Cheap city break Singapore

Best time to visit Singapore: month by month

Singapore has a tropical climate with high temperatures all year round (28-33 degrees). There is no real winter or summer, but two monsoon seasons that influence travel comfort.

• February to April: the driest period Least rainfall of the year. Temperature 28-32 degrees. February is the driest month. Ideal for exploring the city on foot and outdoor activities at Gardens by the Bay. Flights and hotels are slightly more expensive in this popular period.
• June to August: second relatively dry period Short afternoon showers occur but are less frequent than in the wet months. Temperature 28-31 degrees. School holiday period, so busier and more expensive. A good alternative if February to April is fully booked.
• September and October: shoulder season with low prices Moderate rainfall risk, but these are the cheapest months for flights (return from approximately 520 euros). Haze from Indonesian forest fires can occasionally affect air quality.
• November to January: wet season (North-East Monsoon) Most rainfall of the year, particularly in December and January. Showers are intense but short (30 to 60 minutes). Temperature 26-30 degrees. December is expensive due to Christmas and the run-up to Chinese New Year.

Summary: Go for the best weather in February or March. Go for the lowest prices in September or October.

Best neighborhoods in Singapore

• Marina Bay Iconic skyline with Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and ArtScience Museum. More expensive to stay, but central for all highlights.
• Chinatown Bustling hawker centres, pagodas and cheap budget hotels. Ideal for backpackers. Heritage Centre free to visit.
• Little India Colourful temples (Sri Veeramakaliamman), curry restaurants and vibrant markets. Cheap and authentic.
• Kampong Glam Arab quarter with Sultan Mosque (free), hip cafes on Haji Lane and great Middle Eastern restaurants.
• Sentosa Island resort with Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium and beaches. Ideal for families. Reachable by cable car (S$4) or walking bridge (free).

Top sights in Singapore

• Gardens by the Bay + OCBC Skyway Futuristic Supertrees and two climate-controlled conservatories. Flower Dome S$30 (about 21 euros), both domes S$53. Free light show (Garden Rhapsody) every evening at 19:45 and 20:45. The OCBC Skyway is a suspension bridge between two Supertrees at 22 metres height: S$5 adults, S$3 children. Open daily 9:00 to 21:00.
• ArtScience Museum Iconic lotus-shaped museum at Marina Bay Sands combining art and technology. Temporary exhibitions: S$17 adults. Open daily 10:00 to 22:00.
• Marina Barrage + Bay walk Green roof and kite-flying paradise on the dam with panoramic views over Marina Bay. Free outdoor access. The waterfront walk from Merlion Park to Gardens by the Bay is one of Asia's finest free routes in the evening thanks to the light reflections on the water.
• Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation deck on the 55th floor: 360-degree views over the city. Entry S$32 (about 22 euros). Open until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Hawker centres Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat and Newton Food Centre: local meals for S$4 to 8 (3 to 6 euros). Nasi lemak, chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow. Cheapest and tastiest food in Singapore.
• Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay One of Singapore's most iconic buildings - its two dome skins resemble durian husks and are a top photography subject. Free to visit outside; free live performances at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre almost daily (see esplanade.com for schedule). Ticketed shows from S$20 to 80. The roof terrace offers free views over Marina Bay.
• Singapore Zoo (Open-air Zoo) Zoo without cages in open habitats. Entry S$48 adults, S$33 children. Bundle with Night Safari recommended.

Flight routes from the Netherlands to Singapore

From the Netherlands you have the choice between direct flights and connections with a stopover. The price difference can amount to 100 to 150 euros per return ticket.

• KLM direct: Schiphol (AMS) to Singapore Changi (SIN) Flight time approximately 12 to 13 hours nonstop. KLM flies daily. Return tickets indicatively 580 to 900 euros, depending on season and booking time. Cheapest periods are April-May and September-October. Book 3 to 4 months in advance for the lowest fare class. KLM economy class includes 1 checked bag.
• Singapore Airlines direct: Schiphol to Changi Daily flights, flight time approximately 12.5 hours. Price comparable to KLM. Singapore Airlines consistently scores high for service and comfort in economy class.
• Qatar Airways: Schiphol via Doha to Singapore Total travel time 17 to 19 hours with a layover in Doha (2 to 4 hours). Advantage: sometimes 80 to 150 euros cheaper than the direct flight, especially outside peak season. Hamad International Airport in Doha has good facilities for a transit stop.
• Emirates: Schiphol via Dubai to Singapore Total travel time 18 to 20 hours. Layover in Dubai. Comparable to Qatar in terms of price and comfort. A minimum connection time of 2 hours is recommended.
• From Eindhoven (EIN) No direct connection to Singapore. Easiest route: train to Amsterdam Schiphol (1 hour 40 minutes, Intercity Direct) and onwards with KLM or Singapore Airlines. Alternatives via Brussels or Paris add extra travel time.

