Singapore is a bustling and vibrant city-state that has plenty to offer tourists. I was able to visit this country a couple of times while traveling around Southeast Asia. It is convenient to explore because of the public transportation network and the easy to find locations of attractions.
If you're planning to visit Singapore, this guide might be useful for your trip planning.
Guide
Singapore is a city-state that is easy to explore and tourist-friendly. I enjoyed my stay here (even if the country isn't exactly cheap to explore. There's plenty of man-made wonders that can fill your itinerary even if you are traveling alone, with friends or family.
Places of Interest
Gardens by the Bay
This stunning man-made wonder is one of the most popular attractions in Singapore. These " supertrees" are a sight to behold because of their design and size. The ideal time to visit is at night when the trees are lit up in various colors. Other places of interest near the grove is the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome. One of the main attractions are the supertrees.
How to go: The nearest MRT station is Bayfront, take exit B and just walk to this destination.
Fees: Free to walk around the grove, you'll need to pay extra for the OCBC Skyway (SG$8 for adults and SG$5 for kids from 3-12 years old.
Link to post:Singapore Highlights
Flower Dome
The Flower Dome displays various types of flowers all over the world. It provides information about the flowers you'll see inside.
How to go: Nearet MRT station is Bayfront, the dome is within the confines of Gardens by the Bay and near the supertrees.
Fees: SG$28 for adults and SG$15 for kids from 3-12 years old for two conservatories (including the Cloud Forest)
Cloud Forest
Singapore has few natural attractions that's why they built many man-made wonders. One of them is the Cloud Forest. This destination simulates mountain weather and conditions. I enjoyed walking around here and staying cool during a hot and humid day.
How to go: Nearet MRT station is Bayfront, it is near the supertrees.
Fees: SG$28 for adults and SG$15 for kids from 3-12 years old for two conservatories (including the Flower Dome)
Chinatown
Typical Chinatown with plenty of shops, restaurants and food stalls. There are quaint rows of houses if you are interested in architecture. Nice place to walk around in, to shop or just hang out after exploring the city.
How to go: The nearest metro station is Chinatown.
This beautiful Buddhist temple in Chinatown was constructed in 2007. It has fetching interiors and many exhibits displaying Buddhist culture and history. The giant stupa contains the Buddha Tooth Relic.
How to go: The nearest metro station is Chinatown. Once there, take exit A and turn right at South Bridge Road. You can also take buses 145 and 80, and alight at South Bridge Road.
Fees: Free
The Singapore Flyer provides stunning bird's eye views of the city. I got to see the supertrees and other famous buildings in the city. One of the best times to ride is at night to see the city illuminated in various colors.
How to go: The nearest metro station is Promenade, from there take exit A and follow the signs to the flyer.
Fees: SG$33 for adults and SG$21 for kid 3 to 12 years old.
Marina Bay Sands is one of the most iconic buildings in Singapore. You'll easily spot it while walking. Its unique architecture will immediately grab your attention. There is also an infinity pool that is only accessible to guests. Getting a room in it is very expensive, but you can admire it from the outside for free. There is a light show at 8pm and 930pm.
How to go: Nearest metro station is Bayfront. If you want to get good views of the building, walk along the Helix Bridge or alight at Waterfront Promenade station.
Fees: If you're not a guest and can't access the infinity pool, you can go to the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck. The fee for this is SG$26 for adults and SG$20 for children from 2 to 12 years old.
This garden is a good place to get away from the frenetic pace of the city. It follows the typical landscaping of Chinese gardens. You'll also find a temple and statues of famous Chinese. I strolled around here for a while before moving on.
How to go: The garden has its own metro station.
This area has a lot of cafes, beautiful murals, quirky shops and others. It is a good place to hang out in after a day of exploring the city. Grab a drink, a snack or meal, or shop for souvenirs and other items.
How to go: The nearest metro station is Bugis.
Link to post:Wandering in Singapore
Clarke Quay
This historic area used to be a port destination where trade took place. Many bumboats and lorries went to this part of the city for commerce. Fast forward to today, Clarke Quay is a popular entertainment and dining district. Some of the buildings were restored to provide a glimpse of the old days.
How to go: Nearest metro station is Clarke Quay. Follow the signs or ask metro station personnel to the main area.
Merlion Park
The Merlion is Singapore's symbol; the park is a great place to see it at any time of the day. You can take a picture of the country's beautiful cityscape from here as well. Many tourists take a picture with the statue.
How to go: You can alight at Raffles Place station, the park is behind Fullerton Hotel.
Botanic Gardens
This green space amid the urban jungle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll find different plant species within its confines. You can also see the National Orchid Garden and Swan Lake while here. The garden's history dates back to the late 1850s.
How to go: The nearest metro is Botanic Gardens.
Fees: Free to explore but you'll need to pay to enter the National Orchid Garden, SG$5 for adults and it is free for kids below 12 years old.
