Think studying and living in Singapore is costly? Well, it’s not. You just need to know how the system works. Check out some verified cost-saving tips to reduce the cost of living in Singapore for students:
Free Drinking Water Is Everywhere
Buying bottled water is pretty expensive. And boiling water? It may not feel like a big expense right now. But over time, it compounds, especially if you’re staying alone with no one to share the utility bill.
Luckily, you don’t have to do it here. According to the Singapore Kindness Movement, water dispensers are installed at:
- All hawker centres
- Parks
- Bus interchanges
- Some MRT stations
And it’s completely safe to use. Remember, Singapore is often named as one of the cleanest places in the world.
If you’re still concerned about hygiene, bring your own bottle. You can use sensor-based dispensers when available.
If it looks grimy? Just skip it. After all, it’s installed in every nook and corner.
Shop Groceries Wisely
Don’t make the mistake of doing all your shopping at the nearest supermarket. You need to categorise your needs to maximise every cent. Have a look at the two most popular grocery centres among students:
Mustafa Centre
For Indian students, the Mustafa Centre in Little India is your headquarters for bulk spices, dal, and hair care products. Prices here are often lower than those in local supermarkets for home essentials, especially for Indian products.
>Sheng Siong
For everything else, head to Sheng Siong after 9:00 PM. This is when the ‘Reduced to Clear’ stickers come out. You can often find fresh produce, sushi packs, and rotisserie‑style items at 30-50% off, sometimes more on high‑stock days.
Fun Fact
Always keep your Sheng Siong receipts. They’re used for entries into the televised Sheng Siong Show, a lottery where lucky receipt numbers can win big prizes (sometimes large enough to cover a month’s rent, though most wins are much smaller).
Early Bird Transport Advantage
Transportation is cheap in Singapore, but you can make it almost negligible if you’re smart about your schedule. Singapore’s transport system is designed to manage peak-hour crowds by rewarding early travellers.
So, try to tap into any MRT station before 7:45 AM on weekdays. The system automatically deducts SGD 0.50 from your fare.
If you have a 9:00 AM lecture and choose to head to the campus library early to study, you save roughly SGD 10 – SGD 12 a month. While that sounds small, it covers your mobile data plan or three meals at a hawker centre.
Personal Tip
Pair this with the SimplyGo App. Link your student concession card to the app to track every cent. If a bus reader glitches and overcharges you, you can file a “claim” instantly through the app to get a refund.
Open Bank Accounts with Student Benefits
Opening a bank account in Singapore is pretty easy with your Student Pass and passport. These banks roll out the red carpet with no/low fees, free transfers, high interest, and student perks like cashback or easy remittances.
| Bank |
Benefit For Students |
| DBS Bank |
Free account opening, no min balance for students, free overseas transfers/remittances, and debit card perks |
| OCBC FRANK Account |
No initial deposit or annual fees |
| HSBC Singapore |
Free tuition payments, global transfers with zero fee, and account setup pre-arrival for international students |
| Citibank Singapore |
No minimum income requirement, reward points for every dollar spent, special deals at many restaurants, and many other fashion brands |
Take National Library Board (NLB) Registration
The National Library Board (NLB) is perhaps the most undervalued resource for international students. While others pay $30/month for co-working spaces or $8 for a coffee at Starbucks just to use the WiFi, pro students use the library network.
You can use your Student Pass to register for an NLB membership immediately. Apart from physical books, you get access to the Libby and PressReader apps, which provide free digital access to thousands of global magazines and newspapers (including Indian ones) that would otherwise cost $200+ in yearly subscriptions.
And guess what? Most offer comfortable air-conditioned study zones with free Wi-Fi. You can save hundreds of dollars on utility and internet bills.