The Perfect 3-Day Singapore Itinerary For First Time Visitors

Updated May 2024

This post covers a Singapore Itinerary.

Singapore is a relatively new country, only officially becoming independent in 1965. But don't let that fool you!

Singapore is one of the most modern and advanced countries I've ever visited (albeit very expensive!). It's got a wide range of different cultures, incredible architecture and amazing food and nightlife.

It's an incredible place to visit and many opt to stop off here on their way to other destinations, which is exactly what I done.

Our trip to Singapore was part of a larger 3-week itinerary in which we spent 3 days in Singapore and the rest of the time travelling around Malaysia.

Even though we only spent a couple of days in this beautiful country, I'm desperate to go back. It is clean, safe and way ahead of its time. There's not loads to do but even just walking around the city and enjoying the incredible food is worth the visit!

If it's your first time visiting the city, then this itinerary is perfect for you, and like us, you could definitely build it into a larger Asia trip.

This post is all about 3 Days in Singapore.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Singapore?

The best time to visit Singapore is from December to June. This is when Singapore gets the least amount of rain, has the lowest humidity and the highest amount of sunshine.

However, that being said, Singapore is a great year-round travel destination with fairly consistent weather for sightseeing throughout the year. So, whenever you decide to go, I'm sure you will have good weather and a great time!

I visited Singapore in July and I thought this was a really good time to go! I was surprised to find that it was quite quiet and there wasn't as many crowds as I thought there might be.

The only thing was that in July it was really hot and humid, so we found this made it quite tiring to walk around the city. But other that than, I had a pretty pleasant experience of visiting Singapore in the height of the summer season.

How To Get From Singapore Airport To City

The main airport in Singapore is Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).

There are multiple ways that you can get from Singapore airport to the city including:

• By Train (MRT) - Takes 1 hour and costs as little as £2 one-way.
• By Bus - Takes 1 hour and cost as little as £2 one-way.
• By Taxi - Takes 20-30 minutes and costs £10-£25 one-way.

By Train (MRT)

Singapore's underground system, the MRT, is a very effective way to get around the city. Much like the streets of Singapore, the MRT is very clean and not to mention efficient, cheap and air-conditioned.

The MRT station in the airport is located in the basement of Terminals 2 and 3. If you are in Terminal 1, you'll need to take the skytrain to Terminal 3 to get the MRT.

The MRT from the airport into the city will take around an hour and will cost around £2 one-way. You'll need to buy your tickets at the Passenger Service or automated ticket machines.

To get from Changi Airport to the city, you'll need to either:

• Option 1: Take the train from Changi Airport to Tanah Merah, then transfer to the East West Line towards Tuas Link. 
• Option 2: Take the train from Changi Airport to Expo, then transfer to the Downtown Line towards Bukit Panjang.

To see the full MRT map to work out what would be the best option for you, click here.

It's worth noting that the MRT does not run 24 hours. The first train from Changi to Tanah Merah, departs at 5.31am Monday to Friday, and at 5.59am on Sundays and public holidays. The last connecting MRT train to Tuas Link is 11.18pm.

By Bus

You can book a hotel shuttle bus at the Ground Transportation Desk in the arrivals hall.  This shuttle bus will take you to a lot of the major hotels in the city. Buses leave every hour from 7am to 11pm and an adult ticket for this bus costs ~£7.

There are also a lot of public buses you can jump on to get into the city, including the number 36 which goes by Raffles Boulevard and Orchard Road. This bus runs from around 6am to midnight, takes about an hour and only costs ~£2 one-way.

Other public bases available are numbers 24, 27, 34, 53, 110 and 858 from Terminal 1, 2 and 3. You can get these from the basement bus bays.

If you are in Terminal 4, you can take public buses 24, 34, 36 and 110 next to Car Park 4B, and public buses 27, 53 and 858 from near the SATS Inflight Catering Centre 1.

You can see the stops and routes for all bus services in Singapore on this bus router map, with realtime bus arrival times.

By Taxi

This is one of the slightly dearer options but, much more comfortable and convenient, taking you directly to your hotel.

You can easily get a taxi from the arrival areas of terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4. A taxi ride to downtown Singapore takes about 20-30 minutes and costs between £10 and £25. All fares are metered.

