Self-Guided Travel Costs in Singapore - Budgeting Guide

Self-guided travel to Singapore is becoming a trend chosen by many young Vietnamese due to its flexibility and better cost control. However, to have a successful and economical self-guided trip to Singapore, detailed financial planning is extremely important. Let's explore each expense for self-guided travel to Singapore in detail so you can prepare a suitable budget for your adventure.

Overview of expenses for self-guided travel to Singapore

Singapore is known as one of the most expensive cities in the world, but with smart planning, you can definitely have a self-guided trip to Singapore at a reasonable cost. The average cost for a 4-day 3-night self-guided trip to Singapore ranges from 15,000,000 - 35,000,000 VND/person, depending on accommodation, dining, and sightseeing choices.

Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world

Budget level (15,000,000 - 20,000,000 VND/person):

• Stay in hostels or budget hotels
• Mainly eat at food courts and hawker centers
• Use public transportation
• Visit free or low-cost attractions

>>> See more: Travel Experience in Singapore - Comprehensive Guide

Average level (20,000,000 - 28,000,000 VND/person):

• 3-4 star hotels or quality homestays
• Combine dining at restaurants and food courts
• Visit most famous attractions
• Shopping with a moderate budget

Comfortable level (28,000,000 - 35,000,000 VND/person):

• 4-5 star hotels or serviced apartments
• Dine at high-end restaurants
• Fully experience all activities
• Comfortable shopping and buying souvenirs

Flight costs from Vietnam to Singapore

Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore range from 990,000 - 1,800,000 VND/one way, with airlines such as VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines. The lowest fare can be from 470,000 VND during promotional programs.

Flight costs from Vietnam to Singapore range from 990,000 - 1,800,000 VND/one way

Fares from Hanoi are usually cheaper, starting from 699,000 VND one way excluding taxes and fees.

>>> See more: Travel Experience in Thailand 4 Days 3 Nights: A-Z Journey

Tips for saving on flight tickets:

• Book tickets 1-2 months in advance for the best prices
• Avoid holidays, Tet, and peak tourist seasons
• Follow the airline's promotional programs
• Choose night or early morning flights which are usually cheaper
• Use flight price comparison services to find the best deals

Low season (February-April, September-November): 2,000,000 - 3,500,000 VND/person Normal season: 3,500,000 - 5,000,000 VND/person. Peak season (Tet, summer, Christmas): 5,000,000 - 8,000,000 VND/person.

Accommodation costs in Singapore

Hostels are priced from 250,000 - 600,000 VND/night, well-equipped and clean including free wifi. This is the most popular choice for backpackers and those looking to save costs.

Areas with good-priced hostels:

• Chinatown: From 250,000 - 400,000 VND/night, close to attractions
• Little India: From 300,000 - 450,000 VND/night, experience diverse culture
• Geylang: From 280,000 - 420,000 VND/night, authentic local area
• Bugis: From 350,000 - 500,000 VND/night, near shopping centers

2-3 star hotels are priced around 700,000 - 800,000 VND per night, while larger and more upscale hotels cost 1,300,000 - 2,000,000 VND.

Notes when choosing a hotel:

• Book early for better prices and more options
• Pay attention to locations near MRT stations to save on transportation costs
• Check amenities like free breakfast, wifi, and swimming pool
• Read reviews from previous travelers

Airbnb apartment: 800,000 - 2,500,000 VND/night

• Suitable for groups of friends or families
• Can cook to save costs
• More private and comfortable space

Homestay: 600,000 - 1,200,000 VND/night

• Experience living like a local
• Get shared experiences from the host
• Often includes breakfast

Food costs in Singapore

Singapore is famous for its rich variety of food courts and hawker centers with reasonable prices. This is the best way to save on food costs while still enjoying exquisite cuisine.

Singapore is famous for its rich variety of food courts and hawker centers

Prices of popular dishes:

• Chicken Rice: 3-5 SGD (50,000 - 85,000 VND)
• Laksa: 4-6 SGD (70,000 - 100,000 VND)
• Mee Goreng: 3-5 SGD (50,000 - 85,000 VND)
• Satay: 0.8-1.5 SGD/skewer (13,000 - 25,000 VND/skewer)
• Drinks: 1-2 SGD (17,000 - 35,000 VND)

Recommended hawker centers:

• Maxwell Food Centre (Chinatown): Famous for chicken rice
• Lau Pa Sat (Financial District): Diverse food options, open 24/7
• Newton Food Centre: Seafood specialties and satay
• Tiong Bahru Market: Traditional cuisine in a modern space

Food court in shopping centers: 8-15 SGD/meal (140,000 - 250,000 VND). Casual restaurants: 15-25 SGD/meal (250,000 - 420,000 VND). Fine dining: 40-80 SGD/meal (680,000 - 1,350,000 VND). Coffee and drinks: 3-8 SGD (50,000 - 135,000 VND).

