Wise Best exchange rate
Wise debit card
45k0.43%-0.65% conversion fee
The best travel card for Singapore
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers. Close to the AUD. Singapore is not a cheap destination - food courts are excellent value, everything else is not.
Yes - cards work almost everywhere in Singapore, and you can get by on tap alone.
5 travel card options for Singapore, compared
Revolut No weekday FX fee
Revolut Standard
30k0% FX fee
Compare only
ING Orange Everyday ATM fees rebated
ING Orange Everyday
22k0% FX fee
ubank Spend
ubank Spend account
9k0% FX fee
Macquarie Transaction Account
Macquarie Transaction Account
6k0% FX fee
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
Compared side by side
| Card | FX fee | ATM | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Partner | 0.43%-0.65% conversion fee | 2 free withdrawals/month up to $350, then 1.75% | $0 |
| Revolut | 0% on weekdays, up to 1% on weekends | $350/month fee-free, then 2% | $0 |
| ING Orange Everyday | 0% with monthly criteria met | International ATM fees rebated with criteria met | $0 |
| ubank Spend | 0% international transaction fee | No ubank fee; operator fees still apply | $0 |
| Macquarie Transaction Account | 0% foreign transaction fee | No Macquarie fee; operator fees still apply | $0 |
Paying for things in Singapore
Can you pay by card in Singapore?
Universal. You can tap an Australian contactless card or phone directly on MRT and bus readers - no local transit card needed.
Cash and ATMs in Singapore
Everywhere. Most local banks don't add a surcharge for foreign cards, though your Australian bank will.
Small amounts for hawker centres, though most now take PayNow or cards.
Do you tip in Singapore?
Not expected. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST, shown as '++' on menus.
Worth knowing about paying in Singapore
Decline dynamic currency conversion. GST is added at the register on some purchases.
Before you pay for anything in Singapore
Pay in Singapore dollar or Australian dollars?
The terminal will offer you both. One of them is materially more expensive.
Travel card, debit card or credit card?
Why the card sold hardest at the airport is usually the one that loses.
What is a foreign transaction fee?
Around 3%, charged by your own Australian bank. Removable before you fly.
What one Australian dollar buys in Singapore
$0.89 SGD per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates - the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
More Singapore essentials
Singapore visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to Singapore
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
Singapore eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
Singapore travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
Singapore airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
Driving in Singapore
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Singapore travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in Singapore
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: Travel money for Australians: cards, cash and the fees nobody mentions
How these comparisons are made
Cards are compared on the three fees that actually cost travellers money - the FX margin, ATM fees and account fees - using each issuer's published rates. Jamie has personally spent on travel cards recommended here while overseas. Cash-versus-card guidance is researched per destination rather than copied between pages, because a card strategy that works in Stockholm fails in Osaka. Read the full editorial policy.
Singapore money & payments FAQs
Do Australians need a visa for Singapore?
No. Australian passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. You do need to submit the free SG Arrival Card online within three days before you arrive.
Is the SG Arrival Card free?
Yes, completely free at the official ICA website. It takes about two minutes and includes the health declaration. Any site charging a fee is a third-party reseller.
Can I use my Australian card on Singapore's MRT?
Yes. Singapore's SimplyGo system accepts contactless Visa and Mastercard directly, including via Apple Pay and Google Pay, so you don't need to buy a local transit card at all.
Planning Singapore?
We will send you the Singapore guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.