singapore tour budget

The Cost of Travel in Singapore: A Detailed Budget Breakdown

You’ve probably heard that Singapore is expensive.

Well, this is one example when you should pay attention to the rumours: Singapore is expensive.

But Singapore is particularly expensive post-pandemic.

I’ve spent the past 12 years exploring this planet as a travel writer so have passed through Singapore on countless occasions, thanks to its position as a global travel hub. I love this country, so whenever I spot a flight that calls for a Singaporean layover, I take full advantage and give myself two or three days to explore.

This glistening island has long been expensive relative to the rest of Southeast Asia, but I’ve always been able to justify its costs; reasoning that they were on a par with Western Europe or the U.S. — and I’m always happy to pay those prices there.

I’ve visited Singapore on all manner of budgets and styles over the years, whether I was a stingy backpacker who was panicking over every spent cent or travelling with my partner on a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway. Most recently, I spent three days in Singapore in 2023 and was surprised by how rapidly the prices have increased.

But of course, they’ve increased everywhere. This year has been my most expensive year of travel to date and it feels like the days of basic, budget guesthouses are starting to evaporate.

That’s not to say that deals cannot be had. I still managed to find plenty of well-priced accommodation, experiences, and meals while I was in town and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you today.

I’ve been recording every single cent I spend in the countries I visit from day one of my travels, because I want to be able to give a realistic and accurate look at how much you can expect to spend in each country you visit.

Here, then, is how much it costs to travel to Singapore:

How to Save Money on the Cost of Accommodation in Singapore

As always with travel, it’s possible to cut your accommodation costs down to zero if you have the time and patience to seek out an offer. And when you see the prices of accommodation in Singapore, you might just be able to find said time!

Couchsurfing  exists in Singapore and allows you to stay with a local for free, sleeping on their sofa and enjoying a local’s insight into life in their country. It’s not the most comfortable of living situations, but if your budget is tight and you don’t mind roughing it, it’s worth sending out a few requests to hosts to see if anything comes of it. You can search for potential hosts on  the Couchsurfing site .

Housesitting  is another option. This is where you take care of somebody’s house for free while they’re away, and usually look after their pets, too. It’s best for long-term travellers or retirees as you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, so you need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year. If you do have that freedom, though, it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, and live like a local for a while.  Trusted Housesitters  is the best site for getting started with housesitting — they usually have several dozen housesits available for Singapore at any one time, so it’s well-worth having a look to see if any coincide with your travel dates.

I’m suspecting, though, that for most of you, you’re not interested in the free accommodation and just want somewhere clean, safe, and affordable to rest your head each night. If that’s the case, there are several options available for you.

The Cost of Accommodation in Singapore

The first thing I want to note is that Singapore is home to some truly terrible accommodation. Of the 400 properties that are listed on Booking.com, a mere 15 of them are rated higher than 9/10. I don’t think I’ve come across another major city for which this is the case!

My advice, then, is to lower your expectations. My recommendations below are the best of the best in Singapore, but your accommodation here is still unlikely to be life-changing.

The cheapest hostel in Singapore: 7 Wonders Boutique ( $22 per night (S$30/£18/€21) for a capsule bed in a dorm)

This hostel is close to the subway, has fast wifi, and a basic free breakfast. It’s also located in Little India, which is my favourite Singapore neighbourhood! If you’re backpacking around Southeast Asia and travelling on a tight budget, this is a great option. Each capsule is fitted with a computer tray, power point, reading light, clothes rack with hanger, a locker, and a curtain for privacy. This is pretty much the cheapest accommodation in the entire city.

The best hostel in Singapore: Dream Lodge ( $55 a night (S$75/£45/€52) for a capsule bed in a dorm)

When it comes to budget accommodation in Singapore, this country loves a capsule hotel. And to be fair, I tend to prefer them, too. After all, they give you a little more privacy than a standard dorm room and for a lower price than a hotel. Dream Lodge is the best-rated hostel in Singapore and you really do get great value for money here. You’re in a good location, with friendly staff, a basic breakfast, comfortable beds, soundproofing, clean bathrooms, lockers, and all of that good stuff. There’s nothing to complain about here.

The best mid-range hotel in Singapore: 30 Bencoolen ( $164 a night (S$224/£135/€155) for a double room)

I spent days trying to find a mid-range hotel in a good location with modern furnishings, quiet rooms, and friendly staff. It was surprisingly tricky! Eventually I settled on 30 Bencoolen and I was so glad I did! The staff were warm and welcoming, there’s a free breakfast if you join the hotel loyalty program (which is free), and the rooms were calm and quiet. And let me tell you about the rooftop swimming pool! Because there was perhaps no better feeling than returning back after a day of sweaty sightseeing and dipping into those clean waters while overlooking the city. Finally, the location was great, within walking distance of all of the main attractions and close to the metro for everywhere else. All in all, I’m really glad I stayed here.

The best luxury hotel in Singapore: Marina Bay Sands ($500 a night (S$680/£410/€480 for a double room)

If you want all the bragging rights in Singapore then there’s perhaps no better place to stay. The Marina Bay Sands is Singapore; you can’t think of the city without picturing its famous design. Not only are the rooms luxurious and modern, with the best views of Singapore, but you also get access to what is one of the coolest infinity pools in the world. Only hotel guests can access the pool that overlooks the city and trust me when I say: this is a bucket list experience! Obviously, this is quite a splurge, but if your budget does stretch that far, I think it’ll definitely be worth it.

And just a quick note on where to avoid: I had a really bad experience with a Heritage Collection hotel, so I would avoid booking any of their properties. Back in 2022, when my partner and I contracted COVID and couldn’t legally board our flight to Singapore, they refused to give us a refund, which felt harsh and unethical. We lost hundreds of dollars from this, so I suggest steering clear. There are much better properties in Singapore, with far more understanding staff and better refund policies!

The Cost of Transportation in Singapore

Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world, so getting around is never going to be an enormous expense here. In fact, despite Singapore’s reputation for being expensive, public transport is very affordable.

Let’s dive into the options.

The quickest, easiest, and most comfortable way to explore Singapore is via their metro system, the MRT. You can get pretty much anywhere you’d want to go as a tourist using the MRT and it’s not too expensive either, averaging out at around $1 a ride . To save money, I recommend picking up an EZ-Link card for S$12 . For that, you’ll get $7 of ride credit plus a $5 refundable deposit that you can cash out when you leave the country. With the EZ card, you’ll be looking at paying 30% less compared to buying one-off tickets whenever you need them. You can buy them from 7-Elevens or within the metro stations themselves.

You can also purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass, which gives you unlimited rides on the bus and MRT for $10 (1 day) , $16 (2 days), $20 (3 days) . I personally wasn’t travelling enough to make the pass worth it, but if you plan on sightseeing like crazy, this may be a money-saving option that’ll work out for you.

Buses are priced similarly to the metro, but more complicated to use, so there’s no real reason to use them instead.

If you do want to visit somewhere that isn’t served by the bus or MRT, you’re probably going to end up taking a taxi. Uber isn’t in Singapore, but most people use the Grab app, which is essentially the same thing. It’s simple to use, reasonably affordable ( S$0.16 a minute), and better than standing around waiting for a taxi to drive past. If you’re heading to Singapore, I’d recommend downloading Grab before you leave.

One website I do want to recommend is 12Go Asia . If you’re going to be travelling overland to or from Singapore, this a great site for booking transportation in advance.

I’ve used 12Go throughout my travels in Asia and have only had fantastic experiences with them. If you’re going to be travelling overland to/from Malaysia before/after Singapore, for example, I’d recommend checking out the prices on their site first. You can do so using this form:

The Cost of Food and Drink in Singapore

Oh man, the Singapore food scene is incredible . You can eat so well in this country, and it’s one of the best ways to save money, too. If you eat from the hawker stalls, you’ll be spending less than S$5 for a tasty, fresh meal.

It’s pretty tough to find bad food in this country, too. One of the great things about a country that’s full of tasty meals is that nobody is going to settle for anything less. If you’re serving bad food in Singapore, you simply aren’t going to survive for long.

One of my personal food highlights from my time in Singapore was the food tour I signed up for. In fact, I loved this tour so much that I bought it for a gift for my parents when they came to Singapore this year; that’s how amazing it was! It’s pretty pricey at a cost of $150 per person , but despite that, I still recommend it so highly! After all, the tour has nothing but five stars from hundreds of guests: that shows how great it is.

The tour provided a wonderful introduction to Singapore’s food scene, as it takes you to Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam: the three main neighbourhoods of the city. You’ll learn about the history of Singapore, sample a dozen different dishes, and gain confidence when it comes to hitting up hawker centres and restaurants on your own.

Aside from the tour, the easiest way to save money is at the aforementioned hawker centres. These are covered areas filled with tons of different food stalls, and are super fun and fascinating to spend time in.

So what type of food can you get in these Hawker centres? 

There’s so much on offer! Singaporean cuisine pulls in influences from Malaysia, China, and India, and all of those flavours and spices mixing together makes for some of the best eating on the planet. Chicken and rice is an iconic dish in this country, but aside from that, you’ll find all manner of curries, soups, grilled meat and vegetables, dumplings, salads, fried noodles, seafood, and practically anything you can think of. The fruit shakes and smoothies are also all cheap, fresh, and delicious — so wash down your meal with one of those.

And before you form an opinion that the food that’s served in these places is going to be mediocre, let me tell you that several of the food stands have been awarded a Michelin star! Yes, Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle Stall, in particular, is where you can score the cheapest Michelin-starred meal in the world. At a price of just $1.42 for a plate of chicken and rice, it’s impossible to be disappointed by it. I made this my first meal in Singapore and couldn’t believe how tasty such a simple dish could be!

Speaking of food experiences to dive into in Singapore, a lot of people go crazy over having a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel. This famous cocktail was invented there back in 1915 and if you want to have one in its birthplace, you’ll be looking at shelling out $29 (S$39) for the experience! Speaking of shelling… no, the Long Bar isn’t dirty: it’s just tradition to throw your peanut shells on the ground after eating them! (Yes, I almost complained when I sat down because I thought I’d been placed at a messy table!)

When it comes to alcohol, you can expect to pay around S$20 for a cocktail in a nice bar, and a glass of wine for around S$12 in a restaurant. Fun fact: Singapore is the 6th most expensive country in the world for beer, and you can expect to pay S$12 for a 330ml can. Yeah, alcohol sure is expensive in this city!

Singapore’s tap water is totally safe to drink, so you don’t need to buy bottled water (S$4 for a 1-litre bottle) while you’re in town.

In Southeast Asia, in general, I really don’t recommend cooking your own food, unless you have a strict dietary requirement. Buying ingredients for meals is simply too expensive — you can spend $10-15 on ingredients for a dish that you can get for $4 on the streets.

And as for restaurants, they’re everywhere and reasonably expensive compared to the hawker goodness. A two-course meal with a glass of wine can be around S$40 .

In general, I’d recommend expecting to spend around S$15 a day to have all of your meals/drinks at Hawker centres, and S$30 a day if you throw in a restaurant and cafe every now and then.

The Cost of Activities in Singapore

We’ve covered accommodation, transportation, and food, so the only thing left to take a look at is the cost of activities in Singapore! If you’re not careful, this is the category that can really wreck your budget.

Fortunately, like many cities around the world, it’s possible to spend absolutely nothing on activities and still have a wonderful time in Singapore.

One of my favourite free things to do is wander around Little India — I’m absolutely obsessed with this neighbourhood! Merlion Park is another great area to hang out at and take photos of the skyline. Gardens by the Bay ( $11 entrance fee) is absolutely incredible and should definitely be on your Singapore hit list, as well as the city’s botanic gardens, which has received UNESCO status. If you find yourself with perfect weather and nothing to do, hit the beaches on Sentosa Island! Wandering the Treetop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir makes for some epic photos and is completely free to do. And, of course, Hawker-hopping your way around town is as much of a tourist attraction as anywhere else in Singapore

As you can see, there’s plenty to keep you busy if you don’t have much money to spend.

Let’s take a look, though, at the prices you can expect to pay for entrance fees and activities across the country.

• Entrance to Singapore Zoo: S$28 ( S$56 with a hotel pick-up )
• Entrance to Singapore Night Safari with tram ticket included : S$55
• Entrance to Jurong Bird Park: S$25
• Entrance to Universal Studios : S$74
• Skip-the-line entrance to Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck : S$20
• Entrance to Sentosa Island for one day: S$70
• Entrance to Singapore Science Centre: S$12
• Entrance to National Museum of Singapore: S$10
• Entrance to Asian Civilisations Museum: S$8
• Private street food tour, sampling 10 local dishes : S$127

Other Expenses for Singapore

A Singapore guidebook :  A guidebook will give you an in-depth look into Singaporean culture, suggest the perfect itineraries for the amount of time you have, and offer recommendations for where to eat and what’s worth doing. I like Lonely Planet guidebooks and their  Singapore offering receives some of the best reviews .

A local SIM card:  I don’t know about you, but one of my least favourite aspects of arriving in a new country is having to figure out how to get connected. Specifically: buying a local SIM card so that I have data to use while I’m in the country.

There’s locating a store that will sell you one, language barriers to deal with, various forms of ID you might need to bring, scams to navigate, and… well, it’s a headache.

This year, I started using  Airalo , which sells local e-SIM cards for travellers. What that means is that you can buy your SIM card online  before  you arrive in Singapore, and then as soon as you land in the country, you can switch on your data and start using it. It’s worked flawlessly for me and now, I’ll never go back to physical SIM cards. You’ll pay  $7.50 for 1 GB of data  or $22.50 for 5 GB for Singapore and can also top-up through the Airalo app.

Make sure you have an e-SIM compatible phone before buying — all recent iPhones and many Androids are.

Travel insurance : If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Singapore. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re affordable, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

How Much Did I Spend on My Trip to Singapore?

I always like to share my own personal expenses when travelling in a country, as I think it helps you figure out what you should be expecting to pay each day while you’re there. A list of expenses is great and helpful, of course, but putting them all together in order to come up with a reasonable estimate can be trickier.

Here’s what I’ve spent on average over my month in Singapore:

Accommodation: $27 per day (S$37) Transportation: $10 per day (S$14) Food and drink: $18 per day (S$24) Activities:  $17 per day (S$23)

My average daily cost of travel in the Singapore was therefore:  $72 (S$98) per day . It’s certainly not as cheap as elsewhere in Southeast Asia, but it’s still a lot more affordable than I expected! Had I skipped out on the activities (Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari), it would have been just $55 a day.

Related Articles on Singapore 🇸🇬 25 Incredible Things to Do in Singapore 🦁 Is Singapore Zoo the Best Zoo in the World?

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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25 comments.

We really enjoyed the night safari at Singapore Zoo. The highlight though was when we were walking round and a tram went past to which a child on board pointed at us and the other people waiting to cross the road and said “Look mummy, humans!”. That made us giggle.

We love reading your blog by the way.

WHY aren’t more zoos open at night? Even just one day a week, I feel like this would bring in a lot more business.

The Night Safari is actually a separate zoo, so it’s not just the Singapore Zoo being open at night

This looks unreal! I agree with John – Why aren’t more zoos open at night?!

Hi! I am going to Singapore for a 3 day vacation. If to choose between Singapore zoo and night safari. Which do you think is a better choice?

Definitely the Night Safari!

Can’t wait to do this in a few weeks! Eeeeee!

Flying into Singapore tomorrow and only just starting to do my research! Your post helps us a lot, as we now know what to expect from our visit. Definitely going to be eating in hawker centres for every meal.

Have an amazing trip, Simone! The hawker centres are easily one of the highlights of travel in Singapore, so it’s an added bonus that they help to keep your travel costs low.

One of the reasons why I love Singapore is all of its green spaces and plants. I could spend days just walking around the botanical gardens. It may be expensive, but there are definitely ways in which you can save your money, as you mentioned in this post.

Yes, for sure. And I agree — I’m big into houseplants at the moment, and I’d love to return to Singapore just to take a look at all of its wonderful gardens.

hey Lauren Do you have a hostel to recommend in Singapore?? The OSS Backpackers you mentioned is the best one? Thank you!

Yep! Unfortunately, hostels don’t have the best reviews in Singapore, so if you’re tight on money, I’d recommend the OSS Backpackers :-) — it’s the best option for backpackers/budget travellers.

Thanks for the budget information and also for covering how to get to Malaysia, as that’s the route I’m planning to take. Have to admit the pod hotels sound like an experience and I might try one for a night or two! The fact that it helps save you money makes it all the more appealing.

Absolutely! If you’re planning on spending most of your time outdoors and exploring Singapore, they make even more sense. All you need is a place to sleep then :-)

Thanks for this guide Lauren! I’m working my way south from Bangkok to Singapore over the next three months and your guide was helpful for showing me what to expect when I reach the end. I’m 100% going to stay in one of those capsule pods lol they look so cool!

No problem! I’m happy you found it useful :-) Have a wonderful (and delicious) adventure in Southeast Asia!

Useful post, thanks Lauren. I’m going to be ending my nine months in Southeast Asia (sob) with a week in Singapore and this helped me work out how much money I should be leaving for my final week on the road. Looking forward to heading there and seeing how it differs to the other places I’ve been to in Asia so far.

I need someone to give me estimate number how much it costs me if I need to stay 3 days with my girlfriend. attending a special occasion and sightseeing.

Thanks for this great post about budgeting for Singapore! I’ll be going that way during my RTW trip and it’s good to hear it doesn’t have to be expensive. Great information!

Thanks so much, Cindy! No, it definitely doesn’t have to cost a lot :-)

Thanks for this, Lauren. Another detailed post! I know Singapore is more expensive than neighboring countries, but it’s good to see it can be visited on a low budget too.

Thank you! Yes, Singapore can still be done on a tight budget, and especially with the food!

I completely agree with your observations about Singapore’s rising costs after the pandemic, particularly in the accommodation sector. I appreciate your warning with Heritage Collection; reading about the treatment you got was disheartening, and I will surely try to avoid it. Your recommendations for affordable hostel options like 7 Wonders Boutique and Dream Lodge, are such great finds, and I am eager to check them out on my next travel there.

Your insight on the transportation options like the Singapore Tourist Pass sounds very worth it, with the unlimited rides for up to three days, which by then travelers already get the most out of Singapore. Your exploration on Singapore’s delicious culinary also got me wanting to give a taste on the cheapest Michelin-starred meal by Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle.

I am curious about your thoughts of the must-visit paid tourist attractions or activities in Singapore other than Gardens by the Bay. Do you think purchasing a Universal Studios ticket is also going to be worth it? Also, have you ever been caught off-guard by unplanned travel costs? How did you deal with it? I would love to know about your experiences and advice!

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Meet Lauren Juliff

SINGAPORE TRAVEL GUIDE with Sample Itinerary & Budget

If my travel history were an Olympic tournament, Singapore would get a medal in at least two categories: the first foreign city I have visited in my life and second in the list of countries I have visited most frequently, ten times despite its reputation as the most expensive city in the world.

Yep, expensive. Ask travelers who have set foot on Singapore for adjectives that best describe the city, and “expensive” won’t be absent from any list. Many of the key attractions here can burn a hole in the pocket. But it doesn’t mean that budget travel isn’t possible. There are many ways to reduce expenses if you just know where to go.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING SINGAPORE

Singapore is an island city state composed of the main island, 62 islets, and sprawling reclaimed lands. Its strategic location makes it an important and vibrant trade hub for centuries. In 1819, it became a British colony until World War II, when the Japanese occupied the island. After the war, it was handed back to Britain but was granted more self-governing power. In 1963, it merged with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia only to be expelled two years later, which gave birth to an independent Republic of Singapore.

Since then, Singapore has catapulted itself to becoming a developed state. Despite the high costs and small land area, it has become a great place to live. It is one of the safest, most organized, most progressive, and least corrupt countries in the region and the world.

Singapore is also a global transport and tourism hub. It is linked to Malaysia by the Johor–Singapore Causeway. Batam in Indonesia is also just one hour’s ferry ride away. And through Changi Airport, widely regarded as the world’s best, Singapore is connected to almost every major city all over the globe.

• Languages: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil are the four official languages. Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) is the national language, but English is the lingua franca. Most Singaporeans can speak and understand English and another official language.
• Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD, SG$). SGD 1 is roughly USD 0.74, EUR 0.66, PHP 38 (as of May 2019).
• Modes of payment: Although many establishments accept credit cards, cash is still highly recommended.

WHERE TO STAY IN SINGAPORE

Accommodations in Singapore are expensive by Southeast Asian standards, or by any standard for that matter. Budget travelers have three options: backpacker hostels, BnB, and budget hotels. Because space is scarce in Singapore, don’t expect rooms of generous proportions. Rooms are usually just beds with little space around it, and bathrooms are compact. Capsule hotels are also starting to be popular.

Backpackers hostels are concentrated in Chinatown, Little India, Clark Quay, Bugis, and Geylang areas. Most of them offer dorm beds and double rooms. Budget hotels are mostly in Geylang, Little India, and Balestier.

I have personally experienced staying in multiple areas in Singapore: Chinatown, Little India, Geylang, Tiong Bahru, etc. While some are more glamorous than others, all of them felt safe. My Singaporean friends told me that Geylang is the red light district. But I have stayed there too, and it was okay. Our taxi driver, however, that while it is generally safe, female travelers should probably choose another area.

When picking a place to stay, look at its location in the map. Normally, if it’s close to an MRT Station, you should be fine. Most of the attractions in Singapore can be reached via the MRT. But I personally prefer staying in Chinatown because of easy access to the MRT and cheap hawker places.

Here are the best-rated properties in Singapore as scored by Agoda users.

Top Singapore Hostels

• Dream Lodge. Check Rates & Availability!
• Adler Hostel. Check Rates & Availability!
• TRIBE THEORY – Business Hostel for Startups and Entrepreneurs. Check Rates & Availability!
• Ark Hostel. Check Rates & Availability!
• Hipstercity Hostel. Check Rates & Availability!

Top Singapore Budget Hotels

• Hotel Bencoolen @ Hong Kong Street. Check Rates & Availability!
• Hotel 1888 Collection. Check Rates & Availability!
• 30 Bencoolen. Check Rates & Availability!
• Hotel G Singapore. Check Rates & Availability!

Top Capsule Hotels

• Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Chinatown. Check Rates & Availability!
• Chic Capsules. Check Rates & Availability!
• Spacepod@com. Check Rates & Availability!
• MET A Space Pod @ Chinatown. Check Rates & Availability!

Search for more Singapore Hotels

How to get to singapore.

Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the most well-connected and widely regarded as the best airport in the world. If you live in a major city in Asia or Europe or North America, chances are, there are direct flights to Singapore available.

Manila to Singapore

The lowest year-round fares are offered by Scoot, JetStar, and Cebu Pacific. But Philippine Airlines also have competitive rates when they have a promo. Travel time: 3 hours 40 minutes.

If you’re a Philippine passport holder, you don’t need a visa. All you need is a valid passport (with 6 months left before expiration). Just show up at the airport and fly.

If you’re traveling with kids who are not YOUR children, you might need a DSWD Travel Clearance. Here’s how to get one: DSWD Travel Clearance

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by Plane

Plane tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore are incredibly cheap, with base fares not exceeding USD20. Travel time: around 1 hour 15 minutes.

Kuala Lumpur or Malacca to Singapore by Bus

You can also reach Singapore from KL or Malacca (Melaka) by bus. Travel time from KL is 5-7 hours, depending on traffic. From Malacca, only 4-5 hours. You will be crossing the border overland, but it’s quite easy albeit confusing in the beginning. Just make sure of the following:

• Remember your bus details (how it looks, number, etc.) because you will have to get off and hop back on at the border.
• Bring your bags with you when you cross the border.
• Don’t forget your passport and Malaysia Departure Card.

You can book your bus here: Kuala Lumpur-Singapore , Malacca-Singapore

INTERNET CONNECTION IN SINGAPORE

Staying connected to the Internet can make your tourist life a lot easier in Singapore. You have two options: 4G Pocket Wifi and 4G Sim Card. The data SIM card is cheaper, but if you’re a group, renting a mobile wifi is better because you can easily share the connection.

POCKET WIFI RENTAL IN SINGAPORE

• Connect up to 8 devices at once, which is great if you’re traveling with a group because you could just split the cost.
• Pick up and drop off at Changi Airport, so make sure you get it upon arrival.

DATA SIM CARD IN SINGAPORE

• Pick up at Changi Airport.
• 100 GB of 4G mobile speeds anywhere in Singapore
• FREE 20 minutes of international calls

PLACES TO VISIT IN SINGAPORE

A lot! Singapore may be small but it is packed with all sorts of sites, attractions, and adventures! Whatever your reason for traveling is, Singapore has something for you. Shopping? Culture? History? Food? Nature? Theme parks? Singapore has them!

Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is Asia’s second and Southeast Asia’s first movie theme park. Located within Resorts World Sentosa, the place covers 49 acres (20 hectares) of land, harboring a total of 24 exciting attractions! The park is divided into seven zones, each with its own theme that is based on a popular TV show or a blockbuster film. Each zone also has its own characters, restaurants, shops and rides.

How to get there : We have a separate post for that. Read here: How to Get to Universal Studios Singapore

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, Sunday: 10am – 7pm. Saturday: 10am – 8pm

Ticket Prices : Adult (Ages 13-59): S$76 Child (Ages 4-12): S$56 Senior (Ages 60+): S$38

Discounted Tickets! Klook offers one-day passes at a discounted rate if you book in advance. Each booking also comes with a SGD5 Meal Voucher (with minimum spend of SGD10) for adult tickets.

• Gardens by the Bay

It has three main areas: the Flower Dome in the South Garden; the Cloud Forest, which features the tallest indoor waterfall in the world; and the Supertree Grove with the iconic 16-story manmade trees. The Supertree Grove is open to everyone, but tickets are required to enter the two domed areas.

Discounted tickets are available at Klook!

Marina Bay Sands Skypark

Even if you’re not spending a night at the Marina Bay Sands, you can still access its Skypark and Observation Deck for a fantastic unobstructed view of the city.

Opening Hours Monday-Thursday: 9:30am – 10pm Friday-Sunday: 9:30am – 11pm

Entrance Fee: S$23 for adults S$17 for kids (2-12yo) S$20 for seniors (65+) FREE for kids under 2 years

You can get discounted tickets if you book with Klook! For about the same price, Klook offers a package that includes the following:

• Entrance ticket to the Observation Deck
• 1 Day FunVee Hopper Pass
• One traditional coffee or tea at O’Parl Cafe

Sentosa Singapore

If it’s your first time in Singapore, visit Sentosa, a resort island that is bursting with exciting adventures for the entire family. The countless activities you can enjoy here are pretty diverse. But some of the most popular are the Luge, Tiger Sky Tower, Sentosa Merlion, and Cable Car.

If you’re planning on spending a day in Sentosa, consider getting a Sentosa FUN Pass to skip the lines and maximize your time. It’s available in 3 types: 55, 80, and 120 tokens. Each attraction collects tokens. This serves as your currency in the island. For the list of attractions you may enjoy and the corresponding number of tokens, check this out.

Singapore Cable Car

Singapore Cable Car is the most scenic way to Sentosa! The first cableway system in Singapore — linking Sentosa Island and Mount Faber — it was opened in 1974. It allows a 360-degree view of Sentosa including Universal Studios, Resorts World, and Mt. Faber.

Singapore River Walk

This is my fave thing to do in Singapore: walk along the river. You can walk from Raffles Place to the Merlion Park to Esplanade to the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. I’ve prepared a more detailed post including walking directions and photos here: DIY Singapore River Walk .

Here are the stops along this walking trail:

• Raffles Place
• Fullerton Hotel
• One Fullerton
• Merlion Park
• Asian Civilisations Museum
• Makansutra Gluttons Bay
• Helix Bridge
• Art Science Museum
• Marina Bay Sands

This is a long walk and can take hours. It’s also best done in late afternoon so you get to see the area transform as the sun sets.

Singapore River Cruise

If walking long distances isn’t really your thing, you can join a cruise instead. This 40-minute cruise will let you see the following landmarks while comfortably seated on a boat:

• Clarke Quay
• Read Bridge
• Merlion park
• Bayfront South

The whole journey takes 40 minutes and you can alight at any of the stops. But remember, you would need another ticket after you board again.

Chinatown Tour

Singapore’s Chinatown boasts multi-religious buildings and structures. Aside from a Chinese temple, the street is also home to a mosque, a Methodist Church and an Indian shrine. Confused? Welcome to the club. But that’s what makes this place more endearing. It tells you so much about how Singapore values diversity in culture and religion.

You can tour Chinatown DIY-style! I’ve created a more detailed walking guide here: Chinatown Heritage Walk .

But if you want to really appreciate this place, it’s best to join a group tour and have a guide explain what makes these structures significant. Klook’s Gems of Chinatown Tour covers the following stops:

• Thian Hock Keng Temple
• Sri Mariamman Temple
• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum
• Hawker Food Centers

Little India

Little India can be explored on your own too, which is good if you’re on a budget. But you’ll have a better appreciation of the place if you have a guide that would share some insights about the place. Klook’s Gems of Little India Tour will take you to the following landmarks among others:

• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
• Campbell Lane
• Little India Arcade
• Tekka Centre

iFly Singapore

Experience how it feels to go skydiving INDOORS and without the danger! iFly lets you enjoy the sport called “bodyflying”, where you get to fly inside the first themed wind tunnel in the world.

Free Things to Do in Singapore

Limited budget? 7 FREE Things to Do in Singapore

DAY TRIPS FROM SINGAPORE

Legoland malaysia.

Sanrio Hello Kitty Town

SAMPLE SINGAPORE ITINERARY

Here’s a sample Singapore itinerary. You may use it but make the necessary adjustments.

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN SINGAPORE, RIVER WALK TOUR, MARINA BAY SANDS 07:00 am – ETA Singapore Changi Airport 10:10 am – Check in: Hostel, Lunch 01:00 pm – Singapore River Walking Tour (Sightseeing: Fullerton, Merlion Park, Esplanade, Makansutra, etc) 03:30 pm – Gardens by the Bay 06:00 pm – Marina Bay Sands

Day 2: BOTANIC GARDENS, SENTOSA ISLAND 07:00 am – Singapore Botanic Gardens 10:00 am – Universal Studios Singapore 05:00 pm – Explore rest of  Sentosa

Day 3: CHINATOWN WALK, ORCHARD ROAD, SINGAPORE FLYER 07:00 am – Chinatown Heritage Walk 10:00 am – Orchard Road (Shopping) 03:00 pm – Bugis, St. Andrews Cathedral

Day 4: LITTLE INDIA, RETURN TO MANILA 06:00 am – Little India Walking Tour 10:00 am – Check out: Hostel, Proceed to Airport 02:20 pm – ETD: Changi Airport

You may also add several other attractions.

Breakdown of Expenses

So now we have come to the list of my expenses as part of this Singapore trip. Below is the breakdown of everything I spent on in SG. Note that I did all my tours DIY-style.

TOTAL COST (excluding airfare, travel taxes, and airport fees) SGD 120 – Hostel (4 days, 3 nights) SGD 22 – EZ Link cards (reloaded once, inclusive of almost SGD8 unused) SGD 60 – Total food expenses SGD 26 – Gardens by the Bay SGD 23 – Marina Bay Sands Skypark SGD 4 – Sentosa Monorail Train ticket SGD 76 – Universal Studios ticket SGD 12 – Taxi from Hostel to Airport SGD 343 – TOTAL COST

As I always say, this can change based on your spending habits. I’m only sharing so you have a ballpark figure of how much to prepare here although I strongly recommend that you pad this with much allowance to be on the safe side.

OTHER TIPS FOR THE POOR TRAVELER

• Where to Eat . If you’re on a budget, ditch the restaurants for hawkers. Hawkers will give you a wide array of local options at a much lower price. They abound all around Singapore, but they were not created equal. One of the reasons we recommend Chinatown as a good base is because it is home to one of the best hawker places in SG — Maxwell Food Center . Staying here gives you easy access to cheap but good food every day.
• Walk when you can. One thing I like most was that Singapore is a very “walkable” city. Walkable because it’s actually a fun and rewarding experience to walk around many key areas in the city. The best part, it’s free!
• Get an EZ Link Card if you’re taking the MRT a lot. This will allow you to breeze through the station entrances when taking the train. The train system is pretty expansive so you might want to take advantage of it. It can be a bit tiring, though, especially at interchange connections, when you’re walking from one line to another.
• GST Refund . Tourists in Singapore can claim refund on GST (Goods and Services Tax) paid for items purchased from establishments that are participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme. More info  here .
• No chewing gums, please.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the best time to visit singapore.

There really isn’t a clear “best” time to visit Singapore. Each month has its distinct pros and cons, so it all depends on your travel habits. But in general, Singapore is a year-round destination.

Weather isn’t that much of a factor. Singapore is hot and humid all year. It also gets over 160 days of rain, spread almost uniformly throughout the year. However, November-January is the wettest period, and May-September the driest.

Events and public holidays can significantly affect your experience and expenses. November-February is peak season, so expect prices of flights and hotels to be rise during this period, especially the days around Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Chinese New Year. September is also high season because of Singapore Grand Prix.

Here are other holidays observed in Singapore.

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Chinese New Year (2 days in January or February)
• Good Friday (March or April)
• Labor Day (May 1)
• Vesak Day (dates vary; usually in May)
• Hari Raya Puasa / Eid al-Fitr (dates vary)
• National Day (August 9)
• Hari Raya Haji / Eid al-Adha (dates vary)
• Diwali / Deepavali (October or November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

Whether these days are a good time to visit or not depends on your travel style. If you want to see the festivities (New Year, Chinese New Year, National Day), then go. But if you don’t like the crowd, you might want to avoid them.

If you’re a shopaholic, consider June or July, when the Great Singapore Sale happens.

Is Singapore safe?

Yes, absolutely safe.

According to the 2017 study by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore is the safest city in Southeast Asia and the second safest city in the world, next only to Tokyo, Japan.

What is the tipping custom in Singapore?

You are not expected to tip in Singapore.

Restaurants add a 10% service charge to your bill, so tips are unnecessary. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips either.

At hotels, however, you can give SGD1 per bag to the bellhop who carried your luggage.

Where to exchange currencies? Where are the best money changers?

The Mustafa Center at Little India has one of the best rates I have seen around Singapore. You might want to change money here.

The rates at Change Alley are good too. The Change Alley is a shopping arcade between Chevron House and Hitachi Tower in the Raffles Place area.

But if your budget isn’t that big (say USD 500), I don’t think the difference between here and the ones at the airport matters. You might lose whatever you think you could save in transportation just to get to a good money changer.

What type of power plug/socket is used in Singapore?

Electricity Info: 230V, 50Hz frequency. Type G plugs and sockets.

How to avail of the GST Refund?

If you plan on shopping in Singapore, you can save money by claiming a refund on the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

If you spend over SGD100 at a participating store, you can get back the 7% GST that was part of what you paid for. Just ask the shop staff for a Refund Cheque.

You’ll know that the outlet is participating in this scheme if they display a Global Blue Tax Free Shopping logo or Tax Refund logo.

There you have it! We’ll be updating this every time we gather new info. If you have something to add to this or you spot anything that needs correcting, let us know in the comments section below.

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ • 3️⃣ • 1️⃣ (updated) 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ • 6️⃣ • 1️⃣6️⃣ (up)

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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Hi! I would like to ask, since your blogs or should I say website is really helpful. Usually in the airport, do they need show money?

Appreciate your earliest reply!

Regards, Celle ☺

They don’t usually do that. They sometimes ask how much money you have with you. I usually just say how much and then say I have a credit card too.

Do you have any idea how much? Im afraid that I might get off load by the Immigration Officer. My friends and I will only be staying in SG for 2-3 days as we will be on a cruise and SG is where the ship will embark.

Your response is appreciated.

Ive read that last trip of MRT is around midnight. Our flight will arrive around 11 pm plus we have to go to immigration so we will be out in the airport around midnight, any other means of transpo going downtown? Thanks!

Awesome Article about Singapore travel guide. i love to read your article more and more because you are included all the information with details, links and Photos. You just add some Food related, Shopping related information.

