We recently found ourseleves with two days in Singapore and really wanted to make the most of it. It was our first time in Singapore so we carefully planned out this two-day Singapore itinerary to see (and eat!) as much as possible.
With only two days in Singapore, you won’t be able to see everything, but follow our comprehensive Singapore itinerary and you’ll be able to see many of the highlights!
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Singapore in Two Days – What you need to know
Is two days in Singapore enough?
This is kind of tricky for us to answer as it really depends on what you want to do and see in Singapore.
Considering Singapore’s small size, you can cover a lot of ground in just two days. We felt like we got a good taste of the country in two days and were able to check off all our Singapore must-dos.
However, as foodies, we felt that two days in Singapore was not enough as there were so many hawker stalls and restaurants we still wanted to try but simply did not have enough time (or room in our stomachs haha).
Therefore, two days is enough for a first visit, but it will likely leave you wanting to come back for more!
Singapore is hot!
Everyone warns you about the heat in Singapore, but until you are there, you can’t quite imagine just how hot it feels.
In pictures, Singapore often looks cloudy and doesn’t appear to be overly hot. But let us tell you, it is one of the hottest places we’ve been. I’d compare it to South Korea in summertime.
It’s that hot, thick, suffocating heat with little to no breeze that really gets you. I love warm weather, but I don’t like humidity. And that is exactly what you’ll get in Singapore.
We were sweating buckets and I honestly was close to fainting a couple of times, despite trying to do everything to keep cool and hydrated. Don’t underestimate the heat!
Bring one of these portable handheld fans and carry bottled water with you at all times. We used these lightweight water bottle carriers to easily carry water everywhere we went.
What to wear in Singapore
Considering what we’ve said above about the heat, make sure you dress for it.
You’ll want to wear breathable fabrics, like cotton and linen. Your sweat will show through your clothes so maybe keep that in mind when choosing which colours and fabrics to wear.
I found flowy outfits to be much more comfortable than tight-fitting clothes. And comfortable sneakers are a must for all the walking you’ll do! I wore my Nike Huaraches everywhere since they are lightweight and very comfortable.
What currency do they use in Singapore?
Singapore’s official currency is the Singaporean Dollar (SGD) and its symbol is S$. Fortunately for us Canadians, the exchange rate is S$1 = $1 CAD. This made things super easy for us as we didn’t need to figure out the exchange rate when shopping.
For Americans, the exchange rate is more favourable. S$1 = $0.75 USD.
Credit card acceptance is pretty good in Singapore. We only needed to take out a little bit of cash at the airport to use for the hawker stalls.
What language do they speak in Singapore?
You will hear many different languages spoken in Singapore, but mostly everyone can speak English. This is because Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.
Malay is designated as the national language of Singapore, while English is the lingua franca and is the language used in business, government and education.
Most Singaporeans are bilingual and we had no issues communicating with anyone in English.
Arriving at Changi Airport
Singapore’s Changi Airport is massive and is an attraction in and of itself. You could literally spend a whole day exploring the airport (which we did!) but we’ll delve into that in another future post 🙂
Immigration and Customs
You’ll arrive at one of the four terminals and proceed to immigration and customs. Just follow the signs to the Arrival Immigration Halls.
All passengers are required to submit an electronic Health Declaration Card prior to going through immigration. You may complete the form up to three days prior to your arrival. We completed it before we left home in Canada, just in case we had any issues connecting to the internet once in Singapore.
You can fill out the form online on the official Singapore website or download the ICA app. We used the app and it worked well.
As long as you’ve filled this out prior to immigration, you can just proceed to the automated kiosks. Here you will scan your passport, scan your thumb, have your photo taken, and then be let through. The process was quick and easy, and we didn’t even have to speak with any immigration officers.
You can review all the up-to-date Singapore entry requirements on the government’s official website.
Do I need a visa for Singapore?
Currently (as of February 2024), the following countries require a visa for Singapore: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
You can view the most up-to-date requirements and apply online on the ICA official website.
Getting a SIM Card in Singapore
It’s super easy and convenient to get a SIM card upon arrival in Singapore. There are numerous kiosks throughout Changi Airport and you can even reserve a SIM card in advance.
We found an amazing deal through Klook for a Tourist Sim Card. It was cheaper than other e-SIM deals we were looking at so we went with the physical SIM.
