Budget Travel Guide to Singapore and Beyond with Homejourney

Planning a Budget Travel Guide to and Beyond from Singapore, or visiting Singapore for the first time before exploring the rest of Asia or Europe? This guide gives you a clear, step‑by‑step framework to keep costs low while travelling, understand how Singapore fits into your wider journey, and see how Homejourney supports safe, trusted property decisions for travellers, expats and investors.

As someone who has lived in Singapore and frequently helps visitors plan trips and eventual moves here, I’ll walk you through real prices, practical itineraries, and insider tips locals actually use.

How this cluster fits into Homejourney’s main pillar guide

This article is a focused cluster within Homejourney’s broader international lifestyle and relocation content. For a deeper overview of living, working and investing in Singapore as a foreigner, refer to our main pillar guide on international buyers and expats in Singapore . This cluster zooms in on practical budget travel and trip‑planning tactics “to and beyond” Singapore, so you can:

Plan a cost‑efficient short trip to Singapore and nearby regions.
Test‑drive Singapore as a potential base for work or investment.
Compare Singapore with other destinations like the UK (for example, a UK 7 days or one week UK trip with a detailed London itinerary) using a similar budgeting mindset.

Destination overview: Why start or transit in Singapore?

For many planning “to and beyond” trips – for instance, flying from Singapore to Europe for a first time Britain or UK 7 days holiday – Singapore is both a gateway and a destination in its own right. Changi Airport connects directly to London, Manchester and major Asian hubs, making it easy to pair a London itinerary or one week UK plan with a few days in Singapore before or after.

Best time to visit Singapore on a budget

Singapore is warm and humid all year (around 25–32°C), so the main price differences come from school holidays and major events. Off‑peak airfares and hotel rates often appear outside June, December and major F1 / event periods, which aligns with many budget guides that flag shoulder months as cheaper travel periods.[1][6]

Insider tip: If you are routing Singapore–Europe for a UK or London trip, consider flying in or out on weekdays; fares from Changi to London are frequently lower from Tuesday to Thursday compared to weekends, based on common fare patterns shown by major airlines.

Getting to Singapore (from and beyond)

From within Asia: Low‑cost carriers (Scoot, AirAsia, Jetstar) often run competitive fares into Changi, ideal if you are building a wider Asia loop (e.g., Vietnam–Singapore–UK). Pair this with our Vietnam relocation content Moving to Singapore from Vietnam: Homejourney Expat Guide if you’re testing both markets.
To Europe / UK: Full‑service airlines like Singapore Airlines and British Airways connect Singapore directly to London – convenient if you are adding a first time Britain segment after your Singapore stay.

Currency & budgeting basics

Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar (SGD). As of recent ranges, everyday visitors can expect a realistic backpacker budget of around SGD 60–90 per day excluding flights, covering a hostel bed, hawker food, and mostly free attractions.[1][6][7]

Meals at hawker centres: typically SGD 4–7 for a substantial dish like chicken rice or nasi lemak.[1][7]
MRT rides in the city: about SGD 1–2 per trip depending on distance.[3][6]
Attractions: many are free (Marina Bay waterfront, Botanic Gardens), while paid icons like Gardens by the Bay domes or the Zoo are usually SGD 20–40 range when booked in advance.[4][8]

Homejourney’s platform supports multiple currencies for property exploration – useful if you’re comparing a future Singapore property purchase against assets in other markets (e.g., UK or your home country). You can browse listings and get indicative conversions seamlessly Property Search .

Top attractions & experiences on a budget

Must‑see landmarks you can enjoy cheaply or free

Marina Bay waterfront: Walk from Merlion Park to Marina Bay Sands via the Helix Bridge. Nighttime views and the light‑and‑water show are free.[1][5]
Gardens by the Bay (outdoor areas): The outdoor gardens and Supertree Grove are free; you only pay for conservatories like Cloud Forest.[1][8]
Singapore Botanic Gardens: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and fully free, perfect for families and joggers.[1][5]

Insider tip from locals: If you only want to pay for one major attraction, time it for late afternoon. For example, visit the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest around 4–5pm, then stay to watch the Supertree light show for free afterwards, stretching value from a single ticket.

Cultural neighbourhoods

Chinatown: Great for temples, budget souvenirs and street snacks. An easy half‑day on foot from Chinatown or Telok Ayer MRT.[1][3]
Little India: Colorful heritage shophouses, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and Mustafa Centre (24‑hour shopping). Many budget hotels and hostels cluster here.[1]
Kampong Glam / Bugis: Sultan Mosque, Haji Lane street art and indie shops, plus Bugis Street Market for cheap clothes and gifts.[1][3]

Local food you should try

Hawker centres are Singapore’s answer to eating like a local on a budget. Some classic dishes under SGD 7 include chicken rice, laksa, roti prata and char kway teow.[1][7]

Maxwell Food Centre: Near Chinatown, famed for Hainanese chicken rice.
Lau Pa Sat: CBD hawker centre popular for satay in the evenings.
Tekka Centre: In Little India, known for South Asian food and wet market.[1]

If you’re drawn to cool‑climate food and tea experiences, explore our Sri Lanka tea country guides such as Budget Travel Guide to Nuwara Eliya Tea Country Budget Travel Guide to Nuwara Eliya Tea Country | Homejourney and our complete Nuwara Eliya overview Homejourney: Guide to Nuwara Eliya Tea Country Complete Guide . These pair well with Singapore in a multi‑stop Asia itinerary.

Practical travel tips: Visas, transport, safety, money‑saving

Visa considerations

Singapore’s visa policy depends on nationality. Always check the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website for the latest requirements before booking flights. Many travellers from Europe and parts of Asia enjoy visa‑free short stays, while others need to apply in advance. Treat ICA and your national foreign ministry as primary sources for up‑to‑date rules.

Getting around cheaply

MRT & buses: Efficient, safe and air‑conditioned. Most central trips cost around SGD 1–2. You can use stored‑value cards or the Singapore Tourist Pass with unlimited rides, often recommended by budget guides.[3][6]
Walking: Many key areas – Marina Bay, Bugis, Chinatown – are walkable between each other in 10–20 minutes. Plan routes around shaded walkways when possible, especially midday.
Avoid overusing taxis: Flag‑down fares add up quickly; reserve these for late nights or if travelling with heavy luggage.[1][2]

Insider tip: When arriving at Changi, skip airport taxis if you are on a tight budget. The MRT from Changi to Bugis or City Hall generally costs under SGD 3 and takes about 35–45 minutes with one simple transfer.[3]

Safety & Homejourney’s trust‑first approach

Singapore is consistently ranked among the world’s safest cities, with low violent‑crime rates and strong enforcement of regulations.[6] However, standard travel precautions still apply: safeguard valuables, use licensed taxis or ride‑hailing apps, and follow local laws (e.g., no smoking in most indoor public spaces, no chewing gum imports).