Time and Again, I often get those questions from friends and acquaintances. They all want to come over to Singapore but they want me to calculate how much they would be spending and how much pocket money they have to bring. If it had been a question of What To See, What to Do and What to Eat. No-brainer.
However, a question of finances makes me scratch my head. For one, each person's Spending Tolerance differs. What is cheap for one, may be ostentatious for the other. One may tolerate a backpacker style, while another might prefer personalized butler service. Needlessly to say, for my Bestfriends, I expect them to tolerate sharing toilets with my kids if they want to stay with me :) Ha Ha Ha.
So, I decided to come up with this simple Budget Guide, to encapsulate the usual expense of
One person traveling to Sg. I tried to be as conservative in the costings as much as possible, so as not to scare you off. However, we all know that traveling can be expensive, especially coming from 3rd world to 1st world. (I myself forget, that SG is 1st world like US, Japan). So, it's really better to have extra allowances in your budget.
Landed rates are in SG dollars. For my Filipino readers, rather than the prevailing rate, i find it easier to think using: 1 SGD = 35 Php
Airfare (Cebu Pac) 15, 000 Php to 20,000 Php
Travel Tax = 1,650 Php
Terminal Fee = 750 Php
Taxi to Airport = ______
Food on Air = ______
Landed Costs
Accommodation (*standard room/ per night)
Budget Hotels (Hotel 81, Fragrance) 80 -100
3-4star Hotel / Hostel (VIP Hotel, YMCA, Furayama) 170-250
5star Hotel (Holiday Inn, JW Marrriot) 275-300
5star Michelin Star (Marina Bay Sands, Fullerton) 400 up
Transportation
MRT / Bus Card (budget for 2 loads /top-up @10per load) 15.00
Taxi (Flag Down Rate - 3 SGD / 0.22 cents every 400meters)
Food
McDo / Burger King Meal 5.00
Hawker's / Food Court Chicken Rice (no drinks) 3.50 - 4.50
Coffee w/ Toasts and Eggs (ToastBox/ Kopitiam) 4.50
Starbucks Cafe Mocca 5.00
Coke in Can 1.80
Coke 500ml 2.60
Mineral Water 1.00
Dirty Ice Cream 1.00
Fish Ball on Sticks 1.30
Fancy Dinner
(Jumbo Restaurant/ No Signboard) for 4pax 160
(usual order of Chili Crab, Cereal Prawns, Yang Chow, etc.)
Sights
Universal Studios 74 adult / 68 child
Singapore Zoo 20 adult / 13 child
Marina Bay Skypark 19 adult / 13 child
Singapore Flyer 29.50 adult / 20.65 child
Duck / Hippo Tour 33 adult / 17 child
Jurong Bird Park 18 adult / 12 child
Night Safari 32 adult/ 21 child
Sentosa (free entrance, fee per attraction)
-Express train to Sentosa from vivo city mall 2 sgd
-Cable car (one way is ok.) 24 adult / 14 child
-The Giant Merlion @ Sentosa 8 adult / 5 child
-Underwater World 25.90 adult / 17.60 child
-Songs of the Sea 10 sgd
- iFly Singapore (indoor skydiving) 89 adult / 79 child
Souvenirs
Keychains (cheapest - 12pcs.) 10 sgd
T-shirt (I Love SG by Giordano) 15 sgd for Two, 18 sgd for One
Shopping
Charles and Keith Bags/Shoes/ Wallets (Singaporean Brand) must buy!! around 500-800 Php less than Philippines; and the on-sale here are usually new arrivals in the Philippines
Always remember that Singapore do not have clothing factories. CLOTHING IS EXPENSIVE. What you will buy from here, are usually from China, Thailand, Korea and Japan; and the usual global mass retail outlets that can also be found in your home country (Forever 21, TopShop/ TopMan, Mango, Zara, H&M, River Island) Check the price from PH before you come, if you are eyeing a particular item.
Electronic Gadgets (digicams, dslrs, cellphone, smartphones, tablets, netbooks) I am not familiar with the comparisons from Philippines. But my aunt bought her Sony Digicam from here, it's 5K less from Philippines. They all say LED TV is very, very cheap here. As I said, check out the item you like first in our home country, before coming over. Or ask a friend to check it for you first in Sg, so you can budget the money, before coming over.
Luxury Goods, it is never cheap. I will not dwell on this. But you will be spoilt for choices! Never ever leave home without your trusty Credit Cards. You will regret not buying, as soon as you get back to Manila, and browse in Greenbelt :))
Points to Ponder:
- Airfare. Book early. You can save a lot on this one. Just note that even if you book early, the Peak Seasons (Holy Week, Christmas) are still expensive. Plan to come on regular normal days. Take a Leave from Work! You deserve the Break. Even the entrances to the attractions have peak/non-peak rates. Try different airlines. For budget, there's Jestar, Tiger Airways, Airphil Express, not just Cebu Pacific. Red-Eye flights are cheaper, too. Just Note, that it's an extra day loss for you, so don't count that day in your itinerary.
- Attractions. I just listed the must-sees attractions that have entrances fees. The nice thing about Singapore, there are also places to see without burning your wallet. (Historical places, botanical gardens, huge Malls, esplanade bay, merlion, parks....)
- Food can be expensive if you confine yourself to western fast food. It's cheaper and more exciting to try local fares at Hawker's center and food courts. They are clean and safe.
- Transpo. No worries at all. Everything is accessible by MRT and bus.
- Souvenir Shopping. Our favorite of all, to bring home pasalubong for our friends back home. Lots of choices and price range are flexible. Of course, if you want to go for quality, can be a bit pricey. Nevertheless, I always say, It's the thought that counts!
- Language. No sweat. Everyone speaks english, sometimes better than you. :) It's worse in Hkg or Thailand. They just stare at you like you're a ghost and brush you off. Singaporeans are most helpful lot !!
- Currency Conversion. Conversion at the airport are ok. They are reputable banks that have the same rates outside.
- Shopping. Most goods have GST tax. Have them refunded at the airport when you leave, especially luxury and electronic goods. There's great shopping at the departure areas if you're departing Terminal 1/2 and 3. But if you're flying budget, forget it. Duty Free at budget terminal is like 7-eleven. Get your shopping fix satiated fully in the city.
I can't think of anything anymore! Just drop me a quick comment if you have some questions, and I will gladly answer to the best of my knowledge. For others who know better than I am, I welcome your suggestions, too.
See you in Singapore!
xoxo,
Ripemango
