Singapore vs Malaysia: Which is Better To Visit In 2024?
Singapore and Malaysia are two incredible countries to visit in South East Asia.
But which one should you visit? Singapore vs Malaysia is one of the most difficult decisions to make when travelling. Choosing between the two is impossible.
Luckily for you, as a full-time traveller, I am here to provide a guide comparing these two beautiful countries to help you make your decision.
Singapore vs Malaysia: The Basics
As I said, this is a tricky decision and choosing between Singapore vs Malaysia is so tough. There is no obvious winner overall. So to help you make your decision, I have compared the two countries in a number of categories, starting with the basics which are Costs & Prices, Language & Culture, Weather and Food. 4 important things, right?
After assessing the pros and cons,
I will declare a winner of each category!
Costs & Prices
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore is cheaper than most countries in the western world like the US and the UK, for example. But Singapore is the most expensive country to visit in Southeast Asia.
As the country and city are so modern, and a place known for their luxury lifestyle, it’s naturally more expensive than its surrounding countries.
That being said, backpacking Singapore is really popular, as it’s a common layover for those heading to Australia. So it is possible to visit Singapore on a budget.
Top Tip: Singapore uses Singapore Dollars. As of January 2024, $1 USD is equal to 1.33 SGD.
A typical daily budget in Singapore would be approximately $125 USD each day. Of course, if you are backpacking Southeast Asia, your daily budget will be a lot smaller, around $50.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia is also a lot cheaper than most countries in the west. It’s more of a typical Southeast Asian country when it comes to your budget, and you can get things for incredibly cheap.
Although it might not be as cheap as Vietnam or Cambodia, it’s still a really cheap country to visit. You can expect prices similar to that of the Philippines.
Top Tip: Malaysia uses Malaysian Ringgit. As of January 2024, $1 USD is equal to 4.61 MYR.
You can get by in Malaysia with a daily budget of around $85 USD a day. Again, if you are backpacking, you can go as low as $35 a day. So cheap!
Below is a table comparing the prices in Singapore vs Malaysia of common expenses during a trip to either of these countries.
| Expense | Singapore | Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Room | $60 | $30 |
| Hostel Dorm | $15 | $8 |
| Street Food | $6 | $3 |
| Decent Restaurant | $15 | $8 |
| Alcohol (one beer) | $8 | $3 |
It’s worth noting that alcohol is heavily taxed in both of these countries, which is why it is so out of line with the rest of the prices.
But as you can see, while Singapore is definitely cheaper than most countries, Malaysia is significantly cheaper.
Winner – Costs & Prices: Malaysia 🇲🇾
Language & Culture
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore has a pretty unique culture as it has been influenced by Chinese, Malay, Indian and other ethnicities. But this is what makes Singapore so unique. It’s a mix of all different ethnicities, religions, and languages. I would compare Singapore to Dubai, to an extent.
Top Tip: The Official Language of Singapore is Malay, funnily enough.
The most popular religions in Singapore are Buddhism and atheism actually. Singapore is a really modern country with a huge mix of religions and beliefs, which has resulted in a large number of atheists compared to other Asian countries. I’m not saying atheism is correct or incorrect, but it’s definitely become a more common belief in modern years.
As shown above, the official language is Malay, but a huge percentage of the country speaks English too. Again, as the city is so modern and luxurious, English is actually the most common language in the heart of the city of Singapore.
Fun Fact: 37% of the people who live in Singapore weren’t born in Singapore.
3 fun facts about Singapore’s language and culture:
–> The laws and fines are very strict. For example, you can’t chew chewing gum anywhere you want, you have to make sure you are in an appropriate area.
–> Singapore is an incredibly clean and safe city. It’s one of the safest places in the world; honesty is a big part of Singaporean culture which keeps the city spotless and crime-free.
–> The people of Singapore are very polite. The government actually teaches manners in the education system, making Singaporeans some of the most polite and welcoming people in the world.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Similar to Singapore, Malaysia is also a multi-cultural country with large populations of native Malays, Chinese, Indians and other nationalities. This makes Malaysia fascinating to visit as all the different religious groups retain their beliefs and all practise their religion slightly differently.
Malaysia’s official religion is Islam, unlike many surrounding countries which mainly practice Buddhism. Religion plays a bigger role in Malaysia than in Singapore, with 63.5% Islam, 18.7% Buddhist and 9.1% Christian according to the 2020 census.
