3 Days in Singapore: An Action Packed Day-By-Day Itinerary

This year marked a landmark birthday for me. So the pressure was on for Kevin to go big. And not just because I surprised him last year for his 40th birthday with a 5-day road trip adventure through Alaska. Okay, maybe that did create some pressure to measure up!

Kevin thought (very briefly) about surprising me for my birthday by picking the destination. But let’s just say — at this point in our relationship — he knows it’s best just to ask me. What? I’m picky? Okay, guilty as charged. There was no hesitation as I literally shouted Singapore! We just watched Crazy Rich Asians so it was fresh on my mind. Plus, it combines all my favorite things — culinary adventures, animal encounters and plush accommodations. It’s also feasible to do 3 days in Singapore and see the major sites.

But Really… 3 Days in Singapore? Is that Enough Time?

In short, yes. Three days in Singapore was perfect for us. We never got bored, and most attractions stay open pretty late. I have to admit, our friends’ reactions were pretty entertaining… You’re doing a long weekend in Singapore? Are you crazy? But Singapore isn’t like visiting LA. It’s compact and easy to navigate by subway, taxi or ride sharing apps like Grab (basically their version of Uber).

What Should I pack for Singapore?

Not sure what to bring on your next southeast Asia adventure? Check out our feature story with our top picks on what to pack for Singapore. We recommend ordering these must-have items from Amazon ahead of your trip. I mean, who needs the stress once you get there? You’re on vacation after all. Also, we found that many of the items were cheaper online rather than at the hotel gift shop.

3 Days in Singapore – All the Highlights

Check out our 3 days itinerary for Singapore below. It covers a lot of ground, including some of Singapore’s less-travelled neighborhoods like the historic Joo Chiat area and Tiong Bahru. As always, the itinerary can be adjusted if you’re not a morning person. But as we say, you’ll have plenty of time to sleep on the flight back home!

Day 1: Arrival in Singapore

It’s a 17 hour non-stop flight from Los Angeles to Singapore. We went with Singapore Airlines, which is known for its luxurious business and first class cabins. However, we waited VERY last minute to book. Let’s just say, we didn’t want to blow our entire budget on a flight. We went with Premium Economy, which was one of the most comfortable long-haul flights we’ve done. Each Premium seat has individual reading lamps and leg rests that lift up for near horizontal sleeping. I never sleep on airplanes, but I had no issues getting some much-needed rest. It’s a full day of travel, so this itinerary starts upon arrival in Singapore.

• 7:30 AM, Arrive in Singapore.
  • First thing first, buy a 3-day EZ-link Tourist Pass at the airport’s TransitLink Ticket Office. This handy card will give you unlimited public transportation for 3 days.
  • You’ll likely see a massive line. Skip it — and go to the automated ticket machine (it looks like an ATM, and is located next to the ticket booth). The 3-day pass costs $30 Singapore dollars (or about $22 USD).

• 8:30 AM, Take a Taxi or Grab (Singapore’s version of Uber) to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
  • It takes about 15-20 minutes by car from the airport depending on traffic.
  • Check-in begins at 3 PM, but they may allow early check-in if they have availability. We ended up paying for an upgrade so we could drop off our bags and take a shower.

• 10 AM, Pick up a caffeinated beverage at the Starbucks, located inside the mall food court at Marina Bay Sands.
  • If you’re hungry, there are plenty of options. We LOVED the custard buns from Rasapura Masters.
  • We also recommend Starbucks’ more unique drinks, like their Chocolate Black Tea with Earl Grey Jelly Frappuccino.

• 10:30 AM, now that you’re fully caffeinated and have some snacks, walk just 10 minutes away to see the spectacular Gardens by the Bay.
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Explore the gardens. Gardens by the Bay has more than 1.5 million plants, an indoor glass greenhouse complete with a waterfall and  grove of 160-foot-tall “super trees” that look like they’d be more at home in James Cameron’s Avatar.
  • There is a lot of ground to cover at Gardens by the Bay. But we suggest starting first at the air-conditioned Cloud Forrest to see the tropical highland environment complete with orchids, pitcher plants, ferns and a massive waterfall.

• • Next, make your way through the flower dome before wrapping up in the Supertree Grove. This is same spot where the over-the-top wedding party took place in Crazy Rich Asians.

