Where to Stay in Singapore
Budget to Luxury

Bell | 18 April 25

Singapore is a truly unique destination with a fascinating blend between modernity and history, technology and culture. If you are planning to visit the city with possibly the most iconic skyline and looking for where to stay, this is the guide for you.

Singapore was my first stop on my very first solo trip at just 18 years old. I was on a tight budget, an inexperienced traveller and had not planned my time there as I only had a 2-day layover on my way to Australia. Still, I had the most amazing time.

I went back to Singapore a couple of years later and it is still one of my favourite travel destinations. The city provides such a unique experience, there are so many different things to do and the food is incredible. The skyline views at night are one of the most impressive I have seen across the world.

The city is also incredibly clean and everyone speaks English, making it the perfect destination for beginner travellers (or experienced travellers of course). It’s often referred to as “Asia for beginners”, meaning it is much easier to explore than maybe some other Asian countries.

So, if you are currently planning your trip to Singapore or looking for inspiration, here are all the top accommodation options in the Lion city. Don’t forget to leave a comment with any extra tips or questions 🙂

Table of Contents

Where to stay in Singapore for any traveller:

Singapore is a pretty expensive city, however it is still very much possible to find accommodation for any budget. As for areas to stay in, Singapore is pretty well connected via public transportation so most areas can be reached quickly.

That being said, some of the best areas to stay in close to attractions are Marina Bay, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Little India and Orchard Road.

Affordable, central hostels in Singapore

Atelier Hostel – This hostel offers the capsules that you will find a lot in Singapore at an affordable price. It’s also located right in the heart of Chinatown, which is a great vantage point for exploring Singapore.

Wink @ McCallum Street – another capsule style hostel in Chinatown, Wink offers a basic and clean stray that is super close to the main attractions

hipstercity – located right by Clarke Quay, it doesn’t get any more central than this hostel. It offers a lot of ambiance and opportunities to meet other travellers.

The Bohemian – very affordable hostel in Chinatown with decent facilities

Hotels at different price points in Singapore:

$ Hotel Classic by Venue – A small but clean hotel a little outside the center, this is a great budget-friendly option

$ Bliss Hotel Singapore – Comfortable rooms, great location in Chinatown and affordable

$$ KēSa House – Located in Chinatown, this hotel is pretty unique as it is in a heritage townhouse from the 1920s. Rooms are priced fairly for the central location.

$$ YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road – A 4-star hotel right on Orchard Road with a swimming pool and gym.

$$$ Marina Bay Sands Hotel – It wouldn’t be a proper Singapore accommodation guide without including the iconic landmark. Marina Bay Sands Hotel is definitely worth the splurge. From the infinity rooftop pool that looks over Singapore to the luxurious rooms, a night in this hotel will certainly be one to remember.

$$$ Mandarin Oriental – overlooking Marina Bay, this hotel is the epitome of true luxury. Offers include six restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool, a spa and more.

How to get to Singapore?

The most common way to get to Singapore is by flying into the country. You could also head there on a cruise or via the Malaysian land border.

Flying into Singapore

Changi Airport is Singapore’s biggest airport and the one where all international flights arrive to. It is famous for its incredible design, including the Jewel. It usually takes 30-60 minutes to deplane, go through immigration and be ready to leave Changi Airport.

Check out my full Singapore Airport guide including how to get to the city center here.

How to get to Singapore via land from Malaysia

There are two main ways to travel by land into Singapore from Malaysia. One is by train and the other by bus. For both you will need to go through immigration at the border.

Train
There is a direct train from Malaysia into Singapore that costs just 5MYR ($1). It drops you off at WOODLANDS CIQ in Singapore, which is about 1.5 hours by bus and train into the city center.

Bus
There are quite a few bus companies going from Malaysia’s main cities into Singapore. Most start around 10USD. A journey from e.g. Kuala Lumpur into Central Singapore takes around 9 hours. I’d recommend checking for tickets on 12Go Asia.

How many days do you need in Singapore?

2-3 days are perfect for seeing the main attractions in Singapore without feeling rushed. 4-5 days are ideal if you want to take your time and visit more than the central attractions.

This also makes Singapore perfect for a layover if you are flying between Europe and Australia, as you can just stopover for 2-3 days and get a great feel for the city. Or if you only have time for a short layover, check out my full guide on 6-8 hours in Singapore (including the time to leave and re-enter the airport).

How to get around Singapore using public transport?

Much of Singapore you will be able to do by walking, however if you want to see some of the further out attractions or give your feet a break, you can use Singapore’s public transport system. It is affordable and efficient, which is great.

You can pay for public transport using any contactless payment card or a Stored-Value EZ-Link/NETS prepaid card. The prepaid cards cost $10, $5 of which is non-refundable and $5 is travel credit. I would recommend to just use a contactless payment card if you have one.

Fares are usually between S$1.09 to S$2.37 based on the distance travelled, which is so cheap for a mega city like Singapore.

If you plan on seeing as much as possible in a limited time and will use a lot of public transport, it may be worth getting a tourist pass. It is S$17 (around 10GBP) for the day and allows you to take unlimited rides on Singapore’s public transport. You can buy it at most MRT stations.