Originally featured on Shut Up and Go. January 4th, 2022
Ahh, Singapore – a city known for classiness, cleanliness, “Crazy Rich Asians,” and perhaps the need for a cash advance??? Luckily, if you want to stay bougie on a budget, this futuristic-garden city doesn’t have to be as pricey as people make it out to be.
Here are 9 simple tips to live your best life while saving your $$ in Singapore.
- Hawker Centers
For cheap and good food! Hawker Centers are Singapore’s version of food courts. You can try Singapore’s must-eats here, such as chilli crab and kaya toast. Snag a meal for 5-10 SGD. There are centers in Little India, China town, Arab street, and so on. - Free Parks and Tours
Including – Shiseido Forest Valley in Changi Jewel Airport, SuperTree Grove, the Botanical Gardens, art sculptures, Serene Garden, Heritage Garden, and more.
Not to mention there are two light shows that are in Gardens by the Bay that ya can’t miss! - MacRitchie Tree Top Walk
Yes, this is a big city, but Singapore does have ~nature~
On the way to the park, you will cruise on the MRT and walk around a colorful city of lights – dodging finance workers speed walking in suits, and listening to businesswomen click their heels against a high-speed escalator. Take a turn into the park and BAM! You’re in a rainforest walking 7km into vast shades of green, protecting your valuables from mischievous monkeys, and listening to wild boars snort their way across the path in front of you.
No admission fee required! - Atlas Bar (hear me out)
Wanna go to one of the top bars in the world? Dress to the nines and order a coffee for 5 SGD.
Atlas Bar in Parkview Square is a swanky, Gatsby-Esq establishment that is consistently named as one of the top bars in the world. If you order from the top shelf, and I mean like champagne-with-a-4-figure-price-tag-top, a “wine fairy” will fly to the top of the glass case and swoop up your alcohol of choice (where can I apply for this job?)
So hey, if 8000 SGD bottles aren’t your thing…
So dress to the nines, order a cappuccino, and pretend to be crazy rich - Hostels!
Ahh, this one isn’t specific to Singapore. But if you stay in a hostel, you’ll meet people and save money. It’s a win-win. Check out Tree In Lodge for a great option (not sponsored). Or check out some affordable options here - Ladies night Wednesdays (blessed)
Whether you’re by the Gardens or Clarke Quay, simply say goodbye to those 25 SGD drinks for a night! Sorry, boys. - Free pics
If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll meet someone cool with a fancy camera (see below). With the bay, the sculptures, sky-blue buildings in Little India, and eccentric street art in Kampong Glam – You really will not run out of places to do a photoshoot. Or ya know, flood your followers’ IG feeds. - Level 33 “World’s tallest microbrewery.”
Upon entering, you’ll step into an elevator that only has the option for button “33” (brilliant right?) Of course, a bougie place like this is going to keep up with the Singapore price standards, BUT you can buy a tray of five beer “tasters” for 23.50 SGD. Grab 5 hostel buddies, and you’re good to go! - Marina Bay Sands
Last but definitely not least! It’s THE landmark in Singapore and the building with the infamous infinity pool – Marina Bay Sands. Oh, you know the one. That spaceship-cruise-ship-looking-three-part-skyscraper???? Yes, that one.
– A hotel room here starts at 500 SGD a night, so, instead, for free explore the giant building, take a canal ride, or pretend to be a shopper at the late-night, glistening, floating Louis Vuitton store.
– Pay 26 SGD to go to the observation deck (umm no), or go to the top for free at Lavo Italian Bar in tower 1 because it doesn’t have a cover charge, no sir!
– Ce La Vi is the other restaurant/bar and is connected to the observation deck. It sometimes has a cover charge. To avoid that $$$ bad boy, check out the times on their website here.