My Singapore Budget Challenge Kickoff
I got curious about visiting Singapore without breaking the bank. Everyone says it’s crazy expensive, right? I decided to test it myself. Grabbed my notebook and started planning right there on my couch.
First thing: flights. I hunted online like crazy for weeks. Found a red-eye economy ticket for way less than usual by being flexible on dates. Still sucked sitting upright for 13 hours straight, but hey, budget.
Actually Landing & Getting Around
Landed at Changi – amazing airport, but skipped the fancy stuff. Headed straight for the MRT train into the city. Bought an EZ-Link card at the station – topped it up with S$20 to start. That card became my lifeline. Buses and trains everywhere. Walked my feet off too. Seriously, my step counter went nuts. Avoided taxis like the plague.
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Travel Costs:
- MRT from Airport to Chinatown: S$2.50
- EZ-Link Card (initial top-up): S$20 (lasted 3 days!)
Sleeping Cheap(ish)
Booked a hostel bunk in Little India weeks before. Shared bathroom, tiny locker – the works. Cost S$35 a night. Not luxurious. Roommate snored like a chainsaw one night, earplugs saved me. Location was gold though, walked everywhere. Saw fancier hotels… walked right past them.
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Accommodation:
- Hostel Bunk (per night): S$35
Hawker Centers Are King
Food? Hawker centers saved me. Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, Chinatown Complex – I hit them all. Lines were long sometimes, but totally worth it.
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Food Wins:
- Chicken Rice: S$5
- Char Kway Teow: S$6
- Teh Tarik (iced): S$2.50
- Kaya Toast Set (breakfast): S$4.50
Grabbed big bottles of water from 7-Elevens (S$2-3) to stay hydrated cheaply. Avoided sit-down restaurants and fancy cafes. Hawker food is delicious anyway, way better than expected!
Seeing Stuff Without the Big Tickets
Splurged on Gardens by the Bay (Cloud Forest & Flower Dome, S$35 combo ticket). Felt expensive, but it’s iconic. Budget felt the pinch.
Stuck to free stuff mostly:
- Marina Bay Sands Light Show at night (free!) – packed, but awesome.
- Botanic Gardens (free entry, UNESCO site) – walked for hours, beautiful.
- Merlion Park & Marina Bay area – iconic photo ops, cost zero.
- Chinatown & Little India street walks – soaked in the vibe, browsed shops, bought nothing.
- Haji Lane – cool street art, window shopping only.
Skipped Sentosa Island and the Zoo. Too pricey for this trip.
Final Tally & The Big Question
After 4 days/3 nights, I sat down at Changi waiting for my flight home and crunched the numbers:
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Total Per Day Average:
- Food: S$25
- Accommodation: S$35
- Transport: S$8 (MRT/Bus)
- Attractions/Other: S$10 average
Total Daily Spend: Roughly S$78 ($58 USD).
So, can you do Singapore on a budget? Heck yes, absolutely! But you gotta be strict. Hostels not hotels, hawker centers not restaurants, MRT not cabs, free sights over pricey attractions. It takes effort, planning, and saying “no” to a lot. My feet are still tired, but my wallet isn’t wrecked. It’s totally possible if you travel smart and embrace the hawker life.
