Budget Hop · S$500 each

Where can S$500 take you?

Over Deepavali 2026 (Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov), S$500 each covers flights, a hotel, food and things to do in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Penang or Langkawi. Change the dates, the budget or what it covers, and the trips below change with it.

When

Travellers
Adults
2
Children 0–17
0

Two to a hotel room

Budget (total)

It has to cover

Trip style
See the trips
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Estimates in SGD as of 19 Oct 2026, for long-weekend dates booked a few weeks ahead (a little less off-peak). Not live prices.

9 trips fit S$1,000 for 2 people

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov 2026 · 3 days, 2 nights · no leave needed

Shoestring · 3 days, 2 nights

Bangkok

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Flight 2h 25m

est. S$990 of S$1,000

Just fits · S$500 each

  • Good weather then
  • Fill in Thailand's TDAC within 3 days
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn flight: S$300 eachS$600
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, budget hotel or guesthouse (about S$45 a night)S$90
Attractions1 paid ticket or tour, 4 freeS$70
FoodAbout S$15 a day each: hawker stalls and street foodS$90
Local transportTrains, buses and the odd Grab, airport or terminal transfersS$50
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$100

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$990
  • Mid-rangeS$1,330over
  • ComfortS$1,980over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Fly to Bangkok (2h 25m) and check in

    • AfternoonChatuchak Weekend Market Sat and Sun only: thousands of stalls, best before noonFree
    • EveningJodd Fairs night market Grilled seafood, giant pork ribs and barsFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningICONSIAM and the riverside A floating-market food hall inside a mega-mallFree
    • LunchBoat noodles near Victory Monument Tiny, rich bowls: order a stack
    • AfternoonFree time A Thai massage, or a mall with a good food court
    • EveningChao Phraya dinner cruise Temples lit up from the riverS$35 ppBook

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • MorningLumphini Park Lakes, joggers and monitor lizards, best earlyFree
    • LunchKhao man gai in Pratunam Thai chicken rice with a punchy sauce
    • AfternoonFree time A Thai massage, or a mall with a good food court

    Fly home

FlightsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doFull trip plan and checklist

Shoestring · 3 days, 2 nights

Ho Chi Minh City

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Flight 2h

est. S$980 of S$1,000

S$20 to spare · S$490 each

What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn flight: S$280 eachS$560
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, budget hotel or guesthouse (about S$35 a night)S$70
Attractions3 paid tickets and tours, 4 freeS$100
FoodAbout S$12 a day each: hawker stalls and street foodS$70
Local transportGrab and taxis, airport or terminal transfersS$80
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$100

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$930
  • Mid-rangeS$1,240over
  • ComfortS$1,790over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (2h) and check in

    • AfternoonWar Remnants Museum and Independence Palace Two museums on the war years, a short ride apartS$7 pp
    • EveningBui Vien walking street Loud, cheap bars and street foodFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningCu Chi Tunnels Crawl the tunnels; go early before the heatS$25 ppBook
    • AfternoonBen Thanh Market and District 1 The market, the old post office and Book StreetFree
    • DinnerVinh Khanh Street seafood Snails and grilled shellfish in District 4
    • EveningWater puppet show A 45-minute show, fun with kidsS$16 ppBook

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • MorningCholon and Binh Tay Market Chinatown temples and a wholesale marketFree
    • AfternoonJade Emperor Pagoda A smoky Taoist temple in Da KaoFree

    Fly home

FlightsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doFull trip plan and checklist

Shoestring · 3 days, 2 nights

Penang

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Flight 1h 25m

est. S$930 of S$1,000

S$70 to spare · S$470 each

  • Also a holiday in Malaysia, so book early
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn flight: S$180 eachS$360
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, budget hotel or guesthouse (about S$50 a night)S$100
Attractions5 paid tickets and tours, 2 freeS$250
FoodAbout S$15 a day each: hawker stalls and street foodS$90
Local transportTrains, buses and the odd Grab, airport or terminal transfersS$40
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$100

