This mid-year, skip the usual tourist hotspots and fly direct to these budget-friendly destinations near Singapore — with Jetstar flight deals!
Whether it’s burnout from work or wanting an escape from the bustling city, it’s always a great idea to give yourself a mid-year break before your responsibilities and worries fully kick in.
But it’s not uncommon to book an expensive flight to the “it destination”… only to be greeted by huge tourist crowds 😬 In those moments, you might wish you had just bought yourself that new pair of shoes instead of spending your hard-earned money on a disappointing mid-year getaway.
Although, you don’t have to feel that way!
Instead of visiting popular tourist spots, consider equally-beautiful alternatives near Singapore like Labuan Bajo, Okinawa, Colombo, Broome, Wuxi, and Krabi.
From beach getaways to wild safaris and scenic canals, Jetstar Asia flies to several budget-friendly destinations which are less crowded than their famous counterparts. Good news: they’re all a direct flight away, too!
From 3 to 8 April 2025: Enjoy promo fares to various destinations in the Jetstar Takeoff More Sale^, including Krabi (from ~S$85^), Labuan Bajo (from ~S$93^), and more.
Plus, if you’re a Club Jetstar member*, you get to enjoy perks like cheaper fares, and 20% off check-in baggage & seat selection for you and four other people. You might even get earlier access to sales… but more on that later 🤑
1) Labuan Bajo, Indonesia — the Gateway to Komodo Islands
Photo credit: Rizknas via Unsplash
You might have been to Bali before, but have you ever gone to the nearby Labuan Bajo? It’s the gateway to Komodo National Park, where pristine beaches and vibrant marine life come with only a fraction of the crowd.
Photo credit: Neptune Scuba Diving
With majestic creatures like manta rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles living in its turquoise waters, Komodo is every snorkelling and diving enthusiast’s idea of paradise! 🏖️
Photo credit: @michellevalbergphotography via Instagram
And of course, a trip here wouldn’t be complete without seeing the legendary Komodo dragon in the flesh.
Photo credit: @lilyrose via Instagram
You won’t be pressed for Instagram-worthy spots either. Relax on the rose-coloured sands of Pink Beach, go trekking for panoramic views of the surrounding islands, or swim in the vivid blue waters of Rangko Cave.
TA’AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Photo credit: Booking.com
For a taste of Maldives, stay in one of TA’AKTANA’s romantic overwater villas that come with butler service. Their in-house spa and restaurants also make it great for a luxury staycation.
Every evening, the hotel holds a signature “ritual” where guests are given a complimentary drink and snack to enjoy while they watch the island’s famous sunset 😉
Singapore ✈️ Labuan Bajo
All-in one-way fare: From ~S$93^
Flight time: 3hr 10mins
2) Okinawa, Japan — the Hawaii of Japan
People visit Japan for many reasons — cherry blossoms, vibrant cities, and mouthwatering food — but did you know they have a beach paradise of their own?
Okinawa has fine white-sand beaches and a warm climate all year long, making it a perfect tropical escape. It’s one of the few budget-friendly destinations near Singapore that captures Hawaii’s spirit!
They also have a laidback island culture, which is very refreshing compared to the fast-paced energy of cities like Tokyo and Osaka. A popular local saying embodies this relaxed mindset… it goes nankurunaisa (なんくるないさ), and means “don’t worry, be happy.”
And what better way to embody nankurunaisa than to slow down and savour the island’s unique flavours?
Try the famous Taco Rice (taco fillings with Japanese omurice), or Okinawan salt cookie-flavoured ice cream from Blue Seal (dubbed the “ice cream of Okinawa”) 😋
This is also the place to go island-hopping in Japan. Okinawa has many smaller islands to explore, usually less crowded than the main island.
The most iconic one is Kouri Island, which has the famous bridge and heart-shaped rock formations you’d see on their postcards.
There are other islands with their own unique charm, like Kudaka Island with its lush forest and sacred sites. Or fly ~1 hour from Okinawa to Ishigaki Island, where you can hike to the top of Mount Omoto.
For something more adventurous, go snorkelling in the Blue Cave, which is known for its astonishingly vivid blue waters. Beneath its shimmering surface, you’ll be greeted by all kinds of fish swimming all around you!
Singapore ✈️ Okinawa
All-in one-way fare: From ~S$179^
Flight time: 5hr 10mins
Read also: Ultimate Okinawa Guide: 33 Exciting Things to Do in Okinawa — Japan’s Paradise Island
3) Colombo, Sri Lanka — Animal Safaris close to Singapore
Photo credit: Kamchatka via Freepik
Instead of going all the way to Africa for a safari adventure, fly 4 hours to Colombo to visit one of its National Parks — Udawalawe and Wilpattu, both a ~3.5hour drive from the airport. Here, you’ll spot elephants, leopards, and other wild animals roaming freely in their natural habitat.
Photo credit: Alamy via The Sydney Morning Herald
While there, also try out their delicious street food, bursting with bold flavour and rich spices.
Have you ever heard of Sri Lankan favourites like kottu (curry dish with egg, onions, and chilli) and egg hoppers (crispy pancakes with a soft egg centre)? 😋
Photo credit: @reddot_tours via Instagram
Taste them in one of Colombo’s vibrant street markets like Pettah Market, and check out local-made textiles and handicrafts along the way!
Mount Lavinia Beach. Photo credit: @destinasianmagazine via Instagram
And if you ever need a break from exploring Colombo’s streets, head to one of the beautiful beaches nearby like Mount Lavinia Beach or Wellawatte Beach.
For those who prefer to stay within the city, visit Galle Face Green. This iconic oceanfront park offers stunning sunset views and a vibrant night market.
