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AsiaSingapore

2 Day Singapore Itinerary: The Perfect 48 Hours in Singapore

by Kelly Buckley November 12, 2026
by Kelly Buckley November 12, 2026
2

Updated August 2026 | By Kelly | Passport Nomads

48 hours. No wasted journeys. No unnecessary attractions. Just the Singapore experiences we’d prioritise if we had only two days.

Only have two days in Singapore? You can see an incredible amount in 48 hours — but only if you plan your days around Singapore’s neighbourhoods rather than zig-zagging across the city.

This 2-day Singapore itinerary covers the city’s major attractions, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, while allowing time for Singapore’s famous hawker food and evening light shows.

First-hand experience: We spent two days exploring Singapore in August 2026 and used our experience to create this itinerary. We’ve included the routes, attractions, food stops and practical lessons from our trip.

Table of Contents

    • What you’ll see in two days:
  • Is 2 days enough in Singapore?
  • Planning this itinerary?
  • Our 2-Day Singapore Itinerary
    • Day 1: Singapore’s Iconic Sights
    • 8:00 AM — Breakfast
    • 9:00 AM — Explore Bugis.
    • 11 AM — Singapore Botanic Gardens
    • 1:00 PM — Marina Bay Area / Lunch
    • 3:30 PM — Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck
    • 4:30 PM — Gardens by the Bay
    • 6:30 PM — Dinner
    • 7:45 PM — Garden Rhapsody
    • 8:00 or 9:00 PM — Spectra Light & Water Show
  • Day 2: Singapore’s Culture, Food & Neighbourhoods
    • 8:00 AM — Breakfast
    • 9:00 AM — Chinatown
    • 11AM – Merlion
    • 1 PM — Little India
    • 3 PM — Emerald Hill
    • 4:30 PM — Kampong Glam
    • 6:30 PM — Dinner
    • 8 PM: Choose Your Evening
  • Singapore 2-Day Itinerary Map
  • Is 2 Days Enough in Singapore?
    • What you can see in 2 days
    • What I’d leave for a longer trip
  • What to Book Before Your Singapore Trip
  • Where to Stay for a 2-Day Singapore Trip
    • Where We Stayed in Singapore
  • How to Get Around Singapore in 2 Days
  • How Much Does 2 Days in Singapore Cost?
    • How much money do you need for 2 days in Singapore?
  • What to Book vs What You Can Do for Free
  • How to Save Time on a 2-Day Singapore Trip
    • Tip 1 — Stay centrally
    • Tip 2 — Use MRT
    • Tip 3 — Group attractions geographically
    • Tip 4 — Start early
    • Tip 5 — Don’t visit every paid attraction
    • Tip 6 — Eat at hawker centres
    • Tip 7 — Avoid crossing the city for one restaurant
    • Tip 8 — Pre-book only the attractions that need it
  • What to Skip If You Only Have 2 Days
    • Sentosa
    • 8:00 AM — Breakfast
    • 9:00 AM — Travel to Sentosa
    • 10:00 AM — Choose your main Sentosa attraction
    • 1:00 PM — Lunch
    • 2:00 PM — Explore Sentosa
    • 4:30 PM — Beach time / Sentosa photos
    • 5:30 PM — Return towards Singapore
    • The trade-off
  • Alternative 2-Day Singapore Itineraries
    • 2 Days in Singapore for Foodies
    • 2 Days in Singapore on a Budget
    • 2 Days in Singapore for Couples
    • 2 Days in Singapore with Kids
    • 2 Days in Singapore for First-Time Visitors
    • 2 Days in Singapore as a Stopover
  • Singapore Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
    • Is Singapore safe for tourists?
    • Is Singapore expensive?
    • Can you drink tap water?
    • Do you tip?
    • What currency does Singapore use?
    • Do you need cash in Singapore?
    • How hot is it in Singapore?
    • What should you wear?
    • Is English widely spoken?
    • What rules should tourists know?
  • Singapore Packing List for 2 Days
    • What to Pack for Singapore
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Is 2 days enough in Singapore?
    • What is the best 2 day itinerary for Singapore?
    • How much does 2 days in Singapore cost?
    • Where should I stay in Singapore for 2 days?
    • Can you see Singapore without a car?
    • What should I not miss in Singapore?
    • Is Singapore good for a weekend trip?
    • Should I visit Sentosa if I only have two days?
    • What food should I try in Singapore?
    • What should I book in advance?
  • Our Verdict: Is 2 Days in Singapore Enough?
    • Continue Planning Your Trip
    • Check out our Singapore Travel Guides