From Changi Airport to the city centre via MRT East West Line (Airport/Expo station, change at Tanah Merah to City Hall) in 30 minutes for S$2.50 (about 1.70 euros). MRT fare ranges from S$1.40 to S$2.50 per trip based on distance. Buy an EZ-Link card on arrival: S$12 (including S$7 credit), used for both MRT and buses. Grab or taxi to the city: S$20 to 30.

SG Arrival Card: required before your flight

All foreign visitors to Singapore must complete an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) before entering the country. This digital form replaces the former paper arrival card and is free of charge.

• What is it? A digital arrival declaration with travel details, passport information and your accommodation address in Singapore (hotel or host address). It takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
• When to apply? You can apply for the SGAC from 3 days before arrival up to just before boarding, and no earlier than 14 days in advance. Fill it in once your flight and hotel details are confirmed. The SGAC is valid for a single entry.
• How to apply? Via the official ICA portal at sg-arrivals.com or the MyICA Mobile app from the Singapore government. Enter your passport details, flight number, arrival date and hotel address. You receive a confirmation email or QR code to show at passport control at Changi Airport.
• Visa for Dutch passport holders Dutch passport holders do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days (entry stamp on arrival). The immigration officer can extend this to a maximum of 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date.

Practical tip: Complete the SGAC the evening before departure so you can check in at the airport the next day without delays.

Day trips from Singapore

• Pulau Ubin Rustic tropical island with kampong atmosphere: mangrove forests, wild boar colonies and the Chek Jawa Wetlands ecosystem. 15-minute bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (S$4 return, boat waits for 12 passengers). Bicycle hire on the island: S$8 per day. No tarmac, no tourist crowds.
• Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia UNESCO heritage city 2.5 hours by bus. Transnasional and Aeroline buses depart from Larkin bus terminal in Johor Bahru (about S$12 return). Red Christ Church (1753), A Famosa fort, Jonkers Walk night market (Fri-Sat-Sun) and Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum. Day trip or overnight.
• Johor Bahru, Malaysia Vibrant border city 45 minutes via the Causeway (bus 170 or 160, S$2.50). Popular with Singaporeans for cheap food, shopping and beauty services. Eating in ringgit is three to four times cheaper than in Singapore. No visa needed for Dutch/EU citizens in Malaysia for stays up to 90 days.

Daily budget in Singapore: three scenarios

Singapore has a reputation for being expensive, but budget travellers can get by very comfortably for 35 to 50 euros per day. Exchange rate: 1 SGD (Singapore Dollar) is approximately 0.68 euros (October 2026).

• Budget: SGD 45 to 70 per day (approx. 30 to 50 euros) Hostel dormitory in Chinatown or Little India: S$30 to 45 per night. Three meals at hawker centres, chicken rice S$3 to 5, nasi lemak S$3 to 4, laksa S$4 to 6: total S$12 to 18. MRT transport with EZ-Link card: S$5 to 8. Free sights are plentiful: the outdoor gardens of Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Park, the Marina Bay waterfront walk and the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. Total 5 nights excluding flights: approximately 250 to 350 euros.
• Mid-range: SGD 140 to 200 per day (approx. 95 to 140 euros) 3-star hotel in Marina Bay or Orchard: S$120 to 180 per night. Mix of hawker food and restaurants: S$40 to 60. Paid attractions spread across the trip: Flower Dome Gardens by the Bay (S$30), Marina Bay Sands SkyPark (S$32), ArtScience Museum (S$17). MRT and occasional Grab: S$15. Total 5 nights excluding flights: approximately 700 to 950 euros.
• Comfort: SGD 250 and above per day (approx. 170 euros plus) 4-star hotel or Marina Bay Sands: S$250 to 500 per night. Restaurants and rooftop bars: S$80 to 120. Sentosa island: Universal Studios Singapore (S$108), S.E.A. Aquarium (S$44), cable car to Sentosa (S$4). Total 5 nights excluding flights: approximately 1,500 to 2,500 euros.

Smart tip: combine 1 or 2 paid highlights with the many free attractions Singapore offers. The outdoor gardens of Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay waterfront walk and the Chinatown and Little India neighbourhoods cost nothing at all.