3-Days Singapore Itinerary (FREE in PDF)

In this post we are going to show you the most complete 3-days Singapore itinerary.

In fact, we are going to take you through the most stunning locations of Singapore while saving you time.

How? We have created a complete 3-day Singapore itinerary so that you can cover the best things to visit in Singapore with our best tips about how to move around, where to stay, maps for everyday route and photography included.

Sounds good?! Great! Let’s dive in now.

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Introduction

Singapore is an island city state located at the southern tip of Malaysia. It is one of the most expensive and prosperous countries in the world and an example of organized and modern multicultural city.

It is also worldwide famous for its cleanliness (you might have heard about a country that has banned spitting and eating chewing gum, that is Singapore), safety and for featuring attractions unlike anything else in the world (Gardens by the bay for example)

Singapore is one of the most visited countries in Asia as it is a hub for international flights. Is quite often used as a stopover before a connection flight.

Whether you’re using Singapore as a stopover or not, stay tuned to find out the top 3- day Singapore itinerary.

Singapore Itinerary Planning Tips

Every trip needs a little bit of planning, especially a short trip to Singapore where there is so much going on that you don’t want to miss out any important places to visit.

In order to help you make the most of your time there, we have created a 3-day Singapore itinerary with the highlights of the city, so you have a bit of everything.

We’ll also cover topics like knowing how to move around, best areas to stay in Singapore, day trips and more.

How to get to Singapore.

Luckily, getting to Singapore is quite easy as Singapore Changi Airport is one of the busiest and best connected airports in the world. It is about 20 km from the city centre, and there are three ways to get there.

Before you fly, fill in the free SG Arrival Card on the official ICA website or the MyICA app in the three days before you arrive; visitors can then use the automated immigration lanes.

• Bus. It is the slowest option, as it takes 1.5h. Bus 36 runs from the airport to the city centre along Marine Parade Road, the Marina area and Orchard Road; get off at the stop closest to your hotel. Tap a contactless bank card, a phone wallet or an EZ-Link card when you get on and off (about S$2.40). You can still pay cash, but only with the exact fare (around S$3.10): drivers don’t give change.
• Train. Take the train from Changi Airport MRT Station (CG2) to Tanah Merah MRT Station (EW4), then transfer to the East-West Line towards Tuas Link (EW33). There are no paper single tickets any more: tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or Amex at the gates (about S$2.30 to City Hall, plus an admin fee of S$0.60 per day on foreign cards) or buy an EZ-Link card at the station. The airport branch is being converted to the Thomson-East Coast Line, so check the signs if you travel after 2030.
• Taxi. A taxi to the city centre costs roughly S$25 to S$45 on the meter, plus an airport surcharge of S$6 (S$8 from 5pm to midnight). Rides between midnight and 6am cost 50% more, and there is a 25% surcharge at peak hours.

If you need more detailed information about how to get to the city center from the airport, you can check Changi Airport official website .

How to move around Singapore.

Walk

Walking in Singapore is a pleasant and free way to move around the city. In this itinerary all the points are within walking distance with a maximum of 30 minutes walking, which you can consider another transport. The rest is an average of 15 minutes walk from one point to the next one.

Bus

Getting around by bus is one of the cheapest and most scenic ways to move around Singapore. You can get mostly everywhere by bus, either taking one bus line, or changing buses. You can pay by using your Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) a special EZ-Link stored-value card which will allow you unlimited travel for one day (S$17), two days (S$24) or three days (S$29). The price includes a S$10 deposit that you get back when you return the card within five days. For a 3-day trip, paying with your contactless bank card often works out cheaper, so do the maths first. To find out where to buy it, click here.

Train

The best way to move around Singapore is by Singapore’s MRT (mass rapid transit). There is an extensive rail network operating in Singapore, with MRT stations within walking distance from the main attractions. You can pay with the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP).

To find out where to buy it, click here.

You can also tap your own contactless Visa, Mastercard or Amex card (or your phone) at the gates and pay as you go. Foreign cards pay an admin fee of S$0.60 per day of travel. Paper single tickets no longer exist.

Taxi

Taxis are quite convenient when you are trying to get to a place that is not accessible by bus or MRT. Taxis are metered, but there are surcharges at peak hours, after midnight and from the airport. You can hail a taxi in the street or you will also find them at taxi stands.

You can also use ride-hailing apps such as Grab or Gojek: they tell you the price before you book. Another advantage is that you pay through the app which is quite handy when you don’t have cash or when you rather save time.

Where to stay in Singapore for 3 days.

Choosing the right place where to stay in Singapore is really important as a complement of a heavenly stay. Here we recommend these four magnific options.

