How to spend the least amount of money when traveling to expensive Singapore

There are plenty of affordable, even free, ways for transit passengers and tourists to explore Singapore.

Spending time in Singapore can be a significant financial expense. In 2023, the city, along with Zurich, Switzerland, became the world's two most expensive places to live, according to data from the Economist Intelligence Unit.

However, Singapore locals have recently come up with a number of tips to help transit passengers and tourists explore the city on a budget.

Changi Airport in Singapore has unique architecture.

Transit passengers, for example, can take advantage of Changi Airport, which was voted the world’s best airport last year, to check in and explore. The location boasts architecturally unique man-made gardens to explore and even offers a cinema in Terminal 3.

Those with more time can take a free 2-hour bike ride or guided tours lasting about 3 hours to different neighborhoods around the city.

Eat at street vendors outside the city center

Food at the markets in Singapore is both cheap and of guaranteed quality.

Local food is one of the few things tourists can still buy cheaply in Singapore. Even popular dishes at the most popular hawker centres rarely cost more than S$5 ($3.74).

Those looking to save even more money can visit hawker centres in residential areas. For example, a plate of chicken rice costs around S$5 (US$3.75) at Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown. Alternatively, at Changi Village Hawker Centre in eastern Singapore, the dish can be had for as little as S$3.

Eating at less touristy hawker centres also reveals another side of Singapore. These are the high-rise public housing blocks where many locals live, creating a comfortable space.

Use local coffee

Singaporean Kopi.

Coffee at trendy shops or popular chains in Singapore can be expensive, costing up to S$6 a cup. Instead, many locals start their mornings with kopi, Singaporean coffee that is hand-roasted in 15 different ways.

Kopi is served at hawker centres and traditional coffee shops. Famous for its rich, aromatic flavour, a cup of kopi costs an average of just S$1.20. If you stay away from the popular tourist spots, you can find a breakfast set of kopi, two slices of toast with coconut jam and a soft-boiled egg for S$3.

Explore the hidden beaches

Changi Beach helps tourists save on sightseeing costs.

Many tourists in Singapore flock to Sentosa, an offshore island known for its glitzy resorts and beach clubs. But food and drink prices here are often high. A beer at Tanjong Beach Club, a popular spot on the resort island, can cost up to S$16. By comparison, a beer at a local convenience store usually costs less than S$4.

So those who prefer something more casual can head to Changi Beach in eastern Singapore, where travellers can also find dozens of different dining options for under S$10 at the hawker centres.

Stay overnight at love hotels

Hourly guest houses in Singapore are well-reviewed by locals.

Locals in Singapore consider love hotels, which offer rooms for couples to rent by the hour, to be the best value for money in Singapore. For example, rooms at Hotel 81 Chinatown, one of the popular budget hotel chains, start at just S$95. Locals say the place is clean, spacious, centrally located and has private bathrooms rather than shared ones like in budget hostels.

Find free attractions

A corner of the exhibition at the NUS museum.

Singapore is famous for expensive tourist attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore and the observation deck at Marina Bay Sands with admission fees of S$62 and S$32 respectively.

However, visitors can visit free destinations such as Grilman Barracks, Singapore's contemporary art district that houses many international galleries, or the NUS Museum. In addition, free concerts are often held outdoors at the Esplanade, the famous theater complex known as the Durian Theater.

(According to 24h, January 16, 2024)

Source: https://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/105647/Cach-tieu-it-tien-nhat-khi-di-du-lich-Singapore-dat-do