About Singapore's TidbiTs (Singapore For Less)

What This Blog Is About

This website highlights delicious meals, recreation, activities, and places to visit—all things you can enjoy for less. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, we'll help you discover the best of Singapore without breaking the bank.

The Cost of Living Paradox

Singapore, a small island city-state in Southeast Asia, is often labelled the world's most expensive city. Yet, most locals wear t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops year-round. How does that add up?

With the highest GDP per capita in Asia, Singapore is a city, a country, and a cluster of 63 islands—totalling just 720 square kilometres, yet home to 6 million people. That's pretty dense.

Housing and cars are notoriously pricey. About 80% of the population live in HDB (Housing Development Board) flats, but don't be fooled—public housing here isn't cheap. Some HDB flats even sell for over a million dollars. Insane, right?

Getting Around

Public transport is generally reliable and affordable. The MRT and buses can get crowded during peak hours, and breakdowns do happen occasionally. While not quite on par with Japan or Taipei, it's comparable to the London Tube or Paris Métro—and at least we don't have strikes (though that might make things feel a little too sterile).

Taxis are relatively inexpensive, especially when shared during off-peak hours. Just watch out for peak-hour surcharges (25% more), midnight to 6am rates (50% more), and airport fees. After midnight, options are limited—night buses run only on weekends and along specific routes.

Buses are affordable but can be circuitous, so they're best for shorter trips or scenic rides. These days, ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab add more options to the mix. But walking is free and healthy!

Eating Well on a Budget

Dining out at restaurants can be expensive—hotel buffets often cost $50–$80++ per person. But hawker centres and food courts are where the magic happens. Many dishes are tasty, and the longest queue often signals the best meal (if you have time to wait).

You can enjoy a satisfying meal for between $5 to $8. Think local delights such laksa, chicken rice, char kway teow, rojak, nasi lemak, mee soto, mee siam, mee rebus, mee goreng, yong tau foo, thosai, roti prata, chapati, and more. Eating cheap doesn't mean less tasty.

Craving chilli crab? That'll cost you a lot more. But satay? About 80 cents a stick—a set of 10 with ketupat comes to about $10.

Fast-food breakfast deals start at $5—porridge with coffee or tea, or pancakes with iced milo. Comfort food at its finest. A simple yet tasty kaya toast set with a pair of soft-boiled eggs is absolutely fine too to start your day.

And yes, sometimes a simple bowl of Maggie mee with egg and veggies is incredibly comforting. Sedap.

Free & Low-Cost Activities

You don't need deep pockets to enjoy Singapore:

  • Public libraries – read, borrow books, or watch educational media (even movies) for free.
  • Parks and gardens – explore Sungei Buloh Wetland, Pasir Ris Mangrove Park, MacRitchie Reservoir (treetop walk!) and Windsor Nature Park, Coney Island, Fort Canning Park and Pulau Ubin.
  • Beaches – Sentosa, East Coast Park, Changi Beach, and Punggol Point. They may not rival Thailand or Bali, but they're perfectly fine for a quick getaway.
  • Cycling – rent bikes at East Coast Park, Changi Beach, Punggol Point and Coney Island, or Pasir Ris. Park connectors link cycling paths across the eastern side, so you can start at Pasir Ris and return your bike at Bedok Reservoir. Best times: early morning or late afternoon to beat the heat. Night cyclists love the Changi Coast Road route alongside the airport runway.
  • Singapore Botanic Gardens – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a stunning orchid garden.
  • Coast-to-Coast Trail – walk from Coney Island all the way to Jurong Lake Gardens.
  • Public swimming pools – entry costs just $2 or less.
  • Museums – many offer free entry for locals, including the Asian Civilisations Museum and National Museum. Changi Museum is free for everyone (headphone rental costs $8).

Pro tip: Upmarket restaurants inside free museums (like the National Museum and National Gallery) can make your visit expensive—so steer clear if you're on a budget!

Happy exploring! 🍜🌴

🌏 Need a guide? Let's discover Singapore together.

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