In Asia, Singapore was seen as expensive or luxurious to visit [for me, up to now - it still is].

As a citizen of a third-world country, I felt happy whenever I saved up for a year or two to visit for a couple of days and make memories.

But I do not spend so much when visiting Singapore, and that is something I share with my siblings, partner, and friends.

There are places you can go to without spending too much, especially when it comes to entrance fees. Some places are completely free, while others are simply places where you can walk around, take photos, enjoy the view, and spend time without needing to buy a ticket.

Of course, you can still spend money on food, shopping, transportation, or activities while you're there. But if you're like me and want to enjoy Singapore without constantly opening your wallet 😂, these are some of the places I recommend: 

1. Jewel Changi Airport

Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Admission: Free to enter Jewel

Jewel itself is open all day – twenty-four hours – although most shops open around ten in the morning and close ten at night. Some individual stores have hours.

The time you see the Rain Vortex you will understand why many people take so many photos here. Jewel does not feel like you are simply standing inside an airport.

That is what I enjoy about Jewel.

You can walk around take pictures look at the waterfall explore the different levels and window shop without necessarily spending anything.

Course Jewel has paid attractions if you want to do more; but you do not have to pay an entrance fee just to enjoy Jewel itself.

If you are flying in or out of Singapore check your terminal and your time before planning your visit. Jewel is connected directly to Terminal 1 while Jewel is also accessible by link bridges, from Terminals 2 and 3.

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For updates, things to do, and so on, you may check their website: Jewel Changi Airport

2. Changi Airport Terminal 2

Opening hours: Many public areas are open 24 hours
Admission: Free

This might sound strange because I'm suggesting an airport terminal as a place to visit. 😂

Changi Airport is more than a place you go when you have a flight.

Terminal 2 has areas that're worth exploring, including The Wonderfall, which is open 24 hours. It is in the area of Terminal 2. Has a digital waterfall surrounded by plants and greenery.

There are also sights and places around the terminal like gardens and spots where you can sit, walk and take pictures.

Just keep in mind that not every attraction in Terminal 2 is open all the time. Don’t think that everything, inside Terminal 2 works 24 hours.

For example, Changi Airport currently shows that several Terminal 2 transit areas are open 24 hours but some services and shops can have hours.

3. Merlion Park

Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Admission: Free

You cannot truly claim that you have visited Singapore unless you have seen the Merlion don’t you agree? 😂

Merlion Park is a place where you can walk in take in the view of Marina Bay snap some pictures and leave without paying a thing. Merlion Park offers that kind of pleasure.

The Singapore Tourism Board says Merlion Park has admission and is open every hour of every day. I like places like Merlion Park because you do not have to plan a day around it. You can visit Merlion Park in the morning at sunset or even at night when the nearby area glows with lights. If you are already, near Marina Bay you can pair Merlion Park with close sites instead of spending more money on travel.

4. Chinatown

Opening hours: The public streets are accessible throughout the day; individual shops, restaurants, temples, and attractions have their own hours.
Admission: Free to explore the district

Chinatown is another place I would add to my list if you want to experience Singapore without spending money.

You can walk along the streets of Chinatown look at the shophouses take photographs, visit temples browse the shops and search for food.

The important thing is that Chinatown itself does not have one opening and closing time because Chinatown is a district, not a ticketed attraction. The individual places inside Chinatown each have their operating hours.

For example Chinatown Complex lists its hours as 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM every day.

So if you are planning to visit a temple, restaurant, market or shop in Chinatown check the hours of that place of assuming everything will be open at the same time.

For me Chinatown is about walking and exploring more, than trying to finish a checklist of attractions.

5. Gardens by the Bay

Now this one deserves its own section because Gardens by the Bay is much bigger than just the Supertrees.

And here's the thing I think is useful for budget travelers: You can visit many of the gardens for free.

There are also paid attractions such as the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy, OCBC Skyway, and Supertree Observatory, so don't assume everything inside Gardens by the Bay is free.

If you're mainly interested, in walking around taking photos seeing the Supertrees and enjoying the outdoor gardens you can do quite a lot without buying an attraction ticket.

Note: Opening hours may change due to maintenance, special events, weather, or other circumstances. Check the official Gardens by the Bay website before visiting.

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You may also check Gardens by the Bay for any updates: HERE

You do not have to avoid Singapore just because you have heard that it can be expensive.

My trick is to separate the places where I need to pay from the places where I do not need to pay.

I will happily pay for something if I truly want to experience it. However I do not want to feel as if I must buy a ticket at every place simply because I am a tourist.

For example I can spend the morning walking around Chinatown visiting the Merlion exploring Gardens, by the Bay taking photos at the Supertrees and visiting Jewel all without paying an entrance fee in the areas.

Then I can save my money for the things I actually want to spend on, such as food, transportation, shopping or one paid attraction that I truly want to experience.

That is how I personally enjoy Singapore.

I may have to save for a year or two before going. Once I am there I do not want to spend the entire trip worrying about how much every single activity costs.

I want to walk take a lot of pictures eat food laugh with the people I am traveling with and come home with memories.

Honestly Singapore can still be enjoyed when you are traveling on a budget.