• Andaz Singapore. One of the top hotels in Singapore if you are willing to splurge a bit. It is in the DUO Tower, between Kampong Glam and Bugis, within walking distance from some top attractions.

• KēSa House. This modern and comfortable hotel is perfectly located, in the heart of Chinatown very close to the MRT station.
• YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road . Located in the heart of the vibrant Orchard Road. It has modern amenities and the rooms are very comfortable.
• CapsulePod@Aljunied. A capsule hostel a short walk from Aljunied MRT station. One of the most affordable places to stay in Singapore.

Alternatively, you can check some offers and availability here in booking.com

Booking.com

Singapore Itinerary travel resources.

When it comes to general information and what’s going on in Singapore, there are mainly 2 sites that you can check.

Visit Singapore, the official website which has a lot of information about anything you might want to know about in the city. They also write about things to do, food, events coming, etc.

The second one is TimeOut Singapore. Keeping you always up to date to the latest events, art expositions, attractions, festivals, etc.

If you need to book activities or tours in advance, you should check your options in GetYourGuide below.

Travel insurance

Singapore is safe and well organised, but a missed connection, lost luggage or a trip to the doctor can still happen, and medical care here is expensive. Get travel insurance before you go and check that it covers medical costs and your gear. We compare the options in our guide to backpacker travel insurance.

Complete 3-days Singapore itinerary.

Let’s get your itinerary started!

This a 3-day Singapore itinerary that is meant to cover the main highlights and attractions in the city. It has been created especially for the first time visitors that want to get a bit of everything from this amazing destination.

With the itineraries proposed, you can make little changes if you feel like you want to visit one thing instead, or if you prefer to do day one, on day two, or day three that is also possible.

Bear in mind that the idea behind the itineraries that we have created, is to minimise your traveling time using transport and instead, following walking routes. That is because we think the best way to explore a city is by walking around, but if you’re tired of walking you can always jump on the public transport or get a taxi. No problems!

Singapore itinerary day 1: Chinatown, Civic District and Gardens by the Bay

The first day of our Singapore itinerary starts from Chinatown after having a traditional breakfast in one of the Singaporean kopitiam (cafes)

The traditional breakfast consists on a kaya toast (kaya is a custard jam made from egg, coconut, and the vanilla pandan) with soft-cooked eggs.

This route is gonna be devided in two, morning and afternoon.

Morning itinerary

• Ya Kun Kaya Toast (A)
• Thian Hock Keng Temple (B)
• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (C)
• Chinatown Street Markets (D)
• Sri Mariamman Temple (E)
• Padang (H)
• Esplanade Park

Afternoon Itinerary

• Merlion (I)
• Gardens by the Bay (J)
• Cloud Forest
• Flower Dome
• Super Tree Grove
• Garden Rhapsody Music and Light Show

Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the vibrant districts in Singapore that proudly display their heritage, with low rise building, old shophouses, temples and Chinese restaurants where you can endulge some of their traditional dishes.

Take the time to walk around the narrow streets, that display the distinctive red and gold decorations, look for bargains in the shophouses and visit some unique temples, such as the Buddha Relic Temple or The Thian Hock Keng Temple (one of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore)

Head to the Chinese market, where the bustling streets are packed with hundreds of stalls offering anything from clothing to Chinese cats, remember to haggle to get the best price.

Visit the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. The temple is covered with sculptures of deities and mythological figures, something that catches the attention to anyone passing by.

Civic District

From Chinatown to the first point to visit in the Civic district, National Gallery is only 15 minutes walk (1.2 km)

The civic district is the heart of Singapore’s history, culture and architecture heritage. It is an easy walkable area with lots of give- shading trees to protect yourself from the intense sunlight as well as open lawns to rest.

It is home of historic buildings in the city that used to be the administrative hub but now it has been repurposed, becoming an art destination the last weekend of every month.

Start visiting the National Gallery and then take a look at some the historical buildings:

• The Asian Civilisations Museum
• The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
• The old Parliament House
• Queen Elizabeth Walk
• The Supreme Court and City Hall
• The Padang.

Finally, you cannot miss one of the most important landmarks in Singapore, the Merlion.

From the Merlion, take a 18 minutes walk to Gardens by the Bay, crossing the Esplanade Bridge, a scenic walk towards the gardens.

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the bay is one of the most important attractions in Singapore for presenting an innovative and futuristic design that combines nature and modern technology. It was borned as a proyect to create a City in a Garden, and the result of that is a horticultural wonderland that brings millions of visitors every year.

Gardens by the Bay is divided into three main parts, Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden.