For only $11.15 CAD, we got a SIM card valid for 30 days, with 100 GB of data, local calls included, AND roaming included in Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau! Perfect for us since we were headed to Malaysia and Hong Kong as well.
Getting around Singapore
Singapore is a small island country of only 734 square kilometres and is very easy to get around. Between public transportation, taxis and ride shares, and good old walking, you’ll have no issue getting around.
To make the most of our time, we used a combination of Grab taxis, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and walking.
Grab
If you’re not familiar with Grab, it’s Singapore’s version of Uber. Download the Grab app before your Singapore trip, link your credit card, and have it all set up for your arrival. If you’ve used Uber before, you’ll have no issue using Grab as it’s very similar.
Grab prices are more expensive than other South East Asian countries, but still not too expensive. It’s best to save Grab for those instances when a location is not conveniently served by the MRT and you’d rather save time over money.
Tip: Use Google Maps to calculate and compare travel times between Grab and MRT during rush hour to see which one will save you time.
Singapore also has many other ride sharing apps, as well as traditional taxis, but we had a great experience with Grab so that’s who we recommend.
MRT
Singapore’s MRT subway system is an easy and affordable way to get around. There are a total of six lines serving a whopping 151 stations. Wherever you go, you’ll most likely have no trouble finding a nearby MRT station.
Fares are distance-based depending on how many kilometres you travel. The lowest fare is S$1.09 for up to 3.2km, and it maxes out at S$2.37 for over 40.2 km (current as of January 2024, or check current fare calculator). We were shocked just how cheap these fares were!
Paying is also super easy as you can just tap your credit card at the turnstiles rather than having to buy a ticket. Foreign-issued Visas and Mastercards and even mobile wallets like Google Pay work just fine, and is what we used.
Note: Be sure to tap the same credit card upon exit so you are charged the correct amount.
Not only is the MRT cheap, but it is amazingly clean and orderly! This is largely in part because eating and drinking is prohibited on public transport. Make sure you abide by this to avoid any fines!
Walking
We love to explore on our feet and try to walk as much as possible. However, keep in mind that Singapore is hot and humid. Walking just short distances can quickly leave you feeling drenched in sweat and bogged down by the humidity.
Despite the heat, we did manage to push through and explore quite a bit on our feet. We just made sure to wear lightweight and breathable clothes, comfortable shoes, and carried water bottles everywhere.
How to get from Changi Airport to the city
Changi Airport is located 20km northeast of Singapore’s Central Business District. To get into the city, you have the following options:
- Taxi
- MRT
- Bus
- Airport Shuttle
Quickest: Taxi
We chose to take a Grab taxi as it was the quickest and most direct way to get to our hotel. After our long-haul flight from LA to Singapore, we really just wanted the simplest option. The journey took us only 15 minutes to Marina Bay Sands and cost us S$20.
There are super convenient airport pick-up points at each terminal that are clearly marked. When ordering your Grab, just indicate which door you will be standing at and the car will show up at your precise spot. We thought this was so clever and organized!
Cheapest: MRT
If you don’t mind a longer and less direct journey, you can take the inexpensive MRT which requires at least one transfer. To get into the city, you’ll either need to transfer to the East West Line at Tanah Merah station or the Downtown Line at Expo station. You can plan your journey using the SMRT Journey Planner.
Trains leave Changi starting at 5:31am until 11:18pm (except on Sundays when the first train is at 5:59am). Expect the journey to take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour, depending on where in the city you’re headed, and cost about S$2.
Where to stay for Two Days in Singapore
There is no shortage of hotels in Singapore. From top-name chain hotels, Sentosa Island resorts, to the budget rooms in Little India, there’s something for everyone.
With only two days in Singapore, it’s best to pick accomodation close to the sights you’d like to visit to save precious time on commuting. For us, we decided to stick close to Marina Bay as it was pretty central to most of the attractions we had on our Singapore itinerary. While Sentosa Island resorts looked appealing, we felt they were a bit too out of the way.
Luxury
Singapore has some of the most luxurious hotels you’ll find around the world! If you can afford to splurge a bit, this is the place to do it.
The following two hotels are the exact hotels we stayed at for our two days in Singapore so they complement this itinerary perfectly. However, we’ve included some less expensive options below them as well!
