Top 10 Free Activities in Singapore for the Budget Traveler
Singapore is famous for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, and is often avoided by budget travellers on the Southeast Asia loop. Contrary to this reputation, there are loads of free activities on offer that give you a full Singapore experience (without breaking the bank).
1. Stroll around Singapore Botanic Gardens
Park, Botanical Garden
Relax at one of Sentosa’s beaches
Skip the long queues at VivoCity for the Sentosa Express tram and save some pennies by walking across the Sentosa Boardwalk. Recently renovated, this 10-minute stroll along the water is picturesque, with the cranes of the port in the distance. If you’re not keen to strike out on foot (or it’s raining!), there are also travelators to whisk you along the boardwalk. Bring a beach mat and a picnic and relax on one of Sentosa’s three beaches. For Instagram gold, head to Palawan Beach, where a rope bridge connects to another small island designated the “Southernmost Point of Continental Asia.”
3. Learn about Chinese mythology at Haw Par Villa
Amusement Park
Watch sunset at Marina Bay Sands Boardwalk
Singapore is famous for its stunning skyline and you shouldn’t miss that just because you’re on a budget. The Marina Bay Sands Boardwalk gives you an unimpeded view of the Central Business District skyline. Try to visit around 6pm, so you can people watch and then see the sun go down. At 8pm and 9:30pm daily, there is an impressive water and light show that tells a story through images projected on a screen made of water.
4. Trek the entire Changi Point Coastal Walk
Hiking Trail, Park
Brave the MacRitchie Treetop Walk
The TreeTop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir is a free-standing suspension bridge spanning the 250 meters from Bukit Peirce to Bukit Kalan, the two highest points in MacRitchie Park. Not an activity for those afraid of heights, as the bridge towers 25 meters above the forest floor.
5. Have a Scavenger Hunt at Mustafa Centre
Shop, Shopping Mall
6. Get sporty at East Coast Park
Park, Natural Feature
East Coast Park takes the trophy for being Singapore’s largest park, covering nearly two square kilometres of reclaimed waterfront land. The best way to explore the 15-kilometre coastline perimeter of East Coast Park is on wheels, thanks to the dedicated cycle and skating lane. On weekends you’ll see people using all kinds of transportation to get around the park, from bicycles and scooters to Rollerblades and even quadricycles carrying entire families. There are several bicycle rental shops along the park, usually located near car parks or eateries. East Coast Park also offers barbecue pit rentals, which you can book in advance through the National Parks website.
7. See the city from The Southern Ridges
Hiking Trail, Park
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.