Hi there. Can i still travel to sg even if my passport has less than 6 months before its expiration?

Hi! thanks for this! I’m traveling to SG this year, my second travel for the year but my third time abroad. During my second out of the country, I was asked by the IO if it’s my first time. I said no it’s my second time, but I just renewed my passport at that time so the stamps during my first travel are in my old passport. I was asked if I brought my old one with me but I don’t have it so she just let it pass.

Is there really a need, or is it normal to bring your old expired passport everytime you travel? I’m thinking if I should bring it this time around. Thanks!

Yep, bring the old one with you too.

As Pinoy travelers, we are often subjected to stricter inspection, especially by our own Immigration. It’s best to just bring both to prove your travel history.

May I ask what kind of ITR you bring with you in your travels, is it the annual or quarterly? Thanks, hope to hear from you soon!

How does the GST refund work? Like you ask directly anyone from the staff of the establishment for a refund? Looking forward to your response. Thank you!

Hi Vince. We explained it here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2011/08/gst-refund-singapore/

Hi Youske, Your article is the most informational one with all the little details starting from how to book a flight to where to stay, what are the places to visit with a budget. “There are many ways to reduce expenses if you just know where to go” this is the best line for me. Information with images is the best part of this article also tickets available for most of the places on your site.So, if somebody is reading this article then he/she doesn’t need to go anywhere for information on Singapore.

Hi, what’s the name of the hostel you stayed?

Hi, had the same question. :)

I usually stay either at G4 Station in Little India or Rucksack Inn at Temple Street, Chinatown. I like Rucksack Inn a little bit more because of excellent location. However, they closed down the Chinatown branch. What’s left now is the Lavender Branch, but I haven’t tried it.

I will be traveling to SG in a couple of weeks and I’m not sure which of the two methods would cost me less in purchases.

1. exchange Philippine Peso to Singapore Dollar 2. use my BPI Gold card (1,85% interest rate)

Thank you so much for everything you do for “poor travelers” like me. More power to you! Looking forward to your response.

Hi Lori, I’m not that familiar with BPI cards, so I don’t know. You’re referring to an ATM/debit card, right? Considering to withdraw cash from an ATM?

In general, when traveling abroad, I find that withdrawing from an ATM is the better and safer way of getting cash. It’s also more convenient because there are usually more ATMs than money changers. So I’m always inclined to use the ATM. (Choose the WITHOUT Conversion option, if you do this.)

In Singapore, though, it’s harder to decide because money changers offer competitive rates. But if you’re withdrawing not that big an amount, the difference is usually too little to matter. You might lose whatever you think you could save in transportation just to get to a good money changer.

Thanks for the prompt response, Yoshke! You’re really the best!

Anyway, here are my follow-up questions:

1. Exchange money here in the PH or In Singapore? 2. ATM or credit card?

Thanks again.

HI! Where did you book your hotel that just cost you 120 SGD? Thanks.

Hi jennie, there are lots of hostels in SG that can give you a bed for less than SGD40 per night (120 for 3 nights). I have stayed in G4 Station Hostel, Rucksack Inn, etc.

Just search Traveloka so you can see all-in rates per night and then sort by lowest price.

hello, currently nagiipon ako ng pocket money for singapore travel mga magkano kaya dapat na budget para sa 4D 3N trip?thanks

Hi Kalium, ayan na po, may summary of expenses naman po sa post sa taas.

Hello po, 1st time traveler po kami to SG sa March, di po ba kami ma offload sa NAIA kung yung tatlo walang work tapos isa di pa regular office? senior citizen, student at unemployed po yung tatlo. bayad na po ang roundtrip ticket, hotel, isang attraction sa SG. at pano po kami makaka less sa food kasi gusto lang talaga ng lolo namin makita yung merlion at ang singapore. thank you po. :)

As tourists po ba kayo or may ivivisit?

Sa food, sa hawker places po kayo kumain para makatipid. :)

Hi, Yoshke! Is there locker that we could leave our luggage at Universal Studio or nearby area? TIA

Hi Clint! Yep, there are lockers at Universal Studios Singapore. :)

Hi Yoshke! Do Legoland accepts SGD? If not, magkano kaya MYR budget for food sa Legoland? Do they accept credit card for food purchase? TIA!

Thanks For Sharing the post. Your post is really very good. Singapore is the best destination to enjoy the holidays. I enjoyed there Singapore Malaysia Tour Package with Cruise.

So na inspire ako dito hahaha.. Mag ta travel kami ng papa ko na senior citizen to Singapore..My question ia unemployed siya, based sa website ng immigration need daw ng affidavit of support.. Nag prepare ka din ba nun?

Ideally, pag sponsored ung travel, need nun.

Pero if sya naman ang gagastos sa sarili nya, ang alam ko di naman need yun. Yun ang alam ko ha. Sa experience ko kasi, mas maluwag usually ang immigration sa seniors. Pag kasama ko nanay ko, di sya hinahanapan ng anything. Mas marami pa tanong sa akin.

First time ng Mom ko magtatravel and she is unemployed. Pero sya ang gagastos para sa travel nya papuntang SG since she has the money naman. Anong mga need iprepare na proof sa immigration kapag ganun?

Hi Jai, will she be traveling alone or with family?

Hi, Yoshke!

What’s your advice sa currency exchange? Dito ba ako dapat mag papalit or dun na sa SG?

My options are:

a. PHP to USD to SGD b. PHP to SGD c. USD to SGD

I have USD on hand but torn ako if gagamitin ko na ba sya for my trip this Jan 2020. This will be the second time I’m traveling to SG, but my first time to use my own money kaya I am trying to stretch the money I have.

Please enlighten me.

Thank you for your very informative blog! Really helped me in my iti.

More power to you!

Hi Janine, whatever currency you currently carry (PHP or USD), convert directly to SGD. If you have more pesos, you can convert directly from PHP to SGD. Avoid converting PHP to USD then to SGD. You’ll lose more in double conversion. :)

You’ll find good rates at Mustafa Center and Change Alley in SG. :)

I will take note of this.

Thanks for the fast response! :)

Hello, my bestfriend and I will be travelling to Singapore this Nov. 29, both of us are working but wala akong ITR as of the moment kasi di aabot ang sahod ko sa minimum required annual income. Ok lang po yun? Thanks!

Hi Lorina, usually, hindi naman hinahanap ang ITR. Madalas, company ID lang. Kung wala kang ITR and feel mo na baka ma-secondary inspection ka, you can bring other proof of employment. More info here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2014/03/offloaded-philippine-immigration-rules-requirements-airport/

By the way, ang pagkakaalam ko po, kahit hindi abot sa minimum, pwede pa rin kayong ma-issuehan ng ITR if nagbabayad ng tax ung employer nyo for you. Lalabas lang dun na zero ung tax pero andun pa rin ung other details. Ask mo employer nyo for a copy of last year’s ITR.

Thank you for answering! Barangay Treasurer po kasi ako and nakasanayan na nila na di magbayad ng tax

Government employee? Pag ganyan yata need ng travel authority. Pero di ako familiar dun.

Hi? hindi po ba maququestion ng IO if 7 days and 6nights ang ticket ko? but may return ticket naman ako pa balik ng dubai.

Im planning to travel in SG this coming May, can you suggest super duper cheap hostel coz i do have a very tight budget for 3 days. hope to hear an answer soon. thank you!

Quick question, if I plan to visit Legoland for a daytrip, do I need to indicate Malaysia as my port of disembarkation sa arrival card?

Also, any idea if pwede pang magamit yung MTR card packaged with the Singtel tourist SIM kahit expired na yung SIM? My friend bought the tourist SIM kasi last December and I was wondering if I can still use the MTR para no need na mag buy pa ako.

Thanks so much!

The refund in SG was the most easier thing ever. Compared with Thailand, Singapore was so fast and easy to do all the things: mostly online! Great place for shopping is Singapore.

What is the best SIM card for internet? Is there a free and reliable wifi in most establishments po?

In our most recent trip a couple of months ago, we used both M1 and StarHub, oki naman pareho:

M1: https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=825&aff_adid=648595&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Factivity%2F16675-4g-sim-card-singapore%2F

Starhub: https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=825&aff_adid=610426&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-AU%2Factivity%2F16676-4g-travel-sim-card-singapore%2F

Hindi po kasi kami nagcoconnect sa mga free wifi for security issues na rin so sa Data SIM lang kami nakaasa.

Singapore has a lot more to offer outside of the normal tourist attractions, ask any local or expat and they will happily share their own local experiences that don’t always cost the earth!

meron po ba update sa reguirements papuntang SG. Thanks po

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How to visit Singapore on a budget

Mar 8, 2024 • 5 min read

A visit to Singapore doesn't have to be tough on your wallet © Carlina Teteris / Getty Images

Singapore is often ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. While prices in Singapore are akin to most other major international cities, most travelers feel the pinch when doing a Southeast Asian jaunt where neighboring countries are generally much cheaper to visit in comparison.

But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to explore Singapore without breaking the bank. Here are our tips for budget-conscious travelers looking to stretch their Singapore dollars.

Daily costs in Singapore

• Dorm bed in a hostel room: S$30-40 per night
• Hotel room for two: S$200-300 per night
• Public bus/MRT fare (distance-based fare): S$1-3 per trip
• Singapore Tourist Pass (1-3 days unlimited travel): S$22-34
• Meal at a hawker center: S$5-10 per person
• Meal at a cafe/small eatery: S$10-30 per person
• Meal at a restaurant: S$20-100 per person
• Pint of beer at a bar: S$10-$20 per pint
• Average daily cost: S$100-$300

Find a cheap connection to Singapore

Singapore has a well-connected airport serving over 100 airlines across its four terminals, including many budget airlines that often offer cheap discount tickets to countries around the region, so a multi-city trip could be one way to travel to Singapore cheaply. You could also consider a long layover in Singapore – Changi Airport offers free three-hour transit tours for layovers between 5.5 and 24 hours. 

Save money by arriving in Singapore during the day – public transport stops around midnight and taxis include an additional midnight surcharge on top of the airport surcharge.

Pick the right time to visit

Hotels in Singapore are quite pricey, but if you want to avoid paying peak rates, some key dates to skip – other than the Singapore school holiday months at mid-year (June) and year-end (December) – include the rare 2-day public holiday during Chinese New Year (end of January/early February), National Day (August 9) and the Formula 1 Grand Prix (mid-September). 

Check Singapore’s annual public holiday calendar to see when long weekends fall, which usually result in high demand for staycations and more expensive hotel rates.

Eat at hawker centers 

One thing that has remained relatively affordable in Singapore is the food found in its hawker centers . Not only do you get to eat cheap tasty Singaporean fare , it’s the best way to immerse yourself in the culture and eat like a local. Singapore even has Michelin-rated street food stalls so you can indulge in award-winning nosh without blowing up your budget. 

Drink at off-peak hours

Alcohol is very heavily taxed in Singapore and a night out at a posh bar or club can be alarmingly expensive. Pints of beer at a typical pub range from S$15-$20 while the famous Singapore Sling at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel costs almost S$40 for a glass. 

The best way to save on drinks is to take advantage of supermarkets or hawker center drink stalls that serve bottled beer – do so before 10:30pm as there is a curfew on alcohol sales in Singapore. Alternatively, start drinking earlier and look for happy hour deals around the nightlife districts to save some dollars.

Opt for public transport

Singapore’s public transport network is well-developed and efficient, offering a good, affordable way to explore the city. Fares are calculated based on distance traveled and while you can easily pay with your credit card, opt for a day pass if you expect to do a lot of commuting.

If you want to avoid expensive taxi rides, make a note of cheap or free shuttle options around major tourist attractions to cut down on transport costs. For example, you can walk for free or take the public bus to Sentosa versus paying for a scenic but more expensive cable car ride, and the Mandai Wildlife Reserve also has cheap shuttle connections to the MRT.

Consider where to stay

Most of Singapore’s famous sights are clustered in the south/central area, so while hotel rates there tend to be higher, the convenience of being able to walk to attractions may be more worthwhile than the cost and time spent commuting to a cheaper hotel outside the city center.

Alternatively, staying close to an MRT station can help cut transport costs – the subway lines connect to most major attractions, run till midnight and also connect to Changi Airport, so budget travelers with time to spare can consider skipping the taxi queues.

Pick supermarkets over convenience stores

If you need to stock up on daily necessities, hunt down a supermarket chain store like Fairprice, Cold Storage, Giant or Sheng Siong. There are plenty of smaller convenience stores around like 7-11 and Cheers, but the food and drink sold there tend to be significantly more expensive than the supermarket options. 

Tip: instead of a kitschy fridge magnet souvenir, pick up pre-packaged sauces, seasonings and foods to bring the local tastes of Singapore home after your trip. 

Save money by drinking tap water

There’s no need to buy bottled water in Singapore as the tap water is perfectly safe to drink. Carry around a reusable bottle – most attractions have a water cooler to refill bottles. In restaurants and cafes, ask for tap water instead of still or sparkling water as it's usually free, but note that some eateries may still charge for water (even if it came from the tap).

Plan ahead to save money

If you know exactly what you want to see in Singapore, you could save a little by purchasing bundled tickets beforehand. Major tourist attractions usually offer family bundles as well for those traveling in groups or with children.

Alternatively, skip the paid attractions and check out the many free things to do in Singapore , from hiking its beautiful outdoor spaces to visiting unique places of worship.

Savor a panoramic view for free

Visiting panoramic viewpoints like the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark or the Singapore Flyer can be pricey, while rooftop bars often have a cover charge and/or require some spending on an expensive alcoholic drink or two. 

Some free viewpoints if you’re not in the mood to splurge: take a hike along the Southern Ridges. Mount Faber offers great views while the undulating Henderson Waves is Singapore’s tallest pedestrian bridge. The more sedentary can visit CapitaSpring Sky Garden with landscaped gardens and a bistro with a view smack in the middle of the city, or pop over to Skyville@Dawson, public housing with a rooftop garden 47 stories high. 

This article was first published Sep 30, 2023 and updated Mar 8, 2024.

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The Singapore budget trip itinerary pampers travelers with comfortable accommodation, wonderful sightseeing tour and food which satisfies the soul. With plenty of parks and gardens we assure you will forget the daily drudgery of life. Singapore comprises of a total of sixty three islands including Sentosa Island, Pulau Ubin and sister’s Island.

Some Popular Tourist Destinations to Visit on a Budget

You can visit these famous tourist spots of Singapore without spending much of the currency. The most popular ones being Marina Bay, Chinatown, Gardens by the bay, Sultan Mosque, Chek Jawa, Botanic Gardens etc.

• Marina Bay: when planning a trip to Singapore do not forget to add Marina Bay to your Singapore itinerary. Here you can visit the Art Science Museum offering a unique experience to all the travelers.
• Gardens by the Bay: We are sure you won’t be able to take off your eyes from this amazing lush green space. With budget Singapore tour packages visit Gardens by the Bay a perfect place for nature admirers. The centre of attraction of this tourist spot is Cloud Forest Dome, escaping from the hustle and bustle of city life. This dome houses the tallest indoor waterfall of the world.
• Botanic Gardens: As the name suggests, Botanic gardens works on preserving the rare and the heritage species of trees in and around the city. It is also regarded as the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of Singapore
• Chinatown: Welcome to mini version of China exclusively in Singapore, which has some really swanky stores, food stalls and much more. Marvel the lip-smacking authentic chinese cuisine and admire the religious and heritage architectures dating to the past.
• Sultan Mosque: Named after Sultan Hussain Shah, the Sultan Mosque is an epitome of beauty. Built in 1824, this mosque will definitely leave you stunned with its jaw-dropping beauty.
• Singapore Flyer: This giant observation wheel in Singapore is the largest one in the world. Do visit this place while going on a a vacation to this vibrant travel destination through our Singapore cheapest trip plan . And, get a chance to witness the vast stretches of Singapore with a bird’s eye view that are completely bewitching.

The aforementioned list of attractions to visit in Singapore are just a small portion of what makes this travel destination a place to have an indulgent experience. For, here is a lot to cherish for tourists of every kind and every age, including children, solo travelers, and people on a family vacation. And, the cherry on the cake are the well crafted itineraries of our Singapore budget packages that let you cover all the amazing places in one go, and that too, under your budget.

Best Time to Hop on a Tour to Singapore

The perfect time for beaches and island hopping are the months of June to August. The peak season celebrates the Chinese New Year festival which is one of the grandest festival that Singapore witnesses either in the month of January or February depending upon the first full moon of the year. Check out cheap packages for Singapore tour to get a budget deal during festive time.

How to Reach Singapore

• By Air: Singapore boasts one of the largest airports of Asia- The Changi Airport. With a well connectivity to various prime locations on the globe it serves flights on a regular basis. Also, many of the customizable Singapore budget packages offer flight inclusions at fair rates.
• By Train: Travel to Singapore by railways by boarding a train from Malaysia or Johor Bahru or Kuala Lumpur with a route to Bangkok. These stations have three trains each day which also includes sleeper ones. The Tanjong Pagar MRT Station Singapore is the main railway station.
• By Water: There are ferry services offered to and fro from Singapore to different places like Malaysia and Indonesia. One can also opt for cruise services which is another easy way to reach Singapore.

So, opting for airways is the only and the best way to get to Singapore from India. However, if you are residing in a location that shares a proximity to the destination, you can also opt for other ways to reach there.

Bestselling Singapore Budget Packages

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Showing 116 Singapore Budget Packages

Marvelous Singapore Family Package

₹ 28,999/- ₹ 30,656/-.

Per Person on twin sharing

• Night Safari
• Sentosa Island
• Universal Studios

Hotel included in package:

• Singapore (5D)

Singapore tour packages are wonderful bundles of lucrative vacationing experience for f....

Upto 3 Stars

• Sightseeing

Enchanting Singapore Honeymoon Package with Cruise

₹ 75,000/- ₹ 84,270/-.

• Ideal for couples
• Scuba Diving
• Singapore (6D)

Book a 5 nights 6 days Singapore cruise package for an enchanting hone....

Upto 4 Stars

Fascinating Singapore Honeymoon Package

₹ 29,500/- ₹ 32,418/-.

• Orchard Road
• Stamford (tallest hotel in the world)
• Merlion Statue
• Singapore (4D)

With this 3 nights 4 days Singapore honeymoon package , you have the go....

Enchanting Singapore-Bali Honeymoon Package

₹ 70,000/- ₹ 79,545/-.

• Watersports
• Kintamani Tour
• Singapore (3D)

A famous honeymoon destination in Asia, Singapore tourism has reinvent....

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Stunning Singapore Tour Packages For An Amusing Holiday

₹ 29,999/- ₹ 39,473/-.

Exotic Singapore Honeymoon Package with Sentosa Island

₹ 39,500/- ₹ 44,382/-.

• Unlimited Fun

An enchanting island city-state, Singapore tourism has reinvented itse....

Singapore Kids Friendly Tour Package

₹ 40,000/- ₹ 42,553/-.

• Madame Tussauds

Are you having difficulty finding a kids special package? Try booking our 5 Days and 4 ....

Highly Reasonable Bali and Singapore Honeymoon Packages

₹ 80,000/- ₹ 89,756/-.

• Mount Barong
• Best sellers

Most Reasonable Singapore Tour Packages For A Joyous Family Vacation

₹ 36,500/- ₹ 39,976/-.

• Esplanade Theatres

Exquisite Bali Singapore Honeymoon Package

₹ 65,000/- ₹ 70,652/-.

A combination of Singapore and Bali as a honeymoon destination is like a cherry on the ....

Singapore-Malaysia Holiday Packages For A Perfectly Unforgettable Trip

₹ 45,000/- ₹ 48,913/-.

• Little India
• Chinese Thean Ho Temple
• Petronas Twin Towers
• Langkawi (4D)

Explore The Lion City With Best Singapore Sightseeing Tour Package

₹ 49,000/- ₹ 53,846/-.

• Hill station

Singapore 5 Days Trip Package

₹ 47,000/- ₹ 51,087/-.

Singapore is one of the most beautiful island nations that a tourist can visit. Tourist....

Singapore, Malaysia and Langkawi Honeymoon Package

₹ 65,000/- ₹ 73,034/-.

• Genting Highlands
• Island Hopping
• Kuala Lumpur (2D)
• Langkawi (3D)

Looking for an exotic destination for a romantic rendezvous? Create an album of refresh....

Remarkable Singapore Malaysia Honeymoon Package

₹ 55,000/- ₹ 61,798/-.

• Kuala Lumpur (4D)

With this 6 nights, 7 days Singapore Malaysia honeymoon package an ord....

Singapore 7 Days Trip Package

₹ 70,000/- ₹ 74,468/-.

• Sentosa (3D)

Singapore is one of the top holiday destinations in SouthEast Asia that features a humi....

Pleasurable Singapore Tour Package

₹ 48,500/- ₹ 51,733/-.

• Sentosa S.E.A. Aquarium

For delightful vacationing with your loved ones, book Singapore tour packages

Splendid Singapore Tour Package

₹ 60,000/- ₹ 66,316/-.

• Singapore (7D)

Travelers flocking to Singapore largely constitute of Indians, so Singapore tou....

Supreme Singapore Tour Package With Cruise

₹ 55,000/- ₹ 60,440/-.

• Ideal for families
• Ideal for Couples
• Architecture

Singapore is the major hub of travel destinations in the world. This ever developing na....

Alluring Singapore Malaysia Thailand Bangkok Tour Package

₹ 92,000/- ₹ 101,099/-.

• Marine Park
• Safari World
• Pattaya (2D)
• Bangkok (2D)
• Kuala Lumpur (3D)

This Singapore Malaysia Thailand Bangkok Tour Package by Travel Triang....

Incredible Singapore and Malaysia Honeymoon Package

₹ 61,000/- ₹ 69,318/-.

Get ready to enjoy a blissful trip with this customizable 5 nights 6 days Singa....

Singapore Adeventure Tour Package

₹ 40,000/- ₹ 43,011/-.

Are you an adventurous person? Do you think having fun is the essence of life? Our amaz....

Splendid Singapore Package

₹ 60,000/- ₹ 65,934/-.

Travel Triangle exclusively brings to you Singapore in 6 days package ....

Magnificent Singapore And Malaysia Summer Honeymoon Package

₹ 88,000/- ₹ 96,148/-.

Set off to discover cultural roots of South Asia with a Singapore Malaysia summ....

Singapore 4 Days Trip Package

₹ 32,500/- ₹ 34,946/-.

• Island Tours

Singapore is a city in the continent of Asia that is known throughout the world for its....

Singapore Tour Packages by Theme

Hotels in singapore by star ratings, hotels in singapore by themes, property types in singapore, faqs for singapore, do restaurants in singapore serve indian cuisines.

A lot of restaurants have started serving Indian Cuisines as well which is gaining popularity.

Is English language the mode of communication in Singapore?

Yes, apart from Malay, the locals can also speak in English which makes it very easy for the tourists to communicate.

Are credit cards and debit cards widely accepted in Singapore?

Yes, all credit and debit cards are widely used in Singapore.

Is is safe to visit Singapore?

Singapore is considered to be one of the safest destination to visit on the globe.

What all food items can be tried in Singapore?

Food items like Laksa (spicy noodle soup), Bak Kut Teh (pork ribs cooked in broth), Hokkien Mee (thick yellow noodles served with dark soy sauce and pork), Chicken Rice, and many other local dishes can be savored while on a Singapore budget trip.

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Places To Visit In Singapore

Let the experts guide you to the best of this mesmerizing destination

Esplanade Theatres In Singapore

The Esplanade theatres on the bay Singapore are a performing arts center and considered to be one of the best ones located in Downtown core near the mouth of the Singapore River. As per the belief, the theatre was named after the Esplanade Park which is located just nearby it. The Esplanade theatres on the Bay is having a c...

• Ideal for friends

Clarke Quay In Singapore

Located within the River Planning Area, Clarke Quay is a historical riverside location in Singapore. Located upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River and Boat Quay, Clarke Quay Singapore is one of the famous quays in the city. Named after the city’s second governor, Sir Andrew Clarke, Clarke Quay history says that it ...

• Ideal For Family

Adventure Cove Waterpark In Singapore

Adventure Cove Waterpark, Singapore is located inside the Marine Life Park, which is a part of Resorts World Singapore. It also houses the S.E.A. Aquarium. Founded in 2012, the Marine Life Park was home to the largest oceanarium in the world for two years, before being surpassed. Located in the Southern part of Singapore, A...

MacRitchie Reservoir In Singapore

MacRitchie Reservoir is a 12 hectares park which is heaven for all nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts who like to spend some leisure time in the company of nature and like to soothe their senses, mind, body, and soul. It is a great place to spend some peaceful time amidst greenery and freshness. MacRitchie Reservoir is C...

Night Safari In Singapore

The world’s first nocturnal zoo , Night Safari Singapore is a prime attraction for tourists coming to Singapore from all over the world. Even though the plan for this place was suggested around the 1980s, the zoo officially opened its door in the year 1994. There are over 2500 animals from over 130 species living comfortably...

Things To Do In Singapore

Your list of the best things to do, compiled on the basis of actual traveler experiences

Cable Car Ride In Singapore

The Singapore Cable Car opened for the first time on the 15 th of February 1974 for the common masses. It happens to be the world’s first ever aerial ropeway system to span across a harbour. The Singapore cable car route goes over 6 stations on its way while presenting panoramic and gorgeous views underneath. These are the M...

• Cable Car Ride

Battlestar Galactica In Singapore

Battlestar Galactica Singapore is a duelling roller coaster. Its blue inverted coaster represents the Cylone while the red human seating coaster represents the humans. As a reason, people often regard the Battlestar Roller Coaster as Battlestar Galactica:  Cylone v/s Human. It opened its gates back in 2010 but remained inac...

• Amazing rides
• Thrilling rides

Singapore Flyer Ride In Singapore

The Singapore Flyer in Singapore is a giant ferris wheel which happens to be the main center of attention of nearly every tourist visiting Singapore. This giant wheel is often considered as an observation wheel by the people who experience it. It was opened for the first time in the year 2008 after a period of two and a hal...

Lau Pa Sat In Singapore

The Lau Pa Sat , also called Telok Ayer Market is a historic building which is located in the central area of Singapore, more particularly within its downtown core. In the present times, it is a food center. There are a number of shops inside the Lau Pa Sat Market which happens to be a home to many shops and stores. The even...

Mega Adventure Park In Singapore

A perfect amalgamation of natural and man-made rides, Mega Adventure Park is meant to keep one’s heart racing every time. Nestled at Siloso Beach of Sentosa Island, here one can sail through the skies, fly above a lush jungle, experience a bird’s eye view, and much more to have an exhilarating experience. Get your adrenalin...

Know the History of Singapore

Glance through the historical past of Singapore. Take a tour of the historic places, attractions, and museums - Asian Civilisation Museum, Art Science Museum, Mint Museum of Toys, Changi Museum, Singapore National Museum, Singapore Art Museum, and National Gallery Singapore. The best part about these places are that they do not charge an exorbitant amount of money as entry fee. In Fact a lot of them are free of cost to visit. So make the most out of your Singapore budget holidays through our Singapore cheapest trip packages and explore these places.

Singapore attracts a lot of tourists every single year. It is an exciting prospect to take a tour of the country. If you are visiting Singapore for the first time, you must definitely check out the tour packages for Singapore. You will be availing a hassle-free travel along with several facilities. You will also be guided by a tour who will help you cover the major attractions of Singapore. A proper itinerary helps you discover the places easily. Whether you are travelling solo or with a group of friends or your beloved, our Singapore holiday budget packages offer you a perfect balance of everything. You can easily travel from all the major cities of India to Singapore. Flight tickets will also be included if you wish to book with our customizable packages. Reserve the package now and back your baggage for a wonderful holiday!

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How to Visit Singapore on a Budget

Marianne Rogerson

November 24, 2023

Yes! It is possible to visit Singapore on a budget . We share our top insider tips on how to save money during your Singapore trip.

Singapore, known for its high living costs, may seem daunting for budget-conscious travellers. 

But fear not, as there are numerous ways to cut down expenses while exploring this vibrant city. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or solo adventure, these tips will help you make the most of your Singapore trip, without breaking the bank.

Read more in our article How Much Does a Trip to Singapore Cost ? 

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

No time to read the whole article? Here are our top tips for saving money in Singapore, in a nutshell: 

• Eat local food in hawker centres .
• Drink tap water ; it’s perfectly safe. 
• Cut down on alcohol consumption or drink beer in hawker centres . 
• Buy discounted attraction tickets through Klook .
• Hang out in one of Singapore’s beautiful parks or at the beach .
• Try our self-guided walks and save money on guided tours.
• Check out our list of free attractions .
• Avoid high-end shopping on Orchard Road and browse the markets or cheaper malls .
• Use public transport – it’s awesome and cheap.
• Check out some of our budget hotel recommendations . 

Note: All costs provided below are in SGD.

Find Affordable Dining

While dining in Singapore’s top-notch restaurants can be pricey, you can savour delicious local cuisine at hawker centres and food courts for a fraction of the cost. 

With dishes priced as low as $4-6, these venues offer a fantastic and budget-friendly culinary experience. Check out our list of Singapore’s best hawker centres here. 

Expected meal costs: Mid-range restaurant – $25-50 per person (not including alcohol)  vs Hawker centre meal – $5-10 per person

Likewise, skip the fancy coffee shops and opt for local coffee shops to save even more on your daily caffeine fix.

Expected coffee cost : $8 in Starbucks vs $2 in a local coffee shop. 

Drink Tap Water

Great news! The tap water in Singapore is safe to drink . That’s right! No need to waste your money on buying bottles of water. 

Carry a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. You’ll not only save money but you’ll also contribute to reducing plastic waste.

Economize on Alcohol

Alcohol is heavily taxed in Singapore, making it an expensive indulgence. 

Save money by heading to hawker centers where you can enjoy a large bottle of beer for around $7. 

You can also consider purchasing alcohol from supermarkets, but be prepared for the relatively high prices compared to what you are used to at home.

Expected costs for Beer – $15 per pint in a bar vs $6-7 per bottle in a hawker centre.

Buy Discounted Attraction Tickets

Explore Singapore’s top attractions without burning a hole in your pocket by checking out websites like Klook or Get Your Guide, which often offer discounted tickets for popular spots like Universal Studios Singapore and the Singapore Zoo . 

Also consider buying bundled tickets for the multiple wildlife parks to enjoy significant savings.

Explore the Parks and Beaches

Singapore, often referred to as the Garden City, boasts numerous parks like Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. 

You can enjoy the beauty of these green spaces for free or at minimal cost. Check out list of the best parks and gardens in Singapore here.

Sentosa Island ‘s beaches also offer a budget-friendly way to relax, with affordable transportation options such as the Sentosa Express, or even walking across the Sentosa Boardwalk. 

Although there is a small entrance fee to enter Sentosa, once you are on the island, all public transport is free. 

Take our Self-Guided Walking Tours

Our self-guided walking tours offer a cost-effective way to tour some of the most popular areas of the city. 

They are designed to download to your phone, so that you can explore the city at your own pace. You’ll learn about the culture and the history of the area you are exploring and will get some dining recommendations along the way too. 

Click here to learn more about our walking tours . 

Expected Tour Costs: Guided tour: $65 – 150 per person vs Our self-guided tours: $9 each or $21 for 3 tours.

Find Free Activities in Singapore

It is possible to discover the charm of Singapore without spending a dime. 

Many areas are easily accessible by public transport, offering a budget-friendly way to explore the parks, temples, markets, and architecture.

Here are a few suggestions for free activities in Singapore . You can learn more about them and others in our article Free Things to do in Singapore . 

• Gardens by the Bay (not including the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Supertree Observatory or OCBC Skyway)
• Botanic Gardens (not including the Orchid Garden)
• Fort Siloso
• Spectra Light Show (Marina Bay Sands)
• Garden Rhapsody Light Show (Gardens by the Bay)
• Buddha Tooth Relice Temple & Museum
• Southern Ridges Walk
• Jewel Rain Vortex
• Haw Par Villa
• MacRitchie Treetop Walk
• Wander the neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Gelam or the Civic District
• Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Take a photo tour of some of Singapore’s most Instagrammable spots

Go Budget Shopping

While high-end shopping malls line Orchard Road, you can instead opt for more budget-friendly shopping malls or crawl the local wet markets. 

Places like Tekka Market in Little India offer reasonably priced fresh produce, spices, and even clothing. 

Explore souvenir stalls in Chinatown, Little India, and Bugis Street for affordable keepsakes. Try Lucky Plaza for cheap clothing options or head to the famous Mustafa Centre in Little India to find just about anything at an affordable price.

Enjoy Cost-Effective Travel

The good news is that public transport is very affordable in Singapore and even taxis are relatively cheap compared to most cities around the world. 

It’s easy to navigate the city efficiently and affordably by using Singapore’s MRT and bus systems. You can read our full guide to public transport in Singapore here. 

Cost of public transport: 

• MRT – $1 – $2.50 per ride
• Taxi from the airport – $25-40 depending on the time of day. 
• Taxi across town – $5-10 

Insider Tip: Note that taxi surcharges of 25-50% apply at certain times of day. Booking fees also apply. Download the Grab/Gojek/Tada apps (similar to Uber) and the CDG Zig app (taxi app) to compare costs. 

Read more recommended apps for Singapore here.

Find Budget Accommodation

Contrary to the city’s luxurious reputation, Singapore also offers plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options, including budget hotels and hostels. 

While areas such as Marina Bay, Sentosa and Orchard are filled with Singapore’s top luxury hotels , other areas such as Chinatown , Little India , Kampong Gelam and Bugis offer many options for those with a more modest budget. 

Price obviously depends on location and number of guests, but you can expect the following prices for accommodation in Singapore. 

Expected Costs: (per room, per night) 

• Hostel – $25-50
• Budget hotel – $80-100
• Mid-range hotel – $200-350
• Luxury hotel – $400 + (the sky’s the limit!) 

Here are a few ideas of recommended budget hotels. You can read our full pick of the Best Budget Hotels in Singapore here. 

• Heritage Collection on Chinatown
• Pod Boutique Capsule Hotel
• Yotel Singapore

These tips should help you make the most of your Singaporean adventure without breaking the bank. 

Do you have any additional money-saving tips for Singapore? Feel free to share them with us in our Facebook Group, Singapore Travel Tips !

Artyzen Singapore: A Photo Tour

The best free things to do in singapore.

Singapore : Itinerary + Budget Guide for First-Timers

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?

Singapore is a country in South East Asia that has the smallest area in terms of land mass. But don’t be fooled because it is actually one of the most expensive, safest, and cleanest countries in the world.

Also, it is home to one of the Universal Studios in the world.

If you have the chance to fly in/out/around Asia via Singapore. Go for it! Make sure to spend a couple of days exploring the country and the different places around it.

Traveling to Singapore for the first time?  This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money, and maximize your time.

Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown, recommended hotels/places to stay, things to do/places to visit, and lots of extra travel tips.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by S H E L L E Y (@shellwanders) on Jan 26, 2019 at 9:23pm PST

Get Started

How to get to Singapore  — Touchdown at Singapore Changi Airport, which serves flights from Cebu (4 hours), Hongkong, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, New York, London & more. From the Philippines, you can also fly direct from Manila, Clark, & Iloilo. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Scoot, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines. Click below to see online prices on airport and city transfers.

🏷️ 19% OFF  Private Hotel to Hotel Transfers in Singapore

🏷️ 10% OFF  Singapore Private Car Charter

🏷️ 6% OFF Shared Shuttle Bus Transfers for Wildlife Reserves Singapore

🏷️ Private City Transfers between Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Always book your hotel early  — Avail low rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon 2-3 months before your travel departure. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.

Check discounts and prices online  — Save money by checking discounts on tours & airport/hotel transfers. Booking before you leave also saves you time & avoids the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.

Visa-free travel for Philippine citizens  — 75% of all nationalities, including Filipino tourists, do not need to apply for a visa before arriving in Singapore for short period of visits. Scroll down to the extra tips for the list of things you might need to prepare.

