Singapore
Bangkok
Many travelers compare Singapore and Bangkok because they are the two main hubs of Southeast Asia, connected by over 20 daily flights and separated by about 1,430 km.Both offer major urban icons like Marina Bay Sands and the Grand Palace, but with very different prices, climate and travel styles.Your choice impacts budget in €, times in minutes and convenience.The differences are clear: in Singapore the MRT costs about €1–1.4 per ride and a 3-star hotel €110–160, while in Bangkok the BTS costs €0.45–1.25 and a 3-star €30–60.Weather in Singapore is steady (26–32°C year-round), in Bangkok it varies a lot (November–February 24–32°C; April 28–36°C).Nightlife also has different prices: cocktails €18–25 versus €6–10.In this guide you’ll find a comparison with prices, distances, times and real names: from the domes of Gardens by the Bay to the temples of Wat Pho, from hawker markets to Chatuchak.I’ll show daily budgets by ranges, the best time by months, how to get around from Changi or Suvarnabhumi, and how to combine the two cities in 6–8 days.
Singapore vs Bangkok
| Feature | Singapore | Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Singapore the budget depends greatly on accommodation.Budget range: hostel €18–30, meals at hawker centres €3–6 x3, MRT €5–7, attractions €15–30 = total €50–80.Mid-range: 3* hotel €110–160, meals €12–20 x2 + hawker €5, transport €7–10, 1–2 attractions €30–60 = €180–260.Luxury: 5* €280–500, fine dining €60–120, cocktails €18–25, taxi €20–30, attractions €40–80 = €420–750 per day. | In Bangkok costs are lower.Budget range: hostel €6–12, street food €1–2 x3, BTS/MRT €2–4, attractions €6–12 = €20–35.Mid-range: 3* hotel €30–60, meals €4–8 x2 + street €2, transport €3–6, attractions €10–20 = €60–110.Luxury: 5* €120–220, restaurants €25–50, rooftop drinks €8–12, taxi €6–12, spa €20–40 = €180–320 per day.✓ Better |
| Top attractions | In Singapore: Gardens by the Bay (Cloud Forest + Flower Dome €36, 2–3 hours), Marina Bay Sands SkyPark (€22–24, 60–90 min), ArtScience Museum (€13–17 per exhibition, 60–90 min), Singapore Zoo (€33, 3–4 hours).On Sentosa: Universal Studios (€55, 1 full day).Transfers: MRT from Bayfront to HarbourFront 10 min; walks between attractions 5–20 min. | In Bangkok: Grand Palace (500 THB ≈ €13, 2 hours), Wat Pho (200 THB ≈ €5.2, 60–90 min), Wat Arun (100 THB ≈ €2.6, 45–60 min), MahaNakhon SkyWalk (880–1060 THB ≈ €23–28, 60–90 min).Cruise on the Chao Phraya (tourist boat 150 THB ≈ €3.9, 1–2 hours).Distances: Rattanakosin to Saphan Taksin 5.5 km, taxi 20–30 min. |
| Food and restaurants | In Singapore you eat well at hawkers: Maxwell Food Centre (Tian Tian Chicken Rice €3–4), Lau Pa Sat satay street €0.70–1/skewer, 328 Katong Laksa €4–5.Fine dining: Candlenut (Peranakan, menu €85–95), cocktails at Atlas Bar €18–23.Markets: Chinatown Complex 260 stalls.An average restaurant meal costs €15–25 per person, beer €6–9. | In Bangkok street food is everywhere: Thipsamai Pad Thai €2.4–5.2, Jay Fai (Michelin star) crab omelette €26–31, Raan Jay Fai wait 60–120 min.Markets: Yaowarat (Chinatown) and Or Tor Kor premium fruit.Mid-range restaurants: dishes €4–8, beer €2.1–3.2, rooftop cocktails (e.g., Sky Bar Lebua) €9–12.Cooking classes in Silom €25–35.✓ Better |
