How to Save Money in Singapore

By Adam Fraiel
Published: July 18, 2024
Gardens by the Bay Singapore

There’s no denying that Singapore is an expensive city. It’s home to some of the most luxurious properties and facilities on the planet, so you’d expect to pay a premium. That being said, everyone wants more for their money. We’ve compiled a list of our best strategies for saving money in Singapore.

Avoid the busiest months in Singapore

While Singapore’s a year-round destination, some months are better than others. Avoid the busy months if you want to get the most out of your visit.

High Season - June-July and February. The shops are full, some attractions charge a higher entrance fee, and accommodation costs more. The weather is perfect though, so it all depends on your travel budget.

Low Season - August-November. The weather may be a little chillier, with more rainy days, but it’s still glorious. The streets are less crowded, you’ll have more room to breathe in the shops, and restaurant reservations will be easier to make. It’s the perfect time to visit for budget travelers.

September - The Formula 1 race comes to town, and it gets busy! Accommodation prices also spike.

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Visit during Singapore’s Sale Season

Visiting Singapore during the sale season can be one of the best decisions you make. Take advantage of huge discounts, explore a multicultural city, and shop till you drop. It lasts only 4 weeks from June to July and, during this time, many shops are open late and offer huge discounts.

Singapore’s shopping scene is among the best in the world, with world-class shopping malls and boutiques all around the city. You’ll find designer clothes, top fashion labels, electronics, souvenirs, and much more.

Keep in mind, this bustling city can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. If you don’t like crowds, the sale season may not be for you.

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Explore Singapore’s many beaches

A visit to Singapore isn’t complete without taking a dip at one of the island’s beautiful beaches, and it costs nothing to soak in a few rays.

Whether you prefer long stretches of white sand, secluded coves, family-friendly locations, or water sports, Singapore has just what you need. Here are some of our favorites, so you can make the most of your beach holiday.

East Coast Park is Singapore’s most popular beach, so it gets very crowded on weekends. This is where locals flock to for BBQs and beach sports. It’s also a very family-friendly beach with a playground and ample space for running and cycling.

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Changi Beach is another popular attraction for tourists. The beach is fringed by shops and restaurants, making it a glorious spot for picnic lunches. As well as beach sports and activities, you’ll also find plenty of places to chill out and relax.

Siloso Beach is a favorite with families and kids. The beach has many shaded areas and a playground, making it perfect for children to play and for parents to relax. If you’re traveling with young children, this is the place for you.

Tanjong Beach is along one of the island’s most scenic coastlines. It’s a popular spot for swimmers because of the calm blue waters, and the white sand is perfect for lounging the days away.

Make the most of Singapore’s free viewpoints

It doesn’t cost a penny to take a photo, and Singapore’s full of great viewpoints to get some insta-worthy shots. Here are three free viewpoints you should add to your bucket list.

Changi Point Ferry Terminal

This 118-year-old ferry terminal is perched on top of a cliff overlooking Changi Bay and is a great place to enjoy a sunset with your loved ones. There is also a coffee shop at this viewpoint that sells cheap food and drinks.

Mount Faber

Take a hike up to the top of Mount Faber for a spectacular view of the city below. Time it for sunset and treat yourself to one of the best views in the country. It’s also where you take the cable car across to Sentosa island, so it should definitely be on your itinerary.

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Fort Canning Hill

This heritage park in Singapore’s Central Business District offers stunning views of the Marina Bay skyline and Gardens by the Bay. It’s also home to several cultural attractions, such as the National Orchid Garden and Fort Canning Museum.

Shop around for Kids Eat Free deals around Singapore

Kids Eat Free (KEF) deals are a common marketing ploy used around the world by restaurants to attract customers. These deals usually come as a 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 meal deal where the kids eat for free with the purchase of an adult meal. However, some places offer other deals, such as free meals for children on weekends or discounted meals for kids during certain times of the day.

