How to do Singapore on a budget
Singapore is a tiny but amazing island state that has to be on your bucket list!
It has a reputation for being very expensive, and compared to its Southeast Asian neighbours, it can be. But if you have insider knowledge, Singapore can be done on a budget. Luckily for you, I visited Singapore on a week-long trip back in July 2023!
Despite it being a peak tourist month, I was able to stick to my student budget throughout the trip by taking advantage of the plenty of free attractions and inexpensive food and public transport.
PLANNING AHEAD Before you set off, make sure you have checked out the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice page. This will provide you with detailed information on important topics such as travel insurance, entry requirements, safety and security, health, and getting help abroad for the destination you are travelling to. You can even sign up to travel alerts for your destination so you’ll be kept up to date on any changes.
The cheapest months to fly from the UK to Singapore are typically the months between September and February. However, as of March 2024, the cheapest months with return flights under £500 are: April, May, June, September, October, November and February. Being flexible with dates will give you the most affordable flights, and you can sign up to flight price tracking to snap up the best prices! Another secret tip is to browse for flights on incognito mode.
ACCOMMODATION Accommodation in Singapore will be more expensive than its neighbouring countries. Your accommodation is probably the one thing you will have to assign a bit more money towards. With that being said, there are still plenty of options that are a lot more affordable than say, London. Singapore has a lot of capsule hotels which are Japanese style hotels with small bed-sized rooms. It also has a ton of hostel options if your budget is a bit tighter. Chinatown is the best area to stay in for those on a budget and because Singapore is so small, you’re never far from the centre.
TRANSPORT The great thing about Singapore’s small size is that you can get everywhere via public transport. Most of Singapore’s main attractions are just a stone’s throw away from an MRT station. MRT and bus access can be paid with either a UK contactless bank card (such as Mastercard/Visa) or an EzLink card (a stored value transport card). There is not much difference in paying with either so unless your bank charges you for using your card abroad, it is easier to use your UK banking card. Public transport fares are on average 1SGD and you’ll never pay more than 3SGD. The longest journey on the MRT is an 1hr23mins and that is from the very East of the island to the West! Like most tourists, you’ll be travelling around the main attractions which are all within 40 minutes of each other on the MRT. And many are walkable in the same amount of time as it would take to use the MRT. Taxis are serviced primarily by Zig, Grab, and Gojek (Uber is not available) but they are as expensive as London so avoid them if you can (which will be easy to do because Singapore’s public transport is so efficient and affordable).
FOOD Whoever told you food in Singapore is expensive did not do Singapore right! It is such a diverse country with so many different cuisines that is reflected in its exquisite street food culture. Hawker stalls are where you’ll find the tastiest and most affordable eats in Singapore – some have even been awarded Michelin stars. These stalls are near enough everywhere at markets and in food courts but try and stay away from the touristy ones as they will most likely be overpriced. If you want to sit and dine at a restaurant then head to cultural neighbourhoods like Little India and The Arab Quarter for meals around 20-30SGD. Hawker stalls also sell affordable beers but for a bit more variety, look out for happy hour discounts around Singapore’s bars.
SIGHTSEEING You could spend your whole trip simply eating around Singapore but Singapore also offers a wide variety of unique and free attractions to visit. The most iconic sites in Singapore, think Merlion park, Raffles Hotel, Gardens by the Bay, Jubilee Bridge, Marina Bay Sands and more are all free to visit! The 15-minute Spectra light and water show at Marina Bay Sands is put on daily at 8 and 9pm for free, and the 15-minute Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay is also put on daily at 7.45PM and 8.45PM for free. Not to mention all the wonderful neighbourhoods and streets you can visit such as Chinatown, Little India, Haji Lane, The Arab Quarter, Kampong Glam, and Orchard Road (Singapore’s Oxford Street). Some exhibitions and areas of these free attractions do require a paid ticket such as the SkyPark Observation Deck located at the top of Marina Bay Sands or the Supertree Observatory at Gardens by the Bay. While I would definitely recommend splurging out the 14SGD to visit the Supertree Observatory, there is a completely free observation deck at Garden Oasis Capita Spring that offers the same breath-taking views over Singapore.
And when you’re at Changi Airport, don’t forget to set aside a good couple of hours for you to visit the free attractions like the HSBC Rain Vortex and the Shiseido Forest Valley at Jewel!
So there you have it – a budget-friendly guide to Singapore that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Yes, Singapore can be more expensive than its neighbouring countries which are infamously budget-friendly, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible to visit Singapore on a budget. With the right planning and knowledge of hidden tips and tricks, you can cross off Singapore on your bucket list without breaking the bank!