Singapore 3G/4G internet data sim card & pocket WiFi rental

🏷️ 12% OFF Universal Studios Singapore™ Ticket (1 Day Pass)

🏷️ 13% OFF  Singapore Cable Car Skypass

Spend 3 days or more  — While it’s possible to explore the highlights of the city in a day, consider planning at least 3 days to tour the city. Go for 5 days for a more relaxed trip. Travel longer if you want to explore nearby islands & provinces.

🏷️ 7% OFF The Original DUCKtours Singapore

🏷️ 20% OFF S.E.A. Aquarium Ticket and Ya Kun Kaya Toast Combo Package in Singapore

🏷️ 12% OFF  Singapore River Safari

🏷️ 5% OFF Gardens by the Bay Ticket Singapore

Save More while Traveling  — I’ve included a lot of money-saving tips in this guide. You can actually save more when you do not include attractions that have entrance fees. You can achieve cheaper expenses by knowing where to find and book the attractions.

Getting around Singapore  — There is a lot of transport and tour options available whether you want to go with a private tour or a do-it-yourself trip. You can even go full local and try the bus/train commute to get around or stick with packaged tours that can offer a hassle-free experience. Grab ride-hailing app is popular in Singapore.

See more blogs & travel guides

A First Timers Guide to Universal Studios Singapore

Original Ducktours Singapore – Amphibian Vehicle

How to Get to Faber Peak by Cable Car (and Other FAQs)

Top Best Things To Do In Singapore

Wanderlust at Marina Bay Singapore

Pre- Travel Tips

✓ How to get to Singapore ✓ How to get around Singapore? ✓ Should I book my Singapore hotel online? ✓ What to prepare for a trip to Singapore? ✓ Where to best exchange currency (SGD DOLLARS) ? ✓ How to find cheap flights to Singapore? ✓ When is the best time to visit? ✓ Travel Must Haves ✓ Money-saving tips ✓ Where to book tours & attraction tickets

How to get to Singapore

From the Philippines , you can also fly direct from Manila, Clark, & Iloilo. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Scoot, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines. From Malaysia , you can also fly direct from Kuala Lumpur or ride by bus. I have tried the bus and the experience is so overwhelming. I am a border crosser.

How to keep you connected everywhere in Singapore

A Singapore SIM Card has become a necessary item for almost travelers to Singapore who wish to stay connected everywhere in Singapore, as it is prepaid, helping you well control your mobile data expenses, and 2 traditional way of getting connected to internet tend to have their disadvantages:

• Primary SIM roaming : the international roaming charge is very expensive, and you perhaps cannot control your expenses in this regard. As most of the operators charge for consumption, therefore you could spend a lt of money just to use your domestic operator’s roaming services
• FREE Wifi : Singapore has a ton of free Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, but you need to have a phone number working in Singapore to receive one-time PIN for internet login. In addition, since it’s public Wi-Fi, it’s probably best not to do anything sensitive like banking.

Where to buy a prepaid sim card for Singapore?

Singapore tourist sim card is classified into 2 types, based on its form, as follows:

• Physical SIM Card, and

Let’s take a glance at these 2 types and figure out where to buy them:

How to get around Singapore

Buy an EZ-Link Card sold at Changi Airport station & many ticket offices around Singapore. This prepaid card can be used to pay for MRT, LRT and bus rides. Enjoy discount fares if you use this card. The cost is SGD 12 per card. Includes SGD 7 stored value and SGD 5 non-refundable card cost. You can top-up at any 7-Eleven store. Only 1 person is allowed per card. Buy a NETS FLASHPAY . (same as ez-link)

This is the best, most convenient, and most money-saving option. If you find it hard to read the MRT and LRT Map, chat with me! I can help you. MRT Open Hours are 05:31 AM – 11:18 PM on Mondays to Saturdays and 05:59 AM – 12:06 AM during Sundays & Public Holidays.

This also a good transportation alternative but I find it hard to understand the bus system. Also, this is time consuming. Bus is available daily; during weekdays from 6:08 AM to 10:52 PM and 06:07 AM to 10:52 PM on Sundays and public holidays.

✓ By GRAB or TAXI.

If you are in a hurry, this is the very best option for you but is the most expensive. Grab at your own expense! *wink*

✓ By HOP ON/HOP OFF BUS

A less hassle way to tour Singapore is by Singapore Sight Seeing Buses or (Hop on/Hop off bus).  You can see the top attractions in Singapore like Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Botanic Gardens, Buddha Relic Temple, etc.  Entrance Fees are not included.

Should I book my Singapore Hotel Online?

My answer will always be YES . You can save money by checking discounts online. Booking before you leave also saves you time & avoids the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.

What to prepare for a trip to Singapore?

Singapore Tourist Visa  — Go to the  Singapore Immigration website  to check if you need to apply for a visa before going on your trip. Foreign visitors from countries not listed in the “Assessment Level Countries” can visit Singapore visa-free.

Visa for Filipino citizens  — Philippines nationals can enjoy visa-free travel in Singapore, for up to 30 days.

Also, be sure that you are able to provide the following:

-Have confirmed flight tickets back to your home country or an onward destination that you are allowed to enter. -Company ID or School ID. -Passport not expiring within 6 months. -Evidence that you are visiting for travel or holiday purposes only. -Evidence that you are able to fund your stay for the entire duration of your visit.

Where to best exchange currency (SGD DOLLARS) ?

It is best to exchange currency in your country’s local bank way before your trip. Try to plan this too when booking plane tickets. Currency rates are so unpredictable.

If you’re from CEBU , the exchange here:

✓ ALCO CREDIT AND MONEY EXCHANGE at Raintree Mall

✓ Drop-By Foreign Exchange at Rustan’s Dept. Store or Fuente Osmeñ circle

If you have not thought this over and have read this now and your flight is in a week, try this.

✓ Bring Philippine Pesos for your trip since Singapore Exchange Currency Stores accept it. Exchange a small amount at the airport and then the rest at the city center for better rates.

How to find cheap flights to Singapore?

Start your search on  Wego, Momondo, and Skyscanner .

Also, check Singapore promo alerts several weeks or months ahead of your trip if you are planning your trip early. The cheapest promos are sold up to a year in advance of the travel/flight departure date & are often only available if you book directly with the airline.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

In my experience, March – July are the best months to visit Singapore.

Travel Must-Haves

✓ Google Map App – A life-saver for me because without it, I might get lost.

✓ Google Translate – Super powerful app. Translate anything.

✓ Gps-Guided App

✓ Grab app – Hassle-free ride and it takes you to your destination fast.

✓ Sunscreen – Protect yourself from sunburn or much worse – Cancer.

✓ Pocket Wifi or Sim Card – The convenient of searching anything is a go-to. Please don’t forget this baby. It is a life-saver for me though.

🏷️ 12% OFF  4G WiFi (SG Airport Pick Up) for Singapore

🏷️ 8% OFF  4G SIM Card (SG Pick Up) for Singapore

Money Saving Tips

Get a good map and explore the city on your own tour  — You can tour the city at your own pace plus you can choose from a variety of options. There are a lot of awesome things to do in Singapore that doesn’t cost a dime.

Visit Chinatown  — Food and things that will be bought here are cheap.

Eat at hawker centers & taste Singapore’s multi-cultural food  — Meals are cheap and the food is prepared in relatively high quality and sanitation. A long line of people queuing at a stall is usually a sign that it serves good food that is safe to eat.

Ride MRTs and buses  — This is the cheapest way to get around.

Stay at hostels   or airbnb — If you are travelling alone or by group of 3, hostels are best for you. But, if you are travelling in group of 4 or more, then airbnb is best for you. I have calculated the difference and airbnb ones are best for group of travellers.

Pre-book your Singapore tours & attraction tickets online

Booking online to enjoy discounts and cashless convenience during the actual trip is what I always do. Always check prices of tours and attraction tickets on this booking sites:

✓ Prices are often cheaper than booking on-site. Huge discounts on many activities.

✓ Maximize your trip! Avoid wasting time queuing at ticket booths & shopping for tours.

✓ Get a good idea what to expect. Knowing all the inclusions/non-inclusions & reading user reviews is very helpful to make an informed decision.

✓ Earn rewards points for every booking.

✓ Pay in your home currency. Worry less about bringing cash/exchanging currencies.

If you’re booking tours and you’ve already finalized your travel dates, book early, especially if you are traveling with family/friends to lock-in those open slots for everyone in your group.

Singapore Itinerary

Here’s a suggested itinerary that you can follow on your travel to Singapore . Scroll down for the budget and list of expenses. Followed by extra travel tips & top spots to visit/things to do in Singapore.

Day 1: Singapore tour

Ducktours Tour and Night Safari.

Day 2: Universal Studios + Marina Bay Water Show

Universal Studios and Pictures near the marina bay.

Day 3: Gardens By the Bay + Gifts Buying

Singapore Budget

Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 3 days and 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices.

Prices below are ‘per person’, calculated based on a group of 5 people sharing the travel expenses.

I’ve included backpacker budget estimates for food & accommodations to give you an idea of how cheaply you can do the trip. If you have money to splurge on hotels, food, and luxuries, simply use the expenses posted to calculate your own budget.

Where to Stay in Singapore

Many of the top tourist attractions in Singapore are located in the city itself. I can suggest that you stay in a hotel that is near Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) .

Click below to compare rates on Singapore hotels/hostels or apartments within your budget.

T op-rated places to stay in Singapore

Where to book.

Book your room through these trusted booking sites. I use them frequently to avail cheaperst prices & enjoy convenient bookings. Click below to confirm the lowest prices:

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Places to Visit in Singapore + Things To Do

Check out these top tourist spots, best places to visit & things to do in Singapore.

1. Wanderlust at Marina Bay

2. Have fun at Universal Studios

3.  Ride a Cable Car and Dine at Mount Faber

4.  Buy Gifts at ABC Store in Bugis (Cheapest Store in Singapore)

5.  Enjoy Day or Night Singapore Safari

6.  Sightseeing in Singapore Downtown (Land and Water)

7.  Visit Gardens By the Bay

8. China Town not in China

1.wanderlust at marina bay.

Around the Marina Bay

Marina Bay, Singapore is a top luxurious destination in the world even though the city is small. It is located in the Central part of Singapore. Standing at this place will give you the main highlights of Singapore. You can actually walk or bike around the Marina Bay. 

Top hotels, restaurants, designer clothes and bags, malls, and tourist attractions encircles Marina Bay. The Helix Bridge, Merlion, Art Sciene Museum, Esplanade, Gardens by the Bay are some of the destinations encircling Marina Bay.

During the day, many people visits the bay. This is the best time of the day to snap pictures.

🏷️ 5% OFF  Secrets of the Bay Tour

🏷️ 3% OFF Marina Bay Sands Skypark Sightseeing Experience

🏷️ 8% OFF ArtScience Museum: Marina Bay Sands Admission Ticket

🏷️ 10% OFF iVenture Singapore Ultimate Attractions Pass

2. Have fun at Universal Studios

The infamous Universal Studios Singapore Globe

If you are heading to Universal Studios to start your Singapore adventure or if you have started you’re Singapore adventure and is headed in Universal Studios, you are in for a super real treat. 😀 

Myself is and has always been a kid-at-heart. I did get so excited when I start to see the first glimpses of the adventure/theme park from the bus window heading into Sentosa Island.

This Universal Studios in Singapore is one of the 4 currently built Universal Studios theme parks in the world. It has its own unique theme lands that can only be experience in this theme park.

Universal Studios discounts

🏷️ [Skip The Line] Universal Studios Singapore™ Express Pass

🏷️ 3% OFF Universal Studios Singapore™ Admission Ticket and Express Pass Combo Package

Feel that magic moment ride.

Singapore Cable Car giving you an utmost 360 degrees views of the place. It will take you to different places in Sentosa. Cable car will operate at 8:45am to 10:00pm (last ride will be at 9:30pm).

🏷️ 5 % OFF  Singapore Cable Car Pass

🏷️ 9% OFF  Dining at Faber Peak or Sentosa

4. Buy Gifts at ABC Store in Bugis (Cheapest Store in Singapore)

Affordable chocolates for your loved ones can be bought here. Try to drop by next time if you can.

5. Enjoy Day or Night Singapore Safari

This has to be one of the coolest Safari in the whole world that you should not pass to experience. Seeing so many creatures at night while riding a trailer or walking will give you goosebumps. Also, do not miss the show.

🏷️ 9% OFF  Singapore Night Safari Open Dated Ticket

🏷️ 10% OFF Singapore River Safari with Private Transfer Combo

6. Sightseeing in Singapore Downtown (Land and Water)

Original Ducktours, Suntec Mall, Singapore

There are many types of vehicle tours that can give you an overview of the city but I personally recommend this one because it is very unique. Why is this unique? Well, it takes you to land and water places. This is an amphibian type of vehicle. Imagine touring Singapore in a whole lot new level! Hitting two birds with one stone, right?

7. Visit Gardens By the Bay

Reading the place’s name will automatically tell you it is a garden by the bay. Literally! You will totally love this place! No exaggeration intended.

🏷️ 6% OFF Gardens by the Bay and OCBC Skyway

🏷️ 8% OFF Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay Package

Explore street foods from singapore in chinatown.  Buy some budget friendly key chains and Refigerator Magnets. They have so many things to see. Buy many affordable items.

MAP TO HELP YOU LOCATE THE NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

DID YOU ENJOY THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER!!

Have you ever been to the places I’ve listed above? Go and try them yourself!

Always remember to “ Develop your One Days to Day Ones! “

Shelley Mae

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Singapore Itinerary And Budget: Ride On Other Visitors Experience

• February 8, 2024
• Last updated: February 8, 2024
• Asia , Destinations , Malaysia , Singapore

Home » Travel Blog » Singapore Itinerary And Budget: Ride On Other Visitors Experience

Singapore itinerary and budget require you plan to spend around $120 per day on your vacation in Singapore daily based on the expenses of some other visitors.

Singapore Itinerary And Budget Breakdown

Past travelers have spent, on average, $8.16 on local transportation and $22 on meals for one day. Also, the average price of hotels in Singapore for a couple is $150. Therefore, a trip to Singapore for two people for one-week costs on average $1,679. Other travelers have helped us know the Singapore itinerary and budget plan.

Singapore itinerary and budget for one week usually cost around SG$1,145 for one person. So, a trip to Singapore for two people costs around SG$2,289 in a week. Two weeks for two people costs SG$4,578 in Singapore.

Price often goes down. If you’re traveling as a family, say a family of 3 or 4 people, because kids can share hotel rooms and their tickets are cheaper in Singapore.

Singapore itinerary and budget for regular travelers will also go down. Singapore often has a lower daily budget for 2 people than one person traveling alone for one week.

Singapore Itinerary And Budget: How Much Money Do I Need For Singapore?

All of these Singapore travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, and the average trip cost is broken down by category here.

Accommodation Budget In Singapore

The average price for one person for Accommodation in Singapore is SG$102. The average price for a hotel room in Singapore is SG$204 for 2 people sharing a standard double hotel room.

What Did Other People Spend On Accommodation?

Above, we listed Accommodation in Singapore’s typical prices: these actual costs come from travelers. They may give you an idea of accommodation prices in Singapore, but your costs will vary depending on your travel style.

Heading to Asia? Get inspired!

• Free Things to Do in Singapore: Tips From A Frequent Visitor
• Where to Stay in Singapore: The Ultimate Guide
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• Philippines Travel: The Beauty of the Country and its Wonderful People

Singapore Itinerary And Budget: Average Daily Cost

While food prices in Singapore can vary, the average cost of eating out in Singapore is SG $30 per day. The average meal in Singapore based on the shopping habits of other travelers in the past should cost about SG $12 per head. Breakfast is a bit cheaper compared to lunch or maybe dinner. The price of eating in fast-food restaurants in Singapore is usually higher than street food.

What Other People Spend On Food in Singapore?

Typical food prices in Singapore are listed above. The cost will vary depending on what you favor and your travel style. Our actual price comes from other travelers like you in the past and can give you an idea of food prices in Singapore.

Itinerary And Budget For Transport In Singapore

Average daily cost calculated by travelers like you. The cost of a taxi in Singapore is significantly higher than that of public transport. On average, travelers spend SG $11 per person in a day on local transportation in Singapore.

What Other People Spend On Transportation?

Typical transportation prices in Singapore are listed above. The cost will vary depending on your favor and your travel style. We found this cost comes from other real travelers and help you know the prices of transport in Singapore.

Rental Cars in Singapore

The price to rent a car in Singapore depends on your car type, travel dates, location, and age. We recommend Kayak because all car rental companies offer the best deals.

Singapore Itinerary And Budget For Entertainment

Entertainment and activities in Singapore generally cost SG $35 per person a day on average. This includes fees for museum and attraction tickets, day trips, and other attractions.

Singapore Itinerary And Budget Tips And Handouts

Average daily cost.

Tips and Handouts’ average price is SG $10 per day in Singapore. The usual tip in Singapore is 6% to 20%. On average, people in Singapore spend SG $3 to SG $4 a day on water (bottle type). Public water in Singapore is considered safe to drink too. Singapore is significantly cheaper than most European and United States cities. However, expensive compared to other Southeast Asia.

Finally, there are plenty of hostels in the city where you can stay cheaply, or you can book an excellent luxury hotel for a fraction of what you could pay in Europe or the United States. Many seafood restaurants in the city offer wonderful Asian dishes, and food is reasonably priced in Singapore, as found on this Singapore itinerary and budget guide.

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Gianni Bianchini

• Published: February 8, 2024

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Singapore Itinerary + Budget Travel Guide for first-timers

Singapore is South East Asia’s most prosperous city and smallest nation by land area. In recent years, newly developed mega-attractions and casino driven integrated resorts had transformed this “all work” economic powerhouse into one of the region’s most popular destinations for leisure travel.

Because of its compact size, Singapore is very easy to travel and generally safe. It is a top choice for first-time international travel, family trips, and those seeking to indulge in metropolitan luxuries. While costs are significantly higher than the rest of Southeast Asia, a lot of people continue to visit Singapore because of its unique and top-notch attractions that cater to almost every type of traveler.

I honestly didn’t expect to travel to Singapore as often as I have, considering the high number of seemingly more “exotic” and adventurous destinations elsewhere in the region. Singapore was just too irresistibly accessible with so many direct flights to other cities all over the region as well as convenient border crossings to Malaysia & Indonesia.

Singapore continues to be a worthwhile jump-off point to Southeast Asia and a fitting “last stop” for indulging in urban comforts before the journey home.

Traveling to Singapore for the first time?  This detailed travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money, and maximize your time.

Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown , recommended hotels/places to stay , things to do/places to visit and lots of extra travel tips.

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Singapore travel essentials

Click below to compare rates & read reviews:

Singapore Hotels Tours + discounts Flights Airport transfers WIFI Internet/Data SIM

See also: 2024 Singapore Itinerary , 33 Things to do in Singapore + Tourist Spots .

Popular tours & discounts booked by other travelers:

Legoland Malaysia Admission Ticket

Universal Studios Singapore Admission Ticket

Singapore 4G Data SIM Card (SG Airport Pickup)

SG Tourist Pass – Unlimited MRT/LRT Rides in Singapore

Klook Pass Singapore

Singapore Gardens by the Bay Admission Ticket

View all travel tips on: Singapore .

How to get to Singapore — Touchdown at Singapore-Changi International Airport, the gateway to Singapore and one of Asia’s largest transport hubs. From the Philippines, you can fly directly from Manila. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines & Scoot. Direct flights from Cebu & Davao are also operated by Cebu Pacific.

Search cheap flights

Book your hotel early  — Grab rock-bottom rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon as you know you’re going. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.

Cheapest rates Best hotel reviews

Check prices online and pre-book discounts  — Save money by checking discounts on tours, airport/city transfers & sim card/WiFi hotspots. Booking before you leave also saves you time by avoiding the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash & exchanging currency/money during your actual trip.

See top discounts

Singapore Cable Car Skypass

Visa-free travel for Philippine citizens  — 80% of all nationalities, including Filipino tourists, do not need to apply for a visa before arriving in Singapore for short visits. Scroll down to the extra tips for the list of things you might need to prepare.

Traveling on a tight budget is possible  — I’ve included a lot of money saving tips on this guide in case you are traveling on a limited budget. Spending less does not mean that you have to miss out on awesome travel experiences in Singapore. You can achieve cheaper expenses by knowing where to find and book the best travel deals.

Getting around Singapore  — Getting between different areas of the city is very convenient. Singapore has a small land area and the infrastructure is highly developed. It’s easy to go on a do-it-yourself (DIY) trip, even on your own. Plus all signs are in English and most Singaporeans can speak/understand English. Public transport is very efficient. It’s the best way to get around if you want to travel cheaply.

Singapore 3G/4G internet data sim card & pocket WiFi rental

Best time to visit Singapore  — Singapore gets little weather variations the whole year round. Any month is generally good to schedule your visit. If you just want to go sightseeing, however, you need to be aware of popular holidays and events, which usually happens from January-February, June-July, September-October. It’s super peak season for hotels. Book your accommodations well in advance.

Spend two days or more  — With a 2-day trip in Singapore, you can already see most of the major travel highlights. Though, I recommend spending three days or more, especially if you want to enjoy multiple theme parks/attractions and explore the different cultural districts. If you are spending a long layover at Changi Airport, don’t miss the free city tours for transit passengers.

See more blogs & travel guides

Singapore Travel Guide Blog

Singapore itinerary, singapore budget, where to stay in singapore.

Travel Tips Before You Go

Places to Visit in Singapore + Things To Do

More Travel Guides & Blogs

What to do in Singapore in 3 days?  Here’s a 3 days & 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary for your do-it-yourself (DIY) trip.

Day 1: Old & New Singapore

Day 2: universal studios singapore + sentosa, day 3: heritage & shopping.

If you only have 3 days to spend in Singapore, you can skip “Day 3” of the itinerary posted above

Go to the 4 days  Singapore itinerary  guide for the budget estimates, expenses breakdown, and step-by-step do-it-yourself (DIY) tips for the itinerary above. Scroll down for more budget & money saving tips.

Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 3 days and 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices.

I’ve included backpacker budget estimates for food & accommodations to give you an idea of how cheaply you can do the trip. If you have money to splurge on hotels, food, and luxuries, simply use the expenses posted to calculate your own budget.

Book your stay near MRT train stations if you plan on getting around conveniently by public transport.

Clark Quay (Riverside), Chinatown, Little India & Bugis are the most popular places to stay for backpackers and budget travelers.

You can find most of the mid-range and luxury hotels in Orchard Road, Marina Bay, Promenade/City Hall area & Sentosa Island.

Check discounts See more

Click below to compare rates and Singapore hotel reviews within your budget.

Top-rated places to stay in Singapore

Marina Bay Sands ( Book here / Compare Rates ) Upscale / Marina Bay

JEN Orchardgateway by Shangri-La ( Book here / Compare Rates ) Upscale / Orchard Rd

V Hotel Bencoolen ( Book here / Compare Rates ) Mid-range / Bencoolen

Hotel 81 Bugis ( Book here / Compare Rates ) Budget / Bugis

Butternut Tree Hotel ( Book here / Compare Rates ) Budget / Chinatown

Galaxy Pods Chinatown ( Book here / Compare Rates ) Budget Backpacker / Chinatown

7 Wonders Hostel Upper Dickson ( Book here / Compare Rates ) Budget Backpacker / Little India

Where to book

Book your room through these trusted booking sites. I use them frequently to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy convenient bookings. Click below to confirm the lowest prices:

Booking.com Airbnb Agoda

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Singapore Travel Tips Before You Go

How to get to singapore, how to find cheap flights to singapore, what to prepare for a trip to singapore, how many days is enough, how to get singapore dollars (sgd), when is the best time to visit, how to get around singapore, useful travel apps, get rent a pocket wifi or buy a mobile data sim card., where to book tours & attraction tickets, typical travel costs in singapore, money-saving tips.

Unless you’re traveling by land from Malaysia, flying to Singapore is the best way to get to Singapore. Many budget airlines, including AirAsia, Tiger Air, Jetstar, Cebu Pacific, fly to Singapore from all major destinations in Southeast Asia.

If you’re coming from the Philippines ,  Philippine Airlines ,  Cebu Pacific , and  AirAsia offers direct flights to/from Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, Kalibo & Davao.

The easy way is to search on airfare comparison sites that can show you the lowest fares on many airlines in one go.

Start your search on Wego , Momondo , and Skyscanner .

Check  Singapore promo  alerts several weeks or months ahead of your trip if you are planning your trip early. The cheapest promos are sold up to a year in advance of the travel/flight departure date & are often only available if you book directly with the airline.

To learn more, visit the guide on  how to book cheap flights .

Singapore Tourist Visa  — Tourists from around 80% of all nationalities do not need to apply for a visa or entry permit to travel in Singapore. If you are a citizen of one of these nations, you may be able to visit Singapore visa-free for a maximum stay of 30 days, to up to 90 days depending on the passport provided.

Go to the  Singapore Immigration website  to check if you need to apply for a visa before going on your trip. Foreign visitors from countries not listed in the “Assesment Level Countries” can visit Singapore visa-free.

If you are from a country that is not listed under the visa exception scheme, see if you are eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival (VoA).

Travelers can enter Singapore through immigration checkpoints found in various international airports, seaports, and land border crossings. Including the Singapore-Changi International Airport, Singapore-Malaysia land border, and international ferry terminals.

Always remember that all countries have the right to refuse entry to any person. Even if you are eligible for the free tourist visa or already have one in hand at the border.

Make sure that you are able to provide the following:

Passport not expiring within 6 months.

Evidence that you are visiting for travel or holiday purposes only.

Evidence that you are able to fund your stay for the entire duration of your visit.

Have confirmed flight tickets back to your home country or an onward destination that you are allowed to enter.

Visa for Filipino citizens  — Philippines nationals can enjoy visa-free travel in Singapore, for up to 30 days.

Filipino citizens (Philippine passport holders) do not need to apply for a visa before arriving in Singapore granted that the purpose of the visit is for tourism or transit only. Simply show up at the immigration checkpoint and get your passport stamped. Filipinos usually get a maximum stay of 30 days in Singapore.

Singapore may be a small country but there’s a ton of interesting things to do that could keep most travelers busy for weeks on end. A shorter visit of three to four days is the tourist norm and is enough to get a feel of Singapore and skim through the main highlights.

For a weekend trip, squeezing most of the highlights in two full days is doable but depending on how many stops you make and how you choose to get around, there might not be a lot of time to explore each stop extensively or at a relaxed pace. Regardless, you can see a lot of the city in two days or even less. Though, taking three or more days is recommended to allow for time to explore Singapore at a more relaxed pace. Take an early morning flight to Singapore and a late evening flight on your return to maximize your stay in Singapore.

For travelers on connecting flights through the Singapore Airport, a long layover can provide a decent visit to one or two sites. The downtown area is just a 30-minute taxi ride away from the airport. There are many short tours that can be booked at Singapore-Changi International Airport.

To be safe, bring US Dollar bills if you already have them in hand. Money exchange stalls in Singapore, including those at the airport, accept a wide range of currencies and it’s not a problem if you bring other major currencies. Popular foreign currencies include USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, THB, MYR, TWD, PHP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, CNY, and HKD.

For convenience, carry enough cash to last the first night or two and then withdraw cash in SGD using your ATM card (bring a backup just in case). ATMs that allow international withdrawal are found all over Singapore. They accept ATM cards with a logo from major interbank networks (American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, and the like). Don’t forget to activate your card for international withdrawal before leaving your home country.

Philippine Peso  — Bringing Philippine Peso for your trip is possible since most currency exchange stalls in Singapore accept them. Exchange a small amount at the airport and then the rest at the city center for better rates. When exchanging large amounts or if you happen to be in the area, the stalls at Lucky Mall along Orchard Road are your best bet for favorable exchange rates.

Singapore gets little weather variations the whole year round. Any date is generally good to schedule your visit. However, if you are traveling from the second half of September to the first week of October, be mindful of Singapore Grand Prix (F1 Race) schedule. It’s a super peak season for hotels. Book your accommodations well in advance.

Singapore has a convenient, extensive, and affordable Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and bus network. From the airport, the MRT is the cheapest way to get to the city center. Train fares starts from SGD 0.95.

Buy an EZ-Link Card sold at Changi Airport station & many ticket offices around Singapore. This prepaid card can be used to pay for train and bus rides. Enjoy discount fares if you use this card. The cost is SGD 12 per card. Includes SGD 7 stored value and SGD 5 non-refundable card cost. You can top-up at any 7-Eleven store. Only 1 person is allowed per card.

You can also buy the Singapore Tourist Pass, which offers unlimited rides on non-premium trains and buses. The price is SGD10 for the 1-day pass, SGD16 for the 2-day pass & SGD20 for the 3-day pass.

Private airport transfers

Book airport transfers online for stress-free private transfers between Singapore airport and your city hotel. Cars can seat up to 3, 5 and 9 people.

See discounts

Taxi stands can be found at the Arrival levels of each Terminal. A ride to the city takes around 30 minutes and costs between $20 and $40. Better yet, avoid the taxi queue with the Grab app. You can book Grab vouchers online & enjoy additional discounts on your rides.

Google Maps — This travel app will make it a lot easier to navigate around Singapore on your own. The directions feature only works online. Available on iOS and Android.

MyTransport.SG — Useful information on MRT, LRT & bus services in Singapore. Available on iOS and Android.

XE Currency — Free & easy currency converter. Available on iOS and Android.

Stay connected online during your whole trip. Not only does it make it possible to share your travel moments instantly, you can also travel better by having access to all your favorite travel apps anytime.

Singapore Pocket WiFi Hotspot with 4G Unli Internet

As mentioned, booking online can save you money, time and let you enjoy cashless convenience. In case you want to see more discounts and options, here’s a list of sites that you can check.

Klook Kkday Expedia

Here’s a list of typical costs when traveling in Singapore. This country is one of the most expensive travel destinations this side of Asia. It is generally twice as expensive as Malaysia or at least three times more than traveling around other countries in Southeast Asia including Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Transport — One train or bus ride within the city typically costs between SGD 0.95 to 2. For a whole day of sightseeing, you may likely spend between SGD 5 to 15. The Singapore Tourist Pass, which offers unlimited MRT & bus rides, costs SGD 10 for a 1-day pass and SGD 20 for a three day pass.

Accommodations — Booking a room or bed in Singapore is noticeably more expensive than neighboring countries. A dorm bed in a backpacker hostel or guesthouse starts from SGD 20 per night and averages from SGD 30 to 40 per night. A room for two in a budget hotel would set you back SGD 50 to 90 per night. Most mid-range hotels offer rooms for around SGD 100 to 200 per night. If you are staying in a luxury hotel or resort, room prices usually start at SGD 300 to 500 per night.

Food — A meal at hawker centers costs around SGD 3 to 15. Hawker stalls are Singapore’s version of side street stalls and low-cost eateries. Mains at casual restaurants start at SGD 15 to 20.

Activities  — Admission fees may take up a huge chunk of your expenses if you plan on visiting many themed attractions, rides, and museums. Many museums offer free admission, while most usually cost SGD 10 or less. Entry to theme parks & attractions are priced between SGD 20 to SGD 70.

Eat at hawker centers & taste Singapore’s multi-cultural food  — Meals are cheap and the food is prepared in relatively high quality and sanitation. A long line of people queueing at a stall is usually a sign that it serves good food that is safe to eat.

Ride MRTs and buses  — This is the cheapest way to get around. Public transport in Singapore is quite efficient and safe. However, when traveling in a group, particularly in a group of 3 or 4, consider taking the taxi for short rides around the city center. The price difference (calculated per person) is not a big wallet buster. Your feet will thank you from the tiring walk to/from train stations, especially if you’re planning to spend the whole day sightseeing

Stay at hostels  — There are a lot of reliable hostels in Singapore that cater to budget-conscious travelers. They are not only cheap, but a good way to socialize with other travelers.  Boutique hostels in Singapore are particularly good. If you are traveling in a group of 3 to 6 people, consider getting a family room in hostels or guesthouses to save money on your stay.

Get a good map and explore the city on your own tour  — Go on a do-it-yourself (DIY) around Singapore’s different cultural districts if you want to save yourself from expensive admission fees at themed attractions. There are a lot of awesome things to do in Singapore that doesn’t cost a dime.

Check out these top tourist spots, best places to visit & things to do in Singapore.

1. Merlion Park

2. singapore riverside and civic district, 3. chinatown, 4. marina bay, 5. gardens by the bay, 6. singapore zoo, 7. sentosa island.

Pretty hard to miss anyway because of its prominent location at the mouth of the Singapore River. Not only could you get a good photo with the Merlion statue, Singapore’s most iconic monument, but there are amazing views to be seen of the Singapore Skyline, Marina Bay Sands, The Esplanade: Theatres by the Bay, and the Singapore Flyer.

This relaxing promenaded riverside area is a short walk away from the Merlion Park. Take a stroll down memory lane and get acquainted with the city’s early development and colonial history. A happening nightlife scene can be experienced at Clark and Boat Quay.

Experience Singapore’s multi-cultural diversity by taking a walking and food tour of Chinatown. Visit a church, a mosque, Indian and Chinese temples all in one walk. Go on a food adventure and try dishes from Singapore’s different cultural influences at affordable hawker centers of Chinatown.

Marvel at Singapore’s new urbanscape by taking a walk around Marina Bay. Visit Marina Bay Sands, the Helix Bridge, Singapore Flyer, and Esplanade: Theatres on the bay. Amazing overlooking views can be seen from the Skypark of Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer.

Top discounts

48% OFF Marina Bay Sands Skypark + FunVee Hopper Pass

An ambitious project set to transform Singapore from a “Garden City” to a “City in a Garden.” The main attractions here are the 25 towering man-made Supertrees and two equally extraordinary biodomes.

18% OFF Singapore Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome + Cloud Forest Admission Ticket

An impressively maintained zoo where you can find a wide array of animals from around the world. The River Safari is also worth checking out.

16% OFF Singapore Zoo

31% OFF Singapore Night Safari

Spend a fun day on rides and themed attractions or relax at the beaches of Sentosa. The island is home to Universal Studios Singapore, the first theme park of its kind to open in Southeast Asia and the second in Asia after Universal Studios Japan.

11% OFF Universal Studios Singapore Admission Ticket

4% OFF Singapore Sentosa FUN Pass

42% OFF Singapore Cable Car Skypass

50% OFF Sentosa Wings of Time

Don’t Stop Here

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August 22, 2015 at 3:25 pm

Hi there.. I will be traveling in Singapore this December 30-January 3 this year, I wonder is there a new year’s event in SG that we can attend. And where is the best place to welcome the new year and party? thanks….

September 18, 2015 at 3:24 am

hi, can you recommend a budget place accommodation for a family of 5?

December 17, 2015 at 10:47 pm

what is Free Tourist Visa Upon Arrival?

December 17, 2015 at 10:58 pm

Free tourist visa on arrival means: (1) You do not have to apply for a tourist visa before arriving in Singapore. Once you’re at the airport, the Singapore immigration officer will just “stamp” your passport, which allows you to visit Singapore for a set number of days. (2) A tourist visa is granted for free, without a fee.

January 22, 2016 at 4:17 pm

Hi Marcos! Great write-up.

A question though, what legal documents do I have to prepare as a tourist (aside from my Philippine passport)? My friends and I are planning a trip later this year. All of them have govt jobs however I am working online. I hope Hindi ako magka problema. Thanks for the help and happy 2016!

January 22, 2016 at 4:57 pm

All that’s required is a valid passport that is not going to expire within 6 months, and a return ticket to the Philippines. You should, however, be prepared to show the immigration officers proof that you have the capacity to travel to your destination and that you’re not going there for work. It would help a lot if you bring a copy of your bank statement and reservation on your accommodation, tours, etc… Like you, my work is also primarily based online, but it’s not such a big issue as long as you can satisfy the immigration officer’s questions.

March 9, 2016 at 12:16 am

hi sir! what hostel can you recommend??

March 11, 2016 at 3:38 pm

This posts was really helpful for first timers in Singapore. More so, being a tight-budgeted tourist makes the trip to be very challenging in making it still a memorable one. I agree that there’s nothing more fitting that to have a thorough research before making it to Singapore for a truly fantastic experience and stay that is within the budget.

