Whether it’s cool swag from the Dealers’ Den, delicious hawker delights, or just a quick trip around town, knowing your payment options in Singapore will make your LIFC experience smooth and hassle-free! Here’s the low-down on spending during your visit.

Credit and Debit Cards: Accepted Almost Everywhere

Singapore is super card-friendly! Most retail shops, supermarkets, malls, restaurants, and tourist attractions accept major credit and debit cards (like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express). At shopping malls and upscale restaurants, paying with your card should always be easy.

You’ll definitely want to bring along your cards for purchases at:

  • Hotels and accommodations (including One Farrer Hotel!)
  • Shopping malls and big-name retail stores
  • Supermarkets and convenience stores
  • Restaurants, cafés, and theme parks
  • Apps such as Grab, Ryde, Gojek, Tada, and Zig (we have plenty of ride hailing services!)
  • Public transportation (cards work on trains and buses!)

PayNow: Singapore's Real-Time Payments Platform

You might’ve heard locals mention something called PayNow. This is one of Singapore’s main digital payment methods, letting you instantly transfer money between bank accounts using mobile numbers or QR codes. It’s fast, easy, and used almost everywhere – especially among locals and our dealers in the bustling Dealers’ Den!

Keep in mind:

  • Local Dealers in the Dealers’ Den will often prefer PayNow or Cash as their primary payment methods.
  • Overseas Dealers may accept Wise transfers on top of Cash, though you may negotiate other forms (e.g. PayPal) where agreeable.

Good news for our friends from Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia!

  • Malaysia (DuitNow) and Thailand (PromptPay) users: You can directly transfer money into individual PayNow accounts using the recipient’s phone number. Even better, you’re also able to scan and pay via PayNow QR codes at many participating businesses around Singapore.
  • Indonesia (QRIS) users: You can scan PayNow QR codes to pay at businesses that support cross-border payments between Singapore and Indonesia. For now, however, QRIS does not yet support direct transfers into individual PayNow accounts – so keep some cash handy just in case!

Wise: A Great Way to Pay Local Dealers From Overseas

Wise is an easy and affordable money transfer service popular among international dealers and frequent travellers. With Wise, you can transfer money directly to dealers’ bank accounts in SGD at transparent, competitive exchange rates – no hidden fees!

If you set up a Wise account before coming to LIFC, you can:

  • Pay local and overseas dealers individually via direct transfer.
  • PayNow to local individuals by manually transferring funds through Wise-linked accounts.

However, do keep in mind: PayNow QR codes cannot be scanned by foreign Wise users. Smaller businesses or hawker stalls typically display PayNow QR codes for convenience, but if you can’t scan these codes directly, keep some cash handy for quick payments.

Cash: Still Handy for Hawkers and Small Shops

While cards are widely accepted, certain places are all about that cash life. To fully enjoy Singapore’s vibrant food culture and local flair, keep some Singapore Dollars (SGD) in your wallet, especially for:

  • Food centres and hawker stalls (you won’t want to miss out!)
  • Small mom-and-pop stores
  • Night markets, fairs, and traditional bazaars

Withdrawing Cash from ATMs

Need cash? ATMs are abundant across Singapore. Depending on your card and bank, ATM withdrawal fees typically range from free to around $8 SGD per transaction. Usually, the ATM will clearly display fees before confirming your withdrawal, letting you decide whether you want to proceed.

Here’s a pro-tip: ATMs from UOB and Maybank often have no withdrawal fees for international cards. If asked, always choose to be charged in local currency (SGD) and let your own bank handle the conversion, to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fees that will cost you extra.

Now that you’re all set with payment methods, you’re ready to dive right into a fantastic LIFC experience. Got cash? Check. Got your credit card? Check. Set up Wise? Perfect!

See you at LIFC – let the games begin! 🎮🐾