Well, let’s start with the fact that Singapore is famous for its ethnic quarters, public spaces, fascinating history, and diverse culture. We’ll use this as a jumping-off point to make a list that’s sure to please all, from the casual visitor to the travel addict. Singapore might have a reputation for being pricey, and to some extent, that’s true. Accommodation costs here are among the highest in Asia, and visiting major attractions like the zoo, Gardens by the Bay, and certain museums can be quite expensive. But don’t worry! By following the tips I’ve shared below, you can definitely save some cash and still enjoy your time in Singapore. If you’re planning a trip, make sure to check out my 10 Essential Tips for Visiting Singapore.
Travel Tip #1: Airport
One of the first ways to save money in Singapore is by choosing the right transportation to and from Changi Airport. There are two budget-friendly options: the subway and the shuttle bus.
And hey, before you leave the airport, make sure to visit the Changi Jewel. It’s FREE and absolutely AMAZING!
Subway / Train
Taking the subway, or Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) as it’s called in Singapore, is the cheapest option. For instance, you can travel from the airport to Chinatown for just $1.80 SGD (US$1.33). Other popular spots like the Colonial District, Little India, and Kampong Glam cost about the same.
The downside? The trip can take at least an hour, you’ll likely need to change lines once or twice, and during rush hour, the trains can get pretty crowded. If you’re tired from your flight or carrying lots of luggage, you might prefer the next best option – the shuttle bus.
City Shuttle Bus
The shuttle bus is the next most affordable option to get to and from the airport. It’s more comfortable than the subway and super easy to get tickets. If you’re leaving the airport, just head over to the shuttle bus concierge desk in any terminal. They even have ticket machines at the desks for your convenience.
Just pop in the name of your hotel and the fare, and you’ll score a ticket showing when you leave.
If you’re heading from your place to the airport, you can book a pickup online here. Honestly, I missed out on this service when I was in Singapore, so I can’t vouch for how well it works.
I did use the shuttle to get to my hostel in Chinatown. It cost me $9 SGD (about US$6.64).
The airport’s website mentions that their shuttle bus concierge desks are open 24/7, with buses departing every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak times.
Taxi
Taxis are pricier compared to the other options, but still cheaper than in big cities like Hong Kong or Tokyo. Changi Airport’s website lists example fares:
Peak hours: 6:00 am – 9:00 am; 6:00 pm – 12:00 am: $30 – $35 (US$22-26)
Off-peak hours: all other times – $20 – $30 (US$15-$22)
My hostel arranged a taxi for me when I left. It cost $20 (US$15) for a ride from Kampong Glam to the airport at around 6:00 pm. I found it pretty fair. Just know which terminal you need before you get in the taxi—I didn’t and had no internet to check while in the cab. Thankfully, I had an email from Tripit with the info.
Travel Tip #2: SIM Cards
Save on expenses by getting a local SIM card. There are three main brands of tourist SIM cards: Singtel, M1, and Starhub.
Check out the prices, total data, minutes for international calls, and if you can use it in other countries.
You can grab the SIM card at the airport, 7-11, Cheers stores, or any of the telecom shops around town. Just hit up their website to find the exact spots.
I went with Singtel and picked mine up at the airport. I got a $15 (US$11) Tourist SIM Card, good for 7 days. It came with 4 GB, 100 GB for local calls, unlimited Facebook, 1 GB for roaming in Malaysia and Thailand, and 30 minutes of international calls. Had zero issues using it in Malaysia.
Singtel swapped out my old SIM, taped it to the card the new SIM came in, and popped the new one in for me.
Travel Tip #3: Walking
Want to save some extra cash? Ditch the public transport and walk instead. Singapore is super walkable, with plenty of sidewalks and even covered walkways to shield you from rain and the sun.
Plus, just wandering around, you might stumble upon some amazing art, heritage spots, and cool historical sites.
You might see some awesome street art.
One of the coolest things about Singapore is its shophouse architecture – it’s just stunning. Walking around lets you soak it all in.
Singapore is big on its heritage, so you’ll find signs and placards all over the place giving you the lowdown on the history of the street or a particular building.