March 19, 2016 at 2:46 pm

This is really a big help since me and my family will be travelling to Singapore 3rd week of October to celebrate our daughter’s 10th birthday. Hope that you can still give me more info on how to save money during our trip.

Thanks a lot

March 27, 2016 at 9:37 am

hi po.. I would like to ask pano kung ung purpose ko to travel as SG is about my internship.. is it considered as a job? hndi ba ko mahaharang ng IO? your reply is highly appreciated! happy Easter :)

March 27, 2016 at 11:19 pm

If the purpose of your visit is not for a holiday or a social visit to friends/family, then the visitor visa may not be applicable to you. The PH immigration officer will use his/her discretion to decide whether you will be allowed to board your flight. Likewise, the SG immigration officer may deny you entry to the country. I suggest that you obtain the appropriate visa for your stay in Singapore. You should check the SG immigration website ( http://www.ica.gov.sg/index.aspx ) and contact them for advice.

March 30, 2016 at 2:48 pm

Thank you for the above info so helpful. I am scheduled to visit Singapore by end of August and its my first time ( cross finger,,..so scared haha ) . I’ like to ask for that Free Tourist Visa on Arrival (VOA) . Do I have to secure one?or is it ok if there’s no or I don’t have VOI? Who to approach?

Regarding ATM, thanks if they will dispense SG bills even using my Philippine ATM(peso).

Thank you for your quick response.

Regards, Jackie

March 31, 2016 at 3:17 am

cool Jackelyn! As written in the guide, Philippine passport holders do not need to apply for a visa before entering Singapore. When you arrive at Singapore Airport, the SG immigration officer will simply “stamp” your passport, which allows you to travel for, usually, 30 days.

First, make sure your ATM card has a Mastercard, Visa, or Cirrus logo. Then, and this is important, go to your bank and make sure that they activate your card for international withdrawal. I use a BPI Savings ATM card (only has the Cirrus logo) when I travel and I’ve used it in SG and other countries with little problems. I do not rely solely on my ATM card though. Make sure you have backup cash and other cards you can use in case you cannot withdraw using your main card.

April 19, 2016 at 7:50 pm

Hi! My friend and I will travel this coming august to Malaysia then we decided to have a quick trip to singapore via Air. Is there any terminal fee and travel tax we need to pay at the Malaysian airport or Singapore airport?

April 20, 2016 at 3:46 pm

There are no departure (terminal) fees charged at both airports.

April 25, 2016 at 2:51 pm

Ive been to Malaysia, HK, Macau and Singapore within 2 years. Me and my wife loves to travel. Best visited country is the Singapore and we both love the country. Best part was the top of Marina Bay Sands. We really love the view and the people there. I lost my lens cap there :( Sad.

And now we are both thinking which is the next, vietnam, thailand or japan? :) we are from PH by the way.

May 5, 2016 at 10:25 am

Hi. We have a trip diz june wth my friends in singapore. But i dont have a job now. Posibly poh ba mahold ako?

May 5, 2016 at 4:22 pm

There are no laws/rules that prevent you to travel abroad if you are unemployed. You just have to tell the immigration officer that you have enough money to fund your travel and you are going to Singapore for a holiday, and not to look for work.

May 18, 2016 at 2:46 pm

Hi.. im tess from PH.. i have something to ask to clear things.. i have plan to travel to australia his coming july me and my bf meet up to singapore airport and to explore some place in SG. Then travel together to australia as i have AU visa. What documents i bring nor gather for immigration counter check in SG before stamp my passport. I need to know what docu i bring to enter SG.. looking forward so bad your reply soon..thanks alot

May 23, 2016 at 8:54 pm

Hello Tess, if you’re a PH passport holder, you may need the same requirements posted on the article. If you are returning to the Philippines from Australia, you may have to present your return ticket back to the PH and AU travel visa.

June 12, 2016 at 4:19 pm

20,000 philippine peso, is it enough to stay in Singapore for 3 days?

June 17, 2016 at 11:28 am

Yes, it should be :)

August 16, 2016 at 3:41 pm

Hi Marcus, thank you for the travel guide you wrote. Me and my wife are planning to go to SG by the end of the month. I want to ask regarding booking of hotel, do I need to book it online, ahead of time? or we can just go walk in to the hotel?

and also my wife has a PH passport, and I have a USA passport, will I need a different document requirement?

Thank you and I appreciate your response.

August 16, 2016 at 4:09 pm

It is better to book your hotel online to make sure that you have a room available during your trip, and save yourself the hassle of looking for another hotel in case the place you want to stay in is fully booked.

As far as I know, USA & PH passport holders have ‘Free Visa on Arrival’ in Singapore. PH passport holders usually get 30 days stay, while USA passport holders may get up to 90 days. Best to check the Singapore Immigration website to confirm in case there are changes in SG’s visa policy. https://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=96&secid=94

Enjoy your trip!

August 16, 2016 at 4:24 pm

thank you for quick response Marcos! any suggestion for website where I can book a hotel in SG? and also is there a bunch of free wifi around the country?

August 16, 2016 at 5:25 pm

August 17, 2016 at 9:50 pm

Hi Marcos!! thank you for your DIY-backpackers guide in HK-Macau tour it was a big help, nasulit namin ang oras!! :) Help naman ulit,I am looking for your travel guide to SG na kagaya sa HK, un naka-indicate na kung anung uunahin naming puntahan, kung saan sasakay and approx. amount ng fare&tourist attraction. We’re heading to SG end of Aug, staying for 3days, sa Selegie,SG ang hotel namin. Pa-send naman ako ng link ng itinerary mo ng SG tour please. TIA!!

August 17, 2016 at 9:56 pm

Pwede mo magamit yung “Search” dito sa site para mag hanap ng mga travel tips. https://www.detourista.com/x/search/network/?q=singapore+itinerary .

August 17, 2016 at 9:57 pm

hi marcos, im looking for your SG itinerary blog just like the one you did in your HK-Macau tour, yung naka-indicate na kung saan ako magsisimula ng tour,tapos kung pano pumunta sa susunod na tourist attraction pati kung magkano ang fare, pa-share naman please.

November 1, 2016 at 10:52 pm

I recently returned from a 5 day trip to Singapore. We did a lot a research before arriving (unfortunately I did not find this blog until after our return) and covered about everything you mentioned. We found the hawker centers to be the best places to eat for the most value. We stayed on Orchard Road, which was nice, but a little busier than we would have liked. However, if you are looking to spend time shopping for luxury goods, that’s definitely the place to stay. We payed for a couple tourist activities, but mainly just set out and explanatory the city ourselves. The MRT was very efficient; we bought a 3 day pass for SGD 28. If you return the pass within a week after it expires, you receive a SGD 10 credit. A majority of activities we did were free (i.e. Botanic Gardens, Chinese and Japanese garden, China Town, Haji and Arab streets, etc.). Our trip centered around food so much of our exploring was about finding a great place to eat!

November 3, 2016 at 7:17 pm

Hi.. Im planning to travel to singapore next year maybe april 10 to may 4 .. is it okey ? or do i need a visa.. my boyfriend is working there so i plan to visit him next year..

thanks…

November 3, 2016 at 10:48 pm

Hi Maine, the answer is already posted on the article.

January 4, 2017 at 4:26 pm

Hi, I will travel this coming April to India then we are decide to have a trip to Singapore via Air. Is there any terminal fee and travel tax we need to pay at the Indian airport or Singapore airport? And also tell me which currency should carry with during in this trip and which is the best currency exchange company in India.

January 4, 2017 at 9:13 pm

You don’t have to pay airport terminal fees at Singapore Airport. It is usually already included when you bought the ticket. Same is true with airports in India as I haven’t experienced getting charged terminal fees upon check-in at major international airports there.

I bring USD cash when I travel but only as a backup since I use ATM & Credit Cards most of the time. So, I’m not sure what currency exchange company is the best.

January 25, 2017 at 4:41 pm

Hi Marcos! Thank you for sharing this kind of blog. Siguro ito na rin ang gagamitin naming itinerary namin ng mother ko papuntang SG this coming July. Ask ko lang kung meron kayang tulad ng MRT naten dito na mag loload ka ng 100php then pwede mo ng gamitin in every station? Tipong parang Stored Value na card? Para kung sakaling mag MRT nalang kami to go sa mga different places, hindi na magiging hassle.

January 25, 2017 at 4:46 pm

Yes, meron sila & I highly recommend you get one. It’s called an EZ-link card. You can buy one at the Airport LRT station. Just ask the ticket booth for assistance.

You can save a lot of time if you use the card rather than buying at the vending machine, each time you go on the train. PLUS, you get discount fares if you use the card :D You can also use the card on all public buses.

February 18, 2017 at 1:49 am

Thanks for giving the information.This year i am planing to go Singapore with my friends.But i know that Singapore is costly country but you made easy to everyone to travel on an an affordable budget..I will sure follow this and i think this will be our memorable trip

February 24, 2017 at 10:52 am

Hi,Marcos! Thank you for sharing this. I find it really useful in planning our trip to SG. Question: Is booking accommodation really necessary? Our plan is to stay at my husband’s cousin. Will it be a problem if we do not book any? We want to stay 3 days in SG and 3 days in Malaysia(where we will book a hotel). Thank you so much in advance!

March 9, 2017 at 5:05 am

You do not have to book a hotel room if you are staying with family/friends. The immigration officer might ask you to show a written/printed invitation. Better have it prepared. I would also bring a copy of your cousin-in-law’s work permit & employee card.

March 17, 2017 at 3:44 pm

Hi. I’m always reading pinoy blogs. This coming October I think we want to go Singapore (first time) .My son is 11y/old .What can you advice to me. Thanks.

March 17, 2017 at 10:08 pm

Singapore is a great place to go when traveling with kids. Sentosa Island has a lot of fun attractions you might want to check out. Also, consider a trip to Singapore Zoo in addition to must-visit spots in Singapore.

https://www.detourista.com/guide/singapore-best-places/

March 27, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi Marcos, i will bring my niece on my 5 days SG tour, does she still need affidavit of support from me? she’s still a student though not minor anymore.

March 28, 2017 at 12:29 am

Maybe not, if you are funding the trip yourself, and you are on the same flight with your niece (e.g. you will be present at the same time when clearing the immigration checkpoint).

April 23, 2017 at 8:25 pm

Thank you so much for the info. My family are planning to have a tour in singapore this may. We already booked a hostel and plane tickets, how can we get an online booking for universal studio is it more cheap than getting the tickets in the hostel thanks! God Bless Sir!

April 23, 2017 at 8:59 pm

You can book cheaper Universal Studios Singapore admission tickets on Klook .

Just go to this page for more info: http://affiliate.klook.com/jump/activity/117-universal-studios-singapore/?adid=1242&af_wid=356

May 24, 2017 at 2:01 am

Wow thats a lot of great info. Thanks for the post

June 12, 2017 at 10:59 pm

For the singapore immigration checkpoint, is it ok if i don’t have hotel reservation? Coz i am planning to stay on my friend’s place (she’s working in sg). Besides am gonna visit sg for 4days only. Thanks! ☺

June 13, 2017 at 3:05 am

Yes, it’s fine. Be sure to prepare a letter of invitation from your friend. Even just an informal email-type correspondence. Plus, a copy of her work permit/employee ID in case they look for it. Though, I’ve only been asked to show it once, on my first trips.

August 3, 2017 at 2:19 pm

I agree with Marcos. Also indicate in your friend’s invitation letter the address where will you be staying, the dates, and also an affirmation that your friend will be responsible for you during your stay in the country.

July 12, 2017 at 4:19 pm

We’re a family of 3 and scheduled for a trip this sept. The thing is, we are coming from KL. May i just ask if there are trains from KL to Sg? Also, is it possible for is to go and visit changi airport even if we’re not flying? i mean, just to see what’s with changi being the top listed airport. Im hoping for your kindest reply. Thank you so much.

August 19, 2017 at 10:36 pm

1. I haven’t taken the direct train yet. Most travelers usually drop off at Johor Bahru and cross to SG by bus. At SG side, you can ride a train to the city center.

2. Yes, it’s OK to visit Changi but you can only roam until the check-in counters.

July 14, 2017 at 3:21 pm

Hi…im planning to go travel for 3 days at SG how much is specific the Hotel rate per day in Peso rate if i book on line.. thanks

July 31, 2017 at 1:03 pm

OMG!!! Thank you so much for the guide. I’ve learned so many tips I can apply for my trip in SG this coming Sept. 2017.

August 19, 2017 at 10:24 pm

Enjoy your trip to Singapore!

August 6, 2017 at 8:10 pm

Hi Marcos, this will come in a handy, thank you! Just a few question, what are the chances that my flight will be cancel if I tell the officer that I’m actually going for a job hunting at SG during my 5 days stay. Also, is it okay if I don’t provide a return ticket as my stay might get extended?

August 19, 2017 at 10:19 pm

You will almost certainly get denied entry/boarding if you tell them that and/or if you don’t provide a return ticket.

August 21, 2017 at 10:00 pm

Touring Singapore is really safe and easy even for first-time visitors. Many people think that vacationing in Singapore is expensive but you really don’t have to spend a lot as long as you budget your money wisely. I only spent 200 USD in my Singapore trip (including plane tickets and accommodation) :)

September 26, 2017 at 12:33 pm

Great article about Singapore. One big difference I noticed i this article when comparing to other article about Singapore travel is your guide to travel the city in tight budget. really appreciated the effort. Lot of backpackers will find this article really helpful. Keep writing these. Cheers.

September 26, 2017 at 10:58 pm

Hello. Me and my friends were planning to go to sg next month for vacation. Tanong ko lang po sana kung paano if I dont own an atm or credit card or something from a bank? But I have a job as an blogger. Magkakaproblema po kaya ako? Kasama ko po ang friend ko which is also my boss and sasagutin din niya ang ticket ko. Ano po kaya ang magandang advice niyo for me para di mahold ng IO? May tatak na din po passport ko from Japan. Is it a plus? Thankyou in advance.

September 27, 2017 at 5:59 am

Yung ATM or bank statement, it’s only to show that you have the finances to fund the trip. You can show them that you have enough cash to spend for your trip. So, you don’t need the ATM or credit card.

December 3, 2017 at 6:32 pm

It’s a very good article and helpful. Me and my friend from USA(visited me few times in Phil’s), are planning to go for a 4day cruise that starts from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and end to Singapore again. I am a permanent government employee but I don’t have credit card and no big money in my bank. All my travel expenses will be shoulder by my friend, do I have a problem in immigration even if I show my travel itinerary and back and fort plane ticket and hotel accommodation paid by my friend? Thank you. Hoping Areana

May 29, 2018 at 2:50 am

Hello there! JP here from PH, nice travel blog site you have here :) Is it more cheaper via DIY or go with those tour packages offered by Travel agencies ranging from 12k to 14k (3 days)? If I am to try the DIY, approximately how much will cost for 2 to 3 pax in we will visit major tourist spots, 3 to 4 days? Thanks in advanced! :)

June 4, 2018 at 10:10 pm

Hi JP. It really depends on what activities you plan to include (and what’s included in the tour package offered by travel agencies). You can check budget estimate above as a guide.

June 14, 2018 at 4:40 am

HI! THANK YOU FOR THESE TIPS REALLY HELPFUL :). ME AND MY BOYFRIEND ARE PLANNING TO GO TO SG NEXT YEAR KAYA LANG NATATAKOT AKO MAG DIY PARANG MAS PREFER KO UN TOUR PACKAGE SA MGA TRAVEL AGENCIES LESS HASSLE. MAS COSTLY BA KAPAG NAKAPACKAGE KESA MAGDIY? AND KASYA NA KAYA ANG 25K PARA SA BUDGET 3DAYS PARA SAMENG DALAWA? THANK YOU SA PAG RESPONSE! GODBLESS!

June 18, 2018 at 5:23 am

Hi Jane, depends on what’s included in the tour package offered by travel agencies. Yes, pwedeng mag kasya ang P25K, but again it depends on activities/type of accommodations that you want to enjoy. Singapore is really easy to travel. Going DIY is easy and you can save a lot of money booking activities online. If you don’t want to bother with planning, then going with a travel agency might be a better fit for you.

June 14, 2018 at 5:45 am

Awesome!!! Great and detailed. helps a lot!

August 13, 2018 at 5:38 am

how much all your expenses in singapore total price and food?

August 14, 2018 at 7:45 am

Hi fatima. The breakdown of expenses is already included in the guide above.

October 29, 2018 at 1:58 pm

I have lived here. I think you pay $ 10-15 for each meal.

November 13, 2018 at 6:12 pm

I am very interested with your blog and I am so excited to travel. Actually we are planning to go to SG by next year, kaya I made some ressaech to know more about what will be or how much will it cost? Since we are 5. My husband and I, and our 3 kids (9 yrs. Old, 2 yrs. Old and 6 months baby boy). Tama po ba yung decision ko na wag na sa travel agencies kami makipagcoordinate? Feeling ko kasi mas mapapamahal kami.. This will be our 1st trip with my kids. Sana mahelp mo ako.

Your response is highly appreciated.

November 14, 2018 at 12:22 pm

I suggest na mag decide kayo based more on whether mas gusto mo: (1) Mag customize ng itinerary & organize yourself (2) Let the travel agency arrange everything for you

Madali lang naman getting around Singapore at mag book ng hotel/activities kahit kayo na lang. Mas maka less ka talaga kung mag book kayo ng mga discount prices (make sure to check yung mga na post ko sa guide).

Since you’re traveling with kids, pwede na sundin niyo na lang yung route/itinerary ng mga hop-on hop-off bus. Eto yung info/prices nila:

1. Singapore Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour (Open-Top) 2. Singapore City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Convenient din mag Grab sa Singapore. Pwede niyo ma check yung fares sa app kung gusto niyo ma estimate yung budget niyo.

Ok naman din yung public transport sa Singapore. Kaso if you’re traveling with kids, baka too much walking to/from the stations.

December 7, 2018 at 7:44 pm

Very helpful guide and tip esp for a solo traveler just like me. I will take note all of this in my trip. Thanks

January 5, 2019 at 9:58 pm

Hi. Im travelling alone on February 2019. Can you give me some tips upon arrivibg in Singapore? Do I need to show money to the immigration. And how much? Im staying there for 4days only. Thank you for answering

January 10, 2019 at 4:29 am

Hi Ems, SG immigration does not require show money… but you have to show them your ability to fund your trip. How much money will depend on your itinerary (i.e. attractions you plan to visit and hotel/s where you’ll be staying). You can simply show them hotel reservations and attraction tickets/tour that you’ve pre-booked online. PLUS pocket money. I think SGD100-200 (equivalent or more) should be enough.

January 7, 2019 at 5:57 pm

Very nice and informative article, thanks to sharing it!

January 17, 2019 at 9:32 pm

You wrote very well about Singapore Travel guide. I have found detail info here. Thanks very informative!

February 10, 2019 at 7:22 pm

What if I have a place to stay in SG? What should I need to provide at the Immigration?

February 12, 2019 at 12:08 pm

Hi Anizah! If you have a host in Singapore (not booking a hotel). The first thing you need to provide is an address.

In case they ask about the details, you should be able to provide details about your host & staying arrangement. I suggest that you bring some sort of ID from your host… could be a SG Gov’t ID, work ID, work permit etc. AND, proof that you’ve been invited… maybe a written letter, printed copy of your invite conversation, or something like that.

February 18, 2019 at 9:22 am

Hi. I’m about to visit SG this coming March. First time traveler and solo. I already had two way ticket, hotel reservation, pre-booked ticket in some attractions. I have credit card also. Do you think there’s still a chance for me to be an off load passenger/to be denied entering in SG?

February 18, 2019 at 10:31 pm

Hi Loi. I think you’re good to go! Make sure also your passport is not expiring within the next 6 months (on arrival in SG). Enjoy your trip!

July 8, 2019 at 1:19 pm

Hi friend, i am planning to visit Singapore for 5 days. Can i use singapore tourist pass for more than 3 days as it only provide unlimited rides for 3 days. Also provide me an itinerary for 5 days. Thanks in advance.

October 18, 2019 at 2:20 pm

Wow excellent blog article, very helpful for us to take a 3 day vacation trip in Singapore. A beautiful place to visit as you post ..

May 14, 2020 at 7:48 pm

Singapore will always be one of my favorite countries i have set foot in. And Marina Bay Sands Casino were one of my unforgettable casino visits. Well, aside from the ambience, i had my biggest won in my entire casino winning.

June 18, 2020 at 2:52 pm

I was totally amazed when I read the post. It was interesting and absorbing. I have read a similar piece of content before. When comparing both, I realized this one was surely on the top.

February 4, 2021 at 7:48 pm

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September 9, 2021 at 3:37 pm

One month vacation

October 30, 2022 at 2:27 am

very good blog for travel and enjoy holidays

we recommend morocco trips to explore africa

February 9, 2023 at 4:17 pm

hi ask ko lng po, can we stay in malaysia and booked a hotel for 4nights even if our flight route is Manila-Singapore-Manila? Per checking hotels in Singapore is super exoensive than in Malaysia .is this possible?

February 14, 2023 at 1:02 pm

I don’t recommend po. Crossing the Johor-Singapore border & traveling between the border & Singapore City Center is time-consuming. Sayang lang sa oras.

September 21, 2023 at 9:03 pm

Your passion for exploring beautiful places is inspiring. The way you have provided detail information about traveling to Singapore is a great advantage for Filipino citizens wanting to visit Singapore.

• Travel Planning Guide

The Best Affordable Budget Tours to Singapore

Are you craving an unforgettable travel experience without draining your savings? Look no further than these incredible budget-friendly and affordable tours to Singapore that we've meticulously analyzed to find the absolute best. From price-conscious itineraries and rave guest ratings to top-notch service, captivating destinations, and exciting activities, these handpicked budget tours in Singapore offer an incredible value for your money. Get ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime without breaking the bank.

• Bangkok to Singapore Travel Pass 21 Days, $1056.00
• Real Bangkok to Singapore 15 Days, $1335.00
• Southeast Asia: Hilltribes & Street Food 21 Days, $2249.00

What are budget and low-cost tours like in Singapore?

Here are the important factors:

• 5 trip options analyzed
• $90 average price per day (USD)
• 8 to 21 days in length
• 4.66 of 5 average rating
• 24 people or less on average

Curious about the diverse range of budget tours? Prepare to be amazed by the array of options available to suit every traveler's preferences. It comes as no surprise that visitors adore these tours, given their exceptional average guest rating of 4.66 out of 5 stars. When it comes to group sizes, the average maximum capacity stands at 24 people, allowing for a comfortable and sociable experience. The shortest tour is 8 days, while the longest is 21 days. With a comprehensive analysis encompassing 5 budget tours, you can rest assured that Singapore has something tailored to your interests and preferences, promising an unforgettable experience for all.

(All tour prices are in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically.)

So, let's get to it and see...

The 5 Best Budget Tours in Singapore

Bangkok to singapore travel pass.

• Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for budget tours.
• High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Check out this incredible voyage that has received a 5 out of 5 rating from previous guests, visiting Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. With a duration of 21 days, this journey ensures an intimate group size of 20 people, and is good for travelers aged 10 or older. This itinerary covers 11 captivating destinations, with stops in Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, and Koh Tao, among others. Bangkok marks the starting point, while Singapore stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. This fantastic option, organized by Bamba Travel , presents an unbeatable value at just $50 per day.

Real Bangkok to Singapore

Spanning over 15 days, this trip, visiting Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, has a maximum size of 16 individuals. Welcoming travelers aged 18 to 35 years old, it is organized by Intrepid Travel , a very popular company with plenty of great reviews. Immerse yourself in a travel experience that includes 7 destinations, featuring Ao Nang, Penang Island, Kuala Lumpur, and Malacca. Beginning in beautiful Bangkok, you'll have a terrific journey that ends in Singapore. Available at an unbeatable price of only $80 per day, this option also has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from previous guests.

• In-depth Cultural

Southeast Asia: Hilltribes & Street Food

• On Sale: 20% Off See Prices

Here's your chance to take off on an exceptional voyage, visiting Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, that has garnered a 4.7 out of 5 rating. With a duration of 21 days, this jouney will have 18 participants, and it warmly welcomes travelers aged 18 to 39 years old. Expertly organized by G Adventures , this amazing trip is an incredible value at just $86 per day. Hurry and secure your spot while this incredible sale lasts!

Bangkok to Singapore: Jungle Hikes & Island Nights

This memorable journey, visiting Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, is offered by G Adventures which has received plenty of positive reviews. The trip itself has a guest rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, and is priced affordably at $89 per day. Traverse through 9 enchanting destinations, with Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, and Ko Pha Ngan among the must-see stops along the route. Bangkok marks the starting point, while Singapore stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. The maximum group size is 18 people, welcoming travelers aged 18 to 39 years old. Act now to take advantage of the special sale price!

Malaysia and Singapore Highlights (8 Days)

• On Sale: 15% Off See Prices

Set off on an extraordinary journey, visiting Malaysia and Singapore, that has been awarded a 5 out of 5 stars by previous guests. With a duration of 8 days, this voyage offers an intimate group setting, accommodating 50 individuals, while extending a warm welcome to travelers aged 18 to 35 years old. This trip visits 5 destinations, including Penang Island, Cameron Highlands, and Kuala Lumpur along the way. Beginning in beautiful Pulau Langkawi, you'll have a terrific journey that ends in Singapore. Brought to you by Contiki , this exceptional deal is an incredible steal at a mere $143 per day. It's currently on a special discounted offer.

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Singapore , The Best Historical Tours in Singapore , The Best 2-Week Tours in Singapore , The Best 3-Week Tours in Singapore , The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Singapore , The Best Coach Bus Tours in Singapore , The Best Adventure Tours to Singapore , The Best Sightseeing Tours in Singapore , The Best Cultural Tours in Singapore , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Singapore , The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore , or The Best Contiki Tours to Singapore for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Singapore or The Best 2-Week Tours from Singapore for more package tour options.

How much do budget tours cost in Singapore?

Visitors will find a large range of terrific options for budget tours when planning a visit to Singapore. The price of these specific trips can vary according to length, destinations, and travel style. The average price of budget tours in Singapore based on data from 5 options is an affordable $90 per day. If you're interested in more information about tours here, see our guide to tour prices in Singapore .

And for more information on Singapore, see Singapore Travel Costs and Singapore Hotel Costs .

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Singapore Budget Tours and Affordable Trip Packages 2024/2025

The best budget tours and trips in Singapore. Choose from 22 affordable tours in Singapore with tour durations from 8 to 104 days and a total of 4 customer reviews. Our group tours in Singapore may also be a good place to start if you are looking for more inexpensive tours that are usually guided as well.

22 budget tours in Singapore

• Starts Bangkok, Thailand
• Ends Singapore, Singapore

Bangkok to Singapore: Jungle Hikes & Island Nights

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Wildlife & Safari
• Accommodation Hotel, Sleeper Train, Bungalow, Home-stay, Resort, Luxury Hotel & Lodge
• Transport Ferry, Bus, Minibus, Sleeper Train, Taxi, Boat, Private Vehicle & Train
• Age Range 18-39 yrs
• Operated in English
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,549
• Special Deal (25%): - US$ 388
• Total Price from: US$ 1,161
• May 30 Only 7 seats left
• Jun 13 Only 9 seats left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

Bangkok to Singapore

• Activities City sightseeing & Local culture City sightseeing , Local culture , Active and outdoor , Wildlife & Safari 'data-more-tripid='3571'>+3 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Hut, Luxury Hotel, Resort & Sleeper Train
• Transport Train, Bus, Boat, Minibus, Taxi & Sleeper Train
• Age Range 15-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,910
• Special Deal (20%): - US$ 582
• Total Price from: US$ 2,328
• May 19 Only 4 seats left
• Jun 09 Only 8 seats left

• Starts Langkawi, Malaysia

Malaysia and Singapore Highlights

• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Adventure & Honeymoon
• Accommodation Hotel & Villa
• Transport Flight & Coach
• Age Range 18-35 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,335
• Special Deal (14%): - US$ 188
• Total Price from: US$ 1,147
• Jun 09 10+ seats left
• Jul 07 Only 6 seats left

Southeast Asia: Hilltribes & Street Food

• Activities Trekking and Hiking
• Accommodation Hotel, Bungalow, Sleeper Train, Hut, Home-stay, Hostel, Resort, Luxury Hotel & Lodge
• Transport Ferry, Train, Bus, Minibus, Boat & Private Vehicle
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,249
• Special Deal (25%): - US$ 563
• Total Price from: US$ 1,686
• Jun 22 Only 10 seats left
• Jul 04 Only 3 seats left

• Starts Singapore, Singapore
• Ends Bangkok, Thailand

Singapore to Bangkok Travel Pass

• Activities City sightseeing & Active and outdoor City sightseeing , Active and outdoor & Beach 'data-more-tripid='14353'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hostel
• Transport Boat, Bus & Ferry
• Age Range 18-99 yrs
• Dec 13 10+ seats left
• Dec 14 10+ seats left

Best of Thailand & Malaysia

• Activities Countryside and village visits & Cultural, religious and historic sites Countryside and village visits , Cultural, religious and historic sites , National parks , Active and outdoor & Local culture 'data-more-tripid='3601'>+3 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Sleeper Train, Hut, Home-stay, Luxury Hotel & Resort
• Transport Train, Bus, Boat, Flight, Minibus, Sleeper Train & Taxi
• Jul 07 Only 5 seats left
• Jul 28 Only 7 seats left

Real Bangkok to Singapore

• Activities Adventure
• Accommodation Sleeper Train, Hotel, Home-stay & Resort
• Transport Train, Boat, Bus, Private Vehicle, Ferry, Sleeper Train & Taxi
• Jul 21 Only 7 seats left
• Sep 22 10+ seats left

Singapore to Bangkok Express Travel Pass

• Activities City sightseeing
• Accommodation Hostel & Hotel
• May 11 10+ seats left
• May 12 10+ seats left

• Starts Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi to Singapore Travel Pass

• Accommodation Hotel & Hostel
• Transport Boat, Motorcycle, Ferry, Bus & Train

Bangkok to Singapore Adventure

• Activities City sightseeing & Rainforest and jungle visits
• Accommodation Hotel, Resort & Villa
• Transport Train, Ferry, Flight, Coach & Boat
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,685
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 391
• Total Price from: US$ 2,294

Bangkok to Singapore Express Travel Pass

Bangkok to Singapore Travel Pass

• Activities City sightseeing & Active and outdoor City sightseeing , Active and outdoor & Beach 'data-more-tripid='14352'>+1 more

Epic Bangkok to Singapore

• Accommodation Hotel, Sleeper Train, Guest House, Home-stay & Resort
• Transport Train, Boat, Bus, Private Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus, Sleeper Train & Taxi
• Jul 14 Only 7 seats left
• Sep 15 10+ seats left

• Starts Chuy Province, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek To Singapore (104 Days)

• Activities Overland Journeys
• Accommodation Camping, Home-stay, Hostel, Hotel, Lodge, Resort & Sleeper Train
• Transport Boat, Flight, Overland Vehicle, Train, Bullet Train, Bus & Sleeper Train
• Age Range 18-80 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 8,772
• Special Deal (5%): - US$ 439
• Total Price from: US$ 8,333
• Jun 19 10+ seats left

Singapore Budget Tour Reviews

• Lee Southwell

Budget tours and trips

• Asia budget tours
• Central Asia budget tours
• Mediterranean budget tours
• Middle East budget tours
• South East Asia budget tours
• Nepal budget tours
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• India budget tours
• Singapore trips
• Eco tours in Singapore
• Singapore guided tours
• Singapore family tour packages
• Singapore self-guided tours
• Singapore small group tours
• Singapore solo trips
• Singapore tailor-made vacation packages
• Singapore tours for senior citizens
• Singapore tours for young adults

Singapore group tours

• Singapore last minute deals
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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Singapore Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Singapore is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s a foodie’s dream, bursting with tasty hawker stalls, delicious Indian food, and fresh seafood. There are hiking trails where you can stretch your legs and beaches for chilling out and soaking up the sun.

Home to around 5.7 million people, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state that gained independence from the British in 1965. It is now one of the world’s leading economic centers in shipping and banking.

Because of its status as a global economic hub, Singapore is expensive by Southeast Asian standards, with everything costing almost double what it does elsewhere in the region. In fact, it consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world!

For this reason, visiting Singapore isn’t as popular with budget travelers compared to affordable destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, or elsewhere in Southeast Asia .

But while most people come here for a couple of days just to see the highlights, the city actually has a lot to offer and requires more time than you might think. Don’t rush your visit if you can afford it; Singapore can fill any schedule.

Use this Singapore travel guide to help plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this lively multicultural metropolis.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Singapore

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Singapore

1. Eat at the Boat Quay

Boat Quay is the place to go for dining and entertainment. The alfresco pubs and restaurants make Boat Quay ideal for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. Try Wakanui for quality Japanese steak cooked over a white oak fire, or Kinara for reasonably priced North Indian cuisine.

2. See the supertrees at Gardens by the Bay

This urban landscaping project is a series of towering metal “supertrees.” There are roughly 200 species of orchids, ferns, and other tropical plants coating their structure. It’s free to walk through the outdoor gardens, but you have to pay 8 SGD for the canopy walk (which is worth doing!) as well as for the stunning Flower Dome and Cloud Forest biodomes .

3. Hang out (and party) on Sentosa

This little island is home to a nighttime light show on the beach and a host of bars, restaurants, and beaches to enjoy. Hang out at Bora Bora Beach Bar or splash out and try the cable car sky dining experience (it isn’t cheap). You can get to Sentosa via the Sentosa Express train (4 SGD). Entering on foot/bicycle is free.

4. Tour the Singapore Zoo

Spanning 70 acres, the Singapore Zoo is massive, boasting over 3,600 mammals, birds, and reptiles. There are lions, tigers, sun bears, Komodo dragons, primates, and much more! The zoo offers a night safari featuring over 900 different nocturnal animals (41% are endangered). Admission is 44 SGD and the night safari is 48 SGD.

5. Hang with the Merlions

The Merlion is Singapore’s mascot and has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The original statute (and most impressive Merlion) can be found in Merlion Park, but the 37-meter-tall (121-foot) replica on Sentosa is also pretty cool to see. There is no entrance fee for Merlion Park.

Other Things to See and Do in Singapore

1. admire thian hock keng temple.

Thian Hock Keng (Palace of Heavenly Happiness) is one of the most photogenic buildings in Singapore. The temple originated as a small building that served the local Chinese population. It was expanded in 1840 and made from the finest materials available at the time, paid for by years of donations from the local community. It’s the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore, dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea (Chinese immigrants came here to ask for safe passage before leaving to cross the South China Sea). The temple was designated as a national monument in 1973. Admission is free.

2. Explore Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Timah, located within Singapore’s only remaining stretch of rainforest, is the country’s premier eco-tourism attraction. On the hiking and biking trails, you’ll be able to get up close to the macaques, squirrels, flying lemurs, and various species of birds. The reserve covers over 400 acres and is 30 minutes from the city center. It’s open daily from 7am-7pm. The weekends get really busy, so come during the week if you want to avoid the crowds.

3. Wander around Chinatown

Chinatown encompasses two square kilometers of traditional Chinese life, nestled beside the modern Central Business District. This remains the place to get a real sense of Chinese culture within Singapore. The streets are filled with temples, craft shops, stalls, and restaurants and are a great place to pick up a bargain. Head down Chinatown Food Street to find some char kway teow (stir-fried noodles) or grilled meats. If you can, eat at Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (aka Hawker Chan), the world’s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is another Michelin-starred hawker stall worth a visit. Like Hawker Chan’s, it’s located in the Maxwell Hawker Center.

4. Eat hawker food

Singapore’s hawker food scene is one of the best in the world. It has been recognized by Michelin in 2016 with the world’s first street food Michelin star and by UNESCO in 2020 with Cultural Heritage status. Whether you go to Newton Food Center (of Crazy Rich Asian fame), to the Old Airport Hawker (many locals’ favorite), or to one of the other 103 centers across the island, you won’t be disappointed and you can grab a cheap meal surrounded by locals. Don’t miss the chili crab, satay, dim sum (dumplings), or nasi lemak (fried chicken with coconut rice). If you’re not sure where to go or what to eat, take a guided food tour!