As Singapore’s a major touristic destination, everyone’s vying for your business. Take advantage of this, and save some Singapore dollars, by shopping around for excellent meal deals.

Enjoy happy hour savings in Singapore’s many pubs and bars

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Singapore’s not the cheapest place to go for a bar crawl. With a high tax on alcohol, plus goods and service tax, your bar bill can quickly spiral out of control. If you want to enjoy a tipple in the sunshine, you’ll want to shop around for a happy hour deal.

Luckily they’re plentiful, all over the city. Some, like Al Capone’s Ristorante & Bar, run all day, while others have specific hours, usually ending by 8 PM. Depending on the deal, you could save up to 50% on your entire bill.

The promotions are always changing, so do a quick online search when you land to find the best deals around.

Sample Singapore’s delicious and varied street food

Singapore’s a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population and a myriad of cultures, which is reflected in the street food that’s on offer. Singapore cuisine is a blend of traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European cuisines, and the food scene here is constantly evolving to reflect new tastes and preferences.

Hainanese chicken rice: This is a popular dish in Singapore, which originated from Hainan Island in China. This dish usually comprises poached chicken served with rice cooked in chicken broth, ginger, and garlic. Hainanese chicken rice is usually served with chili and soy sauce, and it’s common street food in Singapore.

Bak kut teh: A soup dish that originated in China. The ingredients include pork ribs, knuckle, belly, and tendon, and Chinese herbs such as ginseng.

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Chilli crab: A popular dish in Singapore and Malaysia. The ingredients usually include crab cooked in a thick, spicy chili sauce.

Laksa: This dish usually comprises coconut milk, rice noodles, lemongrass, shrimp, fishcakes, egg, prawns, bean sprouts, and chili paste.

Roti prata: This popular flatbread originated in Malaysia. It’s usually eaten with curry. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Singapore’s food scene is diverse, and it’s one of the best in the world. There are thousands of food stalls with hundreds of different dishes to try. Be adventurous and indulge in the variety of food halls and street vendors.

A top tip, which applies to any city around the world, is to go where the locals go. If you see a food stall surrounded by locals, that’s a sign the food is both delicious and reasonably priced.

Download local apps for food delivery around Singapore

If you’re in Singapore for any length of time, you can download apps for ordering food deliveries. This is handy if you’re in town for an extended period, or maybe it’s a rainy day and you don’t want to leave the comfort of your hotel.

Here are some of the food apps you can download for Singapore:

FoodPanda

This food-delivery app lets you order food from over 500 restaurants in Singapore. FoodPanda delivers your food from restaurants to the location of your choice in Singapore, whether you’re at home or in your workplace.

Deliveroo

Deliveroo is a food-delivery app that lets you order food from over 800 restaurants in Singapore, including fast food, salad, coffee, dessert, pasta, and pizza delivery. Deliveroo delivers your food from restaurants to the location of your choice in Singapore, whether you’re at home or in your workplace.

GrabFood

GrabFood is a food-delivery app that lets you order food from a vast range of eateries, including hawker fare to Michelin restaurants. GrabFood delivers island-wide and even lets you order up to 2 days in advance.

It’s also worth checking online when you’re in Singapore to see if there are any active promo codes. There’s usually a discount on your first purchase, and various promotions depending on the time of year.

Get a local prepaid SIM card for cheap calls and data in Singapore

While there’s Wi-Fi in most cafes and bars, it can make your trip that much easier, safer, and less stressful if you have data on your phone. Checking opening times, directions, and even language translations can all save you headaches while you’re out and about exploring.

While you could pay for an expensive data roaming package through your domestic provider, it’s usually much cheaper to pick up a local prepaid SIM upon arrival.

There are 3 big network providers in Singapore: SingTel, M1, and StarHub. They each offer a tourist SIM and are all available at Changi Airport when you arrive. Shop around between them to find the best deal based on your time in Singapore, if you’ll be traveling to nearby countries, and your expected data usage.

