Singapore

Gardens, hawker centres and a harbour skyline

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: February to April and July to September
Airports: SIN

Singapore at a glance

Singapore is a compact city-state of harbour views, gardens and hawker courts. Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Park, the Singapore Flyer, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Sentosa, Singapore Botanic Gardens and Jewel Changi Airport sit on MRT and bus clusters, with day trips to Sentosa, Pulau Ubin, Mandai and the Southern Islands. Changi Airport (SIN) is the catalogue airport. EZ-Link or current contactless tap, shade and rain plans matter more than a car.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitFebruary to April and July to September

AirportsSIN

Budget travelAccommodation and any ticketed garden, island or Mandai day drive costs most strongly. Check current prices close to travel instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Drier spells suit Marina Bay walks, the Botanic Gardens and Sentosa. Heat and sudden rain are year-round; keep indoor hours for Jewel, malls and the Flyer. Carry water and a light rain layer even on bright mornings.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

MRT

Airport MRT toward the city, Marina Bay and interchange stations

Check the current EZ-Link or contactless fareTransport

Must-see sights

Marina Bay Sands

Gardens by the Bay

Merlion Park

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay.
Afternoon: Chinatown or Kampong Glam, then a hawker meal.
Evening: A bay walk without stacking Sentosa.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Marina Bay / Civic District
Marina Bay
Walkable waterfront. Chinatown and Little India need an MRT hop.
Best for
First visits, the Flyer and Gardens by the Bay
Chinatown / Kampong Glam
Chinatown
Useful for hawker meals. Sentosa needs a planned hop.
Best for
Food courts and a neighbourhood stay
Orchard
Shopping streets with MRT. The Botanic Gardens are a short hop.
Best for
Covered malls and a family rain plan
Sentosa
Needs a hop for Chinatown and Marina Bay. Confirm current island access.
Best for
A beach-and-family island stay

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, hawker meals and MRT hops; excludes travel to Singapore.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, mixed dining, transit and selected ticketed gardens.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Central stays, frequent dining, private transfers and a reserved island or Mandai day.

Airports

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

SIN
Singapore Changi Airport
20 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

SIN

MRTSINUsually the most practical public option from SIN. Confirm the current line, direction and last trains on Changi or SMRT information. Jewel sits beside the terminals.
Airport MRT toward the city, Marina Bay and interchange stations
Check the current EZ-Link or contactless fare
Details
Usually the most practical public option from SIN. Confirm the current line, direction and last trains on Changi or SMRT information. Jewel sits beside the terminals.
Airport busSINUseful when a current stop serves your stay more directly than an MRT change. Confirm the route and luggage space.
Public or airport coaches toward selected districts
Check the current operator or EZ-Link fare
Details
Useful when a current stop serves your stay more directly than an MRT change. Confirm the route and luggage space.
TaxiSINUseful for families, late SIN arrivals and Sentosa stays. Use an official rank.
Door-to-door journey; time varies with expressway traffic
Confirm the current official fare
Details
Useful for families, late SIN arrivals and Sentosa stays. Use an official rank.
Private transferSINUseful for groups, child seats and Mandai or Southern Islands departures. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.
Pre-booked door-to-door journey
Confirm the complete quoted price
Details
Useful for groups, child seats and Mandai or Southern Islands departures. Confirm meeting point and delay terms.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

MRT, buses, walking and EZ-Link or contactless tapNeighbourhoods are walkable once you arrive. Sentosa and Mandai need a planned hop. Recheck last MRT and bus services. Carry a rain layer.
Best for Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and the Botanic Gardens
Check current EZ-Link or contactless rules
Details
Neighbourhoods are walkable once you arrive. Sentosa and Mandai need a planned hop. Recheck last MRT and bus services. Carry a rain layer.
Taxi and licensed appsA car is unnecessary in the centre. Confirm current ride-hailing rules and taxi ranks.
Useful for late returns, Sentosa and family hops with bags
Confirm the current official or in-app fare
Details
A car is unnecessary in the centre. Confirm current ride-hailing rules and taxi ranks.

Singapore at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Marina Bay / Civic District

Chinatown / Kampong Glam

Orchard

Sentosa

Approximate budget