The thriving city-state of Singapore feels like a world apart from many other places in Southeast Asia. It’s a lot more developed — and if you’re wondering if Singapore is worth visiting, I’ve got some tips to help you decide in another post.
One misconception is easy to clear up though: you absolutely can stay in Singapore on a budget. It will clearly never be as inexpensive as other neighboring Southeast Asian countries, but you also won’t have to sell a kidney. Luckily, essential things like food and transportation can be very cheap. And there are plenty of backpacker hostels in Singapore where a bed is still reasonably priced. Here are some tips for enjoying Singapore on a budget.
Plan your stay in Singapore
Singapore tours & experiences
Find the best hotels
Browse cheap hostels
Book transport in Asia
Is Singapore expensive? To be clear, yes, Singapore is an expensive country overall. It’s often ranked as one of the most expensive countries in the world, so it’s pricey even from a European or American perspective.
To be a permanent resident in Singapore in particular is not cheap. Due to a lack of space housing is priced at a premium, many products (like alcohol) are highly taxed, and to own a car in Singapore you need to spend around $100k USD… and that’s just for the road permit you need before buying a car! Visiting Singapore can also be expensive, but it depends. If you spend at a Singapore level on accommodation and dine in fancy restaurants it will easily be the most expensive destination in Southeast Asia. But if you visit as a budget traveler, you can still easily keep costs under control by using public transport, using cheap budget accommodations like hostels, and eating at food markets called Hawker Centers.
Where to stay in Singapore
If you’re on a tight budget then hostels are always a good way to save money in Singapore. In the table below are a few backpacker hostels in Singapore that I recommend. Most travelers base themselves in or near Chinatown, Kampong Glam (the Arab quarter), or Little India. Even though I like to stay in hotels or guesthouses most of the time on my trips, I still go for hostels in Singapore as this can save you so much money. Of course, there are backpacker-style hostels similar to the ones you find in other Southeast Asian countries, though there are also a fair number of capsule hostels and nomad hostels for those who prefer a more hotel-like environment. If you’re looking for something more private, you can find some nice rooms on Airbnb starting at about $40 or €35 a night.
Great hostels in Singapore
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- $$ hostel Fine Stones – Modern hostel located in Kampong Glam. Dorms and several private rooms available.
- $$ hostel Beary Best! – Located in the middle of Chinatown. Dorms and one private room.
- $$ hostel The Hive – Cheap for Singapore, located a few blocks from Little India. Stayed here a few years ago and recommend it!
- $ hostel 5footway.inn Project Ann Siang – Stayed here on my most recent visit. Clean & comfy, with roof terrace looking out on the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown.
Free or cheap things to do
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- Stroll through the Gardens by the Bay
- Visit the Marina Bay Sands & Mall
- Eat at a Hawker Center
- Explore colorful Chinatown
- Wander through Haji Lane & Little India
- Escape to Singapore’s green spaces
- Grab a drink at Clarke Quay
- Enjoy the amazing airport
Travel costs for Singapore
So how expensive is Singapore really? I guess the annoying answer is: ‘it depends’. Singapore is easily the most expensive place in the region, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get by on a budget. Transportation doesn’t have to cost much, thanks to Singapore’s excellent metro system. You can get from one side of the island to the far opposite side (about 50km) for just 2 Singapore dollars (about $1.50 US), and it’s less for shorter trips. Not bad! The MRT metro connects all the key places as well as to Changi International Airport. Food can be very inexpensive too. It really depends on where you eat. Restaurants charge just as much as you’d expect in any ‘Western’ countries. But if you go to any of Singapore’s famed hawker centers, you can get a solid meal for just a couple of bucks. Accommodation is likely to be your biggest expense. A room in a budget hotel costs at least about USD $50 a night, and you can expect a hostel dorm bed to cost around USD $15 to USD $20. That’s not unusual by international standards, but this can be jarring if you just spent, say, USD $8 a night for a private bungalow in rural Laos. Airbnbs and hostels are nice options in Singapore. If you’re not into sharing a room in a hostel, there are quite a few boutique capsule hostels (which give you a private ‘pod’). Ultimately, Singapore can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. If you stay in hotels, take taxis, dine in restaurants, and drink sumptuous cocktails in Singapore’s most trendy bars, you could easily burn through $200+ USD a day. But if you stay in hostels, use the metro system, avoid most of the ticketed tourist sites, and eat at hawker centers, you can still get by on about $40 USD a day.
Travel tips
- Don’t let taxis refuse you
- Sentosa Island is not that exciting
- Try the local specialties