HOW TO VISIT SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET (2024)

Can you really visit Singapore on a budget? Yes you can!

By following top budget travel tips for saving money, you can get the most from your stay in Singapore, without missing out on any of the things you want to see and do.

Singapore can be an expensive destination to visit, especially compared to other southeast Asia countries. Accommodation, transport, food, drink, and top sights all compete for a share of your travel budget.

Learning how and where to save money and following nifty travel tips, is the key to enjoying Singapore on a budget. Be sure to check out our Ultimate Singapore Travel Guide For First Timers which is packed full of essential information!

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JUMP AHEAD

HOW TO GO TO SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET
WHERE TO STAY IN SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET
HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET
HOW TO EAT AND DRINK IN SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET
WHERE TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET
THINGS TO DO IN SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET
OTHERS WAYS TO BUDGET IN SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE TRIP COST FOR A COUPLE
SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET WRAP UP
MORE POSTS ON SINGAPORE

HOW TO GO TO SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET

PLAN IN ADVANCE – Start planning your trip to Singapore as early as possible, in order to secure the best deals and save the most money on airfares and accommodation. These will be the most expensive items on your budget.
SECURE A COMPETITIVE PRICED FLIGHT – Check airline search engines such as Kayak, Skyscanner and Google flights. Always compare prices direct with Singapore Airlines.

WHERE TO STAY IN SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET

The cost of accommodation in Singapore will impact on your travel budget depending on type of accommodation and area you choose. It is possible to keep accommodation costs low, as there are plenty of budget hotels in Singapore.

Singapore has hotel options to suit all budgets and it is important to remember that if you are keeping to a strict budget, you can find cheaper, boutique style accommodation in neighbourhoods such as Kampong Glam, Little India and Chinatown.

You will probably not be spending a huge amount of time in your room and with such an efficient and speedy train system, you can stay near an MRT station and be whisked into places like Marina Bay in no time at all.

Cheap Accommodations In Singapore

Based on 1 night stay for a couple, in early February, these are great budget hotels in Singapore:

V Hotel Bencoolen: Having a great city-centre location, V Hotel Bencoolen offers cosy boutique superior doubles from an affordable S$209 (£126)
Mercure Singapore On Stevens: A lush urban paradise with a prime city centre location, Mercure Singapore On Stevens have rooms for as little as S$242 (£146)
The Sultan: Heritage shophouses with old charm, The Sultan is located in the heart of Kampong Glam. Standard doubles are offered at S$196 (£118)
Hotel Yan: With an industrial-chic boutique feel, Hotel Yan is ideally situated between the enclaves of Kampong Glam and Little India. Premium double rooms can be had for S$214 (£129)

If your Singapore travel budget is very tight, you can stay in a hostel or capsule pod. Whilst we tend to stay in hotels, the following properties have good reviews on trip advisor:

Galaxy Pods @ Chinatown offers a double capsule and shared bathroom for S$84 (£51)
The Pod @ Beach Road Boutique Capsule Hotel offers a Queen Pod Suite with large double bed and shared bathroom for S$151 (£91)

We have stayed twice, at the Shangri-La and while a beautiful hotel and only a 15 minute walk to Orchard Road, some people may not like to be outside the main attractions. For our last two visits we chose the Fairmont Hotel and feel this is more centrally located, but it is all about choice and budget.

HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET

1. PURCHASE A TRANSPORTATION PASS ON ARRIVAL

singapore-on-a-budget-mrt — Fast And Efficient MRT

Start getting around Singapore efficiently as soon as you land at Changi Airport, by purchasing the correct transportation pass to suit your individual needs.

The pass that you choose, is dependent on how much walking you plan to do, as opposed to taking public transport, and you have two choices:

EZ-Link Card (Account Based)

Stored-Value Smartcard (EZ-Link): These cost $10 and come with a stored value of $5 for you to use on your commutes. You’ll be able to purchase these at Passenger Service Centres in train stations, any SimplyGo Ticket Office or convenience stores such as 7-11, Buzz and Cheers.