There is an additional Airport Surcharge for all trips originating from the Airport, anywhere from £3-£5.

You can also organise for a Grab taxi (equivalent to an Uber) to pick you up at any of the terminal's arrival areas. All you need to do is download the Grab app to book.

If you want to book your taxi in advance, then this private airport transfer is ideal for you. It can take 15 people and will cost as little as £13 per person one-way.

How To Get Around Singapore

By Walking

One of the best ways to get around the city is by walking. The downtown area of the city is quite compact and also, flat, meaning it's easy to walk around. It's also safe to do so.

To walk to the likes of Clarke Quay or Chinatown will take longer, about 20-30 minutes from downtown. However, you will see a lot more of the city this way.

By Cycling

The nature parks and recreational centres in Singapore are the ideal places to cycle around because they are flat and have less traffic.

Cycling in downtown isn't such a great idea as the roads are busy with traffic and have few bike lanes.

There are a couple of companies you can rent bikes from in Singapore include City Scoot and GoCycling. The average rate to rent a bike per hour is ~£7.

You can also opt to go on a guided bike tour of the city. This tour from Viator has great reviews!

Taking a Grab Taxi

Grab Taxis are a great way to get around the city and can be relatively cost-effective. You just need to download the Grab app to book a taxi. Other taxi companies similar to Grab include Gojek, Ryde and TADA.

You can also flag down a taxi on the street as they are over 14,000 taxis operating throughout the day and night.

Taking the MRT

Singapore's underground system, the MRT, is a very effective way to get around the city. The MRT runs from 5.30am to 12am daily.

Much like the streets of Singapore, the MRT is very clean and not to mention efficient, cheap and air-conditioned.

The MRT operates 6 lines and 140 stations in the city. The downtown route goes by a lot of the main tourist spots. To see the full MRT map, click here.

Taking the Bus

Singapore has a good public bus transport network that supports up to 300 services covering every inch of the city.

Use this bus router map to plan your route. The fare fluctuates depending on your route, but it is very affordable.

You could also jump on a hop-on, hop-off bus, which is more geared towards tourists visiting the main sites in the city.

Taking River Taxis

River Taxis are a fantastic touristy way to see the city. The river taxis are relaxing and you can enjoy the city sights from a different perspective as you cruise down the Singapore river.

The river taxi route covers Esplanade, Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay. If you are staying in accommodation near the Singapore river, then you can easily hop on a river taxi and use it for a daily transport.

3-Day Singapore Itinerary Overview

Day One - Get Better Acquainted With The City

Be Amazed By The Waterfall At The Singapore Changi Airport

Before I fully get into day one of the itinerary, I want to mention one thing. If you are flying into Singapore Changi airport, you NEED to visit the waterfall in the airport. Yes, you read that correctly! Singapore's airport has the tallest indoor waterfall in the world!

The waterfall can be accessed from terminals 1, 2 and 3. If you arrive in terminal 4 but really want to see the waterfall, then you can take the free shuttle bus service to terminal 2. Bonus if your flight arrives at night time, you'll also get to see the light show at the waterfall.

Go On A Self-Guided Walking Tour Around The City

One of the best things to do in Singapore is to simply walk round the city and soak up the incredible architecture. Best of all, it's completely free too!

The self-guided walking tour below will take you a full day especially if you want to stop off for lunch, visit the museums and the major landmarks you'll see along the way, including the Raffles Hotel, where you could stop off for Singapore Slings, the Merlion Statue, the Singapore Flyer, the Helix Bridge and the Marina Bay Sands.

This route will also take you along the promenade, which will give you some of the best views of the city.

You can also organise your own private walking tour, where you'll have a guide providing you information about each of the landmarks. Or opt to go on a guided bike tour of the city for a more unique experience.

If you don't want to walk around the city, then opt for a hop-on, hop-off bus instead, which will take you to all the major sights.

Some Information About The Sights You'll See During The Walking Tour (Starting At Clarke Quay, Clockwise)

• Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is a historic riverside quay in Singapore's business and financial centre. It is packed full with restaurants and bars and it is also one of the places you can depart from on a Singapore River Cruise.

• Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel Singapore was founded in 1887 and is one of the world's most iconic luxury hotels. The hotel is named after Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles.

It is one of the few remaining 19th century hotels in the world. With its beautiful neo-renaissance architecture, it is a welcome change from the modern Singapore skyscrapers.

