HomeAsiaSoutheast AsiaSingapore Singapore Itinerary + Budget Travel Guide for first-timers By Marcos Detourista. Updated on October 1, 2022. Here’s a detailed Singapore travel guide with sample itinerary, budget, spots to visit, places to stay & more. Singapore is South East Asia’s most prosperous city and smallest nation by land area. In recent years, newly developed mega-attractions and casino driven integrated resorts had transformed this “all work” economic powerhouse into one of the region’s most popular destinations for leisure travel. Because of its compact size, Singapore is very easy to travel and generally safe. It is a top choice for first-time international travel, family trips, and those seeking to indulge in metropolitan luxuries. While costs are significantly higher than the rest of Southeast Asia, a lot of people continue to visit Singapore because of its unique and top-notch attractions that cater to almost every type of traveler. I honestly didn’t expect to travel to Singapore as often as I have, considering the high number of seemingly more “exotic” and adventurous destinations elsewhere in the region. Singapore was just too irresistibly accessible with so many direct flights to other cities all over the region as well as convenient border crossings to Malaysia & Indonesia. Singapore continues to be a worthwhile jump-off point to Southeast Asia and a fitting “last stop” for indulging in urban comforts before the journey home. Traveling to Singapore for the first time? This detailed travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money, and maximize your time. Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown , recommended hotels/places to stay , things to do/places to visit and lots of extra travel tips. Follow me on Instagram Get Started Singapore travel essentials Click below to compare rates & read reviews: Singapore HotelsTours + discountsFlightsAirport transfersWIFI Internet/Data SIM See also: 33 Places To Visit in Singapore, Singapore Itinerary. Popular tours & discounts booked by other travelers: Universal Studios Singapore Admission Ticket Legoland Malaysia Admission Ticket Singapore 4G Data SIM Card (SG Airport Pickup) SG Tourist Pass – Unlimited MRT/LRT Rides in Singapore Klook Pass Singapore Singapore Gardens by the Bay Admission Ticket View all travel tips on: Singapore. How to get to Singapore — Touchdown at Singapore-Changi International Airport, the gateway to Singapore and one of Asia’s largest transport hubs. From the Philippines, you can fly directly from Manila. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines & Scoot. Direct flights from Cebu & Davao are also operated by Cebu Pacific. Search cheap flights Book your hotel early — Grab rock-bottom rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon as you know you’re going. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers. Cheapest ratesBest hotel reviews Check prices online and pre-book discounts — Save money by checking discounts on tours, airport/city transfers & sim card/WiFi hotspots. Booking before you leave also saves you time by avoiding the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash & exchanging currency/money during your actual trip. See top discounts Universal Studios Singapore Admission Ticket Singapore Gardens by the Bay Admission Ticket Singapore Cable Car Skypass Visa-free travel for Philippine citizens — 80% of all nationalities, including Filipino tourists, do not need to apply for a visa before arriving in Singapore for short visits. Scroll down to the extra tips for the list of things you might need to prepare. Traveling on a tight budget is possible — I’ve included a lot of money saving tips on this guide in case you are traveling on a limited budget. Spending less does not mean that you have to miss out on awesome travel experiences in Singapore. You can achieve cheaper expenses by knowing where to find and book the best travel deals. Getting around Singapore — Getting between different areas of the city is very convenient. Singapore has a small land area and the infrastructure is highly developed. It’s easy to go on a do-it-yourself (DIY) trip, even on your own. Plus all signs are in English and most Singaporeans can speak/understand English. Public transport is very efficient. It’s the best way to get around if you want to travel cheaply. Singapore 3G/4G internet data sim card & pocket WiFi rental See top discounts Best time to visit Singapore — Singapore gets little weather variations the whole year round. Any month is generally good to schedule your visit. If you just want to go sightseeing, however, you need to be aware of popular holidays and events, which usually happens from January-February, June-July, September-October. It’s super peak season for hotels. Book your accommodations well in advance. Spend two days or more — With a 2-day trip in Singapore, you can already see most of the major travel highlights. Though, I recommend spending three days or more, especially if you want to enjoy multiple theme parks/attractions and explore the different cultural districts. If you are spending a long layover at Changi Airport, don’t miss the free city tours for transit passengers. See more blogs & travel guides 33 Places To Visit in Singapore Singapore Itinerary Singapore Travel Guide Blog Get Started Singapore Itinerary Singapore Budget Where to Stay in Singapore Travel Tips Before You Go Places to Visit in Singapore + Things To Do More Travel Guides & Blogs Singapore Itinerary What to do in Singapore in 3 days? Here’s a 3 days & 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary for your do-it-yourself (DIY) trip. Day 1: Old & New Singapore Time Activity 1000 AM Singapore-Changi Airport arrival. 1100 AM Singapore hotel check-in Cheapest rates 1130 AM Lau Pa Sat hawker center 1230 NN Merlion Park & Singapore River 0300 PM Gardens by the Bay 0745 PM Garden Rhapsody Light & Sound Show 0930 PM Marina Bay Sands Wander Full Light and Water Show Day 2: Universal Studios Singapore + Sentosa Time Activity 0900 AM Sentosa Island. 1000 AM Universal Studios Singapore. 0530 PM Option 1 — Marina Bay Skypark. Option 2 — Singapore Flyer. Option 3 — Esplanade Roof Terrace. Option 4 — Wings of Time Open-Sea Light Show. Dinner at Makansutra Gluttons Bay Day 3: Heritage & shopping Time Activity 0900 AM Singapore Chinatown. 1200 NN Shopping. 0300 PM Hotel check-out & Singapore Airport transfer. 0330 PM Singapore Airport & flight check-in. 0630 PM Singapore Airport departure. If you only have 3 days to spend in Singapore, you can skip “Day 3” of the itinerary posted above Go to the 4 days Singapore itinerary guide for the budget estimates, expenses breakdown, and step-by-step do-it-yourself (DIY) tips for the itinerary above. Scroll down for more budget & money saving tips. Singapore Budget Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 3 days and 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices. Transport expenses breakdown SGD 37 3 Days Singapore Tourist Pass — Unlimited rides on MRT & buses for 3 days. Book online Activities/attraction costs breakdown SGD 68 Universal Studios Singapore — 1-day admission discount price per adult.Book online SGD 28 Gardens by the Bay (Cloud Forest + Flower dome) — 1-day admission discount price per adult.Book online Budget Trip – Backpacker expenses SGD 20 Transport — Singapore Tourist Pass (3 Days). SGD 80 Accommodations — Per person. 2 nights in a budget hostel. SGD 45 Food — Food budget at Hawker stalls x 3 days. SGD 145 Sub-total — Including food, transport & accommodations for 3 days. Excluding flights. SGD 278 Total — Including activities & 3 days expenses above. Excluding flights. I’ve included backpacker budget estimates for food & accommodations to give you an idea of how cheaply you can do the trip. If you have money to splurge on hotels, food, and luxuries, simply use the expenses posted to calculate your own budget. Other activities SGD 28 Singapore Cable Car Skypass — Discount price per adult.Book online SGD 8 OCBC Skyway at Gardens by the Bay admission — Walk-in price per adult. SGD 16.2 Wings of Time — Discount price per adult.Book online SGD 23 Marina Bay Skypark — Walk-in price per adult.Check price SGD 33 Singapore Flyer — Walk-in price per adult.Check price SGD 25 Legoland transfers — Return trips on shared shuttle. Discount price per adult.Book online SGD 55 Legoland admission — 1-day admission discount price per adult.Book online Other expenses SGD 9.50 Singapore 4G SIM Card.Book online PHP 1,620 Philippine Travel Tax — For outbound Philippine residents only. Paid before flight departure from the Philippines. Where to Stay in Singapore Book your stay near MRT train stations if you plan on getting around conveniently by public transport. Clark Quay (Riverside), Chinatown, Little India & Bugis are the most popular places to stay for backpackers and budget travelers. You can find most of the mid-range and luxury hotels in Orchard Road, Marina Bay, Promenade/City Hall area & Sentosa Island. Check discountsSee more Click below to compare rates and Singapore hotel reviews within your budget. Best Luxury Hotels in Singapore— Splurge at the best 5-star and 4-star hotels in Singapore.See rates & reviews Under SGD 200 Promo rates on 4-Star & 5-Star Singapore hotels — Grab discounts on luxury rooms available for booking today.See discounts Under SGD 150 Recommended 3-Star Singapore hotels & mid-range accommodations — Great-value rooms for couples or when traveling with family & friends.See rates & reviews Under SGD 75 Best Singapore budget hotels — For travelers looking for decent yet affordable accommodations.See rates & reviews Under SGD 30 Best Singapore hostels & budget hotels — affordable places to stay for backpackers/solo travelers.See rates & reviews From SGD 20 Cheapest places to stay in SingaporeSee rates & reviews Top-rated places to stay in Singapore The Ritz-Carlton Splurge / Marina Bay See discounts Marina Bay Sands Splurge / Marina Bay See discounts Fragrance Hotel Mid-Range / Singapore See discounts Hotel 81 Mid-Range / Singapore See discounts Adler Hostel Budget / Chinatown See discounts Chic Capsules Budget / Chinatown See discounts The InnCrowd Backpackers’ Hostel Budget Backpacker / Little India See discounts Where to book Book your room through these trusted booking sites. I use them frequently to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy convenient bookings. Click below to confirm the lowest prices: Booking.comAirbnbAgoda Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons. Singapore Travel Tips Before You Go How to get to Singapore How to find cheap flights to Singapore? What to prepare for a trip to Singapore? How many days is enough? How to get Singapore Dollars (SGD)? When is the best time to visit? How to get around Singapore? Useful travel apps Get rent a Pocket WiFi or buy a mobile data SIM card. Where to book tours & attraction tickets Typical travel costs in Singapore Money-saving tips How to get to Singapore Unless you’re traveling by land from Malaysia, flying to Singapore is the best way to get to Singapore. Many budget airlines, including AirAsia, Tiger Air, Jetstar, Cebu Pacific, fly to Singapore from all major destinations in Southeast Asia. If you’re coming from the Philippines, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsiaoffers direct flights to/from Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, Kalibo & Davao. How to find cheap flights to Singapore? The easy way is to search on airfare comparison sites that can show you the lowest fares on many airlines in one go. Start your search on Wego, Momondo, and Skyscanner. Check Singapore promo alerts several weeks or months ahead of your trip if you are planning your trip early. The cheapest promos are sold up to a year in advance of the travel/flight departure date & are often only available if you book directly with the airline. To learn more, visit the guide on how to book cheap flights. What to prepare for a trip to Singapore? Singapore Tourist Visa — Tourists from around 80% of all nationalities do not need to apply for a visa or entry permit to travel in Singapore. If you are a citizen of one of these nations, you may be able to visit Singapore visa-free for a maximum stay of 30 days, to up to 90 days depending on the passport provided. Go to the Singapore Immigration website to check if you need to apply for a visa before going on your trip. Foreign visitors from countries not listed in the “Assesment Level Countries” can visit Singapore visa-free. If you are from a country that is not listed under the visa exception scheme, see if you are eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival (VoA). Travelers can enter Singapore through immigration checkpoints found in various international airports, seaports, and land border crossings. Including the Singapore-Changi International Airport, Singapore-Malaysia land border, and international ferry terminals. Always remember that all countries have the right to refuse entry to any person. Even if you are eligible for the free tourist visa or already have one in hand at the border. Make sure that you are able to provide the following: Passport not expiring within 6 months. Evidence that you are visiting for travel or holiday purposes only. Evidence that you are able to fund your stay for the entire duration of your visit. Have confirmed flight tickets back to your home country or an onward destination that you are allowed to enter. Visa for Filipino citizens — Philippines nationals can enjoy visa-free travel in Singapore, for up to 30 days. Filipino citizens (Philippine passport holders) do not need to apply for a visa before arriving in Singapore granted that the purpose of the visit is for tourism or transit only. Simply show up at the immigration checkpoint and get your passport stamped. Filipinos usually get a maximum stay of 30 days in Singapore. How many days is enough? Singapore may be a small country but there’s a ton of interesting things to do that could keep most travelers busy for weeks on end. A shorter visit of three to four days is the tourist norm and is enough to get a feel of Singapore and skim through the main highlights. For a weekend trip, squeezing most of the highlights in two full days is doable but depending on how many stops you make and how you choose to get around, there might not be a lot of time to explore each stop extensively or at a relaxed pace. Regardless, you can see a lot of the city in two days or even less. Though, taking three or more days is recommended to allow for time to explore Singapore at a more relaxed pace. Take an early morning flight to Singapore and a late evening flight on your return to maximize your stay in Singapore. For travelers on connecting flights through the Singapore Airport, a long layover can provide a decent visit to one or two sites. The downtown area is just a 30-minute taxi ride away from the airport. There are many short tours that can be booked at Singapore-Changi International Airport. How to get Singapore Dollars (SGD)? To be safe, bring US Dollar bills if you already have them in hand. Money exchange stalls in Singapore, including those at the airport, accept a wide range of currencies and it’s not a problem if you bring other major currencies. Popular foreign currencies include USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, THB, MYR, TWD, PHP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, CNY, and HKD. For convenience, carry enough cash to last the first night or two and then withdraw cash in SGD using your ATM card (bring a backup just in case). ATMs that allow international withdrawal are found all over Singapore. They accept ATM cards with a logo from major interbank networks (American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, and the like). Don’t forget to activate your card for international withdrawal before leaving your home country. Philippine Peso — Bringing Philippine Peso for your trip is possible since most currency exchange stalls in Singapore accept them. Exchange a small amount at the airport and then the rest at the city center for better rates. When exchanging large amounts or if you happen to be in the area, the stalls at Lucky Mall along Orchard Road are your best bet for favorable exchange rates. When is the best time to visit? Singapore gets little weather variations the whole year round. Any date is generally good to schedule your visit. However, if you are traveling from the second half of September to the first week of October, be mindful of Singapore Grand Prix (F1 Race) schedule. It’s a super peak season for hotels. Book your accommodations well in advance. How to get around Singapore? Singapore has a convenient, extensive, and affordable Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and bus network. From the airport, the MRT is the cheapest way to get to the city center. Train fares starts from SGD 0.95. Buy an EZ-Link Card sold at Changi Airport station & many ticket offices around Singapore. This prepaid card can be used to pay for train and bus rides. Enjoy discount fares if you use this card. The cost is SGD 12 per card. Includes SGD 7 stored value and SGD 5 non-refundable card cost. You can top-up at any 7-Eleven store. Only 1 person is allowed per card. You can also buy the Singapore Tourist Pass, which offers unlimited rides on non-premium trains and buses. The price is SGD10 for the 1-day pass, SGD16 for the 2-day pass & SGD20 for the 3-day pass. Private airport transfers Book airport transfers online for stress-free private transfers between Singapore airport and your city hotel. Cars can seat up to 3, 5 and 9 people. See discounts By taxi Taxi stands can be found at the Arrival levels of each Terminal. A ride to the city takes around 30 minutes and costs between $20 and $40. Better yet, avoid the taxi queue with the Grab app. You can book Grab vouchers online & enjoy additional discounts on your rides. Useful travel apps Google Maps — This travel app will make it a lot easier to navigate around Singapore on your own. The directions feature only works online. Available on iOS and Android. MyTransport.SG — Useful information on MRT, LRT & bus services in Singapore. Available on iOS and Android. XE Currency — Free & easy currency converter. Available on iOS and Android. Get rent a Pocket WiFi or buy a mobile data SIM card. Stay connected online during your whole trip. Not only does it make it possible to share your travel moments instantly, you can also travel better by having access to all your favorite travel apps anytime. See discounts Singapore Pocket WiFi Hotspot with 4G Unli Internet Where to book tours & attraction tickets As mentioned, booking online can save you money, time and let you enjoy cashless convenience. In case you want to see more discounts and options, here’s a list of sites that you can check. KlookKkdayExpedia Typical travel costs in Singapore Here’s a list of typical costs when traveling in Singapore. This country is one of the most expensive travel destinations this side of Asia. It is generally twice as expensive as Malaysia or at least three times more than traveling around other countries in Southeast Asia including Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Transport — One train or bus ride within the city typically costs between SGD 0.95 to 2. For a whole day of sightseeing, you may likely spend between SGD 5 to 15. The Singapore Tourist Pass, which offers unlimited MRT & bus rides, costs SGD 10 for a 1-day pass and SGD 20 for a three day pass. Accommodations — Booking a room or bed in Singapore is noticeably more expensive than neighboring countries. A dorm bed in a backpacker hostel or guesthouse starts from SGD 20 per night and averages from SGD 30 to 40 per night. A room for two in a budget hotel would set you back SGD 50 to 90 per night. Most mid-range hotels offer rooms for around SGD 100 to 200 per night. If you are staying in a luxury hotel or resort, room prices usually start at SGD 300 to 500 per night. Food — A meal at hawker centers costs around SGD 3 to 15. Hawker stalls are Singapore’s version of side street stalls and low-cost eateries. Mains at casual restaurants start at SGD 15 to 20. Activities — Admission fees may take up a huge chunk of your expenses if you plan on visiting many themed attractions, rides, and museums. Many museums offer free admission, while most