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How to spend one day in Singapore? A full day! This one day Singapore itinerary will cover sightseeing, riding a boat, a lot of walking, MRT riding, “flying,” and more!
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Singapore in 24 Hours
Ready for one full day in Singapore? All right!
Weather
For starters, what’s the weather like in Singapore? Well, on one May 25, here were the weather stats:
- Max Temp = 89°F
- Average Humidity = 82%
Toasty and sticky. That’s to be expected, since Singapore is located so close to the equator. The weather is pretty much the same every single day. You can expect rain any day as well…around 1/3 of the days each month.
So, what can you do in Singapore during the day? Air conditioning (A/C) is in high demand, but to see the sights, you’ll be outdoors a good bit. Make sure you dress for your comfort, and if you need to take extra precautions in the sun, I’ve got you covered.
Many days in Singapore, you will experience a cloudy morning that burns off as the day goes on. But, carry an umbrella and/or light rain jacket, for unexpected rain showers.
Transportation
The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is an efficient way to get around Singapore to see the sites. Purchase a 1-day Singapore Tourist Pass for $20.00 SGD (including a $10.00 SGD refundable rental deposit) and get unlimited rides on the MRT, LRT, and basic bus services all day long.
Make sure you follow the rules of the MRT. Singapore is serious about cleanliness (and durian smell, it seems).
Your Itinerary for One Day in Singapore (on a Semi-Budget)
The way we travel is semi-budget travel…that is, budget-conscious travel, with a splurge here and there. Can it be done even in Singapore? Read on to find out in this one-day Singapore itinerary!
And, what can you do in Singapore for 24 hours? A lot, in fact!
So, where to begin? Breakfast, of course!
Breakfast at Toast Box
When in Singapore, you’ve gotta try the traditional Singaporean breakfast. At its most basic, that means kaya toast and kopi.
Kaya toast is two pieces of toast, filled with kaya (coconut jam) and butter.
Kopi is coffee, but there are many variations available for your kopi. I prefer kopi-C, which is hot coffee with evaporated milk and sugar.
There was a Toast Box location very near to our hotel, and the total for our entire breakfast was $12.50 SGD ($9.05 USD).
Singapore River Cruise
When you’re determining what to do in Singapore, seeing lots of the major sites is top of list. A great way to see many of those major sites is by boat, leisurely floating down the Singapore River.
Purchase your tickets at Singapore River Cruise’s Clarke Quay ticket booth.
Your vessel will be a historically-based bumboat, a form of water taxi.
It is a bit of a splurge at $80.00 SGD ($57.89 USD) for a family of 4, but you will cover a lot of ground (and have the possibility of a slight breeze as the boat moves along!).
Starting at Clarke Quay, you will sail past:
- The Fullerton Hotel
- The Durian (Esplanade Theatres on the Bay)
- Singapore Flyer
- Helix Bridge
- Marina Bay Sands
- Merlion
Raffles Hotel
The Raffles Hotel is one of the most iconic hotels in Singapore…and also one of the priciest, which doesn’t fit so well with semi-budget travel.
Why visit then? For one, it’s a Singapore landmark.
And two, some may want to visit the Raffles Hotel to try the infamous Singapore Sling, a cocktail that is said to have originated there over 100 years ago.
There is a lovely courtyard with a large fountain and bench seating, where you can enjoy the shade for a little while and regroup for the afternoon ahead.
If you skip the Singapore Sling and opt for some great history, architecture, and a relaxing break, this stop at the Raffles Hotel won’t cost you anything!
Lunch at Hyang-To-Gol Korean Restaurant
If you, or those you are traveling with, have gluten sensitivities, Singapore has some great options. We tried to find restaurants that could accommodate the needs of our gluten-sensitive traveling companions. Hyang-To-Gol was one of those places (along with Real Food and Tiann’s Bakery).
A sizzling plate of beef bulgogi, along with vegetables, side dishes, and lettuce wraps fueled us for the afternoon.
Total lunch cost = $35.90 SGD ($25.98 USD).
Singapore Flyer
Tourist attraction? Yes!
Worth it to see part of Singapore from a bird’s eye view? Yes!
