4 Days In Singapore (The Best 4 Day Singapore Itinerary)
Last Updated: October 15 2024
Singapore was the first place we ever visited in Asia and it’s still one of our absolute favourites. Sitting off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is a city-state home to more than 5 million people.
Often regarded as one of the most modern cities in the whole of Asia and one of the most forward-thinking nations on earth when it comes to sustainability, it really isn’t a place you want to miss. It’s home to the most amazing tourist attractions, delicious food markets, a colossal skyline, and wonderful people.
To make sure you don’t miss anything during your visit, we’ve put together a comprehensive 4 days in Singapore itinerary. This includes all the places you need to see, where to stay, and how to get around.
So let’s get started!
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The Cheapest Way To See Singapore’s Sights
There’s no denying that some of Singapore’s tourist attractions are expensive. With so much to see, this can make your visit quite pricey. Luckily, there’s a cheaper way to see the best attractions.
If you want to save money in Singapore, you should purchase a Singapore all-inclusive city pass. This pass covers 35 popular tourist attractions saving you up to 40% compared to buying separate tickets.
Depending on the duration of your trip, you can purchase a Singapore tourist pass that’s valid for 2 to 7 days. This makes it perfect for your 4 days in Singapore.
Here are just a couple of attractions/activities the pass covers:
- Singapore Zoo
- Gardens by the Bay: Flower Dome and Cloud Forest
- Universal Studios Singapore
- Cocktails at Raffles Hotel
- The National Museum of Singapore
- Madame Tussauds Singapore
- S.E.A Aquarium
- Night Safari
A Quick Overview of Your 4 Days in Singapore
Day 1:
Gardens by the Bay, Artscience Museum, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Skypark Observation Deck.
Day 2:
Clarke Quay, Fort Canning Park, Chinatown, National Museum of Singapore, Raffles Hotel.
Day 3:
Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer, Merlion, Atlas Bar.
Day 4:
Sentosa Island.
Your 4 Days in Singapore: Day One
The first day of this 4 days in Singapore itinerary will focus on the iconic Gardens by the Bay area. There’s plenty to do here, but we’ve also thrown in a couple of other attractions too!
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Singapore. Covering more than 100 hectares, it’s a huge nature park that sits adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. It’s probably the main place you need to visit if you’re putting together a 4-day itinerary for Singapore.
Gardens by the Bay was created as part of the nation’s efforts to create a ‘City in a Garden’. In fact, you’ll find plenty of wildlife species in Singapore, and many of them can be found in this area.
The park features three large waterfront gardens and is home to some of the city’s best attractions. Bay South Garden covers 54 hectares and features the largest glass greenhouse in the world! For more information, check out our guide to Gardens by the Bay attractions, but we will go into more detail below anyway!
Some of the attractions you’ll find here include Supertree Grove, the Cloud Forest, and the OCBC Skyway. You can visit all of these locations using a Gardens by the Bay admission ticket from Get Your Guide.
This admissions ticket lets you choose the attractions you want to visit. You can book some of the other attractions on the official website, but many of them you’ll have to book separately.
Supertree Grove
Perhaps the most iconic area of Gardens by the Bay; Supertree Grove is something to behold. Here, you’ll find twelve towering metal trees that stand an impressive 50 metres (164 ft) high.
Not only do these structures look like something from the future, but they’ve actually got a fantastic purpose. They’re used to grow plants and are classed as ‘vertical gardens’. If you’re still not impressed, some of these ‘supertrees’ also harvest solar energy!
As you wander through Supertree Grove, you’ll be mesmerised by the sheer size of these structures. There are endless photograph opportunities, but they’re even more beautiful at night.
This is when you’ll encounter the Garden Rhapsody show which takes place every evening. The shows take place at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm, and you’ll get to see the supertrees beautifully lit up.
Better yet, Garden Rhapsody (and Supertree Grove in general) is free to enter so you won’t need to spend any money here!