usually cost SGD 10 or less. Entry to theme parks & attractions are priced between SGD 20 to SGD 70. Money-saving tips Eat at hawker centers & taste Singapore’s multi-cultural food — Meals are cheap and the food is prepared in relatively high quality and sanitation. A long line of people queueing at a stall is usually a sign that it serves good food that is safe to eat. Ride MRTs and buses — This is the cheapest way to get around. Public transport in Singapore is quite efficient and safe. However, when traveling in a group, particularly in a group of 3 or 4, consider taking the taxi for short rides around the city center. The price difference (calculated per person) is not a big wallet buster. Your feet will thank you from the tiring walk to/from train stations, especially if you’re planning to spend the whole day sightseeing Stay at hostels — There are a lot of reliable hostels in Singapore that cater to budget-conscious travelers. They are not only cheap, but a good way to socialize with other travelers. Boutique hostels in Singapore are particularly good. If you are traveling in a group of 3 to 6 people, consider getting a family room in hostels or guesthouses to save money on your stay. Get a good map and explore the city on your own tour — Go on a do-it-yourself (DIY) around Singapore’s different cultural districts if you want to save yourself from expensive admission fees at themed attractions. There are a lot of awesome things to do in Singapore that doesn’t cost a dime. Places to Visit in Singapore + Things To Do Check out these top tourist spots, best places to visit & things to do in Singapore. 1. Merlion Park 2. Singapore Riverside and Civic District 3. Chinatown 4. Marina Bay 5. Gardens by the Bay 6. Singapore Zoo 7. Sentosa Island 1. Merlion Park Merlion and Singapore Skyline, Singapore Pretty hard to miss anyway because of its prominent location at the mouth of the Singapore River. Not only could you get a good photo with the Merlion statue, Singapore’s most iconic monument, but there are amazing views to be seen of the Singapore Skyline, Marina Bay Sands, The Esplanade: Theatres by the Bay, and the Singapore Flyer. 2. Singapore Riverside and Civic District Statues of children playing by the river with a view of heritage buildings and bridges along the Singapore River at the Civic District in Singapore Riverside Promenade and a boat passing through the Singapore River This relaxing promenaded riverside area is a short walk away from the Merlion Park. Take a stroll down memory lane and get acquainted with the city’s early development and colonial history. A happening nightlife scene can be experienced at Clark and Boat Quay. 3. Chinatown Colorful lanterns at night, in Chinatown, Singapore Experience Singapore’s multi-cultural diversity by taking a walking and food tour of Chinatown. Visit a church, a mosque, Indian and Chinese temples all in one walk. Go on a food adventure and try dishes from Singapore’s different cultural influences at affordable hawker centers of Chinatown. 4. Marina Bay Marina Bay, Helix Bridge & Art Science Museum, in Singapore Marvel at Singapore’s new urbanscape by taking a walk around Marina Bay. Visit Marina Bay Sands, the Helix Bridge, Singapore Flyer, and Esplanade: Theatres on the bay. Amazing overlooking views can be seen from the Skypark of Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer. Top discounts 48% OFF Marina Bay Sands Skypark + FunVee Hopper Pass 5. Gardens by the Bay Super trees, at Gardens By The Bay, in Singapore Man-made Waterfalls at the Cloud Forest Dome in Gardens By the Bay, Singapore An ambitious project set to transform Singapore from a “Garden City” to a “City in a Garden.” The main attractions here are the 25 towering man-made Supertrees and two equally extraordinary biodomes. Top discounts 18% OFF Singapore Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome + Cloud Forest Admission Ticket 6. Singapore Zoo Elephant Show at Singapore Zoo, Singapore An impressively maintained zoo where you can find a wide array of animals from around the world. The River Safari is also worth checking out. Top discounts 16% OFF Singapore Zoo 31% OFF Singapore Night Safari 7. Sentosa Island Overlooking Palawan Beach in Sentosa, Singapore Spend a fun day on rides and themed attractions or relax at the beaches of Sentosa. The island is home to Universal Studios Singapore, the first theme park of its kind to open in Southeast Asia and the second in Asia after Universal Studios Japan. Top discounts 11% OFF Universal Studios Singapore Admission Ticket 4% OFF Singapore Sentosa FUN Pass 42% OFF Singapore Cable Car Skypass 50% OFF Sentosa Wings of Time Don’t Stop Here Did you find this travel guide helpful? Share your Singapore experience & tag #detourista. Follow trip updates on: Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest. See more Singapore blog tips & travel guides: 33 Places To Visit in Singapore Singapore Itinerary Check out these pages for more travel inspiration beyond Singapore: Philippines Beaches 16 Beautiful Countries in Asia 20 Places To Visit in Malaysia Hong Kong Itinerary Don’t leave yet. There’s more! Boracay Itineray + Travel Budget Guide7 Places to Visit in Kota Kinabalu + Things To Do for…11 Places to Visit in Luang Prabang + Things To Do for…9 Places to Visit in Chiang Mai + Things To Do for… Discover more blogs and travel tips in: Singapore Southeast AsiaAsia See all places Find more posts about:FeaturedTravel Essentials Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.Comments Aya says August 22, 2015 at 3:25 pm Hi there.. I will be traveling in Singapore this December 30-January 3 this year, I wonder is there a new year’s event in SG that we can attend. And where is the best place to welcome the new year and party? thanks…. Reply rosy says September 18, 2015 at 3:24 am hi, can you recommend a budget place accommodation for a family of 5? Reply rolly says December 17, 2015 at 10:47 pm what is Free Tourist Visa Upon Arrival? Reply Marcos Detourist says December 17, 2015 at 10:58 pm Free tourist visa on arrival means: (1) You do not have to apply for a tourist visa before arriving in Singapore. Once you’re at the airport, the Singapore immigration officer will just “stamp” your passport, which allows you to visit Singapore for a set number of days. (2) A tourist visa is granted for free, without a fee. Reply Wilma says January 22, 2016 at 4:17 pm Hi Marcos! Great write-up. A question though, what legal documents do I have to prepare as a tourist (aside from my Philippine passport)? My friends and I are planning a trip later this year. All of them have govt jobs however I am working online. I hope Hindi ako magka problema. Thanks for the help and happy 2016! Marcos Detourist says January 22, 2016 at 4:57 pm All that’s required is a valid passport that is not going to expire within 6 months, and a return ticket to the Philippines. You should, however, be prepared to show the immigration officers proof that you have the capacity to travel to your destination and that you’re not going there for work. It would help a lot if you bring a copy of your bank statement and reservation on your accommodation, tours, etc… Like you, my work is also primarily based online, but it’s not such a big issue as long as you can satisfy the immigration officer’s questions. courtney c. says March 9, 2016 at 12:16 am hi sir! what hostel can you recommend?? Reply Jeffrey Ty says March 11, 2016 at 3:38 pm This posts was really helpful for first timers in Singapore. More so, being a tight-budgeted tourist makes the trip to be very challenging in making it still a memorable one. I agree that there’s nothing more fitting that to have a thorough research before making it to Singapore for a truly fantastic experience and stay that is within the budget. Reply Gie says March 19, 2016 at 2:46 pm This is really a big help since me and my family will be travelling to Singapore 3rd week of October to celebrate our daughter’s 10th birthday. Hope that you can still give me more info on how to save money during our trip. Thanks a lot Reply tiffany says March 27, 2016 at 9:37 am hi po.. I would like to ask pano kung ung purpose ko to travel as SG is about my internship.. is it considered as a job? hndi ba ko mahaharang ng IO? your reply is highly appreciated! happy Easter :) Reply Marcos Detourist says March 27, 2016 at 11:19 pm If the purpose of your visit is not for a holiday or a social visit to friends/family, then the visitor visa may not be applicable to you. The PH immigration officer will use his/her discretion to decide whether you will be allowed to board your flight. Likewise, the SG immigration officer may deny you entry to the country. I suggest that you obtain the appropriate visa for your stay in Singapore. You should check the SG immigration website (http://www.ica.gov.sg/index.aspx) and contact them for advice. Reply Jackelyn says March 30, 2016 at 2:48 pm Hi, Thank you for the above info so helpful. I am scheduled to visit Singapore by end of August and its my first time ( cross finger,,..so scared haha ) . I’ like to ask for that Free Tourist Visa on Arrival (VOA) . Do I have to secure one?or is it ok if there’s no or I don’t have VOI? Who to approach? Regarding ATM, thanks if they will dispense SG bills even using my Philippine ATM(peso). Thank you for your quick response. Regards, Jackie Reply Marcos Detourist says March 31, 2016 at 3:17 am cool Jackelyn! As written in the guide, Philippine passport holders do not need to apply for a visa before entering Singapore. When you arrive at Singapore Airport, the SG immigration officer will simply “stamp” your passport, which allows you to travel for, usually, 30 days. First, make sure your ATM card has a Mastercard, Visa, or Cirrus logo. Then, and this is important, go to your bank and make sure that they activate your card for international withdrawal. I use a BPI Savings ATM card (only has the Cirrus logo) when I travel and I’ve used it in SG and other countries with little problems. I do not rely solely on my ATM card though. Make sure you have backup cash and other cards you can use in case you cannot withdraw using your main card. Reply Lovey Anne says April 