Where to stay in Singapore: Best areas and locations for Malaysians

Singapore is pretty small, but if you’re trying to make the most out of a visit, you’ll be wondering where to stay in Singapore to get quick and easy access to all the sights. This guide explores the best area to stay in Singapore depending on the type of trip you’re planning.

We’ll look at where to stay in Singapore for first timers, where to stay in Singapore with family and where to stay in Singapore on a budget.We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way for you to save while spending abroad.

What types of accommodation are there in Singapore?

Your primary options for accommodation in Singapore will be hotels and hostels.

There are many hotels, from simple low key places which are on the more affordable side, through to top notch luxury with every luxury you can imagine.

Hostels are also very common in tourist areas, and can have dormitory style rooms, but often also offer private rooms with their own facilities. Among the more interesting options include capsule style hostels which offer sleeping pods which you can close off to the rest of the room if you want to. So, although you’ll get a bed in a shared room, you’ll still be able to get some privacy and space when you need it.

Looking for something a bit quirky? You won’t necessarily want more than a night or two, but check out the options for glamping at the zoo¹, or heading off to Lazarus Island to stay in a tiny house². The Singapore zoo offers periodic glamping opportunities where you can stay in the zoo overnight in a luxury tent - while Lazarus Island is a 20 minute boat ride from Singapore, and offers a peaceful and serene night in nature.

Read on for all you need to know about which area to stay in Singapore based on the type of visit you have in mind.

Is Airbnb legal in Singapore?

While AirBnB is technically legal in Singapore, it’s not a practical choice for most short term travellers as apartments must be rented for at least 3 months to comply with the law³. If you’re considering an AirBnB in a public housing (HDB) development, you’ll need to rent for 6 months or more. If you see hosts offering shorter stays be wary - they may simply be hoping to operate under the radar of the authorities. This is illegal.

All in all, this means AirBnB has a limited scope for travellers in Singapore, and you’ll likely be better off looking for hotels, hostels and serviced apartments through sites such as Booking.com⁴.

Where to stay in Singapore for first timers?

If it’s your first trip to Singapore you’ll want to be right in the heart of the action. Look out for accommodation which is close to an MRT station to make commuting a breeze, and focus on locations which have easy access to the most famous sites in Singapore, like Marina Bay, the Civic District and the delights of Chinatown. By picking the right place you could spend days looking around a pretty small area, covering museums, gardens, shops, and plenty of great places to eat. Here are a couple of ideas:

Marina bay and the CBD

Marina Bay offers some of the most iconic views in Singapore, from the Merlion to Marina Bay Sands hotel and shops. You’re also ideally placed to walk in Gardens By the Bay, spot otters on the river, take a look out to see from the marina barrage, and snack to your heart's content at Satay by the bay hawker.

Marina Bay has a huge range of accommodation options - mainly fairly high end hotels. If you’re looking for a good business style hotel, you may find the CBD offers the same perks with lower costs. The Central Business District is also home to great places to eat like Lau Pa Sat food centre, with excellent transport links to the rest of the city if there are specific things you plan on visiting.

Chinatown

Chinatown isn’t far from Marina Bay at all - but you could be in a different world. There are plenty of hotels and hostels here, including some hostels with excellent family and private facilities. You’ll find you’re in the heart of a buzzing district with markets, hawker centers, temples and heritage architecture to look around. Plus, there are malls, parks, great restaurants and nightlife just steps away.

Chinatown is well connected with 2 key MRT lines passing through the main station, plus easy ways to hop on to 2 more at several different stations nearby. Grab an MRT map to help you navigate - getting used to the lines and stations opens up the whole island for your exploration.

Where to stay in Singapore with family?

If you’re coming to Singapore with your family, you’ll want enough activities to keep everyone entertained, easy ways to navigate the city, and good food and drink options. Singapore has plenty to offer family travelers, including days out to the zoos, aquarium or bird park, and loads of family friendly activities on Sentosa. Here are a couple of places you may like to consider:

Orchard

Orchard Road is the premier shopping area for Singapore. If you’re travelling with teens - or anyone else who loves to shop - this road offers plenty to explore, from high end stores to bargains and quirky boutiques. Plus, it’s well connected for public transport, and very walkable - even with a stroller or a larger family in tow. If you need to get out of the heat, hit a mall - and if it rains, there are plenty of covered walkways to keep everyone dry.

The Orchard area also offers easy access to local nature such as Fort Canning Park, and the Singapore river.

Sentosa

Sentosa is unlikely to be a budget place to stay, but if you want to base yourself in a heavenly beach hideaway, this is a great choice. Sentosa is Singapore’s pleasure island, with Universal Studios theme park, the aquarium, numerous beaches and lots of relaxing and high adrenaline activities for all ages.

Sentosa is a little apart from the rest of Singapore, but connected by a cable car and public transport, as well as a bridge for car and pedestrian traffic. The island’s centre has great walking in the jungle, and the beaches offer pristine sand and views of the shipping traffic - an unusual sight. There are also plenty of beach clubs if you’re here to party - some for adults only, and some with more of a family vibe.

Where to stay in Singapore on a budget?

Singapore is known to be a pretty expensive place to visit. However, in reality there’s plenty you can do on a budget. Singapore boasts great parks and outdoor sites like the Botanic Gardens and you can eat fabulous food on a shoestring budget at any of the hundreds of hawker centres dotted about the island. Pick up a Wise card before you travel, and you could spend as you go with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees, too.

There’s budget accommodation in most areas of Singapore - just be sure to select somewhere with good public transport, and close to a hawker, to cut the costs of transport and food. If you’re looking for a great area to base yourself, here are a couple of options:

Joo Chiat and East Coast

Joo Chiat and the East Coast aren’t as close to many of the central attractions as some of the locations we’ve covered so far, but they offer a great experience with an easy ride into the centre when you need it.

Look for accommodation on the East Coast if you’re interested in walking the miles of coastal path there, which could get you right into the city center if you’re determined enough. Or look at Joo Chiat - a quirky district with a hipster feel, packed with boutiques, coffee shops and places to get involved with local activities.

Kampong Glam/Bugis

Kampong Glam is known as the Singapore Muslim Quarter, and centres around a beautiful Mosque, surrounded by streets of restaurants and stores. The area immediately surrounding the Mosque has a very Middle Eastern feel, or you can head to Haji Lane for live music and bars, with a funky crowd right into the night.

Bugis is close by, and offers excellent connections into the city centre and over to the East Coast - making this a good budget option for families, solo travellers and couples looking to make the most of their stay.

Save even more on your travels when paying in foreign currency with the Wise card

Check out Wise and the Wise card for a great - low cost - way to spend while you’re away from home. Top up in MYR from your bank or with a card, and manage your money in SGD with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees.

You can use your Wise card to spend in 150+ countries around the world, in over 40+ currencies. Start spending with your free virtual card, or order a physical Wise card for a one time fee. This grants you some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR each month as you travel, to save time waiting at a money changer.

Choose to convert your MYR to SGD in advance at your desired rate, or leave it to Wise’s auto conversion and spend in MYR directly. All Wise currency exchanges use the rate you see on Google, so you’ll know you’re getting a great deal without the hassle.

With great transport networks and densely packed activities and sites in Singapore, you’ll have no trouble building an itinerary to suit your personal budget and preferences. Don’t forget to take a look at Wise and the Wise card for a great low-cost way to spend while you’re away from home.

🚀 Get started with Wise

1. Singapore zoo - glamping
2. Tiny house Lazarus island
3. AirBnB - Help
4. Booking.com