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Singapore is a hot tourist’s destination and has been the bane of backpackers and budget travelers. Somehow there has been outrageous comments about Singapore being luxurious and a touch expensive, and with many fine possibilities lurking around, many people have given Singapore a miss altogether.
Accommodation and travel to Singapore are fairly expensive. If you are traveling on a budget, a major chunk of your budget would go off in arranging your travel and accommodation. A hostel dorm or bun bed would cost you around S$20 or more. One of the best ways to cut down these costs would be to opt for hostels instead of hotels. The hostels are safe, clean, and well-maintained and cover basic amenities that are needed for a daily routine. You can search for hostels or hotels near Little India, the rates are slightly cheaper as compared to other prime locations in Singapore. You can also try couch surfing with one of the expats living in Singapore. It is one of the cheapest ways to enjoy Singapore with a fixed budget.
Also, book your room early and in advance gives you access to cheaper rooms especially if your travel is planned in the peak or holiday season. Booking early could also give you discounted fares and save you lot of money and make you avoid long queues at the ticket counters and also the reduce the hassles of exchanging cash. Many budget Singapore packages permit you to show your tickets as a proof of your tourist identity at immigration checkpoints.enter link description here
The Singapore Tourist Pass is not cheap. A one day pass could cost you S$10 plus S$10 which is refunded when you return the card. To cover these expenses, you will have to take at least 4-5 rides on the MRT. There is a possibility that you would like to explore Singapore by foot or visiting massive shopping malls and travel less on the train due to short distances. In such cases, purchasing a Singapore Tourist Pass doesn’t make much sense.
The Singapore transportation card is probably the first thing you should purchase when you arrive in Singapore. You can cover your bus and train journeys using this card. Purchasing this card gives you instant discounts while you use the public transport system and also save your time in standing in queues at ticket machines or counters in the MRT stations. Here you pay only for the distance traveled, unlike a flat fare used elsewhere. The public transport is efficient and all signboards are written in English, so commuting in Singapore is never an issue.
The tap water in Singapore is very safe to drink unlike many other countries in Southeast Asia. You would end up paying S$2 for every bottle of water you purchase at mini marts and stores. Instead, use the tap water for drinking and carry a small bottle of water which you can refill for free at the various hotels or from the tap while you travel around Singapore.
Singapore has an amazing variety of food courts, food halls, and Hawker Street stalls as compared to another place in Southeast Asia. One of the best things about Singapore is that it is absolutely safe eating at the street stalls and one of the best ways to explore the local culture in Singapore. You can enjoy a yummy meal for about S$4-6 in the food halls and if you are in a mood for noodles soup and dishes, it would cost you only around S$3 per meal. Avoid buying food from food courts in high-end malls or which are placed at the bottom of any skyscraper. They are priced slightly higher than stand-alone food centers. Visit the Chinatown or the delightful Lau Pa Sat food center near the Raffles MRT stop for a cheap indulgence.
Singapore is blessed with amazing green spaces which are spread through the city. Apart from these, there are elevated bike trails, skywalks, art displays, public performances, and street performers which can be enjoyed for free. These are generally held along the riverfront, the city center, and the esplanade. You would have many options available for free entertainment, especially on weekends.
The museums in Singapore are a touch expensive. Look out for special days or evenings in a month when special exhibitions are planned, the entrance fee is waived off on those days. Do research well to keep track of the promotional dates. Also, there are tourist passes available which give you access to discounted entrance fees at various museums and attractions in the city. Many operators offer tour packages with these discounted tourist passes.
It would take you months to explore all the shopping malls in Singapore and many of them are ultra-luxurious and super expensive. If you are looking to purchase souvenirs, gifts, and incidental shopping, shop for them at cheaper locations such as Chinatown and Little India. You can negotiate the prices on display, bargaining is considered a norm there.
In terms of snacks, drinks, and basic essentials, purchase them from the big supermarkets rather than purchasing it from mini marts. The VivoMart which is placed beneath the VivoCity, the largest mall in Singapore offers special rates on food and drinks on a regular basis.
