We planned a brief layover in Singapore primarily to break up our journey home from New Zealand to London. However, Singapore turned out to be one of my all time favourite countries; The Garden City was a revelation. There are flowers on traffic islands, flowers on bridges, flowers on buildings, flowers everywhere. And no rubbish to be seen anywhere! Such a beautiful place. I wish I could have stayed much longer. Below is my itinerary for a two day visit to Singapore.
How to get to Singapore
Most people will arrive in Singapore via Changi Airport, which is my favourite airport in the world. So much so, that I have included it as a destination in its own right. The airport is situated around 12 miles north east of the city centre. Buses run regularly between the two.
Getting around Singapore
Most of main attractions are close together and can be reached on foot. It is very hot and humid, however. Take plenty of water and plan to break the journey in an air conditioned building or two.
Where to stay in Singapore
We stayed at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, which is a few miles out of town, midway between the airport (6 miles) and central Singapore (4 miles to Marina Bay). We chose it because it was reasonably priced and next to a bus stop. Since our visit, Marine Parade MRT Station has opened next to the hotel, making transport even more convenient. The hotel is also within walking distance of East Coast Beach (which is the location of East Coast parkrun). This large hotel has everything you need for a visit to Singapore, there’s even a pool, although we didn’t find time to use it.
Breakfast was rather pricey. We kept costs down by eating in the food court of Katong Plaza, which is just around the corner. There are also plenty of dining options across the road at Marine Parade Central Market.
Singapore in 2 Days Itinerary
| Day 1 | Singapore by Day Marina Promenade Singapore Flyer Helix Bridge ArtScience Museum Marina Bay Sands Singapore by Night Dinner at Marina Bay Sands Food Court Gardens by the Bay – Supertree Grove Marina Bay Sands – Spectra Accommodation – Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy |
| Day 2 | Merlion Park Marina Bay Gardens by the Bay Dinner at Marina Bay Sands Food Court Raffles Changi Airport |
Singapore Day 1
Our Day 1 Itinerary is split into two. During the day, it covers some of Singapore’s top attractions. Later, two must-see night time displays: Garden Rhapsody at the Gardens by the Bay and Spectra at Marina Bay Sands. We returned to our hotel in between day time sightseeing and our night time extravaganza, but the total route without this detour is around 2 miles. It might not sound like a lot, but it feels like it in the heat and humidity of Singapore. Note: If you juggle the order around, bear in mind that you will probably want to visit both the Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands both during daylight and after dark.
Singapore by Day
We arrive in Singapore at the amazing Changi Airport at 8 am. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to check in before midday, so we drop our bags at the hotel and head into town for some sightseeing, despite being rather tired and frankly quite stinky.
Marina Promenade
We catch a bus to Marina Promenade, which is a great place to start a visit to Singapore, because you get an amazing view of the city across the bay.
If you’re a motor racing fan, this is also the location of the Formula 1 Pit Lane.
Singapore Flyer
Here, you will also find the Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel, which you can ride for a bird’s eye view of the bay. We didn’t bother as it’s rather expensive and there are plenty of other places offering great views.
The Singapore Flyer operates daily from 10 am until 10 pm. There is a range of ticketing options, but a basic ticket costs 40 SGD (around £23).
Helix Bridge
We cross the bay via the Helix Bridge; a pedestrian bridge designed to look like a piece of DNA. The bridge has viewing platforms jutting out into the bay for that all important photo op.
ArtScience Museum
Once over the bridge, we head for the ArtScience Museum; an art museum in a building designed to look like a huge lotus flower, with each of the ten petals representing a different gallery space.
When we visited, the museum had an exhibition on Art from the Streets, which was very interesting, with works from artists I’ve heard of, like Banksy and others which are new to me. Check out the website for current exhibitions.
The museum is open daily from 10 am until 7 pm (9 pm on Friday and Saturday). Entry to the museum is free, with charges to enter some exhibitions.
Marina Bay Sands
No trip to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the enormous Marina Bay Sands complex. The three tower blocks, which are joined at the top by a skyway (containing an observation deck and infinity pool) are a Singapore landmark. There is plenty to do here, depending on how much time (and money) you have to spend. It has hotels, a shopping mall, restaurants, a casino, nightclubs, a museum, a theatre , an indoor canal complete with gondolas…
Singapore by Night
After exploring Marina Bay Sands, we take a break to relax and cool down, returning later in the evening for some of Singapore’s best night time entertainment.
Dinner at Marina Bay Sands Food Court
We start with dinner in the Marina Bay Sands Food Court, where the selection of cuisines is, of course, epic. There are over 30 dining options to choose from in the mall itself (or the Shoppes, as it is called). With a dozen more dotted around the complex.
