Singapore is the smallest country in Southeast Asia and, as a result, also the most expensive. Almost everything has to be imported. However, don’t let that deter you because this green metropolis is worth spending a bit more money on. We’ve lived in Singapore both luxuriously and on a budget, so we can tell you exactly what the costs are. After spending a night at the luxurious Marina Bay Sands, it was time for us to pay a bit more attention to our budget. In this article, we describe the costs so that you have an idea of what to expect. With the price examples, you can make a good estimate of the costs that suit your travel style. At the bottom of this article, you’ll also find five handy tips for saving money.

For convenience, all prices in this article are mentioned in dollars.

Transportation Costs in Singapore

There are two different options for getting around in Singapore: the subway and taxis. The subway is very affordable, while taxis are relatively expensive. Singapore’s metro system is excellent. You can reach anywhere, and it’s super easy to navigate. The minimum fare for a ticket is $1, and a half-hour metro ride costs approximately $2. Additionally, Grab is widely used in Singapore. It’s the Asian equivalent of Uber but less prominent here. We ordered a Grab for a 2.5-kilometer (1.55-mile) ride and had to pay $6. During peak hours, prices can significantly increase, and the same ride can cost three times as much.

Food and Beverage Costs in Singapore

Dining out in a restaurant can be quite expensive in Singapore. In a mid-range restaurant, a good meal will cost between $17 and $25. If you want to keep it budget-friendly, head to a hawker center. This is a collection of small eateries sharing one terrace. One stall might serve Chinese dishes, another Indian, Thai, or Western. A meal often costs between $3 and $6, and you can find these hawker centers in almost every neighborhood, often located at the bottom of shopping malls. A cup of coffee in a nice café costs around $3, but you can also get it at 7-Eleven for $1. In a restaurant, a beer is about $4. Fortunately, tap water in Singapore is safe to drink, but if you prefer bottled water, the cheapest 1.5-liter bottle costs $2 at the supermarket.

Hotel Costs in Singapore

You can make this as cheap or expensive as you want. Singapore is the perfect place to indulge in luxury hotels. However, this comes with a price tag. We stayed for one night at the famous Marina Bay Sands, and it was unforgettable. Read about our experience here. Fortunately, there are also cheaper hotels and hostels in Singapore, but compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, hotel prices are significantly higher here. For a good hotel in a nice neighborhood, you’ll pay around $90. Rooms are often small if you spend no more than $110 per night. If you don’t mind sleeping in a dormitory, a bed in a good hostel costs around $22, and in a basic hostel, it’s $11. Interested in which neighborhood is best to stay in and which hotel we recommend in Singapore? Check out our tips for the best hotels in Singapore.

Costs for Attractions in Singapore

There’s a lot to see and do in Singapore, and fortunately, many things are free to visit, such as Gardens by the Bay, the Spectra light show, and all the beautiful neighborhoods in the city. The paid attractions are also not excessively expensive. For example, a ticket to the Cloud Forest costs $22, a 4-hour bike tour is around $55, and a visit to the S.E.A. Aquarium is $28. Be sure to check out our 3-day itinerary for Singapore to see what you shouldn’t miss.

Average Daily Budget for Singapore

If we exclude hotel costs and take an average of the amounts mentioned above, you’ll have a daily budget of $39 to $45 per day. Backpackers might spend a bit less, but the average traveler will quickly reach this amount. If you dine in restaurants and take taxis regularly, you should budget around $55 to $70 per day.

Tips for Saving Money in Singapore

If you want to be a bit more budget-conscious, here are some tips to easily save money in Singapore. These tips are easy to implement and won’t make your time in Singapore any less enjoyable.

Take the Metro (including from the airport)

As mentioned earlier, the metro is the cheapest mode of transportation in Singapore. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs between $20 and $35. In contrast, the metro is just as fast and costs only $2. Of course, you’ll need to figure out how it works, but it’s super simple, and everything is well signposted. If you’re still unsure, there’s always staff willing to help.

Grab Breakfast at 7-Eleven

Breakfast can be expensive in Singapore. We found it too costly and unnecessary to eat out three times a day, so we decided to look for an alternative. At 7-Eleven supermarkets, they sell delicious oatmeal cups in various flavors. Buy a carton of milk, and you can prepare it right away in the 7-Eleven microwave. The Cinnamon & Apple flavor is particularly tasty! If you also get some fruit and a cappuccino, you’ll have a tasty and affordable breakfast for a few dollars.

Dine at a Hawker Center

Eating out at a restaurant in Singapore can be harsh on your wallet. Fortunately, there are hawker centers where you can get a good meal for just a few dollars. Besides being budget-friendly, it’s also a great experience to eat at these centers due to the lively atmosphere.

Use Grab or Uber Instead of Metered Taxis

Grab and Uber are widely used in Singapore and are a bit cheaper than metered taxis. So, if you need to get from point A to point B quickly, or there’s no nearby metro station, this is a good option. You’ll need internet access for this, so buying a SIM card at 7-Eleven is a smart and affordable choice. A SIM card with 100GB of data costs only around ten dollars.

Tap Water is Drinkable

Although tap water may taste slightly different from what you’re used to, it is 100% safe to drink. This will save you quite a few dollars, and it’s also environmentally friendly!