Is Singapore Expensive for Tourists? A Realistic 2024 Budget Guide

Let's cut to the chase. You're probably staring at flight prices or a hotel booking page, and that nagging question pops into your head: is it expensive in Singapore for tourists? I get it. I asked myself the same thing before my first trip. The short answer is: it can be, but it absolutely doesn't have to be. It's a city of extremes. You can easily blow S$500 on a dinner, or you can have an incredibly satisfying meal for under S$5. The final bill depends almost entirely on the choices you make.

I've visited Singapore multiple times, each with a different budget. I've made the mistake of overspending on cabs when the MRT was right there, and I've also discovered the pure joy of a perfect S$3.50 kaya toast breakfast. This guide isn't about scaring you with the cost of a suite at Marina Bay Sands (though we'll touch on that). It's about giving you the real, ground-level numbers so you can plan a trip that fits your wallet, whether you're a backpacker or looking for a comfortable holiday.

What Does "Expensive" Even Mean in Singapore?

This is crucial. "Is Singapore expensive?" depends on where you're coming from. For a traveler from New York or London, regular restaurant prices might feel familiar or even cheaper. For someone coming from Southeast Asian neighbors like Thailand or Vietnam, the jump in cost for things like accommodation and beer is significant.

It also depends on what you value. Singapore nails the basics for a good price. It's safe, spotlessly clean, has world-class and affordable public transport, and the tap water is drinkable (saving you a fortune on bottled water). You're paying for a seamless, efficient, and safe experience. The shock usually comes from discretionary spending: alcohol, club entries, upscale dining, and luxury shopping.

My personal take? The baseline cost for a decent, comfortable tourist experience is higher than in much of Asia, but the value you get for that money—in terms of infrastructure, safety, and food quality—is also incredibly high.

Breaking Down the Costs: A Realistic Daily Budget

Forget vague statements. Let's talk numbers. Here’s a detailed look at what you can expect to pay. These are 2024 estimates based on recent visits and current trends.

Accommodation: Your Biggest Variable

This is where your budget can swing wildly. Space is at a premium in Singapore, so hotel rooms are famously compact and not cheap.

My advice? Don't just fixate on the room rate. Location is king for saving time and transport costs. A S$150 hotel right next to an MRT station is often better value than a S$130 hotel that requires a bus or taxi ride to get anywhere.

Food & Drink: From Hawker Centers to High Tea

This is Singapore's great equalizer. You can eat like a king on a pauper's budget if you know where to go.

Hawker Centers & Food Courts: The absolute backbone of affordable eating. A filling meal like chicken rice, char kway teow, or laksa will cost between S$4 to S$8. A drink (iced tea, sugar cane juice) is about S$1.50 to S$2.50. Places like Maxwell Food Centre, Old Airport Road Food Centre, and Lau Pa Sat are institutions. The food is fantastic, sanitary, and this is where locals eat. If you're asking "is it expensive in Singapore for tourists to eat?" and you stick to hawker centers, the answer is a resounding NO.

Casual Cafes & Restaurants: A meal in a typical cafe or a chain restaurant in a mall (like a pasta dish or burger with a soft drink) will run you S$15 to S$25 per person.

Mid-Range Restaurants: A proper sit-down meal in a nice restaurant, especially in areas like Dempsey Hill or Clarke Quay, can be S$40 - S$80 per person for food and one drink.

Alcohol: This is the budget-killer. A pint of local beer (Tiger, Anchor) in a hawker center is about S$6-8. The same pint in a bar or club in Clarke Quay jumps to S$12 - S$18. Cocktails start around S$18 and go way up. Wine is heavily taxed. Tip: Enjoy the local coffee (kopi) and tea (teh) instead—they're delicious and cost about S$1.50.

Transportation: Getting Around Efficiently

Singapore's public transport system is a dream. It's cheap, clean, safe, and signs are in English.

• MRT (Subway) & Buses: A single trip typically costs between S$1.00 to S$2.50, depending on distance. This is the way to go.
• EZ-Link Card or Tourist Pass: Do NOT pay for single tickets. Get an EZ-Link card (S$10, includes S$5 stored value) or a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited travel. It works on MRT and buses and saves you the hassle. You can get them at any MRT station.
• Taxis & Ride-Hailing (Grab/Gojek): A 15-minute ride might cost S$8 to S$15. Surge pricing during peak hours and rain is real. I use Grab occasionally when I'm tired or with a group, but for solo travel, the MRT is almost always faster and cheaper.
• Airport to City: The MRT (about S$2.50) is the cheapest. A taxi is a fixed fare of roughly S$25-35 to most city hotels.

So, is it expensive in Singapore for tourists to get around? Not if you use the public system. It's one of the best deals in the city.

Attractions & Entertainment

Major attractions aren't cheap, but many are world-class. Planning is key here.

