Are you dreaming of visiting Singapore but don’t have money, like in the movie “Crazy Rich Asians”? You can easily see a ton of Singapore on a budget in a mere two days! Like many people, we used Singapore as a jumping country since flights are much cheaper out of their hub, but we could have easily spent 3-5 days if time allowed. Below is my 2-day itinerary to see some of the best Singapore has to offer on a budget!
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Getting Around Singapore
The easiest way to get around is through Grab (like Uber). Their metro system works well too, but we prefer walking. We only used Grab to and from the airport and to Sentosa.
To use Grab, you will need internet access on your cell phone. You can easily get an e-sim. I use Holafly. Additionally, you can also get a physical sim card. Hitourist works well.
Day 1: Singapore’s Top Attractions
From our hotel, we walked down the river to Gardens by the Bay. Walking down the river makes for a great opportunity to see lots of Singapore.
While walking, we passed many statues and beautiful gardens, passed the Merlion, and crossed over the Helix bridge all on the way! The walk is about 30 minutes until you make it to the Giant Supertree Groves, and you haven’t even spent a penny yet! See the map below!
Merlion Fountain
A fountain spilling into the river shaped like a lion’s head and the body of a fish. At night, you will find it all lit up.
You may also be interested in the top attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Helix Bridge
This bridge was designed to look like DNA. At night it even lights up as a DNA strand. There are several viewing points off the bridge leading you to gardens by the bay. From afar you can even see the Singapore Flyer (Ferris wheel).
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is one of the best attractions to see in Singapore. If you ever watched the movie “Crazy Rich Asians”, this is where the wedding party was hosted at the end. This nature park is 101 hectares and is full of lush gardens, the Supertree Grove, the Flower Dome, and the Cloud Forest.
Because the park is so large, they have it broken up into 3 sections. There is Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden. The area is so popular, so it is best to explore this area early in the morning!
Cloud Forest
Up until now, you have seen a ton of Singapore and haven’t even spent a cent! This will be the first attraction I believe is totally worth the money! Filled with hundreds of stunning lush plants, the world’s largest indoor waterfall, and 2 acres of space.
The design replicates an actual cloud forest with mist let out periodically. We went during mid-day, so naturally, it was crowded. I would recommend getting there early to have a better experience and for photos, of course!
Flower Dome
Next to the Cloud Forest Dome is the Flower Dome, which is the largest of the two and the largest greenhouse dome in the world. We did not have time to check it out, but it houses many Mediterranean plants.
Supertree Grove
You have already seen the Supertree grove walking to the greenhouses, but now it is time to appreciate them! The Supertrees are artificial vertical tree structures with various plants growing on them. The best part about them is that they are completely free to visit!
There are 18 supertrees and they generate solar power, collect rain, and act as air ducts! Moreover, the Supertrees are probably one of the most Instagrammable places in Singapore.
On the weekends, you will find free events going on around them, and every night, they have a spectacular light show, and it is FREE! The lightshow is known as the Garden Rhapsody.
There are two shows, one at 7:45 PM and the second at 8:45 PM. Therefore, you will be making your way back over here on one of your nights in Singapore! Make sure to get there early to get a good seat!
On top of that, there is also a elevated walkway if you are looking for another cool perspective of Singapore!
ArtScience Museum
Another attraction in the area is the ArtScience Museum. We ran out of time, so we didn’t get to explore it, but from what I’ve heard and seen, the museum looks amazing! I would definitely try to visit if it’s in your budget!
They have even contributed galleries by the American Museum of Natural History (NYC), the Australian Centre for Moving Image, Biblioteca Ambrosiana (Italy), and the Mori Art Museum (Tokyo).
The building itself is also an architectural gem. Shaped like a lotus, you will also find beautiful purple lotus flowers along the edge of the building. Admission is based on what exhibits you would like to see. You can find more info on the ArtScience tickets here.
Hours: Daily 10 AM -7 PM
Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974
Singapore at Night Itinerary
To end your first night in Singapore, I’d consider going back to Supertree Grove for the light show. You can also enjoy additional nightlife in Clarke Quay, and if it is the weekend, there may be some free shows at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. Even just walking around Singapore at night is really nice because the whole city is lit up in all different colors, from the Helix Bridge to the Merlion Fountain.
