Singapore has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. Between glitzy rooftop bars, high-end shopping, and luxury hotels, it is easy to burn through a travel budget in hours.
However, after exploring the Lion City, you quickly realize that Singapore’s best experiences aren’t always the most expensive—and some of the most hyped attractions simply aren’t worth your hard-earned cash.
💡 Quick Budget Tip: You can easily keep your daily costs under $60–$80 SGD per day by prioritizing street food, taking public transit, and opting for smart attraction swaps!
10 Things Worth Every Cent in Singapore
1. Eating at Local Hawker Centers
Average Cost: $4 – $8 SGD per meal
Singapore’s hawker culture is UNESCO-recognized for a reason. You can eat Michelin-level meals—like Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa, or Char Kway Teow—at open-air food courts for less than the price of a coffee back home.
2. Gardens by the Bay: Flower Dome & Cloud Forest
Average Cost: ~$32–$53 SGD
While walking around the iconic Supertree Grove is completely free, paying to enter the climate-controlled glass greenhouses is worth every penny. The Cloud Forest features a massive indoor waterfall surrounded by mist-shrouded mountain vegetation that feels straight out of Avatar.
3. Getting an EZ-Link Card for Public Transit
Average Cost: $10 SGD initial purchase ($5 card fee + $5 stored value) or tap with a contactless bank card
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and bus networks are clean, punctual, hyper-efficient, and fully air-conditioned. You can travel across the entire island for just $1–$3 SGD per trip, rendering ride-share apps and taxis completely unnecessary.
4. Night Safari at Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Average Cost: ~$55 SGD
As the world’s first nocturnal zoo, this isn’t your typical animal park. Walking through ambiently-lit night trails or taking the tram guided through naturalistic habitats creates a unique safari experience you won’t find elsewhere.
5. A Traditional Kaya Toast & Kopi Breakfast Set
Average Cost: $5 – $7 SGD
A classic Singaporean breakfast consists of warm toast slathered with kaya (pandan coconut jam) and butter, soft-boiled eggs with dark soy sauce, and a cup of rich local coffee (kopi). It’s cheap, incredibly filling, and delicious.
6. National Museum of Singapore / Chinatown Heritage Centre
Average Cost: ~$15 SGD
Singapore’s rapid transformation from a small fishing village to a global financial powerhouse is fascinating. A quick visit to a well-curated museum gives essential context to the culture and neighborhoods you’ll explore.
7. Grabbing a Drink at a Skyline Rooftop Bar
Average Cost: $25 – $35 SGD for a cocktail
Standard observation decks often charge $25–$30 SGD just to stand in a crowd behind glass. Instead, put that money toward a drink at a rooftop spot like Level33 or Smoke & Mirrors. You get the same sweeping city views—plus a world-class drink and a place to sit.
8. Spectra Light & Water Show at Marina Bay
Average Cost: FREE
Every night, Marina Bay hosts a spectacular 15-minute show featuring dancing fountain jets, lasers, visual projections, and an orchestral soundtrack against the skyline backdrop. It’s world-class entertainment without taking a single dollar out of your pocket.
9. A Day Trip to Rustic Pulau Ubin
Average Cost: $4 SGD bumboat ride + $10–$15 SGD bike rental
Pulau Ubin offers a glimpse into what Singapore looked like in the 1960s. Rent a bicycle near the jetty and pedal through rustic village roads, mangrove forests, and the Chek Jawa Wetlands for an amazingly inexpensive day in nature.
10. Exploring Jewel Changi Airport
Average Cost: Free to walk; $6–$8 SGD for Canopy Park attractions
Constantly rated the best airport in the world, Jewel Changi features the HSBC Rain Vortex—the world’s tallest indoor waterfall—surrounded by a massive indoor forest. It is completely free to marvel at before your flight out.
5 Overpriced Tourist Traps You Can Safely Skip
1. Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck
Why Skip It: You pay roughly $30 SGD just to ride the elevator up and stand behind glass packed with tourists.
Better Swap: Head to Ce La Vi or Level33. For the same price (or less), you get a handcrafted cocktail and a comfortable seat with your skyline view.
2. A Singapore Sling at Long Bar (Raffles Hotel)
Why Skip It: A single Sling at Long Bar runs upwards of $38–$45+ SGD after taxes and service fees. While throwing peanut shells on the floor is fun, the cocktail itself is pre-mixed and sweet.
Better Swap: Visit world-class local cocktail bars like Native or Jigger & Pony, or enjoy a fresh craft beer at a hawker center for $8 SGD.
3. Bundled Sentosa Island Attraction Passes
Why Skip It: Ticketed attractions on Sentosa (Universal Studios, Madame Tussauds, S.E.A. Aquarium) rapidly eat up budget and time better spent exploring unique local neighborhoods.
Better Swap: Enjoy Sentosa’s beaches (Siloso, Tanjong, Palawan) for free, or walk across the scenic Sentosa Boardwalk from VivoCity without paying admission fees.
4. Overpriced Waterfront Seafood Restaurants
Why Skip It: Tourist-heavy waterfront spots along Clarke Quay charge astronomical market rates per 100g for Chili Crab, resulting in $150–$300+ SGD surprise bills.
Better Swap: Get Chili Crab at hawker stalls or neighborhood institutions like Keng Eng Kee Seafood for authentic quality at a fraction of the cost.
5. The Sentosa Cable Car
Why Skip It: A round-trip cable car ticket costs around $35 SGD per adult for a short transit ride.
Better Swap: Walk across the covered Sentosa Boardwalk for FREE from VivoCity, or tap your transit card on the Sentosa Express monorail for just $4 SGD.
Key Takeaway for Budget Travelers
By relying on public transport, eating street food at UNESCO hawker stalls, and swapping paid observation decks for rooftop bars, you can experience Singapore’s highlights for under $60–$80 SGD per day without missing out on the magic of the city.
