itinerary
itinerary
Beat the crowds and the heat and make your way to Gardens By the Bay. Singapore’s number one attraction has welcomed over 50 million visitors since its opening in 2012. Walk underneath the iconic Supertree Grove, each towering structure intricately adorned with orchids, ferns and tropical flowering climbers. For those wanting to experience the sensation of floating in the clouds, purchase a ticket for SGD $8 to stroll the 128-metre long OCBC Skyway which hovers 22 metres above the ground!
Walk into the Cloud Forest. The world’s tallest indoor waterfall will greet you gushing down from the tropical highlands.
Admire the biannual orchid display on the lower level before ascending into the clouds. Discover carnivorous plants at the top in the Lost World before beginning your slow descent through the mist along the Cloud Walk, through Crystal Mountain and looping around on the Treetop Walk. Discover plant life on this shrouded mountain usually growing in cloud forests 2,000 metres above sea-level!
Time for a coffee break or a spot of breakfast. Take a seat at Bakerzin. You can order one of the breakfast specials for around SGD $15.
Enter the Flower Dome. A combined ticket to two conservatories costs SGD $28 per person.
Showcasing flora and plant species from five continents across nine different gardens, this is the place where Spring lasts all year round. The centre Flower Field constantly rotates featuring seasonal floral displays and festivals from around the world.
Catch a bus to the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood.
If you want to know how to plan a cheap trip to Singapore, then you need to familiarise yourself with the Michelin Guide hawker stalls in one of Singapore’s food centres. Head upstairs to Tiong Bahru Food Centre for lunch where you will be spoiled for choice.
Start making your way towards Chinatown.
Of course you need to take a break from the heat so step inside Populus Coffee and Food Co. The interiors are reminiscent of a New York deli with white and grey hexagonal tiles are the entrance, geometric wooden wall panels and brass pipes with spiral light bulbs overhead.
Wind through the streets of Chinatown taking note of the striking colonial-style architecture that remains. Many of the ground level spaces have been gentrified, taken over by trendy bars and restaurants but these new social playgrounds also seem to blend seamlessly with historic temples and hawker stalls.
It’s time for more Michelin Guide food without the hefty price tag.
Meander over to the Chinatown Complex and walk up to the second floor. Look for stall number 168 CMY Satay.
This family-run hawker stall seasons and grills various meats (their chicken is said to taste best!) and serves its peanut sauce on the side. When we visited, they had already sold out of chicken for the day so we settled for 10 satay pork skewers (SGD $0.60 each, minimum order of 10). Hands down one of the best street food snacks we have eaten on our travels.
One of our best travel tips for Singapore is to eat like royalty for a fraction of the price. On the ground level opposite the Chinatown Complex at 78 Smith Street, you’ll find the Chinatown restaurant of Hawker Chan. The world’s first hawker to be awarded One Michelin Star, you can’t go past the signature Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken and Rice for SGD $5. After dinner, wander along Pagoda Street weaving in and out of street stalls selling assorted knick knacks. You’ll come across the Tintin Shop, the store selling collectibles, posters and comics of the famous character created by Belgian cartoonist, Hergé (Georges Remi). As you head towards South Bridge Road, the harmonious co-existence of multiple religions becomes evident with the ornate Sri Mariamman Temple on one side of the street and the eclectic Masjid Jamae (Chulia) Mosque on the other side.
Your Singapore itinerary needs to include a return trip to Gardens By the Bay. Find prime position for the twice-nightly Garden Rhapsody Show – it’s the closest you’ll get to being an extra in the Avatar film!
The Supertree Grove exhibits a spectacular 10 minutes light show to ever-changing musical soundtracks. We were treated to a collection of opera masterpieces.
Start the day in peaceful Fort Canning Park. The historical landmark features nine historical gardens and often plays host to weddings, festivals and concerts.
If you need to duck into the air-conditioning after your morning walk, the National Museum of Singapore is conveniently located next to Fort Canning Park. The nation’s oldest museum documents artefacts and stories of Singapore in this classical building which also features a vibrant glass rotunda.
Return to the bottom of Fort Canning Park and pitch your tripod or friend with your camera opposite Old Hill Street Police Station.
Instagram has made this historical landmark uber famous with the fold-out French window shutters painted all the colours of the rainbow. Aesthetically pleasing both in colour and symmetry. Wait for the red lights and paused vehicular traffic before carefully crossing the road to the middle.
No doubt your stomach has started to grumble. If you can hold out a little longer, hop onto a bus in front of Old Hill Street Police Station and head east towards the Joo Chiat/Katong district.
Your destination is Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata, located on the corner of Dunman Road and Joo Chiat Road at the back of Dunman Food Centre.
