Singapore Travel Budget Guide

Singapore Travel Budget 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown

The Lion City on a Budget? Yes! From Michelin-star street food ($5) to luxury infinity pools — plan your perfect Singapore layover or holiday

Singapore has a reputation for being the world’s most expensive city, but for travelers, that’s only half the story. While luxury hotels and cocktails can cost a fortune, the city’s public infrastructure and dining culture are built for every budget.

Whether you’re stopping over for 48 hours or exploring for a week, our AI trip planner can help you navigate the 2026 price landscape. Here is the definitive breakdown of what Singapore costs today.

Singapore Budget Overview

Smart Budgeter

SGD 65-SGD 90

$50-$68/day

  • • Boutique capsules or hostels
  • • Hawker Center meals ($5-$8)
  • • Unlimited MRT travel
  • • Free gardens and light shows

Mid-Range (The Socialite)

SGD 180-SGD 280

$135-$210/day

  • • 4-star city hotels
  • • Cafe brunch & Hawker mix
  • • MRT + Occasional Grab
  • • Gardens Cloud Forest + Flower Dome

Luxury Traveler

SGD 600+

$450+/day

  • • Marina Bay Sands or Raffles
  • • Michelin fine dining
  • • Private car service
  • • VIP Sentosa experiences

Daily Costs by Popular Area

Marina Bay / Downtown

Daily Budget Range

SGD 150-SGD 450

$110-$340/day

Accommodation (per night)

  • Budget (Pod/Hostel):SGD 60-SGD 90 (Pods)
  • Mid-Range (Hotel):SGD 250-SGD 400
  • Luxury:SGD 800+

Meals (per day)

  • Budget (Hawker Centers):SGD 15-SGD 25
  • Mid-Range (Cafe/Bistro):SGD 45-SGD 80
  • Luxury (High-end):SGD 200+

Transport (per day)

SGD 5-SGD 12(MRT, bus, or short taxi)

Attractions (per day)

SGD 30-SGD 80

Area Highlights:

✓Gardens by the Bay
✓Marina Bay Sands Skypark
✓ArtScience Museum
✓Merlion Park

Orchard / Serangoon

Daily Budget Range

SGD 120-SGD 320

$90-$240/day

Accommodation (per night)

  • Budget (Pod/Hostel):SGD 50-SGD 80
  • Mid-Range (Hotel):SGD 200-SGD 300
  • Luxury:SGD 550+

Meals (per day)

  • Budget (Hawker Centers):SGD 10-SGD 20
  • Mid-Range (Cafe/Bistro):SGD 35-SGD 65
  • Luxury (High-end):SGD 150+

Transport (per day)

SGD 4-SGD 10(MRT, bus, or short taxi)

Attractions (per day)

SGD 20-SGD 50

Area Highlights:

✓Orchard Road Shopping
✓Little India
✓Singapore Botanic Gardens
✓National Museum

Sentosa Island

Daily Budget Range

SGD 200-SGD 600

$150-$450/day

Accommodation (per night)

  • Budget (Pod/Hostel):N/A (Stay in City)
  • Mid-Range (Hotel):SGD 350-SGD 500
  • Luxury:SGD 900+

Meals (per day)

  • Budget (Hawker Centers):SGD 25-SGD 40
  • Mid-Range (Cafe/Bistro):SGD 60-SGD 100
  • Luxury (High-end):SGD 250+

Transport (per day)

SGD 4 (Express Trail)(MRT, bus, or short taxi)

Attractions (per day)

SGD 50-SGD 150

Area Highlights:

✓Universal Studios Singapore
✓S.E.A. Aquarium
✓Adventure Cove
✓Siloso Beach

Dining Like a Local: Hawker Centers

Hawker centers are the secret to a cheap trip in Singapore. You can get world-class meals (including Michelin-recognized stalls) for less than $10.

Chicken Rice:SGD 4.50 - 6.00
Laksa:SGD 5.00 - 7.50
Fresh Juice:SGD 2.50 - 4.50

Best Value Centers:

  • • Maxwell Food Centre: Famous for Tian Tian Chicken Rice
  • • Old Airport Road: The foodie's local favorite
  • • Lau Pa Sat: Beautiful architecture + Satay Street (evening)
  • • Chinatown Complex: Hundreds of stalls + cheap beer

Singapore Money-Saving Tips

🚇 Transport

  • • Use Contactless (Visa/Mastercard) directly for MRT—no card needed
  • • Buy a Tourist Pass only if doing 5+ trips/day
  • • Avoid taxis; use Grab or Gojek for rideshare
  • • Walking is free but HOT—use underground links

🛍️ Shopping/SIM

  • • Get a Tourist SIM at the airport (SGD 12 for 100GB)
  • • Shop at Mustafa Centre for budget anything 24/7
  • • GST Refund: Claim 9% back at airport for $100+ spends

🎫 Attractions

  • • Gardens by the Bay: Outdoor gardens are 100% FREE
  • • Catch the free Light/Water shows at Marina Bay and Sentosa
  • • Book Klook/KKDay for 15-20% off attraction tickets

Ready to Explore the Lion City?

Get personalized Singapore itineraries and real-time budget mapping with Shasa, your AI travel assistant.

Plan My Singapore Trip
Top Rated AI Travel App

Plan This Trip with Shasa AI

Don't just read about it—experience it. Let our AI assistant build your perfect itinerary, manage your bookings, and guide you 24/7.

Download Free for iOS

Available on App Store

Related Asia Travel Resources

Note: All prices are in Singapore Dollars (SGD). At the time of writing, 1 SGD is roughly equivalent to 0.75 USD. Prices are projected for 2026. Use NxVoy AI for real-time adjustments and smart booking.