An one of the world’s priciest nations, Singapore demands a thrifty travel strategy. Uncover every avenue to cut costs and make your visit budget-friendly

According to a new global survey, Singapore and Zurich have surpassed New York to become the world’s most expensive cities this year. Singapore is a vibrant and exciting destination with a modern skyline, diverse cultural experiences, and delicious cuisine. However, as one of the world’s most expensive cities, tourists must spend smartly.

We have compiled an extensive guide to ensure you make the most of your trip to Singapore without overspending. Follow our tips and tricks, and you can manage your finances efficiently while enjoying all Singapore offers.

Be An Early Bird

To save money on your trip to Singapore, buy bundled tickets in advance for major tourist attractions or explore free activities such as hiking or visiting places of worship. Avoid booking hotels during Singapore school holidays and public holidays such as Chinese New Year, National Day, and Formula 1 Grand Prix. Check Singapore’s annual public holiday calendar to identify long weekends and avoid peak rates.

Find Cheap Accommodation

Consider budget accommodations like hostels or hotels in Little India or Chinatown. Use online booking platforms to compare prices. Accommodation in Singapore is expensive. A bunk bed in a crowded hostel dorm costs INR 1,248 (SGD 20) or more. Opt for hostels over hotels to save money. Couch surfing with expats is a great way to sleep for free and get local insights on budget travel in Singapore.

Travel Smartly

Tourists often forget to buy Singapore’s transportation card, which can reduce extra expenses. You can easily buy an EZ-Link card for INR 748 (SGD 12) at train stations or INR 624 (SGD 10) at 7-Eleven minimarts. The card is versatile and can be used on both LRT and MRT trains and buses. With EZ-Link, you only pay for the distance you travel, making your transportation experience in Singapore more affordable and convenient.

Shop Carefully

Singapore has many shopping malls, and even Changi Airport is one. They can be expensive, so shop at affordable stores in Chinatown and Little India instead. Remember to haggle. For snacks, drinks, and toiletries, visit the large supermarkets in major malls. VivoMart, under VivoCity, often has special deals.

Frugal Meals

Singapore has safe tap water, a cost-effective alternative to bottled water. You can refill a small bottle for free at hotels or directly from the tap. Singapore is famous for its food courts, halls, and hawker street stalls. Street food is safe and essential to the Singaporean experience. Street food quality is higher than in many other Southeast Asian countries. You can have a satisfying meal for under INR 375 (SGD 6) at food halls or even under INR 190 (SGD 3) for noodle soup. For budget-friendly options, visit the Chinatown food centre or the Lau Pa Sat food centre near the Raffles MRT stop.

Witness Free Attractions

Discover free art displays, public performances, and street performers along the riverfront, esplanade, and city centre. Keep an eye out for waived museum entrance fees on special exhibition days. Consider tourist passes for discounted entrance fees at various attractions, but only if you plan on indoor sightseeing.

If you have a heart condition and are planning to travel soon, preparation is essential. Evaluate your risks, pack necessary medications, and plan ahead to manage your heart health effectively.

Travel is an integral part of life, whether it’s for a vacation, visiting family, or embarking on a spiritual journey. While it can be enjoyable and exciting for most, there are certain considerations people with pre-existing health problems need to make. For those with heart conditions, careful planning and weighing the risks and benefits of travel are essential, as their health status may pose greater challenges compared to someone who is otherwise healthy.

Risks Heart Disease Patients Should Consider While Travelling

Travelling can introduce several challenges to heart disease patients. These include changes in altitude, long periods of immobility, and increased stress.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), sitting immobile on long plane flights or car, train, or bus rides can increase a person’s risk of blood clots in the legs. This is more prevalent in people who have an associated medical issue like Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or a history of heart failure.

Additionally, while high altitudes may exacerbate symptoms for those with existing heart conditions, dehydration caused during long travels, disruptions to medication schedules, and difficulty accessing emergency care in unfamiliar locations can also pose further challenges, said Dr Kumar.