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$930
  • Mid-rangeS$1,270over
  • ComfortS$1,850over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Fly to Penang (1h 25m) and check in

    • AfternoonPenang Hill and Kek Lok Si The funicular up, then the big temple nearbyS$10 pp
    • EveningGurney Drive or New Lane hawkers Char kway teow, asam laksa and oyster omeletteFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningGeorge Town street art and heritage walk Murals, clan houses and shophouses in the UNESCO coreFree
    • LunchChar kway teow Smoky fried flat noodles from a hawker
    • AfternoonClan Jetties and Pinang Peranakan Mansion Stilt villages by the water and a jade-green mansionS$10 pp
    • EveningGeorge Town food tour Hawker classics and the stories behind themS$75 ppBook

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • MorningPenang National Park A boat ride to Monkey Beach for a swimS$20 pp
    • LunchAsam laksa Sour fish noodle soup, Penang’s signature
    • AfternoonBlue Mansion tour Cheong Fatt Tze’s restored indigo mansion, by guided tourS$8 pp

    Fly home

FlightsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doMore on Penang

Shoestring · 3 days, 2 nights

Langkawi

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Flight 1h 20m

est. S$1,000 of S$1,000

Just fits · S$500 each

  • Also a holiday in Malaysia, so book early
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn flight: S$220 eachS$440
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, budget hotel or guesthouse (about S$45 a night)S$90
Attractions2 paid tickets and tours, 5 freeS$140
FoodAbout S$20 a day each: hawker stalls and street foodS$120
Local transportTrains, buses and the odd Grab, airport or terminal transfersS$110
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$100

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$1,000
  • Mid-rangeS$1,430over
  • ComfortS$2,240over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Fly to Langkawi (1h 20m) and check in

    • AfternoonMangrove boat tour Kilim and Tanjung Rhu: eagles, bat caves and fish farmsS$30 ppBook
    • DinnerSeafood by the beach Grilled fish and prawns at Pantai Cenang
    • EveningSunset at Pantai Cenang Beach bars and duty-free drinksFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningSkyCab and Sky Bridge Go early: queues and clouds build by noonS$40 ppBook
    • LunchNasi campur Mixed rice at a roadside stall
    • AfternoonSeven Wells waterfall A short, steep climb to pools above the fallsFree
    • EveningNight market It moves to a different town each nightFree

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • MorningTanjung Rhu beach A quieter beach with limestone islets offshoreFree
    • LunchBeach café lunch Fried rice and fresh coconut at Pantai Cenang
    • AfternoonKuah and Eagle Square The giant eagle statue, then duty-free chocolate and shopsFree

    Fly home

FlightsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doMore on Langkawi

Mid-range hotel · street food · 3 days, 2 nights

Batam

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Ferry 1h

est. S$940 of S$1,000

S$60 to spare · S$470 each

  • Rainy season
  • Fill in the All Indonesia arrival card
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn ferry: S$55 eachS$110
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, 3–4 star hotel (about S$110 a night)S$220
Attractions4 paid tickets and tours, 4 freeS$300
FoodAbout S$20 a day each: hawker stalls and street foodS$120
Local transportGrab and taxisS$90
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$100

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$730
  • Mid-rangeS$1,060over
  • ComfortS$1,640over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Ferry from HarbourFront or Tanah Merah (about 1h) and check in

    • MorningSpa and massage package Batam’s best value; many include terminal pick-upS$40 ppBook
    • LunchMie Tarempa Spicy fishcake noodles, a Riau speciality
    • AfternoonBarelang Bridge and city tour Bridges, temples and viewpoints with a driverS$30 ppBook
    • EveningSeafood dinner over the water Chilli crab and gong gong at a kelong restaurantFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningNongsa resort day pass Pool, beach and lunch at a resortS$30 pp
    • LunchNasi padang Point-and-pick rice with rendang and curries
    • AfternoonMaha Vihara Duta Maitreya A huge, calm Buddhist temple complex in Batam CentreFree
    • DinnerIkan bakar Grilled fish with sambal at a seaside warung
    • EveningEngku Putri Park at dusk A big green by the Grand Mosque in Batam Centre, with snack stallsFree