OCBC Skyway
One thing you don’t want to miss when visiting Gardens by the Bay is the OCBC Skyway. Hanging from two supertrees, this 22-metre-long bridge offers you some of the best views of the area.
The bridge is 128 metres (420 ft) long and you can walk the whole length of it. From the aerial walkway, you’ll have the opportunity to capture Instagram-worthy shots, take in the views of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and see Supertree Grove from a more unique perspective.
Admission rates for the OCBC Skyway aren’t usually that expensive and the walkway is open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. We recommend leaving at least 15 minutes to wander along the walkway.
This will give you enough time to take in the views and snap some epic photos. It’s probably worth noting that you can’t take as much time as you’d like to here. Staff do stand on the bridge to keep things moving along nicely.
Supertree Observatory
Sitting at the top of the tallest Supertree in the heart of Supertree Grove is the Supertree Observatory. Open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, the observatory is a great place to kick back, relax, and take in the views of the surrounding area.
You’ll have to book your tickets in advance because the observatory gets busy, but it’s worth it. Aside from being a great place to grab a refreshment and watch the evening lights show, the Supertree Observatory also has an interesting immersive digital learning experience.
This experience will teach you more about Gardens by the Bay and give you a unique insight into Singapore’s sustainability projects. Don’t forget to bring your camera here as you’ll have plenty of excellent photo opportunities.
If you have the time, make sure you watch the daily garden rhapsody lights show from the observatory as this attraction offers the best views.
Cloud Forest
The Cloud Forest is probably our favourite attraction in Singapore. It’s one of the most impressive too!
Home to one of the tallest indoor waterfalls in the world, the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay is a wonderful greenhouse-like glass dome that features the most amazing rainforest exhibition.
The dome is built to replicate a tropical rainforest from Southeast Asia and Central America, and its main feature is a waterfall which is 42 metres (138 ft) high.
The structure has multiple levels, each of which resembles part of a rainforest canopy. Some of the exhibits you’ll find at each level include ‘the lost world’, ‘the waterfall view’, and ‘the crystal mountain’.
The outside of the dome is covered in a lush floral display which brilliantly shows visitors what cloud forests look like. At the top of the Cloud Forest, you’ll find a small theatre. This theatre is a must-see as it plays videos related to global warming and showcases Singapore’s efforts to stop it.
Flower Dome
During your 4 days in Singapore, you have to make sure you leave enough time to visit the Flower Dome. Breathtaking, innovative, and spectacular, the Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world.
In all honesty, the greenhouse itself is incredibly impressive and that’s before you even go inside. When you do head inside, you’ll be amazed by what’s on offer.
The Flower Dome is split into several lush gardens. Each garden has a different theme related to a specific part of the world. Some of the most popular gardens include the Baobabs and Bottle Trees Garden, the Australian Garden, South American Garden, and the South African Garden.
You can explore the Flower Dome by walking through each garden or by walking across one of the overground walkways. The walkways are a great way to see the dome’s gardens from above! The Flower Dome is open from 9 am to 9 pm six days a week.
Floral Fantasy
Just a short walk away from Bayfront MRT station you’ll find Floral Fantasy. This unique attraction offers tourists the opportunity to escape the city and explore a magical world of lush plant life.
Floral Fantasy features a collection of colourful indoor gardens that feature vibrant hanging blossoms, reptiles, and waterfalls. The creative floral arrangements here are a joy to walk around, so leave yourself plenty of time to explore and meander around the gardens.
One of the highlights of Floral Fantasy is a vivarium that’s populated by small poison dart frogs. These brightly coloured reptiles are awesome to look at. This attraction is open six days a week, Tuesday being the only day it shuts.
Just a 13-minute walk from the Flower Dome, Floral Fantasy is open from 10 am to 7 pm. We recommend visiting early in the morning because this is when the gardens are at their quietest.
Artscience Museum
Singapore’s ArtScience Museum opened in 2011. Ever since it’s been one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
There’s a very good chance you’ve seen this museum on Instagram before because it has a wide range of photo-worthy exhibits. Interestingly, this museum was the world’s first ArtScience museum, which is another reason you should stop by!
