Alipay Guide for Singapore Travellers: How to Use It, Where It Works, and Why It Matters
By Daisy
August 7, 2026
If you are planning a trip to China or even exploring cashless payments in Asia, Alipay is something you will likely come across.
Many travellers from Singapore are now using it because it makes daily spending simple, fast, and more convenient than carrying cash.
This guide explains how Alipay works, how to set it up as a visitor, and what you should know before using it on your trip.
What is Alipay
Alipay is a mobile payment app created by Ant Group. It is widely used across China for almost everything, from buying food to taking public transport.
Instead of using cash or cards, you pay by scanning a QR code. This is why many shops in China no longer accept cash as often as before.
Setting up Alipay is quite simple and can be done before your trip.
Download Alipay from the App Store or Google Play
Sign up using your Singapore mobile number and create your account
Switch the app to English for easier navigation
Complete identity verification using your passport details
Add your Singapore issued credit or debit card for international payments
Enable the international payment feature or Tour Pass in the app
Set a payment password or enable face or fingerprint unlock for security
Test the app by exploring features or making a small payment if available
Make sure your bank allows overseas transactions to avoid payment issues
🚨Pro Tips: Complete your account setup, passport verification, and card linking before you travel. This avoids last minute issues when you are already overseas and need to make a payment quickly.
For most travellers, Alipay becomes the main payment method during the trip.
💡 Pro Tip: Even though Alipay is widely accepted, keep a credit card or some cash with you. This helps in rare cases where digital payment is not available or if your app has connection issues.
Tips for Using Alipay Smoothly
Using Alipay is simple, but a few smart habits can make your experience much better during your trip.
Make sure you have internet access when making payments, especially when scanning QR codes
Save a screenshot of your payment QR code so you can still pay if your connection is slow
Bring a small amount of cash as backup for rare cases where digital payment is not available
Check your transaction history regularly to keep track of your spending
Inform your bank before your trip to avoid card linking or payment issues
Keep your phone charged as you will rely on it for most payments throughout the day
Use secure WiFi or mobile data when making payments to avoid connection risks
💡 Pro Tip: Check Trip.com’s promo code page before confirming your booking. You might find an extra 10–20% off hotels or flights.
Riverside/ Clarke Quay Singapore|2.11km from downtown
The room was clean and quite new, looked like it had been recently renovated, but there was no strange smell. The view from the window was great, overlooking the Singapore River, and in the morning, many people were jogging by the river. There's a restaurant downstairs, but I didn't try it, though I saw many people eating there in the mornings. Just a ten-minute walk from the hotel is a shopping mall with a supermarket and plenty of food options. The subway station is underground. In the evenings, after dinner, we'd take the subway back and then walk to the hotel. The kids loved it so much they didn't want to leave.
This is an honest review of Carlton Hotel Singapore, where my mother and I stayed in the second week of August!
I'll summarize what I felt during my stay.
Floor: I requested a high floor when booking, but unfortunately, it wasn't accommodated, and we were assigned the 8th floor. However, the room condition was pleasant, so we didn't experience much inconvenience during our stay.
Bed Type: The room type was an Executive Room. We requested twin beds so my mom and I could sleep comfortably, and they provided a room with two beds, which was perfect. The bedding was fresh, and the mattress was soft, so we slept soundly every night.
Deposit & Cancellation Period: A deposit of $200 (SGD) is authorized upon check-in. Even if you use paid services, they are not deducted from the deposit; you pay for them separately upon check-out. It's been about 3 days since we checked out, and the deposit cancellation hasn't been processed yet, likely because it's an overseas authorization. It usually takes a few days to 1-2 weeks depending on the card company, so it's best to wait patiently.
Bathroom & Amenities: Toothpaste and toothbrushes were provided, and shampoo, body wash, and conditioner were well-stocked, which we used comfortably throughout our stay. A hairdryer was also available.
Cleaning & Refill: If you press the 'Please Clean Up' switch in the room, they will clean the room and replenish water, towels, toothpaste, and toothbrushes generously every time.