• • Gardens by the Bay is open from 9 AM – 9 PM. Cost: $28 Singapore dollars ($20 USD) for both the Cloud Forrest and Flower Dome.
  • The OCBC Garden Rhapsody (light show) happens each night from 7:45 to 8:45 PM. The 15-minute show culminates in a grand finale where the trees sparkle with light.
• 12:00 PM, Take a ride on the subway to grab a quick bite at Ya Kun Kaya Toast on China Street. Order the local favorite, “Kaya Toast with Butter” along with a local coffee (known as Kopi).

• 1- 6 PM, Join a walking tour with Sneak Peek Singapore. We took their all-in-one signature tour that went inside centuries-old temples and past the glitzy facades of the central business district and the historic core.
  • You’ll get a peek at some of the famous backdrops of Crazy Rich Asians. Of course, there are specific tours on the movie. But Sneak Peek goes so much deeper — covering Singapore’s colorful history, unique eateries and cultural nuances.

• • It’s also pay as you wish with a suggested $20 USD donation for the entire 5-hour tour. I’m starting to feel pretty crazy rich with such an affordable tour.
  • Insider tip: this tour includes the Maxwell Food Center. Kevin jumped in line as soon as we arrived so we could try the famed Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice stall (recommended by Anthony Bourdain).

• 7 – 8 PM, Dinner at Newton Hawker Centre, just outside the main city center but well worth the journey.
  • We ate at five different hawker centers (food courts with a variety of food) and this spot was my favorite. I could see why Crazy Rich Asians was shot here — based on the energetic atmosphere alone.

• 8:30 – 10 PM, Take a night safari at the Singapore Zoo ($49 Singaporean dollars per adult).
  • We recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially during their busier months (like August and December).
  • You can join a 45 minute tram ride with audio commentary or walk one of the many pathways through the jungle to see the animals wandering around you. It’s creepy and fun all at once!

• 11 PM, Time for bed! You’ll sleep well tonight.

Day 2: Food Walking Tour, Little India, Kampong Glam and a Singapore Sling 

• 7 – 9:30 AM, Relax poolside and enjoy a light breakfast at the rooftop infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands.
  • Insider tip: Arrive early to snag a poolside lounge seat. Most guests hit the pool before check-out. So the earlier, the better. The yogurt parfait and coffee is pricey but worth the splurge.
  • This was one of our favorite activities on the trip. The pool is for guests of the Marina Bay Sands only.

• 10 AM – 3 PM, Join Monster Tour’s Asia 101 Food Tour, and eat your way through Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Bugis and Orchard Road.
  • The 5-hour walking tour is a must for cultural aficionados. We couldn’t believe how fast it went.
  • It covers a lot of ground, with insight on Singapore’s history mixed with snacks along the way snacks — including Chinese, Malay and Indian. Sounds like our kind of tour!

• 3 – 4:30 PM: Explore malls on Orchard Road.
  • Whether it’s Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Louis Vuitton or Prada, you can pretty much find it inside this sprawling shopping behemoth.
  • If you’re looking for a specific store, well, good luck. We spent a good 45 minutes searching for the Japanese department store Takashimaya with zero luck. And let me add, we had a map and asked 5 different people for directions.
  • To put it in perspective, the Far East Plaza shopping center alone has over 800 stores over six floors. And that’s just one complex out of around 30 shopping centers. Below is just a slice of all the shopping options:
    • ION Orchard Mall – Singapore´s poshest and biggest mega-mall with the observation deck ION Sky on level 56. This shopping mall is located directly above Orchard MRT Station. The basement floors have brands like Zara, Esprit, Uniqlo while the upper floors have more posh brands like Singapore´s famous fashion label In Good Company.
    • Paragon – A see-and-be-seen kind of shopping mall with brands like Burberry, Prada, Gucci, Armani, and Jimmy Choo.
    • Ngee Ann City – Looks old on the outside, but it’s great on the inside with seven floors of shopping and a cinema. It has the best bookshop in Asia, the Kinokuniya, and also houses the best food court in Orchard Road, the Takashimaya Food Village.
    • Orchard Gateway – A shopping mall that spans both sides of Orchard Road. It has a dedicated floor for men with brands like Zara and H&M.
    • Tanglin Shopping Centre – A retro mall that has Asian art and antiques like carvings, jewelry, paintings and furniture.

• 5-6:30 PM, Get a massage at one of Singapore’s top spas.
  • We got a 1 hour couple massage at Willow Stream at the Fairmont Hotel. The spa has a separate men and women’s section with sauna, Jacuzzi’s and a steam room. It isn’t the fanciest spa, but we enjoyed our time. The 1-hour couple massage for 60 minutes is $230 USD.