When it comes to what you’ll find in the ArtScience Museum, you’ll have a variety of epic exhibitions that combine art, culture, science, and technology. This place does plan to host permanent exhibitions but most exhibitions at the moment are touring from other museums.
Two of the most popular exhibitions here are the VR Gallery and Future World. You can buy your museum entry ticket in advance and we’d definitely recommend doing so as this place can get busy!
Even if you don’t want to go inside the museum, it’s eco-friendly, lotus flower design is well worth checking out.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Singapore isn’t short of shopping opportunities either so if you like to indulge yourself during your travels, you’re in luck!
The best place in Singapore for shopping is Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. In fact, this mall actually has the largest selection of luxury fashion in Southeast Asia. You’ll find jewellery brands, watch brands, and an array of restaurants and attractions.
All of this can be found in a large shopping mall that sits at the base of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. We recommend having a walk around the shopping mall and checking out the shops, before taking a look at some of the attractions.
After that, you should grab something to eat and drink from one of the bars or restaurants! One neat thing we loved here were the small Venetian-style boats that float down the middle of the shopping mall.
Skypark Observation Deck @ Marina Bay Sands
If you want to find the best views in Singapore, you have to visit the Skypark Observation Deck. It sits 56 storeys above the Marina Bay area on top of the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
The observation deck boasts the most amazing views of Marina Bay and Singapore’s enormous skyline. Of course, you can also take in the views of Gardens by the Bay from up here too. The best part though, the deck has a long infinity pool that visitors can take a dip in as they admire the views.
You can visit the deck if you’re staying in the luxury hotel but you can also buy an observation deck e-ticket in advance. We highly recommend doing this because the demand to enjoy the observation deck is very high.
If you visit in the evening, you’ll even be able to watch the Supertree Grove light show!
Your 4 Days in Singapore: Day Two
The second day of this 4 days in Singapore itinerary gives you the chance to visit some of the attractions to the south of the city. Once again, all the attractions are relatively close together, making it much easier to see them all in one day.
Clarke Quay
If you only have 4 days in Singapore, make sure Clarke Quay is on your itinerary. This area is where it all happens in the city, particularly at night.
Famous for its party atmosphere, bars, clubs, and restaurants; Clarke Quay is the place to go if you want to have fun. No matter where you look, you’ll find something happening.
It’s also worth visiting just for the architecture! This is because Clarke Quay is also famous for its vibrant and quirky buildings. In fact, this part of the city is just as popular during the day as it is at night.
We recommend walking around the area, jumping on a boat, and making the most of the dining opportunities you have available to you. Some of the best restaurants sit riverside with charming views of the surrounding monuments and architecture.
Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is less than a 5-minute walk away from Clarke Quay so you have no excuse but to visit. This park is an iconic hilltop landmark that’s seen some of the nation’s most significant moments.
Rich in history, the park was once home to 14th-century palaces and the headquarters of the British Army Barracks and Far East Command Centre. One of the most significant things to happen on the hill was the decision to surrender Singapore to Japan in 1942!
Now, the park consists of nine gardens, all of which offer locals and tourists the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Some of the gardens you don’t want to miss include the Pancur Larangan, Sang Nila Utama Garden, Raffles Garden, Armenian Street Park, and First Botanic Garden.
Some of the best Singapore botanic gardens can be found here so you’ll want to spend an hour or so wandering around.
Chinatown
Not too far from Fort Canning Park, you’ll find Singapore’s Chinatown. If you’ve ever visited Chinatown somewhere else, you’ll already have an idea of what’s awaiting you.
Like most Chinatowns, Singapore Chinatown features traditional Chinese architecture, a wonderful Chinese community, and the most amazing authentic food. The best way to experience this area is to get lost amongst the narrow roads.
This way, you can find all the best-hidden gems, budget eats, and quirky souvenir shops. We love the small indie boutiques in Chinatown. They sell a wide range of handmade crafts, traditional clothes, and antiques.