Additionally, if you are really looking to splurge, consider seeing Singapore all lit up from the top of the Singapore Flyer. It has air-conditioned capsules that offer an array of different experiences, from cocktails to dinner! Lastly, you can relax on a river cruise and take in the sights!
Day 2: Beach and More
As you can see, you were able to see a lot of Singapore well within your budget. For our second day in Singapore, we decided to head to the beach. If you are not feeling the beach, you still have options to explore other neighborhoods such as Little India, Arab Street, or the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
Sentosa Island
We made our way to Sentosa Island via Grab. This is also where Universal Studios is located, but that was most definitely not in our budget!
We made our way to Palawan Beach. Here is where you can find a fun suspended bridge over the water and a nice little cove to swim. Did you know Palawan Beach is the southernmost point of Continental Asia?!
We grabbed food at a local spot on the beach, but it wasn’t the best. I would recommend eating back on the mainland.
Next, we went back to attend a show called Artbox for the rest of the day. Artbox was like a smorgasbord full of food, music, and art. However, this event doesn’t happen all year, so I am going to give you more options below.
On the walk, we also found Singapore is usually holding free events at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. We passed the theater both nights and found live bands and a talent show!
Chinatown
After enjoying some beach time at Sentosa, head over to Chinatown. Known for its vibrant markets, Maxwell Hawker Center, and famous temples, it is a must on your Singapore Itinerary. Some of the most popular places to visit in Chinatown include Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple, and Thian Hock Keng Temple.
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum houses what is said to be a tooth relic.
The Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu Temple, dating back to 1827. This beautiful temple is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman who is known for the power to cure illnesses and diseases.
The Thian Hock Keng Temple is dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, and the oldest Chinese Temple in Singapore.
Go Shopping in Singapore
Singapore is known for having great shopping. One of the most prominent places to go shopping is down Orchard Road. This 1.6-mile road will have you shopping until you drop with top-of-the-line luxury retailers.
If you are on more of a budget, consider checking out Clarke Quay. We actually stayed in this area during our time in Singapore and really loved the area. Besides shopping, they are also known for having a vibrant nightlife, so consider visiting after the sun goes down as well. Additionally, it is popular to do river cruises from Clarke Quay as well.
Little India
If you love instagrammable places, Little India in Singapore has become just that with colorful buildings. The home you have seen all over “the gram” is the Tan Teng Niah house, which was built in 1900. The neighborhood is a great addition to your Singapore itinerary if you still have daylight left!
Marina Sands Lightshow
Marina Sands also offers a free fountain and light show at 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm. We watched from across the river and could see laser beams shooting out of the hotel with the water dancing and music playing. The best seat is likely by the ArtScience Museum.
Where to Stay in Singapore
It was really hard for us to find a place to stay that was within our budget and centralized. After tons of research, I finally found ibis budget Singapore Clarke Quay. The room was small, and we didn’t have a window, but we were super-centralized in Clarke Quay Central and within walking distance to everything! Other popular places to stay in Singapore include:
Marina Bay Sands (known for the highest infinity pool) | Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay | Raffles Singapore
The Changi Airport
After enjoying your 2 days in Singapore, I would recommend getting to the airport early. Generally speaking, airports are not a place you want to spend much time in. However, the Changi Airport has been voted the number 1 airport in the world, and for good reason.
Inside the Changi Airport you will find some pretty cool experiences. In terminal 3 they have a butterfly garden with over 1,000 butterflies. One of the most popular attractions is the Shiseido Forest Valley that is a giant indoor garden with more than 900 trees and over 60,000 shrubs. But the show stopper is the Jewel, the largest indoor waterfall in the world! If I am being honest, you could probably spend a whole day just exploring the airport attractions!
Wrap-up
As you can see, Singapore can definitely be done on a budget, especially if you are used to traveling in the States, where accommodation alone is always extremely expensive.
If you have more days in Singapore or extra budget to spend, I would also consider paying to go to the top of Marina Sands observation deck, the observation deck of the supertrees, and the botanical gardens!
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