Originally posted April 1, 2021

Singapore is a city of superlatives.

Cleanest, best street food, most sustainable… and most expensive.

That last bit has probably deterred a hefty amount of people from travelling here for anything other than a layover, but, believe it or not, despite the seemingly high costs, it IS possible to visit Singapore and enjoy it without blowing through your travel budget.

If you’re planning a trip and are ballin’ on a budget, here are 10 things to do in Singapore that won’t break the bank.

About Singapore

Singapore, or the lion city, is a city-state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and one of the greenest cities in the world. Though its made up of 64 islands, Singapore isn’t TOO big, which is great if you’re just visiting for a short amount of time.

It is extremely multicultural with four official languages spoked here - Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English.

Singapore is a year round destination but the best time to visit is in the dry season between the months of February and April.

Singapore was the second to last stop on my two month backing trip around Southeast Asia and, while saving the most expensive for last might not have been my best call ever, I still had a great time.

Better yet, I didn’t spend too much!

I was surprised by the amount of things I was able to see in Singapore that didn’t cost me a dime… and that they were mostly walkable or easily connected by public transportation. Keep reading to learn more about the best (and most affordable) things to do in Singapore.

What to Do in Singapore

Drink a Singpore Sling (or two)

The Singapore Sling is a gin-based from Singapore that was first developed in the early 1900s by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon who was working at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel.

Today the famous cocktail recipe varies. Few agree on the specific ingredients, but most bartenders affirm that Bénédictine is the key ingredient and that it is essential to any good Singapore sling.

My ticket to the Cloud Dome forest included a coupon for a free Singapore sling at one of the restaurants on the river front… sooo that’s exactly where I went.

Before we continue the guide, grab your cocktail shaker and lets travel to Singapore with our tastebuds by making our own Singapore slings at home.

Follow this recipe or spice it up with a twist of your own!

1 1/2 ounces gin
1 ounce Bénédictine
1 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce cherry liqueur
1/4 ounce simple syrup
2 ounces club soda
Lemon slice, garnish
Maraschino cherry, garnish

…Got your Singapore Sling in hand? K, now let’s continue.

Eat Street Food

The majority of the activities mentioned in the rest of this article won’t cost you a dime, but one thing you won’t be able to avoid paying for is food. Don’t worry. This doesn’t have to blow your budget either!

Let’s chat cheap and tasty eats.

You can find affordable AND delicious meals at Hawker Centres all throughout the city. Two of the most popular (that are conveniently located in two of the neighborhoods mentioned in the following sections) are the Tekka Center in Little India and the Chinatown Complex Food Centre.

With over 260 food stalls, the Chinatown Complex Food Centre is the largest hawker centre in Singapore. Here you can try a huge variety of delicious yet affordable hawker fare, including the cheapest Michelin meal at Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle.

Not sure what to order?

The most famous hawker dish, and Singapore’s unofficial national dish, is Hainanese Chicken Rice. A few more local favorites are Chilli Crab, Satay, Roti Prata, Friend Carrot Cake, and Soup Dumplings.

Visit the Cloud Dome Forest

No trip to Singapore is complete without paying a visit to the beautiful Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay. This magnificent glass dome greenhouse is a plant lover’s dream come true and easily one of Singapore’s most impressive attractions.

The indoor waterfalls and 35-metre tall mountain covered in tropical plants are so breathtaking, it’s likely you won’t want to put your camera away as you wonder through this beautiful botanical world.

Take a stroll along the Cloud Walk or Treetop Walk, and don’t forget to check out the new Cloud Forest Theatre. The theatre’s hologram display is all about how Gardens by the Bay was built and how we can do our part to conserve nature and ensure a more sustainable future.

Though the Cloud Forest is open from 9:00am to 9:00pm, the best time to visit for photos is during the day time. Plan your visit around one of the daily misting for the dreamiest photo opps.

Mistings take place daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm. Book your tickets ahead of time to save some money and skip the cue.

All times are at the accurate as of the original posting date of this article. Check their website for up to date schedules and information.

Stroll through the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay

The SuperTree Grove at Gardens by the Bay is one of the most iconic attractions in Singapore (right after Marina Bay Sands, of course).

Over 162,900 plants of more than 200 species and varieties are planted on the 18 Supertrees with the tallest one measuring about 16 stories high. They’re beautiful - but they serve a purpose, too… and an eco friendly one at that. 11 of the massive “trees” are used to harvest solar energy.

You can stroll around the gardens for free, but if you want to access the OCBC Skyway walk amongsty the treetops or the new SuperTree Observatory, admission charges apply.

These gardens are incredibly beautiful during the day time, but be sure to come back at night to catch the epic Garden Rhapsody light show. The shows take place daily at 7:45pm and 8:45pm.

The Supertree Grove is open daily from 5am - 2am.

Explore Little India

A stroll through Little India is an absolute treat for the eyes… and the tastebuds.

With its vibrant buildings, colorful temples, and lots of street art featuring cows, getting lost in this lively neighborhood is way better than knowing where you’re going.

While you’re wandering, be sure to visit the rainbow House of Tan Teng Niah, arguably Little India’s most colorful building, Sri Veeramakaliamman, one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, and the Tekka Centre, a hawker center with a variety of delicious and afforable street food - the Indian Food here is unsurprisingly tasty!