Some of the top attractions in this area include the Sri Mariamman Temple, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, and Maxwell Food Centre. If you enjoy your time in Chinatown and the food of course, you could always take a cultural cooking class too.
Maxwell Food Centre
If you only visit one place in Chinatown make sure it’s the Maxwell Food Centre. It’s a Chinatown hawker centre that offers dine-in, takeaway, and delivery services.
Like most hawker centres in Singapore, the Maxwell Food Centre has a huge variety of different stands selling a variety of different dishes. This includes popular Chinese chicken and rice dishes and dim sum. One dish we enjoyed was the Hainanese chicken rice!
If you have the time, you should visit the Maxwell Food Centre and other food spots in Chinatown. In fact, big foodies might want to go on a street food tour. This tour will show you the best food spots in the city and give you a chance to taste the local dishes.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
During a visit to Chinatown, you should visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. This is a wonderful piece of architecture you don’t want to miss.
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a Buddhist Temple complex that sits in the heart of Chinatown. The temple’s devotees practice Chinese Buddhism, and the building itself has a Chinese Buddhist architectural style that dates back to the Tang Dynasty.
Interestingly, it also incorporates Tibetan Buddhist styles too. That’s not the most interesting thing about the temple though, as that award goes to what can be found inside.
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple houses the tooth relic of the historical Buddha. This relic is believed to have been discovered in a collapsed Stupa. It measures approximately 7.5 cm in length which is far too big to be a human tooth!
The relic can be found on the 4th floor of the temple. In the basement, you’ll also find a vegetarian food hall that serves free meals and a theatre.
National Museum of Singapore
If you’re keen to learn more about the city and its history during your 4 days in Singapore, we highly recommend visiting the National Museum of Singapore. It’s the oldest museum this country has to offer.
First opened in 1849, it aims to inspire visitors with stories of Singapore and the rest of the world. Previously known as the Raffles Library and Museum, you can find the museum on Stamford Road. Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm, it’s currently home to 13 different exhibitions.
Therefore, you’re probably going to have to spend 3 or 4 hours here if you want to see everything. If you don’t have the time, you might be better off visiting 4 or 5 of the best exhibitions instead.
Exhibitions you don’t want to miss include the History of the National Museum of Singapore exhibition, the Modern Colony exhibition, and the Singapore History Gallery. You can purchase your admission ticket for the museum in advance online.
Raffles Hotel
The Raffles Hotel is one of Singapore’s most iconic and historic hotels. While it might seem strange to save time to visit a hotel, this luxury hotel, like the Marina Bay Sands Hotel is an exception.
Featuring a British colonial style, The Raffles Hotel has a rich history, impressive design, and high-class experiences you can enjoy. Built by the Sarkies Brothers in 1887, it was first named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who actually founded modern Singapore.
Today, the hotel is managed by AccorHotels who offer luxurious rooms, incredible spa facilities, and fine-dining restaurants. Aside from taking in the views of the hotel, you could choose to stay here to experience the facilities.
However, this will be expensive! Having said that, one thing worth noting is that the all-inclusive city pass does include a cocktail at the Raffles Hotel. This is another way you can save money during your trip.
Your 4 Days in Singapore: Day Three
The third day of this Singapore itinerary sees you visit one of our favourite places in the whole of Asia – Singapore Zoo. Although you could spend all day at Singapore Zoo, we’ve also managed to fit in time for the Singapore Flyer, the Merlion, and Atlas Bar.
Singapore Zoo
Singapore has one of the best zoos in the world. If you’re a big animal lover like us, you have to visit as the animals here are truly looked after!
Aside from having an enormous variety of different animals, Singapore Zoo is best known for its quirky attractions, open-air enclosures, unique experiences, and much-admired conservation efforts. To date, the zoo has more than 300 different species, 34% of which are threatened.
One of the things you’ll love most about this zoo is how some of the animals are allowed to roam. For example, some of the monkey species might come right up to you in an open-air enclosure.