Tip for Bedding Change: If you want to have the bed sheets completely changed, make sure to place the green sign provided in the room on the bed, and they will replace them with fresh bedding.
Upon arriving at night, the magnificent glass chandelier stretching across the lobby ceiling immediately caught my eye. The high ceiling and luxurious feel made a great first impression.
The swimming pool is quite small. However, Singapore's weather is extremely hot and humid, so people were constantly in the water regardless of the time of day. It was sufficient for cooling down and chilling out lightly during the day or evening.
Gym: Across the swimming pool, there's a gym. It was clean and a simple hotel gym, perfect for a light workout.
Breakfast/Hotel Dining: I didn't book breakfast because of the pressure to wake up early to eat breakfast when traveling. Instead of using the hotel's breakfast, lunch, or dinner buffets, we creatively handled our meals with delivery food and restaurants in nearby shopping malls.
Raffles City Shopping Mall: The Raffles City shopping mall right next to the hotel was incredibly convenient! The restaurant and food court options were so good that we often went to Raffles City for our meals during our stay.
Room Service: On the first night, we arrived at the hotel around 10-11 PM and were tired, so we ordered room service. The food tasted really delicious and satisfying, but as expected with Singapore prices, it was quite expensive. The taste is guaranteed, so it might be nice to use it once for a treat!
Location & Transportation: On the map, I thought Merlion Park was within walking distance, but Singapore's August weather was hotter and more humid than I imagined, so walking was definitely not an option.
Instead, there were well-located bus stops near the hotel, and we consistently took buses to major attractions, including Merlion Park. The routes were so well-established that we got around very conveniently. When it's hot, always use public transport!
This was a trip with my mom, and thanks to the nearby shopping mall, meals were convenient. Overall, it was a satisfying hotel stay. I recommend it to anyone looking for a well-located accommodation in the heart of Singapore.
Staying at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering for this trip to Singapore far exceeded my expectations! The building, like an urban oasis, is incredibly distinctive with lush greenery all around, offering a sense of tranquility amidst the bustling city. The location is superb, within walking distance to Chinatown and Clarke Quay, and incredibly convenient for subway travel. The room was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained; the rooftop infinity pool had an amazing vibe. All staff members were polite, thoughtful, and promptly responsive. The food was exquisite and delicious. Whether for leisure sightseeing or urban exploration, this is an incredibly worthwhile hotel choice in Singapore. I will definitely prioritize staying here again on my next visit to Singapore. Highly recommended!
The location is ideal and easily accessible, near Funan IT mall and various shopping malls, as well as reachable by MRT and buses. The room is clean and facilities are complete, except that the air conditioner is centrally controlled and the room is still warm despite 23 degrees. Nonetheless, there is fan in the room to cool down. The lounge service is absolutely good. Overall, the hotel is recommendable.
## Lobby & Public Areas
Upon entering the lobby, you're immediately struck by the spaciousness. The high atrium feels airy and open, never oppressive. The overall architecture features strong, clean lines, and the geometric interplays have a distinct deconstructivist feel – great for photos.
The front desk layout is efficient, and check-in was quick, with almost no waiting.
## Breakfast
The variety is excellent, with Western, Singaporean, Indian, and other Asian stalls. There were also very friendly Chinese-speaking staff. The freshly prepared egg dishes and fresh juices were high quality. The dining area is spacious, so it never felt crowded or noisy.
## Room
I stayed in a club room this time, and the space was noticeably larger than hotels in a similar price range. The layout is expansive, not at all cramped, which is a rare find in land-scarce Singapore. The mini-bar, ironing facilities, coffee machine, and tea set were all comprehensive. The bathroom fixtures and amenities felt high-quality, and the oversized bathtub with bath salts was perfect for washing away a full day's travel fatigue.
## Service
Overall, the service was professional and understated. From the doorman to housekeeping, everyone was polite and measured in their approach – not overly fawning, but you still felt well-cared for. A special shout-out to the Korean lady at the 38th-floor club; even though she didn't speak Chinese, she communicated meticulously in English with a constant smile, which was both elegant and warm.