Hence, patients should consult their cardiologist to discuss travel plans, assess fitness for travel, and understand the potential risks based on their specific condition, he advised.

Travel Safety Tips Heart Disease Patients Should Consider

To travel safely, planning is essential.
Dr Kumar recommended carrying a detailed medical summary, including your diagnosis, medications, and emergency contact information. He advises staying hydrated and avoiding excessive caffeine or alcohol, which can impact heart health.
Moreover, moving around or stretching every 1–2 hours during long trips can help improve circulation and reduce clot risks. If flying, request an aisle seat for easier mobility and avoid carrying heavy luggage to prevent strain.
Stress management is equally important—practise relaxation techniques and allow extra time to avoid rushing.

If you are a heart disease patient, your medical supplies also matter a lot during your travel. These include:

• Your prescribed medications in their original containers, and extra doses in case of delays.
• A portable blood pressure monitor or heart rate monitor to track vital signs.
• Prescribed nitroglycerin tablets, anticoagulants, or emergency medications.
• A copy of your medical records, health insurance details, and contact information for your cardiologist.
• If you have a pacemaker or implanted device, carry your ID card with details about the device.
• A small first-aid kit with basic supplies for minor issues.

Monitoring Heart Health During Travel

Monitoring your symptoms during travel includes paying attention to signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue. Use a smartwatch or portable health device to track heart rate and activity levels. Stick to your medication schedule, even across time zones, and consult your doctor for guidance on adjusting timings if needed. Avoid overexertion, particularly in extreme weather or high altitudes, and ensure you have access to emergency services wherever you are.

How To Manage Heart Disease During Travel

“Incorporating simple lifestyle changes can help manage heart disease effectively while traveling. Engage in light exercises like walking or stretching to improve circulation and maintain mobility. If your trip involves extended sitting, perform seated leg exercises or wear compression stockings to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis,” Dr Kumar shared.

He added, “Stick to a heart-healthy diet, choosing foods low in salt and saturated fats. Avoid overindulging in rich or unfamiliar foods, which may aggravate symptoms. Adequate rest is equally important—aim for 7–8 hours of sleep and plan for downtime in your itinerary to avoid fatigue.”

A new year means a new adventure. Here are some top destinations for January international travel, with expert tips for deals, packing, and planning.

The start of the new year is an excellent time to ramp your new year’s resolutions into high gear. For many, this means seeing more of the world through international travel, and the more proactive among them might want to grab their passport and go as soon as the calendar turns over.

January is an ideal time to kick off the new year with an international adventure. Whether you’re chasing winter wonderlands or tropical beaches, planning international travel in January requires some strategic thinking to make the most of deals (airline ticket prices drop post-New Year’s Day), off-peak benefits, and seasonal attractions. In this guide, we’ll cover the best destinations, affordable options, and top travel tips to help you plan the perfect international travel January getaway.

Why Travel Internationally in January?

For international travel, January offers affordable flights as post-holiday travel dips, often bringing cheap fares and discounts. It’s also an ideal time to experience winter wonders, from snow-covered landscapes in Switzerland to serene hot springs in Japan. For those seeking warmth, tropical escapes like Thailand or the Maldives provide a perfect break from winter chills. Additionally, traveling in January means fewer crowds in many destinations, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Top Destinations for January International Travel

Where you kick off your international travel January depends on what sort of experience you’re looking for. Everyone’s travel bucket list is a little different, so consider tailoring your 2025 plans to places you’ve never been before. Though, there’s no shame in wanting to revisit an old favorite, too.

Warm Weather Escapes

Get out of the cold with the best warm weather travel destinations for winter. These spots are perfect for travelers who already live somewhere chilly that just want a break from frozen noses and icy windows. For international travel, that means headed either to an island destination, or to somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere, where it’s still summer.

