A few years ago a survey by the Post Office stated Singapore was the world’s most expensive tourist spot.
Though the Singapore Tourism Board disputed this, there’s no doubt visiting such a big destination can be pricey. Instead of visiting the big ticket attractions, try some of our free and budget-friendly suggestions below.
Explore Gardens By The Bay
Although some areas have an admission fee (the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest have a joint cost of $28 and the Walkway costs $8) the main outdoor areas are free to roam around. You can look up at the iconic trees in Supertree Grove, walk over the Dragonfly Bridge and explore many themed gardens.
Each evening they host a light at 7.45pm and 8.45pm. This 15 minute show is an impressive sequence of lights and music on the super trees. The best way to see this is to just grab a spot by one of the trees, lie on your back and look up! The shows attract a crowd so try to arrive a little before to ensure a good viewing spot.
Get some food at a Hawker Centre
These indoor food markets are bursting with local traders and cheap, delicious food. Visit the Tekka Centre in Little India for delicious curry (the below meal of mixed vegetable curry, rice and garlic naan was $5.50) and sweet Lassi, or try Singapore’s famous Laksa Soup at many of the food markets. If you are craving cake, you can order it online through cake delivery in Singapore.
Window shop in a fancy mall
Singapore is a great city for shopping, with numerous huge malls and loads of designer brands. Though they are totally not budget friendly, many of the malls are worth visiting anyway. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is incredibly impressive, complete with a large water feature and ‘canal’ offering gondola rides.
Walk the Southern Ridges
If you’re looking to escape the bustling city centre then this is the activity for you. This 10 kilometre trail is free to do with many must-see stops along the way. You’ll cross Henderson Waves; a 274 metre long pedestrian bridge that is an architectural marvel and connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park. Mount Faber is Singapore’s second largest hill and at the peak provides spectacular views of the city’s skyline and coast. The Southern Ridges walk also includes HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve.
Make the most of Changi
It’s no surprise Changi has been voted the world’s best airport for a record-breaking seven consecutive years by customer service reviewer Skytrax. The airport offers a number of attractions that you can access without even having a flight such as art installations, the world’s tallest slide in an airport, gardens and interactive sculptures.
The newest addition to Changi is Jewel; a sparkling new shopping and entertainment complex with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at its centre. The HSBC Rain Vortex is 40 metres high and looks impressive whether you’re gazing upwards from the base or getting panoramic views from the Level 2 Viewing Deck. Other Jewel highlights include a cinema, the Shiseido Forest Valley walk and a YotelAir hotel.
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