Singapore Travel Costs: How Much Does a Trip Really Cost? (Budget, Mid-Range & Luxury)
Singapore has a reputation for being expensive… and honestly, it can be. But it’s also one of those places where you can spend £6 on a hawker meal that tastes like it should cost £25, then accidentally drop £18 on a cocktail because you blinked in the wrong direction.
So this guide is the money chat we wish we’d had before going: what things cost, what’s actually worth it, and three clear spending styles — budget, mid-range, and luxury — so you can plan without guessing.
Important: prices change (and Singapore loves an annual price tweak), so use this as a realistic planning baseline rather than a promise carved into stone. We’re giving ranges that match how people actually travel — not fantasy “we ate noodles once and never paid for an attraction” budgets.
If you’re building your trip plan: this pairs perfectly with our 3-day Singapore itinerary and our guides on where to stay + where to eat.
Contents
Quick budget summary (per person, per day)
These are realistic “normal traveller” ranges for Singapore. Your actual spend will depend on your hotel, how many paid attractions you do, and how often you say “one quick drink” (because that’s where budgets go to die).
- Budget-ish: ~ £70–£120 per person per day
- Mid-range: ~ £120–£220 per person per day
- Luxury: ~ £250+ per person per day
What’s included? Typical accommodation share (2 people in a room), food, transport, and a sensible amount of attractions. Flights aren’t included because they vary wildly depending on season and route.
Couples note: Singapore is easier on the wallet for couples because accommodation is the biggest cost — splitting a hotel room does a lot of heavy lifting.
The biggest costs in Singapore (what actually moves the needle)
If you only remember one thing from this post, make it this:
- Hotels are the biggest cost for most travellers.
- Paid attractions can stack up quickly if you do loads of them.
- “Nice nights” (rooftop bars, cocktails, fine dining) are where Singapore gets expensive fast.
Food and transport are surprisingly manageable if you lean into hawker centres and the MRT — which is why Singapore works so well as a short trip even if you’re watching the budget.
Accommodation costs (the main budget driver)
Singapore hotels are the bit that can feel shocking, especially if you’re coming from Southeast Asia where your money usually goes further. Location is brilliant almost everywhere, but central areas and bigger brand hotels will cost more.
What do hotels cost in Singapore?
- Budget: ~ £70–£130 per night (think smaller rooms, basic but clean)
- Mid-range: ~ £140–£260 per night (nice comfort, strong locations)
- Luxury: ~ £300+ per night (this is where it gets “wow” quickly)
Reality check: Singapore rooms can be smaller than you expect for the price — it’s normal. You’re paying for location, standards, and the fact that Singapore is… Singapore.
If you want a full breakdown by budget and vibe, we’ve got you here: Where to Stay in Singapore.
Food & drink costs (hawkers vs restaurants)
Food is the good news. Singapore is one of the best “eat unbelievably well without spending loads” cities we’ve been to — as long as you embrace hawker centres.
Hawker centre meals
- Main dish: ~ SGD 4–8 (roughly £2.50–£5)
- Drink: ~ SGD 1–3 (iced kopi/teh included)
- Two people sharing a few dishes: often SGD 20–35 total
This is why we always say: in Singapore, spend your money on the experiences you care about… and let hawkers handle the daily food budget like the legends they are.
Restaurant meals
- Casual restaurant: ~ SGD 15–30 per main
- Nicer dinner: ~ SGD 40–80+ per person (especially with drinks)
- Chilli crab “event night”: often SGD 80–150+ for two people depending on the place and crab size
Heads-up: in restaurants, you may see service charge and GST added on top. More on that below, because it catches people out.
Drinks (where budgets go to die)
Singapore drinks are the “surprise expensive” bit for a lot of travellers.
- Beer in a hawker / casual spot: ~ SGD 8–12
- Cocktail in a nice bar: ~ SGD 18–28
- Rooftop bars: assume the higher end (you’re paying for the view)
Our tactic: do hawker meals most days, then pick 1–2 “proper nights” where you go rooftop/cocktails and enjoy it guilt-free.
Transport costs (MRT, buses, Grab)
Transport is another bit of good news. Singapore’s MRT and buses are affordable, reliable, and make it easy to stay in one base and explore the whole city.
- MRT/bus rides: typically a few SGD per trip (distance-based)
- Daily transport budget: ~ SGD 6–15 per person for most tourists
- Grab rides: varies by distance/time; budget a bit extra for rainy evenings or when you’re tired
Couple tip: Grab becomes good value when you split the cost, especially for late nights or when you’re trying to avoid arriving somewhere looking like you’ve just done a spin class.