Marina Bay Sands
We always dreamed of staying at this iconic Singapore hotel so we decided YOLO! Let’s book it for our very first night in Singapore. No regrets.
The hotel is absolutely stunning inside and swimming in that rooftop pool is an unforgettable experience.
Our tip is to stay here on your first night because you can arrive early and access the pool before the official check-in time of 3pm! Since we arrived on an early morning flight, this worked out perfectly. We hit up the pool at 8am and got to savour the experience.
Read our full review of Marina Bay Sands!
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Another stunning hotel in an ideal location is The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. We especially loved it for the awesome views from our room of Marina Bay Sands. It has an amazing Instagrammable bathtub as well!
Another highlight? The buffet breakfast! It is unreal with so many delicious options.
Read our full review of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore!
Mid-range
If you’d prefer to stick to a more reasonable budget, there are many mid-range options as well!
Carlton City Hotel Singapore
A very nice hotel located in an excellent location, just a two-minute walk from Tanjong Pajar MRT station and a short distance away from Chinatown. There is a nice outdoor pool as well.
Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay
Another lovely hotel in an excellent location right on the Singapore River in the Clarke Quay district, just a short walk from Chinatown. The beautiful outdoor pool is a highlight.
Budget
For those on a tighter budget, there are still some options in pricey Singapore.
KINN Studios
A clean and stylish option, conveniently located close to Chinatown and Outram MRT station. Rooms are air-conditioned and free Wi-Fi is provided.
Two Days in Singapore Itinerary
Now that we’ve covered the basics and where to stay, let’s get to our itinerary! This is the exact itinerary we followed for our two days in Singapore and we left feeling like we got to see a lot of Singapore’s highlights. It’s not a leisurely itinerary by any means, but if you are trying to see as much as you can, this itinerary is for you!
We are giving the exact times we visited each place, but obviously you’ll need to adjust these to suit your own schedule.
Day One: Marina Bay Sands and Chinatown
Day one begins upon arrival at Changi Airport, ideally early in the morning. Take a Grab taxi straight to your hotel to drop off your bags.
If you’ve decided to splurge like us, start your day at Marina Bay Sands! Otherwise, skip straight to exploring Chinatown.
8:30 AM – Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool
As we mentioned previously, if you are staying at Marina Bay Sands, you can access the infinity pool BEFORE check-in. Just head to the desks to do a pre-arrival check-in and they will provide you with temporary access cards. These will allow you to take the lift up to the infinity pool!
Lounging poolside with those magnificent views, basking in the Singapore sun, is a great way to start the day and attempt to get rid of any jetlag.
10:30 AM – Explore Chinatown
After a couple hours by the pool, we got dressed and took the MRT to Chinatown. Conveniently, Bayfront MRT station is located right below the Marina Bay Sands hotel and it’s just three stops to Chinatown.
Exit Chinatown MRT station and wander down the atmospheric Pagoda Street, checking out the shops along the way.
Make your way to the impressive five-storey Buddha Tooth Relic Temple for some photos.
11:00 AM – Lunch at the hawker stalls
Hawker stalls are a major attraction in Singapore and some people even plan trips to Singapore strictly just to eat at them! Being foodies, hawkers were obviously at the top of our bucketlist.
Luckily, Chinatown is bursting with outstanding options so you can tick off a number of them in one stop. However, the sheer number of options makes it hard to prioritze which ones to get in line for.
We decided to line up for two of the most famous ones: Hawker Chan at Chinatown Complex and Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee at Hong Lim Complex. Both were delicious!
Don’t forget local table etiquette! Claim a table by “choping” it, which means leaving an item (usually a pack of tissues) on it to reserve it. Once done eating, be sure to clear the table, throw your garbage, and put away your tray so that it’s nice and clean for the next person. If not, you can be fined!
Read our post on Singapore Hawker Stalls Not To Miss!
1:00 PM – Old Hill Street Police Station
By now, you’ll probably be quite full from indulging at the hawker stalls, so time to walk it off!
Head to the rainbow-colored Old Hill Street Police Station, about a 12-minute walk from Hong Lim Complex. This historic former police station now houses art galleries and is known for its colorful shutters.
1:30 PM – Fort Canning Park
Next, explore nearby Fort Canning Park and enjoy a slight reprieve from the hot sun under the shade of the enormous trees. Enter via the staircase just behind the Old Hill Street Police Station.
