Nadia Farha Mubin
Singapore, often considered an expensive city, offers numerous budget-friendly options that allow travellers to explore the city without straining their wallets. From cheap foods to toll-free attractions, with a little planning and insider knowledge, you can experience the best of what this vibrant city-state of Singapore offers on a budget.
Getting Around
One of the most important things to keep in mind while exploring this incredible city is choosing the right mode of transportation. If you want to ensure you can experience Singapore on a budget, then your best options are either walking and cycling or using their public transport. Many of Singapore’s attractions are within walking distance of each other, especially in areas like Marina Bay, Chinatown, and Little India. Using the dedicated cycling paths, you can ride a rental SG Bike or Mobike to explore the city.
Singapore’s public transportation system is efficient, clean, and affordable, like buses and MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). They can take you all over Singapore and All you have to do is touch your Debit or Credit card when you enter or exit. Another option is to purchase an EZ-Link card or a Singapore tourist pass. These passes offer a tourist unlimited rides on public transport, removing any need for tickets.
Affordable Accommodations
Now let’s talk about your budget-friendly living arrangements in Singapore. This city surprisingly has a wide range of options for accommodation. From hostels to budget hotels you will come across several affordable options in Chinatown, Little India, and Bugis. If you are looking for a unique and inexpensive place to crash for the night, you can even opt for Capsule hotels, such as The Pod and Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel.
Some people prefer a bit more independence and privacy even while travelling abroad, so they look for Airbnb and guesthouses in Singapore. From private rooms to entire apartments, Airbnb offers numerous reasonable options in this vibrant city. And if you want to get a taste of the local hospitality at a low cost, try looking for Guesthouses and homestays.
Free and Low-Cost Attractions
You won’t need to break the bank to see all the fascinating attractions in this outstanding city. There are countless options for you to explore in Singapore on a budget. Although some conservatories can charge an entrance fee, the outdoor gardens, like the Supertree Grove and Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes, are open for free tours. If you want to witness the spectacular Garden Rhapsody light and sound show, then you should go there in the evening.
Escape from city life into the green land of fairytales when you stroll through the Singapore Botanic Gardens, A UNESCO World Heritage site. The beauty of its serene green ambience will leave you mesmerised. Enjoy the stunning skyline views while taking a relaxing walk along the Marina Bay Sands area. You will also get the chance to appreciate the nightly Spectra light and water show at the Event Plaza.
You can also take amazing pictures at photo-tastic locations like the Helix Bridge and Merlion Park. And if you are a history buff or an art junkie, then you can visit some of the museums and cultural sites in Singapore that you can enter for free or at a very modest rate on specific days. Places worth visiting to quench your intellectual thirst include the National Gallery Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, and Asian Civilisations Museum, or experience the local heritage and vibrant street art of Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam.
Budget-Friendly Dining
Now let’s talk about another important aspect of travelling, the dining. It is crucial to know the places in Singapore where you can dine on a budget. Taste the authentic flavours of delicious and affordable local dishes at the heart of Singapore’s food culture, Hawker centres. Don’t miss out on local favourites like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and satay from some of the most popular spots at the hawker centres including Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, and Chinatown Complex.
Apart from the hawker centre, you will also find a wide range of mouth-watering options for dining which are reasonably priced. You will have your pick of delicious meals from a diverse array of choices at places like Food Republic and Kopitiam.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
Aside from sightseeing, you can also opt for some outdoor activities as well to stick to a strict budget. You can explore the hiking trails of the MacRitchie Reservoir. You can bask in the stunning views and natural beauty of the lush green forest that you can appreciate from the free-standing suspension bridge.
One of the most relaxing outdoor activities one can do while vacationing in a foreign land on a budget is a picnic, and a popular spot for that is East Coast Park. It’s a beach area so you can do all sorts of beach activities as well as go on a bicycle ride along the shores. You can even rent a barbecue pit and organise a fancy cookout by the beach.
Budget Shopping
If you travel abroad but don’t explore the local shopping places, you will be mission out on a lot. Singapore has some of the most elaborate shopping scenes in the world, where you can find almost anything you like in the budget you are comfortable with.
Among all the interesting places to shop in Singapore, Bugis Street Market is one of the best places for tourists on a budget. You will find everything from trendy clothes and accessories to souvenirs and street food at bargain prices here. Thrift stores like the Salvation Army Thrift Store and New2U Thrift Shop, and flea markets like the Public Garden and Fleawhere are also perfect options for finding budget-friendly trinkets and other items.
Affordable Entertainment
Singapore is the kind of place where you will come across countless free concerts and other modes of entertainment around the city. Catch free performances hosted at the Esplanade or the occasional free concerts by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra held at different venues.
You also have the option to go out for movies at a discount. Movie tickets are usually sold at a cheap rate during the weekdays in Singapore. And since you will be on vacation, so you will have all the time in the world for that.
Although Singapore has an expensive reputation, you will always have a way to be savvy and explore the many luxuries of the city on a budget. If you also want to visit this magnificent island country, then book your trip through British Bangla Travel Ltd today. And for more travel-related blogs and updates, stay tuned to our website.