Another reason to visit the zoo is to feed the animals. For less than £5, you can get up close and personal with species like rhinos and feed them. This zoo also has the first open-air orangutan enclosure in the world and it’s pretty magical to see!
You can buy a Singapore one-day ticket in advance online or at the gates, but you will have to queue. For more information about this incredible place, check out our Singapore Zoo guide here.
Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is a large observation wheel, or as most people call it a Ferris wheel that can be found in the Downtown Core district.
To give you a better understanding of where the Singapore Flyer is, it’s approximately a 20-minute walk away from the Flower Dome. First opened in 2008, this iconic wheel is 165 metres (541 ft) tall. At one point, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world!
It has 28 capsules, each of which can carry up to 28 passengers. As you would expect, the views from the top of the Ferris wheel are phenomenal.
You’re given 360-degree panoramic views of the city. Unbelievably, on a clear day, you can even see Malaysia and Indonesia from the wheel. The best ticket you can buy to ride the tower is a combo ticket which gives you access to Gardens by the Bay too.
Merlion
If you’ve never been to Singapore before, you probably don’t know what a merlion is. Let us explain! The merlion is Singapore’s official mascot. It’s a mythical creature that has the body of a fish and the head of a lion.
The creature is widely used to depict and represent the nation and its people in branding, tourism, and sports. The fish represents Singapore’s origin as a fishing village, while the lion represents the city-state’s original name – Singapura, which means ‘lion city’.
In 1972, an official merlion statue was introduced to the city. It stands at 8.6 meters (28 ft) tall and weighs a whopping 70 tons!
The monument first stood in Merlion Park at the mouth of the river, however, it’s since been relocated to a different part of the park. It now sits in an area that fronts Marina Bay. The statue is completely free to visit, so don’t forget to stop by and take some cool photographs!
Atlas Bar
At the end of the day when you’re looking for somewhere to grab something to eat and a refreshing drink, you should visit the Atlas Bar. It’s one of the most popular bars in Singapore, offering a wide range of cocktails, European cuisine, and afternoon tea.
The food and drink on offer aren’t the only things that make this bar worth visiting. What makes it so special is its unique atmosphere and decor!
Atlas Bar has the most amazing and luxurious 1920s style and art deco decor. Taking you back in time, you’ll quickly fall in love with everything about this place. Not to mention the fact that it’s home to one of the largest gin collections in the world!
Found at Parkview Square, Atlas Bar is open six days a week from noon. How late the bar stays open depends on the day you visit, and on Mondays, it’s closed completely.
Your 4 Days in Singapore: Day Four
If you’re going to do Singapore in 4 days, you should have enough time to visit Sentosa Island. It’s a good job too as no trip to this city isn’t complete without heading to this quirky Island.
However, because there’s so much to see and do on the island, you have two different options. Option one is to spend the day at Universal Studios and option two is to explore the island’s other sights!
You could try and do both but we recommend choosing one or the other if you don’t want to rush.
Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island is an entertaining resort island that sits off Singapore’s southern coast. It’s connected to the road via cable car, road, monorail, and a pedestrian walkway.
This small tropical island is best known for its sweeping views, palm tree-covered beaches, food stalls, bars, holiday resorts, and a wide array of tourist attractions.
Palawan Beach, Madame Tussauds, Skyline Luge, and Universal Studios are all popular attractions people tend to visit. It’s this huge variety of things to do that has persuaded us to give you two different options when it comes to visiting Sentosa Island.
You simply can’t do it all in one day! If you love theme parks, you should definitely head to Universal Studios (option 1). If you want to see as much of the island as possible, you should go with option 2 instead.
Option 1: Universal Studios
You’ve probably heard of Universal Studios before but you might not have known there’s one in Singapore. It’s a famous theme park that has sites all over the world!
The Universal Studios in Singapore can be found at Resorts World on Sentosa Island. The park has 28 different rides, several themed zones, attractions, and a variety of different shows.
It’s one of six different Universal Studios parks and is the only one located in Southeast Asia. It’s the second one to be built in Asia as a whole after the Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan.
