Singapore on a budget: what it really costs, and how to spend less
Singapore's reputation as one of the world's most expensive cities is built on the cost of living here — property, cars, private schools. As a visitor, almost none of that touches you. Food is one of the cheapest food scenes in the developed world, public transport costs pennies, and a startling share of the best experiences are free. The things that will actually empty your wallet are alcohol, taxis and hotels — and all three are avoidable.
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The real daily cost, three ways
Per person per day, excluding flights and accommodation:
- Backpacker — S$35–50/day. Hawker food three times a day (S$20), MRT (S$6), free attractions only, a beer at a coffee shop rather than a bar.
- Comfortable — S$80–120/day. Hawker plus one restaurant meal, MRT with the occasional Grab, one paid attraction most days, a couple of drinks.
- Splashing out — S$250+/day. Restaurants, rooftop bars, Universal Studios, taxis.
Accommodation on top: hostel dorms from around S$25–40, decent 3-star from around S$120–180, Marina Bay Sands considerably more.
Food: how to eat brilliantly for S$20 a day
This is the easiest win in Singapore and it isn't a compromise. Hawker centres serve some of the best food in Asia for S$4–8 a plate. One stall in Chinatown Complex has held a Michelin star while charging a few dollars a plate.
Rules of thumb: eat where the queue is; eat at hawker centres in residential neighbourhoods (Old Airport Road, Tiong Bahru, Tekka) rather than the ones ringed by hotels; drink kopi at S$1.20 instead of S$7 flat whites; and fill your water bottle from any tap — Singapore tap water is safe, clean and free.
See our hawker centre guide for exactly where to go and what to order.
Transport: S$5–8 a day, and never take a taxi from the airport
The MRT is fast, spotless, air-conditioned and cheap: adult fares run roughly S$1.28 to S$2.57 depending on distance. Just tap in with your own contactless bank card or phone (SimplyGo) — no need to buy any special card at all.
From Changi Airport, the MRT into town costs a couple of dollars and takes about 45 minutes. A taxi is 10–15× that. The one exception: if you land after midnight when the MRT has stopped, take the airport shuttle rather than a taxi.
Full detail in our MRT guide.
The three things that quietly destroy budgets
1. Alcohol. Singapore taxes alcohol heavily. A pint in a bar is commonly S$15–18; a cocktail S$22–28. If you drink, drink at a coffee shop or hawker centre (a large bottle of Tiger is a fraction of the price), or buy your duty-free allowance on the way in.
2. Grab and taxis. Individually cheap by Western standards, but three or four rides a day adds S$40–60 you didn't budget for, to get somewhere the MRT was going anyway.
3. Attraction stacking. Sentosa, the Flyer, the observation decks, Madame Tussauds, the aquarium — each S$25–90, each individually defensible. Pick two paid attractions for a short trip and spend the rest on the free ones, which in Singapore are genuinely better than average.
The free version of Singapore is very good
Gardens by the Bay's outdoor gardens and Supertree Grove — free. Garden Rhapsody, the nightly light show — free. The Southern Ridges canopy walk — free. Every temple and mosque in Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam — free. The Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — free. Haji Lane, the Merlion, the Marina Bay waterfront, Fort Siloso Skywalk, Changi Airport's Jewel and its indoor waterfall — all free.
We've listed the best of them in free things to do in Singapore.
Where paying is actually worth it
Being cheap has a cost too. Three things are worth the money:
The Cloud Forest conservatory (around S$30 with Flower Dome) — the 30m indoor waterfall in a cold mist dome is unlike anything else, and the aircon on a 33°C afternoon is a service in itself.
One proper chilli crab dinner. Yes it's S$60–90 for the crab. Split it between two or three and it's the meal you'll describe when you get home.
The Singapore Oceanarium (the former S.E.A. Aquarium, reopened bigger in July 2025 — around S$50), if you have kids or you like the sea. It's world class.
Frequently asked questions
Is Singapore expensive for tourists?
Less than its reputation suggests. Food, transport and many of the best attractions are cheap or free — you can eat superbly for S$20 a day and travel the whole city for S$6. What's genuinely expensive is alcohol, taxis and hotels. A comfortable day costs around S$80–120 per person excluding accommodation.
How much money do I need per day in Singapore?
Around S$35–50 a day as a backpacker eating at hawker centres and sticking to free attractions; S$80–120 for a comfortable day with a restaurant meal and one paid attraction; S$250+ if you're eating in restaurants and drinking in bars. Accommodation is extra.
What is the cheapest way to get around Singapore?
The MRT. Adult fares are roughly S$1.28–S$2.57 per trip, and you can simply tap in with your own contactless bank card or phone — no tourist card needed. Avoid taxis and Grab, which add up faster than anything else.
Can you eat cheaply in Singapore?
Yes, and it's the best food in the city. Hawker centre meals cost S$4–8, and the quality is exceptional — one Chinatown stall has held a Michelin star while charging a few dollars a plate. Tap water is safe and free.
Is Singapore worth visiting on a budget?
Absolutely. The best food is the cheap food, public transport is excellent and cheap, and the outdoor Gardens by the Bay, the Botanic Gardens, the Southern Ridges, every temple and the nightly Supertree light show are all free.