Raffles Hotel
This iconic building is a city landmark. The hotel has a history dating back to the 1830s. It was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the country's British colonizer. Getting a room in this hotel is expensive, if you don't have the budget for it, just take a picture from the outside.
How to go: Alight at City Hall metro station and walk to the hotel.
Little India
Singapore has an eclectic mix of ethnic groups such as Chinese, Malay and Indians along with many expats from other parts of the world. Little India showcases the country's Indian cultural heritage. The neighborhood has many colorful homes, shops, restaurants and places of worship. This is a good place to visit if you want to see a distinct part of the country.
How to go: Alight at Little India metro station.
Sentosa Island
Sentosa is a popular tourist and local destination because of its many attractions, restaurants, bars, beaches and Universal Studios. You can spend a few days coming and going to this island.
How to go: The metro is a convenient way to reach the island. Your first stop is Harbourfront Station. From there, enter VivoCity Mall and look for the Sentosa Express in Lobby L. The Sentosa Express costs SG$4 round trip.
ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum has different exhibits during my visit the exhibit was about Leonardo da Vinci and his works. The building is instantly recognizable from the outside because of its unique architecture.
How to go: Alight at Bayfront metro station and follow the signs or ask for directions.
Fees: SG$19 for one exhibit, SG$32 for two and SG$40 for three. All prices are for adults.
Link to post: Inside the ArtScience Museum
These are some of the attractions you can visit while in Singapore. There are many others that aren't included here. You can consider including these destinations in your itinerary.
Day Trips and Tickets
Singapore is easy to DIY, but for those who would like to book tickets online or a tour, these are some of my recommendations.
- Universal Studios Express Pass - Universal Studios is one of the most popular destinations in Singapore. It is also one of the busiest, you might stand in line for a ride for longer than you want. The express pass allows you to skip the line and enjoy the rides and shows you want.
- Singapore Flyer Ticket - The Singapore Flyer provides you with beautiful overlooking views of the city. You can purchase this ticket online and you will also get an Indian buffet or set meal.
- Gardens by the Bay and OCBC Skyway - The Gardens by the Bay is a stunning man-made wonder. Walk along the skyway to gt beautiful overlooking views. The best time to visit is at night when the supertrees light up the sky.
- Singapore Night Safari - See wildlife up close by going on a night safari while in Singapore. The tram ride will take you through various regions to see different animals. The Creatures of the Night Show is a highlight for tourists.
- Sentosa FUN Pass - Sentosa is a must-visit island while in Singapore. This pass provides access to many attractions you and your family will enjoy such as S.E.A. Aquarium, 4D Adventureland and others. You can get 55, 80 or 120 tokens and choose a package that includes the Skyline Luge and Skyride.
- Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck Ticket - The Skypark Observation Deck provides stunning views of the city's fetching skyline. See the supertrees and other architectural wonders in this observation deck.
Getting Around
One of the things I liked about Singapore is that it is easy to get around by public transportation. There are numerous buses and MRT lines to take you to where you want to go. I used the metro more often because the stations are conveniently located. The Singapore Tourist Pass is convenient because it provides you unlimited rides on public transportation. You can choose the length of is validity when you buy it.
- Singapore Pass - You can also consider getting this pass to have access to some attractions and transportation to them. This option is valid for 5 consecutive days and you can choose which places you want to include in the package.
Where to Stay
Singapore is an expensive city to explore because of the high standard and cost of living. However, you can still find affordable guesthouses and a bed in a hostel dorm. Areas such as Bugis, Chinatown and Little India are often go-to places to look for budget accommodations.
How to Go
Singapore is a convenient country to visit with many direct flights from Manila and other major cities in Southeast Asia. Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Singapore Airlines and others. Book tickets months before your dates to get the lowest possible airfare.
Budget
This is an approximation of what you might spend. The total will depend on what you visit, where you eat and where you stay.
Everything's in Singapore Dollars.
50 - 3 nights in a hostel dorm bed
70 - Universal Studios Express Pass
33 - Singapore Flyer Ticket
28 - Entrance for both the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome
60 - Food and drinks
20 - Additional transportation costs
30 - 3 days Singapore Tourist Pass
291 - Total
You'll spend less or more depending on some factors. Going to Universal Studios will be an expensive part of your trip. There are a lot of free attractions in Singapore for budget conscious travelers.
Itinerary
This is a bare sample itinerary for 4 days and 3 nights in Singapore. Add or remove places depending on your interests and time you want to spend in each stop.
Day 1
Check in hotel
Flower Dome
Cloud Forest
Supertrees Grove and OCBC Skywalk at night
Day 2
Universal Studios
Merlion Park
Raffles Hotel
Marina Bay Sands
Helix Bridge
Day 3
Beach hopping in Sentosa
Haji Lane
Singapore Flyer
Day 4
Check out
Chinatown and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Depart for airport
