How Much Does Singapore Actually Cost Per Day?
Singapore costs less than most travellers expect for what you get. A realistic daily budget is SGD 80–150 on a backpacker budget, SGD 150–350 mid-range, or SGD 350+ for comfort. Food at hawker centres costs SGD 4–8 per meal. The MRT costs under SGD 3 per trip. This guide is based on 55,000+ real traveller cost reports.
The main costs that genuinely hurt tourists: accommodation and major attractions (USS, Zoo, cable car). Everything else is very manageable. This guide helps you understand what you'll actually spend.
What Daily Budget Do I Need for Singapore?
| Category | Budget Backpacker | Mid-Range Traveller | Comfort / Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | S$35–65 (hostel dorm) | S$150–250 (4-star hotel) | S$350–700 (luxury hotel) |
| Food (all meals) | S$15–25 (all hawker) | S$40–80 (mix hawker + restaurants) | S$100–250 (restaurants) |
| Transport | S$8–12 (MRT + bus only) | S$15–30 (MRT + some Grabs) | S$40–100 (Grab/taxi focused) |
| Attractions | S$0–20 (free + one paid) | S$30–60 (2–3 attractions/day) | S$60–120 (premium experiences) |
| Drinks / Miscellaneous | S$5–10 | S$20–40 | S$50–150 |
| Total Per Day | S$65–130 | S$255–460 | S$600–1,300+ |
How Much Does Food Cost in Singapore?
| Item | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kopi / Teh (local coffee/tea) | Kopitiam | S$1.20–2.00 |
| Kaya toast breakfast set | Ya Kun / Kopitiam | S$4.50–6.50 |
| Hawker meal (one dish + drink) | Hawker centre | S$5–9 |
| Roti prata with curry | Mamak stall | S$2–4 |
| Chicken rice (plate) | Hawker | S$4–7 |
| Laksa | Hawker | S$5–8 |
| Fresh fruit juice | Hawker stall | S$2–4 |
| Bottled water (500ml) | 7-Eleven / shop | S$0.80–1.50 |
| Coffee (cappuccino) | Café / Starbucks | S$7–10 |
| Beer (pint) at hawker | Hawker / coffee shop | S$8–12 |
| Beer at bar/pub | Clarke Quay / Orchard | S$14–20 |
| Cocktail at rooftop bar | Ce La Vi / 1-Altitude | S$22–32 |
| Mid-range restaurant (one person) | Restaurant | S$25–55 |
| Fine dining tasting menu | Odette / Les Amis | S$300–500+ |
| Chilli crab for two | Seafood restaurant | S$100–180 |
How Much Does Getting Around Singapore Cost?
| Journey | MRT/Bus | Grab | Taxi (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport → City Centre | S$1.50–2.20 | S$18–35 | S$28–50 (incl. surcharge) |
| Cross-city journey (30 min) | S$1.68–2.08 | S$12–20 | S$15–25 |
| Short trip (under 3 km) | S$1.09–1.28 | S$8–12 | S$8–14 |
| Sentosa Express (1 way) | S$4 | N/A | S$6+ Sentosa surcharge |
| Daily MRT/bus (typical tourist) | S$8–15 | — | — |
| Tourist Pass (3-day unlimited) | S$34 + S$10 deposit | — | — |
How Much Do Singapore Attractions Cost?
| Attraction | Adult | Child (3–12) |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Botanic Gardens | Free | Free |
| National Gallery Singapore | S$25 | Free (under 6) |
| Cloud Forest (Gardens by the Bay) | S$28 | S$15 |
| Flower Dome (Gardens by the Bay) | S$28 | S$15 |
| Combo Cloud Forest + Flower Dome | S$53 | S$28 |
| MBS SkyPark Observation Deck | S$32 | S$26 |
| Singapore Zoo | S$49 | S$34 |
| Night Safari | S$55 | S$38 |
| River Wonders | S$42 | S$29 |
| Bird Paradise | S$49 | S$34 |
| Universal Studios Singapore | S$88 | S$68 |
| SEA Aquarium | S$44 | S$31 |
| Adventure Cove Waterpark | S$40 | S$32 |
| Wings of Time (Sentosa) | S$18 | S$14 |
| Sentosa Express (1 way) | S$4 | S$4 |
| Cable Car (round trip) | S$35 | S$25 |
| ArtScience Museum | S$18–25 | S$12–18 |
| Chinatown Heritage Centre | S$15 | S$10 |
| Pulau Ubin bumboat (return) | S$8 | S$8 |
Should I Use Cash or Card in Singapore?
