Singapore, with its gleaming skyline, lush greenery, and vibrant cultural scene, is undeniably one of Southeast Asia’s top travel destinations. Even if you’ve been there before, there’s always something more to look forward to in the Lion City. However, frequent travel to this bustling city-state can quickly add up in expenses. From accommodation to dining and transportation, the costs can easily pile up if you’re not careful. The good news is that we’ve compiled a list of top money-saving tips to help you make the most of your trips to Singapore without breaking the bank.
Use ChangiPay
It’s a well-known fact that Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the best airports in the world, with its world-class restaurants, shops, and attractions for travellers and Singapore residents to enjoy. However, not all travellers may know about ChangiPay, a convenient digital wallet you can use at select merchants in Changi and Jewel Changi Airport—including the iShopChangi duty-free store.
What’s great about ChangiPay is that you can access vouchers and exclusive deals. It’s a great money-saving tip to use whilst in Singapore! In addition, if you’re already signed up for Changi Rewards and CapitaStar, you can synchronise your account to get double the rewards. For frequent shoppers and diners in Singapore, this is a digital wallet worth downloading.
Get Your SIM Card in Town
Modern-day travellers have a need to be connected all the time for efficiency and safety. Although you can get a Singapore SIM card with data plans at the airport as soon as you land, you may want to wait until you get to the city proper to get your SIM card if you’re travelling on a budget.
Prepaid SIM cards with data plans are known to be more expensive at the airport and as a traveller, you also get limited options. For instance, you wouldn’t want to spend for a 100GB data plan if you’re planning on only a week’s stay. This would be excessive and expensive. Instead, you may pick a more affordable data plant at convenience stores in the city. Another thing to consider is if you’re travelling to Singapore frequently, say once every few weeks, you would want a SIM with a longer expiration date.
Visit Free Attractions
While Singapore is known for high-profile parks like Universal Studios and Singapore Zoo, the city is also home to a variety of affordable and usually free attractions. From the iconic Marina Bay Sands light show to the serene Botanic Gardens, there’s no shortage of free experiences to delight travellers of all interests. Moreover, you can immerse yourself in Singapore’s diverse cultural communities in Chinatown and Little India. Best of all, nature lovers will find themselves falling for the Lion City’s natural reserves and gardens that are open to the public for free or with minimal charges.
Eat at Hawker Centres
For foodies, Singapore is a major culinary destination for all budgets. With award-winning restaurants and humble food carts, you will not leave hungry.
Hawker centres that dot the city are an absolute must-try. Aside from meals that are easy on your budget, you also get to taste Singapore’s diverse food culture. In these food courts, you can indulge in mouth-watering dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and satay, lovingly prepared by talented hawkers who have perfected their craft over generations. Indeed, eating like a local has never been more delicious or affordable!
Drink Tap Water and Use It to Refill Water Bottles
Singapore is arguably the only country in Southeast Asia where it’s safe to drink tap water. While there might be some occasional poor-tasting water, it’s due mostly to chlorination. Otherwise, it’s completely safe to drink.
With Singapore being a hot and humid country, you can expect to be drinking a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated while you explore the attractions or conduct your business. So, just imagine how much money you can save if you carry a water bottle with you that you refill with tap water. Not only is it cost-effective, but reusing your water bottle is also more environmentally friendly.
Shop at the Mustafa Centre
A vacation in Singapore is, of course, not complete without shopping for presents for folks back home. For this, you can save more if you head over to Mustafa Centre. This sprawling 24-hour emporium in Little India is a treasure trove of bargains, offering everything from electronics and apparel to groceries and souvenirs at competitive prices. Lose yourself in the labyrinthine aisles and uncover incredible deals on items you never knew you needed.
Utilise Singapore’s MRT and Bus System
If you ask tourists what they love most about travelling to Singapore, they would most likely include the city’s impeccably efficient public transportation service. From their clean and often on-the-dot MRT stations to their bus systems, you wouldn’t miss having your own car when you travel to Singapore.
For a breezy journey in Singapore, buy an EZ-Link card for discounted fares on buses and trains. With train lines and bus routes seamlessly interconnected, you can get anywhere in the Lion City with incredible ease and affordability.
Singapore offers a wealth of experiences for travellers of all budgets. With these practical suggestions, you can get your money’s worth each time you travel to one of the world’s most expensive cities.
I hope you enjoyed this post on money-saving tips for travellers to Singapore.
