Where To Stay On A Budget In Singapore - 4 Affordable Options
Wondering where to stay on a budget in Singapore?
The last time I visited Singapore was a few years back, when I visited several popular destinations in Southeast Asia within a few months. As most of us who travel for a longer period of time, I had to travel on a strict budget.
Boasting a gorgeous cityscape with impressive skyscrapers, this city-state has the highest population density and, as a financial stronghold of the region, it is no surprise that the cost of living is astronomically high.
While hotels are not per se extremely expensive by Western standards, you will pay much more for a hotel room in Singapore than in other parts of Southeast Asia.
However, it’s definitely possible to enjoy Singapore without breaking the bank, and I will show you how.
In this article, we cover what we think are the best areas to stay in Singapore on a budget, meaning we actually recommend areas that offer a good variety of hotels, and not only hostels, so you can enjoy this amazing destination to the fullest while keeping your budget in mind.
Each area comes with its own unique advantages and drawbacks, which we’ve conveniently summarized after each section.
Comparing those summarized sections will definitely come in handy to pick the area that suits you the most.
With that said, let’s get straight to our recommendations.
What are the best areas to stay in Singapore on a budget?
The best areas to stay in Singapore on a budget are Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India and Tiong Bahru.
The latter is a much more remote area from the attractions, while the first three recommended areas are located surprisingly close to the main attractions and are known for being budget-friendly areas.
Most people who travel on a budget choose one of these three areas that are located in the center.
Just keep in mind that these areas are considered noisy, which is a big drawback for some.
Especially families who travel on a stricter budget often opt for Tiong Bahru as this peaceful part of Singapore is well-connected to the city center and with just a short train ride, you’re in the heart of the magnificence Singapore has to offer.
In the following paragraph, you can find an overview of each recommended neighborhood with a brief description. Click on the neighborhood and you will go directly to that part of the article.
- Chinatown – This is one of the liveliest areas of the city and is located right in the heart of the historic districts. You will find a lot of street food and temples in this area, and you will also have perfect access to the metro that will take you to all corners of the city. It is arguably the best option of all the areas recommended in this article.
- Little India – Another great area of the historic districts is known for its guesthouses, an affordable type of accommodation. You have direct access to two metro lines and this area is one of the most charming in the city. However, be aware that it is also a bit of a noisy area.
- Tiong Bahru – This part of Singapore is known for its hawker centres and the Tiong Bahru market, meaning that food lovers should definitely stay here. The area offers a good variety of affordable accommodation, especially compared to the more central parts of Singapore. Please note that this area is located further away from the main attractions compared to the other recommended areas.
- Kampong Glam – A great option for those who want to explore the city’s Malay and Arabic influence while staying in a lively area filled with great dining options, budget hotels, and several major attractions. Like all the areas recommended in this article, it has excellent access to public transportation, meaning exploring other parts of the city is also very easy.
The best areas to stay in Singapore on a budget are:
1. Chinatown
Singapore’s Chinatown is a tourist attraction in its own right thanks to its typical architecture and famous food (street) scene.
Walking through these narrow streets is quite an experience and surprisingly, cheap hotels can be found in Singapore’s Chinatown.
Like Bangkok’s Chinatown, Singapore’s Chinatown is an ethnic enclave, which also applies to Kampong Glam and Little India, two other recommended areas.
One of the advantages of staying in Chinatown, besides the wide variety of affordable hotels, is that it is close to tourist attractions such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Thin Hock Ken Temple.
Unfortunately, in the past, many authentic buildings with valuable cultural heritage were destroyed when the government wanted to revitalize this part of the city, but it remains a bustling part of typical Chinese architecture.
You have access to three different metro lines that take you to other highlights such as the ArtScience Museum, the National Museum of Singapore, and the Sultan Mosque.
You can also easily get around to nearby neighborhoods, including other parts of the historic districts such as Boat Quay.
The cherry on top of a stay in Chinatown is the food scene. None of the other recommended areas can compete with Chinatown’s food scene.
Pros: Excellent location, great street food scene, plenty of affordable accommodation options.
Cons: Busy and noisy area, not the prettiest part of Singapore.
2. Little India
Little India is one of the oldest districts in Singapore and being untouched unlike Chinatown, it is probably the most charismatic neighborhood of all the historic districts.
When it comes to accommodation, Little India is known for its wide variety of guesthouses.
Like Chinatown, it has a great food scene, although we think Chinatown’s food scene is a bit more impressive, but still amazing. So far, there are a lot of similarities.
There are just a few things you need to keep in mind.
First of all, this part of Singapore is noisy. Much louder than Chinatown.
You are also located further away from the main attractions, although you have access to two subway lines that easily take you to the highlights.
At the National Museum of Singapore, you can find four different subway lines that basically take you to every corner of Singapore, so it’s not that hard to get around.
In return, you stay in the area where you can find plenty of affordable hotels and it’s one of the most charming parts of the city.
Pros: The best range of budget hotels, the most charming part of the city, good food and good access to public transport.
Cons: There are not many places of interest nearby, so you have to travel a bit, noisy area, even at night.
3. Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru is a historic and charming neighbourhood in Singapore that has become increasingly popular with travellers.
It is considered a budget-friendly area for a number of reasons.
Tiong Bahru is known for its hawker centres, local cafes and trendy restaurants.
You can easily find delicious and affordable local food.
Tiong Bahru Market, in particular, is a popular place to try a variety of local dishes.
The area is also known for its distinctive local vibe with its pre-war architecture, narrow streets and vibrant street art.
You can also find numerous boutiques, bookstores and galleries in this part of Singapore.
Tiong Bahru is also home to cultural attractions such as the Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail, which offers insight into the neighbourhood’s history.
While Tiong Bahru has its own unique character, it is also within walking distance or a short public transport ride from the central business district and major attractions, allowing you to explore the city without spending a lot on transport.
Most importantly, you can find a good variety of affordable accommodations.
Just keep in mind that despite being a nice mix of old charm and modern amenities, the area is not modern compared to most other parts of the city.
4. Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam is a vibrant neighbourhood in Singapore with a rich cultural heritage.
It is known primarily for its Malay and Arabic influences, colourful streets and historical sites.
Like most areas in this part of the city, Kampong Glam offers a variety of accommodation options, including budget hostels, guest houses and boutique hotels.
Compared to some of the more central and commercial areas, you may find more affordable places to stay in this neighbourhood.
Staying in Kampong Glam offers a unique cultural experience.
The area is home to the iconic Sultan Mosque, the Malay Heritage Centre and numerous colourful shops.
You can explore the neighbourhood’s rich history and cultural diversity without breaking the bank.
Kampong Glam is known for its diverse and affordable dining options.
The area is home to numerous hawker stalls and local restaurants where you can enjoy Malay, Arabic and Indian cuisine at reasonable prices.
The streets of Kampong Glam are adorned with vibrant street art, creating a lively and artistic atmosphere.
You can explore independent boutiques, quirky shops and art galleries without breaking the bank.
Kampong Glam is located close to other culturally rich neighbourhoods such as Little India and Bugis.
You can easily explore these areas on foot or by public transport.
Like all the areas we recommend, Kampong Glam is well connected to public transport, making it easy to explore other parts of Singapore without spending a fortune on transport costs.
Haji Lane, located in Kampong Glam, is a popular street known for its independent boutiques, quirky shops and street art.
It’s a great place to explore and you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere without having to do any major shopping.
Kampong Glam hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, many of which are free or have minimal entry fees.
This allows you to experience local culture and entertainment without spending a fortune, so be sure to check out the events calendar.