Singapore Dollar (SGD / S$)
Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar. As of June 2026, approximate exchange rates:
- S$1 ≈ USD 0.74
- S$1 ≈ EUR 0.68
- S$1 ≈ GBP 0.58
- S$1 ≈ AUD 1.14
- S$1 ≈ MYR 3.25
Note: Exchange rates fluctuate, check xe.com for current rates before your trip.
Best Ways to Get SGD
| Method | Rate Quality | Convenience | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local money changers (Mustafa, Lucky Plaza) | Best rates | Must visit in person | Best exchange rates by far. No commission. Bring clean, unfolded foreign banknotes. |
| ATM in Singapore (withdraw SGD) | Good | 24/7, everywhere | Your bank's exchange rate + international withdrawal fee. Better than cash exchanges at home or airport. |
| Wise / Revolut (multi-currency card) | Excellent | Use existing card | Best option if you have a Wise or Revolut card — near-interbank rate, low fees. |
| Airport exchange counter | Below average | Convenient | Get just S$50–100 here for first day; exchange the rest in the city. |
| Hotel front desk | Poor rate | Convenient | Avoid except emergencies — hotels mark up exchange rates significantly. |
Best Money Changers in Singapore
- Mustafa Centre (Little India): Open 24 hours, consistently the best cash exchange rates. Currency counters on the ground floor. No commission.
- Lucky Plaza (Orchard Road): Multiple money changers on Level 1 — competitive, convenient, open daily until 9–10pm.
- People's Park Centre (Chinatown): Another cluster of competitive money changers, shorter queues than Mustafa.
- The Arcade (Raffles Place): CBD option, good rates, weekday office hours.
Using Cards
Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost universally in Singapore, malls, restaurants, taxis, convenience stores. American Express is widely accepted at hotels and major restaurants, less so at smaller establishments. Cards also work on MRT and buses (SimplyGo contactless system).
The only places that remain cash-only: most hawker centre stalls, some wet market vendors, small neighbourhood shops. Keep S$30–50 in cash for daily hawker expenses.
GST in Singapore & Tourist Refund Scheme
What Is GST?
Singapore's Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 9%, raised from 8% on 1 January 2024. It applies to almost all goods and services purchased in Singapore, including retail shopping, restaurant meals, hotel stays, and most entertainment. It is similar to VAT in Europe or sales tax in the US.
| Price type | What it means | Example: S$50 item |
|---|---|---|
| S$50 (no suffix) | Price fully inclusive — what you pay | You pay S$50.00 |
| S$50 + GST | Add 9% GST | You pay S$54.50 |
| S$50+ | Add 10% service charge only | You pay S$55.00 |
| S$50++ | Add 10% service + 9% GST | You pay S$59.50 |
| S$50 nett | All-inclusive, final price | You pay S$50.00 |
Hawker centres, kopitiams and food courts generally show the actual price you pay, no GST or service charge is added. This is one reason hawker food is such great value.
Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) — Claim Back 9% GST on Shopping
As a tourist, you can claim back the 9% GST paid on eligible retail purchases when you leave Singapore through Changi Airport. This is one of the most underused money-saving features for travellers doing any serious shopping.
TRS Eligibility: Who Can Claim?