Attraction & activity costs (what to budget for)
This is where Singapore costs depend on your personality. Some people are happy with free walking routes, light shows, parks, and food. Others want to do every iconic ticketed attraction. Both are valid. One just costs more.
Free or cheap highlights (do these even on a budget)
- Marina Bay stroll (Merlion + skyline)
- Gardens by the Bay outdoor areas + Supertree Grove (the domes are paid)
- Neighbourhood wandering: Chinatown / Little India / Kampong Glam
- Light shows (iconic + free)
- Botanic Gardens / parks
Paid attractions (popular first-timer picks)
These vary depending on bundles and season, but here’s a sensible way to budget:
- Gardens by the Bay domes: budget ~ SGD 20–35 depending on what you include
- ArtScience Museum: budget ~ SGD 20–30+
- MBS SkyPark / viewpoints: budget ~ SGD 25–35+
- Sentosa attractions: this can range massively — set a cap and choose 1–2 main events
- Mandai (Zoo / Bird Paradise / Night Safari): budget ~ SGD 40–60+ each depending on which you pick
Our rule: pick 1–2 paid icons for a 3-day trip, 2–3 for a 4–5 day trip, and fill the rest with food + free vibes. Singapore is at its best when you’re not constantly rushing between ticket scanners.
Hidden/extra costs (GST, service charge, tipping)
This is the bit that surprises people, because you’ll look at a menu price and then your bill is… slightly higher.
- GST: Singapore’s GST is 9% (some places include it in displayed prices, some add it at the end)
- Service charge: many restaurants add ~ 10% service charge
- Tipping: not expected — especially if service charge is already added
Budget tip: if you’re doing a lot of restaurant meals, assume your final bill might be roughly 15–20% higher than the menu price once service charge + GST are factored in (depends on the venue).
How to save money in Singapore (without ruining the trip)
Singapore is not the place to be miserable just to save £40. Instead, use the easy wins:
- Eat hawker meals most days (and treat yourself to 1–2 “proper” dinners)
- Pick a central hotel near MRT so you’re not burning money on Grab rides
- Do free icons daily (Marina Bay walk, neighbourhoods, parks, light shows)
- Choose 1–2 paid “must-dos” rather than trying to ticket everything
- Drink strategy: choose your rooftop nights intentionally (don’t let it be an accidental habit)
- Shop smart: if you’re doing Orchard Road, set a spend cap before you go in
Our favourite budget-balanced Singapore day: early Gardens walk → hawker lunch → museum (air con) → free light show → hawker dessert. It feels full, iconic, and it doesn’t hurt your bank account.
Example budgets (3 days in Singapore)
To make this super real, here are three example ways a 3-day trip might look per person (excluding flights). These assume two people sharing a room.
Budget-ish 3-day trip (per person)
- Accommodation: £105–£195 total (share of 3 nights)
- Food: £45–£75 total (mostly hawkers + a couple of cafés)
- Transport: £10–£20 total
- Attractions: £25–£60 total (1 paid attraction + free highlights)
- Estimated total: £185–£350
Mid-range 3-day trip (per person)
- Accommodation: £210–£390 total (share of 3 nights)
- Food: £80–£140 total (mix of hawkers + restaurants)
- Transport: £15–£35 total
- Attractions: £60–£140 total (2 paid attractions + extras)
- Estimated total: £365–£705
Luxury 3-day trip (per person)
- Accommodation: £450+ total (share of 3 nights)
- Food: £180+ total (cocktails + rooftop + fine-ish dining)
- Transport: £40+ total (more Grab)
- Attractions: £120+ total (premium viewpoints + tours)
- Estimated total: £800+
Are these “perfect”? No — because everyone spends differently. But they’re a solid reality-based starting point for planning.
FAQs
Is Singapore more expensive than London?
It depends what you’re comparing. Hotels and cocktails can feel London-level (or higher), but transport and hawker food are usually cheaper than typical London equivalents.
Can you do Singapore on a budget?
Yes. The easiest way is: stay in a decent-value hotel near MRT, eat mostly at hawker centres, and mix in free highlights (Marina Bay stroll, neighbourhoods, parks, light shows) with just 1–2 paid “must-do” attractions.
Do I need to carry cash?
Not much. Singapore is very card-friendly. We still carry a small amount of cash for the odd hawker stall or small purchase — but most of the time, card is fine.
What’s the best way to avoid surprise costs?
In restaurants, always assume that GST + service charge might be added unless it clearly says “nett price” or “prices include GST/service”. And if you’re doing rooftops/cocktails, decide your “nice nights” in advance.
