How Much Money Can You Bring When Traveling to Singapore? Things You Need to Know
To ensure a smooth trip, it is very important to understand the regulations regarding bringing money when entering Singapore. This article will provide detailed information about how much money you can bring when traveling to Singapore, and the necessary notes to help you prepare best for your journey to explore the Lion City.
Regulations on bringing cash when entering Singapore
Singapore has strict regulations regarding bringing cash and negotiable instruments (CBNI - Cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments) when entering or exiting the country. Below are the specific regulations you need to pay attention to:
Singapore strictly regulates bringing cash and negotiable instruments
Cash limit:
According to the regulations of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA), from May 13, 2024, if you bring cash or negotiable instruments valued over 20,000 SGD (approximately 350 million VND, depending on the exchange rate), you must declare it online via form NP272 within 72 hours before entering.
Negotiable instruments include checks, promissory notes, payment orders, or other financial documents of equivalent value.
How to declare cash:
Declare online via the electronic declaration form NP272 on the ICA website or the MyICA app (available for free on the App Store or Google Play).
If you submit the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC), you can declare cash in the "Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration" section after completing the SGAC.
Failure to declare or incorrect declaration may result in fines, confiscation of the excess amount, or even criminal prosecution.
Regulations in Vietnam: According to Circular No. 15/2011/TT-NHNN of the State Bank of Vietnam, when exiting, you can bring a maximum of 5,000 USD (or equivalent foreign currency) and 15,000,000 VND without needing to declare to customs. If you exceed this limit, you must declare to customs at the border gate and present a confirmation of carrying money abroad from an authorized credit institution.
How much money should you bring when traveling to Singapore?
The amount of money you should bring depends on your spending plan, length of stay, and purpose of the trip. Here are some suggestions for your reference:
The amount of money you should bring depends on your spending plan in Singapore
Estimated basic costs:
Food: A meal at local eateries or hawker centers costs about 6-10 SGD/person. If you eat 3 meals a day, you need about 18-30 SGD/day. Dining at high-end restaurants can cost from 20-50 SGD/meal.
Transportation: The MRT and bus system in Singapore is very convenient. The Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) allows unlimited travel for 10 SGD/day, 16 SGD/2 days, or 20 SGD/3 days. If taking a taxi or Grab, the cost is about 3-5 SGD/km, increasing by 25-50% during peak hours or after midnight.
Accommodation: The price of a 3-4 star hotel room ranges from 80-150 SGD/night, while hostels or budget guesthouses can start from 20-50 SGD/night.
Attractions: Tickets for attractions like Gardens by the Bay (28 SGD), Universal Studios (88 SGD), or S.E.A Aquarium (41 SGD) are quite high.
For example: For a 3-day, 2-night trip, you may need about 300-500 SGD (approximately 5.4-9 million VND) for basic costs (food, transportation, accommodation) if you spend frugally. To be more comfortable, prepare about 700-1,000 SGD (12-18 million VND). Bring an additional 100-200 SGD for emergencies such as lost cards, medical expenses, or unexpected activities.
Important notes when bringing money for travel to Singapore
To avoid the risk of theft or violating regulations, only bring a maximum of 5,000 SGD in cash (approximately 90 million VND) if you do not want to go through the declaration process.
Use credit cards or e-wallets (like GrabPay, PayLah) to minimize carrying cash.
Exchange a small amount of coins or small denomination bills (1 SGD, 2 SGD, 5 SGD) for easy payment for bus tickets, MRT, or street food.
The SGD exchange rate changes daily. According to the exchange rate in June 2025, 1 SGD ≈ 18,000-19,000 VND. Check the exchange rate before exchanging to get the best price.
When shopping at stores with receipts over 100 SGD, you can request a Refund Tax Form to get a 7% GST refund at Changi Airport before returning to Vietnam. Bring your passport and original receipt for the procedure.
In addition to money regulations, Singapore prohibits bringing chewing gum (except for medical use), electronic cigarettes, fresh food (such as meat, eggs), or durian on public transport. Violations can result in heavy fines, up to 100,000 SGD or imprisonment.
Important notes when bringing money for travel to Singapore
This article has updated details on traveling to Singapore regarding how much money to bring. With over 12 years of experience in the travel industry, NVK Travel is committed to providing you with complete and cost-effective journeys to explore Singapore. Please contact NVK Travel through the website nvktravel.com for professional support in experiencing the Lion Island nation.