19, 2016 at 7:50 pm Hi! My friend and I will travel this coming august to Malaysia then we decided to have a quick trip to singapore via Air. Is there any terminal fee and travel tax we need to pay at the Malaysian airport or Singapore airport? Reply Marcos Detourist says April 20, 2016 at 3:46 pm There are no departure (terminal) fees charged at both airports. Reply Cebu tours says April 25, 2016 at 2:51 pm Ive been to Malaysia, HK, Macau and Singapore within 2 years. Me and my wife loves to travel. Best visited country is the Singapore and we both love the country. Best part was the top of Marina Bay Sands. We really love the view and the people there. I lost my lens cap there :( Sad. And now we are both thinking which is the next, vietnam, thailand or japan? :) we are from PH by the way. Reply Honey says May 5, 2016 at 10:25 am Hi. We have a trip diz june wth my friends in singapore. But i dont have a job now. Posibly poh ba mahold ako? Reply Marcos Detourist says May 5, 2016 at 4:22 pm There are no laws/rules that prevent you to travel abroad if you are unemployed. You just have to tell the immigration officer that you have enough money to fund your travel and you are going to Singapore for a holiday, and not to look for work. Reply Tess says May 18, 2016 at 2:46 pm Hi.. im tess from PH.. i have something to ask to clear things.. i have plan to travel to australia his coming july me and my bf meet up to singapore airport and to explore some place in SG. Then travel together to australia as i have AU visa. What documents i bring nor gather for immigration counter check in SG before stamp my passport. I need to know what docu i bring to enter SG.. looking forward so bad your reply soon..thanks alot Reply Marcos Detourist says May 23, 2016 at 8:54 pm Hello Tess, if you’re a PH passport holder, you may need the same requirements posted on the article. If you are returning to the Philippines from Australia, you may have to present your return ticket back to the PH and AU travel visa. Reply Ejay says June 12, 2016 at 4:19 pm 20,000 philippine peso, is it enough to stay in Singapore for 3 days? Reply Marcos Detourist says June 17, 2016 at 11:28 am Yes, it should be :) Reply Jeric says August 16, 2016 at 3:41 pm Hi Marcus, thank you for the travel guide you wrote. Me and my wife are planning to go to SG by the end of the month. I want to ask regarding booking of hotel, do I need to book it online, ahead of time? or we can just go walk in to the hotel? and also my wife has a PH passport, and I have a USA passport, will I need a different document requirement? Thank you and I appreciate your response. Reply Marcos Detourist says August 16, 2016 at 4:09 pm It is better to book your hotel online to make sure that you have a room available during your trip, and save yourself the hassle of looking for another hotel in case the place you want to stay in is fully booked. As far as I know, USA & PH passport holders have ‘Free Visa on Arrival’ in Singapore. PH passport holders usually get 30 days stay, while USA passport holders may get up to 90 days. Best to check the Singapore Immigration website to confirm in case there are changes in SG’s visa policy. https://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=96&secid=94 Enjoy your trip! Reply Jeric says August 16, 2016 at 4:24 pm thank you for quick response Marcos! any suggestion for website where I can book a hotel in SG? and also is there a bunch of free wifi around the country? Jeric says August 16, 2016 at 5:25 pm thank you for quick response Marcos! any suggestion for website where I can book a hotel in SG? and also is there a bunch of free wifi around the country? Reply lalaine ann says August 17, 2016 at 9:50 pm Hi Marcos!! thank you for your DIY-backpackers guide in HK-Macau tour it was a big help, nasulit namin ang oras!! :) Help naman ulit,I am looking for your travel guide to SG na kagaya sa HK, un naka-indicate na kung anung uunahin naming puntahan, kung saan sasakay and approx. amount ng fare&tourist attraction. We’re heading to SG end of Aug, staying for 3days, sa Selegie,SG ang hotel namin. Pa-send naman ako ng link ng itinerary mo ng SG tour please. TIA!! Reply Marcos Detourist says August 17, 2016 at 9:56 pm Pwede mo magamit yung “Search” dito sa site para mag hanap ng mga travel tips. https://www.detourista.com/x/search/network/?q=singapore+itinerary. Reply lalaine ann says August 17, 2016 at 9:57 pm hi marcos, im looking for your SG itinerary blog just like the one you did in your HK-Macau tour, yung naka-indicate na kung saan ako magsisimula ng tour,tapos kung pano pumunta sa susunod na tourist attraction pati kung magkano ang fare, pa-share naman please. Reply [email protected] says November 1, 2016 at 10:52 pm I recently returned from a 5 day trip to Singapore. We did a lot a research before arriving (unfortunately I did not find this blog until after our return) and covered about everything you mentioned. We found the hawker centers to be the best places to eat for the most value. We stayed on Orchard Road, which was nice, but a little busier than we would have liked. However, if you are looking to spend time shopping for luxury goods, that’s definitely the place to stay. We payed for a couple tourist activities, but mainly just set out and explanatory the city ourselves. The MRT was very efficient; we bought a 3 day pass for SGD 28. If you return the pass within a week after it expires, you receive a SGD 10 credit. A majority of activities we did were free (i.e. Botanic Gardens, Chinese and Japanese garden, China Town, Haji and Arab streets, etc.). Our trip centered around food so much of our exploring was about finding a great place to eat! Reply maine uy says November 3, 2016 at 7:17 pm Hi.. Im planning to travel to singapore next year maybe april 10 to may 4 .. is it okey ? or do i need a visa.. my boyfriend is working there so i plan to visit him next year.. thanks… Reply Marcos Detourist says November 3, 2016 at 10:48 pm Hi Maine, the answer is already posted on the article. Reply VINAY YADAV says January 4, 2017 at 4:26 pm Hi, I will travel this coming April to India then we are decide to have a trip to Singapore via Air. Is there any terminal fee and travel tax we need to pay at the Indian airport or Singapore airport? And also tell me which currency should carry with during in this trip and which is the best currency exchange company in India. Reply Marcos Detourist says January 4, 2017 at 9:13 pm You don’t have to pay airport terminal fees at Singapore Airport. It is usually already included when you bought the ticket. Same is true with airports in India as I haven’t experienced getting charged terminal fees upon check-in at major international airports there. I bring USD cash when I travel but only as a backup since I use ATM & Credit Cards most of the time. So, I’m not sure what currency exchange company is the best. Reply Joy Joel says January 25, 2017 at 4:41 pm Hi Marcos! Thank you for sharing this kind of blog. Siguro ito na rin ang gagamitin naming itinerary namin ng mother ko papuntang SG this coming July. Ask ko lang kung meron kayang tulad ng MRT naten dito na mag loload ka ng 100php then pwede mo ng gamitin in every station? Tipong parang Stored Value na card? Para kung sakaling mag MRT nalang kami to go sa mga different places, hindi na magiging hassle. Reply Marcos Detourist says January 25, 2017 at 4:46 pm Yes, meron sila & I highly recommend you get one. It’s called an EZ-link card. You can buy one at the Airport LRT station. Just ask the ticket booth for assistance. You can save a lot of time if you use the card rather than buying at the vending machine, each time you go on the train. PLUS, you get discount fares if you use the card :D You can also use the card on all public buses. Reply Tina roy says February 18, 2017 at 1:49 am Thanks for giving the information.This year i am planing to go Singapore with my friends.But i know that Singapore is costly country but you made easy to everyone to travel on an an affordable budget..I will sure follow this and i think this will be our memorable trip Reply Jhen says February 24, 2017 at 10:52 am Hi,Marcos! Thank you for sharing this. I find it really useful in planning our trip to SG. Question: Is booking accommodation really necessary? Our plan is to stay at my husband’s cousin. Will it be a problem if we do not book any? We want to stay 3 days in SG and 3 days in Malaysia(where we will book a hotel). Thank you so much in advance! Reply Marcos Detourist says March 9, 2017 at 5:05 am You do not have to book a hotel room if you are staying with family/friends. The immigration officer might ask you to show a written/printed invitation. Better have it prepared. I would also bring a copy of your cousin-in-law’s work permit & employee card. Reply Jannice says March 17, 2017 at 3:44 pm Hi. I’m always reading pinoy blogs. This coming October I think we want to go Singapore (first time) .My son is 11y/old .What can you advice to me. Thanks. Reply Marcos Detourist says March 17, 2017 at 10:08 pm Singapore is a great place to go when traveling with kids. Sentosa Island has a lot of fun attractions you might want to check out. Also, consider a trip to Singapore Zoo in addition to must-visit spots in Singapore. https://www.detourista.com/guide/singapore-best-places/ Reply cris says March 27, 2017 at 10:45 pm Hi Marcos, i will bring my niece on my 5 days SG tour, does she still need affidavit of support from me? she’s still a student though not minor anymore. Reply Marcos Detourist says March 28, 2017 at 12:29 am Maybe not, if you are funding the trip yourself, and you are on the same flight with your niece (e.g. you will be present at the same time when clearing the immigration checkpoint). Reply Gem Joaquin says April 23, 2017 at 8:25 pm Thank you so much for the info. My family are planning to have a tour in singapore this may. We already booked a hostel and plane tickets, how can we get an online booking for universal studio is it more cheap than getting the tickets in the hostel thanks! God Bless Sir! Reply Marcos Detourist says April 23, 2017 at 8:59 pm You can book cheaper Universal Studios Singapore admission tickets on Klook. Just go to