Singapore ✈️ Colombo
All-in one-way fare: From ~S$149^
Flight time: 4hrs
4) Broome, Australia — Where Outback Meets the Ocean
Photo credit: Tourism Australia
Only ~4 hours away from Singapore is Broome, a coastal paradise in Western Australia’s Kimberley region where dramatic red landscapes blend seamlessly with turquoise waters.
Like other parts of Australia, this tropical gem boasts breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and unique wildlife. But what sets Broome apart are the unique experiences you won’t easily find in bigger cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
Photo credit: Tourism Australia
One of them is taking a sunset camel ride along Cable Beach, a 22km stretch of white sand bordering the Indian Ocean. It’s the perfect spot to catch a stunning view of the sunset, and snap some incredible photos — especially at low tide when shallow waters create beautiful reflections.
Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia
The beachside town has also been known for producing the world’s finest pearls since the 1880s.
Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia
Join the Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour to see firsthand how they are harvested and cultivated into stunning gems. You’ll even get to cruise the waters of the scenic pearl farm to view live oysters!
Photo credit: @broomewhalewatching via Instagram
And for wildlife lovers, hop on a boat tour in Roebuck Bay to spot dugongs, manta rays, and the elusive snubfin dolphin, a quirky and cute species found only in Australian waters.
Singapore ✈️ Broome
All-in one-way fare: From ~S$135^
Flight time: 4hr 10mins
5) Wuxi, China — Ancient Town Reminiscent of Kyoto
Photo credit: JinHui CHEN via Unsplash
Kyoto, Japan is a cultural gem with many serene temples and lush gardens that draw thousands of visitors throughout the year.
But if you’re looking for budget-friendly destinations with a similar ancient charm, meet Wuxi, located in China’s Jiangnan region.
Photo credit: @beautifulchina_tbb via Instagram
The city’s Jichang Garden is similar to Kyoto’s zen gardens because of its calm atmosphere, ponds, stone bridges, foliage, and pathways.
Photo credit: @visit_wuxi via Instagram
There’s even the Yixing Bamboo Forest, a massive bamboo forest spanning ~666.6 hectares. Ride a gondola to the top for an amazing view overlooking the bamboo trees!
Photo credit: Eric Yang via Getty Images
Wuxi also sits on the shores of the scenic Taihu Lake — China’s third-largest freshwater lake — and is a popular spot to view cherry blossoms. Take a boat ride, admire the view of the surrounding hills, or go cycling to soak in the relaxing scenery.
Singapore ✈️ Wuxi
All-in one-way fare: From ~S$179^
Flight time: 5hr 20mins
6) Krabi, Thailand — the New Phuket Beach Paradise
Photo credit: Shawn via Unsplash
If you’re looking for a Thai beach getaway, your mind may go straight to Phuket, a destination that has become immensely popular since Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach (2000).
But just a 1-hour speedboat away from Phuket is a quieter alternative, Krabi, which boasts similar crystal-clear waters and picturesque beaches.
Photo credit: Tom Lorber via Unsplash
That makes it ideal for an island-hopping adventure. While Phuket is a famous gateway to the Phi Phi Islands, Krabi provides easy access to equally beautiful spots like Hong Island and the 4 Islands.
Photo credit: @daniel_johnson_pmbpk via Instagram
For a more peaceful adventure, kayak through the serene mangrove forests of Ao Thalane Bay to discover hidden inlets and lagoons.
Photo credit: @phuket_photographytours via Instagram
One interesting outdoor activity is climbing 1,260 steps to the summit of Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple) and seeing a panoramic view of the town.
Thrill-seekers can also take it up a notch by rock-climbing on Krabi’s iconic limestone cliffs for an incredible view of the ocean and the town’s tropical landscapes.
Singapore ✈️ Krabi
All-in one-way fare: From ~S$85^
Flight time: 1hr 50mins
Avoid the crowds on your mid-year getaway
Scenic train in Sri Lanka. Photo credit: Kevin Olson via Unsplash
Breathtaking landscapes, stunning beaches, good food… your mid-year getaway doesn’t have to take you halfway across the world. It could all just be one short flight away from Singapore!
For example, all the budget-friendly destinations above have direct flights via Jetstar Asia, which means less money spent on airfare 🥳
Get even more savings with Jetstar’s Takeoff More Sale^, happening from 3 to 8 April 2025. Enjoy discounted fares to various destinations like Krabi (from ~$85^), Labuan Bajo (from ~S$93^), and more. Plus if you’re a Club Jetstar member*, you get early access on 2 April! 🤩
Missed the sale? No worries, you can still book other flight deals on Jetstar.com. If you find a cheaper Economy fare elsewhere — even on a third-party site selling Jetstar flights — Jetstar will beat that price by 10%!#. T&Cs apply.
Photo credit: @simococco via Instagram
So before you book that trip to the more popular tourist destinations, consider going somewhere nearer and with fewer crowds. You might be missing out on a hidden gem or two!
Know of other underrated budget-friendly destinations similar to more famous ones? Let us know in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by Jetstar Asia.
^ Club Jetstar Early Access Sale ends on 3 April 2025, 9.59am SGT, unless sold out prior. Public sale starts on 3 April 2025, 10am SGT and ends on 8 April 2025, 11.59pm SGT, unless sold out prior. Fares are one way economy starter fares come with 7kg carry-on baggage only. Fares are based on booking on jetstar.com using fee free payment options such as SingPost offline payment mode and Jetstar vouchers. A booking and service fee per passenger, per flight will apply. Payment options and fees may differ by currency. Offers are subject to terms and conditions. Other conditions apply.
*Club Jetstar has an ongoing annual membership fee of SGD$48. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply
#On eligible and compatible third party sites. Price Beat Guarantee is not available on Jetstar’s South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam or Sri Lanka websites. Other T&Cs apply.
