Singapore on a Budget

WHERE TO EAT, SLEEP & EXPLORE

From botanical beauties and wildlife to Michelin-star street food and paradise-like beaches, Singapore ticks so many boxes. Being a sunny island and city-state, Singapore sits off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and is the smallest country, by surface area, in Southeast Asia.

We love Singapore. So much so we’ve visited 5 times in the last few years. We love the familiarity to London in some aspects but also the tropical, green Asian side in others. No other city we’ve visited has the perfect combination of city and greenery.

Being one of the world’s greenest cities, with UNESCO world heritage sites, man-made waterfalls, and off-the-beaten-path neighbourhoods, Singapore is one of our favourite places to be.

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So this article covers highlights of where to eat, shop & explore in Singapore. Especially if you’re on a budget.

what to do

Gardens by the Bay // A $1 billion, 101-hectare botanical paradise! With tree-like vertical gardens up to 50 metres tall with a magical light display at night! The flower dome (the world’s largest greenhouse) replicates the Mediterranean climates all over the globe. They also have The Cloud Forest, a lush mountain covered in mist and vegetation, with the spectacular waterfall taking centre stage. Now being the 2nd tallest indoor waterfall in the world after the Rain Vortex in the Singapore Jewel Changi Airport. Along with these two domes they have the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes, the Bay East Garden, the Heritage Gardens, the World of Plants, the Canyon and the sun pavilion! Needless to say, you could spend a whole day here, if not more.

The outside grounds of Gardens by the Bay is free. Along with their incredible Garden Rhapsody light show. The light show is daily at 7.45pm and 8.45pm and lasts 15 minutes. It really is a magical experience!

Read our article “14 money saving tips for Singapore” for tips on budget travel!

Singapore Botanical Gardens // This is Singapore’s oldest garden and the country’s first ever UNESCO heritage site. It’s also free to get in. The gardens are a 74-hectare botanical wonderland with themed gardens, rainforest walks, waterfalls and lakes. Take a picnic and chill by the water with the locals. Or enjoy one of their exhibitions or galleries. Keep an eye out for turtles swimming in the lakes and lizards roaming the grounds.

National Orchid Gardens // The orchard garden is situated inside the Singapore Botanical gardens and is $15 per ticket. The garden has over 60,000 plants and is filled with thousands of beautiful orchids in every colour and variety.

Little India // An ethnic and vibrant district, full of multi-coloured houses and Hindu and Chinese temples. The House of Tan Teng Niah is a must-see and the only survivor of its type in the neighbourhood. The central streets are packed with stalls and markets selling all sorts of Indian goods and there are two giant shopping centres.

Chinatown // Exploring old meeting the new. A bustling mix of markets, traditional shops and hawkers. Home to the Michelin star famous Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodles (more about here below!)

ArtScience Museum // This museum is famous for it’s unique architecture and lotus-like shape. The building has become an iconic cultural landmark that sits opposite the Merlion statue over the water. The “Future World: Where Art Meets Science” is a permanent interactive and immersive exhibition through digital installations. Draw a sea creature and watch it come to life in the ocean, walk through a digital light canvas and become immersed in a floral fantasy.

Beaches on Sentosa Island // If you want a break from the busy city, head to Sentosa Island. Sentosa sits off the southern coast of Singapore and is known as a resort island. With one of the world’s largest aquariums, Universal Studios, waterparks and golf courses, there are countless activities and experiences to be had. But our favourite way of spending time on Sentosa island is by visiting the sandy beaches. Tanjong Beach, Palawan Beach and Siloso Beach and beautiful beaches to visit. So relax, sun bathe and enjoy the warm, crystal clear water. No wonder Sentosa is known as Singapore’s island getaway.

Southern Ridges // The Southern Ridges is a free 6.2 mile (10km) trail made up of tree top walks and parks that meander through the city. A scenic experience to walk atop the trees, with the sound of the birds chirping and the smell of fresh air! With the contrast of tropical trees and skyscraper buildings, only Singapore can offer something like this.

Visit the colourful roads // Singapore is filled with photogenic roads lined with colourful buildings. Some covered in street art while some showing the traditional Peranakan Houses Singapore has.

Some of our favourite colourful roads include Koon Seng Road, Emerald Hill Road and Hagi Lane.

cheap eats

Singapore has made history by being the first country to have street vendors recognised by the Michelin guide. So while in Singapore take full advantage of dining at Michelin-star eateries while paying under $10! (Amazing!)

You can find great places to eat in Singapore at Hawkers. Hawkers are Singapore’s equivalent to street food markets. They’re open-air complexes that house lots of stalls that sell a wide variety of affordably priced food. It’s a great opportunity to try new food without breaking the bank.

Here are a few of our favourite places to eat.

328 Katong Laksa // By far our favourite meal in Singapore! This eatery is Malaysian and sells only one main meal which is a seafood laksa - rice noodles in a coconut broth with shrimp and cockles. The walls are lined with photos of staff with Gordon Ramsey and countless articles they’ve been featured in and it’s on the Michelin guide for 2017. Considering how amazing this is, our bill came to $10!

Komala Vilas // In the middle of Little India and always busy, an authentic vegetarian chain known for its dosas (paper-thin lentil-flour pancakes) and the best samosas. It can get very messy eating with your hands but worth it!

Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodles // One of Singapore’s famous street vendors in Chinatown that has gained a Michelin star. And our bill came to under $10! This place is in one of Singapore’s well-known Hawkers (like a big food court) called the Chinatown Complex and is a labyrinth of stalls full of authentic dishes. Unlike street food in England, everything in the Hawkers is so cheap that you can wander from stall to stall trying different dishes and nibbles.

The 1950's Coffee // Another cheap Michelin star place in a hawker in China Town. The 1950s Coffee specialises in award-winning coffee.

where we stay

Singapore has a large selection of hotels that vary in price. We usually stay at the same hotel each time as we love the location, the rooftop pool and the average price.

Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay // This hotel is amazing! With the rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Singapore skyline, it’s perfect for the humid weather. I always look forward to taking a nighttime swim after sunset as Singapore looks even more magical with all the bright lights which engulf the city. The hotel is in a great location, being only a 10 minutes walk from China Town and a 10-minute car ride to Gardens by the Bay.

We found many hotels don’t offer breakfast and they don’t have their own place to eat. But this hotel does which it’s great which is a bonus. The young area is full of greenery and comfy sofas to relax with a morning coffee.

We found Airbnb’s in Singapore are very expensive. Unless you get lucky, find an Airbnb with no windows, a shared bathroom or a pod hotel, then this hotel is a good price compared to other accommodation in Singapore.

➜ Here are all hotel options in Singapore

where to shop

Little India & China Town // Along with being famous for their food, these two areas have great markets for clothing, souvenirs and food at affordable prices.

Hagi Lane // This bright and colourful lane is filled with independent boutiques filled with handmade jewellery, homewares and clothing. Hagi Lane is my favourite street for shopping and finding something special.

Bugis Street Market // This market is one of the biggest and cheapest markets in Singapore. This indoor market is a maze of vendors selling clothes, accessories, electronics, souvenirs and more.

Orchard road // This road is like Singapore’s version of Oxford Street in London. Lined with high-end department stores, upscale boutiques and luxury hotels. If you’re a big spender then you’ve found the right place.