What you’ll see in two days:

TimeDay 1Day 2
MorningBugis, Fort Canning & Botanic GardensChinatown & Merlion
AfternoonMarina Bay & Gardens by the BayLittle India, Emerald Hill & Kampong Glam
EveningGarden Rhapsody & SpectraDinner & Singapore River

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

street art in kampong glam
river views singapore
old police station in singapore

Is 2 days enough in Singapore?

Yes — 2 days in Singapore is perfect for the major highlights, but you’ll need an efficient itinerary, such as the one we have created. Planning a longer trip? See our complete Singapore Travel Guide.

TimeDay 1Day 2
8:00BreakfastBreakfast
9:00Bugis / National MuseumChinatown
10:00Fort CanningChinatown
11:00Singapore Botanic GardensMerlion Park
12:30Raffles/Marina Bay Sands/Singapore Flyer/Lunch Little India/Lunch/Emerald Hill
16:30Marina Bay SandsKampong Glam, Sultan Mosque & Haji Lane
17:00Gardens By The Bay Boat Quay / River Cruise
18:30DinnerDinner Marina Singapore
19:45Gardens light show followed by Spectra Light ShowClarke Quay/alternative

Planning this itinerary?

🏨 Find a Singapore hotel
🎟️ Book Singapore attractions
📱 Get an eSIM
🚕 Arrange airport transfer

Our 2-Day Singapore Itinerary

Day 1: Singapore’s Iconic Sights

8:00 AM — Breakfast

Either at your hotel or start the day with the official breakfast of Singapore, kaya toast. This is widely available across the city, to get a little saving check out this deal – a kaya toast set (kaya toast, 2 eggs and coffee/tea) at Toast Box which saves you about 15% off in store pricing, just show your E-voucher in store when ordering.

mike eating kaya toast Singapore
kaya toast singapore

9:00 AM — Explore Bugis.

Take a stroll around the Bugis street art street or walk 800m and take in the Singapore National Museum, and Fort Canning. Fort Canning has some museums including the Battlebox, a Military & historical museum inside a World War II–era British underground command center. You can also see the instagram-famous Fort Canning Tree Tunnel which is far smaller than expected. The gardens are quite large and locals love sitting out in the park to have a picnic.

Singapore Bugis street art
Singapore Bugis street art
Singapore Bugis street art

11 AM — Singapore Botanic Gardens

Jump on an MRT and head out to Singapore Botanic Gardens — free entry. The Singapore Botanic Gardens are free to enter and are one of the best places to add some greenery to a short Singapore itinerary. The National Orchid Garden is a separate paid attraction. You can easily spend 1-1.5 hours here, longer if you want to see the orchids. Walk through the park and choose your favourite gardens to visit. We loved the rainforest, the lakes and the stunning National Orchid Garden is absolutely worth it → check National Orchid Garden entry tickets. You will see locals sitting in the grassy areas having picnics and enjoying the walking paths. There is a gift shop here too which stocks the famous RISIS Orchid Jewellery which I love!

Singapore botanic gardens
Orchid garden at Singapore botanic gardens
views at Singapore botanic gardens

1:00 PM — Marina Bay Area / Lunch

Walk through the area and check out the big things to see here. Depending on how much walking you want to do you can either wander this route or take Grab, MRT or buses. Raffles → Singapore Flyer → Helix Bridge → ArtScience Museum → Marina Bay Sands. Grab some lunch along the way there are hawker stalls at the flyer or restaurants at the Marina Bay Sands Boardwalk area and at the top of the Marina Bay Sands Towers.

