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

Should you visit Singapore or Dunedin?

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

Should I visit Singapore or Dunedin? 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.

Singapore

Singapore is a colorful, glitzy, and modern city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a cultural, vibrant, and small city. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Singapore and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Singapore or Dunedin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Singapore than Dunedin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Singapore is very popular for its food, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dunedin attracts visitors for its nightlife and hiking. Singapore is more touristy than Dunedin and is known for its blend of cultures, its lush gardens, and its clean streets. It is also well known for Merlion Park Waterfront. Dunedin is famous for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula.

How is Singapore different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Singapore or Dunedin.

Singapore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Dunedin specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago Museum.

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

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Singapore is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dunedin. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

Dunedin is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Singapore is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Dunedin has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Singapore. 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 Singapore or Dunedin Better for Music?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Dunedin is not a live music destination.

In Singapore you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. As a globalized city, you'll find almost any type of music here. Popular music venues include Timbre, Zouk, and the Crazy Elephant.

Dunedin is not a live music destination.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Resorts?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Dunedin 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.

Dunedin is not a resort destination.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Singapore is not so good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Dunedin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Singapore isn't the best spot for snorkeling. The best place to snorkel in the area is Pulau Hantu.

Dunedin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Singapore and Dunedin are nice choices.

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.

Many people head to Dunedin to enjoy the beach. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

Dunedin is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Singapore is not a hiking destination.

Dunedin is a good destination for hiking. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.

Singapore is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Singapore or Dunedin?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Singapore is a world class destination for shoppers. You'll find tons of malls along Orchard Road, but for a more eclectic shopping experience head to the Chinatown Street Market.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dunedin. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Families?

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

Dunedin is a very family-friendly destination. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Couples?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Dunedin is a nice destination for couples. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Singapore is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Dunedin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

Is Singapore or Dunedin Better for Students?

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

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

Dunedin is very popular with students. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.

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

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

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.

While Dunedin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.

Is Singapore or Dunedin a more walkable city?

Singapore is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Singapore on foot is easy. 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.

Dunedin is very walkable. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Singapore?

How long in Singapore or Dunedin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Singapore and Dunedin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Singapore than in Dunedin. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Singapore, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dunedin.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Singapore than Dunedin 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 Singapore or Dunedin?

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dunedin. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dunedin has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Singapore or Dunedin?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Dunedin. 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.

Five days in Singapore or Dunedin?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Dunedin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Singapore or Dunedin?

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.

Dunedin is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Singapore and Dunedin, we can see that Singapore is more expensive. And not only is Dunedin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Singapore is in Asia and Dunedin is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Dunedin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dunedin 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 Dunedin.

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

Which is Bigger, Singapore or Dunedin?

Singapore has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Dunedin. When comparing the sizes of Singapore and Dunedin, 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.