The long bar in the Raffles Hotel is actually where the Singapore Sling was first mixed in 1915. So, it seems only fitting to stop-off here and try the Singapore Sling where it was first created.

• St Andrews Cathedral and the National Gallery Singapore

With its impressive tall tower and spire, St Andrews Cathedral is hard to miss. It is actually the largest Cathedral and the oldest Anglian site of worship in Singapore.

You can visit the inside of the cathedral between 9am–5pm on Tuesday- Friday, 11:30am–6:30pm on Saturday, and 7:30am–5:30pm on Sunday. There's no charge to enter.

Right next to the St Andrews Cathedral is the National Gallery Singapore, which contains the world's largest public display of modern Southeast Asian art. It's open between 10am-7pm. General admission with free guided tour costs £12. It will take about 2-3 hours to explore the gallery.

• Singapore Flyer

The Singapore flyer is one of the world's largest observation wheels, standing at an impressive 165m tall.

A ticket costs about £23 for admission to Time Capsule, which offers an immersive experience into Singapore’s past, present and future, followed by a 30-minute scenic ride on the Singapore Flyer. 

• Waterfront Promenade

Looping about 2 miles around Marina Bay, Singapore’s Waterfront Promenade is a comfortable walking route that links some of the city's landmarks.

From here, you'll get an incredible view of the city skyscrapers. You can stop here for a refreshment like fresh coconut water and admire the views!

• Helix Bridge

The helix bridge is a pedestrian bridge connecting the Olympic Youth park to the Marina Bay waterfront.

The bridge was opened in 2010 and the inspiration of the bridge is the double-helix DNA structure. It's also really impressive at night when it's lit up!

• Marina Bay Sands

When you reach the Marina Bay, you'll have a fantastic view over to the Marina Bay Sands. The hotel was first opened in 2010-2011 and has now become a staple of Singapore's skyline.

The iconic hotel has three high-rise buildings, connected by a massive ship-like structure on the top, which features the rooftop bar, observation deck and the world's largest infinity pool.

Tickets to the SkyPark Observation Deck will cost roughly £16-£19 and in my opinion, the observation deck actually gets a better view than the rooftop bar.

Also, on the grounds of the Marina Bay Sands hotel is a shopping mall with some of the most expensive clothing brands I've ever seen under the one roof, and the ArtScience museum, where there are some really cool exhibitions that you can book tickets for.

• Merlion

The Merlion is one of the must-see's whilst in Singapore. It's a 28-metre high statue of a half-fish and half-lion, which looks onto Marina Bay.

Its body is a nod to Singapore's beginnings as a fishing village and its head represents Singapore's original name, Singapura, or 'lion city' in Malay.

Since it's one of the more popular tourist attractions, it can get quite busy. So, make sure you plan ahead to get there earlier when it's a bit quieter.

• Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton is pure luxury and one of Singapore's most iconic 5-star hotel. It was built in 1928 and is architecturally stunning!

You can visit their beautiful rooftop bar, the Lantern, which is framed by an infinity pool and greenery. The bar offers panoramic views over the city skyline.

• Raffles Landing Site and the Asian Civilisations Museum

On this self-guided walking tour, you'll walk by a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore.

Right next to the Raffles Landing Site is the Asian Civilisations Museum. It will take a couple of hours to cover the museum as it has more than 1,300 artefacts from all over Asia. An adult ticket to the museum costs ~£9.

You can also choose to visit the Victoria Concert Hall, the Arts House and the Parliament House, all of these are near the statue of Raffles.

In the Evening, Go For A Boat Cruise Around Marina Bay From Clarke Quay

There are loads of boat tour companies, offering cruises down the Singapore River. The company we chose was 'Singapore River Cruise'. A ticket costs about £18 for a 40-minute round trip.

I would really recommend going on an evening boat cruise as it offered a unique prospective of Singapore.

For an even more special and unforgettable experience, you could set sail on a Tall Ship Sunset Cruise with 5 course seated dinner.

Day Two - Be Amazed By Beautiful Flora

Wonder around the Singapore Botanical Gardens

Founded in 1859, the Singapore Botanic Gardens showcases beautiful flora in a spectacular landscape. It is the first and only tropical botanic garden to be awarded UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

There are some incredible things to see here including the National Orchid Garden, Ginger Garden and Ethnobotany Gardens. Admission is free and the gardens are open from 5am-12am daily.