this page for more info: http://affiliate.klook.com/jump/activity/117-universal-studios-singapore/?adid=1242&af_wid=356 Reply GSpada says May 24, 2017 at 2:01 am Wow thats a lot of great info. Thanks for the post Reply Maria Lourdes says June 12, 2017 at 10:59 pm Hi sir! For the singapore immigration checkpoint, is it ok if i don’t have hotel reservation? Coz i am planning to stay on my friend’s place (she’s working in sg). Besides am gonna visit sg for 4days only. Thanks! ☺ Reply Marcos Detourist says June 13, 2017 at 3:05 am Yes, it’s fine. Be sure to prepare a letter of invitation from your friend. Even just an informal email-type correspondence. Plus, a copy of her work permit/employee ID in case they look for it. Though, I’ve only been asked to show it once, on my first trips. Reply Quen says August 3, 2017 at 2:19 pm I agree with Marcos. Also indicate in your friend’s invitation letter the address where will you be staying, the dates, and also an affirmation that your friend will be responsible for you during your stay in the country. NKay says July 12, 2017 at 4:19 pm Hi Marcos, We’re a family of 3 and scheduled for a trip this sept. The thing is, we are coming from KL. May i just ask if there are trains from KL to Sg? Also, is it possible for is to go and visit changi airport even if we’re not flying? i mean, just to see what’s with changi being the top listed airport. Im hoping for your kindest reply. Thank you so much. Reply Marcos Detourist says August 19, 2017 at 10:36 pm 1. I haven’t taken the direct train yet. Most travelers usually drop off at Johor Bahru and cross to SG by bus. At SG side, you can ride a train to the city center. 2. Yes, it’s OK to visit Changi but you can only roam until the check-in counters. Reply Lito says July 14, 2017 at 3:21 pm Hi…im planning to go travel for 3 days at SG how much is specific the Hotel rate per day in Peso rate if i book on line.. thanks Reply Rose says July 31, 2017 at 1:03 pm OMG!!! Thank you so much for the guide. I’ve learned so many tips I can apply for my trip in SG this coming Sept. 2017. Reply Marcos Detourist says August 19, 2017 at 10:24 pm Enjoy your trip to Singapore! Reply Lance says August 6, 2017 at 8:10 pm Hi Marcos, this will come in a handy, thank you! Just a few question, what are the chances that my flight will be cancel if I tell the officer that I’m actually going for a job hunting at SG during my 5 days stay. Also, is it okay if I don’t provide a return ticket as my stay might get extended? Reply Marcos Detourist says August 19, 2017 at 10:19 pm You will almost certainly get denied entry/boarding if you tell them that and/or if you don’t provide a return ticket. Reply Jemma says August 21, 2017 at 10:00 pm Touring Singapore is really safe and easy even for first-time visitors. Many people think that vacationing in Singapore is expensive but you really don’t have to spend a lot as long as you budget your money wisely. I only spent 200 USD in my Singapore trip (including plane tickets and accommodation) :) Reply TravelDesk says September 26, 2017 at 12:33 pm Great article about Singapore. One big difference I noticed i this article when comparing to other article about Singapore travel is your guide to travel the city in tight budget. really appreciated the effort. Lot of backpackers will find this article really helpful. Keep writing these. Cheers. Reply Kim says September 26, 2017 at 10:58 pm Hello. Me and my friends were planning to go to sg next month for vacation. Tanong ko lang po sana kung paano if I dont own an atm or credit card or something from a bank? But I have a job as an blogger. Magkakaproblema po kaya ako? Kasama ko po ang friend ko which is also my boss and sasagutin din niya ang ticket ko. Ano po kaya ang magandang advice niyo for me para di mahold ng IO? May tatak na din po passport ko from Japan. Is it a plus? Thankyou in advance. Reply Marcos Detourist says September 27, 2017 at 5:59 am Yung ATM or bank statement, it’s only to show that you have the finances to fund the trip. You can show them that you have enough cash to spend for your trip. So, you don’t need the ATM or credit card. Reply Areana says December 3, 2017 at 6:32 pm It’s a very good article and helpful. Me and my friend from USA(visited me few times in Phil’s), are planning to go for a 4day cruise that starts from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and end to Singapore again. I am a permanent government employee but I don’t have credit card and no big money in my bank. All my travel expenses will be shoulder by my friend, do I have a problem in immigration even if I show my travel itinerary and back and fort plane ticket and hotel accommodation paid by my friend? Thank you. Hoping Areana Reply JP says May 29, 2018 at 2:50 am Hello there! JP here from PH, nice travel blog site you have here :) Is it more cheaper via DIY or go with those tour packages offered by Travel agencies ranging from 12k to 14k (3 days)? If I am to try the DIY, approximately how much will cost for 2 to 3 pax in we will visit major tourist spots, 3 to 4 days? Thanks in advanced! :) Reply Marcos Detourista says June 4, 2018 at 10:10 pm Hi JP. It really depends on what activities you plan to include (and what’s included in the tour package offered by travel agencies). You can check budget estimate above as a guide. Reply jane vallery melendrez says June 14, 2018 at 4:40 am HI! THANK YOU FOR THESE TIPS REALLY HELPFUL :). ME AND MY BOYFRIEND ARE PLANNING TO GO TO SG NEXT YEAR KAYA LANG NATATAKOT AKO MAG DIY PARANG MAS PREFER KO UN TOUR PACKAGE SA MGA TRAVEL AGENCIES LESS HASSLE. MAS COSTLY BA KAPAG NAKAPACKAGE KESA MAGDIY? AND KASYA NA KAYA ANG 25K PARA SA BUDGET 3DAYS PARA SAMENG DALAWA? THANK YOU SA PAG RESPONSE! GODBLESS! Reply Marcos Detourista says June 18, 2018 at 5:23 am Hi Jane, depends on what’s included in the tour package offered by travel agencies. Yes, pwedeng mag kasya ang P25K, but again it depends on activities/type of accommodations that you want to enjoy. Singapore is really easy to travel. Going DIY is easy and you can save a lot of money booking activities online. If you don’t want to bother with planning, then going with a travel agency might be a better fit for you. Reply Irene says June 14, 2018 at 5:45 am Awesome!!! Great and detailed. helps a lot! Reply fatima says August 13, 2018 at 5:38 am how much all your expenses in singapore total price and food? Reply Marcos Detourista says August 14, 2018 at 7:45 am Hi fatima. The breakdown of expenses is already included in the guide above. Reply Dramacool says October 29, 2018 at 1:58 pm I have lived here. I think you pay $ 10-15 for each meal. Reply claire0o2930 says November 13, 2018 at 6:12 pm Hi, I am very interested with your blog and I am so excited to travel. Actually we are planning to go to SG by next year, kaya I made some ressaech to know more about what will be or how much will it cost? Since we are 5. My husband and I, and our 3 kids (9 yrs. Old, 2 yrs. Old and 6 months baby boy). Tama po ba yung decision ko na wag na sa travel agencies kami makipagcoordinate? Feeling ko kasi mas mapapamahal kami.. This will be our 1st trip with my kids. Sana mahelp mo ako. Your response is highly appreciated. Thanks! Reply Marcos Detourista says November 14, 2018 at 12:22 pm Hi Claire, I suggest na mag decide kayo based more on whether mas gusto mo: (1) Mag customize ng itinerary & organize yourself (2) Let the travel agency arrange everything for you Madali lang naman getting around Singapore at mag book ng hotel/activities kahit kayo na lang. Mas maka less ka talaga kung mag book kayo ng mga discount prices (make sure to check yung mga na post ko sa guide). Since you’re traveling with kids, pwede na sundin niyo na lang yung route/itinerary ng mga hop-on hop-off bus. Eto yung info/prices nila: 1. Singapore Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour (Open-Top) 2. Singapore City Sightseeing Bus Tour Convenient din mag Grab sa Singapore. Pwede niyo ma check yung fares sa app kung gusto niyo ma estimate yung budget niyo. Ok naman din yung public transport sa Singapore. Kaso if you’re traveling with kids, baka too much walking to/from the stations. Reply G says December 7, 2018 at 7:44 pm Very helpful guide and tip esp for a solo traveler just like me. I will take note all of this in my trip. Thanks Reply Ems says January 5, 2019 at 9:58 pm Hi. Im travelling alone on February 2019. Can you give me some tips upon arrivibg in Singapore? Do I need to show money to the immigration. And how much? Im staying there for 4days only. Thank you for answering Reply Marcos Detourista says January 10, 2019 at 4:29 am Hi Ems, SG immigration does not require show money… but you have to show them your ability to fund your trip. How much money will depend on your itinerary (i.e. attractions you plan to visit and hotel/s where you’ll be staying). You can simply show them hotel reservations and attraction tickets/tour that you’ve pre-booked online. PLUS pocket money. I think SGD100-200 (equivalent or more) should be enough. Reply lotzatravel says January 7, 2019 at 5:57 pm Very nice and informative article, thanks to sharing it! Reply Eric Wilson says January 17, 2019 at 9:32 pm You wrote very well about Singapore Travel guide. I have found detail info here. Thanks very informative! Reply Anizah says February 10, 2019 at 7:22 pm What if I have a place to stay in SG? What should I need to provide at the Immigration? Reply Marcos Detourista says February 12, 2019 at 12:08 pm Hi Anizah! If you have a host in Singapore (not booking a hotel). The first thing you need to provide is an address. In case they ask about the details, you should be able to provide details about your host & staying arrangement. I suggest that you bring some sort of ID from your host… could be a SG Gov’t ID, work ID, work permit etc. AND, proof that you’ve been invited… maybe a written letter, printed copy of your invite conversation, or something like that. Reply Loi says February 18, 2019 at 9:22 am Hi. I’m about to visit SG this coming March. First time traveler and solo. I already had two way ticket, hotel reservation, pre-booked ticket in some attractions. I have credit card also. Do you think there’s