Is Singapore Expensive to Visit

Is Singapore Expensive to Visit?

With its melting pot of diverse cultures living in harmony, and a wealth of experience opportunities, Singapore is one of the world's best vacation destinations. With so many cultures in one place, no two days will be the same. You'll be sampling eastern cuisine one day only to hold up the bar at an Irish pub the next. So, with so much to do, see, and try, you might wonder how much it will all set you back.

Well, wonder no more, because we're about to answer all your most burning questions. Is Singapore expensive to visit? What kind of budget should you plan for, and how can you keep costs down? Read on after the jump.

Including:

  • When to visit
  • Where to stay
  • How to get about the city
  • Where to eat and drink
  • What to do
  • and more!
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When to Visit

If you want to warm your chilled bones in the colder months, Singapore is a great place to miss the freeze. Temperatures year-round vary between the mid-70s to almost 90°F, so you'll be comfortable in your summer best.

However, one thing to bear in mind is the country's climate. Singapore is what we call a 'tropical paradise'. While that may fill your mind with exotic fruits and palm trees, what it actually means is that those high temperatures are partied up with frequent heavy rainfall. Monsoon season takes place between November and January, so if you're not bothered by a few inches of rain, you'll likely get the best deals on flights if you plan to go around then. Likewise, if you head there between June and August, you'll pay a premium as it's the country's busiest time of year.

Flights-wise, your best bet to get a good deal is to plan ahead. Booking flights months or even a year in advance means you'll likely get the best prices as well as your pick of the seats. Check out sites like Skyscanner to compare airlines, flight times, and prices all in one handy place.

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Where to stay

Accommodation is usually the biggest expense on any vacation. But it needn't be. Savvy shoppers, or at least those of you who don't need the lap of luxury, will find a ton of budget-friendly options in Singapore.

Families might not want to stay in a hostel, but solo travelers or groups of friends might luck out on shared accommodation, with some going as low as around $20 a night. It won't be romantic and won't have all the bells and whistles of a classy hotel, but you'll get a bed, a bathroom, and bag space for your carry-on.

Alternatively, if you're looking for that 5-star experience, you'll need to multiply that nightly amount by 10 at least, because top hotels start at around $220 a night. That might not seem like a lot compared to quality hotels in other countries, but all these costs add up. To summarise, accommodation in Singapore is only as expensive as you make it, so consider that when planning your visit.

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Attractions

Of course, when considering if Singapore is expensive to visit, we have to talk about attractions! The city is a veritable playground of things to see and do, from floral extravaganzas to theme parks. But, with so much to see, costs will inevitably begin to add up.

Well, put your fears at rest, dear reader. Pick up an All-Inclusive Pass or an Explorer Pass and let Go City handle the rest. With the former, you can pick the number of days you want and visit as many of Singapore's best attractions as you want. With the latter, pick up to 7 of the city's experiences and see them at your own pace.

Whichever you pick, you could save up to 50% on entry, so pick a pass, skip the queue, and enjoy all of Singapore's best bits in one affordable place!

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Transportation

Another often-significant vacation expense is travel. Some cities have public transport systems that leave much to be desired, forcing you to rent a car or pay for myriad cabs throughout your stay.

Thankfully, Singapore is not one of those cities, as it boasts a fantastic interconnected series of buses and trains that will help you navigate to every experience your heart desires. And best of all, it's cheap too! For as low as $10, you can pick up a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited travel around the city. Get a 1-day pass or one that covers you for up to 3 days.

It's easy peasy and won't break the bank. And, when you're trying to minimize costs and squeeze your cents, it's a godsend.

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Food and drink

Given the diversity of cultures on display in Singapore, one of the country's biggest draws is its cuisine. Local dishes are married with cuisines from across the eastern world and beyond, so no matter your predilections, your appetite is sure to be sated.

And, thankfully for your bank, fine dining can be had on a budget. Street food lovers can wander to any market and find brilliant local dishes like chicken rice, laksa, and char kway teow for under 5 bucks. Shopping mall food courts have similar deals, but more on shopping later.

