A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bandung vs. Singapore for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bandung or Singapore?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bandung or Singapore? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bandung

Bandung is a laidback, cultural, and scenic city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Bandung travel costs.

Singapore

Singapore is a colorful, glitzy, and modern city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Singapore is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Singapore travel costs.

Bandung and Singapore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bandung or Singapore?

You'll generally find more things to do in Singapore than Bandung. Singapore is bigger than Bandung, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Singapore is better known for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bandung is more popular for its hiking. Bandung is well known for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures. Singapore is well known for its blend of cultures, its lush gardens, and its clean streets. Also, Singapore is famous for Merlion Park Waterfront.

How is Bandung different from Singapore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Singapore and Bandung. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bandung or Singapore?

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Bandung or Singapore.

Bandung offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

Many visitors head to Singapore specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The mix of cultures and unique history have led to museums and landmarks that mix historic and modern. The Merlion statue in Merlion Park has become a symbol of the city. For an educational experience, head to the Asian Civilizations Museum, and to see colonial architecture check out Fort Canning Park.

Is the Food Better in Bandung or Singapore? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Bandung and Singapore can be an enjoyable experience.

For foodies, Bandung is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Singapore has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. From local dives to five star restaurants, the city's food scene is all about diversity. Make sure you try Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, and Hokkien prawn mee.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Nightlife?

Both Bandung and Singapore have notable vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bandung. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Singapore has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's all about the glitzy nightclubs and exclusive cocktail bars. Head to Clarke Quay, Marina Bay Sands, or one of the many rooftop bars to experience the best of Singapore's nightlife. Do keep in mind that the city has a high alcohol tax, and strict rules around drinking in public places during certain hours.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Music?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Bandung is not a live music destination.

Singapore is known as a music capital around the world. As a globalized city, you'll find almost any type of music here. Popular music venues include Timbre, Zouk, and the Crazy Elephant.

Bandung is not a live music destination.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Resorts?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Bandung is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Singapore is a great choice. From sleek high rises with rooftop pools to family-friendly resorts with kid oriented activities, this city has it all. Popular resorts include Oasia Resort Sentosa, Dusit Thani Laguna, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Bandung is not a resort destination.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Singapore is not a good area for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bandung is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Most people don't go snorkeling in Singapore. The best place to snorkel in the area is Pulau Hantu.

Bandung is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Beaches?

Singapore is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bandung is not a beach destination.

Singapore is a good option for a beach vacation. You'll find most of the area's best beaches on Sentosa Island. There's a 2 kilometer long artificial beach that is split into Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach, and Tanjong Beach.

Bandung is not a beach destination.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Hiking?

Bandung is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Singapore is not a hiking destination.

Bandung is a popular spot for hiking. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

Singapore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bandung or Singapore?

Shoppers can find a variety of first-rate stores in both Bandung and Singapore.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Bandung. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

The abundance of shops in Singapore make it a world-class shopping destination. You'll find tons of malls along Orchard Road, but for a more eclectic shopping experience head to the Chinatown Street Market.

Is Bandung or Singapore More Beautiful?

Singapore is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Singapore is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It is a beautiful city with many lights and colorful neighborhoods.

Bandung is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Families?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Singapore is a very family-friendly destination. With places like Sentosa and Universal Studios, there really is no shortage of activities for kids. There's also a zoo, an aquarium, and bird park, and many kid-friendly museums.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bandung. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Couples?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Singapore makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The city has stunning hotels, amazing restaurants, and plenty of fun activities that are perfect for couples.

Couples visit Bandung frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Singapore. Many backpackers use this city as a starting or ending point for their Southeast Asian backpacking trip. It's modern and glamourous, but still has plenty of backpacker-friendly and budget-friendly options.

Bandung is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Students?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Singapore. As such a diverse city, you'll find plenty of international students as well as expats to hang out with.

Bandung is popular with students. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

Is Bandung or Singapore Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors in Singapore can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There is the MRT subway system as well as buses that travel all over the city.

You'll find some public transit in Bandung, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

Is Bandung or Singapore a more walkable city?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Singapore. It's possible to walk in most areas in the city center. There are also park connectors that are nice for taking a stroll or going for a run.

Bandung is a very walkable city. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Bandung Worth Visiting? and Is Singapore Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Singapore or Bandung?

How long in Bandung or Singapore?

Both Bandung and Singapore have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Singapore than in Bandung. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bandung, and 2-7 days is enough time in Singapore.

Families should spend more time in Singapore than Bandung. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Singapore, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Singapore than Bandung. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Singapore that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Singapore than Bandung if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Singapore.

One day in Bandung or Singapore?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bandung. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Because Singapore is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Bandung or Singapore?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bandung. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Because Singapore is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Singapore has to offer.

Five days in Bandung or Singapore?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laidback city of Bandung. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Singapore is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Singapore has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Bandung or Singapore?

Bandung is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Singapore. Because Singapore is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bandung and Singapore, we can see that Singapore is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore than you might in Bandung.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Singapore Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bandung or Singapore?

Singapore has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bandung. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and Singapore, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.