5. Take a trip to Pulau Ubin

This island lies off the northeastern coast. It’s incredibly different from the modern city; locals still use a diesel generator for electricity and fetch water from wells. Rent a bike and explore the sights, villages, and beaches of this island. To get there, hop on a bumboat from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal, which costs about 3 SGD and takes 10-15 minutes. There are no fixed departure times — just line up and wait. Very few tourists make it out this way; it’s one of the most off-the-beaten-path things you can do here.

6. Relax in the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens lie close to the city and consist of 128 acres of gardens and forest. Founded in 1859, the main attraction is the National Orchid Garden, home to over 1,000 species of orchids. There is also a ginger garden, a rainforest, and various streams and waterfalls to explore. The Botanic Gardens are Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage site (and the only tropical botanic garden on UNESCO’s World Heritage List). It’s open daily from 5am-12am, and admission is free to everything except the National Orchid Garden, which is 15 SGD.

7. Eat in Little India

No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to Little India, where you can get amazing, cheap, and delicious food, fresh vegetables, snacks, and souvenirs. Seek out local favorites like roti prata (pancakes) and teh tarik (“pulled” tea). Make sure you stop off at the Tekka Center, a hawker center with Indian clothing, groceries, and food. The food here is cheap and delicious and makes for an authentic Little India experience.

8. Learn about Singapore’s History

For a more cultural experience, visit the former British naval base of Fort Siloso located on Sentosa. It’s a decommissioned coastal artillery battery the only preserved fort on the coast of Singapore, providing a fantastic look into the city-state’s complicated history. You’ll get to see the coastal guns and the remains of tunnels under the fort. It’s a well-constructed, interactive attraction. Entrance is free.

9. Visit Sri Mariamman Temple

This extremely colorful, ornate temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, built in 1827 in Chinatown. It was constructed in what is known as the Dravidian style and is devoted to the goddess Mariamman, known for curing illnesses and diseases. During the post-war colonial period, it was a hub for community activities and was even the Registry of Marriages for Hindus. Admission is free.

10. Watch a free concert

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra hosts various free concerts at different venues around the country. You might just be lucky enough to catch one of their shows — just check their website for details during your visit.

11. Visit the MacRitchie Reservoir Park

MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore’s oldest reservoir, dating back to 1868. Today, this beautiful and lush city park is a relaxing place to spend an afternoon. Walk the 8-kilometer (5-mile) treetop hike, with bridges suspended high above the forest floor, where you might see long-tailed macaque monkeys, squirrels, monitor lizards, owls, and even flying lemurs. In addition to the TreeTop Walk, there’s also a network of walking trails. Admission is free.

12. Visit the National Museum of Singapore

First opened in 1849, this is the oldest museum in Singapore . Learn about the country’s history, culture, and people through the various permanent and temporary exhibitions. There are gold ornaments, 18th-century drawings and artwork, the mace used by King George VI when he declared Singapore a city in 1951, and the Singapore Stone (an indecipherable stone with inscriptions from the 10th century). Admission is 15 SGD.

13. Admire the street art

Singapore has some really incredible street art to admire. While none of it is spontaneous (unauthorized graffiti is illegal), it can be found all over the island. Yip Yew Chong is probably the best-known artist as he has murals everywhere from Chinatown to the East Coast. His images depict scenes from days gone by and range from small pictures to entire walls. Kampong Glam, Chinatown, and Little India all have masses of art to look at, as does the east coast, but you can find it on random buildings in most areas. Take a walking tour if you want more detail, or Art Walk Singapore has three self-guided walks outlined on their website.

14. Marvel at the rain vortex in Jewel

Located adjacent to Changi International Airport, Jewel Mall is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Cascading from the roof, the water falls seven stories (around 130 feet) to the basement through a huge tiered garden. At night it is lit up for a light and music show. There’s more to do at Jewel if you have time including two mazes, a canopy bridge, sky nets, slides, and a topiary walk. It’s free to see the rain vortex and prices range from 5-22 SGD each for the other activities. You can get bundles that work out cheaper.

15. Explore Kampong Glam

Also known by its most popular street, Haji Lane, and as the Arab Quarter, Kampong Glam is one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods. The shophouses here are now stores selling textiles, rugs, and Turkish homewares such as dishes and glass lamps. There are some great Arabic restaurants around here all under the shadow of the enormous golden-domed Sultan Mosque. There’s some street art around here and Haji Lane has some cool eclectic shops by day and a buzzing nightlife with outdoor live music by night. If you have time, check out the Malay Heritage Center (admission is 8 SGD).

16. Get spooked at Haw Par Villa

Hands down the quirkiest thing you can do or see in Singapore, Haw Par Villa is a huge outdoor art gallery. It was built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, a millionaire philanthropist one of the men behind Tiger Balm, for his younger brother. Once a theme park for locals, Haw Par Villa was also used as an observation point by the Japanese army during World War II. It’s filled with dioramas depicting Chinese mythology and has recently reopened after a 9-month refurbishment and renovation project. Entry to the grounds is free but the museum — called Hell’s Museum as it includes an exhibit depicting the 10 Courts of Hell — is 18 SGD.

Singapore Travel Costs

A budget hotel room with amenities like air-conditioning, private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a TV starts around 65 SGD per night. Most larger chain hotels cost at least 80-110 SGD per night.

Airbnb is available in Singapore, with private rooms starting at 25 SGD per night (though they average closer to 60 SGD). Entire homes/apartments average 85 SGD per night.

Food – As a cosmopolitan hub, Singapore has food from all over the world, however, there is an abundance of Chinese and Indian food, which is usually around 8-9 SGD per meal. Rice or noodles are usually the backbone of most meals, and popular dishes include steamed chicken, chili crab, fishhead curry, satay, and nasi lemak (coconut rice cooked in a pandan leaf). The city’s hawker centers (large halls full of various food stalls) are one of the most popular and cheapest places to try Singapore’s vibrant cuisine.

As for Singaporean specialties, try the seafood, which costs around 20-35 SGD for a main dish. For drinks, beer is typically 8-10 SGD, a glass of wine is about 10-16 SGD, and a cappuccino is around 5 SGD.

There are also plenty of low-cost eateries around Singapore, with street stalls typically selling food for less than 6 SGD per meal. A fast-food burger is around 8-10 SGD while sandwiches at a café are around 11-14 SGD. There are many restaurants offering a set lunch menu for around 12-16 SGD, and a dish at dinner in most casual restaurants is around 20 SGD. After that, the sky is the limit.

If you want to cook your own meals, expect to pay 95 SGD per week for basic staples like rice, noodles, vegetables, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Singapore Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Singapore, expect to spend around 90 SDG per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, eating at the cheap hawker stalls and in Little India, cooking some meals, limiting your drinking, using public transportation to get around, and doing mostly free activities like walking tours and enjoying nature.

On a more mid-range budget of 175 SGD per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out for all your meals at cheaper hawker stalls, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting the zoo and the botanic gardens.

On a “luxury” budget of 300 SGD or more per day, you can eat out for all your meals, take taxis everywhere, stay in a hotel, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in SGD.

Singapore Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Singapore isn’t a super cheap destination so you’ll need to tread carefully if you want to avoid blowing your budget. Here are some ways you can save money during your visit:

• Take public transit – Singapore’s public transit system is fast and efficient, making it the best way to get around. Unlimited travel on public transport is 10 SGD per day with a Singapore Tourist Pass. If you’re staying a few days, the pass gets cheaper per day, as a two-day pass is 16 SGD and a three-day pass is 20 SGD.
• Eat on Smith Street – The stalls here offer food for less than 6 SGD and are a great place to sample local snacks.
• Eat cheap – Save money on food by eating in Little India, Chinatown, or the hawker stalls throughout the city. Meals in these places cost only a few dollars and are some of the tastiest around!
• Stay with a local – Use Couchsurfing to stay with a local for free. You’ll not only save money but you’ll get to connect with someone who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Stick to happy hour – Alcohol is expensive in Singapore, so limit your drinking to save money. If you do plan on drinking, stick to the happy hours.
• Avoid bottled water – The tap water here is perfectly fine to drink, so avoid buying water and just refill your bottle. It will save you money and it’s better for the environment! LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Singapore

Looking for budget-friendly accommodation? Here are some of my suggested places to stay in Singapore:

• Dream Lodge
• The Pod Capsule Hostel

How to Get Around Singapore

Like the MRT, Singapore’s bus system is extensive and efficient. You can use your Singapore Tourist Pass on the buses as well. You can also pay with cash, but it has to be the exact change. A single trip costs between 1.40-2.50 SGD.

Trishaws – Trishaws (like rickshaws) are less popular these days in Singapore, and now they’re largely used for guided tours that cost around 40 SGD for a 30-minute run. Trishaw Uncle is the only licensed trishaw tour operator in the city, offering various guided tours by trishaw.

Taxi – Taxis are comfortable and convenient, but they’re not cheap! All cabs are metered, but there might be surcharges depending on the company and where you’re going. For example, if you’re hiring a taxi from midnight to 6am there is a 50% surcharge on the total metered cost, while rides in the mornings and evenings carry a 25% surcharge. Prices start at 3.20 SGD and then increase by 0.22 SGD every 400 meters. Skip them if you can!

When to Go to Singapore

It’s always a good time to visit Singapore! The island is warm year-round with a tropical climate that boasts daily temperatures in the high 20s°C (80s°F). December to June is the busiest time to visit, especially during the Chinese New Year. February-April is the driest period with the most sunshine and least amount of rain.

Monsoons occur between December-March, with December usually being the rainiest month. The weather is windy, cloudy, and humid.

Late summer and early fall (July to October) are also a good time to visit if you’re hoping to avoid all the tourist traffic. The weather is still pleasant, averaging around 30°C (87°F) each day, and accommodation might be a bit cheaper during this time as well.

How to Stay Safe in Singapore

Singapore is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. In fact, it’s one of the safest countries in the world (it’s currently the 11th safest country).

Solo female travelers should feel comfortable here, though the standard precautions apply (don’t walk home alone at night, don’t accept drinks from strangers, etc.)

Be aware that penalties for breaking the law here are stiff. For example, you’ll be fined up to 1,000 SGD for things like littering, spitting, and smoking in public. Singapore is also notoriously strict on drugs. If you’re caught even with marijuana in your system you could do jail time. In short, say no to drugs here!

Scams are rare in Singapore, however, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and get out. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

If you don’t do it at home, don’t do it when you’re in Singapore. Follow that rule and you’ll be fine.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Singapore Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Singapore Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Singapore travel and continue planning your trip:

The 5 Best Hotels in Singapore

The 4 Best Hostels in Singapore

Where to Stay in Singapore: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

18 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Singapore

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Free Things to Do

Family-Friendly Activities

Foods to Try

Hawker Centers

Restaurants

10 Reasons to Visit Singapore

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Changi Airport Guide

Neighborhoods to Explore

48-Hour Itinerary

Public Transportation

Singapore On a Budget

Surviving Singapore on a Budget

10 Tips for Saving Money in Singapore

Theresa Chiechi / TripSavvy 

Believe it or not, you can experience Singapore on a budget! There's no need to sacrifice meals or sell plasma to explore Southeast Asia's interesting little city-island-country.

Singapore has always been the bane of backpackers and budget travelers . With a nefarious reputation of being expensive, made even worse by the numerous opportunities to be ​fined , many travelers in Southeast Asia give Singapore only a few days or opt to skip it altogether.

Despite having lots to offer (including the best airport in the world), Singapore's reputation on the Banana Pancake Trail is more or less all about shopping and as a great layover destination. You don't have to become Singa-poor to enjoy a few days or longer in this exciting multinational city! Follow these tips for saving money while in Singapore.

Get a CEPAS/EZ-LINK Card

Many travelers make the mistake of not purchasing Singapore's excellent transportation card when they first arrive. Instead, they pay for each bus and train journey which quickly adds up.

At train stations, an EZ-Link card costs S$12 and includes S$7 worth of credit. You can also purchase and add credit to cards at 7-Eleven minimarts for S$10 (includes S$5 in credit). Having an EZ-Link card will also save you a lot of time waiting in queues at ticket machines in MRT stations.

The EZ-Link card can be used on the LRT and MRT trains, along with the excellent public bus system. By using an EZ-Link card, you pay only for the distance traveled, rather than a flat fare like everyone else (drivers don't give change).

Tip: Don't forget to tap your card on the reader as you exit the bus or you'll pay more than you should have!

Don't Buy the Singapore Tourist Pass

The Singapore Tourist Pass is similar to the EZ-Link card, however, it allows for unlimited rides during a one, two, or three-day stay. The Tourist Passes aren't cheap: A one-day pass costs S$10 plus an additional S$10 that is refunded after returning the card. You would need to take four or five rides on the MRT per day just to break even!

Unless you really get a thrill out of riding trains around the city (they are nice), chances are that you'll spend most of your time walking around the sights, inside massive shopping malls, exploring world-class museums , and less on the train.

Drink the Water

Unlike other countries in ​ Southeast Asia , the tap water in Singapore is safe to drink. This is good news, as a bottle of water can cost around S$2 at minimarts!

If you don't carry a water bottle, buy a small bottle of water then refill it for free at hotels or from the tap.

Eat in Food Halls

Singapore is blessed with some of the best food courts, food halls, and hawker street stalls found anywhere in Asia. Yes, it is safe to eat street food! In fact, enjoying the street food is a quintessential part of experiencing Singapore.

Quality is often even a notch above the street food typically found in places such as Thailand. A delicious meal can be enjoyed for between S$4–6 in food halls. You can eat for under S$3 if you're in the mood for noodles soup. The food courts found in posh malls and at the bottoms of nearly every skyscraper are priced slightly higher than standalone food centers. Check out the sprawling food center in Chinatown, or the cheap-yet-delightful Lau Pa Sat food center near the Raffles MRT stop .

Don't Drink or Smoke

Thanks to excessive taxation, either of these two vices will simply destroy your budget in Singapore.

A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs over S$13, and drinking is terribly expensive even by U.S. or European standards. Entry into nightclubs can be up to S$30 which includes one watery drink. A rambunctious night out could cost you as much as the average night out in Ibiza.

Budget travelers craving a social atmosphere outside of hostels often opt to buy drinks from the 7-Eleven located at the end of Clarke Quay, then hang out around the waterfront. Just look for the pedestrian bridge covered with people lounging around.

Note: Electronic cigarettes are actually illegal in Singapore. Don't cross the border with one!

Enjoy the Parks

Although Singapore has a reputation for concrete, the city is blessed with an excellent park matrix with green spaces that spider through the city. Elevated bike trails and skywalks provide excellent views.

The parks and skyline views can be enjoyed for free. Take advantage of the complex, interconnecting network that links parks and different neighborhoods to each other.

Take Advantage of Freebies

Savvy travelers can find art displays, public performances, and street performers along the riverfront, esplanade, and city center. There are almost always options for free entertainment—particularly on weekends.

Entrance to museums in Singapore is expensive, however, several days or evenings a month the entrance fee is ​waived for special exhibitions. Check at the counter and inside of the many free attractions magazines for promotion dates.

A number of tourist passes are available that provide discounted entrance fees at numerous museums and attractions. Most of these passes are only a bargain if you intend to do a lot of indoor sightseeing.

Only Shop in the Right Places

Singapore has more shopping malls than you could explore in months. Even ultra-modern Changi Airport is practically one big mall which happens to have the occasional airplane land or take off.

Many of these malls are ridiculously expensive. Instead, do your souvenir and incidental shopping in cheap shops and tourist markets around Chinatown and Little India. Don't forget to negotiate !

Purchase your snacks, drinks, and toiletries from the big supermarkets located under many of the big malls rather than in mini-marts. VivoMart, beneath VivoCity—the largest mall in Singapore—regularly has food and drink specials.

Finally Give Couchsurfing a Try

Accommodation in Singapore is expensive. A bunk bed in a crowded hostel dorm costs S$20 or more. A night in a modest hotel may require you to give blood. Many travelers have to opt for hostels over hotels in Singapore just to cut costs.

Couch surfing with one of the many expats living in Singapore is a great way to sleep for free, and also gives you a local's insight into how to enjoy Singapore on a budget.

Tip: If you're squeamish about staying with a stranger, search for accommodation around Little India where hostels and hotels tend to be slightly cheaper.

Don't Get Busted

Locals joke that Singapore is a "fine" city—which obviously has two meanings. Although you rarely see police officers around the city, rest assured that many people do get fined here for seemingly innocuous activities; the fine-payment kiosks dotted around for convenience are a sure indication.

Although you would have to be unlucky to get caught, be aware of the following:

• The number one reason to get fined in Singapore is for not using marked crosswalks.
• Seatbelts are required when in a car; the driver cannot use a mobile phone while moving.
• Riding a bike on pedestrian-only paths, especially near the river, is forbidden.
• Chewing gum, snacks, and drinks are not permitted on the MRT trains or public transportation.
• Electronic cigarettes and "vaping" are illegal.
• Technically, failing to flush a public toilet is illegal.
• Spitting will get you a big fine in Singapore.
• Feeding pigeons in the park is an S$500 fine!

Singapore Guide: Planning Your Trip

How to Stay Out of Trouble in Singapore

What $100 Can Get You in Southeast Asia

Chinese New Year in Singapore: An Islandwide Celebration

Top Ten Reasons to Visit Singapore

Dining at Singapore's Block 51 Old Airport Road Food Centre

How EZ-Link Cards Let You Travel Cheaply in Singapore

Where to Stay in Bangkok

15 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your India Trip

Seoul Guide: Planning Your Trip

Visiting Paris on a Budget

The Best Cheap and Free Things to Do in Singapore

Your Trip to Shanghai: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Florence: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Hong Kong: The Complete Guide

The 9 Best Beaches in Singapore

A complete guide to visiting Singapore city!

Things to do in Singapore Singapore Travel Guide

A melting pot of global culture, hanging out on an island off the southern coast of Malaysia is the city-state of Singapore, or the Lion City - epitomised in the spirit of the land and immortalised in its name.

The island nation is known to be one of the safest and cleanest places to visit in the world, thus finding itself ranking quite high on the list of most popular travel destinations in the world. And once you’re here, let not the abundance of experiences overwhelm you.

With tons of attractions that cater to a universal crowd of all ages, Singapore has something for everyone. Colorful neighborhoods, delicious fusion food, historic temples, exciting wildlife reserves, luxurious shopping malls - it’s no wonder millions of people are flocking to this island nation each year.

4 reasons you should visit Singapore

How to prepare for your trip to Singapore?

Visa requirements.

Citizens of most countries can get a 90-day visa on arrival, so long as your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter. Citizens of India, Myanmar, Armenia, Russia and several other countries will need to obtain a visa prior to arrival. For more information on customs regulations, you can refer to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

Travel Tips

Singapore has a reputation for being an expensive city for tourists, however, it isn’t impossible to experience it on a modest budget. From finding the perfect place to stay to finding the top things to do in the city; our Singapore travel tips guide has you covered. If you're visiting Singapore for the first time,our list of 15 travel tips and hacks will come handy.

Best time to visit

You can expect the weather to be warm and humid climate throughout the year. Feb to Apr are the best months for sightseeing as they attract minimal rainfall and the weather is generally dry. Any month is a great time to visit Singapore for backpackers. Dec to early Feb is festival and celebration time. Read our detailed blog on the Best time to visit Singapore.

Language English,Malay,& Tamil

Time zone GMT +8

Country Code +65

Socket Type G, 230V/50hz

Currency Singapore Dollars (SGD)

Top things to do in Singapore

When we say there's something new that crops up in the city every week or so, we are not exaggerating! Singapore never ceases to surprise and has something to keep everyone of all ages occupied. While there are over 500+ things to do in Singapore, here are the top 10 attractions you cannot miss out on!

Unmissable landmarks in Singapore

Sentosa Island in Singapore

The island of thrill, luxury, and all things nice – Sentosa is a recreational getaway situated off Singapore’s southern coast. A favorite amongst Singapore tourists, Sentosa Island offers a stunning panoramic view of the city with a slew of fun activities. Whether you spend an evening loitering by the beach or spend a day out on an exciting sightseeing excursion, you'll leave the island with incredible memories. There's something for everyone in Sentosa, whether you're an animal lover, an adrenaline junkie, a history buff, or a beach bum! Things to do in Sentosa is a never-ending list because new attractions pop up every now and then. Here is your Guide To The 18 Best Things To Do in Sentosa Island Singapore.

Nature and Wildlife Activities

From wildlife reserves and nighttime safaris to alien-like gardens and thrilling shark-dives, check out our roundup of Singapore nature and wildlife.

Here are your top 15 Nature & Wildlife activities

Theme parks in Singapore

Here’s our take on the best theme parks in Singapore — the ones you simply must not miss out on.

Getting around in Singapore

Singapore is a city-state adorned with modern skyscrapers, lush green parks, cultural landmarks, and a vibrant mix of cultures. To fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Singapore, walking is often the best way to explore. However, Singapore offers transportation options -

• MRT (Mass Rapid Transit): The MRT system is the backbone of Singapore's public transportation network. It crisscrosses the entire island, offering efficient and convenient access to various parts of the city. With multiple lines spanning approximately 200 kilometers, the MRT is a reliable choice for getting around Singapore.
• Bus: Singapore's extensive bus network complements the MRT system, providing comprehensive coverage across the city. Buses are equipped with air conditioning, making them a comfortable mode of transportation. They are especially useful for reaching destinations not directly accessible by MRT.
• Public Bicycles: Singapore promotes eco-friendly transportation with its public bicycle-sharing programs, such as "oBike" and "SG Bike." You can rent bicycles from various stations and explore the city's parks and scenic routes along the waterfront.
• Taxis: Taxis in Singapore are readily available and provide a convenient way to travel, especially if you prefer a door-to-door service. While taxis are more expensive compared to public transport, they are still a viable option for getting around, especially during late hours.
• Trishaws: For a unique and nostalgic experience, consider taking a ride in a traditional trishaw, often found in heritage districts like Chinatown and Little India. Trishaw riders provide guided tours while pedaling you through the colorful streets.
• River Taxis and Ferries: Singapore is known for its stunning waterfront areas, and you can explore them by taking river taxis and ferries. These water-based transportation options offer picturesque views of the city skyline and allow you to access islands like Sentosa.
• Tourist Sightseeing Buses: Singapore offers hop-on-hop-off tourist buses that cover major attractions and landmarks. These buses provide informative commentary and flexibility, allowing you to explore Singapore's top spots at your own pace.

Best neighborhoods to stay in Singapore

For sightseeing, your first time, on a budget, for nightlife, for shopping, with family, where to stay in singapore for sightseeing - marina bay and orchard road.

Marina Bay: Staying in the Marina Bay area puts you in the heart of Singapore's iconic sights. You'll have easy access to Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and Merlion Park. Luxurious hotels with stunning views of the city are available for those looking for a memorable stay.

Orchard Road: This central location is perfect for sightseeing. It's known for its upscale hotels and proximity to shopping malls like ION Orchard and Ngee Ann City. From here, you can explore popular attractions and dine at various restaurants.

Where to stay in Singapore for first-time visitors - Clarke Quay and Sentosa Island

Clarke Quay: If it's your first visit, consider staying in Clarke Quay. It offers a blend of nightlife, dining, and shopping experiences. You'll be close to the Singapore River, Boat Quay, and the lively Clarke Quay area.

Sentosa Island: For a unique experience, stay on Sentosa Island, where you can enjoy resort-style accommodations and easy access to attractions like Universal Studios Singapore and Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Where to stay in Singapore on a budget - Geylang and Little India

Geylang: Geylang is known for its affordable lodging options, including budget hotels, hostels, and guesthouses. It's a great choice for those looking to save money on accommodations and explore local eateries.

Little India: This vibrant neighborhood offers budget-friendly guesthouses and hostels. It's an excellent choice for travelers on a tight budget who want to experience Singapore's diverse culture and cuisine.

Where to stay in Singapore for the nightlife - Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Marina Bay

Clarke Quay and Boat Quay: These areas along the Singapore River are famous for their nightlife. You'll find a plethora of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, making it an ideal choice for night owls.

Marina Bay: While it's known for its stunning skyline views, Marina Bay also has upscale bars and lounges where you can enjoy cocktails with a view. Staying here offers a mix of sophistication and nightlife.

Where to stay in Singapore if you love shopping - Orchard Road and Bugis

Orchard Road: This shopping paradise is lined with malls and boutiques, making it the ultimate destination for shopaholics. Choose from a range of hotels, including some attached to the malls, for a convenient shopping experience.

Bugis: Bugis is known for its street markets, shopping streets, and affordable fashion. You'll find budget-friendly accommodations and have easy access to Bugis Junction and Bugis Street Market.

Where to stay in Singapore for a family friendly environment - Sentosa Island, East Coast and Marina Bay

Sentosa Island: Sentosa offers family-friendly resorts and attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Adventure Cove Waterpark. It's an excellent choice for a fun-filled family vacation.

East Coast: The East Coast area is known for its relaxed atmosphere and family-friendly parks and beaches. You can find accommodations with easy access to outdoor activities and seaside relaxation.

Marina Bay: While it's often seen as a business district, Marina Bay also offers family-friendly attractions like Gardens by the Bay and the ArtScience Museum. Many hotels in this area cater to families and provide a comfortable stay.

Hotels in Singapore

• The Hive Singapore Hostel
• ZEN Hostel Clark Quay
• Beary Best! By a Beary Good Hostel
• The Pod @Beach Road Boutique

Mid-range Hotels

• Studio M Hotel, A Millennium Hotel
• Concorde Hotel Singapore
• Citadines Rochor Singapore
• Resorts World Sentosa - Genting Hotel Jurong
• Furama RiverFront Hotel

Budget Hotels

• Ibis Styles Singapore Macpherson
• Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore
• Lyf Farrer Park
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Singapore Novena
• Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchad Road

Luxury Hotels

• Marina Bay Sands
• Mandarin Oriental Singapore
• Shangri-La Singapore
• Andaz Singapore, a concept by Hyatt
• JW Marriot Hotel Singapore South Beach

What to eat in Singapore

1. Hainanese Chicken Rice A beloved Singaporean dish, Hainanese chicken rice consists of tender poached chicken served with fragrant rice and a trio of dipping sauces, including ginger paste, chili sauce, and dark soy sauce. Visit Chinatown or Maxwell Food Centre for authentic renditions.

2. Chilli crab A spicy and savory delight, chili crab features succulent crab cooked in a rich, tangy tomato-based sauce with chili and egg. Jumbo Seafood and Long Beach Seafood are renowned spots for this dish.

3. Char Kway Teow This stir-fried flat rice noodle dish is a local favorite. It's typically cooked with prawns, Chinese sausage, eggs, and bean sprouts, all infused with a smoky wok hei (charred aroma). You can find excellent versions at hawker centers like Old Airport Road Food Centre.

4. Laksa Laksa is a flavorful noodle soup that comes in two main variations: curry laksa and assam laksa. The former is creamy and coconut-based, while the latter is tangy and fish-based. Try 328 Katong Laksa or Sungei Road Laksa for a taste of these comforting soups.

5. Hokkien Mee A delicious stir-fried noodle dish featuring prawns, squid, and a savory seafood broth, Hokkien Mee is a must-try. Visit stalls like Tian Tian Lai Hokkien Mee at Kovan Market & Food Centre.

6. Satay These skewered and grilled meats, often served with a side of peanut sauce and rice cakes, make for a popular street food snack. Satay stalls at Lau Pa Sat and Newton Food Centre offer a delightful satay experience.

7. Kaya Toast For breakfast or a sweet snack, indulge in kaya toast. It consists of toasted bread slathered with kaya (a sweet coconut and egg jam) and butter, often accompanied by soft-boiled eggs and coffee or tea. Popular chains like Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Toast Box serve this classic dish.

8. Roti Prata This South Indian-inspired flatbread is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Enjoy it with a variety of dips, including curry, sugar, or condensed milk, at places like Mr. and Mrs. Mohgan's Super Crispy Roti Prata.

9. Bak Kut Teh A hearty pork rib soup flavored with a blend of herbs and spices, Bak Kut Teh is a comforting dish. Savor it with steamed rice and side dishes like dough fritters. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh is a renowned restaurant for this dish.

10. Ice Kacang Beat the Singaporean heat with a refreshing bowl of Ice Kacang, a colorful dessert featuring shaved ice, sweet syrup, red beans, jelly, and other toppings. Try it at dessert stalls across the island.

Singapore itineraries for every type of traveller

In this guide, we have created 3 itineraries that will help you plan your trip to Singapore. Depending on your duration, whether it's just a day or 5 days, you can go through our guide and plan your stay accordingly. To navigate to each list, click on the markers above and it will take you to its respective page where you can take an in-depth look into the curated itineraries. And find a readymade Singapore itinerary, tailored to suit all age groups!

Top 10 Instagrammable Places in Singapore

Bonus: how to save money in singapore.

In comparison to its neighboring countries, prices in Singapore are more on par with European and North American standards. With that being said, there are a ton of ways to save money while traveling through the city-state.

Try these tips and hacks to cut costs, while still enjoying the best of Singapore.

1. Use the MRT Singapore’s MRT (subway) is the most efficient and cheapest way to get around the island. It’s also very punctual and exceptionally clean. Base fares start at S$1 (about $0.74). Maps showing the surrounding area are printed on the walls in MRT stations, making it extremely easy to use unlike other subway systems.

2. Avoid traveling during National Holidays Especially during Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb), prices for hotels, transport and other visitor-related activities skyrocket. It’s definitely a great opportunity to take in the nation’s culture, but if you’re on a budget, you might want to consider planning around these dates.

3. Take advantage of Happy Hour There a ton of great places to grab a drink in Singapore; but the city’s nightlife hotspots can come at a cost. If you’re on a budget, timing your cocktail time for Happy Hour will help minimize the damage on your wallet. Be sure to try the famed Singapore Sling - the island’s beloved gin cocktail.

Explore Singapore on a budget

Singapore is a captivating destination that offers a wealth of experiences, and you don't need to break the bank to enjoy them. With careful planning and smart choices, you can make the most of your visit to this vibrant city without overspending. Here's a guide to exploring Singapore on a budget.

What are somethings to do in Singapore?

There are many things to do in Singapore. You can visit the world-famous Zoo, take a ride on the Singapore Flyer, go shopping at Orchard Road, or take a walk through Chinatown.

What is the food like in Singapore?

The food in Singapore is a blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

What is the nightlife like in Singapore?

The nightlife in Singapore is vibrant and exciting. There are many bars and nightclubs to enjoy, as well as live music and other entertainment options.

What are some of the important rules to follow in Singapore?

Be sure to not litter. Do not chew gum. Vandalism is a serious offense and can result in a jail sentence. And, it is considered disrespectful to walk around barefoot or shirtless in public.

All Singapore Guides

Shaili Contractor

With a passport full of tales from around 30 countries, I love exploring each new culture I come across. A seasoned writer and editor with a deep love for travel, I can't resist the allure of Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and Indonesia - my favorites so far! I still have to take that trip to Japan, as I'm a HUGE Studio Ghibli fan, and love all sorts of pop culture! I also love history and am obsessed with anything that's connected to WW II. I want to visit Poland soon, just for this reason. Traveling has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Bahrain during the Gulf War, and since then, I've moved to several different countries, exploring them as I go. I love airplane food, I enjoy airports more than one should and I love the journey as much as the destination. I write about history and culture, shopping, handy tips, city guides, my own travel experiences and so much more about places visited and less visited in the world. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-timer, I'm here to help you plan your next adventure and make the most of your travels.

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Singapore Itinerary: Best Things To Do in Singapore (On A Budget)

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

The Lion City. City in a Garden. Southeast Asia- lite . Singapore is called many things…because it is many things. The small island is both a city and a country. Intriguing man-made marvels rise from lush nature parks. Posh cocktail bars are found steps away from inexpensive Singapore hawker stands.

People of differing ethnicities and religions co-mingle to create a vibrant multicultural environment in Singapore, and rather than seeming contradictory, it feels complimentary. It’s a destination to be experienced – and we’ve created a perfect Singapore Itinerary that highlights the best places to visit in Singapore in 3 days!

Singapore Budget Trip

One more thing Singapore is: e xpensive . There is no need to argue the point; experts have labeled Singapore as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Thrifty travelers let us assure you, there are many things to do in Singapore on a budget!

Let this DIY Singapore Budget Trip Itinerary be proof. Additionally, we provide more Singapore travel budget tips at the end of the article.

Even if your Singapore travel expenses allow for luxuries or splurges, you can still use our Singapore Tour Itinerary as a base for your vacation plans!

Top Tip: A Singapore sightseeing pass can help reduce Singapore expenses for tourists. We’ve included cost-saving pass tips at the end of the post.

Singapore Itinerary 3 Days

Our itinerary outlines what to do in Singapore for 3 days. The days are designed in the format of self-guided Singapore walking tours that highlight the top sights in the most popular districts, some of the best food and a bit of nature, too. Most of our recommended activities are free and the food and drink recommendations are aimed at budget travel to Singapore. 

We include sight details, links to more information and/or reviews, and an interactive map of our Singapore City Tour Itinerary.

Top Tip : Depending of what time your flights arrive/depart, this can be a Singapore Itinerary 3 days 2 nights (instead of 3 nights), but our outline of Singapore Things To Do fills 3 entire days!

Shorter and Longer Singapore Itineraries

Wondering what to do in Singapore for 1 day or are you planning a Singapore One-Week Itinerary? To help you plan for a longer or shorter trip, we include Singapore Trip Itinerary Tips for what to see in Singapore in a day and up to a week as well!

3-Day Itinerary for Singapore

In this 3-Day Itinerary Singapore, we detail the top things to do in Singapore for 3 days in chronological order. This Singapore trip blog is massive – and it contains everything you need for planning your vacation!

Save, Pin or Bookmark this Singapore Travel Guide to plan your trip to SG!

Day 1 of your 3 Day Singapore Itinerary

Spend the first day of your three days in Singapore in the most iconic districts: Downtown Core, Chinatown and Marina Bay – but first, immerse yourself in nature at the city-center retreat of Fort Canning Park.

Each featured Singapore district could take as little as an hour to explore on foot, but only without making stops. We recommend using the provided links to each of the district walks to help plan your Singapore day one tour itinerary.

Fort Canning Park

Located in the heart of the city is Fort Canning Park – and it marks the first stop on your Singapore trip plan. The small hill has played a big role in the history of Singapore. It was home to kings in the 14th century, British Army Barracks in the 19th century and is the site where Singapore surrendered to Japan in 1942. Shaded trails meander through the forested hill that is sprinkled with relics from the past: The Battlebox, Gothic Gate and Fort Canning Lighthouse shouldn’t be missed!

Informational plaques are found throughout the area to help visitors better understand the history of Fort Canning Park. Strolling among the tropical plants and learning about the city’s past should definitely be included in your Singapore Three-day Itinerary!

Singapore Downtown Core 

In the Downtown Core, sleek high-rises tower over ornate temples and traditional dwellings that sit along the Singapore River. The district is the financial center of Singapore, which grew from the colony established on the banks of the river in 1823 by Sir Stamford Raffles and the British East India Company. As the location marks the beginning of modern Singapore, it’s a great place to kick off your Singapore Travel Itinerary!

Museums, monuments and mementoes from the past are found throughout the Singapore Downtown Core. Top sights include the iconic Raffles Hotel, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Boat Quay, Cavenagh Bridge, Fullerton Hotel and Yueh Hai Ching Temple.

Discover the Singapore Downtown Colonial Sights on foot using our Singapore Downtown Core Walking Tour .

Top Tip : Before you set off on your Day One Singapore Itinerary, make sure you are prepared for the weather! Wear comfortable shoes , slather on the sunscreen – and bring a hat or umbrella for shade. Staying hydrated is essential – so make sure to bring a bottle of water , too!

Singapore Chinatown

Long before Singapore became Singapore, Chinese people inhabited the island. However, during the development of the colony by Sir Raffles in the mid-1800s, a specific area was designated for the Chinese people to live and work – and that district remains today as Chinatown.

Although the intent was to segregate society, there was much diversity within Chinatown, evidenced by the different houses of worship – a Hindu temple, Muslim mosque, Buddhist temple and Christian church are all just steps apart.