Shophouses often have covered sidewalks, keeping you dry when it rains and cool when the sun’s blazing.
Stroll around at night and enjoy the city views. It’s safe and free. There’s a super cool light show every night at 8:00 PM across from Marina Bay Sands – totally free to watch. I found nighttime Singapore way more interesting than shelling out $68 (US$50) to see drowsy animals you can barely spot at Night Safari.
Travel Tip #4: GRAB
Got someplace tricky to reach by public transport or too much luggage for the MRT or bus? Skip the taxi! Use Grab instead. It’s like Uber – just download the app and book a ride. The app will show you when a driver can pick you up and how much it’ll cost. The difference? With Grab, you pay the driver in cash when you get to your destination.
A few things to remember with Grab:
- Grab drivers can get pretty annoyed if you’re not outside waiting for them when they arrive.
- If you’re using a Tourist SIM card, keep in mind it might be second-hand. So, the name that pops up for the Grab driver could be the previous owner’s name. It’s a good idea to update the name on the SIM card. When I was in Singapore, my drivers thought they were picking up a Bangladeshi guy.
Now, let’s talk about how much it cost me to get around: $11 (US$8) for a trip from Chinatown to Katong, $9 (US$7) from Dempsey Hill to Chinatown, and $9 (US$7) from Chinatown to Little India. These places might not mean much to you now, but believe me, using Grab is a bargain compared to taxis in other developed countries.
Travel Tip #5: Tourist Pass?
As a tourist, you’ve got three options for paying for public transport: a 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day tourist pass, single-ride tickets, or an EZ Link Card. Which is the most wallet-friendly and still convenient?
Tourist Pass
A tourist pass lets you ride public transport as much as you want for a set price per day. A 1-day pass costs $10 (US$8), a 2-day pass is $16 (US$12), and a 3-day pass is $20 (US$15). You’ll need to pay a S$10 deposit, which you get back when you return the card. After your pass expires, it becomes an EZ Link card you can top up with more money.
Individual Tickets
Alternatively, single rides in Singapore usually cost under S$2. Check out the MRT website to see how much your trips will run you. Here are some sample fares:
- Changi Airport to Chinatown: $1.88 (US$1.38)
- Chinatown to City Hall: $0.83 (US$0.61)
- Chinatown to Marina Bay (Gardens by the Bay): $0.83 (US$0.61)
- Chinatown to Ang Mo Kio (Singapore Zoo): $1.47 (US$1.08) (bus fare not included)
You’d need to use public transport at least five or six times a day to make the tourist pass worth it. When I was in Singapore, I typically rode it one to four times a day.
But is it really easier to use a day pass rather than buying individual tickets?
Actually, not so much. When you get individual tickets, you can load them up with S$10 or any amount you prefer using the ticket machines around the station, and these can cover up to six rides for 30 days. Plus, the card is made of plastic, which makes it pretty tough. The card itself is just 10 cents, but here’s the cool part – you’ll get those 10 cents back on your third ride, and another 10 cents back after your sixth ride.
EZ-Link Card
Another choice is grabbing an EZ-Link card from Transit Link Ticket Offices, Passenger Service Centers at MRT stations, or even at 7-11 stores. This card works kinda like a debit card for all your public transport needs. You can top it up at MRT station ticket machines and use it for unlimited rides for as many days as you need. There’s a $5 (US$4) refundable deposit, and you can also get a refund on any leftover balance at Transit Link Ticket Offices or Passenger Service Centers. For more details, check out EZ-Link cards here.
If you still prefer to go for a tourist pass, avoid the ones at the Changi Recommends counter at the airport. They are super expensive at $38 (US$28), mainly because they’re meant to be collectible.
Travel Tip #6: Hawker Centres
The coolest thing about Singapore is the food, and second to that is how cheap it is, especially if you eat at hawker centers instead of fancy restaurants. Hawker centers are like mega food courts without the big-name chains. They’re bustling and pretty massive, and trust me, the food there is top-notch. One of my tour guides mentioned that lots of Singaporeans eat all their meals at these spots because they work late and don’t have time to cook. Every time I went, they were packed with people of all ages.
