Are you planning a trip to Singapore soon and wondering roughly how much money you’ll need? You’re certainly not the only one. Singapore is known as one of the most expensive destinations in South-East Asia, which makes many travellers wonder whether a trip there will fit within their budget. We wondered the same thing beforehand. That’s why, during our trip, we kept a close eye on what we spent on hotels, food, transport and attractions.
Short answer: yes, Singapore is more expensive than most countries in South-East Asia. Accommodation, in particular, is a fair bit pricier. On the other hand, you can eat cheaply at hawker centres, public transport is excellent and affordable, and many attractions are free to visit. With a daily budget of around €100 to €150 per person, you can definitely add Singapore to your bucket list. In this blog, we’ve set out all the costs clearly and shared our best budget tips, so you know exactly what to expect.
General information about Singapore
Are you planning your trip to Singapore? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and applying for the SG Arrival Card. You can find all information on Singapore here.
Is Singapore expensive?
Yes, Singapore is known as one of the more expensive destinations in South-East Asia. However, the final cost depends mainly on how you travel. If you regularly eat at hawker centres, use public transport and don’t necessarily need to stay in a luxury hotel, then a trip to Singapore doesn’t have to be nearly as expensive as many people think.
If you compare Singapore with the Netherlands, the cost of food and public transport in particular is often surprisingly reasonable. If you compare it with countries such as Thailand, Malaysia or Vietnam, you’ll notice a big difference, particularly when it comes to accommodation. Hotels in Singapore are, in fact, a lot more expensive than in many other countries in South-East Asia.
How much money do you need for Singapore?
How much money you’ll need for Singapore therefore depends mainly on how you choose to travel. If you opt for a hostel, eat regularly at hawker centres and travel by metro, you’ll spend a lot less than if you go out for dinner every evening and stay in a luxury hotel. During our city break, we deliberately chose a comfortable but simple hotel. We were out and about most of the day anyway, so we felt it was a waste to pay extra for luxuries we hardly made use of. Thanks to that choice, combined with eating local food and doing plenty of walking or travelling by metro, our daily costs ended up being lower than we’d expected beforehand.
The figures below give a realistic idea of your average daily expenditure per person, including accommodation, food, transport and a number of activities. Good to know: these amounts do not include your flight ticket.
| Type of traveller | Average daily budget | This would suit you if… |
|---|---|---|
| Budget traveller | €80 | You’ll stay in a hostel or budget hotel, eat mainly at hawker centres and travel by metro or bus. |
| The average traveller | €140 | You’ll be staying in a mid-range hotel, alternating between hawker centres and restaurants, and visiting a number of paid attractions. |
| Luxury traveller | €300+ | You’ll be staying in a 4- or 5-star hotel, eating out regularly and using Grab or a taxi more often. |
1. How much does a hotel cost in Singapore?
For most travellers, accommodation is the biggest expense during a city break to Singapore. Hotels here are considerably more expensive than in many other countries in South-East Asia. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to book a luxury hotel to have a comfortable stay. We deliberately chose a simple mid-range hotel. As we were mainly out and about exploring the city during the day, we felt it was a waste to pay extra for luxury we hardly made use of. Looking back, we’d make exactly the same choice again.
| Type of accommodation | Average price per night |
|---|---|
| Hostel (bed in a dormitory) | €30 – €50 |
| Budget hotel | €80 – €120 |
| Mid-range hotel | €120 – €250 |
| Luxury hotel | €250+ |
Our hotel recommendations for Singapore
Still looking for a nice hotel? Here are three places to stay that we recommend, catering to different budgets.
Tip: book your accommodation well in advance. Hotel prices can rise significantly, particularly during major events such as the Formula 1 race in September. If you’re travelling outside these periods and book a few months in advance, you can often save tens of euros per night.
Budget
We stayed here ourselves. It’s a great base if you want to stay somewhere central without paying through the nose.
From €110 per night
Budget
A hotel that was highly recommended to us, right in the heart of the city centre and beautifully decorated!
From €110 per night
Prime location
A modern, practical choice in a prime location. A big plus: the spacious swimming pool.
From €120 per night
Budget – Solo traveller
A stylish capsule hotel in a central location. Ideal if you want a comfortable place to stay without spending a fortune.
