Visiting Singapore: Costs

By: Cher Tan

Singapore, being the 6^th most expensive country in the world in Mercer’s 50 World’s Most Expensive Cities index in 2012, is expensive by Asian standards but affordable compared with some industrialized countries: $50 is a perfectly serviceable daily backpacker budget if you are willing to cut some corners, though you would probably wish to double that for comfort.

Food in particular is a steal, with excellent hawker food available for under $5 for a generous serving. Transport is generally inexpensive, ranging from at least $1.40 for a bus or MRT ride or at most $50 for a cab ride from one end of the country to another. Accommodation is a little pricier, but a bed in a dormitory in a hostel can cost less than $20, an average 3-4 star hotel in the city centre would typically cost anywhere from $100-$300 per night for a basic room, and the most luxurious hotels on the island (except the renowned Raffles Hotel) can be yours for $300 with the right discounts during the off-peak season.

Singapore: Hostels, Guesthouses & Budget Beds

By: Cher Tan

Singapore is an expensive city. Any backpacker or tourist arriving in Singapore after having done their rounds in Southeast Asia can attest to that. Gone are the little nooks and crannies housing backpacker digs so ubiquitous in Thailand and Indonesia; instead Singapore is dotted with mid-range to fancy 6-star hotels with prices to make even the most seasoned of travelers cringe. Being dubbed as a eating and shopping “paradise”, visitors to the city would definitely want more money left over to spend. What does one do in the face of such a dilemma? Luckily, budget beds DO exist in Singapore, if one looks harder enough.