Singapore Dollar Travel Money: GST, "++" Prices and Paying

Singapore is one of the easiest places in the world to spend money. Cards work almost everywhere and prices are clearly marked. The one thing that catches visitors out is the small "++" next to restaurant prices, which can add a noticeable amount to your bill. This guide explains how GST and service charge work, how to pay, and how to convert Singapore dollars to your own currency, using clearly labelled example rates.

What does "++" mean on Singapore prices?

"++" means two charges are added to the listed price: a service charge, then Goods and Services Tax (GST). You will see it at sit-down restaurants, bars, hotel dining and some cafes. Hawker centres and food courts generally show the price you pay.

The service charge is commonly 10%, and GST has been 9% since the start of 2024. Both are shown on the menu or the bill, so check there, since rates can change and not every venue adds a service charge.

The order matters. The service charge is added first, and GST is then charged on the price including service charge. So a dish listed at 48++ works out like this:

A desk-style calculator lets you chain this in one line, 48 + 10% + 9%, because each percentage is applied to the running total.

Why is "++" not the same as adding 19%?

Because GST is charged on the service charge too. Adding 19% in one step gives 48 + 19% = 57.12 SGD, which is 43 cents short of the real bill. On a single dish that is small. On a group dinner of 600 SGD before charges, the gap grows:

If you are splitting that bill, the 5.40 SGD difference is worth getting right. Our guide on splitting bills in multiple currencies covers sharing costs when friends think in different currencies.

Do shop prices in Singapore include GST?

Yes, retail price tags in shops generally already include GST, so the price on the shelf is what you pay at the till. The "++" convention is mainly a restaurant and hospitality habit. If you are unsure, ask, or look for "nett" on the menu, which means the listed price is final.

Can visitors get GST back on shopping?

Possibly. Singapore runs a Tourist Refund Scheme that allows eligible visitors to claim back GST on qualifying goods they take out of the country, through participating shops. There are conditions, including a minimum spend, and the process happens partly at the shop and partly at the airport or other departure point.

Conditions can change, so check the IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore) website before you shop, and ask the store whether it takes part. Keep your receipts and the goods together, as you may be asked to show them.

How do you pay in Singapore?

By card or contactless for almost everything. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, as are mobile wallets, and you can tap a contactless card or phone on public transport in many cases. Check with your card issuer whether foreign transaction fees apply, since policies vary.

Carry a small amount of cash for hawker stalls and small shops. Many hawkers accept cards or QR payments now, but not all, and some local QR systems are linked to Singapore bank accounts, which visitors usually do not have.

When a card terminal asks whether you want to pay in your home currency or in Singapore dollars, choose Singapore dollars. Letting the terminal convert for you is called dynamic currency conversion, and the rate it uses is often worse than your card network's.

How do you convert Singapore dollars quickly?

Learn one multiplier for your own currency and round generously. Here are some examples:

Your currency	Example rate	Quick rule	50 SGD is about
US dollar	1 USD = 1.30 SGD	take about three quarters	38.46 USD
Euro	1 EUR = 1.50 SGD	take two thirds	33.33 EUR
British pound	1 GBP = 1.75 SGD	take a little under six tenths	28.57 GBP

These rates are illustrative. Check the current rate before your trip and adjust. Our guide to mental maths for currency conversion has more shortcuts for doing this on the spot.

How do you budget a Singapore trip in two currencies?

Add everything up in one currency, including bookings you paid in another. Flights might be in US dollars, the hotel in Singapore dollars and a side trip in ringgit. Converting each one separately and adding by hand is slow and easy to get wrong.

In Calcurate you can do it in one line. Tag each amount with its currency key and press =, and every amount is converted to your base currency and added up, with a breakdown line showing each conversion:

The percent key handles "++" in the same calculation: 48 SGD, + 10%, + 9%. Change the base currency while the answer is on screen and it is recalculated instantly, so you can see the bill in US dollars without retyping. Read more on the multi-currency maths page. Calcurate uses mid-market reference rates with their source and date shown, so treat them as a close guide rather than your card's exact rate.

For a whole trip plan, our guide to budgeting a trip in multiple currencies walks through each step.

Does the "$" sign always mean Singapore dollars?

In Singapore, a plain "$" on a price tag means Singapore dollars. Online, and on booking sites, "$" can mean US, Australian or another dollar, so look for "S$" or "SGD" before you assume. Using ISO codes like SGD and USD when you note down costs avoids mix-ups later.

Singapore travel money checklist

• Check your cards for foreign transaction fees before you fly.
• Expect "++" at sit-down restaurants and add service charge, then GST.
• Look for "nett" when you want the final price on the menu.
• Carry a little cash for hawker stalls.
• Choose Singapore dollars when a terminal offers a currency choice.
• Check IRAS for current Tourist Refund Scheme conditions before a big purchase.
• Write down costs with currency codes, not just "$".

Once "++" stops being a surprise, Singapore is about as straightforward as travel money gets. See the full list of supported currencies if you are combining it with other stops in the region.