The Singapore Flyer is a giant observation (Ferris) wheel with enclosed capsules. There was no one in line, so we had our own private capsule, which is a major plus! This is often a perk of travelling in the off-season.
As with the Singapore River Cruise, the Singapore Flyer is another splurge at $108.00 SGD ($78.16 USD) for a family of 4.
Check out another observation wheel on another continent!
Ice Lemon Tea
One of of the most refreshing, and readily available, drinks in Singapore is “ice lemon tea.” It is just that…sweetened iced tea with lemon, and it is so good!
You may opt for some gelato, but I’d choose ice lemon tea every time!
In the heat and humidity, one can hardly put a price on refreshment, but this one was quite affordable at $3.20 SGD ($2.38 USD).
Helix Bridge & Marina Bay Sands
Next, walk across the Helix Bridge to Marina Bay Sands (which didn’t exist when I was in Singapore in 2005). It is quite the piece of architecture.
At the top of Marina Bay Sands, there is a SkyPark Observation Deck, which offers spectacular views. However, the fee is steep to access it…$26.00 SGD for adults, and $20.00 SGD for children ages 2-12.
Another way to get that view, as well as some Instagrammable pics, is to stay at the Marina Bay Sands hotel and enjoy their exclusive Sands SkyPark Infinity Pool. Again, however, the price is definitely out of our semi-budget travel range.
The most basic rooms start at $399.00 SGD per night, but those only allow up to 3 guests. Family Rooms, which allow up to 4 guests, start at $879.00 SGD per night. Yikes! Instead, check out our recommended family room hotel in Singapore.
Dinner at Rasapura Masters Food Court
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands house Rasapura Masters, an amazing Singaporean food hall. Located in the basement levels of the multi-story buildings, Rasapura Masters has something for everyone when it comes to meals and snacks.
In the U.S., Pad Thai is a well-known dish. Lesser known, and in fact I’d never heard of it before, is char kway teow.
Let me tell you that char kway teow is a must try dish. I feel that it’s kind of a cross between Pad Thai and Pad See Ew, and it’s delicious!
Our dinner cost was less than $20.00 USD, and included:
- Naan = $3.50 SGD ($2.60 USD)
- Char Kway Teow = $9.00 SGD ($6.70 USD)
- Pad Thai = $13.00 SGD ($9.67 USD)
Things To Do in Singapore at Night
Singapore actually has many family-friendly options for night time activities, including:
- Night Safari (pricey)
- Spectra Light & Water Show at Marina Bay Sands (free)
- Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay Supertree Grove (see our 2-day itinerary for more info)
Another inexpensive (read: free!) nighttime activity is viewing the……
Night Lights at Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is a lovely area with shops and restaurants that is right on the Singapore River. At night, when the lights come on, is when it really comes alive.
Finish your day looking at the night lights at Clarke Quay.
How much money do I need per day in Singapore?
Singapore is notoriously one of the most expensive places in the world. Not including lodging, our family of four spent slightly less than $200.00 USD for this day in Singapore. That covers all meals and snacks, as well as some sightseeing splurges.
Without the Singapore River Cruise and Singapore Flyer, we spent around $56.00 USD.
Where to Stay in Singapore
Family-size lodging is hard to come by in some parts of the world, Singapore included. Even families of four are often priced out of hotels, because they would have to reserve two rooms to fit their family.
We found a great hotel, in a great location, for a great price (for Singapore, that is), that fit our family of four in one room! Check out our review of the best family room hotel in Singapore.
Bonus Pic
This one full day in Singapore would not be complete without this pic. I’ve never seen anything like this in the U.S. Grab your TP on the way in!
Is one day in Singapore enough?
Singapore is a major hub in the region, and many people are just passing through en route to another destination. Even with a long layover, you could spend an entire day in the Changi Airport and not even scratch the surface of what it has to offer. If there ever was an airport where you might actually want a long layover, Changi Airport in Singapore is that airport.
If you go into town and you’re just interested in the major sites and not much else, one day is enough. Our one-day Singapore itinerary covers a lot of territory.
If you’re looking for a little more, check out our 2-day Singapore itinerary.
When you’re ready to start packing, here’s a list of many of the useful items we took with us: Items to Pack for SE Asia
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Have you ever been sightseeing in Singapore? Please share in the comments below!
OG: 05252017
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