Singapore in one, two, three or five days

Question 1

What should I do with one day in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

A one-day itinerary fits around Marina Bay. Start at the National Gallery, rest out of the midday heat, then cross the Helix Bridge to the gardens for the evening light shows. That gives you the city's best-known museum, its skyline and its Supertrees in one loop. The Gallery, then Spectra day plan has the order, and National Gallery Singapore is the anchor.

Question 2

What should I do with two days in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Give day one to Marina Bay and day two to the old districts. Walk the bay and watch the evening shows on the first day, then take the south bridge by lunchtime in Chinatown and cross to Little India in the afternoon on the second. The Bay lights on foot and South Bridge by noon plans fit those two days, with lunch at Maxwell Food Centre.

Question 3

What should I do with three days in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

A three-day itinerary adds a day of animals or beaches to the two city days. We'd choose the zoo and the Night Safari if you like wildlife, or Sentosa's Palawan Beach and Fort Siloso if you want the sea. Either fills a day, so leave the rest of the island for another visit. See Zoo, then the tram, or Palawan Beach for the sea.

Question 4

What should I do with five days in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Keep the three-day mix and add a heartland day and an island day. Toa Payoh to Bishan shows the public-housing towns, with a hawker breakfast, a monastery and a river park. Then take the early boat to Pulau Ubin for a bicycle ride through the last kampong. Start at Toa Payoh Lorong 8 and book the Pulau Ubin bumboat.

Question 5

What is a good first weekend in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

A first weekend works best with one hawker meal, one museum or temple, one long evening at the bay and a slow morning in between. Our weekend guide strings those together, from a kopi breakfast to the Supertrees at night. Pick one big outing per day and keep the rest loose. Read A First-Timer's Weekend in Singapore.

Question 6

What should I do on a second trip to Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Go where first-timers do not: the heartland towns, the northern coast and the quieter old streets. We'd take Woodlands to Sembawang for the jetty and the hot spring, and the second-time guide for a longer list. Leave the big sights for the people who have not seen them. See Woodlands Waterfront and 48 Hours, Second Time Round.

Question 7

How should I spend three days in Singapore with children?

Accepted Answer

A family itinerary for three days alternates one big day with one light day. We'd put the zoo or Sentosa on the big days and a short garden or beach stop on the light one, with rest in the air-con at midday. The family guide shows the loop around the island. Read A Family Day Around the Island, and the with kids answers cover tickets.

Question 8

How do I plan three days in Singapore around food?

Accepted Answer

Anchor each day on one hawker centre and walk the area around it. Take Maxwell and Chinatown on the first day, Tiong Bahru Market with the heritage walk on the second and Old Airport Road on the third, then add the stalls the guides name. See Tiong Bahru Market and the food answers.

Question 9

What should I do in Singapore on a rainy day?

Accepted Answer

Swap the outdoor stop for a museum or a long lunch indoors. The National Museum of Singapore, the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Peranakan Museum are good rain plans, and showers often pass within the hour. Keep a tight plan for the afternoon only. The indoor day guide shows how to chain them, and the museums answers cover tickets.

Question 10

How do I use a short stopover or long layover in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Pick one compact area and leave time to return to the airport. A few hours covers Marina Bay or Chinatown, while a full day opens up the two-day mix above. The layover guide gives a six-hour plan, and the stopover answers cover immigration and bags. See Six hours landside and the Jewel Rain Vortex.