Raffles is one of the world’s most recognised hotels. If you aren’t staying here you can visit for one of their famous Singapore sling cocktails in the Long Bar where it was created or a very beautiful high tea.

Singapore Flyer is a huge observation wheel, offering magnificent views of the city and Marina Bay. Book a basic entry ticket or combo drinks package.

The ArtScience Museum is really interesting. It is shaped like a lotus flower and the museum also houses the teamLab experience → Check ArtScience entry tickets.

the Singapore flyer
river boat cruise on Singapore waterfront
Singapore street

3:30 PM — Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck

Visit the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck and take in views of the city → check Observation Deck entry tickets. You can grab a drink from the restaurants at the top to sit and admire the view.

4:30 PM — Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is a must visit and it is actually so much bigger than you expect. This is where you will find the Supertrees and their free light show. There is also a Cloud Forest, Garden Dome, Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes and art like the Perpetual Blooms, Planet, Floral Clock and Happy Life sculptures.

You can get there from Marina Bay Sands by walking 1.5km, MRT or Grab. Some of the attractions are paid such as the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, while we didn’t have time to see them they have rave reviews. If you are short on time, just take in the free gardens and sculptures but if you have the time then I would try to check out at least one of the paid conservatories → Gardens by the Bay tickets.

The entrance to the skyway at the supertrees in Singpaore
the famous baby scultpure in gardens by the bay
gardens by the bay in Singapore

6:30 PM — Dinner

We grabbed dinner from the food hall at Gardens by the Bay, it is called the Jurassic Nest and has a dinosaur theme inside. There are surprisingly great options here, Mike got a laksa from the stall of the man who got the first hawker stall Michelin star in Singapore. Sunset is around 6:50pm year-round so it is the perfect time to eat and get ready for the light show.

laksa in singapore
mike eating laksa in singapore

7:45 PM — Garden Rhapsody

Garden Rhapsody is a free light-and-music show beneath the Supertrees. Shows currently run at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, but check the official schedule when planning your visit as show times and programmes can change.

grassy area to sit and watch the light show

We sat on the grass out front of the Jurassic Nest Food Hall and it was a great spot. There is another area just next to here that has seating around the bases of gardens and is popular also. These areas do fill up though so be there early to find your spot, each show runs for 15 minutes. The super trees light up and flash to the music, it is a really fun experience. Just after that we also watched the new Borealis show which projects a Northern Lights atmosphere, it is pretty cool to see as well.

gardens by the bay free light show in Singapore

8:00 or 9:00 PM — Spectra Light & Water Show

Spectra is a free 15-minute light and water show at Marina Bay Sands’ Event Plaza. It currently runs at 8pm and 9pm from Sunday to Thursday, with an additional 10pm show on Fridays and Saturdays. Check the official schedule before your visit.

Day 2: Singapore’s Culture, Food & Neighbourhoods

8:00 AM — Breakfast

Either have breakfast at your hotel or head straight to the MRT and get on a train heading to Maxwell Station. From here walk to Maxwell Hawker Centre and find some Kaya toast, porridge or noodles and kopi for breakfast.

9:00 AM — Chinatown

Maxwell Hawker Centre is in Chinatown, so start off the day checking out the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple the Chinatown Street Market as well as the Chinatown Heritage Centre → check entry tickets. While you are in this area walk or take the MRT to Merlion Park depending on your preference.

11AM – Merlion

Use Grab or the MRT to head to the Merlion Park, approximately 1.6km away. This is one of the most famous spots in Singapore. You will see the skyline that Singapore is so known for. You can take pictures with the Merlion statue, check out the views or get on a bumboat and do a river cruise.