To use, simply tap your card on the reader to make your payment.

Singapore Tourist Pass

This pass offers tourists unlimited travel on the MRT and LRT trains and basic bus services for the duration of the validity of the pass which is 1, 2 or 3 days. The Pass can be bought at the SimplyGo Ticket Office at selected MRT stations listed HERE.

A one-day pass costs S$22, two-day pass S$29 and three-day pass S$34. All passes are inclusive of a S$10 refundable rental deposit. The bonus of the Tourist Pass is that you can hop on and off the public transport without worrying whether you have sufficient money on the card and if you plan to use transport more than walking then this is a great money saver.

If however you plan to walk everywhere and not use trains or buses, then it would make more sense to purchase an EZ-Link Card. Bear in mind when making your decision, that MRT fares for a single trip range from S$1.50 to S$2.50, and bus fares start at S$1.40 per journey.

Whichever pass you decide to choose, be sure to buy it from the TransitLink Ticket Office at Changi Airport so that you can start utilising it straight away.

To use the pass, simply tap it on the reader on the fare gate when you enter the MRT station. Similarly, tap again on the reader at the exit fare gate to complete the trip. When using the bus, tap the pass when you board and the reader will beep and a green light indicates you have been successful. Remember to tap your pass on the reader again, when you alight the bus to complete the trip.

2. RIDE THE MRT FROM CHANGI AIRPORT TO THE CITY

Riding the MRT into the city in Singapore is an enjoyable experience and also saves you money compared to taking a taxi, which would see you paying approximately S$20-S$40. The trains and gantries at all stations are luggage-friendly.

At Changi Airport follow signs for “train to city” from whatever terminal you have arrived into. The MRT station is located at the basement of Terminal 2.

Purchase a single ride fare from the easy to use machine or buy a transportation pass from the counter. Either way there is usually someone on hand to offer assistance so there is no need to worry or get stressed. Fares are calculated based on the total distance you travel, therefore you don’t have to pay a boarding charge for each transfer in your trip.

Changi Line is a spur line only and links Changi Airport to the East West Line (Green) at Tanah Merah Station (EW4) and here everyone has to disembark and transfer to their chosen line, which in this case is the westbound train (Green) into the city. The last train leaving Changi Airport Station to Tanah Merah is at 11.18pm.

Alight at the station closest to your accommodation. For example if you were staying at the Fairmont Hotel, alight at City Hall (EW13/NS25) and your journey would have taken about 32 minutes.

MRT fare calculator
MRT HOURS : 5.31am to 23.18pm (extended during festive periods).
MRT FREQUENCY : Train frequency is 2 to 3 minutes during the peak hours of 7-9 am, and about 5 to 7 minutes during off-peak times.

3. WALK EVERYWHERE

Singapore is a great city to explore on foot.

Wander the meandering streets, stroll around parks and gardens and all at no cost, plus it’s good exercise. Take a break from the heat and humidity by stepping into one of the many underground malls for some respite and a toilet break.

Visitor centres in downtown stock free maps and information for exploring at your own pace. You never know what delight you will stumble across.

Orchard : 216 Orchard Road / Daily 10:00am to 7:00pm/ Nearest MRT Station Somerset (NS23)
ION Ochard : ION Orchard Level 1 Concierge / Daily 10:00am to 10:00pm / Nearest MRT Station Orchard (NS24)
Chinatown : 2 Banda Street (behind the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum) / Daily 10:00am to 10:00pm / Nearest MRT Station Chinatown (NE4/DT19)

HOW TO EAT AND DRINK IN SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET

1. EAT IN HAWKER CENTRES

If you want affordable cuisine then head to one of the numerous hawker centres or food halls dotted around the city. Here you will find authentic local dishes from Thai, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean to Singaporean classics.

Enjoy local dishes such as Chicken Rice and Chili Crab!

This is the easiest way to save money on food in Singapore.

Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage offers up a diverse array of cuisines, each with its own personal flavour and aroma and price tag.

