boa

I have a 24 hour layover on a MR and hope I won't be too jet-lagged (economy seats :-( ) to do some quick touring. I'm thinking I'll use the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus to see the main sights and get off at a couple. I definitely want to try the hawker centers versus restaurants or bars. Not interested in much shopping except for a few souvenirs for myself and a few others. (Carry-on only.)

So my question is not whether I need money but what is approximately the amount I'll need to visit several food stalls and pickup some postcards and typical "cheap" souvenirs. I don't want to be left with a large sum to convert back. Will S$50 take care of the hunger pains or do I need to go to S$100. (I'll wait until I'm back at my hotel for a cocktail, where I don't have to worry about the double whammy of alcohol and jet-lag.)

SQTraveller

It all depends on which hawker stalls (and how many) you go to but i would imagine food shouldn't cost more than $50. A reasonable guide is that each dish should probably cost around $5-10. So if you have 5 plates, that's enough.

Now with regards to postcards, I don't know how much they cost, but if you have run out of money because you ate too much (as I would) I just buy all that tourist tat from the airport and use my credit card - yes expensive, but saves changing more money.

tentseller

SG$50 should be more than enough for hawker food (Lunch and dinner for one).

Sg tax on alcohol is quite high! It is one of the places that I would make sure that I paid for or upgrade to a room with club lounge privileges just for the beverages alone

SQTraveller

Depending on whether you just want a drink or if you specifically want a cocktail, it might be cheaper to buy your alcohol at duty free.

boa

Well, it's been quite a while since I've had a Singapore Sling, so I can't think of a better place to indulge in this bit of youthful nostalgia than a hotel bar in Singapore (although at the Raffles would be even better). ;-)

SQTraveller

Not sure if you're flying SQ but they serve that on the plane

boa

Nope, it's a MM run for UA so their equipment only. But . . .they may offer them on this route too so I'll ask. Thanks for the suggestion, and the other info!

roberto99

In the OP's first post you implied a return trip.

Just keep the spare cash for your return trip.

Do not miss out on lunch at a hawker center!

SQTraveller

And for the love of all that is holy please do not eat at Lau Pa Sat!

AUCLABruin

I will be visiting Singapore in a few weeks. I didn't plan on eating at Lau Pa Sat, but I am curious about why one shouldn't dine there?

SQTraveller

It's touted as Festival Market, but there is nothing festive about it. The food there is just horrible. People rave about the satay - it's some of the worst satay I have ever eaten. And they talk about the "genuine" experience. A sign of how good a hawker centre is the number of locals who eat there outside office hours. Go at the weekend during the day and you will see almost no one - says a lot [some might say it's CBD, but if you know people in Asia, they are generally willing to travel for good food]. Office workers really only eat there during the week because they are going for a cheap-ish meal and there isn't a whole lot of choice around the area at that price point.

If you want better food at the same kind of price, I would be looking at Maxwell Food Centre or Newton Food Centre (both reasonably central) or if you are further out by the airport, Changi Village Hawker Centre.

clubeurope

In addition to what SQTraveller has said, Lau Pa Sat is "where all the tourists go". The food is much pricier but not necessarily better.

For better hawker centre food, I suggest Tiong Bahru Food Market. I've had so many good things there.

invisible

Newton is no go for me after all the stories of overcharging people and horrible food. Have not been there for last six years but even if they got better, am not sure that it is stellar now.

In terms of hawker centers, in the city center there are three options - right across the street from Lau Pa Sat is Golden Shoe temporary hawker center at the exit of Telok Ayer MRT station. Then, just 15 min walk down is Maxwell food court and Amoy Street Food Center.

Outside of city center, where most local live and eat, there are number of options. Tiong Bahru is one, Zion Street is second and slightly off center there is Old Airport Road and Geylang Sarai Market.

AUCLABruin

Thank you to both of you for your suggestions! I am now in Singapore and have visited the Maxwell and Amoy Food Centres, and all three meals I had were really good, especially for the low prices paid!

invisible

People coming from Khatib and Punggol would find prices at Maxwell/Amoy really high... just a local perspective..