When you are finished use Grab or public transport to go to Little India.

merlion statue on the waterfront at singapore

1 PM — Little India

The second neighbourhood we are exploring to discover the culture of Singapore. Little India has the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and the Former House of Tan Teng Niah and both are worth visiting. Walk the streets taking in the flowers, small shrines and incense burning.

The Tekka Centre is another famous food centre in Singapore, check it out to see if there is something for lunch here. Head back to the MRT and go to Dhoby Ghaut station.

street art in little india singapore
flower shops in little india
Little India Singapore

3 PM — Emerald Hill

Jump off at Dhoby Ghaut station and walk up Orchid Road. Check out the big name brand stores on this elite shopping street. Head toward the @313 Somerset and cross the road to Emerald Hill Road. This is one of my favourite spots in Singapore. A beautiful street of old Chinese shop houses that have been turned into homes. Walk the street and then head to the bus stop called Opp Somerset Station and get on bus 14 or 16, get off at the Opp Nicoll Highway Stn bus stop or get a Grab to Kampong Glam.

emerald hill street details in singapore
emerald hill singapore
emerald hill street details in singapore

4:30 PM — Kampong Glam

This area is a favourite in Singapore, it blends rich Malay-Muslim heritage and is centred on Arab Street. You will want to check out Sultan Mosque, Singapore’s largest built in the 1920s. There is the Malay Heritage Centre (check entry ticket) and the streets around are full of colourful shop houses with restaurants, souvenir stores and cafes. Don’t miss Haji Lane which has great street art and cool cafes. There are also loads of happy hour bars for a drink and unique boutique stores to shop at.

street art in kampong glam singapore
streets kampong glam singapore
street art in kampong glam singapore

6:30 PM — Dinner

Decide if you want a hawker style or restaurant experience and check out these options:

Hawker Centre:

If you want to visit the hawker centre from the movie Crazy Rich Asians, head out to Newton Food Centre, it gets going around 6pm and has lots of options!

Go with a local guide and eat at all the best places in Singapore check pricing and availability here.

Restaurants:

165 Sky Dining by Singapore Flyer for the ultimate special occasion dinner in Singapore.

TungLok Seafood try seafood delicacies such as the chilli crab at TungLok Seafood, a culinary institution for seafood enthusiasts.

NOVA at Raffles Place dine at the highest rooftop bar in the city!

NOX – Dine in the Dark a culinary journey through taste, smell, touch and sound, in total darkness.

8 PM: Choose Your Evening

If you are looking for something to do in the evening these are the top options:

Option A: Singapore River Cruise
Option B: Clarke Quay Drinks
Option C: Marina Bay at night

the singapore flyer is a great night time activitiy
fireworks in singapore

Singapore 2-Day Itinerary Map

Day 1

  • Gardens by the Bay
  • Marina Bay Sands
  • Merlion
  • Esplanade
  • Helix Bridge
  • dinner
  • Garden Rhapsody

Day 2

  • Chinatown
  • Maxwell
  • Little India
  • Tekka
  • Kampong Glam
  • Sultan Mosque
  • Haji Lane

Is 2 Days Enough in Singapore?

Yes — two full days are enough to see Singapore’s major highlights, particularly if this is your first visit.

What you can see in 2 days

You can see a lot in 2 days in Singapore, these are some of the top picks:

  • Marina Bay
  • Gardens by the Bay
  • Merlion
  • Chinatown
  • Little India
  • Kampong Glam
  • hawker centres
  • major skyline sights
  • selected museums/attractions
  • dining experiences

What I’d leave for a longer trip

  • Sentosa in-depth
  • Universal Studios
  • Singapore Zoo
  • Pulau Ubin
  • extensive shopping
  • day trips

What to Book Before Your Singapore Trip

🏨 Hotel
Best area: Bugis/Kampong Glam for first-time visitors → Compare Singapore hotels
🎟️ Attractions
Book popular paid attractions ahead where necessary → Compare Singapore attraction tickets
📱 eSIM
→ Compare Singapore eSIMs
🚕 Airport transfer
→ Book Changi airport transfer
🍜 Food tour
→ Compare Singapore food tours
🛥️ River cruise
→ Check Singapore river cruise availability

Where to Stay for a 2-Day Singapore Trip

Where you stay can make a big difference when you only have two days in Singapore. We recommend choosing a neighbourhood with easy MRT access so you spend less time travelling between attractions.