This half-day walking tour allows you to experience the Singapore Botanical Gardens at sunrise, enjoy a local breakfast and the morning buzz of Tiong Bahru.

Walk The OCBC Skyway At The Gardens By The Bay

One of Singapore's most iconic tourist attractions is the Gardens by the Bay. The impressive horticultural attraction contains a multitude of different plant species rarely seen in this part of the world.

Perhaps, the most impressive part of the Gardens by the Bay is the incredible super-trees. You can walk the OCBC Skyway, which connects all the super-trees, and go up to the super-tree observatory. Tickets to the OCBC Skyway are about £7 - well worth-it!

Marvel At The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome At Gardens By The Bay

The Cloud Forest at Gardens By The Bay is home to one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls and a lush green mountain, featuring plants from all around the world.

Walk along the unique aerial walkways to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most exotic plant species. At the top of the mountain peak, you'll find plants native to cloud forest habitats.

Then, make your way to the Flower Dome, which actually holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest glass greenhouse. You'll discover unusual plants from all over the world including plants from the Mediterranean and South Africa.

For an adult ticket to both the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome, it will cost roughly £19. Both sites are open from 9am-9pm and a combined visit will take about 2.5 hours.

Watch The Marina Bay Sands Light Show At The World's Highest Alfresco Bar, 1-altitude

1-altitude is the highest alfresco bar in the world, standing at 282 metres, it towers over all the other high rise buildings and offers 360-degree views over the city. I wouldn't recommend this bar if you scared of heights!

It offers a unique perspective over to the Light and Water Show at the Marina Bay Sands, which takes place at 8pm and 9pm every night.

The cocktails are good here but, are a little bit on the expensive side, roughly £10/11 for each cocktail.

Day Three - Explore The City's Cultural Side

Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam is known as Singapore’s Muslim Quarter. Its 19th-century shophouses have been turned into majestic buildings selling textiles and delicious restaurants serving spicy Malay cuisine.

Whilst in the area, make sure to visit Haji Lane, packed with independent boutiques, trendy cafes, and street art. You could also opt to go on a local street food tour in Kampong Glam.

Other notable landmarks in the area include the Sultan Mosque (Singapore's most important mosque), the Istana Kampung Gelam (the former Sultan's palace) and the Malay Heritage Centre, where the exhibits focus on local history.

You can explore Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India on this City Highlights Guided Tour.

Little India

Little India is a vibrant, cultural neighbourhood in Singapore, home to temples, mosques, street art, and colourful shophouses.

Visit the main commercial street of Serangoon Road, which is packed with shops selling colourful silks and authentic Indian eateries. Visit the local Hawker centres on this Little India Food Tour.

If you want to learn more about Indian Culture, then you should explore the Indian Heritage Center.

Whilst in Little India, you should also take the time to visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. This is only one of a number of temples in the area. Other notable temples include Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple and Leong San See Temple.

Another must-do is visit the Little India Arcade, a group of shophouses dating back to the 1920s selling colourful fabrics, henna tattoos and souvenirs.

Little India really comes alive during Hindu celebrations like the Deepavali festival of lights, which takes place between October and November.

You can explore Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India on this City Highlights Guided Tour.

Visit Thian Hock Keng Temple

Built in 1839, Thian Hock Keng Temple is Singapore's oldest Chinese temple. It's only a short distance away from Chinatown. Its traditional facade offers a nice contrast to the towering skyscrapers which surround it.

The temple is free to visit and is open from 7.30am-5pm.

Explore Chinatown

Chinatown in Singapore is definitely worth a visit. It's a vibrant and culturally rich neighbourhood; home to Chinatown Food Street, which has restaurants serving traditional Chinese fare, and Club Street, which is home to trendy wine bars.

There are also souvenir shops and indie boutiques, offering clothes, crafts and antiques. Explore both Thian Hock Keng Temple and Chinatown on this guided historic walking tour with lunch.

Whilst in this neighbourhood, you should visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The temple gets its name from the left canine tooth of Buddha, which is displayed at the temple.

Also, visit the Sri Mariamman Temple, it was built in 1827 and is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple.