From €50 per night
Luxury
Marina Bay Sands isn’t cheap (to put it mildly), but it is one of the most extraordinary places to stay in Singapore.
From €700 per night
2. How much does food cost in Singapore?
Eating out in Singapore doesn’t have to be expensive at all. In fact, we found the price difference between a hawker centre and a restaurant to be much greater than we’d expected. If you regularly opt for a hawker centre, you can enjoy a delicious meal for just a few euros. If you’d rather eat out at a restaurant every evening, your daily budget will quickly add up.
| Type of meal | Average price |
|---|---|
| Street food meal | €3 – €7 |
| Restaurant | €20 – €40 |
| Café latte | €5 – €7 |
| Bottle of water | €1 |
| Coffee at 7-Eleven | €1,50 |
| Beer | €8 – €12 |
| Cocktail | €15 – €25 |
During our city break, we ate at a hawker centre almost every day. Not just because it’s a lot cheaper, but mainly because you can enjoy incredibly tasty, local food there. For us, that was a real part of the Singapore experience. Curious to know which hawker centres we liked best? Then be sure to read our blog featuring the best hawker centres in Singapore.
3. How much does public transport cost in Singapore?
Public transport in Singapore is not only affordable, but also one of the easiest ways to explore the city. The metro (MRT) and buses are clean, run on time and take you pretty much anywhere you want to go. We used them almost every day during our trip.
Tip: arrange an eSIM from Saily or Airalo, so that you can always easily check your route in Singapore, order a Grab or find the quickest MRT connection straight away. Do you use Saily? If so, use our discount code TTM10 for a discount on 10%!
| Transport | Average price |
|---|---|
| MRT / bus (single journey) | €1 – €2 |
| EZ-Link card (purchase) | €7 |
| Grab (short journey) | €8 – €20 |
| Taxi | Similar to the Grab, though sometimes slightly more expensive |
4. How much do tourist attractions in Singapore cost?
Although some popular attractions charge an entrance fee, you certainly don’t have to spend a lot of money every day in Singapore. There are, in fact, plenty of great sights that you can visit completely free of charge. We do, however, recommend booking tickets online in advance with well-known organisations such as GetYourGuide.
| Attraction | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Gardens by the Bay (Cloud Forest + Flower Dome) | €31 |
| Marina Bay Sands SkyPark | €19-20 |
| Singapore Zoo | €30 |
| Universal Studios Singapore | €70 |
| Night Safari | €40 |
What activities are free in Singapore?
Although the popular attractions listed above charge an entrance fee, fortunately there are also plenty of places you can visit completely free of charge. In fact, some of our favourite spots in Singapore cost absolutely nothing. So be sure to set aside a day to explore the city on foot. That way, you’ll not only discover the best-known highlights, but you’ll also get a much better feel for the atmosphere. A few of our favourite free attractions are:
- Walking through Gardens by the Bay (outdoor area)
- The Spectra Light & Water Show at Marina Bay Sands
- A visit to Merlion Park
- Wander around Chinatown and Little India
- Walking along the Helix Bridge
During our trip, we visited many of these places on foot. We found this not only a great way to save money, but also the best way to really experience Singapore’s different neighbourhoods and unique atmosphere. Curious to find out which sights we think are genuinely worth visiting? Then take a look at our blog featuring the best sights in Singapore, including practical tips, opening hours and our personal favourites.
Our expenses during our 4-day stay in Singapore
Curious to know how much we ended up spending? We kept track of our expenses during our city break. This gives you a realistic idea of what a few days in Singapore roughly cost. So we deliberately chose a mid-range hotel, mostly ate at hawker centres and travelled mainly by metro. Looking back, we’d do exactly the same again. The only thing is, on the hottest days we’d take a Grab a bit more often. It costs relatively little extra and makes your day a lot more comfortable.
| Component | Cost per person. |
|---|---|
| Hotel | €360 |
| Food & drink | €140 |
| Transport | €25 |
| Activities | €90 |
| Total (4 days) | €615 |
Frequently asked questions about the cost of a trip to Singapore
Do you still have any questions after reading this blog? If so, there’s a good chance you’ll find the answer below. We’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions about the costs of a trip to Singapore, so that you can set off well prepared and know exactly what to factor into your budget.