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Foreign visitors departing Singapore by air. Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents are not eligible. |
| Minimum spend | S$100 (inclusive of GST) on a single receipt at a GST-registered retailer. Multiple receipts from the same shop on the same day can be combined to meet the threshold. |
| Items eligible | Physical goods only — electronics, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, watches, jewellery, bags, souvenirs |
| Items NOT eligible | F&B, restaurant meals, hotel stays, services (spas, massages), consumables used in Singapore, digital goods |
| Time limit | Goods must be exported unused and unconsumed within 60 days of purchase |
| Departure point | Must leave through Changi Airport (land/sea crossings are not eligible) |
| Spend limit | No upper limit — claim on all eligible purchases |
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your GST Refund
Ask for an eTRS Ticket at Point of Purchase
When shopping at participating retailers (look for the "Tax Refund" or "eTRS" sticker on the shop door), ask the cashier for an eTRS (Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme) ticket when you pay. You'll need to show your passport. The retailer will link your purchase to your passport electronically, keep the receipt.
Scan at eTRS Self-Help Kiosks at Changi Airport
At Changi Airport, before checking in, go to the eTRS self-help kiosks located at departures halls in T1, T2, T3 and T4. Scan your passport. The system automatically retrieves all your eTRS-linked purchases. Confirm your refund method (credit card or cash). If your purchases total over S$500, customs staff may ask to physically inspect the goods, bring them in your carry-on or be prepared to retrieve from checked luggage.
Receive Your Refund
After immigration, collect your refund at the Central Refund Counter (after immigration, in the departure transit areas). Choose credit card refund (usually free) or cash refund in SGD (small admin fee applies, typically S$3.50 per claim or 0.35%). Credit card refund appears within 10 business days. Cash refund is immediate. Global Tax Free and Premier Tax Free are the two operators you may encounter.
Where to Shop for TRS-Eligible Goods
| Category | Best Places | Typical Saving on S$500 |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | Sim Lim Square, Challenger, Courts, Harvey Norman | ~S$42 |
| Watches | The Shoppes at MBS, Paragon, ION Orchard | ~S$42+ |
| Cosmetics / Skincare | Sephora, Guardian, Watsons, Takashimaya | ~S$42 |
| Clothes & Shoes | ION Orchard, Orchard Road malls, VivoCity | ~S$42 |
| Jewellery | Mustafa Centre, Little India, Orchard malls | ~S$42+ |
| Souvenirs | Chinatown Street Market, Changi Airport | ~S$9–25 |
Tipping in Singapore
Singapore does not have a tipping culture. Do not feel obligated to tip anywhere.
- Hawker centres and koptiams: No tipping — it's not expected or done
- Restaurants: A 10% service charge is automatically added to the bill by most restaurants — this is collected by the establishment, not necessarily distributed to servers. No additional tip needed. If the service was exceptional, a cash tip directly to the server is appreciated but never expected.
- Taxis and Grab: No tip expected. Drivers rate you in the app — just rate them back
- Hotel bellboys / porters: S$2–3 per bag tip is appropriate at luxury hotels (though still optional)
- Hair salons, spas: Small tip appreciated (10–15%) but not mandatory
Top Money-Saving Tips
- Eat hawker centres for breakfast and lunch — save restaurant meals for one or two special dinners only
- Use the MRT and buses — even one Grab ride per day adds S$15–25 to your daily spend
- Book attractions online in advance — most offer 5–15% discount vs. gate price, and you skip the queue
- Free evenings at museums — National Gallery and Singapore Museum offer free entry on Friday evenings
- Free Supertree Show — Gardens by the Bay's nightly light show at the Supertrees is completely free
- Drink kopi, not Starbucks — S$1.50 kopi at the kopitiam vs. S$8 at Starbucks, and the kopi is better
- Get a tourist SIM, not roaming — Singapore tourist SIMs (S$15–20) vs. S$15/day international roaming plans
- Happy hours: Most Clarke Quay and Orchard bars have happy hours until 8–9pm (50% off or buy-one-get-one)
- Mandai combo tickets — if visiting multiple wildlife parks (Zoo, Night Safari, Bird Paradise, River Wonders), buy a 2-park or 4-park combo at mandai.com — saves S$20–40
- Changi Airport Jewel is free — the Rain Vortex and gardens in Jewel are free to enter. Worth an afternoon even if you're not flying.
