By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
You do not need to tip in Singapore. Restaurants that mark prices with “++” already add a 10% service charge and then 9% GST, and hawker stalls, taxis and shops expect nothing extra. Contactless cards and phone wallets work almost everywhere, including the MRT, but carry S$20 to S$50 in small notes for hawker stalls that still take cash only.
Money in Singapore is refreshingly boring. Prices on shelves include tax, bills are clear, and nobody hovers for a tip. The three things that surprise visitors are the “++” on menus, the odd cash-only stall, and how little cash they end up using at all.
Money in Singapore: quick facts
| Currency | Singapore dollar (S$ or SGD). Common notes S$2 to S$100; coins from 5 cents to S$1 |
| Tipping | Not expected anywhere |
| “++” on a menu | 10% service charge, then 9% GST on top: S$100 becomes S$119.90 |
| Cards | Contactless Visa and Mastercard almost everywhere; American Express in many places, and on the MRT |
| Cash | Useful at some hawker stalls and small shops; break big notes early |
| GST refund | Tourists can claim back GST on purchases of S$100 or more in one participating shop |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Cash to carry | S$20 to S$50 in small notes and coins. |
| What works everywhere | A contactless card, with a phone wallet as backup. |
| The trap | Airport exchange rates, and paying in your home currency when a card machine offers it. |
| Worth knowing | Shelf prices already include GST; the only add-ons are at sit-down restaurants. |
| Skip | Tipping, unless someone truly went out of their way. |
Do you tip in Singapore?
No. Tipping is not part of the culture, and nobody will think less of you for not doing it.
- Restaurants: bills marked “++” include a 10% service charge. There is nothing more to add.
- Hawker centres and food courts: no service charge and no tip.
- Taxis and ride-hailing: pay the fare. Rounding up is kind but optional, and apps let you tip if you want to.
- Hotels: a few dollars for a porter who carries heavy bags is appreciated, not expected.
What does “++” mean on a menu?
It means two charges are added at the till: a 10% service charge on the menu price, then 9% GST on the total. So a S$30 main course costs S$35.97, and a S$100 bill costs S$119.90. Hawker stalls, food courts and most cafés where you order at the counter show final prices, with nothing added.
Cards, phone wallets and QR codes
Contactless cards and phone wallets are accepted almost everywhere: shops, malls, taxis, restaurants and the MRT. Many hawker stalls take cards or scan-to-pay QR codes too, and some accept popular foreign wallets. When a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose Singapore dollars; the conversion the machine offers is usually worse than your bank’s.
Cash, ATMs and money changers
You will need less cash than you expect, but some older hawker stalls and small shops still take only cash. Break S$50 and S$100 notes at a supermarket or convenience store rather than a hawker stall. ATMs are everywhere; check your bank’s foreign withdrawal fees before you rely on them. Licensed money changers in city malls usually offer better rates than those at the airport, so change only a little on arrival.
GST and the tourist refund
Singapore’s 9% GST is already inside shelf prices. Visitors aged 16 and over can claim it back on goods of S$100 or more from one participating shop, at the airport when they leave. GST Refund for Tourists explains how.
Money in Singapore: FAQ
Do I need to tip in Singapore?
No. Tipping is not expected. Restaurants with “++” prices already add a 10% service charge.
Do I need cash in Singapore?
A little. Cards work almost everywhere, but carry S$20 to S$50 in small notes for cash-only hawker stalls.
Can I use my credit card on the MRT?
Yes. Tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express card at the gantry. Foreign cards pay a S$0.60 fee per day of use.
Where is the best place to change money in Singapore?
Licensed money changers in city malls usually beat airport rates. Compare a few before changing large sums.
Read next
This page belongs to Visiting Singapore, our guide for first-time visitors. See what a trip to Singapore costs, and how to pay for trains in Getting Around Singapore. For the full story of card payments on public transport, read How to Pay for the MRT and Buses.
Sources checked 28 September 2026: IRAS, Tourist Refund Scheme; SimplyGo, payment modes and admin fee; The Milelion on American Express for transit fares. Tipping and cash guidance is desk knowledge. Last updated 28 September 2026.