Estimated daily food costs:

• Budget level: 15-20 SGD/day (250,000 - 340,000 VND)
• Average level: 25-35 SGD/day (420,000 - 590,000 VND)
• Comfortable level: 40-60 SGD/day (680,000 - 1,020,000 VND)

Transportation and travel costs

MRT (subway): 2.5 SGD (42,000 VND) - the cheapest option. Bus: 2 SGD (34,000 VND) - takes longer. Taxi/Grab: 20-40 SGD (340,000 - 680,000 VND) - fast and convenient. Airport Shuttle: 9 SGD (150,000 VND) - suitable for groups.

EZ-Link Card: 12 SGD (200,000 VND) includes 7 SGD balance. Daily travel costs: 8-12 SGD (135,000 - 200,000 VND) Singapore Tourist Pass:

• 1 day: 22 SGD (370,000 VND)
• 2 days: 29 SGD (490,000 VND)
• 3 days: 34 SGD (580,000 VND)

Tips to save on transportation:

• Buy a Singapore Tourist Pass if traveling frequently
• Walk between nearby points
• Use public bikes like oBike in allowed areas
• Avoid peak hours to save costs

Walk between nearby points to save on self-guided travel in Singapore

Grab/Regular taxi: 8-15 SGD/short trip (135,000 - 250,000 VND). GrabPremium: 12-25 SGD/short trip (200,000 - 420,000 VND). Surcharge: Add 3-5 SGD during peak hours and weekends.

Sightseeing and entertainment costs

To save costs, take advantage of free attractions in Singapore:

Completely free:

• Merlion Park and Marina Bay
• Gardens by the Bay (outdoor area)
• Singapore Botanic Gardens
• Chinatown, Little India, Arab Street
• Haji Lane and Clarke Quay
• East Coast Park
• Sentosa Beach (only island entry fee)

Gardens by the Bay:

• Cloud Forest + Flower Dome: 28 SGD (470,000 VND)
• OCBC Skyway: 8 SGD (135,000 VND)

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark: 26 SGD (440,000 VND). Singapore Flyer: 33 SGD (560,000 VND). National Museum of Singapore: 15 SGD (250,000 VND).

Entry fee to Sentosa Island:

• Skyline Luge: 4 SGD (68,000 VND)
• By train: 4 SGD (68,000 VND)
• By bus: 1 SGD (17,000 VND)

Activities at Sentosa:

• Universal Studios: 81 SGD (1,370,000 VND)
• S.E.A Aquarium: 41 SGD (690,000 VND)
• Adventure Cove Waterpark: 38 SGD (640,000 VND)
• Cable Car: 33 SGD (560,000 VND)

Cost of other services

Tourist SIM card: 15-25 SGD (250,000 - 420,000 VND)

• Data 3-7GB for 7-14 days
• Local calls and texts
• Can be purchased at the airport or convenience stores

Basic insurance: 150,000 - 300,000 VND/person Comprehensive insurance: 400,000 - 800,000 VND/person

The average cost of preparing a passport is about 220,000 VND/person. Additionally, a Singapore visa costs about 30 SGD (500,000 VND) plus service fees.

Currency exchange fee: 2-5% of the transaction value ATM withdrawal fee: 20,000 - 50,000 VND/withdrawal Based on experience, it is advisable to exchange about 600 SGD to avoid issues upon entry.

The average cost of preparing a passport is about 220,000 VND/person

Comparing travel costs in Singapore: Self-guided - Tour

Advantages of self-guided travel in Singapore

Regarding costs:

• Can save 20-40% compared to package tours
• Flexible in choosing services that fit the budget
• No service fees and profits of the tour company

Regarding experience:

• Freedom to choose the itinerary and sightseeing times
• Explore deeper into the culture and local life
• Can change plans flexibly as desired

Disadvantages to consider

Regarding preparation time:

• Need to invest time in research and detailed planning
• Must handle all procedures from visa, flight tickets to hotels
• May encounter difficulties with language and communication

Regarding risks:

• No support from a guide when issues arise
• May miss some interesting places or activities
• Costs can exceed the budget if not well managed

Self-guided travel in Singapore is a great option

Self-guided travel in Singapore is a great choice for those who want a unique travel experience and save costs. With detailed and smart planning, you can have a memorable trip to Singapore with a budget starting from 15,000,000 VND. Remember, the cost of self-guided travel in Singapore depends not only on the budget but also on how you plan and choose suitable services.

If you find planning your trip to Singapore too complicated or want professional support to optimize costs, NVK Travel is ready to accompany you. With over 10 years of experience in the tourism sector, we understand the needs of Vietnamese travelers and can assist you in planning an effective self-guided trip to Singapore.