Layover guide
Tipping in Singapore
Tipping is not common; many establishments already include a 10% service charge on the bill.
All of Singapore
The Essential Singapore visitor guide hosted on the tourism board's site states it plainly: tipping is not common, because many establishments already include a 10% service charge on the bill.
Per the same guide, some restaurants and bars omit the service charge to give customers the option to tip instead; in that case a 10% tip is appreciated. Check the bill for the service charge line before adding anything.
The rest of Singapore
The whole guideGetting out of the airportMetered taxis to the city for about S$25 to S$45, plus an airport surcharge the meter adds for you.Ride-hailingSix licensed apps, with dedicated pickup points in every terminal.Local laws that catch crew outVapes are illegal to even bring into the country, and drug penalties extend to caning and the death penalty.Staying connectedFree unregistered WiFi across Changi; tourist SIMs from three operators in every terminal, passport or other ID required.WeatherEquatorial and identical year-round: 31-33C days, high humidity, afternoon storms; wettest Nov-Jan, stormiest Apr-May and Oct-Nov.Eating near the crew hotelsEat at hawker centres: 123 government-run centres, with Maxwell (Chinatown), Lau Pa Sat (CBD), Tekka (Little India) and Changi Village the ones crew actually reach.What to buyOrchard Road is the shopping strip; edible souvenirs (bak kwa, kueh, tea) are the local buys; GST refund via eTRS kiosks at Changi, minimum S$100 spend.