Although Singapore is known as one of the most technologically advanced and prosperous nations in the world, it has also been branded as pretty expensive. As a matter of fact, many people have felt discouraged to book a flight there just because of how heavy in the pockets they think it must be. Contrary to this negative connotation, during our visit to Singapore, we found out that the only really expensive thing there is accomodation. So dont be disheartened by possible expenses, cause we’ve got your back! Here are 10 ways to save during your next visit to Singapore!
1. Get a Tourist Day Pass.
If you plan to go and see tons of places there, it is advisable that you get a tourist day pass from Singapore’s ticketing offices (you can already find this in the Changi airport). This gives tourists unlimited (yes, you read that right!) use of their buses and trains. A regular bus ticket with a distance of 0.5km could already cost you 1.40 SGD (51.8 PHP), while a train ticket which stops only at the next station from where your rode could cost you 1.50 SGD (55.5 PHP). Based on experience, it is so much cheaper to get a pass if you’re planning to take a good look at the city you’re staying in.
Here are the ticket packages:
- 1-day pass for 20 SGD (740 PHP)
- 2-day pass for 26 SGD (962 PHP)
- 3-day pass for 30 SGD (1,110 PHP)
Seems expensive? Well, we’re not done yet. The good thing about getting this pass is that after your card expires, you can head back to the ticketing stations and refund 10 SGD (370 PHP). Not bad huh?
2. Follow the rules.
The police officers in Singapore strictly implement their country laws. During our visit, every placed looked so clean and organized. Now the thing is, if you break even simple laws like spitting on the street, you can be given a fine of 5,000 SGD (185,000 PHP). Another example is bringing Durian inside public transportation. Since many fruits are being sold at cheap prices (1 SGD (37 PHP) to 5 SGD (185 PHP) per kilo) you just might get carried away and forget that certain food items cannot be brought inside busses and trains. Just for forgetting, you might be fined 5,000 SGD (185,000 PHP). Be careful, make sure to read on Singaporean laws and follow them when you get there.
3.Never leave your things unattended if you don’t want to end up at the police station.
In all bus and train rides, reminders regarding holding on to belongings are always announced on the speakers. Once you start leaving your things around, you should not be surprised if someone reports this suspicious act to the officers in charge, considering the numerous reminders. When this happens, you might have to spend half of a day in their police station as it could give people a notion that you are carrying dangerous items.
4. Shop at the Bugis Market or Lucky Plaza to score cheap finds.
Singapore is known as one of the best countries to visit if you want to shop for branded items! Why? Because there are numerous original and cheap things being sold pretty much everywhere! Here are the 2 best shopping spots based on what we were able to see: Bugis Market and Lucky Plaza!
Lucky Plaza
How to get there: Ride a train to the Orchard station
Surprisingly, Lucky Plaza is a hub full of Filipinos! If you’ve been to the Greenhills Shopping Center, this place is also pretty similar.
Items they sell: Here, you can score some of the cheapest electronic gadgets and phone accessories. In our opinion though, the cherry on top of our visit to this place was the fact that the very first and only Jollibee branch in Singapore is located there! Yum!
Bugis Market
How to get there: Ride a train to Bugis Station
Items they sell: Affordable clothes, food, home items, accessories, and shoes
5. The cheapest chocolates in town: Mustafa Centre
It is common for Filipinos to bring home pasalubong whenever we go on trips. While we were in Singapore, we found this shopping complex which sells Cadbury bars for 1 SGD (37 PHP) and Lay’s Chips for 2 SGD (74 PHP)! Get this. If you spend 100 SGD (3,700 PHP) on shopping, you can even refund the tax once you get back to the airport. To do so, just claim the ETR slip from the Mustafa Centre and present it at the airport before you fly.
How to get there: Ride a train to Farrer Park
What you’ll find: Cheap chocolates, biscuits, shoes, clothes, and home items
6.Eat at Hawker Centers to try out authentic Singaporean food that is cheaper than the ones being sold at restaurants!
During our stay, we never ate at fancy and expensive restaurants in search of authentic Singaporean food. Why? Cause you can already find good ones on the streets. In Singapore, they call it Hawker Centers which are similar to our food courts in the Philippines. Here you can get food ranging from 3 SGD (111 PHP) to 10 SGD (370 PHP). Note that the meals are usually big enough to share.
Some of the best Hawker Centers to check out: Lau Pa Sat (biggest hawker center in Singapore), Balistier Market, Singapore Management University Cafeteria, and Vivo City’s Hawker Center.
7. Don’t eat inside Universal Studios.
If you’re spending a day at the Universal Studios, do not give in to the high-priced meals beside the different attractions! Food in the park is priced at a minimum of 14 SGD (518 PHP). Just outside the park, in the Resorts World grounds, you will find a Malaysian Hawker Center which sells the cheaper alternative. All you have to do is get stamped on your way out of the park so you can go back in after you’ve eaten.
8. There are tons of thrift shops in Singapore
If you’re still looking for more ways to maximize your budget, you may visit thrift shops in Singapore where you can get clothes ranging from 1 SGD (37 PHP) to 10 SGD (370 PHP).
How to get there: Ride a train to Bras Basah station, then walk along Waterloo Street where you will find the New2U Thrift Shop.
9. Water is free
Whatever you do, do not buy water in Singapore! You’ll just put your money to waste. Their government provides them with clean and drinkable water which can surprisingly be attained from their faucets. This makes it easy for everyone to just refill their containers wherever they may be so that no one will get thirsty.
10. Always bring a universal adaptor
Singapore follows the standard electricity unit for charging. Thus, they have different electric sockets where you will need a universal adaptor to be able to charge. In case you forget, they sell these adaptors for 7 SGD (259 PHP) in convenience stores. Bringing your own can save you money and won’t cause any panic whenever your phone dies.
Just follow these tips and tricks and you’re good to go! They say Singapore’s one of the most expensive travelling destinations? Now, you can prove them wrong!
