Singapore Travel Budget Guide for Visitors

While there are tons of things to see and do in Singapore, it still makes sense to budget ahead as much as possible and to enjoy the city-state within your means. The great news on that front is, thankfully, visiting and staying in Singapore doesn’t have to break the bank, and we’re here to help you work out how much you are likely to spend on your next vacation here.

Whether you’re counting the pennies to save up for a dream holiday in Singapore, or are just interested in knowing how far your money could go, this Singapore travel budget guide aims to give you a straight answer on what to expect from a USD perspective.

Singapore travel budget overview

When building this Singapore travel budget overview, we considered average USD rates for a variety of factors that you’ll need to account for regardless of the trip you take. The good news is that if you don’t mind avoiding a stay in a luxury hotel or are only likely to visit a few attractions, you can still have a great time out here on a budget.

Factors you’ll always need to consider are how many people are traveling and when you’re taking your vacation. If you’re taking the whole family, you may be able to save money on a package deal - and, if you travel off-season, you stand to save even more money on accommodations and transportation. That is, of course, at the potential loss of access to attractions.

Keep in mind, too, that the figures we’ve put together for this guide are averaged and converted into USD at the time of publication. Therefore, feel free to use our suggestions as a launching pad for developing your budget or at least working out whether or not travel to Singapore will be feasible for you this year.

Average cost of a trip to Singapore

To work out the “average” cost of a trip to Singapore, we need to look carefully at a few different factors. We’ve taken into account our own experiences and current rates advised online to give a clear enough picture of whether or not a trip here will be comfortable for your bank balance. The good news is that there is likely to be some wiggle room!

So, we based our research and findings on averages for accommodation prices, food costs, transport costs, and a selection of attractions and activity prices. You’ll need to think about the cost of using your phones abroad, too - which we will come to very shortly!

Accommodation prices in Singapore

The price you pay for accommodation in Singapore, naturally, depends on the type, and often on how many people you are taking with you. Our research shows that if you are traveling on a budget, you may be able to find a room in a dorm here for as little as $19 a night, or a budget hotel room for as little as $85 a night.

More luxurious stays command upwards of $220, and of course, these rates will increase if you’re taking the kids - but again, be sure to look into package deals with holiday operators.

Food costs in Singapore

Again, going high-end on food means you can expect your budget to bend here. For the budget-conscious traveler, think about heading to hawker centers, where you can sample affordable, authentic Singaporean cuisine from vendors for less than $10 a meal. Groceries, too, are fairly modest.

It’s restaurants where you are likely to face cost spikes. Eating out at an authentic restaurant somewhere on Sentosa Island with the whole family, for example, may end up costing you over $100 a person - it really depends on the venue and the meals! 

One relief here for US travelers is that tipping, while welcome, isn’t mandatory. Many restaurants will add service charges, but you’re not expected to add any extra fees on top unless you want to.

Transport costs in Singapore

Singapore is a relatively small nation (it’s the size of a city, after all), but it’s still worth factoring in transportation costs. Thankfully, public transport rates in Singapore are refreshingly affordable and straightforward, meaning even if you are on a strict budget for this vacation, you won’t have to restrict yourself from seeing its best bits just because of money.

If you expect to travel on public transport regularly here, buy a Singapore Tourist Pass, which grants you unlimited rides, within terms and conditions, for as little as $17 for a day, and $45 for five days at the time of writing. If you’d like to add insurance and a little credit for concierge services, the Changi Recommends Bundle is available for up to $60 for five days (again, based on current rates).

Attractions and activity prices

Attraction prices will vary throughout the year depending on whether it is on- or off-season, but like with transportation costs, there are ways for you to save money on visiting Singapore’s best attractions with passes.

Smart passes, for example, allow you to visit some of the biggest attractions - such as Singapore Zoo, Gardens by the Bay, and Madam Tussauds - from around $70-$75, with top coverage from around $220. These rates will vary depending on the exchange rate, so always make sure to check online before you travel.

Tips to save money in Singapore

If you’re serious about making your trip to Singapore as affordable as possible, there are even more ways to reduce your daily costs here. Here’s a quick rundown.

• Use our Singapore apps guide to find travel apps that can make traveling around the state as cheap and accessible as possible.
• Avoid bottled water - it’s safe to drink from the faucet here, so take full advantage when you dine out.
• Try to avoid traveling to Singapore around the middle of the year when summer vacations are in full swing - aim for spring or fall breaks if you can, should you wish to save money on travel and accommodation.
• You might not need the full Singapore Tourist Pass - if you’re only taking a couple of rides, it’s not going to be worth paying for the whole five days!

Singapore travel planning tips

Alongside planning your budget, it’s also worth taking time to plan your journey, stay, and travel back as far ahead as you can. Here are some final Singapore travel planning tips to keep in mind before you go anywhere.

• Always check that your devices have the right plug type for use in Singapore (our guide linked can help). Good news if you’re traveling from the UK, as Singapore shares your plug types and you won’t need adapters.
• Instead of running up roaming fees on your phone, download an affordable eSIM for Singapore to ensure your data is fully covered - this will also save you from having to hunt around for and connect to local or public WiFi, too.
• Always plan to carry your trash with you, or at least to look for garbage cans - littering is highly frowned upon across Singapore, and leaving any of your refuse around in public areas will lead to punishment. Take bags with you so you can clean up after yourself as you go, if you need to.