Singapore Adventure: 5 Days, 4 Nights, Under 10 Million Per Person!
Navigating the City: MRT and Buses are Your Best Friends
Getting around Singapore was a breeze thanks to the efficient MRT and bus system. We opted for a pre-owned Ezlink card for 140k, which came with about 4-5 dollars already loaded. For our 5-day, 4-night trip, we topped it up with another 25 dollars, ending up with a little over 5 dollars remaining. Beyond public transport, we embraced the city on foot, walking an average of 13-15 kilometers daily. This was often necessary as many attractions require a walk from the nearest station. Prioritizing MRT travel proved wise, as the underground network offers cool, shaded walkways and lifts, making even longer perceived distances feel more manageable than being exposed to the elements.
Google Maps was our go-to for planning routes. However, we learned the importance of double-checking our location at stations and along our path to avoid any detours or getting lost.
Chinatown Charm: A Convenient Base
We booked our accommodation through Traveloka, choosing a spot in Chinatown. This area proved to be incredibly convenient, putting us close to many key attractions. It was also a stone's throw from the local Hong Lim Market and an antique market that felt like stepping back into 1970s Hong Kong. The elderly vendors there were friendly, though most didn't speak English. Plus, we were near Maxwell Food Centre and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
Shopping Sprees: Finding Treasures and Deals
Chinatown's market offered prices comparable to Bugis, a pleasant surprise. The Indian market, however, was pricier and had fewer souvenir options. Bugis Street boasted a gem of a shop, ACB, selling fantastic 1-dollar copper items. We also found great deals on sweets, perfumes, and topical balms.
A Culinary Quest: Singapore's Flavors, Our Palates
This was arguably the most challenging aspect of our trip, as our family has rather selective eaters. On the first day, we excitedly tried local Singaporean dishes at Fun Toast, but our reactions were…less than enthusiastic. My daughter couldn't finish her meal. In the following days, we held out hope for Hainanese Chicken Rice, Frog Porridge, and Fish Ball Kway Teow, among many other well-known dishes. Unfortunately, we struggled to enjoy any of them. The fish ball noodles and wontons lacked the satisfying chewiness we're used to back home, the broth was bland, and the noodles were a bit mushy. The rice dishes often came with a strange sauce and were overly oily. Even the bubble tea was a disappointment. The frog porridge, while plentiful, had a watery consistency and a peculiar, unappetizing sauce that didn't align with our taste buds. The Hainanese Chicken Rice, despite sweet chicken, wasn't firm enough, and the skin was unappealingly pale. Meal times became a source of mild dread for the whole family.
On a brighter note, the durian was absolutely divine – creamy, rich, and intensely sweet. A delightful surprise was the readily available fresh orange juice from vending machines for 2 dollars a cup; a delicious and refreshing way to refuel after a long day. The sugarcane juice machines were also a hit.
Must-See Sights: Gardens and Iconic Views
Our sightseeing mirrored many other reviews. We highly recommend visiting Sentosa in the afternoon, especially if you plan on swimming, as Singapore remains brightly lit until 6 PM. For exploring Gardens by the Bay by bicycle, you'll need a physical SIM card with a phone number to access the app.
Singapore experiences late sunrises, with daylight typically from 10 AM to 6 PM. Getting that perfect shot at Fort Canning Park often involves a lengthy queue. If you time your visit for ideal lighting, you'll face the crowds. Conversely, arriving early to secure a spot means you might be waiting for the sun to reach its peak. Capturing your dream photos here can be a bit of a challenge.
Value for Money: Price Consistency
We observed that the price difference between local shops and commercial areas or airports in Singapore wasn't significant. Prices remained relatively consistent across various locations.
Budget Breakdown: An Affordable Escape
Our expenses were as follows: round-trip flights cost 3.3 million VND, the hotel for 4 nights was 3.1 million VND, the SIM card was 140k VND, transportation totaled 500k VND (using 25 dollars on our card), and food came to 2.4 million VND (120 dollars). This brought our total cost to under 10 million VND per person for an independent 5-day trip to Singapore.