Sang Nila Utama Garden
Inside Fort Canning Park you’ll find the picturesque Sang Nila Utama Garden, which will have you feeling like you’re in Bali.
The garden is free to enter and was super quiet when we visited. It makes the perfect backdrop for photos.
Fort Canning Tree Tunnel
Speaking of photos, the IG-famous Fort Canning Tree Tunnel can also be found in this park. It’s a very unique backdrop for photos and is so popular that you can find yourself waiting over an hour in a very hot and steamy line just to get a photo.
We headed here to check it out and were surprised to see no line. However, that’s because it was unfortunately under renovation at the time of our visit. Darn.
4:30 PM – ArtScience Museum
From Fort Canning Park, take the MRT back to Marina Bay Sands and head to the ArtScience Museum. This eye-catching lotus-shaped museum is home to the popular Future World exhibition.
The collection of digital interactive installations is incredible and so much fun.
We’ve never experienced anything quite like it.
I wish our 4-year-old daughter would have been with us as she would have loved it too!
There are a few stations where you can colour a picture, scan it, and then you can watch it projected onto the walls and come to life! So cool.
- Hours: 10am-7pm Daily
- Tickets: S$30/adult, S$25/child
Tickets can be purchased here on Klook. Make sure you book your time slot after purchasing your ticket as a timed entry reservation is required. A late afternoon time slot provides a nice air-conditioned break from the afternoon heat.
6:00 PM – Ce La Vi SkyBar
Head up to Marina Bay Sands’ 57th floor SkyBar! This rooftop bar with sweeping views over the Singapore skyline is the perfect spot to take in the sunset over some drinks and appys.
Note that sunset is a very popular time so it’s best to get in line early. You’ll find the line in Tower 3 by the first set of elevators, behind a kiosk labelled with Ce La Vi.
Guests staying at Marina Bay Sands hotel get complimentary entry! Otherwise, it is $30/person, but it’s fully redeemable for drinks and food.
At the time of our visit, we headed up to the 57th floor only to have them close the SkyBar due to weather, unfortunately. If you experience the same, try our alternate option below.
SkyBar Hours: 4pm-1am
Alternative: Dinner at another hawker stall!
Since we didn’t end up getting to enjoy the SkyBar, we decided to head back to the hawker centres because the food was just that good!
This time we headed to Maxwell Food Centre to try out Anthony Bourdain’s favourite: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice!
At this time of day, some of the stalls are closed, but it is still pretty busy (and still hot!) It certainly wasn’t as crazy as during lunchtime, though.
After dinner, you’ll probably be feeling pretty tired after a full day of exploring. Get some rest for another full day of exploring tomorrow! If you are staying at Marina Bay Sands in a Gardens by the Bay view room, then you can catch the famous Garden Rhapsody Light Show from the comfort of your room 🙂
Day Two: Gardens by the Bay and Little India
Day two begins bright and early! Today we’ll be exploring more of the Marina Bay area, switching hotels, and checking out the vibrant Little India neighborhood.
6:00 AM – Sunrise Swim
If you’re a guest of Marina Bay Sands, set that alarm clock for the crack of dawn. I promise it will be worth it! The infinity pool opens at 6am and this is the best time to go to have it all to yourself!
We went right at 6am on the dot and were the only ones in the pool for the first 10 minutes. It was glorious. Watching the sun come up over the Singapore skyline is truly an experience you won’t forget.
8:00 AM – Breakfast at Heap Seng Leong
Catch a Grab taxi to Heap Seng Leong. This legendary hole-in-the-wall coffee shop serves up classic kaya toast and coffee with butter.
Head to the back left corner of the shop and order directly from Uncle after checking out the menus on the counter.
Then grab a plastic stool at any available table. He’ll bring you your order and collect payment. Cash only!
Ryan ordered a set of two eggs, two kaya toast and kopi gau and I ordered just kaya toast and kopi peng.
The toast was so delicious, I ordered two more! For all this, it cost us only $6.80.
Don’t forget the curry puffs at the front of the shop.
These are delicious as well and only cost $1.
Hours: 5am-3pm Daily
9:00 AM – Supertree Grove
Take a Grab taxi back to Gardens by the Bay and wander the magnificent Supertree Grove before the heat of the day (and crowds) set in.
There are so many great photo opportunities here!!