Top Tip: The Official Language of Malaysia is Malay.
Malaysia will provide more of a culture shock than Singapore which is more westernised as it is a modern and luxurious place, and while this is true about parts of Malaysia like Kuala Lumpur, there are more opportunities to go off the beaten path and see the real Malaysia.
English is not quite as widely spoken in Malaysia as it is in Singapore. It is still widely spoken, with about 50-60% of people speaking English, but compare this to nearly everyone in Singapore and it’s a bit less.
3 fun facts about Malaysia’s language and culture:
–> Malaysians don’t consider themself to be Malaysian. Most Malaysians instead identify with their family’s origin country. Most likely China or India.
–> It’s disrespectful to wear shoes indoors
–> Eating with your hands is just as common as using cutlery.
Personally, I don’t think it’s right to say one country’s culture is better than another’s. So I’m calling the cultural comparison between Singapore vs Malaysia a draw, as I did between Taiwan and Thailand. Of course, you can make a personal judgement on which sounds more appealing to you.
Winner – Language & Culture: Both 🇸🇬🇲🇾
Weather
🇸🇬 Singapore
The weather in Singapore is pretty warm all year round, and pretty consistent all year round too. With sunny days and warm weather, you can be sure to get a bit of a tan during a trip to Singapore.
As a country with a tropical climate, the summers are very warm, lasting almost all year. That being said, there are monsoon seasons in Singapore. A monsoon season is when there is great rainfall. The Northeast monsoon is from December to March and the Southwest is from June to September.
But the monsoon seasons provide more bearable temperatures, and sometimes cheaper prices too. There’s never really a “best” or “bad” time to visit Singapore, the country has pretty good weather regardless of when you visit.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia has a similar annual consistency when it comes to weather. In fact, Malaysia is almost the same temperature all year round. This is due to it’s location near the equator/
There are 2 main seasons in Malaysia: the dry and rainy seasons. But despite the change in precipitation, there is very limited variation in temperatures.
As with Singapore, the rainy season from September to February can provide cheaper prices as there will be fewer tourists in the country, but the temperatures are more or less the same.
Below is a table showing the average temperatures for Singapore and Malaysia throughout the year.
| Month | Singapore Average Daily Temperature | Malaysia Average Daily Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27.5°C / 81.5°F | 27°C / 80.6°F |
| February | 28°C / 82.4°F | 28°C / 82.4°F |
| March | 28.5°C / 83.3°F | 28°C / 82.4°F |
| April | 29°C / 84.2°F | 28°C / 82.4°F |
| May | 29°C / 84.2°F | 28°C / 82.4°F |
| June | 29°C / 84.2°F | 28°C / 82.4°F |
| July | 28.5°C / 83.3°F | 28°C / 82.4°F |
| August | 28.5°C / 83.3°F | 28°C / 82.4°F |
| September | 28°C / 82.4°F | 27°C / 80.6°F |
| October | 28.5°C / 83.3°F | 27°C / 80.6°F |
| November | 28°C / 82.4°F | 27°C / 80.6°F |
| December | 28°C / 82.4°F | 27°C / 80.6°F |
Although the temperatures are close and Malaysia is more consistent, Singapore has higher temperatures and is known for its good weather.
Winner – Weather: Singapore 🇸🇬
Food
🇸🇬 Singapore
As an international shipping port since the 1800s, Singapore’s cuisine has been heavily influenced by cultures from all around the world, on top of the countries in and around Southeast Asia.
Having a large number of ethnicities and religions in Singapore reflects the country’s cuisine too.
The cuisine is actually quite similar to that of China, meaning that most dishes aren’t as spicy as elsewhere in Asia.
Some traditional dishes you may wish to try on a trip to Singapore include:
- Bak chor mee: Minced meat noodles with flat egg noodles with vinegar, lard, soy sauce, chilli, pork liver slices, fishcake and minced pork.
- Nasi padang: A steamed rice dish served with meat and vegetables cooked in sauces and curries
- Laksa: A spicy noodle dish served with seafood
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia’s cuisine is a lot spicier than Singapore’s. The cuisine is rich in herbs and spices, resulting in the increased spiciness.
It’s particularly similar to the cuisine of Thailand, sharing many of the key ingredients like the mentioned herbs and spices.