The first thing you will see as you walk in is the Super Trees, which resemble Singapore’s national flower, the orchid Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim. Don’t miss the chance to go up the walkway between the Super Trees and enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the garden from the heights.

Cloud Forest, a 35 meters-tall enclosed compound that has one of the tallest indoor waterfalls in the world. It is home of a wide diversity of lush vegetation from tropical areas up to 2000 feet above the sea level. Apart from the mesmerizing environment of the Cloud Forest, you can also learn interesting facts about rare plant species and how they are dissapearing.

Flower Dome. Another top attraction in Gardens by the Bay. It is one of the largest greenhouses in the world with a variety of rare plants that replicates the Mediterranean climate.

Entry to the Supertree Grove and the Garden Rhapsody show is free. The two conservatories (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest) cost S$46 for adults and S$32 for children if you are not a resident, and they open from 9am to 9pm. To check opening times, events, and what’s new, check the official Gardens by the Bay website here.

If after this visit you feel hungry, you have got some dining options inside the enclosure, from fine dinning, cafes, fast food or if you would like something cheaper, you have a McDonalds to grab a quick bite before the next part.

Garden Rhapsody Light and Sound Show

Every day, Gardens by the Bay makes the public stand in awe with its Garden Rhapsody light and sound show. This show features spectacular dazzling lights and music giving live to the Super Trees in the Gardens by the Bay. It is an unmissible attraction in Singapore.

There are two free shows every day, at 7:45pm and 8:45pm.

If you have time for more…

If you think you have time for more, you can also check this interesting landmarks nearby the Civic district to add them to your Singapore itinerary.

• Botanic Gardens
• Fort Canning Park
• St Andrews cathedral
• National Gallery

Singapore itinerary day 2: Little India, Kampong Glam and Marina Bay

The itinerary for this second day is ideally started from Little India and then moving towards Kampong Glam district to finish at the end of the day in Marina Bay.

Morning Itinerary

• Little India
• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
• Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
• Masjid Sultan
• Haji Lane

Afternoon Itinerary

• Art Science Museum
• Marina Bay Sands
• Spectra Light and Water show
• Clarke Quay

Little India

The lively and colorful Little India, is the heart of the indian community in Singapore, where most important celebrations take part and where you will find some of the most important temples.

Get your camera ready for some unexpected sights and make sure you try some of the divine traditional Indian food served here.

Amidst the most important things to visit in little India apart from taking the time to venture down the narrow lanes of the area, is to visit some of the most important temples:

• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali, a forceful consort of Shiva, believed to protect its devotees from ignorance and maintaining the world order. This temple has a unique beauty that everyone should visit.
• Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple is found along Serangoon Road. It was built in the late 1800s and dedicated to Vishnu. It is also famous for the display of vishnu and other hindu deities figures in the tower of the entrance.

Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam is a vibrant area of Singapore and the oldest urban quarters. This area is famous for its richness in culture and history, its trendy cafes, quirky shops, local restaurants and great atmosphere. It is called the hipster neighbourhood of Singapore and the best streets to wander are Arab Street, Haji Lane and Bussorah Street.

First thing to do is to head to Masjid Sultan, the emblematic mosque in Singapore built in 1924. It is such a beautiful mosque, famous for its golden domes and for being the reference for the muslim community. Visitors can go in from Saturday to Thursday, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm, through Gate 5 on Bussorah Street. It is closed to visitors on Fridays, so plan this day around it. Dress modestly; robes are lent at the entrance.

Walk two minutes towards Haji Lane. One of the most lively and colorfull street, with lots of small boutiques, and eateries where you can spend hours shopping amazing products and endulging some delicious dishes.

To get to the next destination, walk 27 minutes to the Art Science Museum.

Art Science Museum

The Art Science Museum is one of the most iconic buildings that configurate the skyline in Singapore.With its lotus shape of 6,000 meter square with 21 galleries. Its original desing and its exhibits catches the attention of thousand of visitors every year.

It is a fantastic plan to have fun and learn, while you cool down in the middle of the day. Don’t miss the long term exhibit FUTURE WORLD: Where Art Meets Science, suitable for families with children too!

To find out what’s on, check the official Art and Science Museum website. It opens from 10am to 7pm (last entry 6pm), and until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sand is an architectural masterpiece building that looks like a stranded ship. Inside you can find a hotel, a casino, theater, exhibition, museum and a huge shopping mall.

The “ship” at the top of the 55 story building is an infinity pool with stunning panoramic views of Singapore. Unfortunately, only guests are allowed to use the infinity pool but don’t worry! You can head up to the CÉ LA VI and enjoy the bird’s-eye scenic views of the city, paying only for a drink.