I can’t remember the exact prices for all the food I wolfed down at hawker centers, but I’d say I usually spent between $3 and $7 (US$2.20 and $5.15). For instance, at the Michelin Star-rated Hawker Chan’s Soya Sauce Chicken spot, a plate of his legendary chicken was just $3.80 (US$2.80). On the other hand, when I dined at a sit-down restaurant, I paid $22 (US$16.19) for Hokkien Mee, which is basically a noodle dish you could get at a hawker center, and a drink.
At the Maxwell Hawker Center in Chinatown, I splurged about $30 (US$22) for chili crab, which is a whole crab in a spicy tomato sauce.
The best thing I had to eat in Singapore, hands down. In a proper restaurant, it would’ve cost me two or three times more.
Are they clean? Oh yeah, definitely. Seriously, Singapore is well-known for being super clean and having strict rules with heavy punishments. I even noticed health inspection grades outside every restaurant, and they were all either A or B. I heard they also regularly shut down places for fumigation.
Travel Tip #7: Free Tours
You can save tons of cash in Singapore by joining free tours. There are two kinds: free walking tours offered by some tour companies and free guided tours in museums.
Free Walking Tours
Tour companies have free walking tours available. I didn’t manage to try these out because they clashed with my other plans.
1. Monster Day Tours: These tours are free, but it’s a nice gesture to tip the guide. As of March 8, 2019, here are their free walking tours:
- Kampong Glam tours – Mondays, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
- Chinatown tour – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: 9:30 am – 12:00
- Little India – Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
- Marina Bay Sands and Gardens By the Bay: 4:30 – 7:00 pm
- Civic District and Singapore River: 4:30 – 7:00 pm
- Bugs & Bras Basah: 4:30 – 7:00 pm
2. Indie Tours: These tours are also free, with a suggestion to tip the guide:
- “Original” Tour through Chinatown – Tuesdays and Fridays: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
- “Overview” Tour down the Singapore River and Marina Bay – Mondays: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
- “Balik Kampong” Bugis and Kampong Glam Tour – Wednesdays: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
- “Sari, Spice and Everything Nice” Tour through Little India – Thursdays: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
- “Evening Secrets” Tour through Chinatown – Wednesdays and Thursdays: 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
3. National Parks: The national parks offer multiple free tours; just check out their website.
4. Sneak Peek Singapore Tours
- Signature Tour: Mondays and Saturdays – 1:00 – 6:00 pm – pay as you wish (minimum $22 (US$17).
Free Tours at Museums
Museums in Singapore also have free guided tours in English every day.
You don’t need to tip. The tours at the National Museum of Singapore and the National Gallery were awesome. I skipped the other tours because they clashed with my schedule.
Travel Tip #8: Water
No need to worry about drinking water in Singapore—it’s all safe! Just refill your bottle at your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb. The two hostels I stayed at even had filtered water machines.
Travel Tip #9: Hostels
I’ll be honest, hostels aren’t usually my thing, but hotels in Singapore were way out of my budget. Even the conveniently located Airbnbs were too pricey. Hostels might not be super comfy, but they can save you a lot of cash. If you find a good one, they’re really not that bad. The ones I picked had privacy curtains, a safe, and a little lamp over the bed. Plus, they were central to everything.
Adler House – Chinatown
I stayed at Adler House hostel in Chinatown. It’s a bit older and more worn out than I expected based on Lonely Planet’s hype. The staff there weren’t super knowledgeable either.
The Pod – Kampong Glam
I also stayed at the Pod in Kampong Glam
The place is newer, tidier, and the staff is super helpful. Honestly, I’d stay there just for the free breakfast alone, which was the best hostel breakfast I’ve ever had. Plus, it’s more affordable than the Adler House.
That is my 10 Essential Tips for Visiting Singapore. Singapore isn’t as pricey as people make it out to be. Your biggest expense will likely be where you stay. Paid activities like food tours and attractions like the Singapore Zoo can add up. But the good news is, food and transportation are pretty cheap. Plus, you can stroll around and admire all the heritage buildings for free!
What are some of your top tips for saving money in Singapore?
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See more: Top Singapore Street food – You must try