Join a queue and discover a multitude of local flavours which at S$4.00-S$10 ($2.40-$6.00) per plate, are also kind on your wallet. Some popular hawker stalls can be found at :

Maxwell Food Centre – 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore. Nearest MRT is Tanjong Pagar MRT (Take Exit G, walk 6 minutes to Maxwell Road)
Chinatown Complex Food Centre – 335 Smith Street, Singapore. Nearest MRT is Chinatown (NE4) (Walk 1 min from Exit B)
Satay By The Bay – 18 Marina Gardens Drive #01-19 Singapore. Nearest MRT is Bayfront (CE1/DT16)

TIP : Check out the Bib Gourmand list to find high quality food at reasonable prices. This “value for money” counterpart to the Michelin Star, names restaurants and hawker stalls that offer great food capped at SGD 45.

2. ENJOY HAPPY HOUR DEALS

Alcohol is going to seriously eat into your budget, especially if you have a few drinks in a hotel bar. So what do you do? Not drink any alcohol all holiday?

Expect to pay approximately

S$15 per glass of wine in a restaurant
S$12 for a beer (330ml)
S$20 for a cocktail in a nice bar

Get around the expense by drinking in pubs and bars that serve the cheapest alcohol without breaking the bank and by sticking to happy hour deals.

Head to Five Izakaya, where Kronenbourg 1664 pale lager (half-pint) , house sakes (30ml), yumeshu (30ml) and red and white (120ml) house wines are S$5 each all night.

If you prefer a cocktail then head to No.5 Emerald Hill, where you can sip your drink while sitting in a Peranakan styled building. On their happy hour menu is 1-for-1 martinis, served from 12-8pm daily.

There are a wealth of options around Clarke Quay with many bars offering happy hours or buy one, get one free deals. Just stroll around and keep an eye out for the best deals.

Alternatively, head to the supermarkets or hawker center drink stalls which serve bottled beer. Remember though, there is a curfew on alcohol sales in Singapore after 10.30pm. Lastly, start drinking earlier and look for happy hour deals around the nightlife districts to save some dollars.

3. DRINK TAP WATER

Water in Singapore passes World Health Organisation standards so you are able to drink water straight from the tap.

Hotels usually provide you with a couple of complementary bottles of water, so save the bottles and refill them from the numerous water fountains, as you walk around the city and parks.

4. MAKE LUNCH NOT DINNER RESERVATIONS AT RESTAURANTS

If you would love to eat at one of the city’s famous restaurants or try fine dining in a Michelin starred restaurant, the best time to make a reservation is at lunch.

Many top restaurants offer set lunch menus or business lunch at a lower price, than the dinner option. This discount could be 20%, enabling you to enjoy the same (or similar) choices as on the dinner menu, but at a lower and more affordable price.

This price comparative doesn’t only apply to fine dining, but most restaurants dotted around the city, including restaurants in the huge shopping malls. In fact the world really is your oyster when it comes to choice as eating is the nation’s favourite pastime and Singapore is a gastronomical city.

Check Out These Apps & Sites To Make Dining Out Easy

Burpple / A free food and restaurant app which guides you to places recommended by locals.
Chope / Allows you to make instant online reservations at Singapore’s top restaurants.
Michelin Guide / A list of selected restaurants, latest updates and reservations.

WHERE TO SHOP IN SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET

china-town-shopping-singapore — Chinatown

Singapore is a shopping haven with mall after mall to swallow your holiday budget. In order to spend as little as possible, follow some simple guidelines to keep your spending in check.

Purchase snacks and drinks from larger supermarkets located in underground malls such as VivoCity, and not from your hotel mini bar.
Shop for souvenirs, accessories and presents in local neighbourhoods, budget shopping malls and out of the way places, and don’t forget to haggle.