still a chance for me to be an off load passenger/to be denied entering in SG? Reply Marcos Detourista says February 18, 2019 at 10:31 pm Hi Loi. I think you’re good to go! Make sure also your passport is not expiring within the next 6 months (on arrival in SG). Enjoy your trip! Reply sougata das says July 8, 2019 at 1:19 pm Hi friend, i am planning to visit Singapore for 5 days. Can i use singapore tourist pass for more than 3 days as it only provide unlimited rides for 3 days. Also provide me an itinerary for 5 days. Thanks in advance. Reply bromo ijen trekking says October 18, 2019 at 2:20 pm Wow excellent blog article, very helpful for us to take a 3 day vacation trip in Singapore. A beautiful place to visit as you post .. thank you Reply Uusimmatkasinot says May 14, 2020 at 7:48 pm Singapore will always be one of my favorite countries i have set foot in. And Marina Bay Sands Casino were one of my unforgettable casino visits. Well, aside from the ambience, i had my biggest won in my entire casino winning. Reply Cuponism Singapore says June 18, 2020 at 2:52 pm I was totally amazed when I read the post. It was interesting and absorbing. I have read a similar piece of content before. When comparing both, I realized this one was surely on the top. Reply christchurch motel says February 4, 2021 at 7:48 pm Thanks to the author for sharing such a great post. The article was very well written and providing detourista. It can be really great for people like me who are looking for grabbing more knowledge about it. I never thought will get to visit this Amoremotorlodge.co.nz oh, has some nice content for everyone Reply Diasy casiano says September 9, 2021 at 3:37 pm One month vacation Reply nadine says October 30, 2022 at 2:27 am very good blog for travel and enjoy holidays we recommend morocco trips to explore africa Reply Jenny Lopez says February 9, 2023 at 4:17 pm hi ask ko lng po, can we stay in malaysia and booked a hotel for 4nights even if our flight route is Manila-Singapore-Manila? Per checking hotels in Singapore is super exoensive than in Malaysia .is this possible? Reply Marcos Detourista says February 14, 2023 at 1:02 pm I don’t recommend po. Crossing the Johor-Singapore border & traveling between the border & Singapore City Center is time-consuming. Sayang lang sa oras. Reply
Aya says August 22, 2015 at 3:25 pm Hi there.. I will be traveling in Singapore this December 30-January 3 this year, I wonder is there a new year’s event in SG that we can attend. And where is the best place to welcome the new year and party? thanks…. Reply
rosy says September 18, 2015 at 3:24 am hi, can you recommend a budget place accommodation for a family of 5? Reply
Marcos Detourist says December 17, 2015 at 10:58 pm Free tourist visa on arrival means: (1) You do not have to apply for a tourist visa before arriving in Singapore. Once you’re at the airport, the Singapore immigration officer will just “stamp” your passport, which allows you to visit Singapore for a set number of days. (2) A tourist visa is granted for free, without a fee. Reply
Wilma says January 22, 2016 at 4:17 pm Hi Marcos! Great write-up. A question though, what legal documents do I have to prepare as a tourist (aside from my Philippine passport)? My friends and I are planning a trip later this year. All of them have govt jobs however I am working online. I hope Hindi ako magka problema. Thanks for the help and happy 2016!
Marcos Detourist says January 22, 2016 at 4:57 pm All that’s required is a valid passport that is not going to expire within 6 months, and a return ticket to the Philippines. You should, however, be prepared to show the immigration officers proof that you have the capacity to travel to your destination and that you’re not going there for work. It would help a lot if you bring a copy of your bank statement and reservation on your accommodation, tours, etc… Like you, my work is also primarily based online, but it’s not such a big issue as long as you can satisfy the immigration officer’s questions.
Jeffrey Ty says March 11, 2016 at 3:38 pm This posts was really helpful for first timers in Singapore. More so, being a tight-budgeted tourist makes the trip to be very challenging in making it still a memorable one. I agree that there’s nothing more fitting that to have a thorough research before making it to Singapore for a truly fantastic experience and stay that is within the budget. Reply
Gie says March 19, 2016 at 2:46 pm This is really a big help since me and my family will be travelling to Singapore 3rd week of October to celebrate our daughter’s 10th birthday. Hope that you can still give me more info on how to save money during our trip. Thanks a lot Reply
tiffany says March 27, 2016 at 9:37 am hi po.. I would like to ask pano kung ung purpose ko to travel as SG is about my internship.. is it considered as a job? hndi ba ko mahaharang ng IO? your reply is highly appreciated! happy Easter :) Reply
Marcos Detourist says March 27, 2016 at 11:19 pm If the purpose of your visit is not for a holiday or a social visit to friends/family, then the visitor visa may not be applicable to you. The PH immigration officer will use his/her discretion to decide whether you will be allowed to board your flight. Likewise, the SG immigration officer may deny you entry to the country. I suggest that you obtain the appropriate visa for your stay in Singapore. You should check the SG immigration website (http://www.ica.gov.sg/index.aspx) and contact them for advice. Reply
Jackelyn says March 30, 2016 at 2:48 pm Hi, Thank you for the above info so helpful. I am scheduled to visit Singapore by end of August and its my first time ( cross finger,,..so scared haha ) . I’ like to ask for that Free Tourist Visa on Arrival (VOA) . Do I have to secure one?or is it ok if there’s no or I don’t have VOI? Who to approach? Regarding ATM, thanks if they will dispense SG bills even using my Philippine ATM(peso). Thank you for your quick response. Regards, Jackie Reply
Marcos Detourist says March 31, 2016 at 3:17 am cool Jackelyn! As written in the guide, Philippine passport holders do not need to apply for a visa before entering Singapore. When you arrive at Singapore Airport, the SG immigration officer will simply “stamp” your passport, which allows you to travel for, usually, 30 days. First, make sure your ATM card has a Mastercard, Visa, or Cirrus logo. Then, and this is important, go to your bank and make sure that they activate your card for international withdrawal. I use a BPI Savings ATM card (only has the Cirrus logo) when I travel and I’ve used it in SG and other countries with little problems. I do not rely solely on my ATM card though. Make sure you have backup cash and other cards you can use in case you cannot withdraw using your main card. Reply
Lovey Anne says April 19, 2016 at 7:50 pm Hi! My friend and I will travel this coming august to Malaysia then we decided to have a quick trip to singapore via Air. Is there any terminal fee and travel tax we need to pay at the Malaysian airport or Singapore airport? Reply
Marcos Detourist says April 20, 2016 at 3:46 pm There are no departure (terminal) fees charged at both airports. Reply
Cebu tours says April 25, 2016 at 2:51 pm Ive been to Malaysia, HK, Macau and Singapore within 2 years. Me and my wife loves to travel. Best visited country is the Singapore and we both love the country. Best part was the top of Marina Bay Sands. We really love the view and the people there. I lost my lens cap there :( Sad. And now we are both thinking which is the next, vietnam, thailand or japan? :) we are from PH by the way. Reply
Honey says May 5, 2016 at 10:25 am Hi. We have a trip diz june wth my friends in singapore. But i dont have a job now. Posibly poh ba mahold ako? Reply
Marcos Detourist says May 5, 2016 at 4:22 pm There are no laws/rules that prevent you to travel abroad if you are unemployed. You just have to tell the immigration officer that you have enough money to fund your travel and you are going to Singapore for a holiday, and not to look for work. Reply
Tess says May 18, 2016 at 2:46 pm Hi.. im tess from PH.. i have something to ask to clear things.. i have plan to travel to australia his coming july me and my bf meet up to singapore airport and to explore some place in SG. Then travel together to australia as i have AU visa. What documents i bring nor gather for immigration counter check in SG before stamp my passport. I need to know what docu i bring to enter SG.. looking forward so bad your reply soon..thanks alot Reply
Marcos Detourist says May 23, 2016 at 8:54 pm Hello Tess, if you’re a PH passport holder, you may need the same requirements posted on the article. If you are returning to the Philippines from Australia, you may have to present your return ticket back to the PH and AU travel visa. Reply
Ejay says June 12, 2016 at 4:19 pm 20,000 philippine peso, is it enough to stay in Singapore for 3 days? Reply
Jeric says August 16, 2016 at 3:41 pm Hi Marcus, thank you for the travel guide you wrote. Me and my wife are planning to go to SG by the end of the month. I want to ask regarding booking of hotel, do I need to book it online, ahead of time? or we can just go walk in to the hotel? and also my wife has a PH passport, and I have a USA passport, will I need a different document requirement? Thank you and I appreciate your response. Reply
Marcos Detourist says August 16, 2016 at 4:09 pm It is better to book your hotel online to make sure that you have a room available during your trip, and save yourself the hassle of looking for another hotel in case the place you want to stay in is fully booked. As far as I know, USA & PH passport holders have ‘Free Visa on Arrival’ in Singapore. PH passport holders usually get 30 days stay, while USA passport holders may get up to 90 days. Best to check the Singapore Immigration website to confirm in case there are changes in SG’s visa policy. https://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=96&secid=94 Enjoy your trip! Reply
Jeric says August 16, 2016 at 4:24 pm thank you for quick response Marcos! any suggestion for website where I can book a hotel in SG? and also is there a bunch of free wifi around the country?