But despite the similarities, Malaysian cuisine is extremely unique. Street food is also a much bigger thing in Malaysia than in Singapore. So you can get some really authentic and delicious food for really cheap prices!
Some traditional dishes to try on a trip to Malaysia include:
- Nasi Lemak: Boiled rice with coconut milk, pandan leaves, sambal, peanuts and more.
- Assam Laksa: Very thick noodle soup with a lot of sauce
- Curry Mee: Noodle soup with all the toppings: bean sprouts, shrimp, fish, chicken and more
A very close decision and completely down to personal preference, but I’m going to give this one to Malaysia as the food is more unique and traditionally spicy.
Winner – Food: Malaysia 🇲🇾
Singapore: Top 5 Things To Do
When choosing between Singapore vs Malaysia, you’re going to want to know what each of the countries has to offer in terms of things to see, things to do and activities. So here are 5 of the best and must-do things in Singapore. Of course, there are endless amazing things, but these are just 5.
1. Explore the Gardens by the Bay
The most iconic thing to see in Singapore is without a doubt the Gardens by the Bay. As a city filled with greenery and not only skyscrapers, there are lots of opportunities for peaceful walks. No more so than through the Gardens by the Bay where you can see the famous light show at night.
2. Have fun at Universal Studios Singapore
There are 6 Universal Studios theme parks around the world, probably most famously in Orlando, but there is also one in Singapore where you can have a day of fun. With rides, shows and more attractions, you’re guaranteed to have some movie-themed excitement on your trip to Universal Studios Singapore.
3. Attend the Singapore Grand Prix
Each September, Formula One comes to Singapore for the Singapore Grand Prix. The track is a street track which runs through the heart of Singapore and past some of the most iconic sights in the city. If you visit Singapore in September, you definitely need to head to Marina Bay Street with your ticket to watch the F1!
4. Visit Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo is one of the biggest and best zoos in the world. The zoo is complimented on its spacious and open enclosures providing a good life for the animals. There are also some really unique animals to see such as white tigers. There are also excellent shows put on throughout the day by the zookeepers and some animals.
5. Get a view over Singapore from the Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer offers one of the best views for any observation wheel in the world. In my opinion, it’s miles better than the London Eye. Any trip to Singapore wouldn’t be complete without a trip up the wheel to get a breathtaking view over Singapore where you can see all of the most popular sights.
Malaysia: Top 5 Things To Do
Continuing with our comparison of Malaysia vs Singapore, it’s time to consider what there is to do in Malaysia. Again, this can help to give you an understanding of what sort of things there are to do in each of the countries and find something that catches your eye.
1. Go up Menara Kuala Lumpur
One of the best things to do in Malaysia is to go up Menara Kuala Lumpur. It is the world’s 7th tallest tower and similar to the Singapore Flyer, offers dream-worthy views over the city of Kuala Lumpur. The prices are very reasonable, as we have learnt Malaysia is cheap, it costs about $7 for this unforgettable view.
2. See the Batu Caves
If you have seen photos of Malaysia before, you have likely seen photos of the Batu Caves and the iconic rainbow steps, and of course, the giant golden statue of Murugan. It’s an absolute must-do. Entrance is also free to the main temple/cave and the price for the other caves is like $2, bargain!
✅ Interested in touring Batu Caves? It’s one of the must-do things during a trip to Malaysia! Book a tour today by clicking here!
3. Walk along the Langkawi Sky Bridge
The longest curved and free-span bridge in the world is found in Malaysia, Langkawi Sky Bridge. It’s a unique experience being suspended high above the jungle, with panoramic views miles upon miles into the Malaysian landscape. There are also parts with a glass, see-through floor which makes it a somewhat thrilling experience too.
✅ Interested in going to the Langkawi Sky Bridge? You can get a trip in the cable car included with your tour! Book a tour today by clicking here!
4. See the Petronas Towers
Kuala Lumpur’s Twin Towers, the Petronas Towers, attract millions of visitors from all around the world to see the iconic part of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Seeing the towers is pretty cool, but going up the towers is an unforgettable moment. You are able to buy tickets to go up the towers and get another indescribable view of the city.
✅ Interested in going up the Petronas Towers? You can get tickets for your trip by clicking here!