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • MorningNagoya Hill shopping Cheap clothes, snacks and a big food courtFree
    • LunchBakso and siomay Meatball soup and fish dumplings at a warung
    • AfternoonWater sports at Nongsa Jet skis, banana boats and kayaksS$50 pp

    Ferry home

Ferry ticketsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doMore on Batam

Comfort hotel · casual restaurants · 3 days, 2 nights

Melaka

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Coach 4h

est. S$870 of S$1,000

S$130 to spare · S$440 each

  • Rainy season
  • Also a holiday in Malaysia, so book early
  • Causeway jams likely both ways: cross early
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn coach: S$60 eachS$120
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, 4–5 star hotel (about S$160 a night)S$320
Attractions2 paid tickets and tours, 3 freeS$40
FoodAbout S$30 a day each: casual restaurantsS$180
Local transportGrab and private transfersS$90
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$130

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$460
  • Mid-rangeS$680
  • ComfortS$1,080over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Coach to Melaka (about 4h) and check in

    • EveningJonker Walk Night Market Fri to Sun only: street snacks, chendol and trinketsFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningHeritage walk The red Stadthuys, St Paul’s Hill and the A Famosa gateFree
    • AfternoonChicken rice balls and nyonya laksa Queue at Chung Wah, then a nyonya kitchenFree
    • DinnerSatay celup Dip skewers into a bubbling pot of peanut sauce
    • EveningMelaka River Cruise Best at dusk, past murals and old warehousesS$10 pp

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • MorningBaba & Nyonya Heritage Museum A restored Peranakan townhouse, best with the guided tourS$8 pp

    Coach home

Coach ticketsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doMore on Melaka
3 more trips that fit

Shoestring hotel · casual restaurants · 3 days, 2 nights

Bintan

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Ferry 1h

est. S$990 of S$1,000

Just fits · S$500 each

  • Rainy season
  • Fill in the All Indonesia arrival card
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn ferry: S$95 eachS$190
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, budget hotel or guesthouse (about S$90 a night)S$180
Attractions3 paid tickets and tours, 3 freeS$110
FoodAbout S$50 a day each: casual restaurantsS$300
Local transportTrains, buses and the odd Grab, airport or terminal transfersS$90
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$130

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$840
  • Mid-rangeS$1,350over
  • ComfortS$2,210over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Ferry from Tanah Merah (about 1h) and check in

    • MorningMangrove boat tour The Sebung river by boat; evening trips add firefliesS$30 ppBook
    • LunchOtak-otak Grilled fish cake in leaves, a Riau classic
    • AfternoonLagoi Bay beach A long sandy beach with sunset barsFree
    • DinnerSeafood over the water Chilli crab and gong gong at a kelong restaurant
    • EveningPasar Oleh-Oleh Batik, handicrafts and local snacks near the Lagoi resortsFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningBusung sand dunes White sand dunes and a blue lake, Bintan’s odd “desert”S$3 pp
    • LunchMie lendir Noodles in a thick peanut and sweet-potato gravy
    • AfternoonKayaks and paddleboards Non-motorised sports on your resort’s beachS$20 pp
    • DinnerIkan bakar Grilled fish with sambal and rice
    • EveningSunset at Lagoi Bay Bars and food stalls by the lake as the sun goes downFree

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • All dayFree day Beach and pool time at the resort
    • LunchLunch by the pool Easy at the resort, if dearer

    Ferry home

Ferry ticketsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doMore on Bintan