## Summary
High-end facilities, excellent service – perfect for guests who prioritize quality and spaciousness. I would definitely stay again.
### Complimentary Pacific Club Access:
I missed both afternoon tea and happy hour due to being out sightseeing. A reminder to fellow travelers checking in next time: definitely try to experience them!
Front Desk: I booked four nights at Fullerton Hotel this time. As I booked quite late, the four days were split into three different reservations with two room types. Upon arrival at the front desk, we were greeted by a friendly lady with short hair and glasses. She was very helpful and actively tried to arrange a single room for us so we wouldn't have to switch, but due to the high occupancy, she couldn't make it happen. She informed us that we'd have to switch rooms after the first two nights, which we understood. A really great gesture was that this lady upgraded our room type for all four days. We had originally booked three nights in a Courtyard Club room and one night in a regular Suite. She managed to get us upgraded to Club rooms with impressive bay views. Especially on the second night, we stayed in a Loft Suite, which was huge and came with a terrace. We could sit on the terrace sofa and enjoy the bay night view and the Marina Bay Sands building. In the evening, the hotel even sent up champagne, chocolates, and fruit, which made my child incredibly happy! A big thank you to this short-haired front desk lady for giving us the opportunity to experience a better room type at the hotel! I won't comment on the other front desk staff; some seemed a bit aloof and haughty, haha!
Dining: The breakfast was comprehensive, with various Chinese, Western, and Indian options. My child particularly loved the laksa noodles and steamed egg custard, while I enjoyed the freshly made omelets. The old chef making the omelets was very versatile, speaking English, Chinese, and Japanese. I chatted with him, and he mentioned he used to be a Japanese chef. The omelets were delicious and could be loaded with many ingredients! Our room type included executive lounge access, but we were out exploring every day and only made it for afternoon tea once!
Room: The cleaning was meticulous, and we had turndown service every night. The bathroom was large, but the toothbrushes shed bristles, so we unfortunately had to buy two new toothbrushes from the 7-11 across the street.
Location: Unbeatable! You can tell from the photos. It's very close to Raffles Place MRT station, Marina Bay is right in front of you, and it's also a historic building. Just across the bridge is the Asian Civilisations Museum, and within walking distance are attractions like Clarke Quay and the Old Hill Street Police Station!
Overall Impression: The hotel had a lot of Western guests, and the service was Westernized, which was generally good! Finally, the hotel bill showed a charge of 26.98 SGD. I was in a hurry to leave and didn't check it carefully at the time. I only noticed the charge after returning home and wasn't sure what it was for, but since it wasn't much money, I didn't inquire further.
The hotel is ideally located and exceptionally clean. Although the rooms are small, they are fully equipped with everything you need. One feature I especially loved was the water dispenser with adjustable temperature settings. It is incredibly convenient and a huge plus for anyone who loves drinking warm water, as you don't have to wait for a kettle to boil. The lobby also offers complimentary local snacks, which the kids absolutely loved. They also have a self-service luggage storage room. I will definitely choose to stay at this hotel again next time!
This hotel offers incredible value for money! It's conveniently located right next to a police station, Fort Canning Park, a famous Bak Kut Teh restaurant, and a church. There's also a shopping mall downstairs, making dining super easy. The room was very clean, simple, and bright. While not huge, it was perfectly sufficient for two people traveling. We didn't get to fully explore Fort Canning Park downstairs due to the summer heat, but it's a large park with lush trees and a beautiful design, definitely worth a visit.
This hotel is super convenient, with a fantastic location right next to Tanjong Pagar MRT station, just one stop away from the main attractions. While the room isn't huge, it's pretty good value for money given it's in downtown Singapore. The street next to the hotel is definitely worth exploring in the evening – more interesting than the tourist spots, actually.
The breakfast quality was decent, but there are so many good food options nearby that eating out is probably better value.