Fulfill your F.R.I.E.N.D.S Fantasy at the Central Perk Cafe

If you’re a fan of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, then you need to stop into Central Perk. Opened in 2016, it is the only Warner Brothers licensed cafe outside the United States.

Central Perk features replicas from the show like the iconic couch, Monica’s kitchen, and more. Even the menu is F.R.I.E.N.D.S themed with specialty coffee choices like a light nutty Phoebe roast and desserts like Chandler’s Edible Helium Balloon.

The food here was a tadddd bit pricey for my dwindling budget… so I just opted for a latte nearly the size of my face (and ate up at a Hawker Centre after).

Not a big F.R.I.E.N.D.S fan? There are other fun themed cafes in Singapore, too, like the Platform 1094 (aka the Harry Potter cafe) and even a Charlie Brown themed cafe.

Shop til you Drop in Chinatown

Close to 75% of Singapore’s population is of Chinese descent, so it’s no surprise that Chinatown is one of the most prominent and dynamic neighborhoods With so many things to see and do, Chinatown is a must visit while you’re in Singapore.

Though many of the city-state’s most beautiful and historic temples are located in this neighborhood (more on that in the temples section below), it’s also a great place for shopping (for both souveniers and food). While you’re here, check out one of the Hawker Centres for a bite to eat and visit NUS Baba House for a deeper taste of Chinatown’s history.

Visit One of Singapore’s Many Temples

There are so many beautiful temples to visit in Singapore.

Some of my favorites were the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum (BTRTM), a Chinese Buddhist cultural complex founded in 2002 by monk Venerable Shi Fa Zhao. While you’re in Chinatown, you can also check out the nearby Thian Hock Keng Temple (or Tianfu Temple), Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple or Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple.

Sri Veeramakaliamman, located in the middle of colorful Little India, is another beautiful temple worth visiting.

Stroll Across the Singapore Bay on the Helix Bridge

The Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge connecting Marina Centre with Marina South, and the longest pedestrian bridge in Singapore.

It’s a super cool spot to visit during the day, but it gets even better when it lights up at night.

To get to the bridge head to Promenade MRT station. From here it is a seven-minute walk to the bridge.

Watch the sunset at Marina Barrage

The Marina Barrage is actually a dam in Singapore’s city centre.

I know what you’re thinking… “Kirst - why would I go all the way to Singapore to visit a dam?”

Well, wait a sec… just hear me out…

The Marina Barrage first opened in 2008, but it was originally envisioned two decades earlier by Singapore’s first Prime Minister as a way to create a freshwater reservoir in the heart of the city.

It hasn’t only provided a new water supply source. The barrage also acts as a tool for flood control and has become a new lifestyle attraction. Water levels in the Marina Reservoir are constant all year round, which is ideal for recreational activities like boating and kayaking.

Best of all, the open air green space on top of the barrage has amazing views of the city. Head here before sundown to take in the view and watch Singapore’s unique skyline light up from afar.

Marina Bay Sands

Last but (certainly) not least is Marina Bay Sands… because it wouldn’t be a Singapore travel guide without mentioning the city’s most famous attraction.

Marina Bay Sands is home to the world’s largest infinity pool and is Singapore’s most iconic hotel, but, since it isn’t exactly the most budget friendly location, it’s coming in at the last spot on the list.

To go for a swim in the Infinity Pool, you’ll have to check in to the hotel for at least a night… no exceptions. This wasn’t exactly in my budget, so I just walked around the hotel grounds and dipped in to the downstairs shopping mall for a break from the heat while searching for the train station. I ended up leaving with a sample of soap and a truly hilarious story - more on that here.

If you still want to get a birds eye view of the city but can’t afford a night at the hotel, an alternative is to visit the observation deck. Admission to the observation deck. is 23 SGD (about 15 euros) which is a bargain compared to what a hotel room would cost you.

Keep in mine the line gets pretty lengthy close to sundown. Buy your ticket in advance from GetYourGuide to save AND skip the line!

On the List for Next Time

With only a few days in Singapore, I didn’t have a chance to see and do all the things I wanted to this time. These spots are on the top of my list for my next trip.

You should add them to yours, too!

The Southern Ridge
Sentosa Island

Colorful Buildings of Clarke Quay
Future World at the ArtScience Museum
Merlion FountainERLION FOUNTAIN
Koon Seng Road

Changi Airport Indoor Waterfall

Getting Around in Singapore

The best way to get around in Singapore is by foot or MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). MRT fares range from $0.73 to $1.96 using an EZ-Link card, or $0.93 to $2.20 using a Standard Card (one-time use)

The MRT connects the airport to the city center from Terminal 2. You can purchase the Ez-link card at the customer service counter, then just tap the card reader to continue on to the train platform. Keep in mind, you’ll have to switch to another line before you reach your destination, so be aware of which stop you’ll need to transfer at.

You can also, of course, take a taxi to reach your hotel but this will cost you more.

For more information about the EZ-Link card, click here.

Where to Stay in Singapore

Since this was one of the last stops on my backpacking trip, I splurged a bit on a hotel.

I stayed at Studio M Hotel, a contemporary loft style hotel located in Robertson Quay. The property was gorgeous, but, more importantly, it was located near to everything I wanted to see and do.

Pictured: A young Kirst in Studio M’s technicolored elevator, and a glass of bubbles at Nemo, their on-site bar and cafe.