You can buy your Universal Studios entry ticket online in advance which we highly recommend. This will give you entry to the park for one full day, which you’ll need if you’re going to explore this place in its entirety.
Parts of the park you don’t want to miss include the Jurassic Park Lost World zone, Far Far Away, Ancient Egypt, and Sci-Fi City.
Option 2: Explore the Island’s other sights
Fort Siloso Skywalk
If you decide to explore the rest of the island instead, one of the first places you need to visit is Fort Siloso Skywalk. Accessed by elevator, Fort Siloso Skywalk is an 11-story metal pathway that provides tourists with scenic views on the way to Fort Siloso.
The pathway stretches for 181 meters (594 ft), and during the walk to the fort, you’ll be treated to some of the best views on the island. This area is up there with the most historical points of Sentosa so take your time to learn more about this place as you walk.
The walkway is completely free to wander along but you can pay for a Fort Siloso tour if you want to learn more about the area. The pathway is open from 9 am every day, but the exhibits at the fort only open at 10 am. The Skyway closes at 10 pm so just keep that in mind.
Singapore Cable Car
The Singapore Cable Car is one of the main ways to get to or from the island.
This cable car is a gondola lift that links the mainland to Sentosa. The cable car starts at Mount Faber, crosses the Keppel Harbour, and ends on the island.
The best way to ride the cable car during your 4 days in Singapore is to catch it to Sentosa or take it back to the mainland after your visit. Aside from allowing you to ride in style, the Singapore cable car offers impressive views of the city and its surroundings.
The cable car has an interesting history too. It was only the second ropeway cable car system in the world to span across a harbour when it was constructed in 1974. Port Vell Aerial Tramway in Barcelona was the first!
A cable car sky pass will set you back nearly £16 which is approximately 26 SGD.
Madame Tussauds
The Madame Tussauds in Singapore is the seventh branch to open in Asia. It opened at Imbiah Lookout on Sentosa Island in 2014.
For those of you that don’t know what Madame Tussauds is, it’s a popular wax museum chain that has locations all over the world.
The thought of a wax museum might not sound that fun, but this place is incredibly entertaining. The museum is packed with wax figurines that depict famous faces from around the world.
The figurines here resemble famous sports stars, politicians, actors, actresses, and other celebrities. In the Singapore Madame Tussauds, some of the wax figurines you’ll find include David Beckham, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, and the President of Singapore.
As this museum is in Singapore, you can also expect to see other political faces from around Asia, and Singaporean celebrities. You’ll be pleased to hear that Madame Tussauds is one of the locations you can visit on the all-inclusive city pass.
Skyline luge
The next attraction in this Singapore travel guide is Skyline Luge. Skyline Luge is a great place to visit if you seek an adrenaline rush.
It’s a unique go-kart-like centre that offers visitors the chance to race in a collection of unique 3-wheeled Luge carts.
These carts don’t have engines. You simply jump in the cart and let gravity help you move. All you have to do then is control the speed and weave your way around the tracks. Despite having no engines, the Luge can still reach high speeds.
There are 4 purpose-built tracks to race around, each featuring challenging hairpin bends, downhill slopes, and dark tunnels. Each track has a different theme and unique sights, with one of them being a seriously cool mystical forest.
You can buy Skyline Luge tickets online before you get to Sentosa Island. This will save you more time when you get there!
S.E.A Aquarium
S.E.A Aquarium is another Sentosa Island attraction you can enter free of charge if you have the Singapore all-inclusive city pass. Alternatively, you can buy an aquarium entrance ticket online.
This aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, so you’ll definitely have to spend a couple of hours here to see it all.
Currently, the S.E.A Aquarium is home to more than 100,000 marine animals. This includes 1,000 different species from 40 different diverse habitats! The aquarium is also home to 12 different species of shark, including the infamous hammerhead shark.
You’ll have fun here and learn a great deal about the underwater world. In fact, we’d probably say it’s one of the best places to learn more about the marine life found in Asia.
