Singapore in one day: an easy plan from local guides
One day is enough to see the best of Singapore if you plan around the heat: walk in the cooler morning and evening, stay indoors or rest in the hottest hours, and end with the free light shows at Marina Bay. Here is the plan our guides give to first-time visitors.
The plan at a glance
| Time | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 8.30 to 10.30 am | Merlion Park and the Marina Bay waterfront | Cool morning light for photos of the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands |
| 10.30 am to 12.30 pm | Chinatown | The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple and the old shophouse streets |
| 12.30 to 1.30 pm | Maxwell Food Centre | Lunch: Hainanese chicken rice and other hawker dishes |
| 2 to 4 pm | Little India and Kampong Glam | Spice shops, temples, the Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane |
| 4 to 6 pm | Your hotel or Orchard Road | Rest and cool down in the hottest hours |
| 6 to 7.45 pm | Gardens by the Bay | The Supertrees at sunset and, with a ticket, the Cloud Forest |
| 7.45 to 9.15 pm | Supertree Grove, then Marina Bay Sands | Garden Rhapsody at 7.45 pm, then Spectra at the Event Plaza at 9 pm |
| After 9.30 pm | Lau Pa Sat | Supper at Satay Street, open until 3 am |
- Half-Day Private City Tour by Car: Singapore’s must-sees in four easy hours: hotel pickup, a licensed guide who drives, and no waiting for buses in the heat. (4 hours, S$288 per group of up to 4 guests, private car included)
- Hawker Food Trail: Maxwell to Lau Pa Sat: Eat your way through Singapore’s UNESCO-listed hawker culture with a local foodie. (3 hours, from S$103 per adult, S$72 per child)
- Marina Bay & Gardens Night Tour: City lights, the Merlion and the evening light show in the Gardens. (3 h 30 min, from S$65 per adult, S$45 per child)
By car or by MRT?
The MRT is clean, cheap and easy: tap a contactless bank card at the gates. But the sights are spread out and the heat is tiring, so many visitors take a private car tour for the morning. A licensed driver-guide picks you up at your hotel, covers Marina Bay, Chinatown and Little India in about 4 hours, and you keep the evening free.
- Private Singapore Highlights with Driver-Guide: Hotel pickup in a private car with a licensed guide who drives — perfect for families. (6 hours, S$428 per group of up to 6 guests, private car included)
- Full-Day Round-Island Tour by Car: One day, the whole island: city icons, the Peranakan houses of Katong, East Coast, Changi Village and Gardens by the Bay — by private car. (8 hours, S$528 per group of up to 4 guests, private car included)
If it rains
- Showers are usually short and heavy, often in the afternoon. Carry a small umbrella and wait it out under a covered walkway.
- Indoor options: the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, the National Museum of Singapore, the ArtScience Museum and the shopping malls of Orchard Road.
- The evening light shows may be cancelled in heavy rain or lightning.
Here for only a few hours?
On a layover, see our Singapore layover guide and our Changi Airport to the city guide. Arriving by cruise ship? A private shore excursion picks you up at the cruise terminal and brings you back before all-aboard time.
- Cruise Shore Excursion: Singapore Highlights by Private Car: Made for cruise guests: your licensed driver-guide meets you at the cruise terminal, shows you Singapore’s highlights and brings you back in good time for your ship. (4 hours, S$368 per group of up to 4 guests, private car included)
- Changi Layover Tour by Private Car: A long wait between flights? Your driver-guide meets you at arrivals, shows you Singapore and brings you back to Changi in good time. (4 hours, S$358 per group of up to 4 guests, private car included)
Tip: Temples and mosques ask you to cover your shoulders and knees. Carry a light scarf, or wear long trousers or a long skirt.
Frequently asked questions
Is one day enough for Singapore?
One day is enough for the highlights: Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India, a hawker meal, Gardens by the Bay and the evening light shows. With more time, follow our 3-day plan in this travel guide.
What is the best order to see Singapore in one day?
Marina Bay in the morning, Chinatown and lunch at a hawker centre, Little India and Kampong Glam in the afternoon, a rest in the hottest hours, then Gardens by the Bay and the free light shows in the evening.
Can I see both light shows in one evening?
Yes. Watch Garden Rhapsody at the Supertrees at 7.45 pm, then walk about 15 minutes to the Event Plaza in front of Marina Bay Sands for Spectra at 9 pm.