The benefits of getting an EZ Link Card in Singapore

The EZ Link Card is Singapore’s contactless transport card you can use to travel on public transport. It’s handy for tourists because it’s one card for use on all buses, trains, and MRTs.

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With all the EZ Link services available, it makes navigating Singapore a breeze, plus it’s much cheaper than taking taxis everywhere. All you need to do is scan your EZ Link card at the nearest station or bus stop and hop on.

Topping up your card balance is simple, with machines at any MRT station, bus interchange, or selected convenience stores around the city. You’ve got plenty of other options to top up, including via debit cards, credit cards, cash, or via the official app on your phone.

Save on Admission to Top Singapore Attractions

Explore the best things to do with a pass for Singapore by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more.

Share Your Adventure with Us

Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we’ll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers, and events to help you make the most of your travels.

Adam Fraiel
Go City Travel Expert

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Best brunch in Singapore

Brunch: The most indulgent meal of the day. Maybe you skipped breakfast because of visiting an early attraction, or maybe you slept in after sampling the incredible nightlife. Whatever the reason, you deserve a decadent dish to recharge your batteries and get you fired up for more exploring. We’ve listed our top 10 places in Singapore to grab brunch. Bon appetite! Boomerang café and bistro Singapore Resting on the Singapore River you’ll find Boomerang Cafe and Bistro, serving fresh, authentic Australian cuisine day and night. Australians know that to keep your energy levels up you need some good grub, and there’s plenty of that at Boomerang. With opening hours between 6am and 3am, you’ve got plenty of time to explore the menu. Breakfast runs until 11:30, after which it switches to the lunch menu. There’s a vast selection of breakfast options, including light and airy pancakes, to a fully Ozzy steak and eggs. The lunch menu contains a vast array of starters and sharing platters, although we’d recommend the garlic prawn and mango salad for the perfect brunch meal. If you’re craving more Boomerang action, Happy Hour runs Monday to Friday from 5pm until 8pm, and 2pm until 8pm on Sundays. Kinki Restaurant + Bar If bold Japanese cuisine is more your thing, try Kinki Restaurant + bar. Found near Marina Bay and Raffles Place, the views from the rooftop bar are breathtaking. The food’s a delight for all your senses, with bright colorful dishes created using exquisite ingredients. While we could talk about the menu all day long, the real show-stopper is the bottomless brunch. Available Saturdays and public holidays, the all-you-can-eat brunch includes fresh sashimi slices, a variety of maki rolls, various mains, and much more. For $68 you can feast on the smorgasbord of delights, and for an additional $38, you can add unlimited Sake, Beer, Prosecco, or Shochu to the mix. LAVO Restaurant & Rooftop Bar Enjoy classic Italian American food and hand-crafted cocktails from the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. The view from the outdoor balcony is worth the visit alone. The prices reflect the exclusive location, with the Free Flow Dom Pérignon & Buffet Menu coming in at $398 per person. A seafood feast awaits with fresh lobster, tiger