There are a good variety of interactive programmes that tell you more about marine animals, close-up animal encounters, and learning exhibitions that show you how we can help protect the ocean. Although we’re not usually a fan of aquariums, the exhibits here seem to be pretty spot on!
Helpful Information for Your 4 Days in Singapore
How to get to Singapore
The best way to reach Singapore is by air as it’s home to one of Asia’s busiest international airports. There are endless international and domestic flights arriving here daily so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Singapore Changi Airport is around 17 km (10.6 miles) from the Marina Bay Sands area which is one of the most popular parts of the city. To reach the city centre, you can take the public bus, the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit System), or grab a taxi, although we’d recommend avoiding the latter as they can be expensive!
When it comes to travelling overland to Singapore, there are bus routes and train links from Malaysia which is located right over the border. However, they only tend to depart from major cities including Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
There are also ferry services to the city but these are extremely limited. They only seem to operate from some of the nearby Indonesian islands and the Malaysian state of Johor.
How to get around Singapore
Singapore has an incredibly efficient transport network so you’ll have no problems getting around the city. Here’s a quick rundown of the best ways to get around:
The MRT: The city’s Mass Rapid Transit System is the easiest and most efficient way to get around. It’s inexpensive and you’ll be able to get around Singapore quickly, as there are over 140 stations across six different lines.
Public Bus: There are four operators when it comes to bus services in Singapore; Go Ahead Singapore, SBS Transit, SMRT, and Tower Transit Singapore. There are plenty of routes throughout the city.
Hop-on Hop-off Buses: Tickets are valid for 1-2 days depending on which ticket you choose. You’ll get to explore the city on an open-top bus and listen to audio commentary along the way. There are two routes that you can go on.
Taxi: The cheapest option for taxis in Singapore has to be ride-hailing apps such as Gojek and Grab, with the latter being our preferred option. There are other official taxis throughout the city and most of them are metered, but they can be very expensive.
Bicycle: Although you won’t be able to explore the whole city by bicycle, there are plenty of awesome cycling paths. You won’t have any problems hiring one either as there are lots of awesome operators, but make sure you shop around for the best deals.
Top Tip: To make the most of your Singapore 4 days itinerary, purchase a Singapore Travel Pass (STP) for the best deals on transport.
The best time to visit Singapore
When it comes to planning a Singapore itinerary for 4 days there’s a lot to think about! However, you’ll also want to take into consideration when to visit.
Singapore is a city that you can explore all year round, but like every destination, there are seasons. Just keep in mind that it’s very humid and hot throughout the year, so you’re not likely to escape that!
The peak season tends to run between December and June, and this is when the city will be at its busiest. However, accommodation prices during this time can be high, especially during the Chinese New Year.
To avoid the crowds in Singapore you may want to head there between July and November. Not only will you have a quieter experience, but you’ll get to witness some of the many festivals that take place during this time of year.
Exploring Singapore by tour
As you can tell, this 4 days itinerary in Singapore is action-packed! In our opinion, there’s no better way to explore a city than by yourself, as you’ll truly get to immerse yourself. Just make sure you save plenty of time for some relaxing too!
Putting together an itinerary for Singapore can often feel overwhelming for some people as there’s so much to see. If you’d prefer an easier alternative, then why not head out on a guided tour?
Here are some of the most popular tour options in Singapore:
- Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore: This is one of the most reviewed tours in the city! You’ll be able to view some of Singapore’s historical landmarks as your guide tells you some fantastic stories along the way.
- Singapore City Tour: Starting in Kampong Glam, this 3.5-hour tour will take you to some of the city’s popular sites including The National Gallery, the Merlion, and Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site here.
- Nightout at Chinatown & Bugis Village Tour: This tour will see you explore Singapore by trishaw and riverboat so you’ll get a very unique perspective. Not only that but your dinner is included and you’ll get to dine in one of Chinatown’s best restaurants.
- The 10 Tastings of Singapore With Locals Private Street Food Tour: Your private guide will show you some of the city’s best street food! On this tour, you’ll get to sample a variety of cuisines including Chinese, Indian, and Malay.
