Scientific Programme

General InformationPlease note: For travel from Japan and New Zealandspecial fares or discounts are offered by the participatingairlines on their own network.When making your travel plans please presentconfirmation of your registration or proof of attendance.PUBLIC TRANSPORTTravelling around Singapore is easy. An efficient publictransportation network of taxis, buses and the modern MassRapid Transit (MRT) rail system ensures that getting frompoint A to point B is hassle-free and extremely affordable.- Singapore Tourist Pass: designed to give tourists the bestvalue and ease of travel, the STP is available as 1 - Day, 2 -Day or 3- Day passes at only S$8 per day. It comes with arental deposit of S$10 which is fully refundable if the card isreturned within 5 days of issuance.- The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Singapore is a modern,air-conditioned passenger train service with stations all overthe island. There are three main lines – the North-South linefrom Marina Bay to Jurong East, the East-West line fromChangi Airport/Pasir Ris to Boon Lay, and the North-East linefrom Harbour Front to Punggol.SAFETYSingapore is one of the safest cities in the world, where bothlocals and tourists can comfortably walk along the streetslate at night.SHOPPINGOrchard Road shops:Opening hours: 10.30 am to 10.30 pm every dayShops located along other parts of the Island:Opening hours: 11.00 am to 8.00 pm (except for MustafaShopping Centre which is open 24 hours)SMOKING RESTRICTIONSSmoking is not permitted in public service vehicles, museums,libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants,non-air conditioned eating houses, hawker centers, hairsalons, supermarkets, department stores and governmentoffices. In line with efforts to improve the nightlife experiencefor all, there are smoking restrictions on entertainmentoutlets. Smoking is no longer allowed in all pubs, discos,karaoke bars and nightspots, unless within approvedsmoking rooms or smoking corners. Offenders can be finedup to SGD 1,000.TAXIOver 15,000 air-conditioned cabs ply local roads andprovide comfortable, hassle-free travel at a very reasonablecost. They can be flagged down 24 hours a day on mostroads, with well-marked taxi-stands available outside mostmajor shopping centres and hotels. At Singapore ChangiAirport, the taxi stand is located just outside the ArrivalHall on Level 1 in Terminal 1 and at the end of the ArrivalHall on Level 1 in Terminal 2 (South Wing).All taxis are metered.TIMEThe Singapore standard time zone is GMT plus8 hours.TIPPINGTipping is not practised as most hotels andrestaurants in Singapore already levy a 10% servicecharge on customers' bills. Tipping is not a wayof life in Singapore and is prohibited at the airport.TOURIST REFUND SCHEME/GOODS& SERVICES TAX (GST)All goods imported into or manufactured in Singapore aresubjected to duties and/or Goods and Services Tax (GST). Ifyou are a visitor to Singapore, you shall be entitled to a GSTrefund on goods that you purchase from retailersparticipating in the Tourist Refund Scheme ("the Scheme")provided that you satisfy all the eligibility criteria andconditions required.Please visit the Singapore Customs website to get all theinformation: http://www.customs.gov.sgLEARN MOREwww.visitsingapore.com34