Cheap Things to Do in Singapore
By NomadicMatt | Published: January 6, 2009Singapore is an expensive place to visit. There’s no way around it. The small city state is priced relative to the United States. On a small stop over trip this isn’t the problem. However, on a big trip through the region, a trip into Singapore can elicit sticker shock. For those still wanting to visit this country, here are some tips for traveling around Singapore and saving some money.
Get Free Train Tickets
At the airport, the Singapore Tourist Authority hands out free ten passes to the Singapore subway. Each pass is worth two dollars so that saves you twenty Singapore dollars- more than plenty for a few days in the city.
Cool Off in the Underground Malls
The best places to go to cool in this very hot city is in the underground malls where the A/C is cranking and all the city is connected. You’ll be able to move around most of the city and never exposure yourself to the heat and humidity. Since it gets cool at night, it can save you from having to pay extra for A/C at your hotel or hostel.
Eat Cheap Food in Little India!
Singapore has some great food but many of the restaurants are expensive. However, one of the best places to eat is Little India, where great Indian meals cost as little as 5 Singapore Dollars! Make sure you find the places where you eat with your hands! Best food around!
Eat Cheap Food in Chinatown!
Another great place to eat cheap food is Chinatown. The dim sum here is great, most everything is in Chinese, the hawker food is also good, and there are a few cool temples here too. A wonderful place to not only eat but wander around.
Get Lunch!
The best time to eat at Singapore’s famed restaurants is during lunch when restaurants offer 20%, making them a great deal and a bit more affordable.
Walk Around the Gardens!
The Botanic Gardens are free, and it is a nice place to walk around especially in the mornings and evenings, when Singapore’s tropical weather cools down a little. Early in the morning locals practice t’ai chi on the lawn, and there are often free concerts at weekends.
Combine the Zoo and Night Safari
The Zoo is one of the must see things in Singapore. They also offer a night tour that is also a very good tour. The best combination to do these two expensive things as combination.
Singapore may not be the most cheap city in the world but there are still some ways to make it less of a burden on your wallet. By eating cheap, walking, and taking advantage of discounts, you could easily do Singapore without busting your wallet!
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wow no comments? well, boo!
Hi Matt
A great round up of activities for very little. I have visited Singapore often as I have a good friend who lives there. She took me to the Changi Point Boardwalk which is on Singapore’s easternmost tip – it’s a great place to walk and take in the sunset.
I loved Singapore Zoo, by far the best in the world! I also spent a lot of time cooling off in air conditioned shops, best way to get around is walk and sweat a bit, before jumping into a bank or shopping centre to cool off
Thanks for the tips, Matt. I have a colleague that visited Singapore last year and loved it. It’s on my list of places to see.
Great to see the list of cheap things to be done in Singapore. Well the pics that you have posted down here is really interesting.
As it rained constantly during our brief visit to Singapore next year, we focused almost entirely on food. We were impressed by the quality and value of food at the food courts/hawker centers – Hainanese chicken rice and Singaporean laksa were some of our favorites.
we just spent 3 days in Singapore and although we walked a lot , stayied in the Geylang district and skip the Singapore zoo opting for a trip to Sentosa we managed to go well over our budget of 50 USD each per day…so I guess you really need to work out in advance the accommodation and what you wish to do
For me Singapore is the most cleanest city on earth. This was a great experience !
For the ladies, there’s a way to check out Singapore’s buzzing nightlife for free. Hit the clubs during their ladies night and you will get to enjoy complimentary entry and drinks!
Here’s an updated list of these ladies nights:
http://e-clubbing.com/Section-3.html
infact u can find food costing under $5 everywhere in singapore. eat at hawker centres and u might even find a nice plate of chicken rice for less than S$3.
if u’re in chinatown, pop by the hawker centre in Hong Lim Complex or the one near Smith street. Plenty of good food all below $5.
Really great guide to Singapore. I can’t believe just give out free subway passes.
i cant wait to visit this fantastic country, will be there august 2009, just itching to get there
I will be visiting SIngapore with a friend in August, 2009. I find this site interesting. We will be there for 2.5 days (though I will be there for an extra day to wander alone and do the ‘arty’ stuff). Its interestingly difficult to cram in all the wonderful things that Singapore usually has to offer in this short time – but IO guess lets see how it goes.
We are stopping over in Singapore for 3 days on our way to Australia, and really looking forward to it. So far in my web research Hort Gardens with the butterfly house, and Chengi Beach have caught my eye. Also as a keen gardener are there gardeners in Singapore who will show you round their gardens. Does Singapore have a system of ‘friends of Singapore’ similar to New York where people who are proud of their city offer to show visitors round in exchange for a lunch, say?
I have three nights coming up in Singapore and found your suggestions and readers comments useful. I’ll let you know what happens!
Hi,
I was wondering when the shopping festival is? when i could see the city + shop till i drop? good sales and such?
i’m planning to visit Singapore soon, to shop
please help?!?!
I found this site to be amazingly helpful!!! many thanks
First let me say, that (having to live here for 2 years) that yes Singapore is a clean city (in most places, but it isn’t a “green” city yet) You’d think for a city “striving” to be the best in SE Asia, they would incorporate a recycling program into their everyday living! (and stop making those poor garbage collectors pick garbage out of the garbage cans with tongs! ) Yes..food in the hawker centres is cheap, if you can figure out what it is to order..to a foreigner it is mind-boggling to say the least, nor are the hawker centre’s the cleanest places to eat! As for the people of Singapore….I find them to be the most rudist, pushiest people I have ever encountered! Always want to be first..will cut right in front of you…a walk down the sidewalk is like enduring a game of chicken..they feel that as they walk 3 abreast down the sidewalk, that they don’t have to move and would like to force you off (either into the street or onto the grass) And Singapore and Indian men…NO! It is NOT allright to stand in public on a street or on the MRT picking your nose! This is hell on earth!
Hi Colleen I do not agree. I have met nice and friendly Singaporeans. I visited Singapore last week and got a local to bring me to all the local food. Very cheap and tasty! For my 2days trip, I only paid $150USD for her services to bring me around. I also paid other expenses, for example, food, wine and entrance fees for her, which was fair. She also brought me to shop at really affordable places and bargained for me! I was told that some hawkers and sellers would charge me much higher prices if they sees whites. My trip was enjoyable and I would visit Singapore again. If you are interested for a realistic guided trip, you can email her at clearstocksales@gmail.com. Her name is Eve. Don’t laugh at her email like I did!
Colleen,
Are you sure you were in Singapore when you experienced that?
I’m not Singaporean but I really admire the people as they are courteous and very hospitable.
They are not afflicted with any racist attitude that’s prevalent in most bigger cities as they simply don’t have an idea that you could be different because of the color of your skin.
They are egalitarian and very considerate. Of course, there are some deviants but that is the exception rather than the rule.
Peace,
Kareef