Known for its iconic skyline, lush green spaces, and vibrant hawker centers, Singapore offers the best of both worlds: a futuristic cityscape intertwined with a deep respect for its traditions. We were excited to dive into its renowned cuisine and explore its seamless public transportation system, hidden gems, and world-class attractions.
Below, we’ll share our 3-day itinerary, complete with must-visit landmarks, foodie recommendations, and travel tips to make your Singapore trip smooth and unforgettable. Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines!
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TLDR 🫣
Singapore: A city where modern innovation meets rich cultural heritage, offering world-class attractions, incredible food, and seamless public transport for an unforgettable experience.
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Explore Changi Airport, check into a budget-friendly hotel, and dive into hawker delights at Bugis.
- Day 2: Immerse yourself in Chinatown’s cultural wonders, eat your way through hawker centers, marvel at Marina Bay Sands, and enjoy the magical Gardens by the Bay light show.
- Day 3: Dive into quirky museums, explore the Singapore Botanic Gardens, visit Kampong Glam, and savour your final bites at Selera.
Pro Tips:
- Stay Hydrated: Carry a reusable water bottle, as Singapore's tropical heat can be intense.
- Public Transport: Use MRT and buses for affordable, efficient travel.
- Weather Ready: Always have an umbrella handy to deal with sudden tropical rain.
Top Awards:
- Best Experience: Watching the Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay.
- Best Eats: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre.
- Best "Bang For Your Buck" Hotel: Hotel 81 - Star in Geylang.
- Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase).
GETTING AROUND SINGAPORE
Navigating Singapore is a breeze, thanks to its efficient public transportation system and well-planned infrastructure. Here’s an overview of your options for getting around the city-state:
MRT (Mass Rapid Transit)
The MRT is Singapore’s pride and joy when it comes to public transportation. Covering nearly all the major attractions, it’s fast, affordable, and incredibly easy to use. Most stations are air-conditioned, and the trains are clean and punctual. Simply tap your international credit or debit card for fare payment. Just remember to tap in and out to be charged the correct distance-based fare.
Buses
Buses are a great option for reaching areas not directly served by the MRT. They’re also a scenic way to travel, offering glimpses of neighborhoods and daily life. Make sure you have exact change for your fare or you can tap on and tap off like we did with our international debit cards.
Taxis and Rideshares
Taxis are widely available and metered, though they can be pricier during peak hours or late at night. Rideshare apps like Grab and Gojek are popular and often more affordable than taxis. They’re especially convenient if you’re traveling in a group or heading to less accessible locations. We had to use a Grab one early morning as our departing flight out of Singapore was at 4:00 AM. There were plenty of Grabs available at that time.
Walking
Singapore is incredibly pedestrian-friendly, with well-maintained sidewalks, crosswalks, and shaded paths. Many attractions, such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and Chinatown, are within walking distance of each other, making exploring on foot enjoyable. We walked most of the time.
Cycling and E-Scooters
For a more adventurous option, rent a bike or e-scooter to explore the city at your own pace. Some areas, like East Coast Park and Pulau Ubin, are particularly bike-friendly. Do note that cycling isn’t allowed on MRT trains, so plan accordingly.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arriving in Singapore
Exploring Changi Airport
You’ll probably be landing at Changi airport, one of the most beautiful airports in the world. We arrived at 9:55 AM, groggy but ready to dive into the adventure. Pro tip: don’t rush out of this airport—it’s an attraction in itself! We found out you could store your luggage inside the airport as you wandered, but for quite a hefty price ($10+ CAD/luggage). Instead, we decided to decompress at the Changi lounge, had breakfast, sent out a couple of free postcards, and took a wonderful, hot shower!
After a toasty meal and a refreshing shower, it was time to explore the airport, luggages in tow! It actually wasn’t as much of an issue – the airport is, probably unsurprisingly, meant for travellers anyways. So, what can you do at the Changi Airport?
– Get a Tourist Pass: Stop by the Level 1 Jewel Concierge to snag your Singapore Tourist Pass (if you plan on traveling by public transportation a lot) for unlimited MRT and bus rides. FYI: Prices for the tourist pass can be found here and range from $17-$29 SGD (1-3 days).
– Jewel Changi: Start with the iconic HSBC Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Surrounding it is the lush Shiseido Forest Valley, perfect for shaking off the post-flight fog.
– Climb @ T3: If you’re feeling adventurous, tackle the climbing wall at Terminal 3. (Not free, but it’s a story!)
– The Slide @ T3: For a fun and fast experience, zip down the world’s tallest airport slide. This is FREE and we are not embarrassed to say we lined up with a bunch of kids and rode this bad boy a few times each.
Check-In and Settle Down at Your Hotel
After your airport escapades, make your way to your hotel. As budget travelers, we stayed outside the city center at the Hotel 81 – Star in Geylang. The rooms are super small, budget-friendly (for Singapore), and the location is perfect for exploring the city because it’s close to the MRT. Take a moment to freshen up and then get ready for your first Singaporean feast.
Eat at Your First Hawker Center
Kick off your self-guided foodie tour at a Bugis Hawker Center, where rows of stalls serve Singapore’s best dishes. We ended up with two plates from New Rong Liang Ge for $9.50 CAD – a noodle dish with duck and a rice dish with bbq pork and a dark soya sauce.
Pro Tip: Bring cash! Most hawker stalls don’t take cards, and you’ll want to try as many dishes as possible.
Day 2: Landmarks, Temples, and Iconic Skylines
Today is all about sightseeing and sampling Singapore’s cultural and culinary highlights. You will be perpetually full today. Best of all, we did this completely on our own!