Shop in the right places for your budget and you will save money. Try these local haunts:

LITTLE INDIA

Mustafa Centre – a round the clock mall selling items such as jewellery and beauty products among its 300,000 items. Open 24 hours, 365 days a year.
Little India Arcade – for fashion & accessories, crafts, footwear and gifts.
Nearest MRT Little India / 60 Bukit Timah Road

CITY PLAZA

A lot of the shops here, supply some of Singapore’s biggest boutique online stores.
For your pick of second hand dresses, bags, shoes etc, visit Refas. You can find labels such as Zara, Next and Marks & Spencer, among the racks of items for sale.
Nearest MRT Paya Lebar (EW8/CC9) / 810 Geylang Road

BUGIS STREET

Bugis Street Market – With hundreds of shops offering cheaply priced clothing, jewellery, souvenirs etc.
Nearest MRT Bugis (EW12) / 3 New Bugis Street

CHINATOWN

Chinatown Street Market – Stalls selling everything imaginable from clothing, fabrics, shoes, crafted items etc.
Nearest MRT Chinatown (NE4) / Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street, Temple Street

THINGS TO DO IN SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET

Visitors can enjoy numerous free things to do including many iconic landmarks, irrespective of their budget. Our post Free Things To Do In Singapore highlights where to go in Singapore for free.

1. ENJOY FREE ATTRACTIONS IN THE DAY

You can enjoy so many varied sights and activities in Singapore on a budget.

Bustling Neighbourhoods – Stroll around Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, Tiong Bahru, Holland Village, Dempsey Hill and Katong. Discover culture and famous attractions such as The Merlion, all for free.
Parks & Nature Reserves – Singapore Botanical Gardens, Fort Canning Park, Southern Ridges and the Treetop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir are all popular. Gardens By The Bay is a spectacular sight. Gaze upwards at the giant manmade trees.

2. ENJOY FREE THINGS AT NIGHT

You could easily drop your entire holiday budget in one night, at the many top-end restaurants and bars. However, if you are looking where to go in Singapore at night for free, try these activities instead.

Walk around Marina Bay and see beautiful architecture lit up in an array of colours.
View the lit exterior of temples and mosques such as Sultan Mosque and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum.
Catch one of the incredible free light shows at Gardens the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, and Sentosa Island.
Watch the sun setting over Marina Barrage.
Enjoy a free show or concert at at Esplanade Theatres On The Bay.

Check out these awesome things to do in Singapore at night for fun.

3. BUY COMBINATION TICKETS FOR POPULAR ATTRACTIONS

While the city has an array of free things to offer visitors, some of the top attractions come with a price tag meaning that if you are on a budget you are restricted to choosing one or two sights only, due to cost.

orangutan-singapore-zoo — Meet An Orangutan at Singapore Zoo

Some of the stand alone entrance fees for popular attractions are:

Singapore Zoo – S$48.00 (£29)
Singapore Night Safari – S$55 (£33)
Bird Paradise – S$48.00 (£29)
River Wonders – S$42.00 (£25)

To save money on these attractions, first pay online. If you want to view more than one park, then consider a multi-park ticket, such as the following:

2-Park Admission covering the Zoo & River Wonders – S$88 (£52)
ParkHopper Plus valid for 7 days | 4 parks – S$118 (£71)

By getting a 4-Park admission ticket for S$118.00, you will save S$75 off the individual park prices.

Other popular Singapore attractions also have combination tickets:

GARDENS BY THE BAY / Super Treat Bundles are available for the Supertree Observatory + Flower Dome.

RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA / Check out attraction promotions and enjoy deals for tickets to various attractions and restaurants.

4. PURCHASE A SINGAPORE EXPLORER PASS

Enjoy admission to more than 40 attractions in Singapore and save up to 40% compared to buying separate tickets with this pass.

The digital pass is valid for 2-7 days from first use and covers a huge number of top attractions such as:

S.E.A Aquarium
Singapore River Cruise
Drink at CÉ LA VI SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands
Singapore Cable Car
and many more

5. ENJOY FREE ACTIVITIES AT CHANGI AIRPORT

Changi Airport is like no other airport, and regularly wins awards year after year and for good reason. You do not have to spend your time waiting for your flight by sitting bored to death or spending money you can’t afford to spend in the numerous attractive shops.

If you have a few hours to kill, Changi Airport offers up some enticing choices, all free of course.