Comfort · 2 days, 1 night

Johor Bahru

Sat 7 – Sun 8 Nov · Train 5 min

est. S$820 of S$1,000

S$180 to spare · S$410 each

  • Rainy season
  • 2 days is plenty here
  • Also a holiday in Malaysia, so book early
  • Causeway jams likely Sat 7 Nov: cross early
What it costs
Flights & ferriesKTM Shuttle Tebrau or bus: S$10 eachS$20
Hotels1 room × 1 night, 4–5 star hotel (about S$180 a night)S$180
Attractions2 paid tickets and tours, 2 freeS$160
FoodAbout S$60 a day each: nicer restaurantsS$240
Local transportGrab and private transfersS$80
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$140

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$390
  • Mid-rangeS$540
  • ComfortS$820
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Train or bus across the Causeway and check in

    • MorningOld town food crawl Kopitiam breakfast, then Jalan Dhoby and Tan Hiok NeeFree
    • AfternoonFoot reflexology An hour costs a fraction of what it does in SingaporeS$25 ppBook
    • EveningSupper at a mamak stall Roti canai and teh tarik till lateFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • All dayLegoland Malaysia Theme park with a water park next door, cheaper booked aheadS$55 ppBook
    • DinnerSeafood dinner Chilli crab and butter prawns for less than in Singapore

    Back across the Causeway

Train or bus ticketsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doMore on Johor Bahru

Shoestring · 3 days, 2 nights

Kuala Lumpur

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Flight 1h

est. S$950 of S$1,000

S$50 to spare · S$470 each

  • Rainy season
  • Also a holiday in Malaysia, so book early
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn flight: S$160 eachS$320
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, budget hotel or guesthouse (about S$55 a night)S$110
Attractions3 paid tickets and tours, 4 freeS$160
FoodAbout S$20 a day each: hawker stalls and street foodS$120
Local transportGrab and taxis, airport or terminal transfersS$140
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$100

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$860
  • Mid-rangeS$1,230over
  • ComfortS$1,750over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Fly to Kuala Lumpur (1h) and check in

    • AfternoonPetronas Twin Towers skybridge Timed tickets for the bridge and the 86th floor sell outS$40 ppBook
    • EveningJalan Alor food street Satay, grilled fish and durian until lateFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningBatu Caves half-day tour The rainbow steps and the temple cave; go before the heatS$20 ppBook
    • AfternoonMerdeka Square, Central Market and Chinatown Colonial KL on foot, then Petaling StreetFree
    • DinnerKL Hokkien mee Thick noodles in dark soy, best late at night
    • EveningKLCC Park fountain show The towers lit up and the lake fountain, freeFree

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • MorningPerdana Botanical Gardens and the National Mosque The Lake Gardens, then Masjid Negara (robes provided)Free
    • LunchNasi lemak Coconut rice, sambal and fried chicken
    • AfternoonAquaria KLCC A walk-through shark tunnel under the convention centreS$20 ppBook

    Fly home

FlightsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doMore on Kuala Lumpur

Just over budget

A little more money, or a few changes, and these work too.

S$90 over · 3 days, 2 nights

Phuket

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Flight 1h 50m

est. S$1,090 of S$1,000

S$90 over · S$540 each

  • Fill in Thailand's TDAC within 3 days
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn flight: S$330 eachS$660
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, budget hotel or guesthouse (about S$50 a night)S$100
AttractionsFree things to doS$0
FoodAbout S$20 a day each: hawker stalls and street foodS$120
Local transportTrains, buses and the odd Grab, airport or terminal transfersS$110
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, snacks and tipsS$100

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$1,090over
  • Mid-rangeS$1,540over
  • ComfortS$2,170over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Fly to Phuket (1h 50m) and check in

    • AfternoonOld Phuket Town walk Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés and muralsFree
    • DinnerRawai seafood market Pick it fresh, and a restaurant next door cooks it
    • EveningSunset at Promthep Cape The island’s classic sunset viewpointFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningBig Buddha and Wat Chalong Hilltop views and Phuket’s best-known templeFree
    • LunchPhuket Hokkien mee Yellow noodles from the island’s Hokkien kitchens
    • AfternoonKaron Viewpoint and Kata Noi Three bays from one lookout, then a quieter beachFree
    • EveningPhuket Weekend Night Market Sat and Sun only: street food and cheap clothesFree

