Strategy/projects/files/singapore_travel_prep_ai4x2026.md
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singapore_travel_prep_ai4x2026

Singapore Travel Prep — AI4X-AC 2026

Conference: AI4X-AC 2026
Dates: June 15–19, 2026
Venue: Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore
Our submission: #316 PERELMAN (Poster)
Early bird deadline: April 15, 2026 — wire transfer email in /review/inbox/ai4x_wire_transfer_email.md

1. Hotels

Venue is at City Hall MRT station. Book ASAP — June is peak season.

Hotel Distance Price/night Notes
Swissotel The Stamford 0 min (AT venue) ~US$289+ Directly connected to RCCC; most convenient
Pan Pacific Singapore 2 min walk ~US$242+ Adjacent to Raffles City complex
Grand Park City Hall 5 min walk ~US$130+ Best value near venue
Marina Bay Sands 15 min walk US$400+ Skip — overpriced for this trip

Recommendation: Swissotel Stamford (same building, eliminate commute) or Grand Park (save ~US$800 for 5 nights).
Book via: Booking.com, Trip.com, or directly — check cancellation policy (conference payment unconfirmed).
5 nights (June 14 arrival → June 20 departure): budget US$650–1,450.

2. Singapore Visa for Russian Citizens

Russia is NOT visa-exempt for Singapore. Visa required.

Process:

  1. Apply online via ICA website: www.ica.gov.sg → “Apply for Entry Visa”
  2. Processing time: 3–5 business days (apply at least 2 weeks before travel)
  3. Cost: ~S$30–40 (Singapore dollars)
  4. Required documents:
    - Valid passport (6+ months validity)
    - Recent passport photo
    - Conference invitation/acceptance letter from AI4X-AC organizers (request from info@ai4x.cc)
    - Hotel booking confirmation (need this first)
    - Return flight tickets
    - Bank statement showing sufficient funds
    - Employment letter / contract from Skoltech/Sber

Notes:

  • Tourist visa: 30 days, usually single entry
  • Get the invitation letter from AI4X-AC organizers when you send the wire transfer request
  • If Sherki also travels, he needs to apply independently

3. Payment Options for Conference Registration

Problem: Russian-issued cards (Visa/MC/AMEX) + Alipay + PayNow = all blocked.
Wire transfer email: /review/inbox/ai4x_wire_transfer_email.md — send to info@ai4x.cc BEFORE April 15.

If wire transfer is confirmed by organizers:

  • Raiffeisen Bank Russia — still connected to SWIFT as of early 2026 (Austrian-owned, limited sanctions exposure). Best bet for direct SWIFT transfer.
  • Gazprombank — has some SWIFT access (energy-sector exemptions). Worth checking.

Alternatives if wire transfer not possible:

  1. Colleague abroad — ask someone in EU/US/Asia to pay by card + reimburse in RUB. Need official invoice from conference.
  2. Kazakh/Armenian bank — transfer RUB to Halyk Bank (Kazakhstan) or Ameriabank (Armenia), then SWIFT to Singapore from there.
  3. Crypto — as last resort; check if AI4X accepts.
  4. Алипей через Шерки — if Sherki has Chinese contacts with Alipay.

4. Flights

Route: Moscow (SVO/DME) → Singapore (SIN)
Flight time: ~9–11h direct (no direct flights currently) or 12–18h via connections
Common routes: Via Dubai (Emirates/flydubai), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Abu Dhabi (Etihad)
Book via: Turkish Airlines, Emirates usually most reliable from Moscow

Estimated cost: US$700–1,200 roundtrip (book 6–8 weeks before = early May)
Tip: Check Aviasales.ru — best aggregator for Russia-international routes.

5. Practical Singapore Info

  • Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD/S$). ATMs available everywhere. Rate: ~66–67 RUB/SGD.
  • Transport: MRT (subway) is excellent. Raffles City = City Hall MRT station (East-West + North-South lines). Get EZ-Link card at airport (S$10 deposit + S$5 credit).
  • Taxi: Grab app (like Uber). ~S$15–25 city rides.
  • SIM card: Singtel/StarHub/M1 tourist SIM at Changi Airport — S$15–20 for 7 days unlimited data.
  • Weather June: 28–34°C, very humid, afternoon thunderstorms (bring umbrella). Conference venues are heavily air-conditioned (bring a light jacket).
  • Food: Hawker centres = cheap + amazing (S$3–6/meal). Near venue: Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat.
  • Changi Airport → City Hall: MRT ~35 min, S$2.20. Or taxi ~S$25–35.

6. Checklist (Priority Order)

  • Send wire transfer email → info@ai4x.cc (DO THIS TODAY — April 10, early bird April 15) ← /review/inbox/ai4x_wire_transfer_email.md
  • Wait for wire transfer bank details from AI4X (1–3 business days)
  • Confirm Sherki — is he coming? (no answer since March 26)
  • Book hotel — as soon as payment confirmed (Grand Park or Swissotel)
  • Apply for Singapore visa — need hotel booking + invitation letter from conference
  • Request invitation letter from AI4X organizers (for visa application)
  • Book flights — mid-May (roundtrip SVO/DME → SIN, via Istanbul/Dubai)
  • Get EZ-Link card + SIM at Changi on arrival

Budget Estimate (1 person, 5 nights)

Item Cost
Registration (early bird) S$1,100 (~72,000 RUB)
Hotel (Grand Park, 5 nights) ~US$650 (~58,000 RUB)
Flights (roundtrip) ~US$900 (~80,000 RUB)
Visa ~S$40 (~2,600 RUB)
Food + transport (5 days) ~S$200 (~13,000 RUB)
TOTAL (1 person) ~225,000 RUB

If Swissotel Stamford: add ~US$800 (70,000 RUB) to hotel cost.

Created by Feanor worker, 2026-04-10 09:05 MSK. Prices are estimates — verify before booking.

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