Singapore Stopover: 3 Days in the City

A stopover in Singapore is available for many destinations in Asia such as Indonesia or Malaysia, but also when traveling to Australia or New Zealand. If you extend the stopover to 2-3 days with overnight stays, you can already explore most of Singapore’s sights.

Stopover in Singapore – what you can do in 3 days

The city-state of Singapore is not too big, which means you can see many of the sights in 3 days without getting stressed. But on a stopover in Singapore you can also discover beaches or just go shopping on the boulevard of Orchard Road.

3 days in Singapore will definitely not be boring. In this article you can find out everything you can see on site during a stopover in Singapore, how to get from the airport to the city and of course how best to get around Singapore.

How to get to Singapore

Singapore has not only one of Asia’s largest airports, Changi Airport, but also one of the best in the world! Therefore, Singapore is well connected to the international flight network.

You can fly from many destinations in Europe directly to Singapore and from many destinations in Southeast Asia. More expensive airlines as well as cheap airlines land in Singapore and a good overview of flights with departure times and prices can be found at Skyscanner.

There are also bus and train connections from Thailand or Malaysia, as they can reach Singapore via the mainland. Further information as well as tickets are available at 12go.asia.

Accommodation in Singapore – our hotel tip

Accommodation is significantly more expensive in Singapore than in other major cities in Southeast Asia. For a decent hotel with a good location you have to have a little more budget. A good hotel we can recommend is the ibis budget Singapore Clarke Quay. It’s located in the beautiful and popular district of Clarke Quay, just 5 minutes from the MRT station. The rooms are relatively small, but modern and bright. There is also a rooftop swimming pool to cool off after a hot day in Singapore as well as a gym.

If you would like to stay in a place other than Clarke Quay, have a look here for more hotels in Singapore.

From Changi Airport to the city

Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the most modern airports in the world and one of the major hubs in Asia, which is why Singapore is also very popular as a stopover. The airport is located a bit out of the center, but can still be reached easily and cheaply.

The rail system in Singapore is well-developed and this is the cheapest way to get into the city. Changi Airport is directly connected to the rail network (MRT). You can find the stations in Terminal 2 and 3. You can be in the center of Singapore in about 30 minutes for only 2 SGD.

Another cheap alternative would be the Airport Shuttle Bus. It departs every 15-30 minutes from the airport towards the city center and travelers can get out right at their hotels. A counter for buying the 7 SGD tickets can be found in the arrival hall. You can also book these online in advance.

The third option for tourists would be a taxi. There are taxi stands in front of the arrival hall, where you can always find a free driver. The ride into the city takes about 20 minutes and is also affordable at a price of 15-25 SGD. After midnight, however, this is the only way, as the airport shuttle bus and trains will no longer run.

If you are familiar with Singapore, you could also take the public buses. A trip costs only 2 SGD. However, if you are not familiar with the bus schedule, I would advise you to take the train, the airport shuttle or the taxi.

Note: If you want it to be a bit extravagant, you could even charter a limousine. You can also book this in the arrival hall of Changi Airport. The prices are around 35 SGD for the limousine.

Public transportation in Singapore

Singapore has one of the most modern subway networks (MRT) in the world, making it easy to get around the city quickly. Every day between 5.30 A.M. and 0.30 A.M. the trains run every few minutes in every direction of the city.

A trip costs between 1 and 3 SGD, depending on the distance you want to travel. Buying tickets is also very easy and you can simply press the desired stop with your finger on the ticket machines via a touchscreen, which will display the price. You can find an overview map here.

Of course, you can also use the public buses, which are very cheap, as a further option. With this option, however, you always have to pay with coins and there is no change. That means you will always have to have the right amount of money with you. The driver can tell you the price.

The third and most expensive variant would again be the taxi, with which you can get through Singapore comfortably and quickly. The decision is up to you, but we prefer the MRT railway.

Singapore’s sights

Now that you know how to move around the city, it’s time for Singapore’s sights. You can find many of the absolute highlights of Singapore around the Marina Bay. We will list three of the most visited sights here.

1. Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands, built in 2010, is probably the landmark of Singapore. The casino and hotel with the famous infinity pool is spread over 55 floors in the building reminiscent of a ship. There is also a shopping center connected to the hotel, as well as bars, night clubs and conference rooms.

As a visitor, you can unfortunately not see the infinity pool as it is reserved for guests only. But the Skypark with a 360-degree view of Singapore is not to be missed either. It is open daily from 9.30 A.M. to 10.00 P.M. and even until 11.00 P.M. on weekends. Tickets cost 23 SGD per person.

The Marina Bay Sands also offers a laser show every evening starting from 8.00 P.M., which you can watch for free 3 times a day from any place around the Marina Bay.

2. Merlion

Also at Marina Bay you will find the next landmark of Singapore, the Merlion. It is a mixture of a lion and a fish. From its location, directly opposite the Marina Bay Sands, you can also take great photos of the famous hotel.

Thousands of visitors come to the Merlion every day and it can get quite crowded here. Asians have the craziest poses with the Merlion like drinking water from its mouth in photos. Definitely worth a visit.

3. Gardens By The Bay

The third highlight would be the Gardens By The Bay, which you will find directly behind the Marina Bay Sands. The man-made park awaits its visitors with the Super Trees (trees made from a steel frame with solar panels), the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. In the latter two you will find a kind of greenhouse with different climates, so that countless plants can live there.

Even at night, when the Super Trees are illuminated, they offer an almost fairytale-like photo motif. Visiting Gardens By The Bay is free, but you have to pay an entrance fee to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome – the combined ticket is 28 SGD.

These three are attractions that every traveler has heard of in connection with Singapore. The following shows that this is not everything yet.