Today, although the boundaries have shifted and the dynamics have changed, the Singapore Chinatown history remains. Preserved shophouses and traditional medicine shops can be found throughout the district. The scent of sizzling meat and mouth-watering spices hangs heavy in the air, while smoky incense burn at popular Singapore temples and shrines.

Use our Singapore Chinatown Self-Guided Walking Tour to make sure you see the best sights!

Top Tip: Visiting Chinatown should be on every Singapore Trip Itinerary – if not for the history, then for the food! There is so much fabulous food in Chinatown – you could create an entire Singapore Food Itinerary in this one district alone. We recommend eating lunch at one of the Hawker Centers in Chinatown to get a taste of the local cuisine. 

Marina Bay Singapore

Marina Bay is Singapore’s modern, man-made marvel – and an absolute must-see on your Singapore tour plan. The entire district sits on reclaimed land and the stunning architecture creates a surreal atmosphere.

The center of attention is the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel , but it is far from the only attraction at Marina Bay. The water-spouting Merlion, SuperTree Grove of Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Flyer are other top Marina Bay sights.

Visiting some of these attractions will certainly add to your Singapore sightseeing cost, but for those determined to budget travel in Singapore, there is much to see at Marina Bay for free.

Follow our self-guided walk of Marina Bay Singapore Attractions to discover the best of the vibrant area!

Top Tip: In Marina Bay, there are two nighttime laser light shows: Spectra Light Water Show at Marina Bay Sands and Garden Rhapsody Light Show at Gardens by the Bay. Both shows light up the Singapore sky at least two times every night – so plan correctly and you can watch both! 

Want a guide to lead the way and share Singapore insider tips? Join a tour that digs deep into the Colonial History , follow a guide to the best hawker stands in Chinatown or find out little-known facts on the Marina Bay Secrets Tour .

Day 2 of your Singapore 3 Day Itinerary

On Day 2 of Singapore in three days, take a walk in the treetops of Southern Ridges, then discover more history and vibrant culture in some of Singapore’s best neighborhoods – Kampong Glam, Bugis and Little India.

Southern Ridges Park

Located west of the Singapore city center, Southern Ridges is a 6mi/10km stretch of green space that connects Mount Faber Park to Hort Park. Trails can be accessed on the forest floor, but walking along the elevated path gives visitors a birds’ eye view of the forest canopy and a glimpse at some of the iconic Singapore skyline. The uniqueness of the park makes it one of the top places to see in Singapore!

A highlight of the Southern Ridges walk is Henderson Waves – a 72ft/36m high pedestrian bridge modeled to look like the waves of the sea. The park feels miles away from the bustle of Singapore and offers an excellent chance to view the natural flora and fauna of the region. We saw many birds and butterflies on our walk…but didn’t spot any monkeys.   

Kampong Glam

In Raffles’ plan of division, Kampong Glam was designated for native Malays and Muslims – and, today, it’s one of the top tourist spots in Singapore.

Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor, who signed the treaty with the British East India Company in 1819 to establish the colony and trading port, resided in Kampong Glam. As the district evolved over the decades, it attracted other ethnic groups, and grew into a multicultural community (although, it is often still referred to as the Singapore Muslim Quarter).

The area boasts a few top sights, a multitude of trendy coffee shops and traditional fabric and carpet stores. When visiting Kampong Glam during your 3 Days in Singapore Itinerary, be sure not to miss the district highlights (outlined below). Use this link to Google Maps for a Kampong Glam and Bugis Singapore Walking Route or join a highly rated Singapore day tour – like this one – that includes food tastings!

Malay Heritage Center

Established in 2005, the Malay Heritage Center aims to educate visitors on the history of the Malay people through six permanent exhibits. The building that houses the museum was part of the Sultan’s palace complex and was completely renovated in 2011-12. (Fee to enter.)

Sultan Arts Village

At the southeast entrance/exit to the Malay Heritage Center (opposite the fountain), is the Sultan Arts Village. The small building houses a few artist galleries and features expressive wall murals and graffiti art on the walls around it. Perhaps not a must-see for all travelers, but a delight for fans of street art.

Sultan Mosque

Designated a National Monument in Singapore in 1975, the Sultan Mosque (or Masjid Sultan) dates to the year 1928 – and has changed little since then. With large golden domes, it’s almost impossible to miss. The mosque remains an important place of worship for Muslims, but is open to all to visit. Guests not appropriately dressed will be loaned clothing to wear (for free). Informational displays are set up at the back of the mosque and friendly staff are available to answer questions.

Arab Street & Haji Lane

Two colorful streets – Arab Street and Haji Lane – run parallel to each other in Kampong Glam. Lined with restored shophouses that host hip cafes, restaurants and bars, these two streets offer some of the best sightseeing in Singapore and are a highlight for many visitors.

Eating in Kampong Glam

Located in the vicinity of Kampong Glam is the Golden Mile Food Centre . Slightly out of the way, we think it is well worth including in a Singapore 3 Day Itinerary. We recommend trying the much-raved (and 2016 Michelin Guide-mentioned) char kway teow from stall 91 Fried Kway Teow Mee . With only one dish available (the broth of which takes hours to make), the long line is sure to move quickly – and can be ordered S, M or L. Need a break from Asian cuisine? Go to Burgs’, where they cook up tasty burgers and fries at inexpensive (for Singapore) prices.

Some might be familiar with the name Bugis Street – a movie of the same name depicts the lives of Singapore transgenders and prostitutes who frequented the area from the 1950s until the 1980s. However, since the redevelopment in the 1980s, none of the exotic sex culture remains. Instead, there are many other things to do in Bugis Singapore for visitors, like visiting the shopping malls and temples at the heart of the district. Below, we have outlined the top Bugis Singapore sights to see.

Bugis Village

Comprised of more than 30 restored pre-war shophouses, Bugis Village features compact stalls selling everything from clothing to souvenirs to food. The market is a place for both bargains and bartering – and visiting is one of the top things to do in Bugis.

Top Tip : Visitors more interested in shopping at a typical mall should head into Bugis Junction Shopping Center .

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

The Buddhist Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple was built in the late 1800s and survives today as a place of worship. Devotees believe praying to Kwan Yim (Goddess of Mercy) will bring them good luck, encouraging many faithful worshipers to visit the temple.

Sri Krishnan Temple

Next to the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Buddhist Temple is the Sri Krishnan South Indian Hindu Temple, which was built in 1870. As a fine example of Singapore’s acceptance of multiple religions, worshipers of both temples will often visit the neighboring temple with offerings.

Little India in Singapore 

Little India is the third district you will visit on Day 2 of your trip in Singapore. Temples, spice shops and flowers team together to make Little India one of the most colorful districts in Singapore – but as is true in the many labeled ethnic districts in Singapore, the area isn’t solely Indian.

The neighborhood was first developed in the 1840s when a racetrack was built at nearby Farrer Park, attracting Europeans to the area. Shortly after, the Indian-run cattle trade, which took place along the Serangoon River, was taking hold and many Indian immigrants moved to the district.

Today, many historic sights, temples and Indian shops can be found along Serangoon Road. Below, we highlight the must-see sights in Little India. Use this link to Google Maps for a Little India Singapore Walking Route.

Tekka Centre

The Tekka Centre is a hawker center, wet market and fabric store all under one roof. The ground floor features food stalls – many of which serve classic Indian dishes. On the second floor, shoppers will find an array of fabrics, including beautiful silk used to make saris.

Tan Teng Niah

The Tan Teng Niah house, built by a Chinese businessman in 1900, is one of the last Chinese villas remaining in Little India. Although the colorful house is what attracts many visitors to seek out the historic abode, it was originally painted plain white.

Sri Veramakaliamman Temple

Dating to 1881, Sri Veramakaliamman Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore. An ornate and detailed tower (gopuram) rises over the main entrance and inside are a number of shrines.

Mustafa Centre

Open 24 hours a day with seamless boundaries between two mega-department stores, Mustafa Centre offers one of the more unique shopping experiences in Singapore. Shelves are piled high with designer brands, electronics, jewelry and toys – most at discount prices.

Pro Tip : Make your way to the rooftop garden for the water walkway and views of Little India.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

A national monument since 1978, the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple was built in 1855 and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The striking feature, a 65ft/20m tower (Gopuram), was added in the 1960s when the temple was renovated with funds provided by a successful shop owner.

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple

Often called the Temple of A Thousand Lights, the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple houses a 50ft/15m seated Buddha (which weighs almost 300 tons!). At night, lights are illuminated around the Buddha, which is the reason for the nickname!

Leong San Temple

Across the street from Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is the classic and ornate Leong San Temple . Built in 1926, the interior features multiple shrines and glitters with gold.

Top Tip : Use the handy guide in English available near the entrance to better understand the interior of the temple.

Dinner and Drinks on Day 2 of Your Singapore Trip Planner

After a long day of Singapore sightseeing, settle in for dinner and drinks!

Swee Choon Dim Sum

Eating is one of the top things to do in Singapore City – and Swee Choon is a classic establishment. Since 1962, the cooks at Swee Choon have been using quality ingredients to prepare handcrafted dim sum.

We arbitrarily picked items from the list, marking our choices with a pencil, and feasted as plate after plate was brought to our table. Hailed by foodies as the best dim sum in Singapore, we highly recommend eating dinner at Swee Choon!

Top Tip : If there is a wait, don’t worry – tables free up quickly.

Druggist Craft Beer Bar

Located in the former Chinese Druggists Association building, the façade of Druggist Craft Beer Bar is only the beginning. Step inside and find 23 taps of craft beer from all over the world.

Note of warning : Druggist – or any other craft beer bar in Singapore – will not make the cut on a Singapore budget itinerary, as the price of craft beer in Singapore is exorbitant. For a less expensive pint of local mass-produced beer, head next door to The Tiramisu Hero or down the street to Berseh Food Center.

Day 3 of your Singapore Itinerary

Wrapping up your 3-day Singapore Itinerary, experience some of the best nature in SG before retreating to the glamorous, air-conditioned malls on Orchard Road.

Botanic Gardens and/or Treetop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir

While Singapore is a thriving metropolis, enclaves of nature can be found all around the island. Two of our favorite spots to get a real breath of fresh air on a Singapore day trip are the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Treetop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir.

Note : An ambitious Singapore travelers could experience both in one day, but those who would rather slow down and enjoy the scenery, should choose one or the other.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens were established in 1859 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Free to enter (and perfect for a budget trip to Singapore), the park features multiple gardens and lakes encompassing 82 hectares of land. Stroll aimlessly through the Botanic Gardens or choose specific features to visit (maps provided at the entrances and information stands).

Top Tip : Keep an eye out for local critters. During our visit, we spotted swans, butterflies, a clouded monitor lizard and a smooth-coated otter. Note: The Gardens are free to visit, but the National Orchid Garden requires a ticket ($15 SGD).

Treetop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir

MacRitchie Reservoir Park is a large nature reserve in the center of Singapore Island. Many trails cut through the park, but the Treetop Walk is, by far, the most intriguing. The 2-hour hike begins on boardwalks hovering over swampy land, then moves to dirt paths in the dense forest.

The actual Treetop Walkway is a gated bridge that connects the two highest points of the park: Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang. The 820ft/250m one-way bridge sits 82ft/25m above the forest floor. Both ends of the bridge (and the bridge itself!) are hang-out spots for the popular macaque monkeys of Singapore – of which we saw several during our hike.

Note: There are sign-posted maps at the park, but no paper maps. Take a look at this online map before you go. The MacRitchie Reservoir Treetop Walk is accessible by public bus, but takes 45 minutes to an hour each way, so be sure to calculate that into your plans. 

Top Tip : Bring a large water bottle ! Although the hike itself is not the strenuous, the humidity can take a toll. Water bottles can be refilled at the Ranger Station and Venus Drive parking lot facilities. 

Orchard Road         

Orchard Road – the most famous Singapore shopping street – got its name from the 19th century plantations that once covered the area. Today, the 1.3mi/2.2km street is chock-a-block with some 20 mega-malls and a plethora of hotels – and is surrounded by affluent Singapore neighborhoods. The Istana – the official residence of the President of Singapore lies at the east end, the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s house to the south, the Singapore Botanic Gardens to the west and Emerald Hill to the north.

Numerous luxury brands have retail space in the malls on Orchard Road – some high-end stores even create a queue outside their doors, only allowing a few shoppers inside at one time.

Although many budget travelers to Singapore may not be interested in shopping on Orchard Road, the malls are designed to entertain and are definitely one of the fun things to explore in Singapore. In addition to reveling in the free air-conditioning, we found several worthwhile sights on Orchard Road, which we outline below. 

ION Orchard

Opened in 2009, ION Orchard is home to high-end retailers such as Prada, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Cartier. On the 4th floor, however, ION Art is a free art gallery within the mall. In the mornings, guides lead guests on a cultural food walk through the mall for free. ION Sky, an observation deck, sits on the 55th floor, offering panoramic views of Singapore. Note : ION Sky is accessed with tickets that are acquired through spending $50 SGD in the mall. Read the details here . 

Orchard Gateway Library

Orchard Gateway, which connects Orchard Central mall to 313@Somerset, has six levels of retail space…but we visited to see the state-of-the-art library. Library@Orchard is the most modern, hip library we have ever seen!

Orchard Central Rooftop Garden and Art Trail

Another mall you can visit and keep your Singapore trip budget in check is Orchard Central. On the top floors of Orchard Central is an open and free rooftop garden. The space feels like a secret retreat high above the busy road and provides views to the north. The mall also displays art throughout – and offers handy pamphlets (in English) about the art (and where to find it in the mall). 

Emerald Hill Road

On the north side of Orchard Road is the curving and picturesque Emerald Hill Road. The houses lining the street were built in the early 1900s featuring Chinese Baroque architecture and today it is a highly-desirable place to live in Singapore. The pleasant and peaceful street has little traffic – a portion of it is designed as a pedestrian zone.

After walking the length of the street, retrace your steps to Orchard and stop in one of the many bars on Emerald Hill near Orchard Road for a drink (look for happy hour specials at No. 5 Emerald Hill , Alley Bar and Ice Cold Beer ). 

Singapore Map Of Sights

Use this link to Google Maps for each section for more detailed maps of district sights. Singapore Sights are listed in the order they appear on our Singapore Itinerary. Zoom in/out of the map using the + and – signs. Click on individual markers for more information. Blue Markers = Day One; Green Markers = Day 2;  Orange Markers = Day 3; Yellow Markers = Food and Drink; Purple Markers = More Sightseeing Options.

More Things To Do in Singapore

Although we’ve packed in a lot of places to visit in Singapore in 3 days, our list is by no means exhaustive! We have a few more travel planner Singapore ideas, but they do not all fit into the category of Singapore Budget Travel. 

Sentosa Island

The military-base-turned-entertainment Sentosa Island is a must-see for many Singapore tourists. The island features beaches, resorts, water parks, adventure activities and theme parks (all of which will significantly increase your Singapore cost of travel).

Sentosa is home to Universal Studios Singapore, Madam Tussauds, SEA Aquarium, 4D Adventure Park, zip lines, Sky Tower and much more. Explore on your own – or join one of the highly-rated Sentosa Island Organized Tours:

• Sentosa Island (with Cable Car, Madame Tussauds and Tiger Sky Tower) – Let a guide lead the way to Singapore’s Sentosa Island. Arrive via cable car and visit top attractions, like Sky Tower, Images of Singapore LIVE, Madame Tussauds, 4D Adventuraland and Wings of Time night show. You can book this Sentosa Tour online! 
• Sentosa Island (with Cable Car) – Ride the Cable Car to Sentosa Island then visit the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, with an option to also visit SEA Aquarium. Reserve this Sentosa Island Tour online !

If you are heading to Sentosa Island without a guide, you will want to buy these single attraction tickets in advance: 

• Universal Studios Singapore – Buy Tickets
• 4D Adventureland – Res erve Now
• Madame Tussauds – Book today
• SEA Aquarium (Skip the Line) – Buy Tickets Now
• Cable Car from mainland to Sentosa Island – Book  It Now

Most of the Sentosa Island attractions require a ticket, but there are a few free things to do in Sentosa  for those on a tight Singapore tour budget. 

Marina Barrage Singapore

Visiting the Marina Barrage is one of the Singapore sights that many tourists miss – but shouldn’t! The Marina Bay Dam was built in 2008 to maintain a fresh water supply and it was specifically designed to double as outdoor space for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Marina Barrage Walking Trail loops around for phenomenal views of the Singapore skyline. On the Marina Barrage walk, visitors can view the Supertree Grove and Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore. The wonderful green space is perfect for a picnic, flying a kite and watching a Singapore sunset. Guests with additional time can walk across the dam to the Gardens by the Bay East. 

East Coast Park Singapore 

The 9mi/15km stretch of coastline to the northeast of the Singapore city center offers another great place to enjoy the outdoors. At East Coast Park , relax on the beach, have a picnic lunch, ride a bike or just take a stroll. When you get hungry, head to East Coast Food Lagoon , a seaside hawker center cooking up classic Singapore dishes!

Top Tip : While in the area, make the effort to find Koon Seng Road , which features some of the most colorful peranakan shophouses in Singapore.

Singapore Zoo and Bird Park

The Singapore Zoo , opened in 1973, and hosts 315 species of animals – some of which are threatened species. The SG Zoo strives to house the animals in natural settings and features the largest captive colony of orangutans in the world.

The Jurong Bird Park is the largest bird park in the world (based on number of inhabitants): over 5,000 birds live in the park! The large, walk-in aviaries allow birds to fly freely in the exhibits. Flamingos, parrots and penguins are just a few of the animals that visitors will see at Jurong Bird Park.

Singapore Swimming Pools

With a location practically on the Equator, Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate – meaning, it is really hot and really humid year-round. Dipping into a swimming pool is a good way to beat the heat in Singapore. If it’s in your budget, we recommend booking a hotel with a pool (more on places to stay in Singapore below).

Entire afternoons could easily be spent in the refreshing waters of Singapore hotel swimming pools. However, if your hotel doesn’t have a pool – or if you just need a quick mid-day refresher – look for free sprinklers and water fountains located throughout Singapore. The water features are created for kids to help beat the heat – and splashing around in them is one of the things to do in Singapore for cheap (especially for families visiting Singapore). 

Singapore Riverside: Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay

On the banks of the Singapore River, there are three quays that have been developed into tourist attractions and entertainment centers.

Lined with historic shophouses, all of which are occupied by restaurants and bars, Boat Quay was the busiest port in Singapore in the late 1800s. Today, the tourist-driven strip offers riverside dining and local specialties.

Top Tip : When the restaurants at Boat Quay are not busy, you can sometimes score special pricing. Once when we arrived before 7pm, we were wooed by each hostess with free drinks and discounted prices. We agreed to terms of two free drinks each and 20% off all menu prices with riverside seats. Heaping plates of spring rolls and seafood fried rice for less than $20 satisfied our taste buds and our wallets!

Clarke Quay

Located upstream from Boat Quay is another historic port, Clarke Quay. Revitalized into one of Singapore’s top entertainment districts, visitors will find nightclubs, international chain restaurants (like Hooters) and, of course, a mall.

Robertson Quay

Even further upstream is Robertson Quay, the largest of the three wharfs in central Singapore. The area has been redeveloped into mixed-use space, including several casual eateries and bars along the waterfront. Although visited by many tourists, both expats and locals frequent Robertson Quay as well.

Top Tip : One of our favorite hawker centers, Zion Riverside Food Centre , is just a short walk from Robertson Quay – and a fantastic place to find cheap eats in Singapore. If you make the trip to this local hawker center, our top recommendations are the famous ‘Carrot Cake’ (not a dessert) at Lau Goh Teochew Chye Thow Kway made by a deaf cook and Fried Kway Teow found at stall #18 Zion Road, which will likely have an incredibly long line!

Craft Beer and Tiger Beer Brewery

Craft Beer is taking hold in Singapore and visitors can now find several craft beer bars around the city. While we are budget-conscious travelers, we have an affection for craft beer and seek it out wherever we go. During our visits to Singapore, we have found a few craft beer bars that were too good to pass by (especially if they were offering happy hour deals!).

• Hospoda Microbrewery – small microbrewery with happy hour
• Druggist – hip craft beer bar and restaurant with a wide variety
• TAP Craft Beer Bar at Robertson Quay – good selection of beer from around the world
• LeVel 33 – world’s highest brewery with super view of Marina Bay
• Smith Street Taps – multiple taps of craft beer at an upstairs hawker stall in the Chinatown Food Complex

However, even with happy hour specials, don’t expect cheap beer…craft or otherwise. Drinking in Singapore will likely put a dent in any budget.

Singapore’s most famous locally-produced beer, Tiger Beer, offers brewery tours . The Tiger Beer brand dates to 1932 and this tour educates visitors on the brewing process, the history of beer in Singapore and includes tastings.

Day Trips From Singapore

Because of its location, Singapore day trips are somewhat limited. Short trips from Singapore city center include Batam Island (Indonesia), Sentosa Island (see above) and Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur and Malacca – Sharing a border with Malaysia, it is difficult to be so close and not venture into the neighboring country! Day trippers can see the highlights of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur , on their own (top sights include Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves) or hire a guide for a private, full-day trip , which also includes visiting Malacca, a colonial-era UNESCO town full of history and charm!

Singapore Round-Island Tour – Tour the city-nation island in a bus . The Singapore one-day tour includes visiting attractions like the Henderson Waves pedestrian bridge, a Chinese folklore and history park, the Kranji War Memorial, Bright Hill Temple and a river cruise!

Pro Tip: For more DIY day trips from Singapore, consider traveling across the border to Malaysia and Johor Bahru , perhaps to visit LegoLand , (but the journey in itself can be a fascinating experience). 

More Singapore Itineraries and Singapore Trip Planner Tips

We think our outlined itinerary includes the best things to do in Singapore in 3 days – but what if you have less or more time? Use the following suggested Singapore itinerary tips to help plan your time.

Pro Tip:  Consider using our Travel Planning Printables to get your vacation to Singapore organized!

One Day in Singapore

Let’s be frank: 1 day in Singapore is not enough! But, if a Singapore one-day trip is all you have, then we suggest making the most of it. To plan a Singapore layover trip, you will want to squeeze the best things to see in Singapore in 1 day. 

Singapore One-Day Trip

We think the best 1-day Singapore Itinerary is to stick to the top sights that are centrally located. To plan your day, start with our Singapore Day 1 Itinerary (above) and consider joining a Night Sightseeing Tour with River Boat Cruise .

Singapore Itinerary 2 Days

Wondering what to do in Singapore in 2 days? Use our 3-day plan and select your top choices of places to visit in Singapore in 2 days…then fit them all into your two days of sightseeing!

Singapore 2-Day Itinerary

When planning things to do in Singapore in 2 days, we recommend using our tips for things to see in Singapore in 3 days…but rearranging it a bit. Start your trip by following the above One Day Itinerary Singapore and then begin Day 2 at the Botanical Gardens, skip the Southern Ridges walk, and continue with neighborhood exploration outlined in Day 2 (Kampong Glam, Bugis and Little India).

Singapore Itinerary 4 Days

Planning what to do in Singapore in 4 days is simple if you use our 3-Day outline as a base. When planning things to do in Singapore in 4 days, you can either decide to spend more time in nature or splurge a little for a fun day at the amusement parks.

Singapore 4-Day Itinerary

With 4 days in Singapore, use our suggestions of the top things to do in Singapore in 3 days and then start your last day in Singapore at either the Botanic Gardens or MacRitchie Treetop Walk (whichever you skipped on Day 3). Spend the afternoon relaxing at East Coast Park – or rachet it up a notch and experience the fun of Sentosa Island.

Singapore Itinerary 5 Days

There is no problem finding things to do in Singapore in 5 days! In fact, with a Singapore Itinerary for 5 days, you can expand your sightseeing to regional discovery. 

Singapore 5-Day Itinerary

Spending 5 days in Singapore allows for plenty of time to explore! We recommend following our guide of places to see in Singapore in 3 days, then take a day trip around the island or to Malaysia (either on your own to Johor Bahru or on an organized tour to Kuala Lumpur). Then on your last day, follow our tips for what to do in Singapore in 4 days just above.

Singapore Itinerary 6 Days

With 6 days in Singapore, you can have a much more relaxed trip. Rather than stuffing all the sights, attractions and places to visit in Singapore in 5 days, we suggest spreading out the sightseeing so you don’t wear yourself out.

Singapore 6-Day Itinerary

To plan things to do in Singapore in 6 days, we suggest following our advice of places to visit in Singapore in 5 days (above). Then, spend half-days touring neighborhoods, and the afternoons swimming at your hotel pool or shopping at a mall,

Singapore Itinerary 7 Days

A full week in Singapore allows plenty of time to really get to know the city! Visitors with a week in Singapore will find that they can do and see quite a lot – all at a comfortable sightseeing pace. 

Singapore One-Week Trip

For the best plan of what to do in Singapore for a week, we recommend following our tips for 6 days in Singapore and then revisit a favorite neighborhood. Another idea for a 1-Week Itinerary Singapore would be to spend one entire day at Sentosa Island, East Coast Park or MacRitchie Reservoir.

Singapore Itinerary 10 Days

With 10 days in Singapore visitors have plenty of time to see the sights, eat the food, enjoy the nature and relax at the pool. To create your perfect 10-Day Singapore Itinerary, we recommend using our suggestions for things to do in Singapore in 7 days and then select more sightseeing options from our More Singapore Things To Do section above.

Top Tip : Truly, we think the best itinerary for Singapore is one that fits your interests, timeline, sightseeing style and budget. We hope you find our tips of what to visit in Singapore in 3 days helpful for your itinerary planner for Singapore!

Budget For Singapore Trip

We tried our best to make our 3 days in Singapore budget-friendly by highlighting the top cheap things to do in Singapore (including many of the very best things to do in Singapore for free!). Rather than paying for a guide, you can save the Singapore city tour cost by using our self-guided walks. Instead of paying for high-dollar attractions, you can explore Singapore’s natural beauty. 

That said, there are some concrete costs involved when planning a trip to Singapore. Getting there, accommodations and food all contribute to the overall trip to Singapore cost. Visiting ticketed attractions and drinking alcohol can significantly inflate your Singapore trip cost, too. 

Budget Travel Singapore

When trying to plan cheap travel to Singapore, there are certainly things visitors can do to ensure their trip will come in under budget.

Generally speaking, accommodation is very expensive. Finding the best place to stay in Singapore on a budget can be a real task (we give a few specific tips below).

On the other hand, Singapore public transportation is very affordable…which can help balance out the high cost of lodging. 

As we have already mentioned, many attractions cost a small fortune, which is why we eliminated them from our 3 Day Itinerary in Singapore. Visitors who want to splurge for these sights can still save money with sightseeing discount cards (which we detail momentarily).

One thing that can be found affordably throughout Singapore is food – and really good food, at that! The best place to find cheap eats is at hawker stands – and we shared our favorite places throughout our Singapore 3 Days Itinerary blog post. 

How To Travel in Singapore on a Budget

Our best advice for you as you plan your Singapore trip in 3 days is to create a budget which allows you to save when you can…so you can splurge when you want to!

Everyone’s budget is different – so it is difficult to say how much to budget for a Singapore trip. However, using our sightseeing in Singapore – and our accommodation tips below – it is possible to keep Singapore trip expenses to about $100 USD per day, per person.

Top Tip : Check current conversions for your vacation to Singapore.

Singapore Sightseeing Tickets

Sightseeing in Singapore can be expensive, but choosing the right sightseeing pass can certainly save you money. Each Singapore tourist card has it’s benefits; we recommend researching each offer to find the one that is right one for you! 

Sightseeing Pass Singapore

There are two types of Singapore Travel Cards : one that allows users to select a specific number of sights to visit OR one that allows unlimited entry to sights for a set number of days. Depending on your style of travel and sightseeing ambitions, you can choose the card that will provide the most cost-saving benefit.

Singapore Super Saver: Universal Studios and SEA Aquarium

See two of the top Sentosa Island attractions in one day with a discounted combo ticket for Universal Studios and SEA Aquarium. With the two-attraction pass, visitors can split the day between the two sights for a full day’s worth of fun!

Singapore City Pass

The 5-Day Singapore Sightseeing Pass includes admission to Universal Studios, a 2-day Hopper Pass, Open-Top bus tour, plus two more attractions of your choice. This is a great sightseeing pass for tourists who like to see and do it all!

The Singapore Pass

The Singapore Pass is based on number of sights and/or days (with upgraded options available) and includes public transportation. The Singapore Pass also includes some sights not available with other cards, like the Singapore Flyer and Tiger Brewery Tour. 

Singapore Public Transportation

Taxis are notoriously expensive, but with the incredible network of public transportation in Singapore, we never had to take a taxi! Instead, we relied solely on the cheap buses and efficient MRT to get around Singapore.

The minimum fare for a ride on the Singapore MRT (underground) and buses varies from $1.50 SGD to $3.50 SGD. Fares are calculated based on distance and most of our rides within the city center costs about $2 SGD.

Singapore Transportation Cards

There are two types of transportation cards, one of which needs to be purchased in advance of using the system. Choosing which card is right for you requires a bit of thought.

The Standard Ticket is a popular choice for visitors, but it doesn’t work on buses.

A stored value SmartCard (either EZ-link or Nets FlashPay), however, can be used on the MRT and buses. The SmartCard can also be used in some convenience stores (like 7-11).

However, there are some drawbacks to either card. First, there is an actual cost to the card and a top-up minimum (which can be frustrating if you are on your last day and only need a couple more rides).

We knew we were going to ride buses (the MRT doesn’t go to MacRitchie Treetop Walk, for example – and the buses are more convenient than finding an MRT station some of the time), so we opted for the SmartCard. There is an option to refund the remaining value at the airport, but instead, we used our small balance to buy a few snacks from the 7-11 at the airport! 

Top Tip : Find the most current fares (along with a fare calculator), route maps and an explanation of card types on the official SG public transport website . 

Final Tips To Plan a Trip to Singapore

Now that you know how to plan a trip for Singapore on a budget, we have some general advice to help ensure you have a fabulous vacation!

Singapore Travel Planner Tips

If you are planning a budget trip, you will likely have to forego hiring a Singapore city tour guide…but we have a few tips that can help.

Singapore Language

Singapore recognizes four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Most government signs and information plaques will include all four and English is widely spoken. It is important to note, however, that due to the many languages and dialects, spelling variations of sights in English often occur. 

Go Underground

Underground air-conditioned walkways connect Singapore below the surface – often leading to MRT stations. Pedestrians can also use the underground passages to get from one side of the street to the other to avoid traffic (and the heat!). 

Singapore Laws

Singapore has a reputation for strict laws and stiff penalties. On buses and trains in Singapore, there are hefty fines for consuming food or beverage. We never actually saw signs for Singapore’s infamous ‘no chewing gum’ law, but we also didn’t see anyone chewing it…or selling it…and it certainly wasn’t stuck to the ground anywhere!

Where To Stay in Singapore On A Budget

Accommodations are often the biggest cost of a Singapore trip. Finding affordable places to stay in Singapore can be a real challenge – but it is not impossible! 

We use Airbnb as our go-to resource for finding inexpensive places to stay, however, short-term rentals are technically illegal in Singapore. There are still listings on Airbnb that are available for rent, but due to the strict nature of the country, we were not inclined to break laws in Singapore.

Best Budget Places To Stay in Singapore

On our trips to Singapore, we have stayed in hotels near the city center, at a hotel across the border in Johor Bahru, Malaysia and in an apartment as pet and housesitters . 

Finding inexpensive hotels in Singapore isn’t easy. As much as we would have loved to book a room at the Marina Bay Sands (for no other reason than to walk around in the bathrobes and swim in the ridiculous pool!), it just wasn’t in our budget. After searching high and low for affordable Singapore accommodations, we found a few Singapore hotels that fit the bill. 

Kam Leng Hotel – Located near Little India, the basic, no-frills room was suitable, but the hotel doesn’t have a pool and breakfast was not included (the Nasi Lemak restaurant next door, however, is amazing!).

Hotel Mi – The rooms were quite small, but modern, and the hotel has a wonderful pool and a breakfast café onsite (extra cost) – and it’s conveniently located right next to an MRT station.

Doubletree by Hilton in Johor Bahru – The luxurious Doubletree Hilton across the border in Malayasia, with an incredible pool and inexpensive services, was surprisingly affordable. However, it was a 2-hour commute to and from the Singapore city center. The lengthy travels included a somewhat entertaining, yet cumbersome, border crossing – but overall, we really enjoyed our stay in Johor Bahru .

To find a hotel in Singapore within your budget, we recommend searching for highly-rated hotels on Booking.com – but first read our top tips for getting the Best Deals on Hotels !

Want to become Pet and Housesitters ? Join Trusted Housesitters and find house and petsitting opportunities around the world! Read more about how to become an International Housesitter !

Getting To Singapore

Singapore is best reached by plane. Changi  is the main (and world-famous) airport in Singapore (seriously, the airport has gardens, art installations – check out the mesmerizing Kinetic Rain feature – movie theaters and a rooftop pool!).

For our visits to Singapore we have arrived on direct flights from Brisbane, Australia and Helsinki, Finland and departed to Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Hanoi, Vietnam . There’s even direct (and very long flights ) from the US to Singapore departing from New York , LA and San Francisco . When we need to purchase plane tickets , we start our search for the best flight deals on Skyscanner.

What To Pack For Your Trip to Singapore

In this travel guide to Singapore, we have covered just about everything you need for your trip! Our final tips cover a few items you will want to be sure to pack in your suitcase or backpack . Be sure to also check out all of our Packing Hacks ! 

Walking Shoes

Singapore is a walkable city…but only if you have the right travel shoes ! Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for your trip. I (Sarah) have traveled with these comfy shoes by Columbia that are perfect for hot and humid cities and these flip flops , which I can wear on long days of sightseeing. Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell for urban adventures.

Travel Camera for Singapore Photography

We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your vacation to Singapore. Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights of Singapore, upgrade to an actual travel camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel and use an 18-135mm lens that is perfect for city shots and think it’s an excellent budget travel camera .

Day Bag, Wifi and Singapore Map

Throughout our Itinerary for Singapore, we include links to maps and more information – but to access them you need to be connected! Travelers can inquire about adjusting their phone plans to include international data or – if your phone in unlocked – buy a local SIM card. 

However, we think the better option is to travel with a personal mobile WiFi hotspot . We own a GlocalMe hotspot – and love it! Top features are that we can buy data online (rather than having to buy SIM cards), which means we are connected from the moment we land and can connect up to 10 devices at one time. Additionally, the hotspot doubles as a power bank, so we can keep devices charged throughout the day!

Additionally, we find having an actual Map of Singapore is helpful for both trip planning and actual navigation. Of course, you’ll also need a Great Day Bag to organize all of your everyday travel items .

Singapore Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may protect against delayed flights and lost luggage , or if you get sick or injured abroad. If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, consider traveling protected with World Nomads .

Start planning your trip to Singapore ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page !

We want to know:   Have you visited Singapore on a budget? What would you add to our Singapore Itinerary? Give us your best tips and advice of the top things to do in Singapore in the comments! 

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The Perfect 4 Day Singapore Itinerary For First Time Visitors

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: November 29, 2023

Categories Singapore

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia, small in size but so much fun to visit!

From colorful Little India to the beautiful views of the Singapore skyline, the lovely Gardens by the Bay, bustling Chinatown, hidden green pockets like the Mount Faber Loop, and much more.

Singapore has been one of our most treasured destinations for as long as we can remember, and we use this post as a tribute of our personal undying love for this magical place.

On our recent trip back to Singapore in spring of 2023, we managed to polish off all the details that were bound to change since the original version was written: That first stay in the City of Gardens blew our minds away, leaving us smitten with every nook and cranny of the green megapolis. So, get ready for the new and improved Singapore travel guidebook!

Read this 4 day Singapore itinerary with lots of tips to make the most of your first-time visit to Singapore!

Singapore itinerary

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Things to know when planning a trip to Singapore

If you are wondering when to visit Singapore: Singapore is a great year-round destination as it never gets cold. We visited in May when average temperatures are around 27 degrees Celsius. The average daily temperature in Singapore is very stable throughout the year and generally only fluctuates between 25-30 degrees Celsius. If you are looking to avoid the rainy season, stay clear of November, December, and January (when most of the rain falls).