TERMINAL 1 | Check out these attractions :

Visit the rooftop cactus garden with over 100 species of cacti and arid plants from Africa and the Americas.
Admire the art installation “Kinetic Rain”, a display of 1,216 polished copper raindrops.
Walk through either the Piazza or Sculptural Tree Garden.

TERMINAL 2 | Check out these attractions :

Be captivated by this decorative and interactive Enchanted Garden as it “magically” comes to life with sight and sound.
Admire the colourful collection of rare orchids in the Orchid Garden.
Be cheered by the brightness of 500 yellow flowers in the Sunflower Garden.

TERMINAL 3 | Check out these attractions :

Admire the tropical habitat and home of over 1,000 butterflies in the Butterfly Garden with it’s 6 metre grotto-waterfall.
Take a ride on the world’s tallest slide in an airport at The Slide.

TERMINAL 4 | Check out these attractions :

Admire Hey Ah Chek, a bronze sculpture depicting a typical 1950’s Singapore scene.
Take time to absorb Singapore Rojak, a 37 m long mural. Hand painted, it shows a street lined with stalls, selling local delicacies.

JEWEL | Check out these attractions :

Be mesmerized by the mighty 40 m high rain vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.
There is a minimal charge for other attractions here, such as Canopy Bridge and Petal garden.

OTHERS WAYS TO BUDGET IN SINGAPORE

MAKE USE OF FREE WIFI

Singapore’s 5G network covers more than 1,300 outdoor locations and over 400 buildings.

Singapore’s free public Wi-Fi service Wireless@SG, is set to expand its current network of wireless hot spots.

These are available at locations including cafes, pubs, malls, public libraries, museums, MRT stations, Changi Airport (WiFi@Changi) and Sentosa Island.

To get connected, buy a SIM card from Singapore Visitor Centre, Mobile phone stores, convenience stores or retail shops at the airport. Download the wireless@sg app (free) and you will be able to locate free Wi-Fi spots nearby.

TIP : Singtel offer a tourist only sim card will different packages.

CHECK FOR DEALS ON ONLINE DISCOUNT SITES

marina-bay-sands-singapore — Get a Discount For Admission To Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck

Fave is an e-commerce marketplace connecting subscribers with local businesses which offer savings of up to 70% on things to do, eat and see in Singapore.

Browse deals within the city for meals at restaurants and cafes, spa/salon treatments, activities and much more. Look for deals on visits to Sentosa Adventure Cove and Universal Studios to save money on more expensive activities/experiences.

CLAIM BACK GOODS & SERVICES TAX ON PURCHASES

As a tourist in Singapore, you are eligible to claim a refund on the 7% GST paid on purchases of more than S$100 at participating shops, under the Tourist Tax Refund Scheme (eTRS).

When making a purchase look for a participating sign in the store, choose a credit/debit card as a Token for tagging your purchases and request your eTRS ticket or original receipt.

To apply for your refund, go to the eTRS self-help kiosk located at Changi Airport and make sure you have your receipt with you. Swipe the receipt to retrieve your purchase details and choose to have the refund credited directly onto your card or to receive the refund in cash. For a cash refund, proceed to the Central Refund Counter after the immigration checks.

For a fuss-free tax refund experience, bring your passport with you when shopping. Most major shopping malls offer tax refunds but will require proof of purchases, as well as your passport as proof of identification.

SINGAPORE TRIP COST FOR A COUPLE

So what budget do you need for a Singapore trip? How expensive is Singapore really? And how much money do you need for your trip? Ultimately, Singapore can be as cheap or as expensive as you want.

SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET WRAP UP

With these money saving tips to hand, you will surely be on your way to enjoying everything that Singapore has to offer and keep within your budget.

Singapore is an incredible place to visit with so many diverse sights and activities whatever your travel taste. Whether you’re looking for a culture, fabulous food, striking architecture, or just want to wander bustling neighbourhoods – this island has something for everyone!

We hope that this article has helped show you that you CAN visit Singapore on a budget. If you have any questions or have your own tips to share please leave these in the comments below.