These are hotels in neighbourhoods that work particularly well for a short Singapore trip. We stayed in Bugis and found it a convenient base for exploring the city.

Best places to stay in SingaporeBest forPriceTransportOur VerdictRecommended Hotel
Changi AirportTransiting Passengers$$Located Inside Airport⭐⭐⭐Changi Transit Hotel Terminal 1
Bugis / Kampong GlamFirst Timers$$Excellent⭐⭐⭐Mercure Singapore Bugis
ChinatownFood/culture$$Excellent⭐⭐Dorsett Singapore
Marina BayLuxury$$$$Excellent⭐⭐⭐QT Singapore
OrchardShopping$$$Excellent⭐⭐Pan Pacific Orchard
Little IndiaBudget$Excellent⭐ibis budget Singapore Selegie
Clarke QuayNightlife$$$Excellent⭐⭐Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay by IHG
SentosaResorts$$$$Good⭐⭐⭐W Singapore – Sentosa Cove

Where We Stayed in Singapore

We stayed at the Ibis Budget Bugis Hotel, as we were looking for a budget/midrange option that would be a good central base. We were not planning on spending many hours in our room, really using it only to sleep as we would be exploring all day. Our prerequisites were clean, reputable, good reviews and in a central, walkable location. On our next trip we would stay at the Mercure Singapore Bugis, same great location but a nicer space.

Who we’d recommend it to: budget travellers who are not planning to spend much time in the room as it was quite small. Anyone who wants an excellent central location, 24-hour front desk and affordable rates.

Who shouldn’t book it: anyone looking for a spacious room, luxury facilities, breakfast or a hotel where they plan to spend a lot of time. Our list above has some of the best options for this.

→ Check Singapore hotel prices

How to Get Around Singapore in 2 Days

Singapore is an easy city to get around, it really makes 2 days here a breeze. The three main options are walking, using public transport such as the MRT and buses or rideshare such as Grab. Our Singapore Travel Guide has all our detailed information about transport in Singapore. It is really easy to navigate and everywhere is really well connected.

How Much Does 2 Days in Singapore Cost?

ExpenseMid-range Per Person SGD
Hotel$180-$250
Breakfast$20
Lunch$20 – $150
Dinner$20 – $150
Transport$10
Attractions$10-$250
Miscellaneous (drinks, snacks, souvenirs)$50
Total$220 – $755

How much money do you need for 2 days in Singapore?

We spent about $170SGD per person per day (not including accommodation). A lot of the attractions we saw were free and we walked most places. You can definitely spend more and take more transport and eat in lovely restaurants or do some more paid attractions, it really depends on what style of travel you want.

What to Book vs What You Can Do for Free

ExperienceFree?Worth paying for?
Merlion ParkYesNo
Gardens by the Bay outdoor areasYesNo
Garden RhapsodyYesNo
Cloud ForestNoYes
Flower DomeNoOptional
Marina Bay walkYesNo
Singapore River CruiseNoYes
Marina Bay Sands SkyParkNoYes

How to Save Time on a 2-Day Singapore Trip

Tip 1 — Stay centrally

Staying in a central neighbourhood like Bugis really helps to be able to get around easily and quickly.

Tip 2 — Use MRT

The MRT is faster than walking and really affordable, especially with the Tourist Pass. This saves time and money.

Tip 3 — Group attractions geographically

By using our itinerary and grouping attractions by their location you don’t waste time backtracking.

Tip 4 — Start early

We start exploring early to use a cooler part of the day and to give ourselves more time to get around. Even getting out an hour earlier can make all the difference.

Tip 5 — Don’t visit every paid attraction

You can’t fit every paid attraction into your 2 days as there are too many and you need to spend a few hours at each. Choose your favourites and prioritise them.

