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A stopover in Singapore is useful for many destinations in Asia, such as Indonesia or Malaysia , but also for onward journeys to Australia or New Zealand . If you extend the overnight stopover to 2-3 days, then you can already explore most of Singapore.
Stopover in Singapore – what you can do in 3 days
The city-state of Singapore is not too big and so you can see many of the sights in 3 days without getting hectic. But with a stopover in Singapore you can also discover beaches or just go shopping on the magnificent boulevard of Orchard Road.
3 days in Singapore will certainly not be boring. In this article you will 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 itself.
Arrival to Singapore
Overnight stay in Singapore – our hotel tip
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 a very popular stopover. Although the airport is a bit outside of the city centre, it is still easy and cheap to get to.
The train system in Singapore is well developed and this is also the cheapest way to get to the city. Changi Airport is directly connected to the railway network (MRT) . You will find the stations in Terminals 2 and 3. For 2 SGD you can be in the center of Singapore in about 30 minutes.
Another cheap alternative would be the Airport Shuttle Bus . Every 15-30 minutes it runs from the airport towards the city center and lets travelers out directly at their hotel. You will find a counter to buy the tickets from 7 SGD in the Arrivals Hall. You can also book these online in advance .
The third option for tourists would be the taxi . There are taxi stands in front of the arrivals hall where you can always find a free driver. The journey to the city takes about 20 minutes and is also affordable at 15-25 SGD. Incidentally, this is the only option after midnight, as the Airport Shuttle Bus and the trains no longer run.
If you know your way around Singapore, you could also take the public buses . A trip there also costs only 2 SGD. However, if you are not familiar with the bus timetable, I would advise you to take the train, the airport shuttle or a taxi.
Note : If you want something extravagant, you can of course also charter a limousine. You can also book these in the arrivals hall of Changi Airport. Prices hover around 35 SGD for the sedan.
Public transport in Singapore
Singapore has one of the most modern subway networks (MRT) in the world, making it easy to get around the city quickly and cheaply. Every day between 5:30am and 12:30am, trains run every few minutes in each direction of the city.
A trip costs between 1 and 3 SGD depending on how far you want to travel. Buying a ticket is also very easy, so you can simply press your finger on the ticket machine with a touchscreen and the price will be displayed. You can find an overview map here .
Another option is of course the public buses, which are also very cheap. Here, however, you always have to pay with coins and there is no change. So always have the right money with you. The driver can tell you the price.
The third and most expensive option would be the taxi, with which you can get through Singapore comfortably and quickly. The choice is yours, but we prefer the MRT lanes.
Singapore attractions
Now that you know how to get around the city, it’s time to see Singapore’s sights. Many of the absolute highlights of Singapore can be found around Marina Bay. I list three of the most visited sights here.
1. Marina Bay Sands
Built in 2010, Marina Bay Sands is arguably Singapore’s landmark. The casino and hotel with the famous infinity pool is spread over 55 floors in the building reminiscent of a ship. A shopping center is also attached to the hotel, as well as bars, nightclubs and conference rooms.
Unfortunately, as a visitor, you cannot see the infinity pool as it is reserved for guests. But the Skypark with a 360 degree view over Singapore is not to be scoffed at 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 SGD 23 per person.
The Marina Bay Sands also offers a laser show every evening from 8pm 3 times a day, which you can watch for free from any seat around Marina Bay.
2. Merlion
Also at Marina Bay you will find the next landmark of Singapore, the Merlion. He is a mix of lion and fish. From its location, directly opposite Marina Bay Sands, you can also take great photos of the well-known hotel.
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Thousands of visitors come to the Merlion every day, so it can get quite crowded here. Asians have the craziest poses with the Merlion and often drink the 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 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 climate zones so that countless plants can live there.
Even at night, when the Super Trees are illuminated, they offer an almost fairytale photo motif. Visiting the Gardens By The Bay is free, but you have to pay an entrance fee for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome – in the combo ticket 28 SGD.
These three are attractions that probably every traveler has heard of in connection with Singapore. The next point shows you that this is by no means all.
What else is there in Singapore
Of course, after these three highlights there is still no end in sight. Singapore, for example, is also a great city to go shopping. Orchard Road is the heart of Singapore, so to speak, when it comes to shopping. Here you will find huge shopping malls, all well-known brands, but often also real bargains, e.g. for new cameras etc.