• Gardens by the Bay (Flower Dome & Cloud Forest): Around S$53 for both conservatories. The outdoor Supertree Grove is free.
• Singapore Zoo / Night Safari: About S$48 - S$55 each. They are excellent, but pricey.
• Universal Studios Singapore: One-day tickets start around S$82.
• Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck: About S$32. (Or you can go to the rooftop bar, CÉ LA VI, and spend the entry fee on a drink with the same view).
• National Gallery Singapore: Around S$20 for non-residents.

Don't forget the fantastic free things: exploring neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam; watching the light shows at Gardens by the Bay or Marina Bay Sands; hiking the Southern Ridges; or visiting the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

Putting It All Together: Sample Daily Budgets

Let's translate those numbers into real daily plans. Is it expensive in Singapore for tourists on a shoestring? Is a luxury trip worth it? See below.

See the range? It's all about choice.

Smart Hacks to Stretch Your Dollar in Singapore

Knowing the costs is one thing. Beating them is another. Here are my tried-and-tested tips.

Food & Drink Hacks

• Follow the queues. The longest line at a hawker centre is usually for the best stall. It's worth the wait.
• Drink tap water. Bring a reusable bottle. It's safe and saves you S$3-4 per bottle.
• Skip the branded coffee. A Starbucks latte is S$7. A local "kopi-c" (coffee with evaporated milk) is S$1.50 and has more character.
• Eat where the taxi drivers eat. It's an old traveler's rule that still works.

Transport & Sightseeing Hacks

• Walk between close-by MRT stations. The city center is very walkable. You'll discover more and save a dollar or two.
• Use the free attractions as your anchors. Plan your days around exploring free neighborhoods and parks, then add one paid attraction as a highlight.
• Visit museums on free admission days. Some, like the Asian Civilisations Museum, have free entry during certain hours or for Singapore residents. Check their official websites (like the National Heritage Board) for the latest info.
• Take the public bus. It's often more scenic than the MRT and costs the same with your EZ-Link card.

Accommodation & Shopping Hacks

• Book accommodation MONTHS in advance, especially for hostels and popular mid-range hotels. Prices only go up.
• Consider staying just outside the core. Areas like Tiong Bahru or Queenstown are residential gems with great food and easy MRT access to the city.
• For shopping, avoid Orchard Road for souvenirs. Chinatown, Little India, and Bugis Street have similar items for much less. And always ask if the price is fixed—some small shops may entertain polite bargaining.
• Check the Official Singapore Tourism Board website for seasonal deals, festivals, and promotions. They sometimes have hotel or attraction bundles.

Answering Your Burning Questions (FAQ)

Let's tackle the specific questions that pop up when people google "Is it expensive in Singapore for tourists?".

Is Singapore more expensive than Thailand/Japan/Europe?

Generally, yes, it's more expensive than Thailand and Vietnam for tourists. Compared to major Western European cities (Paris, London) or Japan (Tokyo), it's comparable or slightly cheaper for mid-range travel, especially when you factor in the cheap hawker food. Luxury travel can be similarly priced.

How much cash should I bring per day?

For a comfortable budget traveler (using card for hotel, some meals), having S$40-S$60 in cash per day is plenty. It covers hawker meals, small purchases, and transport top-ups. Singapore is very card-friendly (including contactless), but hawker stalls and small shops are often cash-only.

Is the Singapore Tourist Pass worth it?

Do the math: A 1-day pass is S$22. If you plan to take more than 4-5 MRT/bus trips in a single day, it's worth it. For most people, the 3-day pass (S$34) is a better deal if you'll be constantly on the move sightseeing. Otherwise, just get an EZ-Link card and pay as you go.

What is the single most overpriced thing in Singapore?

Personal opinion? Alcohol in bars and clubs. And maybe cars, but as a tourist, that doesn't affect you. The markup on wine and spirits due to taxes is staggering.

Can I visit Singapore on a tight budget for 3 days?

Absolutely. Focus on free sights (Gardens by the Bay outdoors, neighborhoods, light shows), eat exclusively at hawker centers, stay in a hostel, and use public transport. Your major expense will be accommodation, but you can do three fantastic days for under S$250 excluding flights.

The Final Verdict

Look, Singapore has a reputation for being pricey, and it's not entirely unearned. If you walk down Orchard Road expecting Bangkok prices, you'll get a shock. But that reputation also does the city a disservice. It scares off budget-conscious travelers who would absolutely love it here.

The truth is, Singapore gives you control. It presents you with both a S$5 meal and a S$500 meal and lets you choose. Its world-class infrastructure—the MRT, the clean streets, the safe environment—is accessible to everyone at a low cost. You pay a premium for luxury and convenience, but the baseline experience of exploring this vibrant, multicultural city is more affordable than people think.

My final piece of advice? Don't let the fear of cost stop you from visiting. Set a realistic daily budget based on the breakdowns above, prioritize what matters to you (maybe you splurge on a famous restaurant but skip the zoo), and embrace the hawker culture. You'll discover that the soul of Singapore isn't found in its luxury malls, but in the bustling, steamy, deliciously affordable food centres where everyone comes together.

Plan smart, and you won't just survive Singapore on a budget—you'll thrive.