Tip 6 — Eat at hawker centres

Eating at hawker centres is faster than restaurants as it is more casual. Order and pay for your food and then eat when it is ready, the cooking styles are usually fast too.

Tip 7 — Avoid crossing the city for one restaurant

Find the places you want to eat close to the attractions you are visiting so you don’t have to spend time travelling across town to eat then return to sightsee.

Tip 8 — Pre-book only the attractions that need it

By pre-booking attractions that sell out you save time organising this while you are trying to sightsee. It is much easier to have this all organised.

singapore buildings
water views singapore
colourful buildings in singapore

What to Skip If You Only Have 2 Days

With 2 days you don’t have time for everything and will have to decide what to skip and what to prioritise. We tend to look for a mix of culture, landscapes, food and interesting experiences when we travel, so we’ve based this itinerary around the places we most wanted to experience in Singapore.

That means we didn’t include Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Zoo or the Singapore Oceanarium in our two-day itinerary. They’re all worthwhile, but each can take a significant part of your day, and we didn’t want to spend most of our short visit inside a single attraction.

If one of these is high on your Singapore bucket list, however, you can absolutely adapt the itinerary.

Sentosa

If Sentosa is one of your priorities, I would replace Day 2 with a Sentosa day rather than trying to squeeze the island into this itinerary.

Sentosa is much more than a single attraction, with beaches, attractions, restaurants and activities spread across the island. You can enter Sentosa via the Sentosa Boardwalk without paying an admission fee, although individual attractions and some transport options cost extra. The Sentosa Express from VivoCity is another option. Once on the island, the Sentosa Express and other island transport options make getting around easier. I’d plan your day like this:

8:00 AM — Breakfast

Have breakfast near your hotel before heading to Sentosa. Starting early gives you more time on the island.

9:00 AM — Travel to Sentosa

Take the MRT to HarbourFront, then make your way through VivoCity to Sentosa.

For a more scenic arrival, you could also take the Singapore Cable Car from Mount Faber. The cable car currently operates daily from 8:45 AM to 10 PM.

10:00 AM — Choose your main Sentosa attraction

This is where I’d make a decision rather than trying to do everything. Choose one major paid attraction or experience that interests you most:

  • Universal Studios Singapore
  • Singapore Oceanarium
  • Skyline Luge
  • Adventure Cove Waterpark
  • Singapore Cable Car
  • SkyHelix
  • another Sentosa experience

Sentosa currently has a large range of attractions and experiences, so trying to fit several major attractions into one day can quickly make the day feel rushed.

1:00 PM — Lunch

Have lunch on Sentosa rather than leaving the island and losing time travelling.

2:00 PM — Explore Sentosa

Spend the afternoon exploring the parts of Sentosa that appeal to you. You could visit the beaches, walk around the island, enjoy another smaller attraction or simply slow down.

4:30 PM — Beach time / Sentosa photos

Head towards Palawan Beach or Siloso Beach for some time by the water.

5:30 PM — Return towards Singapore

Make your way back towards the city and have dinner back in Singapore or stay on Sentosa if you’d prefer a relaxed evening.

The trade-off

If you choose Sentosa, I would remove Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam from this itinerary rather than trying to squeeze them in as well.

That’s because those neighbourhoods are a big part of what makes Singapore interesting to us, and trying to combine a full Sentosa day with all three would turn Day 2 into a race between attractions.

Our choice: We preferred exploring Singapore’s neighbourhoods, food and cultural sights during our two days. But if Universal Studios, the Oceanarium, beaches or Sentosa’s attractions are a priority for you, make the swap — don’t try to do both.

Planning this itinerary?

