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[ericlew]

Singapore has both modern and traditional places for you to explore. It can be quite expensive if you don't know where to find the bargain when travel to Singapore. This article will show you a few 'lobang' (in singlish and it means tips).

Air Tickets
Try to travel on budget airlines. Compare the prices and look for one that offers the best deal before making a decision. Remember your objective is travel Singapore on budget. Be flexible on the departure dates because usually it is cheaper to fly mid-week. If possible, book a local budget airlines, e.g. Tiger airways and Jetstar Asia.

Accommodation
Stay around the area that you are interested in rather than in the area. E.g. If you are interested to go Orchard Road for shopping, choose a hotel somewhere near Orchard road. Hotel Royal or YMCA Fort Canning. They are cheaper than hotels in Orchard Road and yet is within minutes to Orchard Road.

Getting Around
Take the public transport. Singapore has one of the best Public Transport network in the world. Take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to travel Singapore on budget. It can reach almost any corners of Singapore. The train system are air-condition and convenient. You can take the MRT from Singapore's Changi Airport to Orchard Road or Raffles Place easily.

Eating
Eat where usually a Singaporean does. Go to the hawker centres or food court. These places are much cheaper compared to fast food or restaurant. The famous hawker centres are Newton, Maxwell, Hong Lim and Chomp Chomp. Find out what are the local delicates you can find.

Sightseeing
There are many Singapore free attractions. Go to these places for your sightseeing. The following are some to consider :
  - Go to top of Mount Faber. It offers a breathtaking view of the southern coastline and northern cityscape. It is one of the best place in Singapore to see sunset.

  - Go to Singapore heartland town for a walk. Toa Payoh and Tampines are a few that I would recommend. 
 
  - Visit Singapore NEWater Visitor Centre. It will be a great learning experience to see how NEWater is produce. 
 
  - Go to Singapore largest Shopping Mall, VivoCity to do people watching. Take a slow walk outside Vivo City and looking across Sentosa. 
 
  - Take a double-decker bus to enjoy Singapore scenery. Try taking bus 143, it starts from Toa Payoh Bus Interchange and passes Orchard Road, Chinatown. Enjoy Singapore's scenery in a air-conditioned bus. Why not? 
 
  - Visit the Singapore Botanic Garden. A 52 hectares Botanic wonder with Rubbers trees, National Orchid Garden and Jungle walk. It is free except admission to Orchid Garden is inexpensive. 
 
  - Take a look at Marina Barrage, Singapore latest icon. Situated at the heart of the up and coming Marina South district, this colossal architectural masterpiece is a must-visit. Something you must do - stand atop the green roof to take in the sweeping Singapore city skyline 
 
  - Head to the neighboring island hopping. Go to Pulau Ubin to have a look at what does Singapore look like back in the past. 
 
  - Visit Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Hindu temple located in Chinatown. Look at the beautiful decorated interiors, brightly painted Hindu deities and admired the architecture. 
 
  - Head down to Singapore's Southern Ridges for a 9 kilometre walk through hills of Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park before ending at West Coast Park.

Nightlife
Wander around from Clarke Quay to Boat Quay for nightlife. Buy a few cans of beer from 7-eleven or any convenient stores and go to Raffles Landing Site or along the Singapore river to consume the drinks.

Souvenirs
Go to Chinatown or Little India for cheap and good souvenirs. Prices maybe negotiable and be ready to bargain to get a good offer. Another good souvenir is to take more photos. Pictures are cheap and can be kept for a long time.

Hope these travel tips are useful to you when you travel to Singapore.

[starlagurl]

Thanks for the tips, eric.

I'm guessing you live in Singapore?

[wakingdream]

Nice tips. Singapore sure can be expensive!

[sydneytraveler]

singapore? I love chinatown in singapore! makes shopping a lot interesting.

you can reach chinatown by taking an MRT to chinatown, a bus, or a taxi cab.
tip1 :to make your shopping a bit organized. make a list of stuff you'd be interested of buying.
tip2: go around the stalls and take note of the prices.
tip 3: always ask for dicount.
tip4: attempt to leave the stall (as you go along other stalls you'd notice that some have similar items), your vendor would attempt to prevent you from leaving by offering a better price. =)

[tyga]

Having recently travelled to Singapore I can certainly vouch for the food courts as sources of a cheap feed! My wife and I ate for around SGD$5 each including a drink compared to triple that or more eating at restaurants.

A number of shopping centres have food courts with a huge range of food so it is worth checking them out!