Jeric says August 16, 2016 at 5:25 pm thank you for quick response Marcos! any suggestion for website where I can book a hotel in SG? and also is there a bunch of free wifi around the country? Reply
lalaine ann says August 17, 2016 at 9:50 pm Hi Marcos!! thank you for your DIY-backpackers guide in HK-Macau tour it was a big help, nasulit namin ang oras!! :) Help naman ulit,I am looking for your travel guide to SG na kagaya sa HK, un naka-indicate na kung anung uunahin naming puntahan, kung saan sasakay and approx. amount ng fare&tourist attraction. We’re heading to SG end of Aug, staying for 3days, sa Selegie,SG ang hotel namin. Pa-send naman ako ng link ng itinerary mo ng SG tour please. TIA!! Reply
Marcos Detourist says August 17, 2016 at 9:56 pm Pwede mo magamit yung “Search” dito sa site para mag hanap ng mga travel tips. https://www.detourista.com/x/search/network/?q=singapore+itinerary. Reply
lalaine ann says August 17, 2016 at 9:57 pm hi marcos, im looking for your SG itinerary blog just like the one you did in your HK-Macau tour, yung naka-indicate na kung saan ako magsisimula ng tour,tapos kung pano pumunta sa susunod na tourist attraction pati kung magkano ang fare, pa-share naman please. Reply
[email protected] says November 1, 2016 at 10:52 pm I recently returned from a 5 day trip to Singapore. We did a lot a research before arriving (unfortunately I did not find this blog until after our return) and covered about everything you mentioned. We found the hawker centers to be the best places to eat for the most value. We stayed on Orchard Road, which was nice, but a little busier than we would have liked. However, if you are looking to spend time shopping for luxury goods, that’s definitely the place to stay. We payed for a couple tourist activities, but mainly just set out and explanatory the city ourselves. The MRT was very efficient; we bought a 3 day pass for SGD 28. If you return the pass within a week after it expires, you receive a SGD 10 credit. A majority of activities we did were free (i.e. Botanic Gardens, Chinese and Japanese garden, China Town, Haji and Arab streets, etc.). Our trip centered around food so much of our exploring was about finding a great place to eat! Reply
maine uy says November 3, 2016 at 7:17 pm Hi.. Im planning to travel to singapore next year maybe april 10 to may 4 .. is it okey ? or do i need a visa.. my boyfriend is working there so i plan to visit him next year.. thanks… Reply
Marcos Detourist says November 3, 2016 at 10:48 pm Hi Maine, the answer is already posted on the article. Reply
VINAY YADAV says January 4, 2017 at 4:26 pm Hi, I will travel this coming April to India then we are decide to have a trip to Singapore via Air. Is there any terminal fee and travel tax we need to pay at the Indian airport or Singapore airport? And also tell me which currency should carry with during in this trip and which is the best currency exchange company in India. Reply
Marcos Detourist says January 4, 2017 at 9:13 pm You don’t have to pay airport terminal fees at Singapore Airport. It is usually already included when you bought the ticket. Same is true with airports in India as I haven’t experienced getting charged terminal fees upon check-in at major international airports there. I bring USD cash when I travel but only as a backup since I use ATM & Credit Cards most of the time. So, I’m not sure what currency exchange company is the best. Reply
Joy Joel says January 25, 2017 at 4:41 pm Hi Marcos! Thank you for sharing this kind of blog. Siguro ito na rin ang gagamitin naming itinerary namin ng mother ko papuntang SG this coming July. Ask ko lang kung meron kayang tulad ng MRT naten dito na mag loload ka ng 100php then pwede mo ng gamitin in every station? Tipong parang Stored Value na card? Para kung sakaling mag MRT nalang kami to go sa mga different places, hindi na magiging hassle. Reply
Marcos Detourist says January 25, 2017 at 4:46 pm Yes, meron sila & I highly recommend you get one. It’s called an EZ-link card. You can buy one at the Airport LRT station. Just ask the ticket booth for assistance. You can save a lot of time if you use the card rather than buying at the vending machine, each time you go on the train. PLUS, you get discount fares if you use the card :D You can also use the card on all public buses. Reply
Tina roy says February 18, 2017 at 1:49 am Thanks for giving the information.This year i am planing to go Singapore with my friends.But i know that Singapore is costly country but you made easy to everyone to travel on an an affordable budget..I will sure follow this and i think this will be our memorable trip Reply
Jhen says February 24, 2017 at 10:52 am Hi,Marcos! Thank you for sharing this. I find it really useful in planning our trip to SG. Question: Is booking accommodation really necessary? Our plan is to stay at my husband’s cousin. Will it be a problem if we do not book any? We want to stay 3 days in SG and 3 days in Malaysia(where we will book a hotel). Thank you so much in advance! Reply
Marcos Detourist says March 9, 2017 at 5:05 am You do not have to book a hotel room if you are staying with family/friends. The immigration officer might ask you to show a written/printed invitation. Better have it prepared. I would also bring a copy of your cousin-in-law’s work permit & employee card. Reply
Jannice says March 17, 2017 at 3:44 pm Hi. I’m always reading pinoy blogs. This coming October I think we want to go Singapore (first time) .My son is 11y/old .What can you advice to me. Thanks. Reply
Marcos Detourist says March 17, 2017 at 10:08 pm Singapore is a great place to go when traveling with kids. Sentosa Island has a lot of fun attractions you might want to check out. Also, consider a trip to Singapore Zoo in addition to must-visit spots in Singapore. https://www.detourista.com/guide/singapore-best-places/ Reply
cris says March 27, 2017 at 10:45 pm Hi Marcos, i will bring my niece on my 5 days SG tour, does she still need affidavit of support from me? she’s still a student though not minor anymore. Reply
Marcos Detourist says March 28, 2017 at 12:29 am Maybe not, if you are funding the trip yourself, and you are on the same flight with your niece (e.g. you will be present at the same time when clearing the immigration checkpoint). Reply
Gem Joaquin says April 23, 2017 at 8:25 pm Thank you so much for the info. My family are planning to have a tour in singapore this may. We already booked a hostel and plane tickets, how can we get an online booking for universal studio is it more cheap than getting the tickets in the hostel thanks! God Bless Sir! Reply
Marcos Detourist says April 23, 2017 at 8:59 pm You can book cheaper Universal Studios Singapore admission tickets on Klook. Just go to this page for more info: http://affiliate.klook.com/jump/activity/117-universal-studios-singapore/?adid=1242&af_wid=356 Reply
Maria Lourdes says June 12, 2017 at 10:59 pm Hi sir! For the singapore immigration checkpoint, is it ok if i don’t have hotel reservation? Coz i am planning to stay on my friend’s place (she’s working in sg). Besides am gonna visit sg for 4days only. Thanks! ☺ Reply
Marcos Detourist says June 13, 2017 at 3:05 am Yes, it’s fine. Be sure to prepare a letter of invitation from your friend. Even just an informal email-type correspondence. Plus, a copy of her work permit/employee ID in case they look for it. Though, I’ve only been asked to show it once, on my first trips. Reply
Quen says August 3, 2017 at 2:19 pm I agree with Marcos. Also indicate in your friend’s invitation letter the address where will you be staying, the dates, and also an affirmation that your friend will be responsible for you during your stay in the country.