🏨 Find a Singapore hotel
🎟️ Book Singapore attractions
📱 Get an eSIM
🚕 Arrange airport transfer

Alternative 2-Day Singapore Itineraries

There are lots of other itineraries that are possible for Singapore, change up a day with something you prefer, some options are:

2 Days in Singapore for Foodies

Include a food tour, some really nice or unique food experiences. Eat at the hawker centres and really enjoy the flavours of Singapore. These are the food tours I would look at: Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals, Singapore Stories Food Tour with 12+ Tastings and Guided Street Food Tour at Night with 9 tastings. The Singapore Flyer offers a really unique dining experience and there are lots of Michelin rated restaurants and hawker stalls around the city, including Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, Crawford Lane, you can see them all on Michelin Singapore. If you want to eat like the cast on Crazy Rich Asians then head out to Newton Hawker Centre which was featured in the movie!

2 Days in Singapore on a Budget

If you are a budget traveller you can find hostel accommodation, eat at hawker centres, walk and use public transport, fill your water bottle from taps and see all the many free attractions! For accommodation there are a lot of the pod style dorms which start around $70 SGD but some of the other accommodation is further out of the main city area. As the public transport and MRT trains are really good it would be possible to still get around the city from further out without too much hassle.

2 Days in Singapore for Couples

Singapore has a lot of romantic things to do, take a boat cruise, a fancy dinner in the Singapore Flyer or at a rooftop restaurant, visit cool bars like Atlas and wander beautiful gardens like the National Orchid Garden. The city is so pretty that you can easily spend you time enjoying the views.

2 Days in Singapore with Kids

Kids will love Singapore, fill the days with Universal Studios, Sentosa and the Oceanarium, the Gardens by the Bay Super Trees and Cloud Forest. Families will have no problem having an engaging and exciting vacation here.

2 Days in Singapore for First-Time Visitors

For your first time in Singapore do what we did and soak up the many unique neighbourhoods that make this city special. Check out the cuisine and stunning gardens as well as some of the major attractions.

2 Days in Singapore as a Stopover

Singapore makes a great stopover. You will definitely not be bored here and it is located quite centrally in Asia that it makes a perfect place to visit. If you only have a few hours in transit take a free city tour from Changi Airport or if you have a day or two follow our itineraries to fit in as much as possible.

Singapore Bugis street art
sculptures orchard road singapore
views at marina bay singapore

Singapore Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Is Singapore safe for tourists?

Singapore is very safe for tourists, following local rules and laws is important here.

Is Singapore expensive?

Singapore can be expensive if you want it to be a luxurious trip. You can also travel on a budget with your biggest expense being your accommodation.

Can you drink tap water?

Yes, the tap water is safe to drink although we always use a LifeStraw Go filter bottle.

Do you tip?

Tipping isn’t generally expected in Singapore. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill, so an additional tip is not normally necessary.

What currency does Singapore use?

Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar, SGD.

Do you need cash in Singapore?

You don’t need to carry much cash in Singapore. We used a small amount of cash at a hawker centre, but otherwise could pay by card. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although it’s still useful to keep a small amount of Singapore dollars for smaller vendors and situations where cards aren’t accepted.

How hot is it in Singapore?

Singapore is hot and humid year-round. Daytime temperatures are typically around 30–32°C, with warm nights and high humidity.

What should you wear?

Wear clothing that is breathable and lightweight. The weather can get quite hot and sticky, so we usually stick to cotton or linens. Women can wear singlets, shorts and t-shirts in Singapore, you may be asked to cover knees and shoulders at a mosque but usually there are gowns provided.

Is English widely spoken?

Yes, Singapore has 4 main languages, English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. English is widely spoken.

What rules should tourists know?

Singapore has a number of rules that visitors should be aware of, including restrictions on littering, smoking in designated areas, vaping and eating or drinking on public transport. Some offences can carry significant penalties, so it’s worth following local signs and regulations rather than assuming something that is acceptable at home is permitted in Singapore.

boat quay restaurants in singapore
Chinese building in Singapore

Singapore Packing List for 2 Days

What to Pack for Singapore

These items help to make Singapore’s hot and humid climate a little more comfortable. We usually pack them for any destination of a similar temperature.

