Is it better to use cash or card in Singapore?

If Singapore is next on your list of travels, you’re probably trying to work out your travel budget. Besides deciding how much you want to spend, you might be interested to learn the financial habits of Singapore locals compared to the UK so you can spend like a local.

Credit and debit cards are the most used payment method in Singapore and over 95% of consumers use them¹. However, even though Singapore might become a cashless nation in the future, cash is still widespread. This article will answer the question of which is more convenient, cash or card in Singapore?

We’ll also show you a cost-effective option for handling your spending in Singapore. For international purchases, online or in person, you can rely on the Wise card. You can even withdraw cash like a local at the mid-market exchange rate for low fees*.

How cash-centric is Singapore?¹

Singapore is not at all cash-centric and it’s slowly moving towards being completely cashless. According to a study conducted by Visa, more than 95% of consumers in Singapore use cards when making payments. Over 80% of them use contactless cards and they are the preferred method in convenience stores, supermarkets, retail shopping and a few other categories.

Cash etiquette in Singapore²

Leaving a tip is not expected in Singapore, since a service fee is usually already included in the prices. However, if you find it appropriate, you can show appreciation by tipping in some situations.

You can tip hotel staff, taxi drivers, tour guides or restaurant staff for their great service. Make sure you leave a cash tip and you do it discreetly, since it could be considered rude to do it differently.

Cash or card in Singapore - the comparison

We’ve listed some situations where you’ll be paying for things in Singapore. Here’s whether you’ll be able to pay by card, in cash or both:

Payment for…	Card 💳	Cash 💵
🚕 Taxis3	Usually - check with the driver	Yes
🏪 Convenience stores4	Yes	Yes
☕ Coffee shops4	Yes	Yes
🚌 Public transport	Yes5	Yes, but higher fares apply on buses6
🍽️ Restaurants4	Yes	Yes
🦐 Hawker centres7	Sometimes	Yes

Using your card in Singapore at an ATM⁸

ATMs in Singapore can be found in places such as Singaporean banks, shopping malls and grocery stores. Singapore bank ATMs don’t charge an operator fee and they accept all major card providers.

Even so, make sure you check with your bank whether you’ll be charged a fee for using your card abroad.

Always choose to withdraw in the local currency without a currency conversion. This will mean you get a better rate, as the conversion will be done by your bank or card provider instead of the ATM provider.

Check out the latest GBP to SGD conversion rates below:

Will my UK debit card work in Singapore?⁸

Yes, your UK-issued debit cards will work in Singapore, both for paying and withdrawing cash.

Can I use my UK credit card in Singapore?⁸

You can use your UK credit card in Singapore, but know that Singapore merchants tend to charge a fee for credit card payments.

Reasons to use cash in Singapore

Although card and digital payments are the norm in Singapore, it’s still a good idea to have some cash on you. For instance, you’ll need it for tips, buying from street vendors and small purchases.

Also, some taxis might not accept cards, so this could be a handy alternative in some situations.

Reasons to use credit or debit cards in Singapore

Singapore locals prefer cashless payments and they mostly use cards for their day-to-day spending. This means that you’ll be able to use your cards almost anywhere.

They are also much safer than carrying around large amounts of cash.

Are contactless card payments common in Singapore?¹

Contactless cards are becoming increasingly popular in Singapore. Around 82% of consumers use them and it’s also their preferred payment method. In fact, Singapore has one of the world’s highest percentages of contactless transactions.

The limit for contactless transactions in Singapore is 200 SGD. Anything over that requires you typing in your pin.⁹

Your Wise card can also be used for contactless payments in Singapore. If you don’t want to carry cards with you, you can get the Wise virtual card with the same features.

Other payment methods in Singapore

Besides traditional credit and debit cards, other payment methods are also available in Singapore.

Mobile payment¹⁰

Mobile wallets are becoming increasingly popular in Singapore, since they are one of the most convenient and safe payment options. Predictions show that over 90% of consumers there will have some type of a wallet app in 2025.

