Here is my detailed guide to our couple’s trip to Singapore. Finally, we fulfilled our wish of a fun vacation on Singapore island.
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A trip to Singapore has been on the cards for a long time. And somehow, we just delayed it for one reason or the other. This August, we decided to fulfill the prolonged desire for a short vacation in Singapore. The Island City was too irresistibly accessible with many direct flights from India. Tickets were booked, bags packed and with a long list of must-see places we landed in Singapore.
Singapore Itinerary
We did all sorts of touristy and fun things in Singapore. From spending a day at Bird Park, enjoying dinner at Clarke Quay, to getting clicked at Universal Studios, we did it all.
The tourist destinations we toured during our brief stay in Singapore are:
- Bugis Street
- Chinatown
- Sentosa Island
- Universal Studios
- Jurong Bird Park
- Marina Bay Sands
- Gardens by the Bay
- Riverside and Civic District
- Singapore Zoo Night Safari
A piece of useful advice to help you plan a better itinerary, attractions like Universal Studios and Sentosa Island require one full day to get explored. And places like Riverside, Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay are best enjoyed after the sunset. So plan your schedule accordingly.
There are well-updated official websites of most of these attractions. I recommend browsing through them before making your layout to check the ticket price/show timings/opening hours/holiday calendar etc.
For Bird Park + Singapore Zoo + Night Safari + River Safari, you can buy a 4-in-1 pass online at a concessional price. In fact, for Universal Studios, you can also buy a premium pass online to skip the long ride queue.
What to eat in Singapore?
If you plan a trip to Singapore, be ready for a diverse gastronomically gratifying experience. The love for the Hawker Centers defines Singaporean Cuisine that goes beyond national and political boundaries.
So when you eat local dishes, you ingest a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Western Cuisines. And one is spoilt for choices in Singapore. It is a food-crazy culture.
During our trip, for breakfast, we stick to the neighborhood bakeries serving the most delicious Kaya Toast, eggs, Iced Kopi C, and an array of local sweet and savory bakes. These small cafes serve decent sandwiches and poached eggs as well.
As the sun sets, the scene at hawker centers gets more lively, hustling – bustling with food lovers. It is best to sit at one of these places, savor the local flavors, and latch into an interesting conversation with your fellow diners. The servers and the cooks at these small food joints are super friendly and helpful.
One more piece of good news, Roti-Prata House and Indian Food Joints can be easily discovered in Singapore.
Our must-try recommendations – are Singapore Chicken Rice, Chili Crab, Laksa, Satay, Ice Kacang, Popiah, Curry Puff, Kaya Toast, and Kopi.
My Pro Travel Tips For Singapore
Eat at hawker centers — Meals are cheap, delicious, and freshly prepared. And it is probably the best way to taste the local flavors of Singapore.
Travel via MRT/Buses — Public transport in Singapore is quite efficient and well connected. And probably this is the most budget-friendly way to navigate through Singapore. At times we used Uber cabs as well, the drivers are quite hospitable, and they don’t hitch back from building an engaging conversation with you.
Stay at Airbnb — This is a good way to socialize with the local folks and closely observe their culture. You can book in advance according to your budget and requirement. Don’t be shy. Interact with your host and learn much more about the vicinity you are staying.
Use a good mobile app — Go on a do-it-yourself (DIY) around Singapore’ by using good mobile applications to learn more about the bus timings, nearby MRT stations, food joints, etc. Many awesome things in Singapore don’t cost a dime. Moovit, HungryGoWhere, GoThere, and the obvious Google Maps.
Shop at supermarkets: Explore the nearby supermarkets for daily needs such as – munchies/beverages/battery packs etc. One, you get products at a good price. Second, it is a great self-learning and an eye-opening experience. Trust me on this one!!
Must-Pack Items for Singapore Trip
- A pair of running/sports shoes. Walking is one thing you cannot skip in Singapore. So pack your most comfortable footwear for the trip.
- A high SPF sunblock/sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun-protecting hat/cap if you can. Don’t even think of stepping out in Singapore without these essentials during the day. An umbrella for unexpected showers or a sunny day (optional if your baggage space permits).
- To munch during the day-long excursions, carry energy bars, healthy trail mixes, nuts, and dark chocolates. These keep you energized the entire day. Pack your favorite sipper as well. You need plenty of fluid to beat the heat.
- Instead of fashionable handbags, stick to trendy backpacks. You can stuff your snacks, water, passport, power bank, face towel, and more. Plus, they are super comfortable to carry around.
- Cotton/linen/soft lycra are the fabrics that will keep you cool in Singapore. Light fabric clothes with dull colors help to keep the heat at bay and absorb sweat. Tight-fitting denim could not be your best sidekick in Singapore.
- Don’t miss out on carrying a loaded iPad and kindle. There is plenty of time while traveling via buses/MRTs. You can sit comfortably and do reading or browsing.
- Most of the places in Singapore have free Wi-Fi access. But if you are a social media freak and believe in sharing live updates, take a local sim (easily available at Seven Eleven or similar places) or activate your international data services.
- Too much sun at the beach. Too much wine with dinner. Or too much walking during the day. A good pain reliever is all you need by the end of the day. Consult your physician before including one pain relieving ointment and tablet in your travel bag.
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Sims says
Beautifully written and very useful. I loved the pictures to the core, so lively and colourful.
Hina Gujral says
Thank you so much Sims for such a sweet and encouraging comment.
Alka says
Beautiful insight of Singapore and very useful for new travellers like me.Thank you for this share
Hina Gujral says
Glad you like it 🙂
Chaicy says
Lovely captures of Singapore, I just relived my visit to Singapore while going through them
xoxo Chaicy
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Hina Gujral says
I am so thrilled to know that the post could refresh your memories of Singapore.
Famidha says
Recirding the events of the sojourn is one way of reliving it every time you read again. And wirh added contents on dos and donts from personal experience is so helpful for others lookong forward to visit singapore! We too have been eyeing it inshaAllah!
Hina Gujral says
You must visit the place. I am sure you will like it.
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Nice sharing! Glad to read your post!
Soni says
Hi hina,
Im travelling to Singapore in Feb, and your blog came just at perfect time. Thankyou for writing this with so many valuable inputs
Danny Ng says
Hi there!
We really love your blog post! Please let us know when you’re visiting Singapore again. We would love to invite you to stay with Hotel NuVe
http://www.hotelnuve.com (3-star hotel near Bugis MRT)
http://www.hotelnuveheritage.com (4-star boutique hotel near City Hall & Bugis MRT)
Hina Gujral says
Hello, thank you so much. It will be my pleasure 🙂 Stay in touch!
Arcadia Vacations says
Singapore is a nice place for a visit. In Singapore Merlin park is very gorgeous, here I enjoy too much and the orchard road is best for shopping. For more details visit https://www.arcadiavacations.in/Singapore.html
Yvette says
Singapore is a food lover’s paradise, with a rich tapestry of culinary traditions to discover. From the iconic chili crab to the aromatic bak kut teh, there are endless delights to be savored. And while Singapore’s food scene has been influenced by a variety of cultures, some dishes are distinctly Singaporean. For instance, kaya toast is a popular breakfast item that is often served with coffee or tea. As I learned in https://paperhelp.nyc/ resource, another local favorite is laksa, a hearty soup made with coconut milk, noodles, and spices. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a hearty meal, Singapore’s food traditions have something to offer everyone.
Roy says
what was the craziest food that you found in Singapore, do they also sell the insects street food? btw, great blog! for any one want tho visit Singapore they should get there visa approved with https://flyforholidays.com/visa/singapore-visa/ hope it helps someone
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