1. Is Singapore expensive?
Yes, Singapore is more expensive than most countries in South-East Asia. Accommodation, in particular, is relatively pricey. On the other hand, eating at hawker centres, public transport and many tourist attractions are actually quite affordable. With an average daily budget of €100 to €150 per person It’s a great way to explore Singapore.
2. How much money do you need for a holiday in Singapore?
That depends on your travel style. If you’re travelling on a tight budget and staying in a hostel, you could end up spending around €80 per person per day. If you opt for a mid-range hotel and visit a few paid attractions, you should expect to spend around €140 per person per day. For a luxury holiday, this amount can easily exceed €300 a day.
3. How can you save money whilst travelling in Singapore?
During our trip, we realised that you can save quite a bit by making a few smart choices. For example, opt for a hostel or budget hotel if you’re mainly out and about, eat regularly at a hawker centre, and travel by metro or bus as much as possible. Book attraction tickets online in advance, book your hotel well in advance and be sure to visit the many free attractions too. You can also save money simply by drinking tap water, buying snacks from the supermarket and getting around on foot as much as possible.
4. Is Singapore more expensive than Bali?
Yes. Singapore is generally more expensive than Bali, particularly when it comes to accommodation, restaurants and alcohol. On the other hand, public transport is actually cheaper and more efficient than many travellers expect.
5. Is Singapore more expensive than Thailand?
Yes. Singapore is more expensive than Thailand in almost every respect. Hotels and restaurants, in particular, are considerably more expensive. However, if you eat regularly at hawker centres and travel by metro, your daily expenses will remain quite manageable.
6. Is Singapore more expensive than Malaysia?
Yes. Hotel prices in particular are considerably higher in Singapore than in Malaysia. The difference is smaller when it comes to food and public transport, especially if you opt for local eateries.
7. Can you visit Singapore on a tight budget?
Yes. By choosing a hostel or budget hotel, eating at hawker centres regularly and using the MRT, you can easily visit Singapore without a large budget. It’s the accommodation, in particular, that ultimately determines how much your trip will cost.
8. What is the cheapest way to get from Changi Airport to the city centre?
The metro (MRT) is the cheapest option. A single journey costs around €2 and takes you in about 30 minutes to the centre of Singapore.
9. Do you need a lot of cash in Singapore?
No. You can make contactless payments with a debit or credit card almost everywhere. Even many hawker centres accept card payments.
10. When is Singapore at its most expensive?
Hotel prices are at their highest during major events, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix in September. Accommodation can also be more expensive during school holidays and public holidays. If you travel outside these periods, you’ll often benefit from lower hotel prices.
11. How much does a beer cost in Singapore?
A beer in Singapore costs on average between €8 and €12 in a restaurant or bar. In popular spots, such as rooftop bars or Marina Bay Sands, prices are often even higher. Want to save money? Then check if there’s a happy hour or buy your drink in a supermarket, where prices are a lot lower.
12. Is alcohol expensive in Singapore?
Yes, alcohol is relatively expensive in Singapore. This is mainly due to the high taxes on alcoholic drinks. In restaurants, bars and clubs in particular, you’ll pay considerably more than in many other countries in South-East Asia. If you drink little or no alcohol, you can actually save quite a bit on your total daily budget whilst travelling.
Conclusion: is Singapore expensive?
Yes, Singapore is more expensive than most countries in South-East Asia, but don’t let that put you off. During our trip, we discovered that the costs ultimately depend mainly on the choices you make. If you opt for a simple hotel, eat regularly at a hawker centre and travel by metro, a trip to Singapore doesn’t have to be nearly as expensive as many people think.
It is precisely this combination of affordable street food, excellent public transport and plenty of free attractions that, in our view, makes Singapore a surprisingly accessible destination. Of course, you’ll pay more for accommodation than in, say, Thailand or Malaysia, but in return you get a clean, safe and incredibly well-organised city.
We would definitely visit Singapore again and make exactly the same choices. In particular, the food at the hawker centres, all the walking through the different neighbourhoods and the mix of free and paid attractions made this city break absolutely worth it for us. Do you have any questions or comments? If so, you can always send us a message via Instagram or via info@thousandtravelmiles.nl.
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