Singapore Tour on a Low Budget

by Nana
(Surabaya, Indonesia)

Hi and hello

First of all, I just want to say how inspiring this site is. It's very very very very (note that I am exaggerating, lol) helpful and easy to understand.

So here's the deal. We, a group of 4 25-year-olds, are arriving in Singapore on 29th Oct 09 at around 06.00pm and leaving on Monday 2nd Nov 09 at 01.00pm. We are staying at a small hostel near the airport (because it is better not to miss our flight home, lol).

What could we do, see and go to for those 5D4N while staying there? Might need to remind you, because we are students, we're a a bit tight on the budget, but not too tight.

While we are there, we are planning to see the Merlion, the Night Safari, and the Zoo. The shopping would come in between and the Sentosa Island is out of the question (expensive).

Other questions in mind are:

1. Should we buy the ezlink card or just buy single tickets whenever we're going to get on MRT or bus? Considering we are going to be there for only 5 days.

2. Because all of us are Muslims, are there any recommended cheap/affordable no-pork restaurants/street stalls/hawkers around? I know this is quite stretched out but perhaps I can try asking...? lol.

Thanks a lot. This site is highly recommended!

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Singapore Tour on a Low Budget

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Oct 08, 2009

Enjoying Singapore on a Low Budget is Possible
by: Gabriel Tan

Hi Nana

First of all, thanks for all the kind words. I'm glad that you found eTour Singapore helpful for planning your Singapore tour.

I'll be giving some thought to your request and will try to come up with a low-budget Singapore tour itinerary in a while.

But for now, here are answers to your transport and food questions:

1. EZLink Card or Not?

For a few days in Singapore, it does not make sense to get the EZLink Card. There's a non-refundable deposit of $5 for the card. And even though discounts are given for using the card, it'll not exceed the card deposit.

2. Halal Food?

Don't worry! There are many Muslims in Singapore and every food court or hawker centre will have Muslim food stalls. Many restaurants are also halal-certified by the Muslim Council in Singapore.

In the meantime, you might want to check out this great article contributed by a friend of mine: Travel Singapore on the Cheap!

Oct 08, 2009

Thanks a lot
by: Nana

Well...inspiring because it's another effective and interactive way to promote Singapore. There should be a site like this one promoting my hometown. Maybe I should start doing it like you too, except that I have no background experience in tourism.

Oh, so it's a lot better if we just pay cash whenever we travel around than buying the ezlink card. Okay then. This means we are going to collect changes then from now on.

I already read some previous questions and tour plans, and they are great. It gave me this big picture of where to go and what to expect. I know we're going to the Night Safari and probably take the Duck/City Tour (special request from one of the “fellowship”).

Strolling Chinatown, Bugis, Kampung Glam, and Little India is already in our plan. Shopping in between. The Bird Park and the Botanical Gardens are tentative, because my friends don't really like going to those places (which is their loss).

I, or we, just need the itinerary for those 5D4N because we're not quite a planner and don't want to waste those days and nights wondering around Singapore, not knowing where to go. So thanks a lot, again.

Oct 15, 2009

Singapore Tour on a Low Budget: A Suggested Itinerary
by: Gabriel Tan

Here's an itinerary that

1. tries to cut down on unnecessary movements,

2. highlights the cheaper food places, and

3. takes into consideration your preferences above.

When you arrive at the airport, collect a free tourist map from the Visitors' Centre to help you move around the places on this itinerary.

Oct 16, 2009

Singapore Tour Day 1: Evening
by: Gabriel Tan

Dinner and walking tour around your hostel.

Oct 16, 2009

Singapore Tour Day 2
by: Gabriel Tan

Morning: Duck Tour

Head to Suntec City for the Duck Tour. This will give you a good overview of the main attractions in Singapore.

Upon your return, check out the shops at Suntec City Mall, Citylink Mall and Raffles City Shopping Centre.

(Citylink Mall is an underground mall that links Suntec City area to City Hall MRT.)

Lunch at The Food Place, a food court at Level 3, Raffle City Shopping Centre.

Afternoon & Evening:
City Centre & Singapore River Attractions

After lunch, take a walking tour of the City Centre and Singapore River in the following sequence:

Civic District:

1. Chijmes (a convent converted to dining place)

2. Raffles Hotel (check out its free museum)

3. St Andrew's Cathedral

4. The Padang

Singapore River:

1. Merlion Park

2. Fullerton Hotel

3. Asian Civilisations Museum
(discounted entry on Friday evenings)

4. Raffles Landing Site

5. Boat Quay

6. Clarke Quay

Dinner at an eatery at The Central Mall Basement (opposite Clarke Quay).

Oct 17, 2009

Singapore Tour Day 3
by: Gabriel Tan

Morning: Chinatown

Take the MRT to Tanjong Pagar MRT Station.

Begin with a walking tour of Telok Ayer Street - the 'Street of Faiths'.

Have breakfast at Maxwell Road Food Centre, which has lots of good food, including Muslim food.