Note: If you’re staying at Marina Bay Sands, check out time is at 11am. It’s best to check out before heading to Gardens by the Bay if you’ll be switching hotels today. We left our bags with luggage storage before heading to the gardens.
10:00 AM – Cloud Forest
Next, head into the tropical Cloud Forest Dome. This misty conservatory features a huge 35-metre indoor waterfall, one of the largest in the world.
It’s a fascinating place to explore some exotic plants, and the aerial walkways provide awesome views.
My favourite part was the gorgeous orchid haven!
In case you missed out on some good photos at the Future World exhibit yesterday at the ArtScience Museum, don’t worry – there’s another cool light installation here!
- Hours: 9am-9pm
- Combo Ticket: $32/adult, $18 child (3-12 years)
You can purchase tickets here on Klook. We purchased the Combo ticket for Cloud Forest and Flower Dome as these were the two attractions that appealed to us the most.
11:30 AM – Flower Dome
Next, head to the largest glass greenhouse in the world – the Flower Dome!
Here you will find a huge range of unique plants from the Mediterranean region to savannahs and deserts.
- Hours: 9am-9pm
- Combo Ticket: $32/adult, $18 child (3-12 years)
1:00 PM – Poolside Lunch
After exploring Gardens by the Bay, head to the next hotel of this two-day Singapore itinerary: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore! It’s only a 1km walk across the famous Helix Bridge from Marina Bay Sands to The Ritz-Carlton, but in the mid-day heat you’ll probably want to take a Grab taxi like we did.
Since we booked this hotel through the Fine Hotels and Resorts program via our American Express Platinum card, we were able to check in early, receive a $100 food and beverage credit, AND an amazing buffet breakfast for two!
If you enjoy luxury travel, we highly recommend the Platinum card as it offers many great travel perks and benefits to elevate your travels. Sign up with our American Express Platinum referral link for a great welcome bonus!
Use the $100 credit on a relaxing poolside lunch.
4:00 PM – Explore Little India
After a relaxing afternoon, head to the colourful streets of Little India! You can either take a Grab taxi or walk to Promenade MRT station to take the Downtown Line to Little India.
It’s a very busy neighborhood full of sounds, lights, and scents. We loved wandering past all the shops and were amazed how many gold shops there were. The temples are also a highlight.
If you feel like doing a little shopping, don’t miss the massive 24-hour Mustafa Centre. Also, make sure to walk past the eye-catching Tan Teng Niah historical villa for some vibrant photos.
5:30 PM – Dinner at Tekka Centre
The major highlight of Little India, in our opinion, is the food! We could spend the whole week eating here, day after day. If you love South Asian flavours, plan for a delicious and inexpensive dinner at Tekka Centre.
Don’t miss the delicious biryani at Alauddin, murtabak and prata at AR-Rahman Royal Prata, and chendol at AR-Rahman Cafe.
7:45 PM – Gardens by the Bay Garden Rhapsody Light Show
After dinner, take the MRT or Grab taxi back to Gardens by the Bay. Stake out a spot at Supertree Grove and get ready for a spectacular sound and light show!
The show runs daily at 7:45PM and 8:45PM and lasts about 15 minutes. It’s best to arrive at least 20 minutes early as the area gets jam-packed with people.
We didn’t bring anything to sit on so we ended up just sitting on the pavement. Singapore is probably the only place in the world I would do this because it was just so CLEAN.
9:00 PM – Spectra Light Show
Next, walk over to the waterfront at Marina Bay Sands. The walk takes about 20 minutes and you can enjoy the bayfront views.
Grab a spot by the water and get ready for another magnificent 15-minute show of water, lights and music! I actually preferred this Spectra Light Show over the Garden Rhapsody one.
9:15 PM – Helix Bridge
After the light show, take a leisurely walk back to The Ritz-Carlton via the Helix Bridge. This DNA-inspired bridge looks even more impressive at this time of night with all the lights.
It’s also a great spot to stop and take photos with Marina Bay Sands in the background.
By now, you’re probably ready to enjoy a nice bath in the stunning Ritz-Carlton tub and get a nice sleep in that heavenly bed. You also have an amazingly extensive buffet breakfast waiting for you in the morning!
Two Days in Singapore Itinerary Map
We hope you enjoy this itinerary as much as we did! Here is a map of all the locations mentioned above.
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