Is Singapore expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in Asia for hotels and alcohol, comparable to London or Paris, but hawker food, public transport and many top sights are cheap or free. A budget day costs about S$110 per person and a mid-range day about S$260; most of the difference is the hotel room.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | S$60 | S$130 | S$300 |
| Food & drink | S$25 | S$60 | S$150 |
| Sights & tickets | S$20 | S$60 | S$120 |
| Local transport | S$6 | S$12 | S$40 |
| Per person, per day | S$111 | S$262 | S$610 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Singapore day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Hainanese chicken rice at a hawker centre | S$4–7 |
| Laksa | S$5–8 a bowl |
| Kopi at a hawker stall | roughly S$1.50–2.50 |
| MRT ride | roughly S$1–2.50 |
| Gardens by the Bay conservatories (both) | about S$50+ for non-residents |
| Night Safari | about S$55–60 |
| Marina Bay Sands SkyPark | about S$32–35 |
| Pint of beer in a bar | roughly S$15–20 |
| Chilli crab at a seafood restaurant | S$90–140 per kg |
| Mid-range double room (Chinatown) | S$200–320 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Hotels are the big expense: about S$60 per person sharing a double even on a budget, S$130 mid-range and S$300 in comfort, with Marina Bay rooms from about S$450. Food can be very cheap at hawker centres, about S$25 a day for three meals, but restaurant prices marked '++' add 10% service and 9% GST, and alcohol is heavily taxed. Paid attractions (conservatories, Night Safari, Universal Studios at about S$80–90) are where sightseeing costs climb, while many highlights are free. Public transport is very cheap at about S$6–12 a day.
When it is cheaper
Prices vary less by season than in most places, but hotel rates are usually lower outside Chinese New Year, the June and December school holidays and the Formula 1 race week (September or October), when they can rise sharply; check your dates.
How to spend less
- Eat at hawker centres such as Maxwell, Chinatown Complex or Old Airport Road, where prices are final and there is no service charge.
- Read restaurant menus as price plus about a fifth when you see '++'.
- Tap your contactless bank card or phone on the MRT and buses instead of buying single tickets.
- Watch the free Garden Rhapsody and Spectra light shows rather than paying for an evening cruise.
- Buy drinks at supermarkets or hawker centres; a beer in a bar can cost three times as much.
- Pay for one big attraction per day and fill the rest with free gardens, temples and neighbourhoods.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Singapore?
About S$110 per person on a budget, S$260 mid-range and S$610 in comfort, including a shared double room, food, sights and transport.
Why is my restaurant bill higher than the menu?
Prices marked '++' add 10% service and 9% GST, so the bill is about 19% higher. Hawker centre prices are final.
Is food in Singapore expensive?
Not at hawker centres, where a plate of chicken rice costs S$4–7. Restaurants, chilli crab and alcohol are expensive.