 20–30	Partial (SGQR at some stalls)	Many older stalls are cash only; some now accept PayNow QR
Street markets	Yes	Rarely	Chinatown, Bugis, Geylang Serai — predominantly cash
Shopping malls	No	Yes — all major networks	Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay accepted widely
Restaurants (mid-range to fine dining)	No	Yes	Service charge (10%) + GST (9%) already added to bill
MRT and buses	No	Yes — EZ-Link or contactless card	Contactless Visa/Mastercard works directly at turnstiles
Taxis and Grab	Optional	Yes	Grab app handles payment automatically; street taxis accept cards
Major attractions	No	Yes — online booking recommended	Gardens by the Bay, Night Safari, Universal Studios all card-ready

Hawker Centres and Local Markets — Still Cash-First

Singapore's hawker centres are a cultural institution — open-air food courts where stalls serve everything from laksa to char kway teow for SGD 4–8 per dish. The food is some of the best in the city; the payment infrastructure is not always up to speed. Many older stall owners — particularly at Maxwell Food Centre — still prefer cash, especially for small transactions under SGD 5.

SGD 20–30 in small notes (S$2, S$5, S$10) is enough for a full day of hawker eating. Markets like Chinatown Street Market and Bugis Street Market also skew heavily toward cash — vendors selling souvenirs, clothing, and street snacks rarely have card terminals.

Shopping Malls and Restaurants — Fully Card-Friendly

Places like ION Orchard and Marina Bay Sands are entirely card-ready. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay all work without issue across retail, dining, and entertainment at Singapore's major malls and attractions. If you're spending most of your time in the city's commercial core, cards cover almost everything.

Transport — EZ-Link Card or Tap Your Bank Card

The MRT and public bus system accept contactless payment directly from any Visa or Mastercard with PayWave enabled — no separate card needed. Tap your bank card or phone at the turnstile entrance and again at exit; the fare is deducted automatically. If you prefer a dedicated transit card, the EZ-Link card (SGD 12 including SGD 7 stored value) is available at MRT stations and 7-Eleven stores.

Digital Payments in Singapore — What Tourists Can Actually Use

Singapore's digital payments landscape is one of the most advanced in Southeast Asia, but it's also built primarily for residents. Singapore's digital payment ecosystem is expansive — Apple Pay, Google Pay, GrabPay, PayNow, PayLah!, NETS, and SGQR all coexist — but not all of them are accessible to visitors without a local SIM or Singapore bank account.

Apple Pay and Google Pay — The Tourist's Easiest Digital Options

If your home bank card is loaded into Apple Pay or Google Pay, both work without issue across Singapore's retail, dining, and transport infrastructure. No local SIM, no registration, no setup beyond what you already use at home. Simply tap your phone at any PayWave-enabled terminal — which covers the vast majority of shops, restaurants, and MRT gates in the city.

GrabPay — Worth It If You're Already Using Grab

If you're booking Grab rides (Singapore's dominant ride-hailing service), you already have the Grab app. GrabPay works as a wallet within the app and can be used to pay at selected merchants and food stalls displaying the GrabPay QR code. You can link an international credit or debit card to your GrabPay wallet without a Singapore number. Transactions earn GrabRewards points — useful if you're using Grab throughout Southeast Asia.

PayNow and SGQR — Local-First, Tourist Access Limited

PayNow is Singapore's dominant peer-to-peer payment network — used by more than 80% of residents and widely accepted at hawker stalls, small shops, and neighbourhood businesses. The limitation for tourists: setting up PayNow requires linking to a local Singapore bank account or a Singapore-registered mobile number. SGQR codes are displayed at many stalls alongside PayNow, but without a PayNow-enabled account, you can't scan them to pay.

The practical workaround: if a stall shows SGQR but you can't use PayNow, ask if they accept cash. Most do.

PayLah! and DBS-Linked Apps — For Residents Only

DBS PayLah! and similar bank-linked apps require a Singapore-issued account and phone number. They're excellent tools for residents but offer no access point for short-stay tourists. Skip these.

How Much Cash to Bring to Singapore

Singapore is expensive by Southeast Asian standards and broadly comparable to major European cities. How much currency in Singapore you need per day depends entirely on how you travel. These ranges cover daily spending only — accommodation is separate.

Budget Traveller: SGD 100–150 / Day (~USD 74–111)

Achievable if you eat primarily at hawker centres, use the MRT, and visit free or low-cost attractions. Singapore has more free things to do than most visitors expect — Gardens by the Bay (Outdoor Gardens), Fort Canning Park, and the Marina Bay waterfront are all free of charge.

