Is Singapore the World’s Most Expensive? Tourists Prove Otherwise with $100 Budget Day Trip

Renowned for its high cost of living, Singapore often tops the list of the world’s priciest cities. But two adventurous Canadian travelers, Nicole and Mico, decided to put this reputation to the test during their recent visit, capturing their experiences in a YouTube video on Singapore tour.

Challenging themselves, the duo allocated a budget of $100 (S$135) per person for each day of their stay – a modest sum considering the city’s reputation for being costly.

Although this might appear feasible to many Singaporeans, you’ll be astounded by how effectively Nicole and Mico managed to make the most of their limited funds, considering their destinations and activities.

Describing themselves as “seasoned globetrotters” with two years of continuous travel under their belts, the pair opted for a pod hotel as their accommodation – a cozy space just large enough for two.

Starting their day, they explored Kampong Glam and Haji Lane, making a unique pit stop at a coffee shop called Selfie Coffee, where patrons can snap a selfie and find their image recreated on the coffee foam.

Singapore tour

Following a satisfying biryani and murtabak lunch at Zam Zam restaurant, they ventured to the iconic Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and purchased tickets for the Skypark observation deck.

Their itinerary also included visits to Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, with a brief Starbucks interlude in between.

For dinner, they chose the reliable option of McDonald’s. Although they admitted feeling slightly self-conscious about eating fast food in Singapore, they were pressed for time and needed an affordable, quick solution.

Post-dinner, they hurried to catch a free light show at the nearby Supertree Grove exhibit.

Ultimately, here’s a breakdown of their individual expenditures:

• Pod Hostel with breakfast ($22)
• Selfie Coffee at Haji Lane ($3)
• Lunch at Zam Zam ($5)
• MRT ride ($0.75)
• Skypark Observation Deck ($17)
• Starbucks ($6)
• Cloud Forest and Flower Dome ($39)
• Dinner at McDonald’s ($6.50)

Total: $99.25

This well-rounded day of exploration and activity at some of Singapore’s popular tourist attractions came in under budget – a remarkable feat.

The video’s comments section garnered suggestions from locals who offered tips on experiencing Singapore on an even tighter budget. Some proposed visiting the free Botanic Gardens and the acclaimed National Orchid Garden ($10 per ticket) instead of the paid Gardens by the Bay. Others recommended free hiking spots such as Mount Faber or Bukit Timah.