5. Get a photo with the bicycle street art in Penang
One of the most famous things to see in Penang is the “Little children on a Bicycle” mural. It’s in the Georgetown area, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with lots of street art, but this is definitely one of the most famous. If anyone posts photos on Instagram from their time in Penang, I would bet that a picture of this mural is included.
Singapore vs Malaysia: Which Is Better For Travelling?
Choosing between Singapore vs Malaysia requires a deep dive into the nitty gritty specifics of what each country offers. 5 main things which you might consider are: hiking, beaches, nightlife, budget and popularity. So whether you arrive at Singapore or Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I’ve put Singapore and Malaysia up against each other in each category to see who comes out on top.
Which Has Better Hiking: Singapore vs Malaysia
🇸🇬 Singapore
As a city-state, Singapore doesn’t offer too many hiking opportunities. Singapore is also a very small country, it takes just over 30 minutes to drive from opposite sides.
Singapore is known as The Garden City – you will see this as soon as you arrive at the airport. So while there are lots of opportunities for walking through state-of-the-art botanical gardens in Singapore, there are few proper hiking options.
There are some though, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, for example, provides the opportunity to go for a hike during a trip to Singapore to the highest nature peak in the state (163 metres).
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia, as a much larger country made up of cities and countryside and everything in between, offers a significantly larger number of hiking opportunities, as you might imagine.
In fact, there are over 3200 recognised hiking trails in Malaysia. So if you are an outdoor lover and an avid hiker, you’ll find lots of options on a trip to Malaysia.
Some of the most popular hikes in the country include:
- Mt Kinabalu, Sabah
- Gunung Tahan, Taman Negara National Park
- Penang Hill, George Town
- Bukit Beruang, Melaka
Comparing a city-state and a country with incredible landscapes and countryside, I think there’s only going to be one winner when it comes to hiking, so Malaysia comes out on top for this one.
Winner – Hiking: Malaysia 🇲🇾
Which Has Better Beaches: Singapore vs Malaysia
🇸🇬 Singapore
As Singapore is an island, you would imagine that there are plenty of great beaches. And you would be correct. Singapore is home to some really popular beaches.
The tropical climate creates perfect conditions for beach life, with beautiful palm trees, golden sand and peaceful blue water.
Palawan Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches I have ever seen, it’s the model beach. Take a look for yourself…
Some other popular beaches in Singapore include:
- Changi Beach
- Tanjong Beach
- Pasir Ris Beach
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia has just under 4000 kilometres of coastline along with 878 islands. Of course, this results in some picture-perfect beaches.
Like Singapore, Malaysia’s tropical climate creates ideal beach conditions. Who wants to be on the beach in the rain after all?
Some of Malaysia’s most popular beaches include Kapalai Island Beach, Pantai Cahaya Bulan and Batu Ferringhi. But for me, the best beaches in Malaysia are found on the Perhentian Islands.
As a protected area for marine life, the beaches here are spotless and offer some really nice beaches to relax and unwind, as well as explore the exotic marine life by snorkelling.
It’s really tough to choose between Singapore and Malaysia. There are some really quality beaches in each country. But there are more beaches in Malaysia as it’s a bigger country, so I guess this one goes to Malaysia once again.
Winner – Beaches: Malaysia 🇲🇾
Which Has Better Nightlife: Singapore vs Malaysia
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore has an extraordinary nightlife. The city never sleeps! There is an abundance of world-class bars and clubs where you can drink and dance the night away. The Singaporeans know how to party, that’s for sure.
Top Tip: The legal drinking age in Singapore is 18.
One thing that’s worth noting is the high price of alcohol as discussed earlier. Due to the high tax, your night out in Singapore can get pretty expensive quite quickly. So just remember to be sensible at all times.
Another thing worth noting is that public drinking is illegal in Singapore between 1:30 pm and 7 am. Of course, you are allowed to drink it in registered places like bars and clubs.
Singapore’s nightlife is 10/10 and up there with Bangkok and even Vegas!
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Like most countries in Southeast Asia, the nightlife in Malaysia is also very good.
Any of the big cities or even some of the less popular places have a good number of options when it comes to clubs, bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a night out.
Top Tip: The legal drinking age in Malaysia is 21 as of 2017.
The street markets and stalls also make for a great night out where you can get really cheap food and drinks.
Again, as with Singapore, alcohol is highly taxed so make sure to keep track of how much you are spending.
