Quick answer: A trip to Singapore typically costs US$70-120/day backpacker, US$180-300/day mid-range, US$500-1500+/day luxury. Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD) — roughly SGD 1.35 = US$1.
Singapore is one of Asia’s most expensive cities — accommodation in particular is genuinely costly because land is scarce. But food at hawker centres remains world-class for US$5, and the city’s design + cleanliness + safety make it remarkable value at any budget. Here is the honest breakdown.
Cost tiers — budget / mid / luxury
Cost breakdown by category
- Accommodation: US$30 hostel → US$180 3-star → US$500+ luxury
- Hawker centre meal: US$3-8 (Tian Tian chicken rice, Hill Street Tai Hwa noodle)
- Mid-range restaurant: US$25-45 per person
- MRT transit: US$1-2 per ride; day pass US$15
- Major attractions: Gardens by the Bay US$25, Universal Studios US$60, Sentosa US$30
Sample 7-day budgets
- Backpacker 7 days: ~US$700 (hostel + hawker + MRT + 1-2 attractions)
- Mid-range 7 days: ~US$1800 (3-star hotel + restaurants + 4-5 attractions)
- Luxury 7 days: ~US$5000+ (Marina Bay Sands + fine dining + private experiences)
How to save money in Singapore
- Stay near MRT stations (Bugis, Lavender, Aljunied) for cheaper rooms with easy access
- Hawker centres ALWAYS beat restaurants — Tiong Bahru Market, Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat
- EZ-Link card saves vs single tickets — buy on arrival
- Free things: Gardens by the Bay outdoor gardens, Marina Barrage, ArtScience Museum facade light show
- Visit during World Sale (June-August) for retail + dining discounts
A local insider tip
If you want Singapore at its most affordable without sacrificing experience, stay at a 3-star hotel near Bugis or Lavender MRT (US$80-100/night), eat lunches at Tekka Market and dinners at hawker centres (US$10/day), and spend the savings on ONE blowout experience (rooftop bar at 1-Altitude US$30 cover, dinner at Burnt Ends US$200). 7 days for US$1200 instead of US$2500.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a week in Singapore?
Backpacker: US$700-900. Mid-range: US$1800-2500. Luxury: US$5000-10000+. Accommodation is the biggest variable cost.
Is Singapore more expensive than Hong Kong?
Roughly similar — Singapore slightly more expensive for accommodation, similar for food (both have great cheap eats), slightly cheaper for transit.
Are hawker centres safe to eat at?
Yes — Singapore has world-class food safety standards. Hawker stalls are rated A-C visibly. Most are A or B.
Do I need to tip in Singapore?
Not expected — Singapore has a 10% service charge automatically added to most restaurants. Round up for great service.
When is the cheapest time to visit Singapore?
September-October (post-Grand Prix lull) and mid-January through February have the cheapest flights — sometimes 30-40% off peak.
Plan your Singapore trip
Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.