The only hiccup was that they forgot to clean my room on the first night. I even spoke to a staff member when I left, but maybe they didn't catch my room number clearly. I followed up with the front desk on the second night, and it was cleaned well. On the third morning, they were waiting outside my door bright and early, so maybe it wasn't an intentional oversight.
The lobby is on the 12th floor, with the reception on the 1st floor. The two Indian guys handling luggage storage were really friendly and cute. We communicated well, even when I didn't quite catch everything in their Indian-accented English.
Riverside/ Clarke Quay Singapore|1.77km from downtown
The room layout is smart and modern, and it's very clean. The service was excellent – the staff were enthusiastic and helpful, even though they didn't speak Chinese, English communication was perfectly fine. The air conditioning in the hotel is incredibly powerful; there's a noticeable difference between indoors and outdoors. I also noticed a subtle, pleasant fragrance on the first floor.
The room was relatively spacious, which I really liked. The bathroom even had a bathtub, and we had a view of a church from the window. It's in a quiet location. The service was quite good, and they offered luggage storage. If you exit the hotel and turn left, you'll find the Esplanade MRT station (Exit A) on the Circle Line. There's a laundry room on the 4th floor; washing and drying costs 10 SGD, and you can get coins at the front desk on the ground floor. I didn't get to check out the pool. If you haven't booked breakfast, there are shops across from the hotel where you can grab a bite.
Pretty good location where it’s within walking distance from Bugis MRT, Nicoll Highway MRT and Lavender MRT stations.
Near to hotspot cafes in Arab Street and Haji Lane, lots of cafes around for good coffee and food.
Hotel room itself was not too bad. Comfortable for one night/short stay. Though you can hear what is happening along the corridor despite having door closed and locked (people walking/running, talking/laughing… all can be heard clearly).
Door latch in room was not in working condition too.
Requested for a quiet room on level 2 with windows via Trip.com, front desk claims they did not receive any request.
Generally, decent.
An old, luxurious hotel with spacious public areas.
The suite was on the smaller side, and the bedding was mediocre. The bathroom fixtures felt cheap and outdated.
The 'sea view' from the suite's balcony? It was angled, what a letdown.
The executive lounge offered just a few pastries and fruits – very perfunctory.
The service was poor, showcasing the inherent Singaporean arrogance towards mainland Chinese.
Conclusion: Not worth it.
Riverside/ Clarke Quay Singapore|1.87km from downtown
The hotel is great. The elevators are quite large and fast, so you never have to wait long. The rooms are cleaned thoroughly and promptly. The bed in the room is big and has just the right firmness. There's plenty of space in the room, easily enough for 6-7 large suitcases. Within about a 10-minute walk, you can reach a large shopping mall, or a 5-minute walk will get you to a food court where you can grab breakfast. The hotel is very close to both bus and metro stations, and it only takes about 20 minutes to get to the city center, making its location very convenient. The front desk service is also excellent. The hotel has a pool and a gym, so the facilities are good.
I've honestly lost count of how many times I've stayed at Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore.
At this point, it really does feel a little like coming home. The Front Office team even remembers my name whenever I check in, and that small gesture always makes me feel genuinely welcome. A special thank you to the lovely Front Office team — Mr. Shaun, Fajmi, Izham, Sherlyn, and everyone else whose warm, smiley faces I definitely remember even if I can't remember all the names (sorry! :(). Every stay has been consistently smooth, warm, and professional. It's not just about efficiency, but the sincerity behind the service that really makes a difference and keeps guests coming back. It's not just the comfortable rooms and convenient location, but the people who make each stay feel easy, familiar, and welcoming. Looking forward to my next stay already!
My stay at Ascott Raffles Place Singapore was an overall excellent experience and I'd highly recommend it!
First off, the location is fantastic, right in the heart of Singapore's financial district. It's just a few minutes' walk to the MRT station, making it super convenient to get to Merlion Park, Marina Bay, and Clarke Quay. Since we were only staying for one day, we had all our meals at the Lau Pa Sat hawker centre, which is just behind the hotel. It's perfect for both business travelers and tourists.