Although nightlife in Malaysia is good, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, the nightlife in Singapore is next-level, so Singapore wins the Singapore vs Malaysia nightlife category.
Winner – Nightlife: Singapore 🇸🇬
Which Destination Is Better On A Budget?
This category is pretty similar to the costs category as it comes down to the price of things. But how easy are the two countries to do on a budget? Is it easy to find cheap accommodation, hostels etc.?
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore is definitely doable on a budget. You just have to be savvy about your budget throughout your trip.
It’s possible to find hostels for cheap (I recommend using Hostelworld) and you can get them at the cheapest price if you book months in advance.
Food can be harder to find cheaply in Singapore as there aren’t as many street food markets as in Malaysia or other Asian countries.
But at the end of the day, you are only going to be spending a few days in Singapore, it’s not a place where you spend months and months, so you could “do” Singapore for a few hundred dollars, for sure.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia is extremely easy to visit on a tight budget. Although backpacking Malaysia isn’t as popular as backpacking Vietnam or backpacking Thailand, it’s rising in popularity and backpackers are beginning to realise how cheaply Malaysia can be explored.
Hostels are really easy to find, they’re a lot more common throughout Malaysia than in Singapore, Singapore’s hostels are also more expensive as they’re more modern and luxurious to fit in with the rest of the city.
And as stated throughout this article, street food is a big part of the culture in Malaysia so it’s super easy to find cheap but tasty food.
For this one, Malaysia is definitely easier to do on a budget.
Winner – Budget: Malaysia 🇲🇾
Which Is Better For Avoiding Tourists?
Personally, I would have thought that more people visit Singapore than Malaysia. Singapore is a popular layover when going from Europe to Australia, or vice versa, and many people choose to spend a few days there to adjust to the timezone.
It’s also appealing as you can see most of the main sights in just a few days.
But the statistics say otherwise. In 2019 (using stats from pre-COVID), 26.10 million people visited Malaysia. Whereas, fewer people, 19.12 million to be exact, visited Singapore in 2019.
There’s an argument to make that the density of tourists would be higher in Singapore as everyone is visiting the city, whereas tourists are visiting a number of different places across Malaysia.
But I’ll take the statistics for face value and declare that Singapore is better for avoiding tourists as few people visit the country on a yearly basis.
Winner – Avoiding Tourists: Singapore 🇸🇬
Singapore vs Malaysia: FAQ
Below are a number of questions related to Singapore vs Malaysia along with my answers.
It’s not right to say one country is “better” than another country. There are so many factors that affect someone’s opinion of a country. For example, if you love a night out, Singapore is better. If you love hiking, Malaysia is better. It depends on what you are interested in.
Singapore is different from Malaysia in many ways. Firstly, it’s a state-city so there is only Singapore whereas Malaysia is a country that has cities and towns across the city. Another main difference is the landscape, Singapore is all city (though has a lot of gardens) whereas Malaysia has jungles and countryside.
Yes, the official language of both Singapore and Malaysia is Malay. Both countries also have a large majority of their population who speak English.
Singapore and Malaysia are in Southeast Asia, which on a world map is easily identifiable as the islands north of Australia. Above Indonesia are Singapore and Malaysia.
Final Thoughts: Singapore vs Malaysia
And there you have it, a complete guide and comparison of Singapore vs Malaysia.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Costs & Prices | Malaysia |
| Language & Culture | Both |
| Weather | Singapore |
| Food | Malaysia |
| Hikes | Malaysia |
| Beaches | Malaysia |
| Nightlife | Singapore |
| Budget-friendly | Malaysia |
| Avoiding tourists | Singapore |
Winner – Overall: Malaysia 🇲🇾
Overall, Malaysia “wins” 6-4, so it was a pretty close comparison.
I encourage you to take these results with a pinch of salt, though. This is based entirely on my opinion, and even though the results say so, I wouldn’t say Malaysia is “better” than Singapore.
Both countries offer something different. So use this comparison to see what you want to get from each country. Are you looking for somewhere with good weather and nightlife? Singapore is for you. Are you looking for somewhere with good hiking and is cheap? Malaysia is for you.
It’s completely personal preference and comes down to what you want from your trip.
Hopefully, this comparison has laid everything out clearly and made it easy for you to make your decision between Singapore vs Malaysia.
Whichever country you choose, you are guaranteed to have the trip of a lifetime! 🙂