Breakfast at Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Start your morning like a local with Kaya Toast, a traditional breakfast of coconut jam-slathered bread, soft-boiled eggs, and kopi (coffee). Simple, but oh so satisfying. We ordered one to share for $6.30 CAD.
Chinatown: Temples and Hawker Heaven
Head to Chinatown to immerse yourself in history and architecture. Check out the following:
– Sri Mariamman Temple: Admire the intricate carvings of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple.
– Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: Step inside this Buddhist marvel, said to house a tooth relic of the Buddha himself.
After soaking in the culture, fuel up at one of Chinatown’s hawker centers. We ordered the following across three hawker centers, the Chinatown Complex, the Maxwell Food Center, and the Amoy Street Food Center:
– Ji ji noodle house ($4.50 CAD)
– Ann Chin popiah ($2.20 CAD)
– Soursop smoothie ($3.50 CAD)
– Tian tian Hainese chicken ($5.00 CAD) – this was the BEST thing we ate today
– Logan drink ($2.50 CAD)
– Chicken curry puff ($2.20 CAD)
Marina Bay Sands: Singapore’s Iconic Skyline
After eating your way through the hawker centers in Chinatown, walk it off by heading to Marina Bay Sands. This area is packed with must-see attractions:
– Snap a selfie with the Merlion Statue, the half-lion, half-fish mascot of Singapore.
– Stroll across the futuristic Helix Bridge for stellar views of the bay.
– Explore the Esplanade Theatres if you’re into arts and performances.
Pro Tip: If it’s sunny, bring sunscreen or a hat—Singapore’s heat can be unforgiving.
Gardens by the Bay
Finally, end your day at the Gardens by the Bay. Explore the observatory ($14 per person), then grab a spot for the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show at night (7:45 PM and 8:45 PM). It’s magical—and free!
Pro Tip: Arrive early to get a good view of the SuperTree Grove during the show. We got a spot right in the middle since we were 45 minutes early to the 7:45 PM show.
This was another one of our pinch me moments – never did I imagine we would be lying on the floor watching these huge, futurist-looking trees light up and dance to classic music with hundreds of other people on a random Wednesday night. It was the highlight of our Singapore trip and you shouldn’t miss it!
Day 3: Fun, Art, and Little India
Your last day in Singapore is all about YOU. Whatever you want! Make a day trip to Sentosa island and check out Universal Studios? Unfortunately, it was a rainy day for us, so we decided to pivot and do something more indoors. We spent our last day exploring vibrant neighbourhoods, greenery, and quirky museums.
Museum of Ice Cream
Start the day with a sweet treat at the Museum of Ice Cream ($47). It’s colourful, playful, and Instagram gold. UNLIMITED ICE CREAM SAMPLES?! Yum. Be prepared to eat your weight in samples and have ice-cream from breakfast—no judgment here!
We bought the regular tickets (not the premium ones) and employees snuck us some premium samples (shhh.. it’s a secret).
It was a random Thursday, so it was quiet and there were no lines. We ate and played like children, jumped on their bouncy castle and skipped through hallways that never looked like they’d end.
We built little paper ice-cream trucks and asked for seconds for ice-cream flavours that we loved! Pro Tip: The museum is only one-way. Once you pass a section, you can’t go back, so make sure you’d thoroughly satisfied that ice-cream craving before moving on to another room.
We built little paper ice-cream trucks and asked for seconds for ice-cream flavours that we loved! Pro Tip: The museum is only one-way. Once you pass a section, you can’t go back, so make sure you’d thoroughly satisfied that ice-cream craving before moving on to another room.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Next, escape to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through lush greenery, snap photos of the National Orchid Garden, and enjoy the serene ambiance. We only explored for a little bit as it was a rainy day.
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable shoes—this place is huge!
Kampong Glam and Sultan Mosque
From nature to culture, visit the historic Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam. The golden dome and intricate architecture are breathtaking. While here, check out Haji Lane for colourful street art and quirky shops.
Dinner at Selera
Wrap up your Singaporean adventure with dinner at Selera, a beloved restaurant serving authentic Singaporean dishes. It’s the perfect way to savour your last night in this incredible city. We ordered Char kway teow and some more hainese chicken (because we loved the first one at Maxwell), a curry puff, and lime juice for $16 CAD.
Pro Tips for Visiting Singapore
– Stay Hydrated: Singapore’s tropical climate means you’ll sweat—a lot. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill at public fountains.
– Plan for the Weather: Always have an umbrella handy. Singapore’s weather can switch from blazing sun to torrential rain in minutes.
– Use Public Transport: The MRT and buses are affordable, efficient, and air-conditioned.
– Respect Local Customs: Singapore is clean for a reason! Avoid littering, chewing gum in public, or jaywalking to stay on the right side of the law.
– Pace Yourself: With so much to see and do, it’s easy to overdo it. Take breaks, enjoy the air-conditioning, and don’t stress if you can’t fit everything in.
– Save Money: Opt for hawker centers for meals that are both affordable and delicious.
TOTAL COST for 3 Days in Singapore (Approximate CAD for 2 people):
Accommodations for 3 nights: $263
Activities (and associated fees and tips): $124
Food: $105
Transportation (and associated fees, tips, and tolls): $51
TOTAL: $542 (Roughly $90 per person, per day)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Singapore is a city that truly has it all: rich history, futuristic landscapes, and a food scene that rivals the best in the world. Whether you’re here for a layover or a full vacation, this 3-day itinerary will help you make the most of your time while keeping things fun, casual, and full of flavour.
Ready to plan your trip? Let us know your favourite Singapore spots in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our guides to other Southeast Asian destinations.
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