Singapore: What We Are Planning for the City-State Trip

Updated April 2026 | 4 min read

Why Singapore Is on Our List

Singapore is a city that should not make sense on paper. It is 283 square miles of reclaimed land, oppressive humidity, and some of the most expensive real estate on earth. It is also one of the best food cities in the world, where a three-dollar plate of chicken rice is better than most hundred-dollar hotel dinners anywhere else. We have not been yet, but Singapore is one of the trips we keep returning to when planning Southeast Asia.

The Itinerary We Are Planning: Day One

The plan starts at Changi Airport, which is worth arriving early for — the Jewel Rain Vortex waterfall is free and by all accounts genuinely impressive, not a gimmick. We would grab EZ-Link transit cards for the MRT and head to a hotel near Clarke Quay.

Chinatown would be the first stop. The Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre has over 220 food stalls in one building. Hawker Chan, the Michelin-star hawker stall, is there alongside dozens of others. Total cost for two people eating well: around twelve Singapore dollars. In the evening, the free Garden Rhapsody light and music show at the Supertree Grove in Gardens by the Bay runs at 7:45 and 8:45 every night — no ticket needed.

Day Two: Gardens by the Bay and Little India

Gardens by the Bay is the number one item on our list. The Cloud Forest dome is the standout — a 35-meter indoor waterfall surrounded by tropical plants at elevation. The Flower Dome is meant to be beautiful but calmer. The combo ticket is 48 Singapore dollars per adult. Buy online in advance. Walk-up prices are higher and the line is longer.

We would skip paying for the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark observation deck at 35 dollars and instead walk across the Helix Bridge for the skyline view, which is free and reportedly better anyway. The afternoon would be Little India and Kampong Glam — Haji Lane for street art, vintage shops, and coffee, then Crawford Lane for Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, a Michelin-starred bowl of bak chor mee.

Book ahead: Gardens by the Bay combo tickets on Viator save a few dollars and skip the walk-up line. Night Safari tickets are also cheaper online and sell out.

Day Three: Botanic Gardens and the Night Safari

The Singapore Botanic Gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and free to enter. The National Orchid Garden inside costs five dollars. Morning is the right time — by noon the humidity becomes punishing. The locals do outdoor activities early or after 4pm and spend midday in malls or the Gardens domes.

The Night Safari is the trip highlight everyone mentions. It is a zoo experience conducted entirely after dark, with tram rides through habitats lit just enough to see the animals. Tickets are around 55 dollars and sell out well in advance.

What It Would Cost

Singapore has a reputation as expensive, and it can be. But hawker food keeps daily food costs surprisingly low. Based on current 2025-2026 prices:

• Food (hawker centres plus one restaurant dinner): 25-40 SGD/day
• Transport (MRT all day): 8 SGD
• Attractions (Gardens combo, Night Safari averaged over three days): 50 SGD/day
• Hotel (mid-range near Clarke Quay): 180-250 SGD/night

Total for three days, two people: roughly 1,600-2,000 SGD (about 1,200-1,500 USD), excluding flights.

Getting There

From JFK, Singapore Airlines runs a nonstop at around 18.5 hours. Emirates and Qatar fly with one stop in Dubai or Doha. The strong Chase/Amex transfer ratio to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer makes this a good points redemption — 115,000 KrisFlyer miles one way in business class, or 223,000 round trip.

Changi Airport to city center is a 30-minute MRT ride for under two dollars. Skip the taxi.

Practical Notes

• Carry tissues. At hawker centres, placing a packet on an empty table reserves it — this is called choping and it is a real local custom.
• Bring cash. Most places take cards, but some older hawker stalls are cash-only.
• March means 32C with 80% humidity by 10am. Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon.
• Chewing gum is illegal to import. Leave it home.
• Download SimplyGo or TransitLink for MRT navigation.

Gear We Are Packing

• Hydro Flask 32oz Water Bottle — essential in Singapore’s heat.
• Osprey Daylite Daypack — light enough for all-day walking in humidity.
• Anker 10000mAh Power Bank — phone dies fast using maps and transit apps all day.

Find Flights to Singapore

Book on Klook:

• Gardens by the Bay Ticket
• Universal Studios Singapore

Related Reading

For the broader Southeast Asia context that includes Singapore as a hub, see our Southeast Asia in March planning post.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, Klook.

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