SIM Card and eSIM: Staying Connected in Singapore
Staying connected in Singapore is easy and cheap. A tourist SIM card or eSIM gives you fast 4G/5G data for a week for around S$15–30, far cheaper than international roaming charges from your home carrier.
Tourist SIM Cards (Physical)
Available at Changi Airport arrival halls (Singtel, StarHub, M1 counters open 24/7), 7-Eleven stores, and major MRT stations. The three main carriers are Singtel, StarHub, and M1. Typical tourist SIM options:
- Singtel Tourist SIM (7-day, 100GB) — S$28 at the airport, includes unlimited local calls. Most widely available.
- StarHub Tourist SIM (7-day, 100GB) — S$20–28, good for budget-conscious visitors.
- M1 Tourist SIM (7-day, 30GB) — S$18, fine for light users.
You'll need your passport to register. Activation takes 5–10 minutes. All three networks have excellent 4G/5G coverage across the entire island including the MRT network and underground stations.
eSIM (Digital SIM)
If your phone supports eSIM (most iPhones from iPhone XS onwards, many recent Android phones), an eSIM is the most convenient option — buy before you leave home, activate on arrival, no physical card needed.
Recommended eSIM providers for Singapore:
- Airalo — S$12–20 for 7-day Singapore data (no calls, data only). Available on the Airalo app before departure.
- Nomad — Similar pricing, good reviews for Singapore.
- Singtel hi! Tourist eSIM — Available from Singtel's website pre-travel. Includes local calls unlike most third-party eSIMs.
eSIMs are data-only with most providers (no local Singapore number for calls). If you need a local number for hotel check-ins or tour bookings, get a physical SIM at the airport instead.
Do I Need a SIM Card at All?
Singapore's free public WiFi network (Wireless@SGx) covers most shopping malls, libraries, community centres, and tourist attractions. MRT stations have WiFi in paid areas. You can manage for a few days without a SIM if you rely on downloaded offline maps and are staying near your accommodation. However, for Grab (ride-hailing), Google Maps navigation, checking wait times at attractions, and general convenience, mobile data is worth the S$18–28 investment.
Travel Insurance for Singapore
Singapore is one of the world's safest countries with excellent healthcare, so travel insurance is less about safety and more about protecting against unexpected medical bills (which can be very high at private hospitals used by tourists) and trip disruptions.
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Singapore?
Singapore does not legally require travel insurance for most nationalities entering as tourists. However, a basic policy is worth having for:
- Medical costs: Public hospital emergency treatment is S$100–200+ per visit for foreigners. Private hospital costs (like Mount Elizabeth or Gleneagles, where most tourists end up) run S$300–1,000+ for an emergency consultation, and much higher for hospitalisation.
- Flight cancellations/delays: Changi Airport is highly reliable, but regional weather can cause delays. Budget airlines (Scoot, AirAsia) have minimal compensation policies.
- Lost luggage: Standard coverage that applies if luggage is lost or delayed.
- Adventure activities: If you're doing Sentosa water sports, cycling, or adding a side trip to Indonesian islands, standard policies may not cover injuries from those activities.
What to Look For
A good Singapore travel insurance policy (typically S$30–80 for a 7-day trip depending on cover level):
- Medical coverage minimum S$200,000 (medical costs can escalate quickly at private hospitals)
- Emergency medical evacuation included
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Check if your credit card already includes basic travel insurance — some Visa/Mastercard travel cards offer automatic coverage when you book flights with that card
If you're visiting Singapore as part of a longer Southeast Asia trip (adding Bali, Thailand, etc.), a regional multi-trip policy is more cost-effective than separate single-trip policies for each country.