PRACTICAL TIPS TO ENJOY SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET

27 August 2016

As a budget backpacker and travel photographer, it was a challenge for me to visit Singapore because it’s one of the most expensive cities in the world. At first, I hesitated to book a ticket to Singapore because I didn’t know if I could afford it at the moment. But then I went with my gut and decided to visit the beautiful city!  

 

I was surprised and relieved that I was able to explore Singapore without going over my budget. All it took was a lot of research, as well as being tactical in looking for ways to save money. Here are some tips that can help you enjoy Singapore on a budget:    

 

 

Book cheap airfare  

 

I was in the Philippines when I decided to go to Singapore, and I was lucky enough to have booked a promo ticket for just PHP1,440 (US$32). You can always find good airfare deals on online booking sites.

 

Here’s a flight hack: if your flight will take only 2 to 3 hours, you can tick off the seat reservation to lower your airfare. I always do it whenever I travel around Southeast Asia because countries are just a couple of hours apart.    

 

 

Bring only the essentials  

 

If you’re traveling, it’s best to pack light. I always carry two bags: my travel backpack for my clothes and another bag for my camera and DSLR camera lenses. Luckily, I didn’t exceed the weight limit for hand-carried bags, so I got to keep my bags inside the plane cabin.

 

Some life-and-pocket-saving tips:

 

 

Stay at cheap but clean hostels

 

A few days before I left for Singapore, I researched about hotels and as expected, they’re way out of my budget. I came across a list of affordable hostels, and I was able to book a bed in an air-conditioned female dormitory room for just S$119 (US$88) for 7 days! It included a comfortable bed with pillow and blanket, shower room with hot and cold water, a locker, high-speed internet, and my favorite perk: peanut butter and jelly toast paired with coffee for breakfast.

 

 

Walk and ride trains and buses

 

The Singapore Tourist Pass is just like Europe’s Eurail. It gives you unlimited rides to different kinds of transportation in the city. I bought two Singapore Tourist Pass Plus for S$38 (US$29) each. One pass is already unlimited for 3 days, but since I was going to stay for a week, I bought two passes.

 

With your tourist pass, you can skip the lines for buying train and bus tickets. Moreover, you’ll get to be all touristy and go sightseeing with the clean and cool double-decker buses!

 

 

Eat at hawker centers

 

When I set foot in Singapore, I immediately looked for Starbucks to feed my famished self. Some traveling locals told me it’s a bit pricey there and that I’d regret it if I didn’t grab the chance to taste their local cuisine. I’m a self-proclaimed foodie, so I considered their suggestion and ate my dinner at a hawker center.

 

As I entered the Old Airport Road Food Centre, rows of food stalls welcomed me. Its many affordable food selections looked more appetizing than Starbucks! I ended up eating some veggie dishes.

If you eat meat, try these three typical Singaporean dishes: Chili chicken feet, sticks of satay (grilled meat on skewers), and Hainanese chicken rice. Enjoy.

 

 

Shop at thrift stores and flea markets

 

If you’re planning to buy souvenirs or local products, you can find ones at cheap prices in Bugis and Chinatown. They often sell souvenirs such as keychains, shirts, tote bags, and even imported chocolates in retail and wholesale. You may also want to check out Lucky Plaza, a hub for cheap finds such as clothes, accessories, and sweets. Ironically, it’s located along Singapore’s most luxurious street, the Orchard Road.

 

Being a cheapskate, I didn’t buy a lot of souvenirs. I just bought two different kinds of fridge magnets to add to my collection back home.

 

 

Avail of Singapore tourist discounts

 

I arrived at Singapore before August 9, when the country had its National Day in celebration of its independence from Malaysia. The season for the Great Singapore Sale had started months before the holiday.

 

All stores in the malls have discounted items for tourists, so don’t forget your passport because they’ll check it for identification purposes. Aside from discounts, you can also claim your GST (Goods and Services Tax) refunds at the airport if your purchase totals or exceeds S$100.

 

 

Visit free attractions

 

Yes, you’ve read that right! There are tourist spots in Singapore that you can visit for free! Have I emphasized that enough? By doing a lot of research (oh, the things I do to save money), I learned that experiencing some amazing attractions in Singapore doesn’t necessarily come with a price tag.

 

I first saw Henderson Waves on the film “Equals,” and I couldn’t help being intrigued by its unique structure. When I finally got to see it, I was just in awe of its wave-like form. Exploring it entails a lot of walking, but it’s definitely worth it because of the stunning view of greenery. Oh, and don’t forget to visit the famous Merlion Park, too. And the Gardens by the Bay, with those gigantic super trees! It’s absolutely free for everybody.

 

Singapore may be an expensive city, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot to explore it! Staying there for seven days was actually not as expensive as expected. With the right amount of research, your pocket money can definitely go a long way. Now it’s your turn to book that flight to Singapore and travel inexpensively to the world’s most expensive city! Happy travels!