We're going to say it: it's hard to travel on a budget right now – but it's not entirely impossible.
It's common knowledge now that travelling has gotten more expensive compared to pre-covid times, especially with the need for travel insurance and PCR tests. Not to mention, with most of the countries in Southeast Asia out of the picture for now, the cost of flight tickets out of Singapore is even more expensive now.
If you're itching to travel but not willing to splash out, wait till January at least. The cost of flight tickets will lower after January. Not sure where to go? Over at Time Out Singapore's office, we've been obsessively looking at flights on Skyscanner to figure out the more affordable destinations we can travel to right now – and we're here to share our findings.
For comparison's sake, we've set the dates from January 28 to February 7 – taking into account the Chinese New Year public holiday on February 1 and 2.
Flights: $659 (Singapore Airlines & Scoot)
The closest destination from Singapore you can fly to, for now, is undoubtedly Seoul. If you love all things Korean – be it bibimbap, soju, or K-dramas, then planning a getaway to Seoul might be for you. And you don't have to spend all your money on accommodation too, especially with the various chic yet budget-friendly hotels you can find.
Flights: $632 (Scoot)
Now that certain states in Australia have finally opened their borders to travellers from Singapore, we can once again travel to the land Down Under. Melbourne is a dynamic city with beautiful architecture, a strong arts and culture scene, nature parks in its surrounds and more.
Flights: $516 (on Scoot)
The first country Singapore launched a VTL with still remains a popular destination – and tickets are affordable, too. Since the fall of its infamous Wall, Germany's capital is has transformed into one of the coolest creative and cultural hubs in Europe. Explore its historical monuments, visit its numerous art spaces and tuck into a plate of currywurst or two. From there, you can pretty much travel to other cities in Germany via train.
Flights: $234 (AirAsia)
Now that our neighbouring city has finally opened up to fully vaccinated travellers from Singapore again, we're sure many will be flocking there for their food and shopping fix. Go on a bar hop to the city's best spots, get acquainted with Kuala Lumpur's art scene and take in the greenery of the city.
Flights: $682 via Amsterdam (KLM)
Beyond the popular – and expensive – cities of Barcelona and Madrid, travelling around Spain is pretty much affordable. Look up any list of underrated cities in the country and Valencia would most probably come up. The beautiful Mediterranean city is to go-to destination for foodies and beach lovers alike. After all, it is the home of the paella.
Flights: $683 via Amsterdam (KLM)
Spain's Andalusia region is famed for its stretches of beach and tourist-filled towns like Seville. Once known as a transit hub (and the birthplace of Pablo Picasso), the capital Malaga has gone through a renaissance. Over the past few years, multiple museums have opened, new restaurants have popped up and the port has transformed into a vibrant location lined with shops and more.
Plus point? It is one of Spain's most affordable cities to live in.
Flights: $799 (KLM); $959 (Singapore Airlines)
In case you haven't noticed the pattern, most of the flights from Singapore to Spain are transiting through Amsterdam. So naturally, Amsterdam should also be on your list of destinations to travel to. Stop to admire quaint bridges, explore the labyrinth of canals, explore museums, have a meal out on shady terraces, and stop to smell the tulips. Why else would you go to Amsterdam, right?
Flights: $888 via Frankfurt (Lufthansa)
Vive la France! Beyond the romantic capital of Paris, there are many other cities in France that you should consider – especially when you're travelling on a budget. New museums and galleries have sprung up, trendy restaurants and bars are flourishing, and the port city is just brimming with life.
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