Let’s get something straight—Singapore isn’t cheap. You’ll find $25 cocktails, designer stores with air-conditioning cooler than your Airbnb, and Michelin-starred restaurants that take your bank account on a rollercoaster. Not to mention the cash grabbing monstrosity (also known as universal studios). But here’s the good news: you can still have an epic Singapore trip without bleeding your wallet dry. I did it, and you can too.
Here’s how I kept my expenses low and the experience rich.
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Eat Like a King at a Hawker Centre
Forget overpriced fusion bistros. The soul of Singapore’s food scene is at the hawker centres—open-air food courts with dozens of stalls selling local dishes for under $5. You can find them all around Singapore. You can find them all on google maps here. Here’s the 2 that I would recommend you to check out.
- Maxwell Food Centre: I had a chicken rice plate here that tasted like it was made by someone’s grandma. Cost? $4.
- Old Airport Road Hawker Centre: Char kway teow, satay, laksa… all cheap, all dangerously addictive.
Pro tip: Bring cash and tissues (not for crying, for reserving seats—locals reserve tables with tissue packs. Weird, I know. Or you can always have someone wait out at a table while you go order. Unlucky if you are on a solo trip).
Sleep Smart — Small Boutique Hotels, Hostels and Pods Are Your Friend
I know I know wrong selection of image. But hey, if you are reading this blog then you are definitely not planning to stay there. And that my friend is the right choice I believe, at least to me.
When it comes to Singapore, people always think about luxury accommodations and hotels that cost a kidney. I skipped the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool (for obvious reasons that I think you know well) and stayed in a boutique hotel near Mustafa Center for one-seventh of the price. It was clean, cozy, and futuristic enough to feel cool without being dystopian. The ensuite washrooms were see-through completely. Questionable choice for a family visit but nonetheless cheap.
Hostels in Singapore are often way nicer than in most cities. Try areas like Bugis or Little India for budget stays with character.
Bonus: You meet people. I always wanted to stay in a hostel at Singapore but you would find small boutique hotels also at a cheaper rate with a lovely host.
Get Around Like a Local (Hint: It’s DEFINITELY NOT in a Grab)
Singapore’s MRT system is a budget traveler’s dream. It’s fast, clean, and air-conditioned like a walk-in fridge.
Buy a Singapore Tourist Pass (more about it below). Don’t waste money on taxis unless you’re stuck in a tropical thunderstorm with six bags of kaya toast. Also… walk! Singapore is compact. I strolled from Glam to Chinatown, snacking the entire way. Zero regrets.
What’s the Singapore Tourist Pass, and is it worth it?
If you’re planning to zip around the city without stressing over fares, the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) is your golden ticket. It gives you unlimited rides on public buses, MRT (subway), and LRT trains — which basically covers the entire city.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 1-Day Pass: SGD $22
- 2-Day Pass: SGD $29
- 3-Day Pass: SGD $34
(Each includes a $10 refundable deposit)
You can buy the pass at selected MRT stations like Changi Airport, Orchard, Bugis, and HarbourFront, or from TransitLink Ticket Offices.
Why it’s a win:
- No need to fumble for exact change or top up an EZ-Link card.
- Ideal if you’re doing a packed itinerary with multiple attractions in one day.
- MRTs and buses are super punctual, clean, and cover almost every tourist spot.
Heads-up: The “day” is counted by calendar day, not 24-hour periods. So if you start using your 1-day pass at 5 PM, it still expires at midnight.
If you’re planning to chill in one area per day or walk a lot, you might skip it. But if you’re hopping from Gardens by the Bay to Chinatown to Little India and back to Marina Bay, this pass will more than pay for itself.
Skip the Pricey Attractions (or Hack Them)
Look, the $32 ticket to Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is great if you want to take selfies in the clouds. But you know what’s better? Going to Ce La Vi bar just one floor up. Buy a drink and enjoy the view for the same price—plus, you get a cocktail. Though there’s one thing you should consider. The Skypark has a peak time and offpeak time ticket. And the observation deck which is on the 56th floor has a extended area that provides a slightly better view. Nonetheless, it’s about how you calculate value for money.
There are also places you can go for free. And you can spend an entire day covering them:
- Gardens by the Bay is free if you skip the domes and just wander the outer grounds at night. You will still get the see the light show at night. (don’t worry)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens: Beautiful, sprawling, and completely free.
- Museums: Many have free entry on certain days or discounted evening hours.
Souvenirs Without Going Broke
Avoid the tourist traps at Orchard Road. Head to Bugis Street Market or Chinatown for affordable (and quirky) finds. I once bought a magnet (the kind that our parents buy when they visit a new country) only for $2.
Where to shop:
- Bugis Street Market: This place is chaotic in the best way. Think of it as Singapore’s version of Bangkok’s Chatuchak, but smaller and way more organized. You’ll find tote bags with Singlish slang, quirky shirts, and cool fridge magnets — most under $10.
- Chinatown Street Market: Great for herbal teas, chopsticks, paper fans, and cute notebooks with retro designs. Bargain a little — it’s expected.
- Mustafa Centre (Little India): Open 24/7 and packed with everything from gold-plated photo frames to curry powders.
What to buy (that people actually want):
- Kaya Jam: A sweet coconut-pandan spread locals slather on toast. Get the Ya Kun or Wang Café version — it’s a cult favorite.
- Bak Kwa (BBQ Meat Slices): Smoky, sweet, and chewy. It smells like heaven… until your suitcase absorbs it. Pack airtight or buy it from the airport.
- Local snacks: Think salted egg fish skin, durian puffs (for the brave), or souvenir-sized packs of chili crab instant noodles.
- Tiger Balm: Works for headaches, mosquito bites, or just as a nostalgic smell of every Singaporean grandma’s purse.
- Singlish Tees & Mugs: Phrases like “Lah”, “Can meh?”, or “Steady pom pi pi” printed on mugs and shirts? A+ conversation starters when you’re back home.
Tip: Don’t overlook supermarkets like FairPrice Finest or Cold Storage for souvenirs. They have cute packaging, authentic products, and zero tourist tax.
Final Thoughts: Cheap Doesn’t Mean Boring
Traveling Singapore on a budget doesn’t mean cutting out the good stuff. In fact, it makes you experience more authentically—you eat where locals eat, move like locals move, and stumble into stories you’d never find behind hotel curtains.
So go ahead. Be the person sipping kopi in a hawker centre while millionaires pass you by in Ubers. Your wallet’s intact. Your stomach’s full. And your stories? Unbeatable.
