Travel is expensive, especially when it comes to an island trip like to Singapore. But if you are on a budget there are many ways to enjoy your trip without much money.
Instead of visiting restaurants, which can get pricey depending on the type of cuisine and the size of your tip, try getting most of your meals from the “hawker centers’ around town. These are market stalls that offer plenty of Chinese, Indian and Malaysian foods. You can eat a good, even healthy meal for as little as $2, including meat, fish and vegetables.
(Be forewarned, Singapore coffee is not like western coffee, it tends to be more diluted. If you really need your java, visit Starbucks or one of the other coffee shops that are readily available.) If you’d like to try another form of caffeine, Chinese tea is cheap (less than $1) and may meet your needs.
Shopping is often jokingly referred to as the official sport of Singapore tourists and alos our Singapore Girls. By definition, shopping means spending money, but you can really do it cheaply here. One example is Far East Plaza, which has more than 800 stores selling everything you want. Generally the goods here are far less expensive than at the other shopping centres and certainly less expensive than the designer boutiques. However, be aware that at Far East Plaza, haggling is expected. While there are laws against gauging shoppers, shopkeepers often base their prices based on what they think they can get. Look rich, expect to pay more. Look a little down at heel and get a better price.
There are plenty of free attractions to visit in Singapore. Simply take a walking tour of Chinatown, Little India or Little Arabia – it’s the best free show on earth. The Singapore Botanical Gardens offers stunning flower, plant and tree exhibits and the National Singapore Museum displays artifacts from the nation’s history. These are well worth the time to visit and the price cannot be beat.
Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes to Singapore because there is so much to explore. There are also relatively inexpensive alternatives. For example, the ez-link farecard offers a discount on the MRT train and busses. It is used similarly to debit cards: It has a stored value of up to $10 USD. Users scan it when they board a bus or train then scan it again when they get off the train to ensure only the proper amount is deducted from the card. (If you don’t scan it when you leave, the maximum possible amount will be deducted.)
There is a tourist pass that is similar to the ez-link pass that includes discounted admission to several other attractions. This is great for those who will only be in the area for a few days. One-, two- and three-day passes are available that allow for unlimited travel plus discounts for several attractions. Keep in mind that the tourist pass does expire but it is better than buying a ticket for every single trip.
While all travel is expensive, Singapore can be one of the best travel bargains around. Start planning your trip today.
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