  • breathable clothing
  • comfortable walking shoes
  • umbrella
  • sunscreen
  • reusable bottle
  • personal charger & fan
  • light rain jacket

Check out our full Passport Nomads Singapore packing list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2 days enough in Singapore?

In 2 days you can get a taste of Singapore, see the unique neighbourhoods and some main attractions. If you want to see the big attractions like Sentosa or Universal Studios you may need to prioritise them or add a day.

What is the best 2 day itinerary for Singapore?

Our 2-day Singapore itinerary focuses on Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, combining Singapore’s major sights with its neighbourhoods and hawker culture.

How much does 2 days in Singapore cost?

2 days in Singapore can cost approximately $170 SGD per person/day without including accommodation.

Where should I stay in Singapore for 2 days?

We chose to stay in Bugis and it was an excellent central location which made getting around the city easy.

Can you see Singapore without a car?

Definitely! The city is walkable in the centre and the public transport is excellent, the only time we needed a Grab rideshare was to get to and from the airport because our flight times were outside of MRT hours.

What should I not miss in Singapore?

I think the Singapore Botanic Gardens and its National Orchid Garden is a must-see and so is the Gardens by the Bay and its light show. Of course walking the famous waterfront at Merlion Park and eating in hawker centres.

Is Singapore good for a weekend trip?

Singapore would make an excellent weekend trip, you can see a lot in just a couple of days.

Should I visit Sentosa if I only have two days?

If Sentosa is something you really want to see then I would fit it into your trip, I have listed a possible Sentosa day in our alternate itineraries above.

What food should I try in Singapore?

Make sure to try some of the famous foods in Singapore like laksa, kaya toast, chicken rice and chilli crab.

What should I book in advance?

I would book tickets to major attractions such as the Universal Studios, Sentosa, Singapore Zoo and Teamlabs experiences. Honestly the more you can book in advance the smoother your trip can be as it is already more organised.

Our Verdict: Is 2 Days in Singapore Enough?

Two days isn’t enough to see everything Singapore has to offer, but it’s enough to experience many of the city’s biggest highlights. We loved visiting the different neighbourhoods trying Singapore’s food, walking through the gardens and taking in the famous skyline around Marina Bay.

On our next visit we would definitely try to fit in more snacks and time to try more of the unique Singapore foods that add so much to the city’s culture. If we had an extra day I would add a trip to Sentosa to see everything there.

Continue Planning Your Trip

🏨 Find a Singapore hotel
🎟️ Book Singapore attractions
📱 Get an eSIM
🚕 Arrange airport transfer

Check out our Singapore Travel Guides

→ Changi Transit Hotel Terminal 1 Singapore Review: Is This the Best Changi Airport Transit Hotel?
→ Singapore Travel Guide
→ 2-Day Singapore Itinerary
→ 16 hours in Singapore Airport
→ Plaza Premium Lounge Changi Airport, Singapore

Want to see it all in action? Watch our Singapore content on YouTube (subscribe to our channel to stay up to date with our travel guides) and follow along on Instagram @passport_nomads and @kelly___buckley for real-time travel tips, guides, and behind-the-scenes moments.

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cute street art in Tiong Bahru, singapore
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Kelly Buckley

Kelly Buckley is an Australian travel writer, photographer and co-founder of Passport Nomads. She is the primary writer behind many of the website's firsthand destination guides, travel itineraries, accommodation reviews and practical travel advice. Having discovered her love of travel through six months exploring Southeast Asia with her partner Mike, Kelly has continued travelling the world and documenting the destinations, cultures and experiences they encounter. With a background in education and a passion for photography, Kelly enjoys researching destinations and sharing detailed, experience-based travel advice to help independent travellers plan their own adventures.

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About Us

Passport Nomads

We love to travel and uncover hidden gems. All types of travel inspires us from adventure, luxury, off the beaten track backpacking trips and all those popular places. We are midrange travellers and share how you can visit amazing places, when to splurge and when to save! When we aren't travelling we are at home on the Gold Coast, Australia.

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