Singapore Travel Money Guide
Everything a Malaysian traveller needs to know about the Singapore Dollar — how much to bring, when to exchange, and where to get the best rate in KL.
Singapore is one of the most cashless places in Asia — cards and contactless work almost everywhere. You'll need far less cash than for most trips, but the SGD is a pricey currency, so the rate you get still matters.
When to exchange
The Singapore dollar is consistently strong against the ringgit, so every sen of spread counts on a currency this expensive. Compare KL changers before you go rather than exchanging across the Causeway, where tourist-area rates are often worse.
Tip: You only need a modest amount of cash for Singapore — don't over-exchange. Leftover SGD is easy to spend, but you'll lose money converting it back.
How much cash to bring
A rough daily budget for a comfortable mid-range trip:
- Food — S$15–35/day (hawker centres are cheap; restaurants add up fast)
- Local transport — S$5–12/day on the MRT and buses
- Attractions — S$20–60/day
Our rule of thumb
For a 4-day trip, bring around S$200–350 in cash and put everything else on a card. At today's rate that's roughly RM700–1,200.
Where to exchange in KL
These three changers currently post the best SGD rates. Tap to see their branches and live rates:
Payment tips on the ground
- Tap to pay almost anywhere — cards and mobile wallets are accepted at nearly every shop and stall.
- Hawker centres are the exception — many older stalls are cash-only, so keep small notes and coins.
- The MRT takes contactless bank cards directly — no need to buy a separate transit card.
- Skip the airport counters — Changi's exchange rates are far worse than KL changers.