• Hawker meals: SGD 4–8 per dish
• MRT fares: SGD 1–2.50 per trip
• Budget attractions or free options: SGD 0–20
• Budget hotel or hostel: SGD 40–80/night

For this type of trip, carry SGD 50–70 in cash daily and supplement with your card at any malls or sit-down restaurants you visit. Browse Travjoy's Top 20 Singapore experiences to identify the best-value activities worth allocating budget to.

Mid-Range Traveller: SGD 200–300 / Day (~USD 148–222)

A realistic daily spend if you mix hawker meals with one sit-down restaurant, use a combination of MRT and occasional Grab rides, and visit one or two paid attractions. This tier covers a comfortable 3-to-4-star hotel stay and some shopping.

• Mix of hawker and mid-range dining: SGD 40–80
• Transport (MRT + Grab): SGD 15–30
• Paid attractions: SGD 30–80
• Mid-range hotel: SGD 120–200/night

Premium-to-Luxury Traveller: SGD 400+ / Day (~USD 296+)

Fine dining, rooftop bars, spa sessions, and private tours push daily spend well above SGD 400. At Marina Bay Sands, a seated dinner at one of the in-house restaurants alone can run SGD 100–200 per person. For this traveller, cash on hand matters less — cards cover everything at this end of the market. Carry SGD 100–150 for tips, incidentals, and any hawker visits you want to throw in.

How Much SGD Cash to Have on Hand at Any Time

A practical guideline: keep SGD 80–120 in cash in your wallet at any given time during your trip. That covers a full day of hawker eating, a market browse, and a few MRT rides if your contactless card fails. ATMs are available at every MRT station and shopping mall — topping up is a two-minute job anywhere in the city.

Practical Money Tips for Your Singapore Trip

Tipping in Singapore — Service Charge Replaces It

Tipping is not standard practice in Singapore. Most sit-down restaurants and hotels automatically add a 10% service charge and 9% GST to bills — the "++ pricing" you'll see on menus means the final price includes both. There is no cultural expectation to tip on top of that. At hawker stalls and local coffee shops, tipping is neither expected nor common.

If you receive particularly good service at a hotel or from a private guide, a small tip is graciously accepted but never obligatory. Taxi drivers do not expect tips; rounding up to the nearest dollar is enough.

GST Refunds — Reclaim 9% on Your Shopping

Singapore operates a Tourist Refund Scheme that allows visitors to claim back the 9% GST paid on purchases of SGD 100 or more (per receipt, at the same retailer) when leaving the country. The scheme is electronic — look for the eTRS logo at participating stores, present your passport at purchase, and process your refund at a self-service kiosk or counter at Changi Airport before departure.

• Minimum spend: SGD 100 (before GST) at the same retailer on the same day
• Claim point: Changi Airport departure hall — electronic kiosks available
• Refund method: Credit back to your card, or cash (SGD or foreign currency)
• Deadline: Goods must be taken out of Singapore within 60 days of purchase

ATM Tips — Avoid the Dynamic Currency Conversion Trap

ATMs are available at every MRT station, 7-Eleven store, and shopping mall in Singapore. Most accept international Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro cards without issue. Two key rules:

• Always choose SGD when the ATM asks which currency to charge. Selecting your home currency triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) — the ATM applies its own exchange rate, which is consistently worse than your bank's rate
• Check your home bank's foreign ATM fees before you travel. Some banks charge SGD 3–8 per withdrawal; if so, withdraw larger amounts less frequently rather than making multiple small withdrawals

For a well-planned trip that covers attractions, neighbourhoods, food, and nightlife, explore everything Travjoy's Singapore guide has to offer — from curated experiences to expert-vetted activity bookings.

Ready to Plan Your Singapore Trip?

Getting your money setup right before you arrive is genuinely easy once you know the key moves: exchange at The Arcade rather than the airport, carry a working contactless card and SGD 80–120 in cash, and use Apple Pay or Google Pay for everything a card doesn't cover. The rest of the city will take care of itself — Singapore is one of the most visitor-friendly places in the world to navigate financially.

When you're ready to book your Singapore experiences — from Night Safari and the ArtScience Museum to guided food tours and luxury cruises — start planning on Travjoy. Every activity in the Singapore lineup has been researched and curated by local experts, so you can book with confidence and focus on actually enjoying the city.