Bangkok vs Singapore: Street food chaos or Asian precision?
Bangkok is sensory overload: golden temples, floating markets, the best street food for €1. Singapore is polished and Asian: Gardens by the Bay, hawker centres with Michelin food, jungle in the city centre.
Updated: 22 July 2026 · compiled by the CheapTrips editors
Choose Bangkok for street food, temples and buzzing city life. Choose Singapore for a futuristic skyline and top food. Flights from the Netherlands take about 11 hours to Bangkok and about 13 hours to Singapore. On price, Bangkok is a good deal cheaper. For a first visit most travellers pick Bangkok.
Bangkok
Bangkok is sensory overload: golden temples, floating markets, the best street food in the world from €1 a dish and sky bars with views of millions of lights.
Flight from NL: €500 return
View Bangkok →Singapore
Singapore is Asian precision + futuristic gardens: Gardens by the Bay, hawker centres with Michelin food for €5, jungle in the city centre. Flights from Schiphol from €600 return, 7 days from €1300 per person.
Flight from NL: €600 return
View Singapore →Bangkok vs Singapore at a glance
| Bangkok | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight from NL | €500 return | €600 return |
| Flight time from Schiphol | about 11 hours | about 13 hours |
| Coast / beach | No | No |
| Museums | Good | Good |
| Nightlife | Lively | Lively |
| Winter weather | Mild and sunny | Mild and sunny |
| Best months | November, December, January, February | February, March, April |
| Ideal length | 4 days | 3 days |
| Price level | € | €€€€ |
Bangkok and Singapore are both popular for a trip from the Netherlands, but they feel quite different. Bangkok is known for street food, temples and buzzing city life, while Singapore is about a futuristic skyline and top food. On price, Bangkok is a good deal cheaper. Bangkok ideally needs 4 days, while you can see Singapore well in 3 days. The best months are November, December, January, February for Bangkok and February, March, April for Singapore. Want to combine them: About a 2 hour 20 flight separates the two, perfect to combine on an Asia trip. All prices below are indicative and based on return flights from Schiphol or Eindhoven outside the school holidays.
Best time to visit compared
Bangkok
November to February: dry, 25-30 degrees, low humidity. March to May is scorching (35+). June to October is the rainy season (refreshing, cheap, but daily showers).
Singapore
February-April are the driest (28-32°C). June-August is the rainy season but refreshing. Tropical all year round.
Flights + transfer from the Netherlands
Bangkok
Directly from Schiphol to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) in 11 hour. KLM, Thai. Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai €1.50 in 30 minutes.
Singapore
Directly from Schiphol to Singapore (SIN) in 12 hour. KLM, Singapore Airlines. MRT to center €1.50.
Costs compared
Bangkok
Hostels from €5, mid-range hotels €25 to 70, vacation rentals €40 per night. Food: street food €1, restaurant €5 to 15, Singha-beer €2. Bangkok is huge cheap.
Singapore
Hostels from €25, hotels €100-180, vacation rentals €120/night. Food: hawker meal €5, restaurant €15, bar drink €15.
Who is it for?
Choose Bangkok if you are...
Foodie backpackers, party people, lower budget, first Asia trip.
Choose Singapore if you are...
Anyone who wants cleaner + safer + more English-speaking, families with children, a business-class base.
Our verdict
Bangkok is 60% cheaper. Singapore is safer and more hygienic. Combination: 4 days each, flight between them 2h, €50.
Plan your trip
Frequently asked: Bangkok or Singapore
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Bangkok or Singapore with kids?
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How long should you stay?
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Discover these destinations
See the individual travel guides with live prices from the Netherlands.