Singapore on a Budget with the Elderly: A DIY Adventure
Just wrapped up a self-planned trip to Singapore from May 16-18 and wanted to share my experiences for anyone looking for tips.
Important Things to Know
(These are the things I wondered about before going and learned from during the trip)
Train/Bus Cards:
Each person needs their own card. You can use Visa/Mastercard with the contactless payment symbol (I used my Shinhan Visa Credit card – better rates than exchanging SGD at the gold shops). Since I only had one Visa, I borrowed an ezlink card from TravelGram.vn.
- Topping up train cards: I topped up at 7-Eleven where you can add small amounts. At the machines, you have to top up $10 at a time.
Taxis/Bikes:
- Taxis: Can use the Grab app, but pay close attention to the pickup point (drivers aren't as flexible as in Vietnam) and finding a spot to hail a taxi can be difficult.
- Bikes: Need an app and a Singaporean phone number.
If you have a Visa card, just bring a little cash for places that don't accept card payments (small eateries in food centers/on the street). Our group of three only exchanged $200, relying mostly on card payments. We traveled on a budget so our expenses weren't high, I'll share a cost breakdown below.
Essentials:
Bring a disposable raincoat and hat (it rains occasionally; I bought raincoats as a precaution. An umbrella is also a good idea if you're sensitive to the sun.
Bring an empty water bottle (I brought a lightweight one) to refill.
- Lots of water refill stations at the airport.
- Shopping centers (I asked a local if it was okay to refill water from the tap in the restroom sink, and they said yes, so I did – the tap water has a slight aftertaste but safe to drink).
- Hotel tap water: I didn't drink directly, but boiled it and let it cool, which worked fine.
Footwear:
Lots of walking, so bring comfortable shoes. Comfort over style! You don't want your feet to hurt.
Map:
Google Maps is sufficient, but the GPS can lag and sometimes take you on detours, so if the map doesn't match what you see, ask a local.
- I chose the 'fewer transfers, less walking' filter since we had elderly travelers.
Complete the online customs declaration within 3 days before flying – no need to print the results.
4G Sim:
I only bought one physical Starhub SIM card from TravelGram.vn because they had a promotion. Enough data for directions. Free Wi-Fi is available at the hotel and in public areas.
There are "Snooze lounges" with sleeping chairs at the airport, but they're often full.
We took the bus more often than the MRT because it's a little cheaper and easier to navigate, avoiding complicated lines and escalators.
- Some buses don't have electronic boards, so track your route on Google Maps.
Tickets / Services
Flights:
Scoot outbound, Vietjet inbound. I found the best prices on Agoda. Agoda sends e-tickets via email. Use the PNR reference number to check your booking and check-in online on the airline's website. If you check in online through the website you need to print the boarding passes. If you check in online at the airport kiosk, the machine issues the tickets but the seats might not be together as it checks you in individually.
- Note: Agoda may issue tickets with different PNR codes even for the same booking.
- If you check in online, you can go straight to customs, saving time at the airport.
Hotel:
Bright Star Hotel (near Geylang Lor 9 Frog Porridge). Budget-friendly, clean, good for low-cost travel. The owner is friendly and speaks clear English. It's in the red light district but it felt safe. Plenty of eateries and minimarts around. Bus stop not too far (500m).
Attraction Tickets:
I bought a promotional combo of the Funvee bus city tour + Gardens by the Bay through TravelGram.vn. If this promotion is still available I would recommend it. If not I suggest buying a Funvee bus ticket only for Marina bay (City tour is not worth it). For Gardens by the Bay, visit Flower Dome only, Cloud Forest is packed.
Food Recommendations
(Our family has Southern Vietnamese roots, so we like spicy, salty, sour, and sweet flavors).
Song Fa Bak Kut Teh:
Personally, we found it average. Not special enough. Those who are fond of Chinese cuisine would probably like it.
- Light, bland taste.
Chili Crab:
Also not particularly impressive (7/10). We ate at Newton Food Centre at the stall with a Michelin recommendation. Similar to Song Fa, it didn't suit our taste (61$).
- Bland, greasy (felt like they added starch to thicken the sauce), not spicy enough.
Laksa:
Enjoyed this quite a bit! Unique flavor (8/10) (creamy, spicy, coconut milk flavor). Worth trying!
Mr. Coconut:
Delicious (9/10), unique, must-try (like a smoothie).
- Creamy coconut flavor (like a coconut smoothie but different).
Salted Egg Fish Skin:
Average and expensive (7/10).
- Rich, strong seafood flavor.
Ice Cream Sandwich:
Delicious and cheap (9/10)!
Kaya Toast:
10/10! Delicious, unique, and affordable.
- I only recommend Combo A (the others aren't as good). Both the tea and coffee are good.
[Extra Knowledge]
- Kopi O is black coffee, Kopi C is coffee with milk.
- Teh O is regular tea, Teh C is tea with milk (better hot).
Geylang Lor 9 Frog Porridge:
10/10 (10$/portion/frog) delicious – a must-eat!
Salted Egg Chicken Rice - 3 Meals a Day:
10/10 cheap and delicious!
- The seafood crispy noodles are also delicious and cheap.
Our Itinerary
Day 1
12:00 Arrived at Changi Airport (Scoot arrives at T1, quite a walk to the bus or MRT).
Check in hotel - rest.
5:00 Dinner at Song Fa Bah Kut Teh (go around 5 PM to avoid the line).
Walked to Old Hill Station for some photos.
6:00 Dinner at Newton Food Centre.
7:00-10:00 Strolled through Chinatown.
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (visit during the day. It's dark at night, but the phone camera made it appear brighter.
- Pagoda Street (beautiful at night).
Day 2
Planned to visit Fort Canning Park in the morning, but we were too tired and woke up late. If you do go, go before 7:00 AM.
8:00 Breakfast at Kaya Toast near Funvee Tourist city (near the Esplanade).
9:00 Marina Bay tour (Funvee bus). We loved this! The bus goes past all the famous landmarks and offers great photo opportunities.
2:00 City tour (the whole city looks similar). The family mostly slept!
3:00 Flower Dome + Cloud Forest.
6:00 Dinner at 3 Meals a Day (but I DON'T recommend leaving Gardens by the Bay at this time due to traffic; you might miss the light show).
8:00 Borealis light show + light show in the Supertree area.
9:30 Spectra light show at Marina Bay.
Day 3
Visited Jewel at T1 + enjoyed the airport.
- Took photos at L2 (crowded but worth waiting).
15:00 Flight back to Saigon.
- Vietnamese airlines fly from T4, so we explored Jewel T1 and then took the free airport bus to T4 (bus stop outside L2, same level as Jewel).
Summary
Singapore is better suited for young travelers or those with a larger budget, otherwise, transportation can be challenging. Travel with a spirit of exploration, not relaxation.
My sister's thoughts: "Travel in Vietnam instead, this trip is too tiring!" (Because some places require long walks, the weather is hot, and transportation is difficult).
This was my second time to Singapore. Last time I was younger and could walk everywhere. This time it was a bit more tiring.
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