Comparison · Macau vs Singapore · China / Singapore
Macau vs Singapore
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Choose Macau for Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts and free sights; choose Singapore for Hawker centres, Gardens by the Bay and a milder winter. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 2,550 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 2,550 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Macau
- October–December
- Best time for Singapore
- February–April and July–August
Side by side
| Macau | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | Singapore |
| Known for | Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts and Casinos | Hawker centres, Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands |
| Best time to visit | October–December | February–April and July–August |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$300 | $160–$300 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | March, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 18°C (64°F) | January, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 13 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 3 | 5 |
| Beaches | Hác Sá Beach | Palawan Beach |
| Airports | MFM, HKG | SIN |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Macau for…
Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts and free sights. Macau packs four centuries of Portuguese and Chinese history into a peninsula and two linked islands about an hour by ferry from Hong Kong. The UNESCO-listed Historic Centre runs from the A-Ma Temple through Senado Square to the Ruins of St. Paul's, all…
Choose Singapore for…
Hawker centres, Gardens by the Bay and a milder winter. Singapore fits Marina Bay's skyline, the Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay, a UNESCO-listed botanic garden and the Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan quarters of the old town into an island about 50 km across. The MRT links almost everything within 40…
Top sights compared
| # | Macau | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruins of St. Paul's | Gardens by the Bay |
| 2 | Senado Square | Marina Bay Sands SkyPark |
| 3 | Monte Fort and Macau Museum | Merlion Park and the Marina Bay promenade |
| 4 | A-Ma Temple | Singapore Botanic Gardens |
| 5 | Macau Tower | Buddha Tooth Relic Temple |
Food compared
| Macau | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Portuguese-style egg tart | Hainanese chicken rice |
| Pork chop bun | Laksa |
| African chicken | Chilli crab |
| Minchi | Char kway teow |
Which is cheaper?
Macau and Singapore cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $150–$300 in Macau and $160–$300 in Singapore (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Macau on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 2,550 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 8 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Macau or Singapore cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $150–$300 in Macau and $160–$300 in Singapore (estimates).
+Is Macau or Singapore better for a first trip?
Pick Macau for Ruins of St. Paul's, Portuguese egg tarts and free sights, or Singapore for Hawker centres, Gardens by the Bay and a milder winter.
+How far is Macau from Singapore?
About 2,550 km in a straight line.