With just 2 months left until the end of the year, it’s time to start planning those year-end overseas holidays (especially if you’re still scrambling to clear your annual leave). One important factor to consider when deciding where to go is the exchange rate. A good exchange rate for us means the Singapore Dollar gets stronger against the overseas currency over the past year. That means you can exchange the same amount in Singapore dollars for a greater amount of the overseas currency than before. This means that your accommodation, food, and activities will all be cheaper.
#1 The United States of America
The current exchange rate is 1 Singapore Dollar (SGD) to 0.7711 US Dollar (USD). That means, using an app like YouTrip, you can exchange 100 SGD for 77.11 USD.
Source: Screenshot taken from YouTrip app
The Singapore Dollar has strengthened by about 2.10% against the US Dollar over the past year. Although it has eased in recent months, it remains close to its 2014 highs, presenting good value for travellers to the US.
There are many popular destinations to visit in the US, with direct flights from Singapore to San Francisco and Los Angeles on the West Coast, as well as New York on the East Coast.
In New York, the strong Singapore Dollar might mean it’s the perfect time to spend a little more on an experience that will last a lifetime. Consider booking a Niagara Falls tour, catching a Broadway show, or perhaps even splurging on a helicopter tour of New York City.
Read Also: Advantages Of Exchanging Foreign Currencies In Advance (Vs Right When You Need It)
#2 Australia
The current exchange rate is 1 Singapore Dollar (SGD) to 1.176 Australian Dollar (AUD). That means, using an app like YouTrip, you can exchange 100 SGD for 117.64 AUD.
Source: Screenshot taken from YouTrip app
The Singapore Dollar has strengthened by about 2.85% against the Australian Dollar over the past year. This is the strongest the SGD has ever been against the Australian Dollar.
Singaporeans are no strangers to traveling to Australia for holidays, with direct flights from Singapore to all the major cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
In Sydney, the strong Singapore Dollar could mean it’s finally time to visit the scenic Blue Mountains, catching the end of the whale watching season, or go for a thrilling Thunder Jet Boat ride around Sydney Harbour.
#3 Japan
The current exchange rate is 1 Singapore Dollar (SGD) to 117.4 Japanese Yen (JPY). That means, using an app like YouTrip, you can exchange 100 SGD for 11,742 JPY.
Source: Screenshot taken from YouTrip app
The Singapore Dollar has strengthened by about 1.65% against the Japanese Yen over the past year. While it hasn’t broken the July 2024 record yet, the SGD is still stronger than it has ever been against the Japanese Yen.
It feels like everyone in Singapore has been to Japan at least once, especially in the past two years, and with the favourable exchange rate, it might be worth making another trip to visit a different part of Japan, such as cities like Osaka and Kyoto, or heading south to Okinawa prefecture.
Okinawa Prefecture offers excellent opportunities for tourists looking for snorkeling and diving activities. There are several tourist attractions, including the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, which was once the world’s largest, and the small but picturesque Nago Pineapple Park, a theme park featuring as many as 120 varieties of pineapples.
#4 South Korea
The current exchange rate is 1 Singapore Dollar (SGD) to 1,107 South Korean won (KRW). While you cannot pre-exchange SGD for KRW using an app like YouTrip yet, you can still use your YouTrip card in South Korea to make payment in KRW.
The Singapore Dollar has strengthened by about 5.66% against the South Korean won over the past year, and while it has dropped from the record in March this year, the SGD is still stronger than it has ever been against the South Korean won.
South Korea’s pop culture has taken the world by storm, and the popularity of recently released Netflix animated movie K-Pop Demon Hunters continues to prove just how enduring the hallyu or Korean Wave continues to be.
Travelers to Seoul might want to take advantage of the strong Singapore Dollar to indulge in a spa day at one of South Korea’s popular jjimjilbang or Korean bathhouse, or do a day tour on Nami Island.
If Gyeongbokgung Palace is too mainstream for you, perhaps head to nearby but lesser-known EunPyeong Hanok village to experience traditional Korean village life. This planned community of hanoks, or traditional Korean homes, was established in 2014.
#5 Vietnam
The current exchange rate is 1 Singapore Dollar (SGD) to 20,250 Vietnamese dong (VND). While you cannot pre-exchange SGD for VND using an app like YouTrip yet, you can still use your YouTrip card in Vietnam to make payment in VND.
Source: Screenshot taken from YouTrip app
The Singapore Dollar has strengthened by about 6% against the Vietnamese dong over the past year. This is the strongest the SGD has ever been against the Vietnamese dong.
Singaporeans already familiar with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi may prefer to head to Da Nang in Central Vietnam, where they can indulge in several full-day tours to different parts of the region. These include experiencing Ba Na Hills via the world’s longest single-wire cable car system, or head to the town of Hoi An and explore the Marble Mountains, or travel via traditional boat through the Bay Mau Coconut Forest.
#6 Turkey
The current exchange rate is 1 Singapore Dollar (SGD) to 32.40 Turkish Lira (TRY). While you cannot pre-exchange SGD for TRY using an app like YouTrip yet, you can still use your YouTrip card in Turkey to make payment in TRY.
The Singapore Dollar has strengthened by a whopping 25% against the Turkish Lira over the past year and is currently near its all-time highs.
Turkey is gaining popularity as a travel destination among Singaporeans in recent years due to its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, vibrant bazaars and unique experiences. For starters, if you’re travelling to the city of Istanbul, here are some of the must-do activities.
Tired of seeing monotonous block buildings? Then, visit historical landmarks such as the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia and Kariye Mosque (Chora Church) and be awed by their distinctive architecture. Next up, test your haggling skills at the Grand Bazaar or indulge in some delightful Turkish cuisine. To end things off, relax with a traditional Turkish bath, also commonly known as hammam or take a leisurely boat ride along the Bosphorus Strait.
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