Singapore is one of the world’s most digital, cashless economies. It is famously hyper-modern, and credit cards, debit cards, and zero-markup forex cards are accepted virtually everywhere in Singapore. From MRT subways and city buses to taxis, supermarkets, and fine dining, cashless payments are accepted everywhere. However, there might be certain places where you may need some cash. For instance, you might still need cash at places like small hawker stalls, wet markets, and small Chinatown souvenir shops. Some stalls do take local PayNow QR, but not foreign credit cards. You might also need cash when giving minor tips or emergency coins for luggage lockers. If a Singaporean trip is on the cards for you, here’s a comprehensive unstumbled guide on how much cash you should carry to Singapore.
How Much Singapore Currency To Carry And Where Will You Need It?
In order to understand how much cash you’ll be needing on your Singapore trip, it is important to understand where exactly you will need the cash.
Hawker Centers
If you’re visiting smaller neighborhood stalls like the ones in Maxwell, Chinatown Complex, and Old Airport Road, you will need cash. However, major hawker hubs like Lau Pa Sat accept cards.
Cash Needed Per Day: SGD 10 to SGD 15
Public Transit And EZ-Link Or SimplyGo Top-Ups
If you’re purchasing physical EZ-Link cards or tourist transit passes at station kiosks, you might need cash as the backup payment method. For other MRTs, you can simply tap your Indian Visa or MasterCard credit cards at the gates to pay.
Cash Needed Per Day: SGD 15 to SGD 25
Taxis And Rideshares
While most ridesharing apps have the facility of cashless payments, you might still want to keep a little cash with you in case of emergencies or system glitches/failures.
Cash Needed Per Day: SGD 0 to SGD 30
Souvenirs, Convenience Stores, And Sundries
While most shops and stalls have facilities for cashless payments, you might still encounter a few stalls that only accept cash.
Cash Needed Per Day: SGD 30 to SGD 50
Also Read: Singapore Visa Guide For Indians: Cost, How To Apply & Step-By-Step Process
How Much Cash Can You Carry From India To Singapore?
Another thing you need to be mindful of when carrying cash on international trips is the legal limit. Both Singapore and India have different rules when it comes to carrying physical cash to and from the respective countries.
RBI Guidelines For Carrying Cash From India
Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), Indian residents are allowed to carry up to USD 3,000, or equivalent in SGD, in physical cash per trip. All amounts above this must be carried in forex cards or traveler’s cheques. What is more, you can carry around INR 25,000 in physical Indian currency on your foreign trips.
Rules For Bringing Cash Into Singapore
While you are allowed to bring unlimited foreign currency into Singapore, there are still certain rules you need to be mindful of. If you carry physical currency/bearer instruments exceeding SGD 20,000 (or foreign equivalent), you must submit an electronic e-727 CBNI declaration. You can do this via the Singapore Arrival Card portal before passing immigration.
Should You Carry A Lot Of Cash To Singapore From India?
While carrying physical cash safeguards you in certain situations, there are still good reasons why you should avoid carrying more than the bare minimum. Firstly, the exchange rates are simply terrible. From places like airports, you may have to pay as much as a seven percent markup fee. What is more, there is also the worry of pickpocketers. If you’re carrying a lot of cash and it ends up lost or stolen, you’ll face a bigger loss.
The best way to go about payments in a digital haven like Singapore is to rely on Indian cards. Modern Indian travel cards like Niyo, Scapia, Fi, and AU Ixigo charge 0 percent foreign exchange markup on international card swipes. This eliminates the need for cash for bigger payments.
Also Read: Where To Find Vegetarian Food In Singapore: Best Indian Veg Restaurants, Hawker Food & More
Author’s Note
I’ve been to Singapore a couple of times, and one of the biggest pieces of advice I would give to my readers is to avoid the exchange counters at Delhi, Mumbai, or Changi Airports at all costs. The exchange rates here are severely marked up, and you’ll end up paying way more than you’ll have to. Instead, you should purchase notes of small denominations from other authorized dealers.
Summing Up
Singapore is considered one of the most modern digital hubs. Travelers heading to this advanced country should avail of its cashless infrastructure wherever possible and rely as little on physical money as possible. For a five-day family trip, carrying around SGD 150 to SGD 300 is sufficient. For other payments, you can rely on your card.