prawns, crab, and enough dessert options for even the sweetest of teeth. We also recommend ordering a slice of the 20-layer cake. You’ll thank us later. Carrotsticks and Cravings If healthy living is your thing, Carrotsticks and Cravings is the destination for you. Using the freshest ingredients and packed with superfoods, they cater to all dietary requirements. There’s no poor option on the menu, as everything looks and tastes delicious. The signature smashed avocado toast is a great start, with a baked chia parfait or superfood salad providing an excellent backup plan. If gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and vegetarian-friendly foods make your stomach smile, add Carrotsticks and Cravings to your brunch itinerary. Butcher’s Block If you’re a carnivore who loves their meat flame-grilled, you may find your dream brunch at Butcher’s Block. Raffles Arcade houses this avant-garde steakhouse where fire is the star of the show, whether you’re ordering meat or fish. Smoking with wood, slow roasting, or grilling directly over embers, Butcher’s Block knows how to extract every drop of taste out of their meals. Brunch is available on the weekends with a mouth-watering a la carte menu, or an option to upgrade to the Sommelier’s Selection which includes a 90-minute high-end wine-tasting experience. Waffle Place If you’re looking for somewhere unique or unusual to enjoy brunch, look no further than Waffle Place in Singapore. This halal cafe serves premium waffles with a multitude of toppings. With a variety of interesting flavor combinations, you’re unlikely to have the same waffle twice. There are some ‘classic’ topping options such as apple pie or ice cream, as well as more unusual toppings like duck in kerutuk sauce, or crispy chicken with a fried egg, spicy mayo, and maple syrup. A truly unique experience awaits you at Waffle Place, Singapore. Astor Bar Astor Bar at The St. Regis Singapore offers an adult-only cocktail brunch every Saturday, but don’t worry - it’s not just a liquid lunch. A luxurious platter of seafood on ice, including crab, oysters, and shrimp, ensures a decadent brunch to remember. Add in a soundtrack of live jazz music performed by the resident band and you’re only missing one thing; cocktails. Whatever your tipple of choice, it’s on the menu at Astor Bar. A Sip of Gilded Age, the iconic Chilli Padi Mary, or a chocolate martini are just a tiny sample of the cocktails on offer. Luckily, if you’re spoiled for choice and tormented by indecision, the helpful mixologists will guide you through the flavor profiles. Red House Seafood With influences from the Malay, Indian, and Peranakan traditions, Red House Seafood provides a brunch filled with exquisite Singaporean seafood dishes. Chili crab and satay chicken are classic Singapore mains, but here they’re handled with finesse and elevated to new levels. As one of Singapore’s oldest seafood restaurants, they know how to treat diners to something special. The Dim Sum lunch buffet allows you to choose from a menu of 50 items, including delicious steamed fish, prawn rolls and, of course, the delectable dim sums. Save on Admission to Top Singapore Attractions Explore the best things to do with a pass for Singapore by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we’ll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers, and events to help you make the most of your travels.
Adam Fraiel
extreme sports activities in singapore!
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Extreme Sports Activities in Singapore