At first glance, it does seem a tad off to have a lone hawker stall selling Indian cuisine amongst other south-east Asian peers but the reputation of the crispy roti precedes itself! We waited 15 orders worth, almost 45 minutes, for our food to be ready!
Cross the street and snap your picture in front of the traditional lolly-pastel Peranakan Houses.
Peranakan is and Indonesian/Malay term that means “local born” and generally refers to Chinese or Indian immigrants who married indigenous people from the Malay archipelago in the 15th century. The houses are known for its unique pre-war architecture, colourful terrace houses with ornate facades and intricate motifs.
The Katong district is also the birthplace of the famous Katong laksa (spicy coconut milk-based noodle soup). The Original 328 Katong Laksa hawker stall is in the food court of Roxy Square 1 on East Coast Road, however, we sat down to sample the famous seafood laksa at the branch across the road.
If the spicy factor is too much for your tastebuds, cool off with a refreshing scoop of gelato a couple doors down at Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique. The gelateria creates unique flavours inspired by the botanical flavours of nature.
The eating never stops. Head towards the Kallang neighbourhood and join the queue at Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle hawker stall. Order the signature bak chor mee (noodles with minced pork) and a Tiger beer to help with spice that will make your lips tingle the right amount. This stall is closed Mondays.
Walk a few blocks over to the buzzing Haji Lane. The atmosphere down this hip laneway is electric at night featuring bars, restaurants, boutique stalls and live music. A great spot to meet friends, hang out for a few beers and bop to the soulful tunes.
Enjoy one last nightcap at ATLAS. Sink into one of the plush chairs, order a cocktail and take care not to spill it as you crane your neck to admire the glamorous art deco architecture inspired by the skyscrapers of Europe and New York.
Sentosa Island is located 15 minutes from Central Singapore. Home to silky-sand beaches, themed attractions and resort-style hotels, it’s a popular destination to retreat from the city. Enjoy award-winning spas, learn about the island’s role in military history or visit Universal Studios.
Located on Sentosa Island, enjoy a day out releasing the inner kid or thrillseeker across 24 rides, shows and attractions. It’s not the cheapest activity with adult tickets at SGD $79 and child tickets at SGD $59 but Universal Studios is practically guaranteed a whole day of childish escapism. Book your Universal Studios Singapore ticket here.
A true oasis in the middle of the island, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is five minutes away from Orchard Road. In 2015, the Gardens were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and became the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Gardens are open daily and admission is free. Check this website for opening hours of particular gardens, timetables for guided tours and admission prices for special exhibitions.
Singapore has a very efficient public transport system with the subway, buses, taxis and rideshares.
If you are buying your public transport tickets with cash, it’s important to know that ticket machines in MTR stations only give change up to SGD $4 so it is wise to have SGD $1 coins or SGD $2 and SGD $5 notes on you. Furthermore, buses do not give change so it is best to have coins.
The Singapore Tourist Pass provides good value to visitors who are visiting Singapore for 1 day, 2 days or 3 days. The ez-link card offers unlimited travel on Singapore’s basic bus services, MRT and LRT trains for the duration that it is valid. The Singapore Tourist Pass does include a refundable SGD $10 deposit and can be purchased and returned at Singapore Changi Airport, select MTR stations and kiosks. The Singapore Tourist Pass is not to be confused with the SG Tourist Pass.
Refundable Deposit: SGD $10
Uber does not operate in Singapore. The equivalent rideshare company is Grab. If you are not purchasing a Singapore SIM card, download the app and activate your account before arriving in Singapore.
The iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore is one of the oldest hotels in the country and has welcomed famous folk through its doors including Michael Jackson and Queen Elizabeth II. It is said to be the birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail. Promising ultra luxury and elegance, a stay here would certainly be one to remember.
Since its opening in 2011, Marina Bay Sands continues to bring the “wow” factor to Singapore’s hotel industry. With the world’s largest infinity pool atop three twinkling towers, the integrated resort offers unparalleled views of the Supertree Grove of Gardens By The Bay on one side, an atrium casino, shopping mall, theatres and celebrity-chef dining. If you’re going to treat yourself, this is the place to do so.
Wi-Fi is free in certain MTR stations. If you have a SIM card, you need to enter your mobile number and use the verification code to access the Wi-Fi.
For the most part, Singapore is a destination to visit all-year round – the heat and humidity are the norm! February – April falls within the dry season with a little less rainfall than other months of the year. January – February will be quite busy with Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.
This will vary between travellers from budget to luxury. We tend to go for basic accommodation over luxury so that we can spend more money on food and drink. Dining choices will also significantly affect spend – we ate most of our meals at hawker food centres.
Total excluding flights (2 pax): SGD $591
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We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
