Backpacker's Guide to Singapore

Backpacker's Guide to Singapore
How to travel to Singapore in a budget

Singapore is pretty much known for its higher cost of living as compared to its South East Asian neighbors, so backpackers may rejoice at the fact that there are free or low cost activities to try out!

Backpacker's Guide to Singapore Entertainment:

With skyscrapers and high rise flats looming over at all parts of the country, Botanical Gardens offer a respite from the concrete jungle of Singapore. Right here, backpackers can take a leisure stroll in the different attractions of the garden or take part in a nature tour if in groups.

Concerts are held frequently on weekends where you will enjoy both an aesthetic and audio treat.

Movie lovers can opt for the Under the Banyan Tree: Open Air Cinema where films are screened monthly at Stamford Garden. The refreshing environment will be a welcoming change from the usual indoors air-conditioned cinema.

Despite being one of the smallest countries in the world, there are 63 islands that comes under Singapore’s sovereignty. Some of these islands are open to the public such as Kusu Island, Pulau Ubin, St. John Island etc. A ferry ride to these islands will only take minutes and backpackers can go island hopping to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life on these non-urbanized islands.

Backpacker's Guide to Singapore Accomodation:

Decent hostels or hotel rooms are available at an affordable price.

The top 3 most wallet friendly accomodations are Just Inn Accomodation, Hotel 81 and Hotel Fragrance.

Just Inn Accomodation is a 20 minutes drive away from Changi Airport and presents clean rooms along with complimentary wifi so guests can remain connected to the Internet. Bathroom and pantry is shared among guests; laundry amenities and vending machines are available 24 hours.

Hotel 81 is a chain of 20 budget hotels located throughout Singapore with rates starting from the lower spectrum of a hundred plus bucks. Rooms are smaller compared to hotels charging higher rates but the rooms are well equipped with complimentary toiletries, warm/cold shower, television, hair dryers etc to meet fundamental needs.

Fragrance hotel is also a competitor in the budget hotel industry of Singapore offering free public parking, and rates are almost half compared to Hotel 81. However, usage of wifi will be charged an additional rate.

Backpacker's Guide to Singapore Food:

In Singapore, you get the chance to try all kinds of cuisines, credit to Singapore’s multi-racial culture. The local hawker food centre is a food paradise, with stalls parading all sorts of dishes.

One national favorite dish among the Chinese is the Hainan Chicken Rice with a price of as low as 2 dollars. The signature fragrance of the glistening rice, tenderness and succulence of the chicken and the chilli sauce is enough to whet up your appetite. An example of a place where you can find tasty chicken rice would be Maxwell Food Centre.

The second dish, Satay, is a Malay word, referring to a dish of marinated, skewered meat. Customers have a choice of chicken, beef or mutton meat. Satays are usually barbequed and come with a peanut sauce to add further texture and flavor. With around 5 Singapore dollars, you can purchase around 10 to 15 sticks. A famous satay stall can be found at Lau Pau Sat also known as Old Market located at the corner of Boon Tat Street.

Last but not least, backpackers to Singapore should not miss out the South Indian dish, Roti Prata. It is a flour-based pancake heated on a huge hot plate and served with curry gravy and sugar. It sounds like a simple dish but the rich flavor of the curry prepared with various spices will keep you wanting for more. One piece of Roti Prata usually costs under a dollar so this is definitely one of the cheapest dishes you can find in Singapore.

Many of you know that accomodation in Singapore is expensive so if you're in a budget check out our recommendation of cheap hotel in singapore.

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