Cross South Bridge Road and visit:

1. Chinatown Complex

2. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

3. Sri Mariamman Temple

4. Shops at Sago Street, Temple Street and Pagoda Street.

Lunch at People's Park Food Centre, near Chinatown MRT Station.

Afternoon: Ang Mo Kio Town

Take the MRT from Chinatown Station to Ang Mo Kio Station, with a change of train at Dhoby Ghaut Station.

Ang Mo Kio town centre is across the road from the MRT station. It's a good place to see how Singaporeans go about in their heartlands.

Spend some time browsing the shops at:

1. Ang Mo Kio Hub (air-con shopping mall), and

2. the smaller shops around Blocks 701-724.

Dinner at S11 Food Court (near Blk 709) or Blk 724 Food Centre.

Evening: Singapore Night Safari

Head to Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange for bus number 138 to Singapore Night Safari.

Return by taxi or bus + MRT.

Oct 17, 2009

Singapore Tour Day 4
by: Gabriel Tan

Morning: Kampong Glam Malay-Arab Quarter

Take the MRT to Bugis Station and take a 10-minute walk to Kampong Glam.

Breakfast at Zam Zam Restaurant on North Bridge Road behind Sultan Mosque, or at one of the many halal eateries around the mosque.

Take a walking tour ofKampong Glam.

Lunch at one of the eateries at Kampong Glam or Beach Road.

Early Afternoon: Shopping at Bugis

Backtrack to the Bugis area, where you may shop at:

1. Bugis Junction Mall

2. Bugis Street Bazaar

3. Waterloo Street Pedestrian Mall

Late Afternoon & Evening: Little India

A 10-minute walk from Waterloo Street takes you to Little India, where you must not miss the following:

1. Tekka Centre & Wet Market

2. The side-streets, especially Buffalo Road, Kerbau Road, Campbell Lane and Dunlop Street.

3. Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple

4. The discount shops on Serangoon Road

Dinner at one of the stalls at Tekka Centre. Or proceed to Mustafa Centre farther down on Serangoon Road, where there are more cheap eateries.

Round up the day with last-minute shopping at Mustafa Centre.

Oct 17, 2009

Singapore Tour Day 5
by: Gabriel Tan

Early Morning: Botanic Gardens

Have an early morning stroll at Botanic Gardens, ending with a visit to the National Orchid Gardens.

Back to your hostel, and the airport for your flight home.

Have a great Singapore tour!

Oct 18, 2009

Thank you
by: Nana

Wow. Thanks. Really. For this kind help of yours. We'll try to stick to the plan and might post it here then.

thanks Gabe (gabriel).

Nov 25, 2010

Help with Budget Hotels in Singapore
by: Naina

Hi, my name's Naina and I'm an Indian who's never been out of the country. I'm going to Singapore to do a hairdressing course for 5 days, btwn the 13th and 18th of December. I really want to stay on for a few days to do a little sightseeing, since I'll already be there.

I will only be able to book my return tickets after I figure out how much I'll need to spend on those extra days, and I'm on a REALLY tight budget.

The company has recommended these two hotels:

Summerview?USD 777 for 06 nights with brf

Area

Location: Central
3 kms to city centre
20 kms to the nearest airport (singapore)
10 minute walk to the nearest metro station (bugis)
5 km to the nearest station (tanjong pagar)
1 minute walk to the nearest bus stop
1 km to the nearest fair site (suntec convention centre)

Location

Located along Bencoolen Street and just off the civic district of Singapore, the hotel is close to Bras Basah Rd where the Art Museum, National Museum, Asian Civilizations Museum and National Library are located. It is within a 7 minute walk to the transit station at Bugis. Orchard is within 10 minutes by car or train. Hotels in the immediate vicinity include City Bayview, Rendezvous, Allson, Oxford and Carlton.

Copthorne orchid?USD 972 for 06 nights with brf

Area

Location: Suburbs
3 kms to city centre
30 kms to the nearest airport (singapore)
2 km to the nearest station (newton)
2 minute walk to the nearest bus stop
10 km to the nearest fair site (suntec convention centre)

Location

The Copthorne Orchid is located in the prestigious residential suburb of Bukit Timah. Although considered a suburb, it is only five to ten minutes away from the city centre. The nearest train station is Newton station, which is about 2 kilometers away.

Can you recommend anything cheaper? :)And safe, because I'll be on my own.

Thanks :)

------------------------

Hi Naina

Here are 2 budget hotels in Singapore you might want to consider:

For somewhere nearer to the heart of the city, you could consider Victoria Hotel Singapore. This hotel is in an excellent location. It is within walking distance to:

1) both the City Hall and Bras Basah MRT stations,

and

2) the shopping spots in Bugis and city centre.

Another budget hotel worth considering is YWCA Fort Canning Lodge. It's on a little hill just on the edge of Orchard Road shopping belt, and a 5-minute walk to the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.

Both are likely to set you back less than the hotels recommended to you.

Gabriel Tan

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