You can explore Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India on this City Highlights Guided Tour.

Watch The Sun Set Over The City At CÉ-LA-VI

This rooftop bar is at the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and offers incredible views over the city, the Gardens by the bay and the Singapore Strait.

The cocktails are roughly the same price as 1-altitude and will cost about £12 for one, this is quite pricey especially if you plan to have a few! However, it is the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail as you watch the sun setting over this beautiful city, which is exactly what we did on our last night in Singapore.

Top tip! Something to note is that the stairs down to the observatory deck of the Marina Bay Sands are in front of the bar so you might not get the uninterrupted view of the city you were hoping for. If you go towards the pool, there is a better seating area for viewing the city.

Enjoy A Light and Sound Show At The Gardens By The Bay

If you go to CÉ LA VI, then you should go and see the amazing light show at Gardens By The Bay, which happens every day at 7.45pm and 8.45pm. The show lasts 10-15 minutes and it's free to go!

Additional Things To Do Whilst In Singapore

Visit Singapore's Playground, Sentosa

Sentosa is an island located off the Southwest coast of Singapore. The island is very much geared towards tourism.

You go visit Universal Studios on Sentosa Island, go on the Sky Pass cable car, visit the Waterpark, go golfing or simply, relax and sunbathe on the beach.

It can be accessed by car, MRT, bus or on foot. There's also a handy and free bus service which takes you around the island.

You could join a kayak fishing tour, where you island hop from Sentosa to the Southern Islands.

Go On A Night Safari

The Night Safari in Singapore is the world's first nocturnal wildlife park. Ride around the park in a complimentary guided tram or if it allows, you can walk some of the trails on foot to avoid the crowds.

The tram ride takes about 40-minutes to go through 7 themed geographical zones and the ticket will set you back at least £30.

Where To Eat In Singapore?

Top Tip! Whilst in Singapore, you NEED to visit a Hawker centre. Hawker centres are open air food centres, where you get an amazing selection of food at a really reasonable price. Plus, the food is delicious!!!

You could also go on a Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour or join a Singaporean Cooking Class for a more unique experience.

5 Top-Rated Cafes In Singapore

• The Wired Monkey Singapore (£) - A quintessential cafe serving fresh pastries daily and delicious coffees, everything from standard brews to more unique drinks like French Mint Chocolate and 7 spiced chai.
• Fangko+ Coffee and Beer (£) - The cafe serves up plates of modern-style Indonesian cuisine and quirky coffees, including whiskey coffee and avocado coffee. Reviews rave about their Smash Chimken and Gula Melaka Kopi.
• My Awesome Cafe (££) - This cute little cafe offers everything from handcrafted sandwiches and salads, to coffees and spirits, plus platters and wine.
• Little Part 1 Cafe (££) - They may call themselves 'little' but their menu is extensive with over 50 items to choose from, including burgers, pizzas, and pasta. They also offer a curated selection of local & international beers.
• Main Street Commissary (££) - A modern cafe and curatorial art space serving all-day breakfast, brunch and a great selection of cakes, as well as tasty coffee.

5 Top-Rated Restaurants In Singapore

• Annalakshmi Restaurant (£) - An Indian Vegetarian restaurant, serving up delicious home-cooked food, which is presented in a buffet style. There are no fixed prices and guests pay any amount they wish.
• Rosso Vino (££) - An authentic Italian restaurant, next to the picturesque waterfront of Robertson Quay. It's listed as one of the best Italian restaurants in Singapore, offering a selected menu of Italian specialities and wine.
• Ayasofya Turkish Restaurant (££) - Ayasofya serves the best Turkish food in Singapore, infused with wonderful flavours of the Mediterranean.
• Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro (£££) - This restaurant has two Michelin stars and is an international debut of bold flavours and traditional Cantonese fare.
• Odette (££££) - Modern French fine-dining restaurant housed in the National Gallery Singapore. The restaurant has three Michelin stars and has been named the best restaurant in Asia, as well as placing amongst the best restaurants in the world.

Where To Stay In Singapore?

All the options below were chosen with peak season in mind and two people sharing.

Budget (£0-£100 per night)

Mid (£100-£200 per night)

High-end (£200+ per night)

This post is all about a Singapore Itinerary.

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Kirsty x‌

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