The other option is, heading up to the Sands SkyPark where you can also enjoy the same kind of scenic panoramic views of the city, spotting famous landmarks such as Gardens by the Bay, or the Singapore Flyer. Tickets for the observation deck cost around S$35 for adults, a bit more at peak times.

If you don’t mind splurging on a first-class dinning experience plus out of the world views, you can make a reservation on some of the luxury restaurants in Marina Bay Sands.

Spectra, the magic light and water show.

Enjoy the free entry to this 15 minutes magical nightly show over the water at the Event Plaza. Be on time to get a seat in front of Marina Bay Sands mall and delight yourself with such the four part story featuring gazzling lights, fountains, laser… and much more, together with an orchestral soundtrack.

The showtimes are from Sunday to Thursday: 8pm and 9pm
Friday and Saturday: 8pm, 9pm & 10pm

Dinner suggestion:

Head to Makansutra Gluttons Bay, a small hawker centre to enjoy some delicious food. It is situated on the other side of the bay outside the Esplanade. To get there, walk towards the Helix Bridge and enjoy a scenic walk.

If you have time for more…

If you think you have time for more, you can complete your Singapore itineray by checking this interesting landmarks nearby the proposed attractions.

• Singapore Flyer
• Esplanade- Theaters on the Bay
• Marina Barrage

Singapore itinerary day 3: Sentosa Island and Clarke Quay

The Singapore itinerary for the last day is going to be a bit different from the rest. It’s time to head to Sentosa Island!

Sentosa Island is a beautiful island, home to attractions, lush jungles, universal studios, waterparks, spas, luxury hotels, fantastic beaches and more. Most of the attractions in Sentosa Island are not free, but don’t worry! You can still find things to do without spending money.

Sentosa is situated only 10 to 20 minutes away from the heart of Singapore which gives you many possibilities to get there, from taking a stroll, to take the cable car, using the public transport or taking a taxi.

You can check more details about how to get there in the official website here. The cheapest way in is walking across the Sentosa Boardwalk from VivoCity, which is free; the Sentosa Express monorail costs S$4, and once on the island the internal buses and trams are free.

Sentosa Island

Things to do in Sentosa Island

• Sentosa Island(A)
• Palawan Beach
• Adventure Cove Water Park
• Singapore Oceanarium
• Fort Siloso

Things to do in Sentosa

• Head to the clean and gorgeous beaches. There are 3 beautiful beaches in Sentosa to spend the day relaxing, swimming, playing volleyball or building sandcastles: Tanjong Beach, Siloso Beach Resort and Palawan Beach
• Spend the day having fun at the Adventure Cove Water Park and enjoy the high speed rides, lazy rivers, specially fun for famillies with kids.
• Visit the Singapore Oceanarium, which replaced the old S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa in July 2025. It is one of the largest aquariums in the world; tickets start at about S$55.
• Stroll around the small Fort Siloso, a fort that in the past served as a defense. Entry is free and it has a small museum about the Second World War.
• Go on a super special sunset sail or dinner cruise on board the Royal Albatross tall ship.
• Indulge yourself with a spa treatment in one of Sentosa’s finest Spas.
• At night, walk through Sentosa Sensoryscape, a free garden trail with light and sound effects between Resorts World and the beaches.

Clarke Quay

To finish the Singapore itinerary, make your way back to the heart of the city from Sentosa Island and enjoy the nightlife in Clarke Quay.

Clarke Quay (now branded CQ @ Clarke Quay) is a famous historic riverside quay lined with restaurants, pubs, cafes and nightclubs. After spending the day in Sentosa Island you can get there to have dinner in one of the numerous eateries and finish off the day with some drinks in some of the lively pubs.

If you have more than 3 days- Alternative visits in Singapore

There is so much to see and do as you can see in Singapore and you probably didn’t have enough time to explore everything. In case you have more than three days, we suggest you some other important places to visit:

• Orchard Road. A heaven for shopaholics.
• National Gallery.A must destination for art lovers.
• Singapore Flyer. If you’re not afraid of heights, get the chance to take a panoramic view of the city.
• Night Safari. If you are an animal lover and feel curious about what wild animals do at night, head to the Night Safari, open from 6pm to midnight.
• Universal Studios. If you’re traveling with children, you might want to visit this theme park full of rides and shows.

Conclusion

There are endless options in Singapore and you will probably repeat your visit after your first one!

If you have more time, I suggest you also check the best rooftop bars in Singapore.

It might not be the cheapest destination, but you can definitively make Singapore on a budget!

If you have any questions about the itinerary or visiting Singapore just leave a comment below.