• 6:30-7:30 PM, Grab the famed Singapore Sling from the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel, just across the street from the spa.
  • This spot is on nearly everyone’s bucket list for the same reason — to sip the iconic Singapore Sling in the very spot where the drink was invented in 1913.
  • Each table comes with a bag of complimentary peanuts. But why all the shells on the floor? Legend has it, that the shells helped keep down the dust.
  • Insider tip: Arrive early. As it gets later, the wait can take 30-45 minutes. We waited less than 5 minutes for a table at 6:30 PM.

• Evening: There are so many things you can do. We’ve decided to break down several options:
  • 7:45 PM, see the free light show at Marina Bay Sands.
  • Wander the water promenade and explore Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Robertson Quay.
    • Take a ride along the quays on a Singapore River Taxi  ($5 Singaporean dollars or you can pay with your EZ-link card).

• • 10 PM, Kevin was about to collapse, but I nudged him to keep on going to check out the nightlife on Ann Siang Hill. We wrapped up our night at the OX & Co rooftop bar, ranked as one of the best bars in Singapore.

Day 3: Get Off-the-Beaten Path in Joo Chiat and Katong Neighborhoods

• 7-8:30 AM, Get one last dip in the Marina Bay Sands Hotel rooftop pool. This is basically why we stayed at this hotel, and it didn’t disappoint.

• Morning/early afternoon:
  • Dedicate your afternoon to some of Singapore’s less explored neighborhoods. These are all easily reached by taxi or by the ride sharing app Grab.
    • First start in Joo Chiat, one of Singapore’s first heritage towns, known for having some of the best Peranakan food in the city.
      • What is Peranakan food? Essentially it’s Chinese ingredients combined with Indonesian and Malaysian spices and cooking techniques.
      • Be sure to grab parathas along your walk at Mr Mrs Mohgan. This was my favorite food on the trip.

• • Continue your walk down Tembeling Road and Koon Seng Road (to see the beautiful shophouses). Then see Rumah Bebe (bakeshop) – to explore Pernakan culture.
  • Time your trip to arrive for lunch at Katong Laksa, famed for its rice noodle soup with broth and seafood. Kevin loved this dish. Personally, I thought it was disgusting. Though, I’m not into seafood. I guess to each his own!

• After lunch, travel by car to the Tiong Bahru neighborhood.
  • This area is home to chic cafes, bookshops and bakeries.
  • Just wander around and check out such cool spots as Tiong Bahru Market, BooksActually (an indie bookstore), Tiong Bahru Bakery (to get Kouign Amman) and Plain Vanilla Bakery.

• 1:30 – 2:45 PM, join a guided tour of The Battlebox. Advanced reservations are 100% necessary.
  • Don’t miss this spot for a look at Singapore’s role during World War II. Built in 1936, the Battlebox is a former WWII British underground command center inside Fort Canning Hill.
  • This underground bunker was central command — where the British decided to surrender Singapore to the invading Japanese. The museum re-creates what it must have been like during that time with old photographs and movies played along the guided tour.

• 2-4 PM, Relax or finish up last minute shopping along the lively stretch of Haji Lane in Kampong Glam.
  • Kevin loves his coffee shop time, while I love to shop. So what better way to spend the final few hours in Singapore? It’s also just a few minutes away by car from The Battlebox.

• 4:30 PM, Time to leave for the airport, just a quick drive back.
• 4:45-6:30 PM, Before you leave Singapore, you need to visit The Jewel.
  • This nature-themed entertainment and retail complex is at Changi Airport, and before you go through security. You’ll find shopping, rope climbing obstacle courses and a labyrinth.
  • The centerpiece of the complex is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall that is surrounded by a terraced forest.

• 7 PM, Make your way through airport security. If you have time, visit the airport’s butterfly garden, or catch a flick at the movie theater.

• But for us, nothing sounded better than a shower before our 17-hour flight. We headed straight to SATS Premiere lounge and lathered up. Now that’s a luxury!
• 9 PM, Depart Singapore for Los Angeles — time to catch up on more movies! 

Looking for other travel itineraries in Asia? Be sure to check out our 2 week itinerary covering the best of Vietnam. Or if you’re into sushi, you’ll love our foodie adventures through Japan. For those looking for a birthday celebration or special occasion destination, check out our recommendations on the best birthday travel spots.