Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget

Our ultimate guide to backpacking in Singapore on a budget.

Merlion Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget
The Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget

Singapore, the small island state in Southeast Asia, is renowned for its cleanliness, its food, and its expense.

For someone on a backpackers budget, it can be a difficult place to travel. “Luxury items”, such as alcohol and cigarettes are extremely pricey.

But by budgeting carefully, you can easily go backpacking in Singapore on a budget for less than S$50 a day.

Cheap Accommodation In Singapore

Hostels in Singapore are quite expensive, especially when compared to the rest of SE Asia. However a dorm room can be found for as low as $20 a night if you look around.

Another great option for backpacking in Singapore on a budget is to CouchSurf .

For those who are new to the concept, Couchsurfing is a website that connects people who are looking for a place to stay in a local’s house, for no monetary gain.

It is definitely worth checking out, not just to save money, but also to connect with amazing people and get insider tips on the cheap places to eat, drink and visit.

Our time Couchsurfing in Singapore was great, as it always is when we Couchsurf, and we can’t recommend it enough!

One more option for those who travel with a tent is to register at one of the campgrounds found outside the city. Currently permits are free and you get the added bonus of being out in nature instead of in the city.

If you prefer your own space check out the options on Booking.com or Agoda.com. Or if you would love to stay in a local funky neighbourhood then check out our article on Katong Neighbourhood in Singapore.  If you do enough research you can find some awesome deals.

Cheap Food In Singapore

Hawker Centre Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget
A healthy, tasty meal bought for under $5.

Singapore is famous for its food, and rightly so. There is an amazing fusion of different culinary delights which have developed in this city. And the prices range from reasonable to astronomical.

The best way to eat cheaply when backpacking in Singapore on a budget is to buy at the many hawker centres scattered around the city. You can get delicious noodle and rice based meals from $2 upwards.

In Little India you can buy tasty, authentic Indian dishes for a couple of dollars. Chinatown offers its own large selection of food for a low price.

Of course you could always buy a loaf of bread and some peanut butter to save money, but you would miss out on a great highlight of Singapore!

Hawker Centre Singapore Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget
A hawker centre in Singapore.
Mrt Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget
An empty MRT train early in the morning.

Cheap Transport In Singapore

The public transport in Singapore is fantastic. You can get just about anywhere via the MRT (metro subway) and bus.

There is a MRT station in the airport to get you downtown. Fares range from $1-2 and the MRT in particular is quite fast.

If you are expecting to do a lot of touring around, you can purchase a tourist ticket for S$10 which allows unlimited travel on the MRT and bus network for the entire day.

If you are going to be backpacking in Singapore for a while it would be worth getting a SMRT pass.

Chinese Temple Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget
A Chinese temple in Singapore.

Budget Activities In Singapore

The most famous things to do in Singapore are often quite expensive. The zoo, one of the best in the world, will cost you at least $25 (a lot more if you want to do the night safari or other options out there).

Sentosa Island has attractions like Universal Studios which is a must for some people. But for those backpacking in Singapore on a budget there is also a host of free things to check out.

The botanical gardens are beautiful and you could easily spend hours walking around admiring the gorgeous flora.

Gardens By The Bay is another impressive nature-based attraction that is mostly free. Walking through the different cultural areas of the city, such as Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street will take up an entire day.

There is also hiking in the national parks, museums, art galleries, and plenty of temples to hang out in.

How To Visit The Marina Bay Sands Hotel For Free

To get a great view of the city, go to the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Just tell the hotel you are going up for a drink, take your photos and leave without purchasing any of the overpriced beverages. Make sure to get there before 9pm to avoid a cover charge.

Marina Bay Sands View Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget
The free view from the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel.
Gardens By The Bay Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget
Gardens By The Bay.
The Botanical Gardens Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget
The Botanical Gardens.
Picture of Alesha and Jarryd

Alesha and Jarryd

Hey! We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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8 thoughts on “Backpacking In Singapore On A Budget”

  1. How sure are you that we can get to the top of Marina Bay Sands for free? Are there any security who will accompany you? Can we go to the Skypark for free?

  2. When are you coming to Malaysia?

  3. There’s a typo in the caption of your view from the top of Marina Bay Sands. You spelt ‘merlin’. I’m guessing you thought it was Merlion, but it’s Marina.

    • Thanks Owen – fixed it now 🙂

  4. u didn’t visit malaysia?

    • Not this time unfortunately, but we will one day!

  5. Beautiful! I visited Singapore in the past but the gardens were still in construction! I look forward to going back cause they look amazing!

    • The gardens truly are amazing, Susie. Thanks for reading! 🙂

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