Singapore on a Budget: How to Experience the Lion City for Under $80/Day
Singapore has a reputation as one of Asia's most expensive cities—but don't let that scare you off. With hawker centers serving Michelin-starred meals for $5, free attractions that rival paid experiences, and hostels that don't compromise on comfort, the Lion City is surprisingly accessible to budget travelers.
In this guide, I'll show you how to experience the best of Singapore for under $80/day—plus what to splurge on if you want to level up your trip.
Where to Stay
Budget: $25-40/night
Capsule hotels and boutique hostels in Chinatown and Little India offer clean, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and breakfast. The Adler Hostel in Chinatown has pod-style beds with privacy curtains from $30/night. 5footway.inn offers private rooms starting at $45.
Mid-Range: $80-150/night
The Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong blends Peranakan heritage with modern design in the colorful Joo Chiat neighborhood. Rooms start around $120 and include access to the infinity pool. Lloyd's Inn near Orchard Road offers minimalist design and a tranquil courtyard from $90.
Luxury: $300+/night
The iconic Marina Bay Sands needs no introduction—the infinity pool overlooking the skyline is worth the splurge at $400+. For something more intimate, Raffles Singapore reopened after restoration and offers colonial elegance with the original Singapore Sling at $600+.
What to Eat
Budget: $10-15/day
This is where Singapore shines. Hawker centers are your best friend:
- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (Maxwell Food Centre): Anthony Bourdain's favorite, $4
- Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle: Michelin-starred bak chor mee, $5
- Old Airport Road Food Centre: Local favorite with 100+ stalls
- Lau Pa Sat: Historic Victorian building, satay street at night
Pro tip: Download the Hawker Centre Food Directory app to find stalls by dish.
Mid-Range: $40-60/day
- Song Fa Bak Kut Teh: Peppery pork rib soup, $12
- PS. Cafe: Insta-worthy brunch in Dempsey Hill, $25
- Chatterbox: Original Mandarin Orchard chicken rice, $18
Luxury: $150+/day
- Odette: Modern French, 3 stars, degustation from $350
- Burnt Ends: Modern Australian barbecue, 1 star, $120
- Corner House: Botanical garden setting, 1 star, $150
Getting Around
Budget: $5-10/day
Singapore's MRT is fast, clean, and affordable. Get an EZ-Link card ($5 deposit) and rides cost $0.80-1.50. Most attractions are within 30 minutes of each other. Walking is also pleasant.
Mid-Range: $20-30/day
Mix MRT with Grab rides during the heat of the day. A 15-minute ride costs $8-12. The Singapore Tourist Pass ($20/day) gives unlimited MRT/bus rides plus discounts at attractions.
Luxury: $80+/day
Private car with driver through Grab Premium or hotel concierge ($50/hour). Or cruise in style—the Singapore River Cruise ($25) and Trishaw Tours in Chinatown ($40) offer unique perspectives.
Things to Do
Free & Budget ($0-20)
- Gardens by the Bay: Free entry to the outdoor gardens; Supertree Grove light show at 7:45pm and 8:45pm (free)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens: UNESCO World Heritage site, free entry
- Sentosa Beach: Free entry, $1 monorail to get there
- Haji Lane & Arab Street: Window shopping and photo ops, free
- Merlion Park: The iconic statue, free
Mid-Range ($30-80)
- Cloud Forest & Flower Dome: $28 for both conservatories—worth every cent
- Singapore Zoo: $40, consistently ranked world's best
- Night Safari: $50, unique nocturnal animal experience
Final Thoughts
Singapore proves that expensive cities can be done on a budget—you just need to know where to look. The hawker culture alone makes it one of the world's best food destinations, and the abundance of free attractions means you never feel like you're missing out.
Have you been to Singapore? What's your favorite hawker dish? Let me know in the comments!
Want more budget travel guides? Read my Tokyo $50 vs $500 day breakdown or my complete Paris budget guide.