Alternatively, if you fancy Michelin-starred bites, you will have to pay a comparable amount to countries like the US and UK. Meals at top joints will set you back about $40 - 200 per person, so you're certainly paying for the privilege.

However, if you want to wet your whistle, things aren't so simple. Singapore is a traditionally conservative country with strict laws on alcohol consumption. So, while you'll find a thriving rooftop bar scene that makes the most of the country's climate and surroundings, you'll need to fork out a little extra to sip some suds. Beers typically come in at around $8-10, which will be fine for those of you traveling from New York or London, but can seem exceedingly pricy when compared to other cheaper neighborhoods. The good news is that happy hours and drinks deals are relatively common, so examine the menu before making a purchase to get the best boozy bang for your buck.

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Shopping

Finally, it's time to talk about shopping. Many consider Singapore to be a shopping haven, with handfuls of malls, markets, and boutiques more than willing to take your coin.

If you're big into designer brands and luxury items, head to the aforementioned malls, or high streets like Orchard Road, to get the very biggest labels. Prices are negligibly better than in the west, but you may also find items you simply can't get on our shores.

Alternatively, if you're in the market for authentic clothing, handcrafted jewelry, or other knickknacks, Singapore's markets are the way to go. Prices are more than affordable, and the items you'll find will be more unique than anything in a shop window.

So, is Singapore expensive to visit? Yes and no. Hopefully, we've given you the tools and tips to work to a budget. Now stop worrying and enjoy your vacation!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Looking over Marina Bay in Singapore
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Famous hotels in Singapore

