The numbers for 2025
Singapore is the most expensive city in Southeast Asia and one of the most expensive in Asia overall. Here is the realistic cost breakdown.
Accommodation
Hostel dorm: SGD $25-50/night. Budget private room: SGD $80-130/night. Mid-range hotel: SGD $150-250/night. Luxury hotel (Marina Bay Sands, Raffles, Capella): SGD $400-1,000+/night. Prices are higher December-January and during Formula 1 weekend (September) — book well ahead for these periods.
Food
Hawker centre meal: SGD $4-8. Coffee shop (kopitiam): SGD $3-6 per dish. Mid-range restaurant: SGD $20-40 per person. Fine dining: SGD $80-200+ per person. Singapore Airlines’ home city has world-class restaurants at the top end — the hawker centres are equally world-class at the bottom.
Transport
MRT single journey: SGD $1.20-2.50. EZ-Link card top-up: SGD $10-20 covers most trips for a few days. Grab car: SGD $8-20 for most city journeys. Airport to city (MRT): SGD $1.70-2.00 — the cheapest airport connection of any major global city.
Attractions
Gardens by the Bay conservatories: SGD $28-38. Marina Bay Sands Skypark: SGD $26. Universal Studios Sentosa: SGD $75-83. Singapore Zoo: SGD $48. Night Safari: SGD $55. Budget SGD $50-150 for attractions across a 3-day visit depending on what you choose.
Daily total
Budget: SGD $80-100/day. Mid-range: SGD $150-220/day. Comfortable: SGD $300+/day.