If you want to bring cash, change only a little at the airport for a cab and get the rest changed at Lucky Plaza. They give very good rates. I exchange usually $5000 at a time. Very close to interbank rates I have found (compared to say Travelex or something like that). You can ask a bunch of money changers before choosing one.

Now if you want to use ATMs, there are a lot of Citibank ATMs around and they don't charge any fees if you are an US Citibank customer. That's what I found anyways. I am not sure about other banks (if they charge fees or not). Otherwise there are plenty ATMs with to withdraw your Singapore Dollars.

Most places accept credit cards. There are only a couple places like food courts, food plazas, street stalls that don't take credit cards. A lot of Chinese restaurants will only take Visa or MasterCard (not Amex). If you want you can get a NETS cash card to load with cash. Most places accept that. There is a 50 cent surcharge for charging the card. You will want the cash card too if you plan to rent a card since the ERP IU reader needs that.

Many cabs take credit cards, but most will tack a surcharge on the fare. Of course cash is more convenient.


Anyways if you want to take a ton of cash around, I have found Singapore is a very safe place. Not much of pickpockets. I was told by a relocation company that 80% of Singapore police are in plainclothes, so perhaps that helps.


And people tell me it's not advise, but I prefer driving around in Singapore. It's very convenient especially when it rains (and it rains). Parking in most places aren't too bad (I grew up in NYC, so for me most places are cheap) and ERP charges aren't as bad as people make it out to be. Only issue is gas is quite expensive. My weekend trips usually use about 30 L of fuel costing me about S$100. Best choice in my opinion is Avis.