| Climate and best time | Singapore is equatorial: year-round 26–32°C, humidity 70–90%.Heavier rains between November–January (monthly ~250–318 mm); drier months February (~112 mm) and July (~158 mm).Haze possible in August–October.Recommended period: February–April for more stable skies.Outdoor excursions are best before 10:00 or after 17:00. | Bangkok has three seasons: cool dry November–February (24–32°C, rainfall 6–20 mm/month), hot March–May (28–36°C; April peak), rainy May–October (26–34°C, rainfall 180–320 mm/month).Best period: December–January for temple visits without stifling heat.Avoid 12:00–15:00 in April; plan indoors (museums, malls) during afternoon thunderstorms (30–60 min).✓ Better |
| Transport and how to get there | Changi (SIN) Airport ~20 km from Marina Bay: MRT to City Hall €1.30 in 35 min; taxi/Grab €17–24 in 20–30 min.MRT rides €0.70–1.40; Tourist Pass 1 day about €15.Taxi base fare €2.65, +€0.37/km.Key lines: Downtown and Circle for attractions.Ferry to Sentosa? Better the Sentosa Express €3 round trip, 8 min.✓ Better | Airports Suvarnabhumi (BKK) ~30 km and Don Mueang (DMK) ~24 km.Airport Rail Link BKK–Phaya Thai €1.2 in 35 min; taxi BKK–Sukhumvit €10–13 in 35–60 min (tolls €1.8 + surcharge €1.3).BTS/MRT rides €0.45–1.25; BTS Day Pass €3.9.Taxi base 35 THB (€0.9), +6–10 THB/km.Chao Phraya boat €0.4–0.9. |
| Nightlife | Areas: Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Ann Siang Hill, rooftops at Marina Bay.Cocktails €18–25 (e.g., CE LA VI), beer €6–9.Clubs: Zouk entry €20–30 with drink; closing around 03:00.Retail alcohol sales limited after 22:30.Smart casual dress code in many bars.Night taxis €12–18 for 6–10 km. | Areas: Sukhumvit Soi 11, Thonglor, RCA and Khao San Road.Rooftops: Sky Bar Lebua and Octave with cocktails €9–12, beer €2–3.Clubs like Route 66/ONYX entry €8–15, typical closing 02:00.Grab rides €3–6 within 5–8 km.Post-night street food €1–2 along Soi 38.✓ Better |
| For families with children | In Singapore: S.E.A.Aquarium (€29, 2 hours), Universal Studios (€55, 1 day), Singapore Zoo (€33, 3–4 hours) and Gardens by the Bay with OCBC Skyway (€8).Distances: Sentosa ~6 km from Marina Bay; Zoo ~25 km.Stroller-friendly city (MRT elevators), clean public restrooms and safe drinking water.Taxis with child seats on request.✓ Better | In Bangkok: SEA LIFE Bangkok (Siam Paragon) €22–29, Dream World (Rangsit) €26–39, Safari World €39, klong boat ride €10–15 for a private boat (1–2 hours).Parks: Lumpini and Benjakitti with pedal boats €1/30 min.Transport: BTS with elevators not always present; better use foldable strollers.Heavy traffic 17:00–19:30. |
| Beaches and nature | Urban beaches on Sentosa: Siloso, Palawan, Tanjong ~6 km from Marina Bay; calm sea, free showers.East Coast Park ~10 km with a 15 km cycling path.Nature: Pulau Ubin (boat €2.7 each way, 10 min; bikes €5–8/day), Southern Ridges 10 km (Henderson Waves).Ideal for 1–2 half-days.✓ Better | Bangkok has no city beaches.The closest: Pattaya ~150 km (car 2 h; bus €4–6) and Hua Hin ~200 km (3 h; train €6–12).Urban nature: Bang Krachao with bikes €2/day and green boardwalks; trips to Erawan National Park (Kanchanaburi, ~200 km, 3 h; entry €7.8).Requires full-day planning. |