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • All dayFree day Beach time at Kata or Karon
    • LunchSouthern Thai curries Gaeng som and khua kling, fiery

    Fly home

FlightsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doFull trip plan and checklist

S$170 over · 3 days, 2 nights

Bali

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · Flight 2h 35m

est. S$1,170 of S$1,000

S$170 over · S$590 each

  • Arrival card and Rp150k Bali levy
What it costs
Flights & ferriesReturn flight: S$400 eachS$800
Hotels1 room × 2 nights, budget hotel or guesthouse (about S$35 a night)S$70
AttractionsFree things to doS$0
FoodAbout S$15 a day each: hawker stalls and street foodS$90
Local transportTrains, buses and the odd Grab, airport or terminal transfersS$90
Other expenseseSIM, travel insurance, Bali tourist levy, snacks and tipsS$120

The same plan at each level:

  • ShoestringS$1,170over
  • Mid-rangeS$1,610over
  • ComfortS$2,300over
Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1 Sat 7 Nov

    Fly to Bali (2h 35m) and check in

    • AfternoonFree time Beach club, pool or a Balinese massage
    • DinnerJimbaran Bay seafood Grilled fish at tables on the sand at sunset
    • EveningSeminyak or Canggu sunset Beanbags and drinks on the sandFree

  2. Day 2 Sun 8 Nov

    • MorningSanur beach path A flat seaside walk, calm water and breakfastFree
    • LunchBabi guling Balinese roast suckling pig with rice
    • AfternoonFree time Beach club, pool or a Balinese massage
    • DinnerBebek betutu Slow-cooked, spice-rubbed duck

  3. Day 3 Mon 9 Nov

    • All dayFree day Beach club, pool or a Balinese massage
    • LunchNasi campur Rice with a little of everything, at a warung

    Fly home

FlightsHotelseSIMTravel insuranceMore things to doMore on Bali

What S$500 each buys, long weekend by long weekend

Two people sharing a room, with up to 1 day of leave on each, everything covered: flights, hotel, attractions, food, local transport and extras. Pick “Any long weekend” above to change the leave or the party.

Long weekendDatesTrips that fitBest picks
Deepavali 2026Fri 6 – Mon 9 Nov
4 days, 1 day of leave		10Ho Chi Minh City (shoestring), Penang (shoestring), Langkawi (shoestring)
Christmas & New Year 2026Thu 24 – Sun 27 Dec
4 days, 1 day of leave		10Penang (shoestring), Ho Chi Minh City (shoestring), Langkawi (shoestring)
Chinese New Year 2027Fri 5 – Mon 8 Feb
4 days, 1 day of leave		10Penang (shoestring), Ho Chi Minh City (shoestring), Langkawi (shoestring)
Hari Raya Puasa 2027Tue 9 – Wed 10 Mar
2 days, 1 day of leave		5Melaka (comfort), Batam (comfort hotel · casual restaurants), Johor Bahru (comfort)
Good Friday 2027Thu 25 – Sun 28 Mar
4 days, 1 day of leave		10Penang (shoestring), Ho Chi Minh City (shoestring), Langkawi (shoestring)
Hari Raya Haji & Vesak Day 2027Fri 14 – Mon 17 May
4 days, 1 day of leave		10Batam (mid-range hotel · street food), Batam + Bintan (shoestring), Ho Chi Minh City (shoestring)
National Day 2027Fri 6 – Mon 9 Aug
4 days, 1 day of leave		10Kuala Lumpur (shoestring), Batam (mid-range hotel · street food), Batam + Bintan (shoestring)
Deepavali 2027Thu 28 – Sun 31 Oct
4 days, 1 day of leave		10Batam (mid-range hotel · street food), Batam + Bintan (shoestring), Bintan (shoestring hotel · casual restaurants)

Shoestring means a budget hotel or guesthouse and hawker stalls and street food; comfort a 4–5 star hotel and nicer restaurants. Rough estimates, not live prices: see how Budget Hop works.