For 80% of the world's countries, the answer is no, as lots of nationalities can visit Singapore for a period of 30 days or 90 days without a visa. More information can be found on the Singapore Visa information website .

The Singapore tourist pass includes entry to many of the most popular attractions in Singapore, including Universal Studios, Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer, and many more! With a Singapore Pass, you can get a discount of up to 52% . That being said, it depends on your itinerary if the Singapore Pass is value for money. My recommendation is to make a list of the Singapore main attractions you want to visit and add all the entrance fees. Compare this amount with the cost of the Singapore Pass and you'll know if the Singapore Pass is worth getting. Click here to get your Singapore Pass .

Plan your Singapore trip like a pro with these tools: ✅ Get your Singapore tourist pass for a discount of up to 52% on Singapore's top attractions. ✅ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ✅ Book the best tours with Klook and Get Your Guide . ✅ Stay connected with a  Singapore SIM card . ✅ Plan your journey with the  Singapore Lonely Planet . ✅ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Is Singapore worth visiting?

Yes, wholeheartedly yes! While Singapore was very different than the other countries we visited in Southeast Asia ( Philippines , Vietnam , Cambodia , Thailand , Laos , and  Malaysia ), I loved our trip to Singapore.

You may wonder how Singapore is different from its neighboring countries. Well, just a couple of things off the top of my head… (and 21 things more in this article )

Singapore is very organized!

From the moment I arrived at the airport it became very clear that Singapore is extremely organized:

• Information is listed in 4 languages (English, Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay).
• Getting through customs and getting a passport stamp is effortless because of the ingenious system of automatically opening gates with red and green lights.
• There is a free shuttle train taking us to the terminal where the MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) departs to the city center. What a difference with Manila, where the absence of a free shuttle and a total lack of cash had me in tears .

Singapore is very clean!

Southeast Asia is great, really, I loved it! But it’s not clean… There is so much (plastic) trash lying next to the roads, floating in the water, and piled up on the city streets.

Not in Singapore though, the city is spotless! Bins everywhere, grass that looks so straight as if it has been cut with nail clippers (I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually is;-), clean and maintained buildings, the newest cars, and the shiniest shopping malls…

(Public) transport in Singapore is very reliable!

Everyone who has been to Southeast Asia knows that even though the driver of the minivan/bus/tuk-tuk/etc. says he’ll take you from point A to point B, you never know exactly where you are going to end up.

Like the time I bought a bus ticket from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and was dropped off at Vang Vieng’s new bus station.

Which is ‘conveniently’ located 2km out of town. And obviously jam-packed with friendly tuk-tuk drivers willing to take you to the city center. For a friendly price that is…

Or the time I thought I booked transportation from Hue to Hoi An and it turned out to be a full-blown tour taking the entire day.

Or that time in the Philippines , when I booked a ticket with Roro bus that was supposed to be so many things and turned out the be the complete opposite of those things.

None of this ‘nonsense' in Singapore. In Singapore, there is the easy to understand-communicated-in-4-languages-always-on-time-super-reliable-MRT.

The MRT will get you to all Singapore tourist attractions without any hassle!

I could probably go on for a while, but let’s just say it was a nice change of pace. And funnily enough, I found myself missing the chaos of Southeast Asia after a couple of days in structured Singapore!

If you’re scared about navigating a vast metro system in a new and foreign country (although you don’t ever have to worry about getting lost in Singapore’s underground, it’s that easy to find your way inside MRT), we encourage you to stick with the good old Grab — one of the most vastly used taxi services in Singapore (and the most reliable, might we add). To give you the approximate rundown, our ride from Changi Airport to Chinatown cost us S$20, — from which you can gather that shorter inner-city movements will cost you much less.

Best hotels in Singapore

One of the most important things when planning your Singapore trip is finding the perfect place to stay.

As you will learn further down in the article, both Chinatown and Little India are perfect for a short stay in Singapore. They are practically overflowing with tourist attractions and top-notch eateries, and, thanks to MRT stations peppered in the neighborhoods, you can easily reach Singapore’s Downtown in record time.

During our last trip to Singapore, we decided to follow our own advice and stay in Chinatown. Our choice fell on one of the cheapest (but still well-reviewed) options in the area — Wink Capsule Hostel . The private room that we got had its issues (like zero wiggle room and thin walls, that can result in all kinds of noises disturbing your sleep), but the pros definitely outweighed the cons: The closeness to the MRT station, followed by a mere 5-minute ride to Marina Bay Sands, and the price of $85 per night compensated for a less-then-desirable sleeping experience.

Of course, if you look hard enough, you can manage to find great hotels with adequate pricing (adequate by Singapore’s standards, at least) in almost any neighborhood of the city . We have managed to create the list of our top recommendations for Singapore accommodation, and we’re more than happy to share it with you!

Note: Prices for these hotels depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices mentioned above are a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Use ‘click here' to see the latest prices on Agoda and Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

Singapore 4 day itinerary with the best things to do in Singapore

There are so many places to visit in Singapore, you could easily spend weeks and not run out of places to see (or things to eat ).

However, I only spent four days in Singapore, involving a lot of sightseeing, walking, and sweating.

With temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 90%, it is impossible not to sweat. Unless you stay indoors all day.

I guess this is actually quite possible because of the MRT and the countless air-conditioned malls. But that would mean you'll miss all the fun, so I say: walk, walk, walk!

If you don't want to (or can't) walk everywhere, have less than 4 days in Singapore or if you're traveling with small children, the best way to see many of the highlights mentioned in this post is by booking a (1 or 2 day) ticket for the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus .

What to do in Singapore in 4 days

• Singapore day 1: admire the Singapore skyline, visit Gardens by the Bay , marvel at the Marina Bay Sands ( click here to find out how much spending a night will cost you ),  stroll around Chinatown , visit the Singapore City Gallery, take a picture of the Merlion, and watch the Singapore skyline by night.
• Singapore day 2:  explore colorful Little India, check out the Raffles Hotel, and explore Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay, and walk around Fort Canning Park.
• Singapore day 3:   visit Sentosa Island , admire the views from The Pinnacle@Duxton and the Marina Bay Sands observation deck .
• Singapore day 4:  either hike the Mount Faber Loop, the Henderson Waves, Alexander Arch, and Canopy Walkway, or spend the day at Singapore Zoo. Alternatively, start your day off at Singapore Botanic Gardens and then finish it with the TreeTop Walk.

Below you can find all the nitty gritty details: where to go in Singapore, a Singapore tourist map, and pictures of all the highlights in Singapore.

Singapore itinerary day 1

Itinerary : Singapore Skyline by day – Gardens by the Bay – Marina Bay Sands – Chinatown – Singapore City Gallery – Merlion and Singapore skyline by night

Click here for the interactive map on Google

Now, we know that not everybody planning a trip to the Lion City is counting on staying in Singapore for four days straight, since layovers and short stays are so widely advertised and encouraged here. Because of that, you can actually take all the places we mention in this post and rearrange them to best suit your Singapore timeline.

However, why go through all the trouble of researching the itineraries yourself, when we went ahead and did it for you: Click to get the tried-and-tested One Day Singapore Itinerary that covers all the touristy bases, while also providing you with priceless information on how to get the most out of your stay in Singapore if you only have 24 hours in the city.

If you’re blessed with more time in Singapore (you lucky dog!), then follow along our Four Day Singapore Itinerary: It’s much more laid-back and comprehensive. So, without further ado, here’re the things to see during your day one (not to be confused with one day) in Singapore:

Singapore skyline

Singapore has one of the most famous skylines in the world which can be found in Singapore's downtown core. This should be one of the first places to go in Singapore! Day or night, the Singapore skyline is beautiful and impressive.

One of the best places to admire the skyline is from the Marina Bay Sands observation deck (more information can be found below).

Alternatively, if paying to witness the sprawling vistas of this wonderful city alone doesn’t cut it for you, you can always pop into CÉ LA VI SkyBar and add a boozy touch to the whole experience (a Mai Tai in hand (S$25) usually makes everything better).

Located on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands, this hidden gem of a bar has a terrific terrace with truly unbeatable views. The bar requires a general entry fee of S$30 that can be redeemed on food and drinks, but we have a handy tip for an average Scrooge descendant: At evening rush hour, the servers tend to get really overwhelmed, thus they can miss a couple of tourists who are only there for a photo and nothing more. So, you might get a spectacular free (if lucky) viewing experience. You didn’t hear it from us!

When it comes to a truly free viewing point to enjoy Singapore skyline, we can think of a stunning boulevard that connects two of the city’s iconic landmarks:

• The Helix Bridge — constructed to resemble a human’s DNA strand, the bridge is a destination in and of itself; and together with a few viewing platforms, it becomes one of the best places to enjoy the panoramas of the city;
• The Esplanade — durian-shaped theater on the bay that is considered the heart of Singapore’s art scene, with great shows and performances and unobscured views of the skyline.

Actually, there are SO many beautiful views in Singapore — both paid and free — that we've even come up with an idea of creating a detailed post about the best viewpoints in the city !

The Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is definitely one of the most famous Singapore attractions. Standing 165 meters tall, this is the world’s second tallest Ferris Wheel, offering great 360° views over Singapore.

A ride in one of the wheel’s pods is guaranteed to be the one for the ages, and the added combo access to Time Capsule — a multimedia exhibition that draws you into Singapore’s past, present, and future — gives a profound meaning to an otherwise superficial attraction.

The whole shebang will cost you S$40, and there are plenty of upgrades: If you want to add booze (either a flute of sparkling bubbly or a signature Singapore Sling), the experience will go up in price (S$79 for the champagne and S$69 for the iconic cocktail).

Click here to book a ticket online.

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is one of the best places to visit in Singapore. You could easily spend an entire day exploring this wonderful green oasis located in the very center of Singapore.

With an impressive 1.5 million (!) plants, it’s a dream of any nature lover. Every nook and cranny of this vast space has some unique green-adjacent attraction that can entertain children and adults alike. We’re here to highlight the parts of the gardens that you should absolutely never miss if you find yourself in this inexplicably verdant slice of Singapore:

• Supertree Grove — a grove of 12 supertrees (steel structures that resemble giant trees (and even act like them, collecting rain, water, and sunlight), with a free (!) entry and a spectacular light show happening each night (more on this later). The space is also home to a 22-meter high OCBC Skyway — a bridge that connects two supertrees. Because the point of view from up there is more unique, this attraction requires a fee of S$12 for a 15-minute experience. The Skyway activity is highly dependent on the weather, so if you see clouds starting to gather, hurry up before the rain comes: As soon as it begins to drizzle, visitors get escorted off the bridge, with no refunds in sight.
• Flower Dome Conservatory — one of the largest greenhouses in the world, a celebration of all plants: Both blooming and other, weirder, subcategories. An olive grove, a flower field, a succulent garden, and even bottle-shaped and bootylicious baobabs, — your camera roll will be boasting with color, that’s a guarantee!
• Cloud Forest Conservatory — our personal favorite part of Gardens by the Bay, this domed conservatory is home to the second largest artificial indoor waterfall (second only to the one inside Changi Airport). As you enter the space, you’re immediately hit with misty air, strongly affirming the “cloud” part of the attraction’s name. A tall luscious mountain in the center of the conservatory is clad with all kinds of ecosystems; you can explore them up close or from high above by doing one of the two walks: The Cloud Walk and The Tree Top Walk. A combo ticket to Cloud Forest and Flower Dome costs S$53.

Buy your tickets for Gardens by the Bay here.

Families should also check out the Children’s Garden, which is a great (and free) place in Singapore to visit with kids .

New attractions are the Floral Fantasy, a dream-like garden landscape, and the Serene Garden, which was inspired by the minimalist concept of Japanese Zen gardens. Don’t forget to also check out the giant Floating Baby structure that can be found on the hills of Gardens by the Bay.

Marina Bay Sands

You probably have seen pictures of the world-famous Marina Bay Sands , which was completed in 2010.

When looking at this iconic Singapore building, you'll find yourself wondering how one comes up with an idea like this. It wasn't cheap to build either, costing a whopping $8 billion (SGD).

The Marina Bay Sands complex houses a hotel, an upscale mall with indoor canals, two theaters, lots of fancy restaurants, and the world's largest atrium casino.

If that weren’t enough, on top of the building you can find a large infinity swimming pool. While incredibly sought-after, the pool is off-limits to anyone but the hotel’s guests (the rule is strictly enforced, so don’t think you’re one of the sly untouchable tourists that can wiggle in the place you’re not allowed).

Still, the panoramas opening up from the top floors of Marina Bay Sands are worth paying for: But you don’t have to be a Rockefeller to get the experience. Apart from the aforementioned option of going to a bar inside the hotel, you can also do the most touristy thing ever and buy a ticket to the SkyPark Observation Deck for S$30. The views of Singapore’s Skyline, with a massive green patch of Gardens by the Bay and the unique-looking Esplanade are worth every penny, that’s for sure!

Marina Bay Sands is one of the places in Singapore that should be on any Singapore sightseeing itinerary.

Book your observation deck ticket online to skip the queues.

Or, if you have something very special to celebrate, consider spending the night at the amazing Marina Bay Sands. Be warned, this doesn't come cheap…

Singapore's Chinatown

In Singapore's Chinatown, you will find quaint little streets, colorful houses, historic low-rise buildings, boutique shops, and many restaurants. Pictures of Chinatown are bound to take up at least half of your camera roll, and for good reason: It’s here that charming little houses built in Sino-Portuguese style sit beside soaring futuristic skyscrapers, creating a dichotomy that is so pleasing to the eye.

Don't try to follow a particular route, it's more fun to get lost in the maze-like streets of this great neighborhood in Singapore.

Alternatively, join this walking tour by a former Chinatown resident and listen to her wonderful tales about life in this vibrant neighborhood.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

A relatively young addition to Chinatown’s neighborhood (the temple is only 15 years of age), this Buddhist place of worship is an important landmark to visit when in the area.

It’s name is no joke: They say that the actual Buddha tooth is located within its walls. It’s technically available for public viewing, but it’s so small and shown in such an inconvenient manner, that you probably won’t catch a glimpse of this sacred relic.

Don’t worry though, there’s plenty more things to see both inside and outside the temple. It’s a five-story, grandiose structure that has the most inviting (and dare we say, embellished to a tee) interiors. Expect to see lots of gold and tons of Buddha statues!

The temple is a working place of worship, so please be considerate and dress modestly. And while the entry to the temple is free, it’s good to have a few coins on you to give out as donations.

The Sri Mariamman Temple

In Chinatown, you can find the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Hindu temple. Try to count how many people and animals are displayed at this intricate and colorful entrance!

You can enter the temple free of charge (remember to dress properly!), however, a small donation is requested if you want to take pictures inside.

Food in Chinatown

If you feel hungry after walking around the temple, head down to the (almost secret) Lian Xin Vegetarian Food Court, which is located just below the temple. Not a lot of tourists know about this quite tasty and affordable eatery, but still, avoid it at lunch hour: The lines will be long. However, if you come at around 11 a.m., you’re guaranteed all the vegetarian and vegan options to stuff your face with (you can’t even imagine what spin this restaurant places on their rice and noodle dishes — you will never be the same after eating here). One last thing to note is that the place closes quite early, at 2:30 p.m.

Speaking of food, Chinatown is “the” place to eat well and cheap. We understand the appeal of stumbling on a great place yourself, but unfortunately, if you have only four days in Singapore, the risk is not worth it (just imagine your disappointment of having a less-than-average meal instead of a top-notch experience in a tried-and-tested place). So, we went ahead and did all the dirty work for you, coming up with a short list of places you absolutely must visit to grab a bite in while in Chinatown:

• ☕ Homeground Coffee Roasters — located on a charming Teo Hong Road, this coffee shop serves the best breakfast experience in all of Singapore. Their coffee is roasted and brewed to perfection, so go ahead and get a hearty dish (like Homies Breakfast (S$28): Eggs, sausage, all the works) and pair it with your caffeinated drink of choice. You will have enough energy to last you through an entire day of sightseeing and exploring Singapore.
• 🍸Papa Doble — with an aura of exclusivity like nowhere else in Singapore, this speakeasy bar and restaurant has the most immaculate vibes ever known to man. Awarded a place among World’s 50 Best Bars, coming here won’t be a mistake. Take the edge off with one of their craft cocktails (their iconic Papa Doble (S$26) for the win) and definitely don’t drink on an empty stomach: Pulled pork burger or their delectable Basque cheesecake (whatever you’re in the mood for) will get your body through a little day drinking, as a treat!
• 🍦Apiary — a small-batch creamery that will play along with your sweet tooth cravings. Among the big variety of ice-cream flavors, we encourage you to go outside your comfort zone: Definitely try their lavender and blue milk ice-cream (and don’t forget to pair it with a freshly made waffle). A single scoop (S$5) definitely won’t be enough, so maybe forget about your diet for a moment and get a double (S$9) or a triple (S$12) scoop. And grab some kombucha for the road — Singapore’s hot and humid weather requires round-the-clock hydration!

The Singapore City Gallery

In the Singapore City Gallery, an 11-meter scale model of the city is on display.

You will be truly impressed by the amount of planning involved to maximize the use of the limited number of square meters available in this tiny country.

What’s even more exciting is that you get to learn all of the interesting facts that went into creating the urban background of the city (starting from its humble beginnings as a fishing village) for free! Even if you aren’t that fond of city planning, you will still appreciate the made-to-scale model of Singapore’s Downtown.

The Merlion

The Merlion is one of the Singapore landmarks you can't miss. This water-spewing stone lion with a fishtail is a bit weird and perhaps even a little ugly…

However, the Merlion is a Singapore icon and definitely one of the places of interest in Singapore.

The Merlion Park surrounding the statue (do not get your hopes up, it’s not a park-park, just a small piece of land with manicured hedges and clean pavement) has free entrance, so try and come here in the early hours of the day. That way, you won’t have to fight crowds of tourists for the chance to get the best shot of this mystical creature.

Singapore skyline by night

The Singapore skyline may look even more beautiful by night than by day! Be sure to time your visit so you can watch Spectra , a daily light show on the water happening right in front of Marina Bay Sands Mall.

Each night, there are two 15-minute long light and water shows (think lasers and water jets, but even more impressive than you could ever imagine!) starting at exactly 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, there’s an additional, third, show happening at 10 p.m. The spectacle is completely free of charge and can be enjoyed from various viewpoints (you can decipher the best ones by the amount of tourists hanging out in clusters). Though even ample viewing spaces still can get crowded, so try and call dibs on a good spot beforehand.

However, Spectra isn’t the only lightshow brightening up the Singapore skyline each night. Garden Rhapsody — another lightshow, this time at Supertree Grove, is just as exciting as the aforementioned spectacle. The giant trees come alive with thousands of rainbow-colored lights, and their movement (that is married to a music chosen for that particular show) makes the whole experience that much more mesmerizing: Hypnotic, even!

This performance is also free to all who want to watch it, and the best way to enjoy the show is by laying on the grass right beneath the supertrees and looking up at the colorful spectacle. Remember that plenty of onlookers come to watch the shows (there are two of them, starting at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.), so claim your patch of greenery in advance.

The great thing about these two shows is that they’re located super close to each other. So if you can’t decide on what program to choose for your first day in Singapore evening viewing, then try these steps:

• Come to watch the Supertree show at 7:45 p.m., but not from the hill beneath them: Choose the viewing deck of Marina Bay Sands (otherwise it will take you close to an hour to reach your other destination).
• Then, before watching the Garden Rhapsody in its entirety, run on over to enjoy Spectra. Its four-part program hasn’t changed a bit since the first time we witnessed it (since 2018 — the simpler times!), but it still manages to leave you awe-stricken and amazed, every time!

This is pretty much it for you first day in Singapore (your legs are already sore, aren’t they?), but if you don’t have more days in the city, remember to consult with our post , where we give you a more packed one day itinerary (after that one, you’ll sleep like a baby after a shift at Bath&Body Works during Black Friday).

For all of you who allotted a little bit more time to explore this magical city, get a good night’s rest: You will need all the energy you can gather to take on our Singapore day two itinerary. Here we go!

Singapore itinerary day 2

Itinerary : Little India – Raffles Hotel – Boat Quay – Clarke Quay – Robertson Quay – Fort Canning Park

Little India

Little India is another neighborhood that should be on your Singapore must-see list. In this area, you can find one of the most colorful houses in the world (pictured above).

There are also many great restaurants (especially on Serangoon Road and Race Course Road), lots of tailors and jewelry shops, and the famous Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.

To highlight one of our favorite places in Singapore (food-wise), Komala Vilas Restaurant is, coincidentally, just a stone’s throw away from the aforementioned lavish Hindu place of worship — Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. The restaurant should be your ultimate go-to for some hearty authentic Indian dishes when in Singapore. Don’t forget to get some Masala chai to go with the giant portions of whatever it is you’re in the mood for: Be it curry, dosay, biryani, — all the works!

The Raffles Hotel

The famous Raffles hotel opened its doors in 1887 and has just been reopened after a thorough restoration.

Known as the place where the Singapore Sling was invented, this hotel was featured in several movies and hosted many celebrities (such as Charlie Chaplin, Ernest Hemingway, and even Michael Jackson) throughout the years.

What’s a Singapore Sling, you might wonder? It’s a gin-based, fruity, and rose-hued cocktail that was originally created so that the ladies could consume alcohol in public (since it looks like there’s no liquor inside, due to it’s color and general presentation).

There are many places in Singapore where you can give this drink a try, but the Raffles Hotel’s very own Long Bar (the birthplace of this national cocktail) is the way to go, hands down! Just be ready to spend S$39 (around S$47 after tax and service) for the Singapore Sling — after all, you’re not only paying for the drink, but also for the authentic experience!

Even if staying at the Raffles is above budget, it's one of Singapore's famous places worth passing by.

Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay

Visiting Clarke Quay is definitely one of the things to do in Singapore at night, as this area is famous for its riverside restaurants and bars.

However, this is also a popular Singapore activity by day as it's an area with lots of history. Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay have been the center of trade since the founding of Singapore.

While Clarke Quay takes the reigns as the most popular area with tourists compared to other two quays, it still doesn’t mean you should discard the lesser known ones from your Singapore itinerary altogether.

Boat Quay’s general area is home to one of the coolest-looking multi-use developments in Singapore — the CapitaSpring building. Not only does its façade catches your eye with all the sci-fi-esque green openings on what would otherwise be considered a normal wall of a skyscraper, but the building also provides one of the best free viewing points in Singapore!

The Sky Garden, which is located on the 51st level of CapitaSpring offers a spectacular (and pretty unique) view of the Marina Bay Sands and its surroundings. Note that the “free” part comes with an asterisk: The opening hours, when the garden is accessible to the general public, are quite limited. You can explore the venue Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and then from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

When it comes to Robertson Quay, apart from being the largest out of the three, it is also sporting a more upscale and grown-up aura, compared to young and fun Clarke Quay. You should come here for a leisurely walk along the river, followed by a dinner at a nice restaurant.

If, however, you’re still not ready to call it a night and want to grab a quick bite and a caffeinated pick-me-up drink, then Robertson Quay has just the place for you — Common Man Coffee Roasters. While this particular chain has plenty of coffee shops all throughout Singapore, the one near Robertson Quay is a true flagship store, the first one to be opened here 10 years ago! Pick up a cold brew (S$8.5) and dessert (their signature churros for S$14), and you’re ready to take on a few other Singapore spots to finish up the eventful and exciting second day in Singapore!

The area around the three quays features lots of Singapore sites, such as the colonial-style Central Fire Station, and a buzzing Raffles Place.

There are plenty of things to do here until the evening falls, which is perfect because you can enjoy dinner along the Singapore River at one of the excellent restaurants.

Fort Canning Park

A great place to end your day with: Take a walk along the neatly paved paths of Fort Canning Park after dinner you’ve grabbed at one of the aforementioned quays.

Fort Canning Park is an ultimate Singapore destination: It combines the beautiful nature with the rich history of the place. It was once home to royal palaces, then a fort and a base for British soldiers, and now it is the area tourists come when they want to hide out from the sun and learn a few interesting facts in the meantime.

While the remnants of the original fort are definitely all the rage with history buffs, the iconic Tree Tunnel is what draws hundreds of visitors to the park every single day. You’ve probably seen the coveted shot online: A person standing on a spiral staircase, with the crazy beautiful tree branches and a blue sky opening up above them.

Tree Tunnel is completely free, but you might want to come here very early in the morning: Otherwise, you will have to wait in line for the opportunity to get this one-of-a-kind (at least for you) shot.

Singapore itinerary day 3

Itinerary: Sentosa Island – The Pinnacle @ Duxton – Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is the playground of Singapore. With artificial beaches, rain forests, the Adventure Cove Waterpark, and Universal Studios Singapore you could easily spend a couple of days on Sentosa Island.

If you only have a couple of hours, bring a towel and your swimwear and dip your toes in the fresh seawater. To do that, head on over to one of three of Sentosa’s artificial beaches (yup, you’ve read that right: They were created with the sand bought by Singapore from Indonesia and Malaysia):

• Palawan Beach, which is famous for being home to the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia — a small inlet connected to the beach by a bridge. A perfect spot to watch the sunset: It’s just you, the sun, and the open sea;
• Siloso Beach — the bigger one, also the most crowded beach;
• Tanjong Beach — the most remote beach, it’s here that you can enjoy the peace and quiet that is promised in the island’s name (Sentosa literally translates to peace and tranquility from Malay).

If you want to learn more about the plentiful attractions of the island (aquarium, casino, gold courses, — this place has everything) and the unique ways to get on it (a bus or a cable car ride, you decide), make sure to consult with our One Day in Singapore article , where we offer you an alternative to a usual city escape — a day spent on Sentosa Island.

Before you go to Sentosa Island though, you have to fuel up while on the main land: Grab a bite at Ya Kun Kaya Toast and support the long-standing Singaporean coffee and toast tradition. Personally, we recommend you try their Steamed Bread Set (S$6) — served with either regular butter or peanut butter, whatever you’re in the mood for.

To make the most of your time on Sentosa Island, it's worth checking out the Sentosa Fun Pass for (considerable) discounts.

Pinnacle @ Duxton

The Pinnacle @ Duxton is a residential building with the world's longest sky garden (500 meters) on the 50th floor. Residents of this building arguably have the best 360° views over the Singapore skyline.

The structure itself is unique and was a pretty grandiose undertaking by the architects: The construction consists of seven tall towers connected by two bridges on different levels.

However, you don't have to live here to enjoy these views, for a mere S$6 you can enjoy the rooftop terrace and accompanying views as well!

Listen up, because the steps leading up to the experience can be quite tricky: Locate the 1G Tower, take an elevator ride to its basement level, and then follow the markers to find a small office that sells tickets. Keep in mind that the S$6 you have to pay need to be in bill form, so get those notes ready! Only when you complete this little side venture, you can go up to the Sky Bridge located on the 50th level. Trust us, the views are worth the hoops you have to jump over to get up there!

If all the walking has made you hungry, pop into Nylon Coffee Roasters — we recommend you order a cold white (S$7) to beat the Singaporean heat and get energy at the same time.

The Marina Bay Sands observation deck

If you are a fan of bird's-eye views (like us!) you won't mind going from one tall high building to the next. If you time your visit right, you can watch the sunset from the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck. Located on the 56th floor of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the space offers unmatched views of the Singapore skyline.

Remember that SkyPark Observation Deck ticket price is S$30, so budget your day accordingly.

Tickets can be bought online , I highly recommend booking ahead so you'll avoid the (sometimes very long) queue.

Of course, you cannot ever predict with certainty how your day in Singapore is going to turn out. If:

• it’s a rainy day (the odds of that happening in Singapore are higher in the period between November and January, or the monsoon season);
• it’s a cloudy or foggy day (high humidity really affects visibility in Singapore);
• you’re simply not excited about going to two viewpoints in one day,

then we have an alternative activity to close off your third day in Singapore with — Future World exhibition at the ArtScience Museum (yes, that quirky structure that resembles a lotus flower), located not too far from Marina Bay Sands. For that same price of S$30, you will get to experience a multi-sensory journey through time and space.

It’s easier to understand the scope of the exhibition when you learn that the team that created it (teamLab) was also behind Tokyo’s Planets: You’ve probably seen the videos of people walking through thousands of multicolored garlands in complete dark online. The vibes are the same in Singapore, but even more elevated (pun intended): Here, you will get acquainted with flying (!) through multimedia installations. We don’t want to spoil anything, you will just have to trust your gut and go in as open-minded as you can: You won’t regret it!

Singapore itinerary day 4

Day four in Singapore, in our opinion, should be spent doing whatever it is you feel like doing. You’ve already experienced all the major Singapore attractions, so why not take the time and fool around a little bit? We’ve decided to give you three options of Singapore’s fourth day, entirely laid-back, itinerary. Give your instincts a free reign: They’ll know how to finish your Singapore vacation strong!

Itinerary: Mount Faber Loop – Henderson Waves – Alexander Arch – Canopy Walkway — Singapore Zoo — Singapore Botanic Gardens – TreeTop Walk

The Southern Ridges Walk

First up, we can’t let you take on yet another day in Singapore on an empty stomach. Not too far from this first itinerary option sits the acclaimed Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant @ Alexandra Village. We admit, it’s a weird breakfast choice, but traveling has its own rules (remember the two daiquiris you had at an airport lounge at 10 a.m.?), so suck it up and enjoy some seafood at dawn. For just such occasion, they serve Butter Cereal Squid (S$23). We didn’t have the guts to try it, but if you do, please leave your notes in the comments below!

If you are up for another day of walking, I highly recommend the Southern Ridges Walk. This easy 10-kilometer trail will make you forget you are still in a busy city.

Leading through Mount Faber Park and Hort Park you will walk through the tropical rainforest and even spot a monkey if you are lucky.

Notable sights along the way are the Henderson Waves, Alexander Arch, and the Canopy Walkway. Combine visiting all these places by joining this tour with a passionate guide – click here for more information .

Important: Singapore is hot and humid, be sure to bring enough water, sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat !

The closest MRT station is the Harbor Front station. Alternatively, you can take the cable car up (or down) from Mount Faber station.

Singapore Zoo

Located further in-land (in-island? we’re confused on the semantics here), Singapore Zoo is the ultimate family-friendly destination in Singapore.

Coined one of the best rainforest zoos in the world, Singapore Zoo certainly lives up to the hype! With many different zones and more than 4 200 (!) animals, this attraction can take up the whole day (especially if you count the time it takes to get to the zoo and back to your hotel).

The grounds of the zoo are vast, and there are plenty of markers and informational stands , so you always know where you are and what you’re looking at. And trust us, there’s plenty of curious sights to see here: A small otter playing with its favorite rock, a red-butted macaque showing you its crimson bottom, a giraffe pointing its long tongue at you in hopes of treats, — your camera roll is truly not ready!

The zones are plentiful inside the zoo, but our favorites certainly are the elephant enclosure and the reptile garden. And yes, we know that a lot of people feel strongly about zoos in general, but here, the animal habitats are tidy and spacious, and the animals look like they’re being nicely taken care of.

Plus, the zoo provides a lot of activities (like shows, feedings, and keeper talks) that are all aimed at bringing the knowledge about these animals closer to the general public. We know that your kids will learn more about the importance of conservation efforts here than online, since being in the actual presence of these creatures brings on a more powerful and pressing vibe to the learning process.

A one day entrance ticket (that includes a tram ride inside the zoo) will cost you S$48, so make the most out of your time here!

The closest MRT station to the zoo is Khatib, followed by a short ride on a Mandai Khatib Shuttle (S$1 one way); so the zoo, albeit located further away from all the city action, is still easily reachable.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Imagine Gardens’ by the Bay Flower Dome Conservatory, but on uppers. The gardens are sprawled over 82 hectares and are home to thousands of different plants. The attraction has been appointed a UNESCO World Heritage Site status, which can give you the scope of beauty and importance this natural oasis has not only to the city of Singapore, but to the whole world!

You can walk around the gardens’ premises by yourself (the walk can take hours if you get lucky with a slightly overcast day), or you can take one of free walking tours that are carried out by volunteers each Saturday.

Check out the on-site gallery and learn why the gardens played such a big part in the latex industry of the times past (a hint: It has something to do with rubber trees). The entry to the Botanic Gardens is free, but you will have to shell out S$15 or so to get into the coveted National Orchid Garden that is located on the premises (every 35 year old woman’s dream!).

Before heading over to your second location of the day, pop into Dempsey Hill — a revamped space containing countless shops and eateries. What were once British army barracks are now trendy places where you can relax and fill up your belly with good food. From upscale restaurants to simple hole-in-the-wall eateries, — Dempsey Hill has it all!

TreeTop Walk

A hiking trail at MacRitchie Reservoir, TreeTop Walk is one of the most unique ways to enjoy the views of Singapore’s greenery.

The TreeTop Walk suspension bridge stats are impressive: The free-standing bridge’s length is 250 meters, and the height is at 25 meters (at its tallest point). So basically, you’re at a tree canopy level and can see everything that is going on in the lives of its natural inhabitants (be it crazy monkeys or cute flying foxes, it’s just as exciting as ever).

If you want to connect with Singapore’s nature, then this walk is for you: Although challenging at times (the entire walk to and from the bridge takes about three to five hours, depending on your pace), it can be easily done by people with no previous training. Just remember to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray, and you’ll be okay!

Important info to remember: The bridge is supposed to have 30 trekkers on it at a time, tops; plus, it’s one-way traffic only, meaning you will have to complete the walk in its entirety and come back to ground zero on the forest level (which is great, as you get to experience all the different levels of the Singapore’s rainforest).

Top things to do in Singapore: printable PDF

Singapore best place to stay

There is no single best area to stay in Singapore, the most important thing is to find accommodation close to an MRT station. There are many nice neighborhoods in Singapore and accommodations suitable for any budget.

Where to stay in Singapore on a budget

Let’s address the elephant in the room right away: The overarching fact about Singapore’s hotels is that they are not exactly fit for budget-conscious travelers; as they are disproportionately expensive compared to lodging options in other cities of South-East Asia. However, there are some hotels in Singapore that are pretty accessible to people without a trust fund: From what we’ve gathered, the cheapest accommodation in Singapore can be found in Chinatown and Little India neighborhoods.

When we visited Singapore for the first time, we traveled on a tight budget and stayed at the Vintage Inn. Which happened to be the only dorm room we stayed in during our 5-month trip .

It’s not that I don’t like staying in dorms, but I found that traveling as a couple, prices for a private room are similar to or even cheaper than the price for two beds in a dorm.

During our last trip to Singapore, we’ve decided to try out a new budget-friendly accommodation, and our choice fell on the Wink Capsule Hostel . Located in the colorful and bustling Chinatown (super close to the MRT station), it was an excellent option for our short stay in the city. We got a private room here (there are dormitory-style options as well) for $85 a night.

We always forget about the hotel situation in Singapore (that being one of the most expensive in the world), so the price and the size of the room definitely shocked us at first.

After getting used to it though, we felt right at home there: Everything was clean and in working condition. The only downside were super thin walls (which is actually an upside for keen eavesdroppers), but a couple of ear plugs did the job.

Location-wise, it’s one of the best budget hotel options in Singapore. However, if you can afford something a little bit more upscale, consider trying one of the places we list below.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking

Good hotels in Singapore for a medium budget

If you are looking for medium-budget hotel rooms in Singapore, there are many good options!

Before you dive in, please note that the prices for these hotels depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices we mention are nothing more than a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Use ‘click here’ to see the latest prices on Agoda and Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

The Carlton City Hotel

The Carlton City Hotel is an excellent value hotel. Singapore hotel rooms are generally quite small, but the Carlton City Hotel is a rare exception. The spacious rooms are much larger than the average Singapore hotel room.

There is a swimming pool (indoor and outdoor), fitness facilities, room service, and a bar and it's only a short walk (2 minutes) to the nearest MRT station (Tanjong Pagar).

You can take advantage of the location and have your meals outside the hotel, at Whole Earth — a vegetarian restaurant where chefs take plant-based food to astronomical levels. We recommend you start with simple olive rice or crispy golden oats, and work your way up to more exclusive (and thus weirder) dishes.

