Singapore is one of my favourite destinations in the world, but there’s no denying it can be expensive – especially when compared to nearby destinations in South East Asia. But how much does a holiday to Singapore cost?
This modern city-state is known for its stunning architecture, beautiful parks, world-class shopping and delicious food. As such, it should absolutely be part of any South East Asian itinerary (and Singapore makes a fabulous stopover destination too!) So if you’re planning a trip to Singapore, one of the most important things you need to consider is your budget. In this post, we’ll run through typical costs in Singapore, and how much you’ll need to budget to travel in Singapore for a week.
We have used a week as there’s so much to do in Singapore (also see our five-day Singapore itinerary if you’re staying less time). But no matter how long you stay, this guide should help you determine how much you’ll need in your travel account!
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Singapore Accommodation Costs
Accommodation in Singapore can be costly, and will likely be your biggest expense. Accommodation in Singapore runs the gamut of budget hostels to ultra-luxe though… So there will definitely be a good option for you.
For a budget hotel, you can expect to pay around SGD 70-100 per night. For a mid-range hotel, you can expect to pay around SGD 120-200 (USD 88-147) per night. If you’re looking for a luxury hotel, you can expect to pay upwards of SGD 400 (USD 295) per night (the sky is the limit here).
Let’s take a look at some options.
Budget to Mid-Range Hotels
I haven’t put anything super budget here (including hostels) because honestly, I wouldn’t know where to start! I haven’t stayed in a hostel since before I got married, and that kind of thing is not why people read this website. BUT – Singapore does have some really cool hostels, as well as pods to stay in.
Back to the budget-mid range hotels – here are the ones I think are cool.
The Great Madras is a super funky art deco-inspired hotel in Little India. I’m a bit in love with it. At the time of writing, a week here will set you back about $870 AUD / $800 SGD / $600 USD.
ST Signature Jalan Besar is a cute, traditional looking hotel with lots of character, also in Little India. It will cost you about $830 AUD / $760 SGD / $570 USD for the week.
Heritage Collection on Clarke Quay (GREAT location – I love Clarke Quay) is currently priced at around $1,300 AUD / $1,190 SGD / $890 USD.
KeSa House is a delightful, very traditional option – you’ll pay around $1,350 AUD / $1,240 SGD / $920 USD for a week here.
The Rendezvous Hotel in Bencoolen will cost you about $1,900 AUD / $1,750 SGD / $1,300 USD.
Finally, the Riverside Hotel Robertson Quay will set you back about $1,500 AUD / $1,380 SGD / $1,030 USD.
Luxury hotels
For the ultra-luxurious options, try these amazing properties.
The Raffles is absolutely iconic and you should stay here if you can afford it (but if not, stop by for a Singapore Sling!). A week here is currently prices at about $11,500 AUD / $10,500 SGD / $7,900 USD.
Over at the Four Seasons, the same week will cost around $6,300 AUD / $5,800 SGD / $4,300 USD.
And at the Capella, your bill will ring up about the same as the Four Seasons.
Food and Drink
Singapore is known for its amazing food, but again, it can be expensive. However, there are definitely ways to cut these costs. Eating in local hawker centres, and eating Singaporean rather than Western foods will be easier on your wallet.
You can expect to pay around SGD 5-10 (USD 3.70-7.40) for a simple meal at a food court or hawker center. For a meal at a mid-range restaurant, you can expect to pay around SGD 20-30 (USD 15-22). If you’re looking for fine dining, you can expect to pay upwards of SGD 100 (USD 74) per person (again, the sky is the limit).
Some examples:
A serve of chilli crab, Singapore’s national dish, at the iconic Jumbo’s in Clarke Quay, will set you back between $10-20 SGD per 100 grams (depends on the species and size of crab you choose). So let’s say you got a 500g crab, that could be between $50-100 SGD. A glass of Tiger beer (Singapore’s national beer) to have with your crab will cost you about $10 SGD.
Various dishes in Hawker Centres will generally be cheaper than restaurants. What I love about Hawker Centres is that each stall usually has a specialty, so you can try dozens of different dishes from different stalls all at once. The cost of a meal at a Hawker Centre will vary. For example, we love Newton Circus (near Orchard Road) but we do find this expensive compared to some other centres around the city. The Old Airport Road Hawker Centre is one of the oldest and most authentic spots in Singapore, and the Chinatown one is the biggest (go here for a crazy atmosphere!). A good laksa or chicken rice will start at around $3 SGD in the Chinatown centre – what a bargain! But you’ll probably pay double at Newton Circus.
Most food and snacks in grocery stores are imported, so expect to pay the same if not more than back home for any supplies.
Getting around in Singapore
One thing I do find pretty cheap (by Australian standards anyway) is catching a taxi in Singapore. I’ve caught countless taxis and it feels like every ride is $5-10 SGD. Grab, which is the rideshare service in Singapore, is also surprisingly cost-effective.
If public transport is more your bag, an average MRT (Singapore’s subway) ticket is about $1.80 SG for a one-way fare. This is a great way to really explore Singapore, and cheap too!
Expect to pay $50-70 SGD for a one-way vehicle transfer to and from Singapore’s Changi airport.
Cost of activities in Singapore
There are plenty of things to do in Singapore, and the cost of activities can vary. Some of the most popular activities include visiting Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island, and the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. You can expect to pay around SGD 25-30 (USD 18-22) for admission to these attractions. The Hop-on-hop-off bus is also popular and costs around $60 SGD.
If you’re looking for something more unique, you can take a Singapore street food tour or a river cruise, which can cost around SGD 50-100 (USD 37-74) per person.
Singapore Zoo is absolutely iconic – you really can’t miss this, especially if you’re travelling with children. The River Safari experience next door is also worthwhile.
Over on Sentosa, Universal Studios, the Cable Car, Skyline Luge, and SEA Aquarium are all amazing things to do. These activities will set you back between $30-100 SGD each.
We really like the Singapore Unlimited Attractions Pass as this gives you a lot of sightseeing freedom, and is fantastic value for money.
Make sure you check out our complete Singapore guide for more information!
Your final singapore budget
Overall, we recommend budgeting at least $1,500 SGD for decent accommodation (there are some great options for less, but leave yourself a buffer); at least $50 SGD per person per day for food, and at least $500 SGD per person for activities. We hope this gives you a reasonable expectation of Singapore costs.
Singapore is a beautiful destination that offers something for everyone. While it can be expensive, there are ways to enjoy this vibrant city on a budget. With careful planning and budgeting, you can have an unforgettable experience in Singapore without breaking the bank.
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