Singapore Archives - Unboundist

Singapore is often seen as an expensive city, but working remotely here doesn’t have to break the bank. If you know where to look, you can find affordable workspaces that offer a productive environment without high costs. Whether you prefer cafés, coworking spaces, libraries, or even hotels, here’s how to make the most of Singapore’s budget-friendly workspaces. Best Budget Cafes: Where to Get a Good Coffee for Less First, let’s go down the route of skimping and saving by finding the most budget-friendly cafes - those selling the cheapest coffees. A quick online search using terms like “$3 coffee Singapore” or “$4 coffee Singapore” can reveal hidden gems near you. Some smaller cafes offer excellent brews without the premium price tag. To save you the effort, here are some wallet-friendly cafes where you can grab a decent coffee without worrying about being asked to leave (at the time of writing): Nylon Coffee Roasters (Everton Park) - A well-loved spot for affordable specialty coffee in town. Their long black is just $4, and the quality is consistently praised. Bee Hoe Coffee (Joo Chiat) - A no-frills coffee stop offering long blacks for $3.50 and hot lattes/cappuccinos for $4. They also serve Vietnamese drip coffee from just $3. Parallel Coffee Roasters (Boat Quay) - A great value-for-money cafe known for their highly rated flat whites. They also have a $2 iced coffee promo — grab it while it lasts! CHAITEA (Raffles Place) - A gem located in the Central Business District, with coffee and tea that cost less than $2 — a rare find in the area. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) – Their $4 Today’s Brew is a solid budget option, and they have outlets all over Singapore, offering flexibility and convenience for remote workers. However, here are the cons of this approach. Such cafes are usually not the most work-friendly. They may not be equipped with fast WiFi, comfortable seats, or charging points. They may get overcrowded and conditions may not be conducive to productivity. Further, most work-friendly cafes would require you to spend a little more than $2-3 per visit. Nonetheless, if you’re lucky, you may discover several budget-friendly spots that are rather unoccupied on weekdays. If you're tight on budget, consider rotating between these cafés and more work-friendly venues to keep things fresh without overspending. Even if you have to buy the cheapest item on the menu, it’s still an affordable way to get a change of scenery. Maximise Cafe Memberships and Rewards If you grab coffee often, memberships and loyalty cards can drive down your spending. A sustainable long-term approach to affordable remote working in Singapore is to identify a few work-friendly cafes you’d frequent and purchase their cafe memberships and rewards. Here are some examples of slashing monthly cafe expenses through memberships and rewards: Balance Coffee (Balestier) membership card – Get 22 coffees for $60, bringing each cup down to just $2.73. Kith Café Coffee Card – Buy 8 coffees and get 2 free, reducing the average cost to $5.50 per cup. CBTL Rewards – Their $4 Today’s Brew is already a steal, but their rewards system lets you earn points for future discounts. Tip: Opt for coffee deals at chains with multiple outlets (like CBTL and Starbucks) for maximum flexibility. Sometimes simplicity is best. While you may select a cafe near where you live or work, ensure that you realistically frequent the cafe to make your membership worthwhile. Despite offering membership perks, certain cafes may be limited or less reliable in terms of their operating hours. Public Libraries: Underrated Workspaces While you may hear about a new fancy cafe or a must-try hidden eatery, public libraries don't typically come up in conversation. However, they're continually underrated workspaces given how easily accessible they are for free. Singapore’s public libraries offer free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a quiet atmosphere perfect for deep work sessions. It’s preferable to book a seat in advance using the NLB seat reservation system, giving you a guaranteed spot for 3–4 hours. You can easily check seat availability online, and book your seat up to a day in advance. Of course, public libraries aren’t without their downsides - you’ll likely be sharing space with dozens of others, making distractions inevitable from time to time. Think of phones going off, the occasional throat clearing or burping, and loud conversations. After all, it’s a public venue that’s FOC. If you cannot tolerate occasional annoyances, it’s best to visit during off-peak hours or trying a quieter branch. Here are some highly-rated libraries in Singapore worth checking out: National Library (Bugis) – Spacious with a mix of quiet and collaborative areas. library@orchard – Stylishly designed and centrally located. library@harbourfront – Offers scenic sea views for extra inspiration. This article was originally published on unboundist.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner. Coworking Spaces with Affordable Hourly Rates and Day Passes If you have a little extra budget, explore coworking spaces in Singapore. While there are higher-end options, some coworking spaces are rather affordable, offering day passes that are SGD $30 a day or less: The Hive (various outlets including Lavender, Carpenter, and North Bridge Road): $30 (8am-6pm, Monday to Friday) UClub Bugis Junction: $30 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) Crane (various outlets): $18 Besides work-friendliness being a key criteria, you’ll need to pay attention to several factors when selecting a coworking space: Access and amenities: Are there different rates for hot desks, compared to dedicated desks, private pods, and meeting rooms? What amenities can you access? Hours: What are the operating hours and would it suit your schedule? For example, does it operate during the evenings and on weekends? Rates: Note down hourly, daily, and monthly rates. Tip: You can calculate the hourly rate of a coworking space by dividing the day pass cost by its operating hours — some coworking spaces come down to just $2–$3 per hour. The Less Fancy Options… Hawker Centres & Coffee Shops Hawker centres, coffee shops, and food courts may not be your go-to choice for remote work. These often-crowded venues are primarily designed for dining, with higher noise levels, limited seating time, and a lack of power outlets or reliable WiFi. Yet, they can work as short-term or transitional workspaces — especially during off-peak hours (like 2-5pm on weekdays) when they're quieter. Moreover, some hawker centres and coffee shops offer affordable coffee, food, and a surprisingly decent work environment, if you time it right. With a bit of planning, they can be a low-cost alternative if you're in a pinch. Order a $2 coffee and get to work. Here’s how you can find and optimise spaces like hawker centres and coffee shops: Look for locations that are relatively quiet and spacious. Scenic views would be a plus. Plan to head there during off-peak hours. Bring earplugs, mobile data, a jacket (for overly cold aircon), and fully charged devices. Work-from-Hotels: Hidden Gems Few people consider hotels as workspaces, but they can be hidden gems. Many hotels offer day passes or work-from-hotel packages designed for remote professionals — not just hotel guests. Without having to book stays, remote workers can access hotel workspaces for a few hours or a full day. These packages often provide access to private offices, coworking spaces, and meeting rooms. When it comes to cost, evaluate the following: Look into workspace conditions like reliable WiFi, comfortable and spacious seating, power outlets, and a distraction-free environment. Note the price per hour. For example, if a day pass costs $25 for 8 hours, that’s about $3 per hour. Factor in additional perks like complimentary refreshments, meeting rooms, and access to amenities like gyms, pools, and lounges. To find good packages, use Dayuse.com, web search, or check hotel websites for deals. The Furama work-from-hotel day pass of $28 seems like a good option. Free or Low-Cost Workspaces: Community Centres and University Campuses For those who want completely free or low-cost options, community centres and universities provide great alternatives: SMU (Bugis) – Central, lots of seating, with some charging points and student-run cafés. NUS Kent Ridge Campus – Spacious with good study areas. Our Tampines Hub – Has multiple work-friendly zones. Sengkang Community Club – Quiet, spacious, and conveniently located. Get Creative In essence, get creative. Budget-friendly remote work in Singapore may not always seem convenient, but it’s definitely possible. If you need more suggestions, explore my ‘how-to’ guide discussing more creative ways to find reliable, affordable workspaces. From cafes to public places that you’ll actually use, you will gather new ideas on finding and optimising your remote workspaces.