Singapore is known as the most expensive country in South Asia, but don’t worry it is possible to travel to Singapore for cheap.
The city-state is a paradise for photographers, food and shopping lovers. There are plenty of activities to experience and amazing things to see.
Let me share with you the 9 best tips to travel to Singapore for cheap, and get the most from your stay without breaking the bank.
Fly on a budget
If you come from a country outside Asia, make sure to book your ticket plane in advance. As, Singapore is a touristic destination, tickets flights might be expensive. However, if you plan your trip in advance you can flight to Singapore for cheap.
You can also create your own stopover. Flying from your country to an Asian country, to finally join Singapore for cheap by plane, train or coach. It only cost me 20$ to go from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to Singapore. And, It costs only arround 55 $ to fly from Bangkok to Singapore.
There are plenty of flights to Singapore everyday, through budget asia airline companies. You can check airline search engines like Google flight, skyscanner, Singapore airline.
Take in consideration that most of the cheap flights arrive after midnight at the airport, and it will probably makes you miss the last train. But don’t worry, Changi airport has been ranked among the best airports in the world. So spending a night in it will not be a problem. If you do not wish to sleep at the airport, you can arrange a transportation in advance.
11. Claim a Tax Refund
Another useful tips to travel in Singapore for cheap, is to make profit on the 7% GST refund at the airport during your departure from participating stores like Fossil, Charles & Keith, and others. If you spend more than 100$ and can show all of the receipts of the products you have bought during your trip, you are eligible to the refund.
So, make sure to always keep all your receipts.
Find a budget hotel
Compared to other Asian countries, accomodation is one of the most expensive things in Singapore. Nevertheless, you can find some affordable hotels available in the city-state.
If you are a solo traveler who travels on budget like me, there are backpacker’s hotel spreaded in the city. But if you prefer more privacy, a budget hotel is the best option for you.
Most hotels in Singapore offer comfortable rooms and outstanding service, with free breakfast and WIFI. Don’t worry they worth their price.
You can also opt for a capsulte hotel.
Eat local food at Hawker food center
The best way to save money in Singapore is to smartly choose where you eat. You will find the most authentic food for cheap in the Hawker center, it is where most locals eat.
Let’s enjoy the delicious Singaporean classics like Chili Crab and black pepper crab, which are some of the most famous dishes in Singapore. The chicken rice and stimbal stingray are also one of the most consumed plates in the city-state.
Don’t worry about the higiene standards you can chekck the colored signs displayed at each stand from A (The best hygiene) to B (a risk).
Moreover, you can explore little india, Chinatown and Arab street to try food from other countries, such as Thai, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Turkish and Arabic food.
If you are a food lover, you can involve yourself in a food and culture tour in the city with the group. You will discover the local history and culture, while enjoying multi-cultural Singapore food flavors, selected for you.
Travel in Singapore for cheap
Purchasing a transportation pass is often more profitable than buying single tickets for each trip. If you want to efficiently explore Singapore, I wisely advise you to choose a transportation pass suitable to your needs and budget.
Singapore Tourist Pass
These pass will give you unlimited travel for 1 to 2 or 3 days. This card is recommended for short stay in the city-state.
- One day pass : 7,50 $
- 2 days pass : 12 $
- 3 days pass : 15 $
Each pass charges a refundable 10 $.
EZ-Link Card
This transportation card, is usable in all public transports, LRT and MRT trains, but also buses. It is the perfect pass if you do not travel some days and is the best for long stay in Singapore.
The EZ-Link card costs only 5 SDG, you can charge the amount you wish in the card, when you take public transports the money is automatically debited when you tap the card on the panels.
It allows you to pay 0.17 SDG less per trip compared to using cash and it gives an additional 0.25 SDG discount when your travel from a bus to an MRT or vice-versa.
Whatever the pass you choose, make sure to direclty buy it at the Changi Airport, from the TransitLink Ticket Office. So, you can use it direclty from the airport and avoid waisting money in single tickets.
Use your own bottle water
Compared to other Asian countries you can consume tap water at any point in Singapore, as the water is clean and clear. So, using your own bottle and refilled it, is a good way to save money as a bottle of water costs arround 2 Dollars in Singapore.
You can refil your bottle in a tap point or in your hotel.
Look for free things to do
Singapore is recognized as the most expensive country is South Asia. Nevertheless, going arround the city-state is not necessarily expensive. There are plenty of free activities to do in Singapore. You can explore free spaces in the Garden by the bay or Singapore botanic gardens. You can spend a day at Siloso beach in Sentosa or even watch a free performance at Esplanade.
Activity passes
Buying single admission tickets can be expensive, especially if you planned to experience several activities in Singapore. Multi attraction passes are a good way to save money. There are multiple passes available according to the type of activity you enjoy.
The passes allow you to save up to 30% on the tickets costs.
Singapore Multi Attractions Pass
If you want to visit the main attractions of the city-state the Singapore multi-attractions pass is the perfect pass for you. This pass allows you to visit the universal studios Singapore, the Singapore Cable Car, Gardens by the Bay, SkyHelix Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, and Sentosa Luge for a great price.
Singapore Adventure Pass
If you love adventurous activities, this pass is the best pass for you, it offers you the possibility to try multiple exciting attrations for a great price. You can try the NERF Action Xperience, AIRZONE, Katapult Trampoline Park in Orto Yishun VR, Superpark, AIRZONE, or Game Experience by Hologate.
Singapore Wildlife Attractions Pass
This pass is the perdect pass for animals and wildlife lovers. The Singapore wildlife attraction pass gives you access to Singapore night safari, Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird park, and Singapore river wonders.
Singapore Spa Wellness Pass
Want to relax and take care of yourself ? Singapore Spa Wellness Pass gives you access to the best spa operators in Singapore such as Joya Onsen Cafe, Syoujin , KENKO Wellness, Miracle Day Spa and OD Wellness.
Know where to shopping for cheap
Singapore is a shopping paradise, with its multiple modern and entertaining malls spreaded all over the city-state.
Most of these mall are too expensive. So, if you want to shopping and take some souvenirs with you, without breaking the bank. The best alternative is to do your shopping in tourist markets and cheap shops arround little india and chinatown.
Bugis Street Market is certainly cheapest place to shop in Singapore. The market is open from 11 am to 10 pm and is located near Bugis MRT, you can find clothes, souvenirs, accessories and food.
Also, the Mustafa Centre and the aging Lucky Plaza situated on Orchard Road are great places to shopping, you can find almost everything there.
Even in small markets, do not be shy to negociate.
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