The room was spacious and comfortable, with full amenities including a kitchen, washing machine, and dryer – just like being at home. The bed was soft and comfy, and the room was impeccably clean and tidy. The only minor downside was that there were no USB charging ports in the room, only three-pin power sockets.
Overall, from the accommodation environment, facilities, and location to the quality of service, everything exceeded my expectations. I had a wonderful stay, and next time I'm in Singapore, I will definitely choose Ascott Raffles Place Singapore again and recommend it to my friends and family!
Complete facilities with room wine, complimentary chocolates, a dyson hairdryer, nail clipper kit and more. Location is also of course very strategic with the downtown and circle line mrt connecting to the hotel. Near the hotel is lau pa sat which is a very popular hawker center for tourists and also very close to places such as esplanade theatres by the bay, city hall, bras basah and raffles place.
Although the room wasn't huge, the bedding was comfortable and the furnishings were decent. The only downside was seeing a giant ant on the second day that was incredibly hard to kill – I had to flush it down the toilet in the end! I didn't see any more after that, and I guess it's normal to have ants in tropical Singapore. The hotel's buffet was excellent, with very fresh seafood – definitely worth trying.
Yes, Alipay is generally safe to use. It includes features like payment verification and transaction tracking. As long as you follow basic precautions, it is reliable for travel use.
Security Feature
How It Protects You
Identity Verification
Requires users to verify their identity during account registration, helping prevent fake accounts and fraud.
Biometric Login
Supports fingerprint and facial recognition on compatible devices for secure and convenient access.
Passcode Protection
Payments and account changes may require your payment password or device passcode for added security.
Data Encryption
Encrypts sensitive personal and payment information during transmission to help keep your data secure.
Real Time Risk Monitoring
Uses automated systems to detect unusual activity and flag potentially suspicious transactions.
Device Management
Lets you view and manage trusted devices, making it easier to remove devices you no longer use.
Transaction Notifications
Sends instant payment alerts so you can quickly spot any unauthorized activity.
Privacy Protection
Merchants do not receive your full banking or card details when you make payments through Alipay.
Account Recovery Options
Provides account verification and recovery processes if you lose access to your account or change devices.
Tips to Keep Your Alipay Account Secure
Use a strong, unique password and payment PIN.
Enable fingerprint or facial recognition if your device supports it.
Never share verification codes or payment passwords with anyone.
Only scan QR codes from trusted merchants.
Check your transaction history regularly for unfamiliar payments.
Update the Alipay app to the latest version to receive the newest security improvements.
Log out and remove your account from devices you no longer use.
For Singapore travellers visiting China, Alipay is not just useful, it is almost essential. It simplifies daily spending and helps you enjoy your trip without worrying about cash or card issues.
If you plan to explore cities, try local food, or take public transport, setting up Alipay before your trip will save you time and effort. It is one small step that can make a big difference in your travel experience.
Use our promo code to enjoy up to 5% OFF (up to S$3)on your attraction tickets, tours and eSIMs! Only for new users!
FAQs About Alipay
Can Singapore travellers use Alipay in China?
Yes, Singapore travellers can use Alipay by linking an international credit or debit card. The app supports tourist access, making it easy to pay without a local bank account.
Do I need a Chinese bank account to use Alipay?
No, you do not need a Chinese bank account. You can use your Singapore issued card and complete passport verification to start using the app.
Can I use Alipay without internet?
You usually need internet to complete payments. It is recommended to have mobile data or WiFi for a smooth experience.
Is Alipay safe for travellers?
Yes, Alipay has built in security features such as verification and transaction tracking. As long as you follow normal safety practices, it is safe to use.
Are there any fees when using Alipay as a tourist?
Some transactions may include small fees depending on your card provider or currency conversion. It is best to check with your bank before travelling.
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I’m a travel lover who can never say no to good food, stunning beaches, and the beauty of nature. Sharing my adventures and travel tips, I hope to inspire you to explore, taste, and unwind wherever you go.