The Lion City is famous for many things – cleanliness, shopping malls and a famous cocktail, for a start. But when it comes to visual charms, Singapore is definitely up with the likes of New York and Paris for recognizable landmarks – there’s the iconic Supertrees, the world heritage botanic gardens and the charming yet fierce-looking Merlion statue. And we can’t forget, of course, its famous hotels – from neo-classic renaissance villas to modern skyscrapers with living walls, there’s much to admire in the luxury accommodation stakes. And whether you’re staying in one, or just there for a gawp, they’re all worth having a look at for their history, uniqueness or glamor – and sometimes all three! Our list of Singapore’s most famous hotels includes: Raffles Shangri-La Marina Bay Sands The Outpost Hotel Sentosa Oasia ParkRoyal on Pickering The Fullerton St Regis Raffles Dating from the early 19th century, this neoclassical colonial era building wins the prize for the most historic hotel in the city. Named for the city’s founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, the hotel has welcomed such illustrious guests as Charlie Chaplin, Sir Rudyard Kipling and Queen Elizabeth II, to name a few. Non-guests are welcome to visit and stroll along its many covered porticos, admiring the intricate white arches and surrounding forest of tropical palm trees. Get there on the yellow line of the Big Bus Tour, and be sure to stop by the famous Long Bar and sample the hotel’s signature cocktail, the Singapore Sling. Shangri-La As the name suggests, the Shangri-La is a utopian idyll tucked away in the heart of the city. Its three grand wings are enclosed in 15 acres of tropical gardens, pools and water playgrounds, and there are so many optional activities you could enjoy an entire holiday without leaving the hotel at all – although it would be a shame to miss the city’s official Botanic Gardens nearby. Despite its immensity and range of unique art installations, it’s probably most famous for being the first of Shangri-La’s world-renowned brand of luxury hotels, and for pioneering their signature brand of ‘Asian Hospitality’ – service characterized by humility, respect, helpfulness and sincerity. Marina Bay Sands Of all the iconic hotels in Singapore, the Marina Bay Sands may be the most recognizable – with its distinctive triple towers and surfboard-shaped terrace at the top, it probably appears in the background of more selfies than any other building in the city. Non-guests can pay a small fee to get to the top (or use your pass for access to the Ce La Vi SkyBar) where you’ll find the world’s largest infinity pool, and possibly a celebrity or two. 57 floors up is a marvelously lofty place to overlook the city, and you’ll have great views of Supertree Grove in the Gardens by the Bay and the nearby Floral Fantasy. While you’re there you can also check out the hotel’s own casino, celebrity chef restaurants, a shopping mall and the ArtScience Museum. The Outpost Hotel Sentosa Set on the island of Sentosa at the southern tip of the city, The Outpost Hotel Sentosa is recognizable for its curved exterior walls and living foliage that drapes like green frosting over the building. Here is the ultimate in luxury for grown-ups, as the adults-only rooftop infinity pool and bar transforms from a sun-drenched oasis during the day to a trendy chill-out bar at night. Overlooking the Singapore Strait, it’s the perfect place to sip a cocktail and watch the sunset – although if you do want to venture out, you’ll find Madame Tussauds, the S.E.A. Aquarium and southeast Asia’s only Universal Studios nearby. To complete your relaxation experience, get there via the cable car from Faber Peak and sit back as it takes you over the bay and the island’s lush coastal canopies. Oasia Hotel The Oasia Hotel in Downtown Singapore is instantly recognizable for its striking pink and green façade. Built by local architecture firm WOHA, the Oasia is a sleek and modern skyscraper designed around the concept of bringing green spaces to population dense areas. From the outside, it’s an imposing mixture of wood, stone, copper and foliage – from the inside, it’s like a multi-story tree house full of sky gardens, cool terraces and living walls – a perfect escape from the concrete jungle outside. ParkRoyal on Pickering Another offering from the minds at WOHA, from a distance the ParkRoyal on Pickering looks a bit like an alien starfighter – but up close it’s a marvel of modern architecture and innovative landscaping. Three towers encircle eight living balconies of gardens, waterfalls and reflective pools, decorated with colorful birdcage cabanas. All this is right in the middle of the busy city, about halfway between Chinatown and Clarke Quay. An unexpectedly green and curvy gem, the ParkRoyal must be seen to be believed. The Fullerton Champagne breakfast, anyone? That’s what awaits exclusive guests of the Fullerton Hotel overlooking Marina Bay. It’s a great spot for photographing the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, but it’s also a gorgeous building in its own right – it was built in the neoclassical style in 1928 and at various points in its history it’s been the home of the Singapore General Post Office, the Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce, and the prestigious Singapore Club. It was declared a national monument in 2015 and sits right at the tip of the Marina near the Jubilee Bridge. On the roof, where you’ll find a rich jungle landscape complete with hot tubs and pool, you can look over the Merlion Statue to the mouth of the Singapore River, or back across the city over Chinatown to Sentosa Island. St Regis The epitome of luxury with a price tag to match. Silk wallpaper, crystal chandeliers and marble bathrooms are just a taste of the opulence that awaits guests at the St Regis Hotel near. As well as all the amenities you’d expect the hotel also has its very own art collection, featuring pieces by Chagall, Miró and Picasso, no less. But perhaps it’s most famous for its butler service, reminiscent of an English stately home at the height of high society. If your dream holiday is to be awoken by a friendly face opening your drapes and bringing you coffee in bed, then expertly packing your case for your onward journey, this is the hotel for you. Travel in style with Go City Whether you’re staying in a luxury hotel or just stopping by for a peek, you’ll feel like the rich and famous with Go City. Grab your Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass today and get instant access to dozens of exclusive attractions around the city.
Karleen Stevens
The Jewel Bridge at Punggol Waterway park in Singapore.
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Things to do in Punggol Singapore