The Village Hotel Albert Court

Made up of restored historic shophouses, the Village Hotel Albert Court is a lovely Singapore boutique hotel in the Bugis area.

Rooms are modern with a touch of Chinese decor, there is an onsite (Indian) restaurant and this is one of the few hotels offering free parking.

However, the Rochor MRT Station is only a 1-minute walk so you'll be better off traveling by public transport!

When it comes to having an amazing breakfast, we advice you venture off outside the hotel (even though room service is so very tempting after a long travel day) to Apartment Coffee — get yourself one of their specialty brews and either relax before a packed day of exploring Singapore or get some work done if you fall more into the category of a digital nomad. The coffee shop’s minimalist interior is perfect for both scenarios!

Luxury hotels in Singapore

Just as with Singapore budget hotels and mid-range accommodations, there is no shortage of luxury hotels in Singapore!

Because hotel prices aren't cheap in Singapore in general, be prepared to pay for your luxury stay in Singapore.

That being said, Singapore does offer some splendid 5-star hotels that will guarantee an unforgettable Singapore travel experience.

Parkroyal on Pickering

The Parkroyal on Pickering hotel is located in Chinatown and boasts a beautiful design, a 300m garden walk, an outdoor swimming pool, and comfortable luxurious rooms.

From the Orchid Club rooftop lounge, you can admire the city skyline while enjoying a drink or two. Breakfast is extensive and there is an excellent onsite restaurant as well (LIME).

Fairmont Singapore

Another top hotel in Singapore is the Fairmont . This hotel has not one but six onsite restaurants plus a spa, a gym, a hot tub, AND a pool. Rooms have a private balcony, some with a view of the Marina Bay waterfront.

You can join the afternoon tea or play a game of tennis. Or you can simply relax in your comfortable 45m2 suite with a king-size bed and city view.

Regardless, you will feel like a princess (or prince) during your stay at the Fairmont.

How to visit Singapore on a budget

Let's make one thing clear: Singapore is not a cheap country to visit. At least, not compared to its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.

However, a Singapore budget trip doesn't mean staying in a dirty hostel and eating a defrosted piece of toast for dinner.

There are a few ways you can significantly lower your spending when in Singapore:

• Since the majority of Singapore’s most notable tourist attractions are free to visit, you can fill your itinerary with simply walking around Singapore’s Downtown and looking up and around at the wonderful scenery and architecture the city is so blessed with (we see you, Supertree Grove and Marina Bay Sands);
• You also don’t need to shell out plenty of cash to enjoy the views of Singapore skyline, as there are a few free (or almost free) viewing points scattered all around the city (like Sky Garden at the top of CapitaSpring complex, or one of the viewing decks on the Helix Bridge);
• If your hotel is located in either Chinatown or Little India, you can easily bypass using taxis or any other type of public transport altogether (not that it’s very expensive in Singapore, but still, money is money) and walk on one of the many scenic routes connecting these neighborhoods to Singapore’s city center;
• When it comes to food, you should mainly rely on Singapore’s hawker centers for the majority of your meals: It’s here that you can get a hearty authentic meal for an adequate price. The city is rich with hawker centers and other types of street food spaces (food courts and the like), but our personal favorites are Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown (you absolutely must try the popular Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice — a stall so famous it has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand title every year since 2016), Makansutra Gluttons Bay near the Esplanade, and Tiong Bahru Market;
• If you have a short layover in Singapore (more than 5.5 hours but less than 24 hours), then you might be eligible for a free tour of the city from the Changi Airport! You can pre-book your tour here , but keep in mind that apart from the time requirement, there’s a lot more that goes into planning this fun activity than meets the eye, so read the fine print closely. There are three city bus tours you can choose from (and a free walking tour of the Jewel — the most wonderful part of the Changi Airport), but you are eligible for just one of them (and you cannot go out of the airport twice, per the transition law). Anyway, it’s a unique opportunity, and if it’s something you might be interested in, you should take it!

Below you can find our Singapore trip budget, which includes all the activities mentioned above. So, you can visit many of the top things to do in Singapore without breaking the bank!

Our Singapore travel budget

If you are wondering ‘How much money do I need for 4 days in Singapore?' , in the infographic below you can see exactly how much we spent during our trip.

Budget for Singapore: the nitty-gritty details

The expenses pictured in the infographic are for me and my husband together and include all expenses of our four-day trip to Singapore.

In total, we spent 560SGD (€372/$400) during our 4-day trip in Singapore, which is an average of 140SGD (€93/$100) a day .

Prices are quoted in Singapore Dollars (S$) as well as € and US$. The S$ is a pretty stable currency, but of course, there are some variations in the exchange rate, you can find the latest rates here .

Singapore budget

Our Singapore expenses were divided between costs for accommodation, transport, food, and activities.

• Accommodation: 43% of daily costs
• Transportation: 9% of daily costs
• Food and drinks: 34% of daily costs
• Paid activities: 14% of daily costs

Despite the long list of Singapore's top attractions we visited, we did not spend much money on activities. The only paid activities in this Singapore itinerary are:

• The Pinnacle @ Duxton sky garden (6SGD per person)
• The observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands building (30SGD per person)
• The Singapore Flyer (40SGD per person)
• OCBC Skyway at Supertree Grove (12SGD per person)
• Gardens’ by the Bay Cloud Forest and Flower Dome combo (53SGD per person)
• Future World Exhibition at ArtScience Museum (30SGD per person)
• Singapore Zoo (48SGD per person)
• Movie ticket (10,50SGD per person)

These expenses are based on a 4-night stay in a budget hotel, eating at street food stalls and cheap restaurants, and exploring the city mostly on foot (except for larger distances).

How to get around Singapore?

The MRT in Singapore is extremely efficient and very cheap, check MRT info and map here . And if there is no MRT station close to your hotel, there is an extensive bus network as well.

The plus side of the bus is that you can some Singapore points of interest along the way, though it usually takes a lot longer to get somewhere by bus than by MRT.

More info about buses in Singapore can be found on this site.

What to eat in Singapore?

Singapore is all about food! There is a mixture of cultures and cuisines, ranging from typical Singaporean dishes like chili crab to Peranakan dishes like laksa and Chinese-influenced food such as Wanton Mee.

Though, I have to admit I ate a lot of Indian when I was there (which is yet another culture present in multifaceted Singapore).

I am ‘slightly' addicted to Indian food and there aren’t many places in my home country where you can get proper Indian so I ate as much paratha, dosa, and curry as I could find.

I also tried and really liked the previously mentioned laksa (a spicy noodle soup), but stupidly enough forgot to try out the famous Singapore chili crab…

Next time, definitely next time!

During our last trip to Singapore, we finally came around to trying out the food of the world famous hawker stall — Liao Fan Hawker Chan in Chinatown. It has long been on our radar due to the fact that it was the first hawker stall to be awarded one Michelin star (the outrageously long queues at any point of the day also added to the allure of this place). However, when we finally tried their noodles and chicken rice, we were thoroughly disappointed: The food wasn’t as tasty as the reviews made it out to be. Maybe for that very reason, in 2021, the stall’s Michelin star was taken away. So, from now on, if you see this stall mentioned countless of times in Singapore’s food guides , you can confidently leave it out of your personal itinerary and fill its place with some other hawker food stalls we’ve mentioned above.

Also read this awesome post by a true Singaporean which dishes you cannot miss during your Singapore visit!

Best places to visit in Singapore: in conclusion

So, is 4 days in Singapore enough? We believe that it is: You get the most well-rounded tourist experience in the first three days, and then leave your final day for free roaming to your heart’s desire. If you don’t have the luxury of four whole days in Singapore and are only working with a 24-hour layover, then remember to click here  for our most detailed One Day in Singapore Itinerary.

I hope you have enjoyed this Singapore tour guide. Have fun in Singapore and let me know if you have any questions!

Also read my other posts about traveling in Southeast Asia :

• Cambodia : Cambodia travel budget , Cambodia itinerary , Siem Reap itinerary
• Indonesia : Bali itinerary , Best luxury resort on Bali , Live like a local in Sebatu)
• Laos : Laos travel budget , Laos itinerary , Luang Prabang itinerary , Hiking in Vang Vieng
• Malaysia : Malaysia travel budget , Malaysia itinerary , Scuba diving on Tioman , Guide to the Perhentian Islands , Guide to Langkawi
• Philippines : Philippines travel budget , Philippines itinerary , Guide to El Nido , El Nido scuba diving , Rice terraces of Batad
• Thailand : Thailand travel budget , Thailand itinerary , Koh Samui itinerary , Kimpton Kitalay Hotel review , Where to eat in Maenam (Koh Samui)
• Vietnam : Vietnam travel budget , Vietnam itinerary , Phu Quoc island itinerary

This post was updated in November 2023.

Thursday 7th of April 2022

Where to buy Singapore attractions tickets?

Sunday 10th of April 2022

Hey Kalpesh,

Well that depends on the attraction you'd like to visit. You can purchase tickets online (Get Your Guide, Klook or Viator are good places to book) or at the site itself.

Kind regards, Lotte

Wednesday 8th of January 2020

Will be there in a few weeks. I have been putting together my own 4 day itinerary but this helps a lot. we won't be interested in Sentosa but everything else is being included. Wish I had seen this before!

Friday 10th of January 2020

Happy to hear you like the Singapore itinerary:-) Enjoy your trip there, it's a beautiful city!

Monday 25th of November 2019

Loved reading your article. The best that I've seen so far. We've planned for a trip to Singapore this Feb. Confused whether to take baby with me or leave at home in India. She'll be nearly 2 yrs old by the time we go. With all those activities in Sentosa Island, the Flyer, Cable car, etc. Can we manage with the baby ?

Tuesday 26th of November 2019

Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the article:-) Regarding your question, we have done several trips with our son (who is now almost one and a half) and haven't experienced any issues traveling with him. Sure, sometimes you have to adjust your plans and activities, but (depending on how easy your kid is;-) many things can be done together. If I were to travel to Singapore in the near future, I'd definitely take my son. Perhaps not all activities on Sentosa Island are suitable, but the Flyer and Cable Car are perfectly fine to do with a small kid:-) Have a wonderful trip!

Friday 8th of November 2019

WOWWWWWW. What an amazing travel guide. I’m a full time traveler so I spend a lot of time looking at guides. This is the best I’ve EVER seen. Love the sightseeing map by day.

Unbelievable amount of work you put in here! Can’t wait to check out your other guides

Saturday 9th of November 2019

Hi Chester,

Thank you very much, I really appreciate your kind words and I'm happy to hear you love my Singapore post so much. I have indeed put in a lot of effort but it's worth it when it helps people plan their trip:-)

Happy travels, Lotte

Thursday 22nd of August 2019

Hello Lotte, I can't thank you enough for this post. So so....sooo enlightening. My wife and I are travelling to Singapore in some weeks and we have been CHAOTIC (lool..).. from accommodation plans to itinerary, I mean we were lost looool... The information captured here has helped a WHOLE lot.. Apart from the accommodation options mentioned above, is there any hotel/ airBnB option within the range of 50-80 USD per night that you'd recommend?

Wednesday 28th of August 2019

Dear Beany,

You're most welcome! I hope you and your wife have a wonderful trip to Singapore. Regarding the hotels, Hipster City (https://www.booking.com/hotel/sg/hipstercity.en.html?aid=1186903&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA) is around $75 per night (shared bathroom). Alternatively, in Hotel Mono you have an ensuite bathroom (https://www.booking.com/hotel/sg/dragon-court.en.html?aid=1186903&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA) for around $100 a night.

Hope you can find a nice place and enjoy your trip:-) Lotte

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2024 singapore travel guide blog with a ₱10,000 diy itinerary, things to do, budget & expenses, travel tips and more.

Traveling to Singapore this 2024? Let this comprehensive Singapore Travel Guide Blog with sample DIY itinerary, budget and expenses, things to do in Singapore, best tourist spots, where to stay, travel tips, and more help you in planning an amazing Singapore adventure!

Are you ready to explore singapore let's get started, 2024 first-timer's travel guide to singapore with legoland malaysia day trip, now, let's get started..., quick facts about singapore.

• Official Name: Republic of Singapore
• Capital: Singapore City
• Languages: English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil
• Currency: Singapore Dollars (SGD / S$)
• Weather: Tropical
• Electricity: 220-240 V
• Time zone: UTC+8 (Singapore Standard Time)

Visa Requirements for Filipinos to Enter Singapore

Important notice for married filipinas entering singapore, electronic arrival card, how it works.

• Before they arrive, foreign travellers to Singapore can fill up their personal particulars and pertinent trip information such as their flight and accommodation details via the ICA website or a mobile app.
• When they arrive in Singapore, they need to present only their passport for immigration clearance.
• The electronic arrival card that they filled up in advance will then be called up by ICA's immigration system.

How to get to Singapore?

From the philippines, alternatively.....

How to Get to Singapore City Center from Changi Airport?

Changi airport to city by private car transfer, changi airport to city by train, changi airport to city by bus, when is the best time to visit singapore, how many days to stay in singapore.

WHERE TO STAY: Hotels in Singapore

Hotel Re! @ Pearl's Hill

Top-rated hotels in singapore, hostels in singapore, cube boutique capsule hotel, footprints hostel, coller boutique hostel, meadows hostel, urban hostel.

Budget Hotels in Singapore

Hotel 81 (premier) hollywood, chang ziang hotel, fragrance hotel - balestier, aliwal park hotel, oxford hotel, hotel snow lavender, ibis budget singapore ametrine, value hotel balestier, arianna hotel, can't find the hotel that suits your budget and needs.

How to get around the city?

• Singapore City Sightseeing - [ See Details Here ]
• FunVee WOW Night Tour - [ See Details Here ]
• FunVee Open Top Bus 1 Day Hopper Pass - [ See Details Here ]

How to stay connected in Singapore?

√ if the above option is not available, you may also rent a 4g lte wifi from manila that you could use in singapore. pick-up and return location is at ninoy aquino international airport (naia) terminal 3., where to exchange currency in singapore.

Things to Do in Singapore + Tourist Spots and Attractions

Here are the top best tourist spots and attractions you should not miss when visiting singapore. i will also share to you our diy itinerary after..

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Singapore Botanic Garden

• Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
• Opening Hours: 5:00 am – 12 mn, daily
• Entrance Fee: Admission to the complex is FREE, but some of the gardens and attractions requires an entrance fee.
• How to get there: Take the MRT to Botanic Gardens Station

Gardens by the Bay Singapore

• Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
• Opening Hours:
• Cooled Observatories - 09:00 am - 9:00 pm daily
• Outdoor Gardens - 05:00 am - 02:00 am daily
• OCBC Skyway - 9:00 am - 9:00 pm daily

How to get to Gardens by the Bay?

• From Bayfront MRT (CE1/DT16), take Exit B and follow the underground linkway, exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay
• From Tanjong Pagar MRT (EW15), take Exit C and head to International Plaza, Anson Road to bus stop 03223, take bus 400 and alight at bus stop 03371 along Marina Gardens Drive
• From Marina Bay Sands Hotel, cross the overhead bridge (Lions Bridge), open daily from 8:00am-11:00pm or walk through underground linkway via Bayfront MRT

Singapore Flyer

• Address: 30 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039803
• Opening Hours: 08:30 am – 10:30 pm, daily
• How to get there: Ride the MRT to The Promenade Station (Downtown Line DT15 / Circle Line, CC4). Take Exit A and look out for blue pedestrian signs to Singapore Flyer.

Universal Studios Singapore

Universal studios singapore (uss).

• Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
• Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, daily or until 10:00 pm if there are scheduled events
• How to get there: From the city, take the train to Harbourfront Station. Enter Vivo City Mall, go to the 4th floor, buy a Sentosa Fun ticket for $4 SGD and take the Sentosa Monorail. Alight at the first stop which is the Waterfront Station. From here, you just need to walk for about 150 meters (2 mins) to Universal Studios Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck

• Soak in the panoramic views of Singapore's iconic skyline at Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck
• Marvel at the city's most popular attractions like Gardens by the Bay, all while 200 meters above the ground
• Capture beautiful photos on one of the largest observation decks in the world, perched above three towers
• Catch the Spectra Light and Water Show once you get down at 8:00pm and 9:30pm or watch it from the Skypark!

Singapore Zoo and Night Safari

• Address: 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826
• Operating Hours:
• Singapore Zoo - 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
• Night Safari - 7:15 PM - 12:00 MN
• Singapore Zoo (Php 1,305.00) - Book this activity via Klook!
• Night Safari (Php 1,184.00) - Book this activity via Klook!
• Point to Point Transfers (Php 2,049.00 per vehicle) - Book this via Klook!
• Bus Transfers (Php 231.00) - Book this via Klook!

Arab Street or Kampong Glam

How to Get to Arab Street Singapore?

Little India Singapore

How to Get to Little India Singapore?

Chinatown Singapore

How to Get to Chinatown Singapore?

• Bus stop at South Bridge Road: C2, 166, 197, NR5
• Bus stop at Maxwell Road: 80, 145
• Bus stop at Eu Tong Sen Street (People's Park Centre): 2, 12, 33, 54, 143, 147, 190, 520
• Bus stop at New Bridge Road (Chinatown Complex): 2, 12, 33, 54, 63, 124, 143, 147, 190, 520, 851, 961, 961C
• Bus stop at Eu Tong Sen Street (People's Park Complex): 2, 12, 33, 61, 63, 80, 143, 197, 961, 970, CT8, CT18, CT28

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

Skyline Luge in Sentosa

Singapore Cable Car

• 08:45 am - 10:00 pm, daily
• Last ride: 09:30 pm
• A one way trip takes approximately 15 minutes

Madame Tussauds Singapore

Other must-see attractions in singapore.

Merlion Park

Singapore River and Colonial District

Singapore River Cruise

Sentosa Island

• Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett - Skybridge + Mocktail
• Luge & Skyride 2 rides combo
• Madame Tussauds Singapore 4-in-1 Ultimate Film Stars Combo (Does not include Marvel 4D Exhibition)
• GoGreen Segway Funride 800m
• Sentosa 4D Adventureland Choose 2 Ride
• Trick Eye Museum Admission

Adventure Cove Waterpark

Singapore Trick Eye Museum

Recommended day tours from singapore:.

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LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort

Book your legoland malaysia tickets via klook.com you can choose from the following packages.

• Day Theme Park - PHP 1,822
• 1 Day Water Park - PHP 1,214
• 1 Day Combo (Theme Park + Water Park) - PHP 2,380
• 2 Day Combo (Theme Park + Water Park) - PHP 3,522

How to get to Legoland Malaysia from Singapore? For ultimate ease and comfort, you can to Legoland Malaysia either by shared bus or by private car transfer .

Singapore to Johor Bahru - DIY Itinerary + Private Driver

• Enjoy a fun-filled day just across the causeway in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
• Sit in comfort in your vehicle while passing through the immigration
• Go shopping, get a massage, cafe hop or eat your way through the city
• Have your local professional Malaysian driver bring you where you want to go
• With your own vehicle and driver, you are free to plan how you want your day to go

Sanrio Hello Kitty Town & Thomas Town in Johor Bahru

• Create and bring home your own Hello Kitty themed souvenir at Wishful Studio!
• For a fairytale adventure, explore Hello Kitty in Oz and experience a story of bravery and friendship
• Hop aboard Bertie the Bus, Harold’s Helitours, and even Colin Crane Drop at Thomas Town
• Be a part of Bob’s Can-Do-Crew or even learn a few ballet moves at Angelina Ballerina’s Dance Studio
• Chill out with Pingu and Barney at the fun play areas

WHERE TO EAT IN SINGAPORE: Best Food and Must-Eats

Best Satay 7&8 in Lau Pa Sat

Chunky lobsters in singapore, founder bak kut teh in bugis, satay by the bay at gardens by the bay, the original katong laksa since 1950s (janggut laksa) in upper paya lebar.

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) ???? (@pinoyadventurista) on Sep 30, 2017 at 12:44am PDT

5D4N: Sample DIY Singapore Itinerary (5 Days and 4 Nights)

Singapore budget trip and expenses: list of travel expenses in singapore.

• Round trip Airport Transfers for 2 pax - 3,040.00
• 5 Days Pocket WiFi Rental for 2 pax - 1,710.00
• Food Expenses for 5 days per person - 3,000.00
• 4 Nights Hotel Accommodation per person - 9,000.00
• 4-days Singapore Tourist Pass per person - 1,520.00
• Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay Tickets per person - 1,976.00
• Universal Studios Singapore Ticket per person - 2,520.00
• Halloween Horror Nights per person - 2,318.00
• Round trip City Transfers to Wildlife Reserves Singapore per person - 532.00
• Singapore Zoo Ticket per person - 1,276.00
• Singapore Night Safari Ticket per person - 1,163.00
• Legoland Malaysia roundtrip transfers per person - 976.00
• Legoland Malaysia (1 day theme park) per person - 1,840.00

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) ???? (@pinoyadventurista) on Oct 4, 2017 at 12:36am PDT

Sample DIY Singapore Itinerary (3 Days and 2 Nights)

• 08:00 AM - ETA in Singapore
• 09:00 AM - Travel from Changi Airport to the City ( Book Airport Transfer Here or you could take the train to save on travel expenses)
• 10:00 AM - Arrival at the Hotel; Check-in (Some hotels allow early check-in for free. In case you're not allowed to check-in early, you may just leave your bags and start exploring)
• 10:30 AM - Go to Marina Bay, Helix Bridge, Merlion Park
• 12:00 NN - Lunch
• 02:00 PM - Singapore Flyer ( Buy Discounted Tickets Here )
• 04:00 PM - Gardens by the Bay, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome ( Buy Discounted Tickets Here )
• 08:00 PM - Dinner
• 09:00 PM - Go back to the hotel
• 10:00 AM - Depart for Universal Studios Singapore ( Buy Discounted USS Tickets Here )
• 11:30 AM - Arrival at Universal Studios Singapore, Lunch
• 12:30 PM - Enjoy Universal Studios Singapore
• 09:00 PM - Depart for Singapore City Center
• 10:30 PM - Arrival at the hotel
• 07:00 AM - Check-ou of the hotel, leave bags at the reception
• 08:00 AM - Go to Singapore Botanic Gardens
• 11:00 AM - Go to Singapore River and Colonial District
• 01:00 PM - Back at the hotel and pick-up bags
• 02:00 PM - Depart for the airport ( Book Airport Transfer Here or you could take the train to save on travel expenses)
• 03:00 PM - Arrival at the aiport, check-in, late lunch
• 04:00 PM - Explore the airport, shopping
• 07:00 PM - Depart for Manila

Singapore Budget Trip and Expenses: Sample Expenses for 10,000 Pesos Budget

• You will be staying in a budget hotel worth 3,000 pesos per night and sharing the room with one companion.
• You will be using a 3-day Singapore Tourist Pass worth 20 SGD or 774 PHP

3 Days 2 Nights Breakdown of Expenses

• Hotel (2 nights) - PHP 3,000.00 per person
• Food Expenses for 3 days - PHP 2,000.00 per person
• 3-days Singapore Tourist Pass - PHP 774.00 per person
• Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay Tickets - PHP 1,976.00 per person
• Universal Studios Singapore Ticket - PHP 2,520.00 per person

TOTAL - PHP 10,270.000 per person

• Round trip airfare Manila-Singapore-Manila
• NAIA terminal fee and travel tax
• Budget for pasalubong and tips
• Food expense for snacks

Singapore Travel Tips and Reminders

• Travel time from Changi Airport to Singapore City Center by private car is around 30 minutes and around 45 minutes by train. Plan your trip accordingly.
• You can exchange your Philippine Peso or US Dollars in the money changers at the airport or at the city center. Exchange rate at the airport is low, it's better to change your money at the city center. Alternatively, you can also withdarw money from the ATMs.
• For electricity, most establishments and hotels use 3-pin square plugs and sockets at 220–240 V. Don't forget to bring a universal adapter.
• If you're on a budget, avoid eating in restaurants. It's best to look for hawker stalls (like a food court) where you could eat a decent meal for around $3-5 SGD. The best hawkers that I could suggest are the ones around Chinatown area for its wide selection of tasty and affordable meals.
• Weather in Singapore is most of the time hot and humid. It is suggested that you wear light and breathable clothes. Also, don't forget to bring an umbrella or raincoat for occasional rains and thunderstorms.
• Singapore is a very walk-able city. When exploring the city, you will certainly walk a lot. It is best to wear comfortable footwear.
• Taxis / Grab car/taxi are expensive. Choose a hotel that is near an MRT Station, so it will be easier for you to move around. With an MRT station near your hotel, it's cheaper to get to one destination to another, not to mention it's also faster.
• Eating and drinking inside the bus and MRT is prohibited.
• Chewing gum is not allowed in Singapore. Make sure you're not bringing-in any chewing gum when entering Singapore.
• Cigarettes are too expensive in Singapore (around 400 pesos). You can bring cigarettes from the Philippines to Singapore, but don't bring too much. One opened pack and one sealed pack "may be" allowed.
• GST refund can be availed by tourists on goods and services purchased in Singapore. Keep your receipts and refund it at the airport before your flight. This will save you more on travel expenses.
• To save on travel expenses, book discounted tickets at Klook, join group tours, take the bus or the MRT, walk if you can, stay in hostels or budget hotels in Singapore , and take advantage of flight seat sales and promos .

Singapore Travel Blogs

• Universal Studios Singapore Guide + Travel Tips - this travel blog focuses on Universal Studios Singapore. It provides important information on ticket prices, the park's opening hours, ride you should exprience and tips how to enjoy Universal Stuios Singapore.
• LEGOLAND Malaysia Experience + Travel from Singapore - if you plan to visit Legoland Malaysia coming from Singapore, you must read this article. It contains all the information you need for a memorable and exciting Legoland Malaysia Day Tour from Singapore.
• Gardens by the Bay Experience + Travel Tips - one of the iconic attractions in Singapore, a visit to the Gardens by the Bay is a must for every first time travelers to Singapore.
• Singapore Zoo and Night Safari - one of the best zoos I've been to. This is an ideal activity for families, especially for the education of the kids about animals.
• Breathtaking 360 Degrees View of Singapore from the Singapore Flyer - if you want to experience and see Singapore from above, a ride at the Singapore Flyer is a must-do activity.

I hope this Singapore Travel Guide Blog 2024 for first-timers helped you in planning a memorable and budget-friendly Singapore adventure. Please don't forget to leave a comment if you have any questions and SHARE this to your friends. Enjoy your trip and have fun in Singapore!

Follow my adventures on youtube @pinoyadventurista, 14 comments :.

Mervs nabasa ko yung SG post mo. Ano mas maganda Legoland o Universal Studios?

@KIKAYSIKAT TV - mas na enjoy ko ang Universal Studios. Pero for kids, okay din ang Legoland. Mas maraming attractions for kids and Legoland, plus yung resort nila.

Nice article :)

In case you want to travel to Singapore, continue reading in order to find. Singapore travel guide blog with budget, itinerary, top attractions and budget hostel and hotels, cheap Singapore tour packages. SINGAPORE TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG with sample ITINERARY, trip budget, tourist spots, recommended hotels, 3 days tour & more. Singapore boasts a blend of Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Arab and English cultures. Here's my ultimate Singapore travel guide!

Pinoy Adventurista, may asthma ako at may dalang diskus (asthma inhaler) wherever i go. kailangan ko po bang ideclare yun sa sinasabing electronic arrival card? thanks

Hi Sir, Did the Philippine Immigration ask for financial capacity to travel for the first timer?

hi, planning DIY tri city this june 2019... do have same itinerary on tri city ( Singapore-malaysia-indonesia)

Hi po? I am booked to singapore this November 2019. Is there a 4D and 3 nights po iterinary?

Hi. Where can you advise us to stay? Burgis, little india or china town in order to be in the middle of everything on your 5D4N itenirary sample?

I have already set to go to Singapore and will be having a budget of 300 sgd pocket money. I have completed purchasing all my tickets to visit in Sentosa Island and Universal Studios, also I bought online ticket for Gardens by the Bay. I bought Tourist Pass and Sim Card also via Klook. Is 300SGD enough for 4 days and 3 night?

4 days and 3 night itinerary pls, couole kami 1 st time din lalabas.

From singapore, pwede ka na ba mag visit agad sa legoland for 2 days then balik nalang after para sa singapore experience. sa laki kasi ng legoland 1 days is not enough.

Ask ko din if kaylangan talaga na 6 months before expiry ang passport. mejo kalito ung part na yun or at least 6 mos. meaning pag bago passport bawal na mag enter?

Hi po I’m planning to go with my mom by Summer to Singapore, first time traveling outside curious lang po for 2 adults let’s say 6 days and 5 nights ilang budget kailangan mo including plane ticket, accommodation, food and commuting and entrances sa tourist spots?

Looking for Budget Travel Guide Blogs, Hotel Reviews, and Sample DIY Itineraries? Welcome to Pinoy Adventurista, "Your Next Ultimate Adventure Starts Here!" Pinoy Adventurista is one of the Top Travel Blogs in the Philippines and the World. In 2013, he visited all the 81 provinces in the Philippines.

Live Nation Concert Week Celebrates Start Of Summer Concert Season With $25 Tickets To Over 5,000 Shows

PROGRAM EXPANDING ACROSS 20+ COUNTRIES IN HONOR OF 10TH ANNIVERSARY

2024 marks 10 years of Live Nation’s highly celebrated Concert Week. Music and comedy fans in the U.S. and Canada can purchase $25 tickets between May 8-14, getting access to over 5,000 Live Nation shows taking place all year long.

In honor of its milestone anniversary, Live Nation today also announces its global expansion of Concert Week to over 20 countries in addition to North America this year, including those in Australia, Asia, Europe, the UK and the Middle East. Across the globe, Live Nation will celebrate Concert Week throughout the month of May with other special offers, promotions and giveaways for fans. For more details on each country’s Concert Week offer, please visit your country’s Live Nation webpage. 

For fans in the U.S. and Canada, this annual program marks the start of the summer concert season, creating excitement among concertgoers as they gear up to fill their calendars with unforgettable live performances from their favorite artists.

Live Nation’s limited-time ticket offer encompasses over 900 artists spanning a variety of genres, including Pop, Latin, Hip-Hop, Country, R&B, Rock, Metal, Electronic, Comedy, and more. From 21 Savage , Alanis Morissette , Cage The Elephant , Celeste Barber , Dan + Shay , Dierks Bentley , Feid, Janet Jackson , Meghan Trainor , New Kids On The Block , Peso Pluma , Sean Paul , Thirty Seconds to Mars and beyond, an impressive lineup will be featured in this year’s $25 ticket offer. Concert Week offers something for everyone and features venues of all sizes from clubs and theaters to amphitheaters and arenas. Check out the list below for additional artists featured this year. 

• How Concert Week Works: In the U.S. and Canada, from May 8-14, fans can visit LiveNation.com/ConcertWeek to see the full list of participating events. Once they’ve selected a show, they should look for the ticket type labeled “Concert Week Promotion,” add the ticket(s) to their cart, and proceed to checkout.
• How to Find Participating Shows: Fans can filter their search on LiveNation.com/ConcertWeek by participating events, venues, or artists. While on the website, fans can also set the location to the closest city and the site will refresh to only include participating shows nearby. 
• How to Buy Tickets: Tickets for Concert Week in the U.S. will be available starting with T-Mobile and Rakuten early access (details below) beginning Tuesday, May 7th. The general onsale for Concert Week will begin Wednesday, May 8th at 10am ET through Tuesday, May 14th at 11:59pm local time, or while supplies last at LiveNation.com/ConcertWeek.
• How to Participate in T-Mobile Early Access: T-Mobile customers get 24-hour early access to $25 all-in tickets to thousands of shows starting Tuesday, May 7 th at 10am ET while supplies last. T-Mobile customers can simply head to www.T-MobileReservedTickets.com for details on how to unlock their exclusive tickets. With Magenta Status , T-Mobile’s suite of premium perks and experiences, customers also get VIP treatment with special-priced tickets and expedited entry at top venues across the country – all just for being customers. Download the T-Life app or visit www.T-MobileReservedTickets.com to learn more. Limitations apply.
• How to Participate in Rakuten Early Access: From 10am ET through 11:59pm ET on May 7, Rakuten members can purchase early access tickets and earn Cash Back while supplies last. It’s free and easy to join Rakuten, and members get access to savings and rewards on the shopping platform, including Cash Back across more than 3,500 stores. Sign up for Rakuten here to receive an early access code, which will be available within the My Account page of Rakuten’s app or website. Terms apply.
• How to Participate in Hilton Honors’ Tickets with Points: Hilton Honors, the fastest-growing hotel loyalty program for Hilton’s 22 world-class brands, makes it easier for members to get tickets to see their favorite artists and live concerts – even during Live Nation’s Concert Week. Members simply need to connect their Hilton Honors and Ticketmaster accounts and use their Hilton Honors Points to pay for all or part of their ticket purchases for select Concert Week shows. For more information about Tickets with Points, please visit the website . The Hilton Honors program is free to join, and travelers can enroll online at hiltonhonors.com .

PARTICIPATING SHOWS INCLUDE:

*Note: Fans should check the Concert Week website to confirm which dates from the below tours are a part of the Concert Week offer.   

AND MANY MORE… 

MORE TO KNOW: 

• Concert Week tickets include all fees upfront in the $25 all-in cost.
• Any taxes will be added at checkout as applicable to each city, state and venue.
• Live Nation led the industry in moving its festivals and venues to all-in pricing last year. 
• Concert Week tickets are available for select Live Nation events, while inventory lasts.
• Australia / New Zealand
• Asia: China, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand
• Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
• UK: England, Scotland
• Middle East: UAE

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Live Nation Concerts     

Monique Sowinski | [email protected]

Maya Sarin | [email protected]

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Saudi Arabia posts budget deficit of US$3.3 billion in first quarter

SAUDI Arabia posted a budget deficit of 12.387 billion riyals (S$4.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2024, the finance ministry said on Sunday, after lower oil revenues and increased spending weighed on the economy.

The kingdom needs to spend hundreds of billions of dollars to fund giga-projects aimed at weaning the economy off oil and to boost tourism and the private sector.

Oil revenues reached 181.922 billion riyals, while total revenues were 293.433 billion riyals as non-oil revenues edged higher, although oil still dominates.

Public spending was 305.820 billion riyals surpassing last year’s 283.855 billion riyals.

International Brent crude has averaged around US$83.50 so far in 2024, while Saudi Arabia needs oil at US$96.2 to balance its 2024 budget, the IMF forecasts.

For the full year, Saudi Arabia has projected an annual budget deficit of 79 billion riyals, and has said it will scale back some of its giga projects.

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“There are challenges... we don’t have ego, we will change course, we will adjust, we will extend some of the projects, we will downscale some of the projects, we will accelerate some of the projects,” Saudi Arabia’ Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan said last week, speaking at the World Economic Forum meeting in Riyadh.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (Opec+) are expected to maintain curbs on production to support the market, and analysts predict Saudi Arabia’s budgetary situation will improve.

“The deficit is contained in Q1 of 2024, and the overall fiscal position should benefit from a higher average oil price from Q2,” Monica Malik an economist with Abu-Dhabi-based ADCB, said. “This is in line with our expectation of a smaller than budgeted deficit in 2024.” REUTERS

KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE

• Saudi Arabia hikes oil selling prices for all grades to Asia
• IMF urges Middle East’s states to roll back grip on economies
• Abu Dhabi hub carrier Etihad adds banks to US$1 billion IPO
• Banking giants race to Riyadh as MBS steps up pressure campaign
• Saudi Arabia says economic revamp momentum intact as plans shift
• Meituan to debut in Riyadh as expansion beyond China quickens
• Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major Fifa sponsorship deal

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SNP veteran John Swinney set to be Scotland’s next leader

Shell in talks to sell malaysia fuel stations to saudi aramco: sources, israel begins evacuating part of rafah, hamas decries 'dangerous escalation', macron, von der leyen press china’s xi on trade in paris talks, eurozone business activity grows at fastest pace in almost a year, pmi shows, china may day holiday spending delivers mixed picture on post-covid recovery, support south-east asia's leading financial daily.

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