Things to know Currency Things to Know Visas & Passport Customs Regulations CURRENCY The currency unit is the Singapore dollar (S$). Approximately S$1.80 = US$1. Coins are in denominations of: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 and $10,000. Brunei notes are interchangeable with Singapore notes and are quite common. THINGS TO KNOW Population: 4,1 million Capital: Singapore Flag: Two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white (bottom); on the hoist side of the red band is a white crescent that is partially surrounding a circle of five white, pointed stars. Shop Hours: Shop hours vary, although Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm are the most common. Some department stores, Chinese Emporiums, and stores that cater solely to tourists stay open as late as 9pm seven days a week. Bank Hours: Banking hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am to 3 pm, and Saturday: 9.30 am to 1 pm (some banks are open until 3 pm). Sunday, 9.30 am to 3 pm (some banks in Orchard Road). Holidays: 2003 January 1 - New Year's Day February 1 - Lunar New Year (Monday, 3 February 2003 will be a public holiday) February 12 - Hari Raya Haji April 14 - Good Friday May 1 - Labor Day Vesak Day - Thursday 15 May August 9 - National Day October 23 - Deepavali (this date will be counter-checked with the Indian Almanacs when they are available) November 25 - Hari Raya Puasa December 25 - Christmas Day Time: Singapore Standard Time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. Tipping: Tipping is not very common in Singapore. It is prohibited at the airport and discouraged at hotels and restaurants, as most have already added a 10% service charge to the bill. Taxis: Taxis drivers do not get tipped. VISAS AND PASSPORT A visa is not required for U.S., European and Australian citizens for a stay of up to 30 days. All visitors are required to have a valid passport and onward ticket. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS BE FORWARNED, DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING Duty-Free Items: There is no duty-free allowance on cigarettes and other tobacco products