Nestled on the Tanjong Punggol peninsula in northeast Singapore, Punggol is one of the island’s most family-friendly neighborhoods, chock-full of glorious outdoor spaces, cool cafés and top restaurants. Activities here are wide and varied, from hiking the wetlands to exploring Coney Island by bike and catching and cooking your own prawns! Read on for our guide to the best things to do in Punggol, Singapore. How to Get to Punggol The waterfront district of Punggol is well connected to the rest of Singapore via the MRT, the country’s super-efficient Mass Rapid Transit system, which speeds millions of passengers around the island every day on its automated, driverless trains. Simply hop on the purple North East Line from downtown Singapore to reach Punggol, at the end of the line, in under an hour. From here, the Punggol LRT (Light Rail Transit) runs a loop around the district, allowing you to step out right in front of the attractions you want to visit, including: Punggol Beach Coney Island Punggol Waterway Park Northshore Plaza Mall Pulau Ubin Punggol Beach Forget touristy Sentosa; Punggol is where it’s really at for laid back beach vibes, and don’t the locals just know it! We’re talking bone-white sands, lush tropical foliage and great, sea-smoothed boulders that dot the beach, providing the perfect backdrop for those essential Instagram snaps. Grab your sunscreen, parasol and wide-brimmed straw hat and you could easily spend a lazy day here, just lounging and gazing out at the azure waters. There’s an epic wooden boardwalk for strolls along the waterfront, where fishermen vie with brightly plumed native birds for the catch of the day and cute little sheltered seating areas offer widescreen views of the famous Singapore sunset, all flaming oranges, flamingo pinks and bruised purples. A small heritage sign at the beach commemorates the role Punggol Point played in the 1942 Sook Ching Massacre, which saw around 300–400 Chinese men shot and killed here by occupying Japanese forces. You can pay your respects at the Civilian War Memorial by the Esplanade MRT station on Beach Road. Punggol Waterway Park Further Insta opportunities await in Punggol Waterway park, where you might even be forgiven for believing the series of weird, wonderful and downright wacky bridges were designed specifically to attract the social media generation. The Sunrise Bridge in the east of the park is a case in point, it’s pillarbox-red railings and snakelike shape making it great for those all-important sunrise selfies. At the other end of the day (and park), hit up the Jewel Bridge for its distinctive dome and more of those crazy Singapore sunsets. Keep your eyes peeled too for otters gliding silently through the water and – if you’re very lucky – the distinctive blue flash of a collared kingfisher diving for its dinner. As well as these impressive bridges, there are several different zones to explore, running the gamut from exceptional waterfront views, to sand and water play areas and a therapeutic garden with a fitness zone and aromatic plants including pandan. Coney Island Like its New York namesake, Singapore’s Coney Island is not so much an island as a peninsula, which makes it perfectly possible to visit by bike. And that’s precisely what we’d suggest you do! Hire a bike at Punggol Jetty and whiz into Coney Island via the western entrance. It’s a small park and you can cycle around it in no time at all, but don’t do that! Pack a picnic of sandwiches and ripe mangosteens and take your sweet time exploring the ancient trees, dense mangrove forests and beaches so secluded you might find you have them all to yourself, save for the occasional monitor lizard or mischievous macaque. Prawn Fishing And now for something completely different. Ever wanted to catch and cook your own prawns? Now’s your chance, thanks to Hai Bin Prawning, where – just like hooking a duck at a funfair – you’re all but guaranteed to snare your prize from the crustacean-rich pools, even if it requires you to book yourself into the bumper all-day fishing session. Kids and adults alike can fish the ponds before chargrilling their catch in the BBQ pits. Alternatively, there’s a bar and grill on site to save you the effort. Nearby Riviera Prawn Fishing offers more of the same, but minus the bar and grill. Northshore Plaza Northshore Plaza is Punggol’s brand spanking new waterfront shopping and entertainment complex, the kind of place it would be quite easy to while away a whole day. It’s split into two sections, with Northshore Plaza II right on the waterfront. This is the place for dreamy seafood lunches, sea views and gentle strolls around the dragonfly pond, where the colorful critters flit from lily pad to rock to palm leaf, while the kids let off steam in the quite excellent pirate-themed playground. The dinosaur safari-themed Nomstar food court is also not to be missed; a surefire hit with kids from three to 93. Plaza I is the place for fast food, takeaway coffee and more mega chain stores than you can shake a stick at, some of them very large indeed. Stores like Decathlon, which uses two floors to showcase just about every piece of sporting equipment you can imagine, with enough space to try most of them out, too. Pulau Ubin Located a short way off the coast from Punggol, Pulau Ubin is a boomerang-shaped island (a proper island, that is; not the kind you can cycle to!) with abundant wildlife to be discovered in and around its traditional kampongs and disused granite quarries which, long-since abandoned, now teem with diverse flora and fauna. Rent a bike to explore the well-marked cycle paths or take the looping walkway through the wild Chek Jawa Wetlands where, if you listen carefully, you might even hear the melodious song of a bulbul calling to its mate. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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