• Maldives: Enjoy crystal-clear waters and luxurious overwater bungalows.
• Thailand: January is one of the best months to visit for dry weather and vibrant cultural festivals.
• Mexico: Cancun and Tulum offer sunny beaches and rich history.
• Australia: January is mid-summer, perfect for exploring beaches or cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

Winter Adventures

As opposed to those looking for warm getaways, there are those who want to embrace the chill of winter with both hands. In that case, go somewhere that offers both snowy escapes and plenty to do in terms of activities. Seek out spots with activities centered around the winter holiday of your choice, New Year’s Eve, or any day that celebrates the coldest time of year.

• Switzerland: A haven for skiers and snow lovers, with picturesque alpine villages.
• Japan: Combine skiing in Hokkaido with a visit to Tokyo’s vibrant winter illuminations.
• Iceland: A prime spot to catch the Northern Lights and enjoy natural hot springs.

Unique Cultural Experiences

Kicking off your January of International Travel is a great way to immerse yourself in unfamiliar cultures and new experiences. Ebrace the world outside of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons with some unique cultural experiences.

• India: Witness the Kite Festival in Gujarat or explore Rajasthan’s palaces in cooler weather.
• Brazil: While Carnival isn’t until February, January is great for exploring Rio de Janeiro.
• Vietnam: Experience pleasant weather in Ho Chi Minh City or explore the lush Mekong Delta.

Budget-Friendly International Travel Ideas for January

If you blew your budget on gift-giving this holiday season, that doesn’t mean that leaving the country in January has to be out of the question. Here are a few budget-friendly spots you can venture to without breaking the bank,

• Portugal: Lisbon offers mild weather and off-season pricing.
• Morocco: Visit Marrakech for vibrant markets and lower costs during January.
• Eastern Europe: Cities like Prague and Budapest offer winter charm at budget-friendly prices.
• Colombia: Enjoy Cartagena’s tropical vibes without breaking the bank.

How to Plan International Travel for January

Book Flights Early

To snag the best deals, book flights 2-3 months in advance. Use tools like Google Flights to monitor prices or consider January travel packages for bundled savings. If you’re okay leaving a little later in January, the tail end of December tends to see a drop in flight fares. For a few international locales, January is outside of the busy travel season.

Pack for the Weather

If you’re venturing out somewhere warm, pack accordingly with lighter clothing, swimsuits, and sunscreen – just make sure you have something warm to wear when you return to your home destination if you live somewhere cold. Alternatively, prepare to pack layers and waterproof jackets to stave off winter chills for those international winter wonderlands. Don’t forget sturdy boots and thermal wear. Electronic hand warmers can make a huge difference toward your comfort.

Leverage Off-Peak Deals

January is an excellent time for off-season travel, especially in Europe and parts of Asia. Look for discounted hotels, tours, and activities. Being flexible with your travel dates will allow you more freedom in finding the best deals, and checking out a budget airline like Spirit of Frontier might be worth it — if you manage to dodge those hidden fees. This is a great time to look at AirBNBs as well, as many see a lull in January.

Check Travel Requirements

Stay updated on visa requirements, travel restrictions, and health guidelines for your destination. The beginning of the year is when many new restrictions and requirements kick off, and it’s important to keep yourself on the up-and-up in case of sudden changes that might delay your flight plans.

Pro Tips for January Travel Success

Flexibility Pays Off: Be flexible with travel dates to take advantage of last-minute deals.

Travel Midweek: Flights and accommodations are often cheaper midweek compared to weekends.

Stay Hydrated: If traveling to tropical regions, carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.

Capture Memories: Pack a good camera or smartphone with extra storage for stunning winter or tropical shots.

Start the Year with Adventure

Don’t wait—Plan your international travel in January and book early. Whether you’re chasing the sun, skiing down snowy slopes, or exploring vibrant cultures, January’s diverse offerings make it one of the best months for travel.

Holiday Spending Money

This is often a requirement that gets overlooked but can either pose little to no costs or if a poor decision is made, add significant costs to your overall trip. We all need money to spend when we are on a trip so looking at how to send money abroad with the least costs can yield excellent savings.

