Cash and ATMs in Singapore: Info you need for ATMs, fees, limits, exchange, cards

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Singapore is a city-state that combines urban excitement with natural beauty, thanks to its modern skyline, multicultural heritage, and verdant landscapes. Singapore is a cultural gumbo, with landmarks like Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands as well as historic districts like Little India and Chinatown. A familiarity with the local cash, ATMs in Singapore, and payment methods is essential for navigating this ever-changing metropolis. Discover the captivating culture and breathtaking landscapes of Singapore with this comprehensive guide. The unforgettable moments and delicious Singaporean cuisine await you.

Is cash necessary in Singapore, or are cards acceptable as well?

Many people use cards, including many tourists. Card transactions account for nearly 70 to 80% of transactions.

Cash for:
Vendors selling food on the street will require cash payments.
Many establishments accept tips and gratuities
Fairs and marketplaces in the area
Mass transportation vehicles
Modest buys

Card acceptance is wide:
Many tour operators
Trips, flights, and hotels can all be reserved online.
Numerous motels and hostels
Retail therapy at malls and name-brand boutiques
Pedestrians and small vehicles
Regional rail services
Upscale dining establishments
Pricey tour companies
Theme parks and other popular tourist destinations have admission prices
Personal tailoring
Expensive motels
Apps that allow users to reserve prepaid taxis (like Grab, Gojek, etc.)
Spas
Cuisine from neighbourhood eateries, including a few with tables
Vehicle leasing
Window shopping
Delightful cafes

So, which currency in Singapore? Will the US dollar, Euro, or British pound work in Singapore?

Singapore Dollars (SGD or SG$) is the currency most commonly accepted in Singapore. The Singapore dollar is available in 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 1000 dollar notes. Transacting in other currencies is not usually possible.

Methods to find the Singapore Dollar

In Singapore, you can get the cash in 3 main ways. These are:

ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Money transfer and local pick-up

Where can I locate ATMs in Singapore?

Singapore is home to more than 3,000 ATMs. The top 8 commercial and specialised banks including a few from other countries, run these.

ATMs are at:
Every one of Singapore Airport’s terminals
Main tourist streets of every area
Shopping centres
Food lanes
Bank branches
A few office buildings

You may have trouble locating ATMs in the following locations:
Residential neighbourhoods
Bus stops serving various regions
Outside of main thoroughfares in smaller towns
Places of worship
Remote resorts and retreats.

What are the best places to find currency exchanges in Singapore?

Any tourist hotspot worth its salt will have an authorised currency exchange centre. The most well-known location for this is Lucky Plaza Shopping Centre, but Raffles Place also has some. Their other locations include Parkaway Arcade, Sun Plaza, and Toa Payoh Hub.
If you want to change your money from another currency to Dong, you can do it easily at any bank branch. This is particularly true for currencies such as the US dollar, Euro, British pound, Japanese yen, Thai baht, and Indian rupee.
Many hotels, both big and small, as well as airports, offer currency exchange services. However, the currency rates are not favourable. While some major hotels may provide rates comparable to those at banks, you can be sure that smaller hotels located near Hanoi’s Old Quarter or the beaches will have significantly different rates and fees.

However,
Stay away from airport exchanges – Poor rates
Avoid the black market – Be wary of being conned.
Include fresh notes – If your notes are damaged or dirty, you can expect to pay more or less.

Do currency exchanges and ATMs in Singapore operate around the clock?

ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
Not all currency exchanges are open at all times. With the exception of airports, their normal business hours are 9 am to 7 pm. So, keep in mind the times if you want to exchange currencies in Singapore and need cash in Singapore.

Are foreign debit and cards accepted at ATMs in Singapore? Currency exchanges?

Of course! Foreign cards are welcomed by ATMs in Singapore with open arms.
Most legitimate currency exchanges also take major debit and cards. But usually there are hefty costs associated with this. Therefore, you should probably just trade it for cash.

In Singapore, which credit and debit cards are accepted?

Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, JCB, and UnionPay are the most commonly accepted payment methods at ATMs in Singapore. Not all Singaporean ATMs will take American Express, Diners, Maestro, Rupay, or Discover.
Payment on swipe or contactless can be done with Visa and Mastercard. There might be very few establishments that accept American Express.
Hard cash is preferred for currency exchanges.
Also read: Why won’t my card work at ATMs in foreign countries? And what can I do about it?

Are ATMs in my country same as Singaporean ATMs?

ATMs in Singapore are state-of-the-art and functionally similar to their counterparts in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Australia, and India. After using these ATMs to withdraw cash, be sure to take your card with you because some of them fully insert it during the transaction.

Financial Institutions in Singapore that Have ATMs

These are the ATMs that Singaporeans use most often:

UOB
DBS
OCBC
PSB

Additionally, Singapore is home to ATMs from the following international banks:

Citibank
HSBC

What is the Singaporean term for ATMs?

