Let’s talk about Singapore, everyone says how Singapore is super expensive before I went, I kept hearing the same thing over and over again: “Singapore is expensive.” And honestly, compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, it definitely can be but it also can be cheap if you eat in the right places (Hawker Centres!). But what surprised me most was how easy it is to still have an amazing time there without completely destroying your bank account. Singapore feels futuristic. The city is unbelievably clean, the transport is incredible, the food scene is unreal, and somehow everything just works perfectly.
It’s one of those places where you can spend the morning eating Michelin-rated street food for under £5, then end the evening drinking cocktails overlooking one of the most impressive skylines in the world. The mix of cultures in Singapore is what makes it so special. Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arab, and Western influences all blend together, and you really feel that everywhere you go, especially through the food.
One thing I loved instantly was how easy Singapore is to navigate. The MRT is probably one of the best transport systems I’ve ever used. It’s cheap, air-conditioned, ridiculously clean, and can pretty much get you anywhere in the city quickly. Grab is also widely used there and works exactly like it does in Malaysia, although it’s definitely more expensive than KL. Still, compared to London prices, it’s decent.
When it comes to where to stay, I’d recommend first-timers stay around Marina Bay, Bugis, Chinatown, or Clarke Quay depending on the vibe you want. Marina Bay is obviously the iconic luxury side of Singapore with all the skyline views, Bugis is a bit more laid-back and great for food and shopping, Chinatown is perfect if you want culture and amazing food nearby, and Clarke Quay is ideal if you enjoy nightlife.
I’m not going to list the obvious luxurious hotels that Singapore has to offer instead Here are some budget friendly places that still have that luxury feel I’d recommend checking out for accommodation:
- D’Hotel Singapore
- Habyt Clarke Quay
- Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore
- YWCA Fort Canning
Even if you don’t stay at Marina Bay Sands, you still need to go see it. The whole Marina Bay area genuinely looks unreal at night. Walking around there in the evening feels like you’re in the future. Gardens by the Bay is also a must-visit. The Supertree Grove lights up at night and it honestly feels surreal seeing it in person. I’d recommend timing it so you can catch the light show after sunset.
The food is Singapore is next level, I’d say it’s easily one of the best food cities in the world. Hawker centres are a huge part of the culture there, and you absolutely cannot skip them. Imagine massive food halls filled with different stalls all specialising in one thing they’ve perfected over decades. The quality is insane.
Maxwell Food Centre was one of my favourites. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is there, and yes, it really is worth the hype but what people don’t talk about as much is their neighbour & rival Ah Tai opened by formed Tian Tian head chef Mr. Wong Liang Tai, I would say their chicken rice is the best I’ve ever had (I’ve had a lot). One spot you cannot miss is my favourite place in Singapore, Lau Pa Sat especially in the evening when the satay street opens up outside. The smell alone will convince you to sit down and order way too much food.
Some foods you absolutely need to try:
- Hainanese chicken rice
- Laksa
- Satay
- Chilli crab
- Kaya toast
- Char kway teow
And here are some places I’d personally recommend:
- Lau Pa Sat
- Maxwell Food Centre
- Newton Food Centre
- Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
- Ya Kun Kaya Toast
- Charlie’s Restaurant & Bar (great evening views)
- Erode Amman Mess
One thing Singapore does really well is neighbourhoods. Every area feels completely different. Chinatown has loads of character, Little India feels vibrant and chaotic in the best way possible, and Kampong Glam has some of the coolest cafés and shops in the city. Haji Lane is probably one of the most aesthetic streets in Singapore, full of little boutiques, murals, vintage shops, and cafés.
If you like shopping, Singapore is dangerous. Orchard Road is basically endless malls one after another. You could genuinely spend an entire day there without seeing everything. The malls here feel more like luxury entertainment complexes than shopping centres. Jewel Changi Airport is another place you need to visit even if you aren’t flying yet. It has that massive indoor waterfall, loads of restaurants, shops, and honestly feels like an attraction itself rather than an airport.
Singapore nightlife is also really fun, but drinks can get expensive quickly. Clarke Quay is the obvious tourist nightlife spot, with loads of bars along the river, but I actually preferred some of the rooftop bars around Marina Bay. Watching the skyline at night with all the buildings lit up is such a good experience. Ce La Vi and Level33 both have amazing views if you want somewhere special for a drink.
Sentosa Island is a great place to visit whilst you’re here, this is where you’ll find Universal Studios & one my favourite aquariums in the world, its so good if you love aquariums you can’t miss this one, you can easily spend the whole day at Sentosa & once you’ve finished make sure you check out Vivo City, great mall & in their food court you can find Kuala Lumpur’s Mon Chinese Beef Roti. Whilst we was in Vivo City we checked out the adidas store which had so many cool Singaporean exclusives which I do regret not getting any.
One thing I really appreciated about Singapore was how safe it felt. You can walk around late at night comfortably, we did this on our first night after eating satay at Lau Pu Sat we walked back to YWCA Fort Canning, we walkout through Fort Canning park and its so beautiful, a would highly recommend an evening stroll through there, public transport still feels safe, and the city just feels incredibly organised. It’s also one of the easiest places in Asia for first-time travellers because everything is in English and it’s very straightforward to get around.
Singapore might not be as cheap as Kuala Lumpur, but what you get for the money is honestly impressive. It feels luxurious, modern, clean, and exciting all at once. You can spend the morning eating incredible food in a hawker centre, walk through futuristic gardens in the afternoon, then finish the night looking over one of the best skylines in the world.
I hope you find this useful. Singapore is one of those cities that genuinely lives up to the hype.