| Shopping | In Singapore shopping on Orchard Road (ION, Paragon, Ngee Ann City), outlets at IMM Jurong, souvenirs at Bugis Street (magnets €2–4).Electronics at Sim Lim Square.Taxes: GST 9% with refund for purchases ≥ S$100 in the same store (Tax Refund).Average prices similar to Europe; seasonal discounts at the Great Singapore Sale (June–July). | In Bangkok you’ll find MBK Center (affordable electronics and clothing), Siam Paragon (luxury), Platinum Fashion Mall (wholesale), Chatuchak (15,000 stalls).T-shirts €2.6–5.2, pants €6–12, bespoke tailoring €156–260 in 2–3 days.Bargaining common in markets; pay with cash or QR.VAT included in prices.✓ Better |
| Safety and practical tips | Singapore is very safe: low crime rate, tap water is drinkable.Avoid parts of Geylang late at night.Fines: littering from €200+, chewing gum not sold.Emergencies: 999 (police), 995 (ambulance).Use Grab at night (€8–15 for 5–8 km).Cover shoulders in temples; strong air conditioning—bring a light layer.✓ Better | In Bangkok watch out for 10 baht tuk-tuk scams and gem shops.Taxis: ask for the taximeter or use Grab.Avoid demonstrations near Democracy Monument.Do not drink tap water; bottles €0.3–0.6.Emergencies: 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance).Cover shoulders and knees at the Grand Palace; mosquitoes: repellent with DEET. |
| How many days you need | Singapore minimum 2–3 days: day 1 Marina Bay (SkyPark 60–90 min, Gardens 2–3 h); day 2 Sentosa (Universal 1 day or S.E.A.2 h + beach 2 h); day 3 Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam (3–4 h).Travel times: MRT 10–25 min between districts.Ideal 4 days to include Pulau Ubin. | Bangkok minimum 3 days: day 1 Rattanakosin (Grand Palace 2 h, Wat Pho 1.5 h, Wat Arun 1 h); day 2 Siam (museums/malls 3–4 h) + Chao Phraya (1–2 h); day 3 Chatuchak (3 h) + rooftop (2 h).Ideal 4–5 days for trips to Ayutthaya (80 km, 1.5 h; €10–20) or Damnoen Saduak (100 km, 1.5 h). |
| How to combine the two cities | Singapore–Bangkok flight 2 h 25 min, distance ~1,430 km.Airlines: Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Scoot, AirAsia, Jetstar.Round-trip fares in low season €140–240 with carry-on.Departures from Changi T1–3, arrival at BKK or DMK.Check in 2 h earlier; reach downtown in 35–60 min via Airport Rail Link or taxi. | In the opposite direction Bangkok–Singapore: same operators, one-way from €70–140 when booked 4–8 weeks ahead.Morning slots 07:00–10:00 and evening 18:00–22:00 are useful to optimize 1 day.Overland alternatives (train/bus via Malaysia) take 36–48 hours and a budget of €70–120, impractical for short itineraries. |
The Verdict
Choose Singapore
Choose Singapore if you want an efficient trip with kids or little time, between February and April (26–31°C).Recommended mid-range budget €180–260/day: 3* hotel in Marina Bay €130–160, meals between hawkers (€5) and restaurants (€18–25), MRT €7–10.3-day itinerary: day 1 SkyPark (60–90 min) + Gardens (2–3 h); day 2 Sentosa (Universal €55); day 3 Chinatown/Little India (3–4 h) + ArtScience (60–90 min).Taxi Changi–downtown €17–24 in 20–30 min.
Choose Bangkok
Choose Bangkok if you’re after street food, temples and nightlife spending €60–110/day (mid-range).Ideal period December–January (24–32°C).Stay in Sukhumvit 3* €40–60, eat at Thipsamai (€2.4–5.2) and try a rooftop at Lebua (€9–12).4-day itinerary: day 1 Grand Palace/Wat Pho; day 2 Wat Arun + Chao Phraya; day 3 Siam + MahaNakhon; day 4 Ayutthaya (80 km, 1.5 h, €10–20).Airport Rail Link €1.2 in 35 min.