Or how about some nightlife in Singapore? The areas around Marina Bay, which are a bit more expensive, and the Boat Quay or Clarke Quay are particularly good options. The nightlife of the megacity can also be explored very well with a pub crawl , because here you get free shots, discounts on drinks and free entry to clubs.
By the way, did you know that Singapore also has many old and well-preserved colonial buildings? Located on the east bank of the Singapore River, the Colonial District offers a great insight into the city’s history not only during the day, but also at night when the buildings are illuminated .
Or how about some 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 there. 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 still have some time left, then a visit to the Singapore Zoo is also a good idea . The zoo is really huge and you can discover numerous animals there. The Singapore Night Safari is also very popular , where you can take a tram through the nocturnal zoo and, above all, observe the nocturnal animals.
A highlight for us in big cities are always the skylines. And skyscrapers Singapore has a lot 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 in Singapore in our Singapore Guides.
Interesting tours in Singapore
You can explore Singapore on your own. But if you would like a local guide or want to see something different from the city than the standard sights, then here are a few interesting tours for you:
- Singapore sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour – the popular hop-on hop-off buses are available in many major cities around the world, including Singapore. Explore the highlights of the city by bus, get off where you want and get back on when you want to continue. Always a good way to experience a new city.
- Welcome Tour with a local guide – if you want to get to know the city of Singapore through the eyes of a local, then this 2, 3 or 4-hour tour is ideal. Your guide will be happy to show you around the city and around your hotel – tailor-made tours so you see what you want to see.
- Singapore: Hidden Gems & Secrets – Private Tour – Discover Singapore away from the tourist crowds on this tour. From its origins on Serangoon Road to the city’s roots and fun anecdotes, you’ll learn about the city-state in a new way.
- Singapore: Full Day Tour with Local Guide – On the full day tour you will get an excellent insight into the life and history of Singapore. Visit the state’s largest Buddhist temple, the Opera House, and see a different side of Singapore on the spectacular Henderson Waves Bridge.
- Singapore’s Haw Par Villa: Twilight Walking Tour – Haw Par Villa theme park, also known as Tiger Balm Gardens, is home to thousands of statues related to Chinese mythology and folklore. Opened in 1973, the park brings together Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. At night you will get to know the famous 10 courtyards of hell and more.
Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Glam
The three districts of Little India, Chinatown and Kampong Glam are also very famous. Here you will meet different cultures and all within the megacity of Singapore. You could spend whole days in the neighborhoods and immerse yourself in Indian, Chinese or Arabic culture. Of course you can also try the culinary highlights.
1. Little India
Little India is a bit like India in Singapore. The district with various shops, Indian restaurants, Hindu temples and reflects part of India’s culture extends along Serangoon Road and the many side streets.
Two highlights that you should not miss in Little India are visiting the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple , the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore and the Tekka Market , an Indian shopping center with an absolutely fantastic food court.
It’s best to let yourself drift through the streets of Little India and explore the impressive district a bit. If you’d like to learn more about the neighborhood, take a guided walk through Little India .
2. Chinatown
As in almost every major Asian city, there is also a Chinatown in Singapore. The lively district is one of the most popular and probably one of the busiest in the city. Chinatown not only has many shops with Chinese medicine, souvenirs etc. to offer, but also plenty of restaurants to let you be captivated by Chinese cuisine.
The many restored colorful houses, some of which are listed buildings, also make Chinatown a must-see in Singapore. Also don’t miss the many attractions like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple or Thian Hock Keng Temple .
Other highlights such as the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple or the Masjid Jamae Mosque , which also complement the cityscape there , show that Chinatown is a very open quarter . If you want to experience even more in Chinatown, then the best way to discover the history is on a guided tour of the district.
3. Kampong Glam
Since 1822, a large part of Singapore’s Muslim population has lived in Kampong Glam. The area with the greatest Arabic 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, take a guided walking tour of this unique part of Singapore.
Cheap eats in Singapore
Singapore is generally an expensive city and if you go to a real restaurant, you will notice the prices here as well. However, there is also a cheap alternative to the restaurants and that would be the so-called Hawker Centre.
They’re spread all over the city. You can find them in Little India, Chinatown or in the middle of the downtown Singapore skyline. In the hawker centers there is 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 dating back to 1973, it attracts locals and tourists alike. There’s plenty to choose from and there’s definitely something about sitting amongst Singapore’s skyscrapers with a beer and a delicious dinner.
Sometimes it’s difficult to make a decision on the spot, but we can only advise you to try the culinary highlights of Singapore , Thailand, China, India, Malaysia etc. in these hawker centers.