NKay says July 12, 2017 at 4:19 pm Hi Marcos, We’re a family of 3 and scheduled for a trip this sept. The thing is, we are coming from KL. May i just ask if there are trains from KL to Sg? Also, is it possible for is to go and visit changi airport even if we’re not flying? i mean, just to see what’s with changi being the top listed airport. Im hoping for your kindest reply. Thank you so much. Reply
Marcos Detourist says August 19, 2017 at 10:36 pm 1. I haven’t taken the direct train yet. Most travelers usually drop off at Johor Bahru and cross to SG by bus. At SG side, you can ride a train to the city center. 2. Yes, it’s OK to visit Changi but you can only roam until the check-in counters. Reply
Lito says July 14, 2017 at 3:21 pm Hi…im planning to go travel for 3 days at SG how much is specific the Hotel rate per day in Peso rate if i book on line.. thanks Reply
Rose says July 31, 2017 at 1:03 pm OMG!!! Thank you so much for the guide. I’ve learned so many tips I can apply for my trip in SG this coming Sept. 2017. Reply
Lance says August 6, 2017 at 8:10 pm Hi Marcos, this will come in a handy, thank you! Just a few question, what are the chances that my flight will be cancel if I tell the officer that I’m actually going for a job hunting at SG during my 5 days stay. Also, is it okay if I don’t provide a return ticket as my stay might get extended? Reply
Marcos Detourist says August 19, 2017 at 10:19 pm You will almost certainly get denied entry/boarding if you tell them that and/or if you don’t provide a return ticket. Reply
Jemma says August 21, 2017 at 10:00 pm Touring Singapore is really safe and easy even for first-time visitors. Many people think that vacationing in Singapore is expensive but you really don’t have to spend a lot as long as you budget your money wisely. I only spent 200 USD in my Singapore trip (including plane tickets and accommodation) :) Reply
TravelDesk says September 26, 2017 at 12:33 pm Great article about Singapore. One big difference I noticed i this article when comparing to other article about Singapore travel is your guide to travel the city in tight budget. really appreciated the effort. Lot of backpackers will find this article really helpful. Keep writing these. Cheers. Reply
Kim says September 26, 2017 at 10:58 pm Hello. Me and my friends were planning to go to sg next month for vacation. Tanong ko lang po sana kung paano if I dont own an atm or credit card or something from a bank? But I have a job as an blogger. Magkakaproblema po kaya ako? Kasama ko po ang friend ko which is also my boss and sasagutin din niya ang ticket ko. Ano po kaya ang magandang advice niyo for me para di mahold ng IO? May tatak na din po passport ko from Japan. Is it a plus? Thankyou in advance. Reply
Marcos Detourist says September 27, 2017 at 5:59 am Yung ATM or bank statement, it’s only to show that you have the finances to fund the trip. You can show them that you have enough cash to spend for your trip. So, you don’t need the ATM or credit card. Reply
Areana says December 3, 2017 at 6:32 pm It’s a very good article and helpful. Me and my friend from USA(visited me few times in Phil’s), are planning to go for a 4day cruise that starts from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and end to Singapore again. I am a permanent government employee but I don’t have credit card and no big money in my bank. All my travel expenses will be shoulder by my friend, do I have a problem in immigration even if I show my travel itinerary and back and fort plane ticket and hotel accommodation paid by my friend? Thank you. Hoping Areana Reply
JP says May 29, 2018 at 2:50 am Hello there! JP here from PH, nice travel blog site you have here :) Is it more cheaper via DIY or go with those tour packages offered by Travel agencies ranging from 12k to 14k (3 days)? If I am to try the DIY, approximately how much will cost for 2 to 3 pax in we will visit major tourist spots, 3 to 4 days? Thanks in advanced! :) Reply
Marcos Detourista says June 4, 2018 at 10:10 pm Hi JP. It really depends on what activities you plan to include (and what’s included in the tour package offered by travel agencies). You can check budget estimate above as a guide. Reply
jane vallery melendrez says June 14, 2018 at 4:40 am HI! THANK YOU FOR THESE TIPS REALLY HELPFUL :). ME AND MY BOYFRIEND ARE PLANNING TO GO TO SG NEXT YEAR KAYA LANG NATATAKOT AKO MAG DIY PARANG MAS PREFER KO UN TOUR PACKAGE SA MGA TRAVEL AGENCIES LESS HASSLE. MAS COSTLY BA KAPAG NAKAPACKAGE KESA MAGDIY? AND KASYA NA KAYA ANG 25K PARA SA BUDGET 3DAYS PARA SAMENG DALAWA? THANK YOU SA PAG RESPONSE! GODBLESS! Reply
Marcos Detourista says June 18, 2018 at 5:23 am Hi Jane, depends on what’s included in the tour package offered by travel agencies. Yes, pwedeng mag kasya ang P25K, but again it depends on activities/type of accommodations that you want to enjoy. Singapore is really easy to travel. Going DIY is easy and you can save a lot of money booking activities online. If you don’t want to bother with planning, then going with a travel agency might be a better fit for you. Reply
fatima says August 13, 2018 at 5:38 am how much all your expenses in singapore total price and food? Reply
Marcos Detourista says August 14, 2018 at 7:45 am Hi fatima. The breakdown of expenses is already included in the guide above. Reply
Dramacool says October 29, 2018 at 1:58 pm I have lived here. I think you pay $ 10-15 for each meal. Reply
claire0o2930 says November 13, 2018 at 6:12 pm Hi, I am very interested with your blog and I am so excited to travel. Actually we are planning to go to SG by next year, kaya I made some ressaech to know more about what will be or how much will it cost? Since we are 5. My husband and I, and our 3 kids (9 yrs. Old, 2 yrs. Old and 6 months baby boy). Tama po ba yung decision ko na wag na sa travel agencies kami makipagcoordinate? Feeling ko kasi mas mapapamahal kami.. This will be our 1st trip with my kids. Sana mahelp mo ako. Your response is highly appreciated. Thanks! Reply
Marcos Detourista says November 14, 2018 at 12:22 pm Hi Claire, I suggest na mag decide kayo based more on whether mas gusto mo: (1) Mag customize ng itinerary & organize yourself (2) Let the travel agency arrange everything for you Madali lang naman getting around Singapore at mag book ng hotel/activities kahit kayo na lang. Mas maka less ka talaga kung mag book kayo ng mga discount prices (make sure to check yung mga na post ko sa guide). Since you’re traveling with kids, pwede na sundin niyo na lang yung route/itinerary ng mga hop-on hop-off bus. Eto yung info/prices nila: 1. Singapore Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour (Open-Top) 2. Singapore City Sightseeing Bus Tour Convenient din mag Grab sa Singapore. Pwede niyo ma check yung fares sa app kung gusto niyo ma estimate yung budget niyo. Ok naman din yung public transport sa Singapore. Kaso if you’re traveling with kids, baka too much walking to/from the stations. Reply
G says December 7, 2018 at 7:44 pm Very helpful guide and tip esp for a solo traveler just like me. I will take note all of this in my trip. Thanks Reply
Ems says January 5, 2019 at 9:58 pm Hi. Im travelling alone on February 2019. Can you give me some tips upon arrivibg in Singapore? Do I need to show money to the immigration. And how much? Im staying there for 4days only. Thank you for answering Reply
Marcos Detourista says January 10, 2019 at 4:29 am Hi Ems, SG immigration does not require show money… but you have to show them your ability to fund your trip. How much money will depend on your itinerary (i.e. attractions you plan to visit and hotel/s where you’ll be staying). You can simply show them hotel reservations and attraction tickets/tour that you’ve pre-booked online. PLUS pocket money. I think SGD100-200 (equivalent or more) should be enough. Reply
lotzatravel says January 7, 2019 at 5:57 pm Very nice and informative article, thanks to sharing it! Reply
Eric Wilson says January 17, 2019 at 9:32 pm You wrote very well about Singapore Travel guide. I have found detail info here. Thanks very informative! Reply
Anizah says February 10, 2019 at 7:22 pm What if I have a place to stay in SG? What should I need to provide at the Immigration? Reply
Marcos Detourista says February 12, 2019 at 12:08 pm Hi Anizah! If you have a host in Singapore (not booking a hotel). The first thing you need to provide is an address. In case they ask about the details, you should be able to provide details about your host & staying arrangement. I suggest that you bring some sort of ID from your host… could be a SG Gov’t ID, work ID, work permit etc. AND, proof that you’ve been invited… maybe a written letter, printed copy of your invite conversation, or something like that. Reply
Loi says February 18, 2019 at 9:22 am Hi. I’m about to visit SG this coming March. First time traveler and solo. I already had two way ticket, hotel reservation, pre-booked ticket in some attractions. I have credit card also. Do you think there’s still a chance for me to be an off load passenger/to be denied entering in SG? Reply
Marcos Detourista says February 18, 2019 at 10:31 pm Hi Loi. I think you’re good to go! Make sure also your passport is not expiring within the next 6 months (on arrival in SG). Enjoy your trip! Reply
sougata das says July 8, 2019 at 1:19 pm Hi friend, i am planning to visit Singapore for 5 days. Can i use singapore tourist pass for more than 3 days as it only provide unlimited rides for 3 days. Also provide me an itinerary for 5 days. Thanks in advance. Reply
bromo ijen trekking says October 18, 2019 at 2:20 pm Wow excellent blog article, very helpful for us to take a 3 day vacation trip in Singapore. A beautiful place to visit as you post .. thank you Reply
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Jenny Lopez says February 9, 2023 at 4:17 pm hi ask ko lng po, can we stay in malaysia and booked a hotel for 4nights even if our flight route is Manila-Singapore-Manila? Per checking hotels in Singapore is super exoensive than in Malaysia .is this possible? Reply
Marcos Detourista says February 14, 2023 at 1:02 pm I don’t recommend po. Crossing the Johor-Singapore border & traveling between the border & Singapore City Center is time-consuming. Sayang lang sa oras. Reply