What else is there in Singapore

After these three highlights there is still no end in sight. Singapore is also a great city for shopping. Orchard Road is, so to speak, the heart of Singapore when it comes to shopping. Here you will find huge shopping malls, all well-known brands, but often also real bargains e.g. with new cameras and more.

Or how about a little night life in Singapore? Especially the areas around Marina Bay, however more expensive, as well as the Boat Quay or Clarke Quay are very good spots. The nightlife of the megacity can also be explored with a pub crawl. Here you get shots for free, discounts on drinks and free admission to clubs.

Did you know that Singapore also has many old and well-preserved colonial buildings? The Colonial District is located on the east bank of the Singapore River and offers a great insight into the history of the city not only during the day, but also in the evening when the buildings are illuminated.

Or how about a little beach for a change? Sentosa Island would be just the thing. But in addition to the beaches such as Palawan Beach there is much more to discover. The Tiger Sky Tower with a fantastic view, the Universal Studios, the Sentosa Merlion or the cable car to Sentosa Island are definitely worth a visit.

If you have some time left, a visit to the Singapore Zoo is also a good idea. The zoo is really huge and you can discover numerous animals there. Also very popular is the Singapore Night Safari, where you take a tram through the zoo and especially watch the nocturnal animals.

A highlight for us in big cities is always the skyline. And Singapore has a lot of skyscrapers to offer! Be it the view from the Singapore River or Marina Bay, Singapore’s skyline is impressive and always worth a photo.

You can find even more sights and attractions of Singapore in our Singapore guides part 1 and part 2.

Interesting tours in Singapore

You can explore Singapore easily on your own. But if you would like to have a local guide showing you around or just see something different from the city than the standard sights, then we have a few interesting tours for you:

• Singapore Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour – the popular hop-on hop-off buses are available in a large number of major cities worldwide, including Singapore. Explore the city’s highlights by bus, hop off where you want, and hop back on if you want to continue. Always a good way to experience a new city.
• Singapore: Private Welcome City Tour – if you want to get to know the city of Singapore through the eyes of a local, this 2, 3 or 4-hour tour is suitable. Your guide will be happy to show you the city and surroundings of your hotel. Take a tailor-made tour so that you can see what you want.
• Singapore: Hidden Treasures and Local Secrets Private Tour – discover Singapore away from the tourist crowds on this tour. From the origins of Serangoon Road to the roots of the city and exciting anecdotes, you will get to know the city-state in a new way.
• Singapore: Private Full-Day Best of Tour with a Local – on the full-day tour you get an excellent insight into the life and history of Singapore. You will visit the largest Buddhist temple in the state, the Opera House and get to know Singapore from another side on the spectacular Henderson Waves Bridge.
• Singapore: Haw Par Villa Twilight Walking Tour – the Haw Par Villa Theme Park, also known as Tiger Balm Gardens, is home to thousands of statues from Chinese mythology and folklore. The park opened in 1973 and combines Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. At night you will get to know the famous 10 hell yards and more.

Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Glam

The three districts Little India, Chinatown and Kampong Glam are also very famous. Here you will meet different cultures and all this within the megacity Singapore. You could spend whole days in these neighborhoods and immerse yourself in the Indian, Chinese or Arabic culture. Of course, also try out the culinary highlights.

1. Little India

Little India is a bit like India in Singapore. Along the Serangoon Road and the many side streets, the district stretches with various shops, Indian restaurants, Hindu temples and reflects part of the culture of India.

Two highlights that you shouldn’t miss in Little India are a visit to the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore and the Tekka Market, an Indian shopping center with an absolutely fantastic food court.

Take a stroll through the streets of Little India and explore the impressive district a bit. If you want to learn more about the neighborhood, then a guided walk through Little India is a good idea.

2. Chinatown

As in almost every major Asian city, there is also a Chinatown in Singapore. The lively area is one of the most popular and probably the busiest in the city. Chinatown not only has a lot of shops with Chinese medicine, souvenirs etc. to offer, but also a lot of restaurants to let you fall under the spell of Chinese cuisine.

The many restored colorful houses make Chinatown a must-see in Singapore. Don’t miss the many attractions such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple or Thian Hock Keng Temple.

Chinatown is a very open district which is also shown by other highlights such as the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple or the Masjid Jamae Mosque, that also complement the cityscape there. If you want to experience even more in Chinatown, the best way to discover the story is on a guided tour through the district.

3. Kampong Glam

Much of Singapore’s Muslim population has lived in Kampong Glam since 1822. The area with the greatest Arab influence stretches around Arab Street. Here you can discover the old Royal Palace, the Sultan Mosque and many colorful shops with oriental fabrics.

Kampong Glam also offers culinary delights with an Arabic influence. To get to know the district and its history better, a guided walking tour through this unique part of Singapore is perfect.

Eat cheap in Singapore

Singapore is usually an expensive city and if you go to a real restaurant, you will notice it by the prices. However, there are also cheap alternatives to the restaurants and that would be the so-called Hawker Centers.

They are spread all over the city. You can find them in Little India, Chinatown or in the middle of the downtown Singapore skyline. The Hawker Centers have a huge selection of dishes from all corners of the world. A beautiful Hawker Center that you should definitely visit is the Lau Pa Sat.

Located in downtown Singapore in a building that was built in 1973, it attracts many locals and tourists alike. The selection is huge, sitting with a beer and a delicious dinner between all the Singapore skyscrapers definitely has something to it.

Sometimes the decision is difficult on site, but we can only advise you to try the culinary highlights of Singapore, Thailand, China, India, Malaysia etc. in these Hawker Centers.

Singapore: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Singapore in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Singapore.

Have you ever made a stopover in Singapore? What did you like best in Singapore? We look forward to reading your comment.