Table of Contents
The island city-state of Singapore welcomes you with extravagant malls, elegant skyscrapers, beautiful Singapore attractions and a first-rate transportation system. However, Singapore is an expensive city that can be a little overwhelming for budget-conscious travellers. So, to help you plan a budget-friendly trip, here are the top 10 Singapore travel hacks to pin. Excited? Read on!
Singapore Travel Hacks – Top 10
Buy an EZ-Link Card
One of the best Singapore travel hacks is getting an EZ-Link card which helps you save money. It can be used to pay for various public transportation such as the MRT and LRT trains as well as the public bus system in Singapore. The transportation card costs S$12 and includes S$7 worth of credit. You can also use the card at 7-Eleven minimarts for S$10 (including S$5 in credit). That’s not all! You will save time by not waiting in the ticket queues at MRT stations. If cashless travel is what you prefer, an EZ-Link card is your best bet.
Purchase a SIM card upon arrival
Many public places in Singapore offer free WiFi. You can simply use any Wireless@SG hotspot to register your international phone number and avail the free WiFi. Upon arrival at the Changi Airport, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card at counters in terminals 1, 2 and 3, Travelex Currency Exchange Counters, and Changi Recommends booth. You can also buy one at Cheers convenience store at Changi Airport on your Singapore trip. A local, prepaid tourist SIM card with 100GB data, 500 minutes of local calls, 20 minutes of international calls, and 100 local text messages is valid for seven days. Check out Singtel’s tourist SIM card called hi! Tourist SIM card for good deals. So, buying a local SIM card is a great Singapore travel hack for fast internet speed and smooth connectivity.
Look out for freebies
During special exhibitions, one can visit museums in Singapore without an entrance fee. So make sure to take a look before visiting. There are many travel magazines and Singapore travel guides that provide this information. On weekends, you can enjoy public performances alongside the splendid riverfront, esplanade, and city centre. You also get a discount on entrance fees with the tourist card for various Singapore tourist attractions. Capture the backdrop of the Merlion Statue for free. Here’s another Singapore travel hack, visit Gardens by the Bay and Supertree Grove for free, starting at 5 AM.
Pick your right Singapore shopping place
Singapore has world-class malls with contemporary architecture that you could explore for months. However, many of the malls are quite expensive, including the Changi Airport malls. So, the best Singapore travel hack to save some buck, do your Singapore shopping in tourist markets around Chinatown and Little India. And don’t forget to negotiate. You can also buy essentials like toiletries, snacks, drinks and more at supermarkets rather than mini-markets. VivoMart, which is the largest mall for Singapore shopping, has food and drink specials that are cheaper to buy. So, shop at the right places on your Singapore tour to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Eat in food courts
The Singapore travel hack for food lovers!. Feast on yummy street food, a quintessential way to explore the island city’s many culinary delights and experience its diverse food scene. You can also check out some fabulous food courts and food halls along with hawker street stalls. Before you wonder, yes, it is safe to eat delicious street food. A delicious meal costs anything between S$4 to S$6 in food halls. You can also eat dinner for under S$3 which also includes noodles soup. The food courts are clean and posh and are located at the ground floor of every skyscraper. You can also try standalone food centres with a slightly higher price point. Look out for the sprawling food centre in Chinatown or head to the Lau Pa Sat food centre for a delightful meal. Try Kampong Glam or Katong for fabulous dining options within a food budget.
Avail skip-the-line tickets and combo tourist pass
The best way to see Singapore attractions while also saving money is with skip-the-line tickets. These tickets can be purchased well in advance. The city’s most famous landmarks are normally flocked with visitors, especially during the peak season. The best way to save money and time is to buy a combo or all-in-one tourist pass for the best places to visit in Singapore. So, you don’t cram your itinerary with too much to see and do. This all-in-one pass enables you to enjoy all major Singapore attractions. If you plan to visit during or close to peak season, purchase your tickets as soon as they become available online and save money.
Consider a Singapore all-inclusive tour package
Skip the hassles of planning and consider an all-inclusive Singapore tour package from Dubai, especially if you live in the UAE. The packages usually include the accommodation of your choice, seeing top Singapore attractions, transfers, sightseeing experiences, return airfare, meals, and more. The best thing to do is to book a tour well in advance so as to get the best price that fits your budget. There are also Singapore tour packages from Dubai that include travel insurance for COVID that secures your trip financially and helps you enjoy your holiday without stressing out. Avoiding peak season is crucial for a successful trip to Singapore because it is such a popular tourist destination.
Download apps to save money
There are many apps that you can download in order to make the Singapore tour enjoyable. Download the Grab app on your phone. This app allows you to hire a vehicle at budget friendly prices. You can also download the Visit Singapore app which is an online Singapore travel guide. Other apps to rely on are Singapore Heritage Trails, Tickle, and Chope. These apps are among the best Singapore travel hacks to use. Look for coupons and discount deals links for Singapore tourist places to visit for maximum savings. Klook, another app that helps you find and book discounted dining and travel experiences. Shopback is a must-have when redeeming cashback on restaurant dining and shopping.
Know the rules for travellers to Singapore
Singapore has some peculiar laws. So, if you don’t know them, you could end up paying a hefty fine. A Singapore travel guide is a good place to look for information on rules and regulations. Singapore’s chewing gum law is probably the most well-known law. In Singapore, it is strictly forbidden to chew gum. Some other laws with a hefty fine include singing songs with obscene lyrics and smoking in places including indoor locations, public transport, interchange bus shelters, and more. Also, in Singapore, connecting to an unsecured WiFi network is considered hacking and is a punishable offence. Hence, it is a good Singapore travel hack to stay abreast of the laws of the land.
Use the efficient Singapore public transport
Last but not least, the best Singapore travel hack for a budget traveller is to use the flawless transportation system. Singapore’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and Light Rapid Transit (LRT) systems are world-class and will take you anywhere you need to go. Given how well the network is governed and maintained, it is also a cost-effective and quick method of transportation in Singapore. There are many places to visit in Singapore that are connected by bus transportation. It is not only a cheap way to get around, but it’s also comfortable and offers a scenic view of the city. You can purchase an STP (Singapore Tourist Pass), a unique EZ-Link stored-value card. It will give you unlimited travel for one day (S$10), two days (S$16), or three days (S$20).
1 Comment
By Lucia
Excellent blog!