Do you have the need for speed? Do you yearn for the feeling of adrenaline pumping through your veins? Of course you do, or you wouldn't be here. So let's discuss extremes, specifically, extreme sports. Such activities have only grown in popularity in recent years, with the likes of Tony Hawk becoming household names throughout the world. But what about Singapore? Does this fine country cater to the wilder ones in the audience? Why yes, it does, you lucky devils! So what kinds of extreme sports activities can you try in Singapore? Let's take a look. Including: Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin AJ Hackett Sentosa's Giant Swing and Skybridge Bungee Jumping MegaZip Adventure iFly Singapore and more! Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin The sea is an unforgiving beast. So much of our oceans are still unexplored, so really, there's no telling what horrors could lie beneath the waves. But don't worry yourself with any of that existential dread! Instead, takes to the seas in a kayak on this adventurous tour of Ketam Island! Located just off Singapore's northeastern coast, Pulau Ubin is famous for its traditional way of life. Given it's known as one of the last surviving villages in the country, it's no surprise you'll feel like you've been transported back through time. To a calmer, simpler time. For this reason, the island enjoys relatively undisturbed natural scenery. As you set off on your kayak adventure, you'll take in Pulau Ubin's thriving mangroves, which many plants, flowers, and exotic animals call home. Is that not extreme enough for you? Don't worry; we're just warming up. Image courtesy of Mr.Cherdsak/Shutterstock AJ Hackett Sentosa's Giant Swing and Skybridge Remember swing sets? As a kid, you'd feel like you were flying off the ground when in reality, you were only a few feet off the floor. Hopping on a swing as a worn-down, tax-paying adult just doesn't have the same joy to it. But what if the swing was suspended over 130 feet above the Earth? Welcome the Giant Swing at AJ Hacket Sentosa. Either alone or with a daring partner, you'll be hoisted far into the air. Once you've taken in the amazing views, prepare to swing. Pull the chord, and you'll soar through the sky at over 70mph. Then, you'll swing back again. Exhilarating stuff. If you want to capture your daredevil antics, you needn't put your phone at risk. 16HD cameras will record and snap the whole ordeal. Once you've attained proof of your bravery, check out the Skybridge, where you can take in the views, including straight beneath your feet, thanks to the see-through portions of the bridge. Extreme! Bungee Jumping No list of extreme sports activities would be complete without bungee jumping, so if you're looking for bungee-adjacent thrills, Singapore has you covered. And it doesn't get much better than this. AJ Hackett Sentosa is the location once again - do you dare go bungee jumping after riding the giant swing? Thanks to the trained instructors monitoring every jump, even newbies will feel safe before taking the plunge. You can even choose where to jump and how you want to fall. Presumably, they're all a variation on 'down'. Bungee jumping is easily one of the best extreme sports activities you'll find in Singapore. That is, if you dare to jump. Image courtesy of DerekTeo/Shutterstock MegaZip at Mega Adventure Park Want to ride in style? Why not zipline? These zippy, liney beauties are the new cool thing to do. And if even a former prime minister of the UK can look cool doing it, so can you. More suitable for the little ones if you're planning a family vacation, MegaZip Adventure Park is packed full of action-packed fun for the whole fam. Suspended nearly 250 feet in the air, you'll zip down for nearly 1500 feet while the wind ruffles your hair. Then when you get off and the screaming stops, you'll want to do it all over again. iFly Singapore Ever wanted to try skydiving, but the thought of traveling 30,000 feet into the air and jumping out is just too extreme for you? Don't worry; we've got skydiving at home, thanks to iFly Singapore. Thanks to scientific breakthroughs in fan technology, they're now strong enough to lift up two fully-grown adults and mimic the thrills and spills of falling from the sky. So suit up, hop in, and get falling. Newbies can take it easy and get used to the sensation, and professionals are free to flip, spin, and do other cool, extreme things as they go. And who knows, maybe it'll inspire you to hop on a plane and try it for real? Image courtesy of Hafiz Bin Ismail/Shutterstock Wakeboarding Water lovers rejoice! We're returning to the murky, terrifying depths for more extreme sports activities in Singapore! Wakeboarding is the game, and Singapore Wake Park is the name. But this time, you don't even need the winds on your side, because this is wakeboarding on cables. Hook yourself up, step atop your board, and enjoy the thrill ride as you make your way over ramps and around obstacles. Both newbies and veterans are welcome, with courses of varying skill levels on offer. Skyline Luge Ever played Mario Kart and hoped to do it for real? Step up Skyline Luge, Singapore's most extreme kart/luge fusion. With gravity driving you forward, your luge/kart vehicle must best hairpin turns, travel beneath tunnels, and down myriad slopes as you aim for the finish line. If you've got some friends with you, all the better. You can take a luge each and see who comes out on top, or pair up for some two-person action. Will you win? Probably not? Will you at least try? We hope so. Surf Cove And finally, why not try your hand at some artificial surfing? After all, the sea is a scary place. You must never forget. There's no telling what horrors call it home. Sadly, Singapore doesn't get much in the way of waves, so in an effort to bring the surf to their shores, they created Surf Cove. This state-of-the-art tech will let you feel like you're really riding the waves. Extreme! And best of all, you won't risk waking the Great Old Ones. They will take you without a moment's notice, so why not just avoid any of that unpleasantness and go surfing in a more safe environment! Extreme! And those were our picks of the best extreme sports activities in Singapore! Looking for drier activities to fill out your vacation itinerary? Check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price.
Dom Bewley

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