Whether you decide to travel to Singapore or Malaysia depends on a number of factors. These include budget, travel style, and holiday duration. Though the two countries are appealing for Indian travelers, they offer disparate experiences. Singapore is a hyper-modern hub. It is ultra-clean and packed with world-class attractions, futuristic gardens, and theme parks. Malaysia, on the other hand, offers a vast diversity of geography, ranging from highland tea plantations to rainforests and historic UNESCO towns, untainted islands, and lively street markets. What is more, it offers all of this at just a fraction of the cost.
Singapore Vs Malaysia: Visa Policy For Indians
Malaysia, The Clear Winner
Indians enjoy visa-free entry into Malaysia for up to 30 days. This eliminates any tedious paperwork and even allows you the flexibility to plan impromptu trips. However, do keep in mind that you will need to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card prior to your departure.
Singapore Requires Advance Planning
For Indians to visit Singapore, they must acquire an e-visa prior to their departure. This must be done through authorized visa agents or diplomatic missions. The usual processing time for Singapore visas is approximately three to five working days. It usually costs around INR 2,500 to INR 3,500, including the processing fees of the agent.
Also Read: Singapore Visa Guide For Indians: Cost, How To Apply & Step-By-Step Process
Comparison In Cost Of Living
Accommodation
Singapore
Budget to mid-range hotels in Singapore cost around INR 8,000 to INR 14,000 per night. Luxury properties here start above INR 25,000 per night.
Malaysia
Quality 4-star hotels in Kuala Lumpur or Penang cost INR 3,500 to INR 6,000 per night. Five-star luxury properties are available at INR 9,000 to INR 14,000 per night.
Food And Dining
Singapore
It is relatively easy to find budget meals in Singapore. You can simply raid their hawker stalls for cheap eats. Hawker centers at Lau Pa Sat and Maxwell will fetch you meals at around INR 320 to INR 650. Casual sit-down restaurants, on the other hand, will cost around INR 2,500 to 4,500.
Malaysia
At street food places like Jalan Alor or Penang night market, you can get meals for around INR 180 to INR 360. This means that you can dine in Malaysia for lower prices.
Ticket Prices At Major Tourist Spots
Singapore
Singapore is rife with super cool attractions like Universal Studios, Marina Bay Skypark, and more. However, the ticket prices of these places can quickly pile up, especially when visiting with families.
Malaysia
Owing to Malaysia’s diverse landscape, there are a lot more nature-oriented attractions that are significantly cheaper than Singapore.
Singapore Vs Malaysia: What To See, Where To Go, And What To Eat
Things To Do
Singapore
Singapore has world-class infrastructure, high-tech theme parks, architectural marvels, and clean and safe night walks. This makes it a great choice for those who enjoy modern amenities and attractions.
Malaysia
Malaysia, on the other hand, offers a vast array of natural scenery. Its attractions include natural sites like Cameron Highlands and Langkawi beaches, as well as heritage and cultural sites like Melaka and George Town. These are relatively more affordable to visit and offer a lot of diversity, especially for those who enjoy nature.
Availability Of Vegetarian Food
Singapore
Singapore has an exceptional variety of vegetarian food, especially in neighborhoods like Little India. From North Indian to South Indian, you can find authentic Indian flavors here.
Malaysia
Malaysia, too, offers a wide variety of accessible Indian and vegetarian food. What is more, there is a large Indian-Malaysian population that has resulted in abundant banana leaf eateries, mamak stalls, and pure vegetarian restaurants in Kuala Lumpur (Brickfields), Penang, and Ipoh.
Also Read: Malaysia Travel Guide For Indians: 7 Things To Know About Visa, Currency, Weather & Costs
Author’s Note
For me, Malaysia will always win over Singapore for the plethora of things it offers at a fraction of the cost of a Singapore trip. Malaysia gives you the maximum value for your money. You can very easily plan a multi-week holiday here that combines beaches, cool hill stations, and heritage cities. And, with visa-free entry available for Indians, you can even plan impromptu trips here.
However, there are good reasons to choose to visit Singapore as well. If your trip is going to be short and you have a higher budget, Singapore is a great place to visit. Kids, in particular, love visiting the numerous theme parks here.
Summing Up
Ideally, the best way to go about choosing between the two is not choosing at all and doing both. However, if you don’t have the time or budget to do both, you can pick one depending on your travel habits. If budget is a concern for you, Malaysia is the better choice. It offers a wide array of experiences without much cost. Even for a visa, the hassle is less than it is for Singapore. However, if you know what you like, and what you like is a hyper-modern hub and brilliant man-made spectacles, then Singapore should be your choice.