Gardens by the Bay – Supertree Grove
In the evening, we visit the Gardens by the Bay. These contain the Supertree Grove; huge metal structures resembling trees which are planted with ferns, orchids and climbing plants.
OCBC Skyway
You can take a lift to the OCBC Skyway and follow a walkway suspended between the Supertrees, which provides a spectacular view of the gardens and the bay.
Garden Rhapsody
Coolest of all, twice a night, the Supertrees perform a sound and light show entitled Garden Rhapsody. The theme of the performance varies from opera to musical theatre to disco. When we visited, it was a musical re-enactment of Star Wars and it was fantastic. We lay on the grass listening to the iconic music and watching the incredible light show in the trees.
The OCBC Skyway is open daily from 9 am until 9 pm. Tickets for foreigners cost 14 SGD (around £8). It’s a popular attraction, so expect to queue for some time, particularly around dusk. Garden Rhapsody plays daily at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm. There is no entrance fee for this.
Marina Bay Sands – Spectra
If you choose the earlier Garden Rhapsody performance, you have time to walk back to Marina Bay Sands for Singapore’s other must-see night time attraction; Spectra. It’s a spectacular musical performance of fountains, lights and lasers. It makes even Las Vegas seem rather ordinary.
Spectra takes place daily at 8 pm and 9 pm (with an extra show at 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday). There is no entry fee. However, it’s very popular, so the earlier you arrive, the better the view you’re likely to get.
Accommodation – Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy
Our accommodation in Singapore is the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy. It’s conveniently situated in between the airport and central Singapore, which is ideal for a short visit. It’s next to a bus stop, which makes getting either into town or to the airport easy. There’s also an MRT Station, Marine Parade, next to the hotel, making getting into town even more convenient. The hotel was clean and comfortable and offered everything we needed for our visit.
Singapore Day 2
It’s our final day in Singapore, which is a shame because it’s a lovely city. Time for one last sightseeing trip and we’ve saved the best for last with a trip to Gardens by the Bay.
Merlion Park
We take the bus into town, alighting near Merlion Park, home of Singapore’s iconic Merlion Fountain. It’s difficult to get very close to it due to the huge mob of tourists, most of whom are carrying umbrellas (it’s not raining).
Marina Bay
We walk the mile along a promenade around the edge Marina Bay, where there are plenty of sculptures and a series of bench installations overlooking the water.
One of my favourites is this colourful creation entitled Momentum.
There are some particularly impressive sculptures, including a Rodin, in the foyer of OUE Baryfront. So I go in and ask the ‘concierge’ if it’s OK to take some photos. Only he’s a sculpture too. It becomes obvious when the cleaner starts polishing his head as I approach. I managed to beat a hasty retreat without embarrassing myself further…
Gardens by the Bay
Once we reach Marina Bay Sands, we walk the overpass into the Gardens by the Bay. There are a number of gardens here and it would take days to explore fully. Today, we are focusing our attention on two enormous greenhouses; the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.
Cloud Forest
First, the Cloud Forest; a 35 metre high, 7 storey artificial waterfall. A lift takes you to the top, then you follow a walkway back down around the outside of the waterfall.
There are different gardens on each level merging plants and sculptures into a huge monument of gardening perfection. In amongst the trees and flowers are Lego flowers, bronze animals, wooden sculptures, crystals, mirrors…
Flower Dome
Next is the Flower Dome; this, too merges planting with sculptural pieces in different garden zones.
The Flower Field has a changing floral display reflecting different seasons, festivals and themes. We visited in spring, where it was Tulipmania, with a Dutch village, tea cups, cupcakes and giant heads all planted with a huge array of tulips. Other themes throughout the year include dahlias, orchids and roses.
The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are open daily from 9 am until 9 pm. A joint entry ticket costs 46 SGD (around £26.50).
Dinner at Marina Bay Sands Food Court
We return to Marina Bay Sands in time for dinner and some much needed air conditioning.
Raffles
Synonymous with a visit to Singapore is a trip to the iconic Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling cocktail. We gave this a miss, because I have a nut allergy and have heard that it is customary to toss nut shells on the floor. But if this antiquated upper class custom doesn’t bring on anaphylaxis and you are happy to fork out SGD 44 (around £25.40) for a drink…
Changi Airport
I love Changi Airport. In fact I think it’s good enough to warrant being described as an attraction in its own right. We check in for our flight with enough time to explore the airport with its art and flowers and more flowers. There is even a Sunflower Garden on the roof.
It also has a Butterfly Garden. I wonder what made someone think; ‘I know what this airport needs – butterflies’? It’s not surprising that Changi has been voted the World’s Best Airport twelve times.
- Trip taken: May 2018
- Updated: October 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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