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Singapore is one of the easiest cities in the world for a short stop. It’s compact, safe, efficient and well connected, and Changi Airport is only a short ride from the city. Forty-eight hours is enough to get a real feel for it, as long as you don’t try to see everything. Here’s a plan that leaves room to breathe.
Before you land
- SG Arrival Card. Travelers entering Singapore must submit the SG Arrival Card online within three days before arrival. It’s free on the official Immigration & Checkpoints Authority site and app. Passengers who transfer without clearing immigration don’t need one. Use only the official site: ICA SG Arrival Card.
- Visa rules. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Check the ICA entry requirements before you book.
- Weather. It’s hot and humid all year, with sudden heavy showers. Pack light clothing, a small umbrella and a refillable water bottle; tap water is safe to drink.
Getting around
The MRT (the metro) and buses cover almost everywhere you’ll want to go. You can tap a contactless bank card or a phone wallet straight at the gates, with no ticket to buy; the system is called SimplyGo. Foreign-issued cards may carry a small daily admin fee, so check the SimplyGo site for current details. There’s also a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited rides, which suits you only if you’ll travel a lot. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to use too.
Day 1: Marina Bay and the Gardens
Morning. Start at the Marina Bay waterfront while it’s cooler. Walk the promenade around the bay for views of the skyline, the Merlion statue and the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum.
Midday. Escape the heat with lunch at a hawker center. These open-air food halls are where Singaporeans eat every day, with stalls selling local dishes at modest prices. Lau Pa Sat, near the financial district, is a good first one to try.
Afternoon. Head to Gardens by the Bay. The outdoor gardens and the Supertree Grove are free to walk around. The two big cooled conservatories, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest, charge admission and are worth it on a hot afternoon.
Evening. Stay for the evening light shows. The Supertrees light up after dark, and there’s a free light-and-water show on the Marina Bay waterfront most nights; check the current schedule when you arrive. Finish with dinner along the river at Clarke Quay or Boat Quay.
Check Gardens by the Bay tickets
Day 2: Neighborhoods and food
Morning. Explore Chinatown on foot: the shophouse streets, temples and markets. Maxwell Food Centre and Chinatown Complex are nearby for a late breakfast or early lunch.
Midday. Take the MRT to Kampong Glam, the historic Malay and Arab quarter around the Sultan Mosque, with small shops and cafés on streets like Haji Lane. Little India, with its colorful streets and spice shops, is a short ride away and a good contrast.
Afternoon. Choose one: the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a paid orchid garden inside, for a calm green afternoon; or Sentosa island, for beaches and attractions, if you want something livelier.
Evening. For a last dinner, try a satay night market or another hawker center, then take in the city lights one more time.
Before your flight: Changi Airport
Leave time for Changi itself. Jewel, the glass-domed complex connected to the terminals, has an indoor forest and the HSBC Rain Vortex, a huge indoor waterfall. Its public areas are open to anyone before you check in, so you can visit on the way to your flight. Allow enough time to get back to your terminal and through departures.
Good to know
- Rules are enforced. Eating and drinking on the MRT isn’t allowed, and durians aren’t allowed on the trains. Chewing gum isn’t sold. Follow the signs and you’ll have no problems.
- Tipping isn’t customary. Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill.
- Pace yourself. The heat is tiring. Plan indoor or shaded breaks in the early afternoon.