Traveling to Singapore? You may now know for a fact that Singapore is Southeast Asia’s most expensive city. But did you know that it is also the current title holder of the Most Expensive City in the World? For four consecutive years, it has reigned supreme in the Economist’s Worldwide Cost of Living, the latest being last year, 2017.

It must be very costly to travel in this gorgeous city, right? Not really, that is, if you know how to do it right.

Here are some tips and tricks for a budget-friendly trip to the Lion City:

1. Take advantage of ticket sales.

If you want to cut cost, the first thing to do is watch out for airline promos. Advertisements where you can buy a roundtrip ticket for a cheaper amount. Budget airlines are out there ready to take you to this beautiful city. It is best to have many options and then narrow down your list before you decide. Also, it is a lot cheaper to fly during the middle of the week. Regarding payments, they can be either by debit card, credit card and other options.

2. Look for a cheap place to stay.

When it comes to accommodations, you can choose to stay in hostels with great reviews. Also, you can choose one that is near to places you’re most likely to spend most of your spend time. This way, you either walk to your destination or ride a short trip. Most offer free breakfasts, which is a huge plus for money-savers.

If you’re adventurous and not afraid to mingle with strangers, you can try couch-surfing. There are many expats who are very much open to letting tourists into their homes for free for a night or two.

3. Try out Singapore’s hawk centers or food centers.

Food stalls are found everywhere within food centers and are your best bet for a tasty yet affordable treat. You can choose from a variety of dishes like Malay, Chinese, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines.

4. Opt for the buses and trains.

To say that the Public Transport System of Singapore is efficient is an understatement. It is also the world’s most cost-efficient public transport. Taxis are a great way to go from where you currently are to the precise location of your destination, but it’s a more expensive option. The most budget-friendly way for tourists to get around the city? Buy yourself an EZ-Link card rather than a Singapore Tourist Pass. Here’s why:

The Singapore Tourist Pass is an electronic smart card that gives you unlimited rides on public buses and trains for $10 per day and refund fee of $10 once you return the card. You need to ride at least 4-5 times to make the most out of the cash spent on buying the card. As for the EZ-Link card, you can buy these for $12 with $7 worth of credit at train stations. When you use the card in boarding a bus or train, you only pay for the distance covered.

5. Don’t be afraid of the tap water.

Did you know that Singapore’s water is safe enough to drink? You can just buy bottled waters which costs a minimum of $2, and refill them right from the tap.

6. Take advantage of the freebies.

You can indulge your senses with Singapore’s entrance free parks, museums and watch free entertainment from street performers that are mostly available during weekends.

7. Know where to shop.

In Chinatown or Little India, you can negotiate with the prices that are already a lot cheaper than any other shopping areas in Singapore.

To experience the most out of Singapore, you can try to learn the Malay language. You can enroll in online tutorial lessons with affordable Malay tuition and you’ll get to communicate with locals in their native tongue.

In the comments below, share your opinion of Singapore and travel experience there if you have been.