Where to stay in Singapore
During your 4 days in Singapore, you’re going to want somewhere comfortable to get a good night’s rest before your next busy day. There’s no denying that Singapore can be expensive, but it’s still possible to spend 4 days here without spending too much on accommodation.
Here are a couple of our recommendations!
Luxury: Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is the most iconic hotel in Singapore. Situated next to Gardens by the Bay, this is the hotel you’ll see on most Instagram feeds. Aside from the impressive rooftop decking area and infinity pool, this place has the most amazing luxury suites and rooms.
Marina Bay Sands also has fine dining restaurants, a spa, and a club on site. As you can probably imagine, the rooms here are insane!
Mid-range: Lyf Funan Singapore
If you’d prefer something a bit more budget-friendly, which we can completely understand, Lyf Funan Singapore is a good mid-range hotel. Just a 7-minute walk away from City Hall MRT and a 6-minute walk from Clarke Quay, this trendy hotel is in a great location.
It’s also only 1.9 km (1.2 miles) away from the Singapore Flyer. The rooms in Lyf Funana are spacious, clean, and modern. Each room has an ensuite, a TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and large beds. You can book anything from a 6-bed apartment to single rooms here!
Budget: Hipstercity Hostel
When we spent 4 days in Singapore, we decided to stay in a hostel. For those of you travelling on a tight budget, this is definitely the best way to go.
Hipstercity Hostel is one of the best hostels in the city. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, this place has a city centre location. It’s also only a 6-minute walk from Clarke Quay metro station.
In terms of rooms, this hostel has clean, down-to-earth rooms and sleeping lofts. Other facilities include shared bathrooms, desks, a cafe, and a lounge area.
Booking.comFrequently Asked Questions about Singapore
How many days should I spend in Singapore?
Honestly, there are so many incredible places to visit in this city. To make the most of your time, you’ll want to allow at least 4 days in Singapore. This way, you won’t be rushing your time here!
If you can spend more time in this incredible city then we’d definitely recommend it.
What is a good budget for Singapore?
To make the most of your stay in Singapore, you’ll want to allow a budget of around £80-£100 per day. This will cover accommodation, meals, and the odd activity. If you’ve got a lot planned, then you’ll want to increase that amount.
For those on a tight budget, your best bet is to stay in a capsule hotel, eat street food, and take advantage of the city’s free activities.
Is visiting Singapore expensive?
There’s no denying that Singapore is expensive. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive cities in Asia so you’ll need to part with some cash during your trip.
There are ways to cut costs, but unfortunately, there’s no getting around some of the expenses like accommodation and activities. However, this shouldn’t put travellers off, as Singapore is a must for any Asia bucket list!
Where is the best area to stay in Singapore?
By city standards, Singapore is relatively small but there are still plenty of great neighbourhoods to choose from. Some of the best options include Clarke Quay, Orchard Road, and Kampong Glam.
If you’re on a budget, then the areas of Little India and Lavender are a great choice. You’ll find plenty of funky hostels in these areas.
Final Thoughts on Your 4 Days in Singapore
Singapore is a fantastic city and honestly, it’s one of our absolute favourites. We can’t wait to go back and explore more of what this amazing destination has to offer!
Hopefully, this 4 day Singapore itinerary has given you a good idea of the best sites to see. We’ve tried to group the attractions and places together in a way that will allow you to make the most of your time.
From towering city skyscrapers to lush urban parks, this city has so much to offer. No matter your travel preferences, you’re sure to have an incredible time here.
If you have further questions about Singapore then don’t hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below!
Here are some other Asia travel guides that you may find helpful:
- Asia Backpacking Route: 23 Destinations You Need To Visit
- The Ultimate Malaysia Itinerary For First Timers: Where To Visit
- The Ultimate 3-Week Vietnam Itinerary
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I’m one half of Acouplescalling. I'm passionate about all things travel and photography and I love sharing my experiences with others. I've seen a lot of the world already and I want to help as many people as I can do the same thing!