Often the first thought is to use a high street bank to send money for you, but banks tend to be amongst the most expensive methods to send money abroad. You could choose to send cash, but this is an extremely risky business and cannot be recommended as the exposure to the risk of theft or fraud is very high indeed. Choosing to use a money transfer provider can yield excellent savings and is actually a very simple process to initiate and complete. An online money transfer provider is likely to be one of the cheapest ways to send money, and as an additional bonus, far quicker than a traditional bank. They can be much easier to use too. You need not leave your home to complete a transfer and no one likes trying to park their car just to visit a high street bank.

Plan Ahead

This top tip is often overlooked, we all love spontaneous holidays or trips abroad, but often leaving things to the last minute if you have fixed ideas on your destination and timescale can end up costing you a premium. Airlines and hotels often run business models that are designed to give them maximum occupancy of their products, so booking in advance can give you the best chance of a good deal. Hotels are especially savvy when it comes to tactical pricing. If you are headed to see a concert, once you have booked your tickets, booking your accommodation should be a top priority.

The longer you leave it, the less choice you will have and often local hotels in the area have increased the cost of rooms on nights where local events mean they are likely to sell all the accommodation they have available.

Be Smart With Dates

Choosing when you travel can make an enormous difference to the costs. If you are not constrained by school holidays, it makes the best sense financially to avoid these times as both hotels and airlines will increase the prices of their products during school holidays. Sometimes towards the end of a holiday period bargains are to be had where you are travelling out to a destination just as the majority of people are returning.

Using a flight cost comparison site can give you a great deal of information on the difference in cost and the time of day a flight is booked makes. They also let you see what the cost differences are when you are heading to a popular destination either just before the school holiday season starts or ends. If you are taking your family, or even other friends with children to a holiday destination during a school break it is worth shopping around as early as possible to ensure you get the best deal.

If you are looking for entertainment whilst on your trip, it is also worth investigating the costs as some venues and activities naturally cost more when the demand is highest. Factoring in the variables between entertainment costs, accommodation costs and the prices of flights or rail tickets can yield quite significant cost differences with only a small change in the times you intend to depart and return.

Choose Accommodation Carefully

We would all love to stay in a fully serviced hotel where we never need to worry about making the room up in the morning or having to consider what to cook for dinner. But this ease of living comes at a cost. Today’s digital society provides some excellent alternatives that can yield impressive cost savings and yet provide an alternative, often far more interesting venue for our accommodation.

Services like Airbnb can offer unusual accommodation at economically attractive rates. Using their online search tool can give you plenty of options. Be sure to consider the costs of airport transfers and ongoing local travel during your stay as an out-of-the-city location may be very appealing in cost, but the time taken to travel back and forward each day can eat into your core entertainment time. In addition, the costs of seemingly small journeys from your accommodation to the venues and places you wish to visit can add up. So be sure to weigh up the alternatives. One area where cost savings are going to be positive is in your holiday food bill. If you choose to stay at a hotel, your only option for a hot meal is to either eat within the hotel or at a local restaurant, this can add significantly to the overall trip cost. But if you choose to stay at an Airbnb, often there are cooking and dining facilities within your accommodation, using these can yield significant savings and in addition, can give you that home-cooked meal that we are all craving towards the latter days of an extended break.

Look At What You Leave Behind.

This one will depend on where you live, but Airbnb or similar services can provide an excellent way to recoup some of your travelling and accommodation costs whilst on holiday. As you will not be staying in your own accommodation, this becomes available for someone else to stay in whilst you are away. Various internet-based services are available to market your property for the times you are away, taking a booking can introduce an income whilst you are away that will help offset your spending costs. If you do not have a suitable property, or do not wish to rent your own property in this way, but do have access to a parking space within a city location, or near a railway or airport, the same types of services exist to rent out your parking space whilst you are on holiday. Whilst not suitable for everyone, these kinds of services can help you balance the books and make a trip significantly less costly.