24 Hours in the Little Red Dot: Everything to Do on a Singapore Day Trip

Do you know it only takes approximately two hours to go around Singapore by car? Even though Singapore is smaller in size, it is one of the best Southeast Asian countries to travel to. From delicious breakfast at a traditional kopitiam to the city’s prettiest light shows, it has everything you will treasure for a trip.

Whether or not you’re travelling here for the first time, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a Singapore day trip itinerary for you to explore the most out of your 24 hours (or less) in the city.

Also read: Singapore Etiquette: 8 Dos and Don’ts to Keep in Mind

Things to see and do within 24 hours in Singapore

Morning

6am to 8am: Begin your day with some healthy activities

In the early morning before leaving for breakfast, get refreshed with a morning jog at the park, or try hiking. The best places to go hiking in Singapore include Jurong Lake Gardens, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and Fort Canning Park. If you are a beginner, visit Windsor Nature Park and Labrador Nature Reserve, both less difficult to hike compared to the other hiking trails. 

Also read: 25 Nature & Hiking Trails in Singapore to Discover on Your Weekends

8am to 10am: Eat your heart out at Singapore’s Chinatown

After a refreshing exercise, start your Singapore one-day tour with a hearty breakfast in the country’s Chinatown. Visit Kreta Ayer, the heart of Chinatown with vibrant lanterns, for some delicious local food. We recommend getting Hainanese chicken rice from Chew Kee Eating House, a 70-year-old brand famous for its soy sauce chicken. 

For a wider selection of food choices, you can also check out Chinatown Complex Food Centre: a food court with an abundance of local traditional dishes such as clay pot rice, char kuey teow, satay, and dim sum. Get ready to be impressed by the good taste and cheap price! 

TripZilla Tip: If you’re feeling a little fancy, visit Japanese restaurants like Tempura Oji, Chinese cuisine Dating Fish, or cute cafes like The Social Space. However, these restaurants will open later in the day (around 9am to 11am).

10am to 11am: Admire the street art

Once you’re done filling up your tummy, explore the beautiful murals in Chinatown and take as many pictures as you want! The street art hot spots include Detective Conan Chinatown Mural, Bruce Lee Mural, Porcelain Mural, Cantonese Opera Mural, and many more. What’s better, all these are just a short walking distance away from one another, so you may take your time to admire the art.

Afternoon

11am to 2pm: Explore Gardens by the Bay

One of the best things about travelling in Singapore is that everywhere is accessible by train. Take the MRT to Gardens by the Bay station, because what’s a Singapore one-day trip without visiting this majestic scenic garden? The attractions here include the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, Floral Fantasy, OCBC Skyway, and Supertree Observatory. Depending on the package and attraction you choose, the ticket price for adults should range from S$12 to S$30. Expect to spend more if you want to discover them all.

However, if you are on a shoestring budget, fret not, as there are other outdoor attractions available with free admission! You are still able to catch a glimpse of the iconic Supertree Groove, as well as the 128-metre-long OCBC Skyway from afar. Besides, chill out and have a picnic session in Bay East Garden, or take a therapeutic walk at the Serene Garden or Sun Pavilion which features a thousand desert plants.

TripZilla Tip: We recommend spending around three hours here to fully experience all the attractions.

2pm to 4pm: Sightseeing and activities at Marina Bay Sands

There are tons of eateries in and around Gardens by the Bay. Before stepping into the second half of 24 hours in Singapore, grab some food at the eateries around the gardens, like burger chains Shake Shack and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beers, or famous restaurants like LAVO, RISE, Hopscotch, and Yardbird Southern Table and Bar.

Onto our next destination for this Singapore day trip —  the famous Marina Bay Sands. You can either take the Lions Bridge Overpass connecting Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, or follow the underground route. Either way, the walk will take less than 10 minutes. Grab this opportunity to take a picture of Marina Bay Sand’s spectacular architecture, too! 

While you’re here, check out Apple Marina Bay Sands: the world’s first floating Apple store. And even if you’re not a fan of the brand, you will be amazed by the modern and sleek design of both the interior and exterior. 

4pm to 7pm: Go on a museum date

Next, visit the ArtScience Museum in the area and immerse yourself in the world of digital art installations with the combination of advanced science and technology. The museum is home to art exhibitions like Future World: Where Art Meets Science, Sneakertopia: Step Into Street Culture, as well as a virtual reality experience called the VR Gallery. The adult museum ticket price range from S$19 to S$39, depending on the exhibition. 

If you have a little more time to spare, shop till you drop at The Shoppes in Marina Bay Sands, a well-known luxury shopping mall. Aside from shopping, you can also take a sampan ride along the mall’s canal for S$13. 

Also read: 18 Unique Museums in Singapore You Have to Visit

Night

7pm to 8pm: Treat yourself to a nice dinner

For the last part of the Singapore day trip itinerary, we recommend visiting the Jewel Changi Airport. After arriving at the airport station via MRT, walk for a short five to ten minutes and you’ll find yourself in the charming airport with the legendary Rain Vortex. For your final meal in the Little Red Dot, reward yourself with a nice dinner in restaurants like Andersen’s of Denmark, Elfuego by COLLIN’S, Burger and Lobster, and Hitoyoshi Izakaya.

8pm to 10pm: Be amazed by Jewel Changi Airport’s beauty

Jewel Changi Airport looks even more stunning when the night falls. After dinner, head to the HSBC Rain Vortex at Shiseido Forest Valley, the world’s largest indoor waterfall. Stay tuned for a light and sound show here that will leave you in awe. 

Of course, the iconic Rain Vortex is not the only attraction in the airport. End your Singapore day trip by exploring places like the Walking Net, Bouncing Net, Mirror Maze, Hedge Maze, Canopy Park, and Canopy Bridge. The standard admission rate for these places starts from S$8. If you’re here on a family trip, we recommend Bouncing Net and Mirror Maze, both attractions that kids will definitely enjoy. 

Also read: 24 Hours Across the Border: Everything to Do on a Day Trip to Johor Bahru

So there you go, a Singapore day trip itinerary which includes as many attractions in the country as possible. If you have only 24 hours in Singapore to spend, follow our guide and hope you enjoy your trip, albeit for a short while.