A complete, honest guide to Singapore, Singapore — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. The lion city — spotless & spectacular.
Singapore is a highlight of Southeast Asia, and Singapore is green, orderly and endlessly delicious — a compact city-state where cultures and cuisines collide. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Singapore
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Singapore
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands & skyline. Break for lunch and try Hainanese chicken rice, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Tiong Bahru.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Glam and Sentosa, then explore Kampong Glam at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Pulau Ubin (a rustic island of kampong life and cycling) is the easy favourite, or swap in Johor Bahru, Malaysia (just across the causeway).
Ready to book? Turn your Singapore shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Singapore experiences →Singapore on a budget — costs & money tips
Singapore is one of the more expensive cities by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Singapore
- Accommodation£55–£170 / night
- Food£28–£75 / day
- Local transport£8–£20 / day
- Typical attraction£15–£45 / entry
See how Singapore compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Singapore
- Accommodation is the budget-breaker here — book early, consider hostels/aparthotels, or shoulder-season dates.
- Supermarket and bakery meals are excellent value; reserve restaurants for a deliberate treat.
- A transport pass and free viewpoints/parks keep daily spend sane in an expensive city.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Singapore at a glance
A quick orientation for Singapore. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Singapore
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Singapore specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Singapore
Singapore is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Tiong Bahru
Art-deco streets and indie cafés.
Kampong Glam
The Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane boutiques.
Clarke Quay
Riverside dining and nightlife.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Singapore further down the page.
Food & drink in Singapore
Singapore's hawker centres are a UNESCO-listed institution — some of the world's best cheap food under one roof.
Build your Singapore food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Singapore
The MRT is spotless and efficient; an EZ-Link or contactless card covers trains and buses across the island.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Singapore. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Singapore is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Singapore that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Singapore
Singapore is warm and humid year-round; February–April tends to be driest, though rain showers are brief any time. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Singapore.
Day trips from Singapore
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Pulau Ubin — a rustic island of kampong life and cycling
- Johor Bahru, Malaysia — just across the causeway
Practical tips for Singapore
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Tiong Bahru is a smart base — art-deco streets and indie cafés. If that’s not your style, Kampong Glam works well too (the Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane boutiques).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Singapore without trying Hainanese chicken rice, chilli crab, laksa or satay. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands & skyline. With a spare day, Pulau Ubin (a rustic island of kampong life and cycling) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Singapore, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Singapore — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Singapore, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Singapore?
Three to four days is enough for Singapore’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Tiong Bahru — with an extra day for a trip to Pulau Ubin if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Singapore?
Singapore is warm and humid year-round; February–April tends to be driest, though rain showers are brief any time.
What food is Singapore known for?
Singapore's hawker centres are a UNESCO-listed institution — some of the world's best cheap food under one roof.
Where should I stay in Singapore?
Tiong Bahru is a great first-time base (art-deco streets and indie cafés). Kampong Glam is another good option for the Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane boutiques.
What are the best day trips from Singapore?
Two rewarding day trips are Pulau Ubin (a rustic island of kampong life and cycling) and Johor Bahru, Malaysia (just across the causeway).
How do you get around Singapore?
The MRT is spotless and efficient; an EZ-Link or contactless card covers trains and buses across the island.