Globally popular digital wallets such as Google Wallet and Apple Pay are also available in Singapore. If you plan on using one of those apps during your trip, make sure you’ve installed all necessary updates.

However, Singaporeans mostly rely on local options such as GrabPay. This is the wallet section of the Grab app, which can be used for rides, paying bills and online shopping. GrabPay can also be used for splitting bills, which makes dining out with friends easier than ever.¹¹

For an additional layer of security, you could add your Wise virtual card to your wallet. It has all the benefits of a regular Wise card, but it exists in your phone only. For extra security, you can freeze your Wise virtual card after every transaction directly in the app.

Travel cards¹²

EZ-Link cards have started out as just public transport passes, but these multi-function cards can now be treated as a payment method.

Besides using them in buses, trains and metros, you can pay with them in restaurants, retail stores and vending machines. They’re also used for car park payments.

They’re a great option for tourists, since you can get all you need for your stay in one card.

PayNow¹³

PayNow is a service which allows users to send and receive Singapore dollars. The funds are sent from one bank account or wallet to another by using just the phone number of the recipient.

The participating banks and institutions include HSBC, Citibank and Grab.

What is the best way to pay in Singapore: cash or card?

Singapore is slowly but surely becoming a cashless society. Even now, you can pay for almost everything with your card or a payment app.

However, cash is still in use in Singapore. It can come in handy when visiting hawker centres, buying from street vendors and leaving occasional tips. Also, payment systems can malfunction, so it’s always good to have an alternative.

Spend like a local in Singapore with the Wise card

Want to spend like a local in Singapore and 150+ countries without worrying about exchange rates and hidden fees? The Wise card might be the ideal solution for you.

The Wise card can be used for international payments, from your accommodation costs to daily expenses. It automatically converts your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small, transparent currency conversion fee*.

That means more spending money for your trip!

You can also use your Wise card to easily withdraw cash from the ATMs in Singapore. Each month, you can make 2 withdrawals of up to 200 GBP for free. After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal*.

Your Wise card awaits 💳

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees

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Cash or card in Singapore - FAQs

Here are some of the most frequent questions about using cash or cards in Singapore:

Can I use my UK debit card in Singapore?

Yes, you’ll be able to use your UK debit card wherever they accept card payments.

Can I make cashless payments in Singapore hawker centres?

Hawker centres usually only accept cash, but some may take digital payments.

Can I withdraw cash in Singapore?

Yes, you can withdraw cash from an ATM in Singapore.

Do Singapore taxis take cash?

Yes, cash is one of the accepted payment methods in Singaporean taxis.

Is it better to carry SGD or USD in Singapore?

It’s always better to have the local currency with you when travelling. Therefore, Singapore dollars are your best option over any other currency.

Can I use my Visa credit card in Singapore?

Yes, Visa cards are accepted in Singapore.

Can I use my Wise card in Singapore?

Yes, you can use your Wise card in Singapore to enjoy auto-conversion on all your holiday spending at the mid-market rate for a small, transparent fee*.

Why not also check out the Wise account? There’s no limit on how much you can hold in your Wise account and it can hold over 40+ currencies.

Your Wise account awaits 🌏

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Sources used:

1. Visa - card payments in Singapore (Visa study)
2. Singapore Savvy - tipping etiquette in Singapore
3. Land Transport Authority - taxi fares & payment methods
4. Visit Singapore - card payment availability
5. Land Transport Authority - using contactless cards on public transport
6. Land Transport Authority - fee for cash payments in buses
7. Singapore for Everyone - payment in hawker centres
8. Finder - ATMs in Singapore
9. Merchant Machine - contactless card limits
10. 2C2P - popular payment methods in Singapore
11. Grab - GrabPay wallet
12. EZ-Link - EZ-Link FAQs
13. The Association of Banks in Singapore - PayNow features

Sources last checked on date: 11-Jul-2024