ATMs display the word “ATM” or even just the name of the bank .

Singaporean ATMs and PIN formats

While 4-digit PINs are also accepted, 6-digit PINs are more commonly used at Singaporean ATMs.

In addition, many stores still use antiquated technology that can’t process modern chip-and-pin cards without also reading the magnetic stripe.

Languages at money exchanges and ATMs in Singapore

English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil are the four default language options on most ATMs in Singapore.

No biggie if you can’t decipher these languages. Get real-time translations of your phone’s menu options by using Google Translate’s camera feature. Please take your time and not rush through the transaction because these translations are not always 100% accurate.

You can also get your cash in Singapore at currency exchange places by interacting in any of the four languages listed above.

Fees and limitations on withdrawals from ATMs in Singapore

The standard limit for ATM withdrawals is between S$1,000 and S$2,000.

The bright side of ATM fees! There is a wide range of ATM fees in Singapore, from S$0 to S$8. You can find one ATM that doesn’t charge you a dime!

With ATM Fee Saver, you can locate free ATMs, currency exchanges, and money transfers in Singapore

Discover ATMs, currency exchanges, and money transfer services that do not charge fees with the help of the ATM Fee Saver app or website. It specifies the maximum withdrawal amounts and ATM fees for customers using foreign cards. You can easily determine the exact withdrawal fees for any Chilean service with the app’s built-in calculator. Once an ATM is chosen, the app will provide directions to get there and data for fifty countries, one of which is Chile.

Effective strategies for avoiding Singapore’s exorbitant currency exchange and ATM fees

Use ATMs that do not charge a fee.
During ATM transactions, choose Decline Conversion or Do Not Convert.
Look to get cards that do not charge you from your native country.
Stay away from any and all no-fee exchange offices in Singapore — If they don’t mention a fee, it implies that they factor it into the exchange rate. In currency exchanges, nothing is ever given for free.
Do not make currency exchanges using a credit or debit card.

Also read: “Withdrawing cash abroad?” for further information and suggestions. Here are the top nine strategies for avoiding charges at foreign ATMs.

Is it safe to use Singaporean ATMs and currency exchanges?

Typically, yes. A lot of ATMs have camera. Near ATMs, the crime rate is minimal.
Follow these steps to be safe
Instead of using standalone ATMs, use the ATMs located inside bank branches. As a rule, these are safer and harder for skimming devices to crack.
Always Keep an Eye on Your card Purchases: Keep tabs on all of your card purchases by using your bank’s online or mobile banking feature on a regular basis. Write down the details of any suspicious purchases right away.
Do Not Conduct Sensitive Transactions on Public Wi-Fi: Use caution when logging onto public Wi-Fi networks to conduct financial transactions online. For an extra layer of protection, set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Always Have Your Card on You: Keep your card visible at all times while you are making a purchase. Do not give your card to businesses that hide it.
It is recommended to have two cards on hand when travelling. In the event that one of the cards experiences problems, you will have a backup plan.
Never exchange currencies at an unlicensed or unregistered exchange.

Also read:
Top 8 things not to do when travelling abroad
Top 8 things to avoid when travelling abroad

Is it safe to travel with cash in Singapore?

Carrying cash around Singapore is usually a fine. However, you shouldn’t carry around a lot of cash unless absolutely necessary.
Instead of carrying around a large sum of money in just one pocket or wallet, disperse it around.
One option is to wear a fanny pack or safety belt containing some cash.
Refrain from flaunting large sums of money in public.
Be careful not to show too much cash when you pay.
Your front pockets are the safest places to keep your wallet.
Always wear a safety harness and keep your valuables close to your body when travelling through busy public transportation, such as trains, buses, and streets.

FAQs

Am I able to make a free cash withdrawal in Singapore?

While most banks do charge foreign cardholders a medium to high fee, one ATM actually doesn’t charge any fees at all.

What international cards are accepted in Singapore?

Without a doubt! Most ATMs in Singapore accept cards issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.

Is Singapore home to any Bitcoin ATMs?

Yes, Singapore does have around eight Bitcoin ATMs.

I was wondering if Singapore had any ATMs from Bank of America.

Sorry, but no, Bank of America ATMs are not available in Singapore.

Any Singaporean Citibank ATM

Indeed, Singapore is home to a plethora of Citibank ATMs.

Any Singaporean Barclays Bank ATM

Sorry, but no, Barclays Bank ATMs are not available in Singapore.

Any Singaporean HSBC ATM

Indeed, Singapore is home to a plethora of HSBC ATMs.

The Singaporean ATMs of Standard Chartered?

Indeed, Singapore is home to a plethora of Standard Chartered ATMs.