Singapore in a Day: What to See, Eat, and Skip on a Short Visit

You could easily spend a week or more exploring Singapore without getting bored, but it’s also a very expensive destination. Fortunately, you can experience the magic of this city-state in one full day without breaking the bank.

If you are visiting on a layover or a short stop after crossing the border from Malaysia, you just need a plan that balances the high-cost attractions with the renowned local food scene.

We recently found ourselves with just twenty-four hours to explore after a bus delay cut into our schedule. By focusing on walkable neighborhoods and using a few points strategies, we managed to see the best of the city without feeling rushed or over budget. Here’s everything we did, how much we paid, and a few tips to make the most of a brief adventure in Singapore.

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Managing the Arrival From Malaysia

If you are coming into Singapore from Malaysia, you will likely take a bus. It’s way cheaper and more comfortable than hiring private transport or flying. We used 707 Inc., which we conveniently picked up at Malacca’s transit center for less than $40 for a couple.

The seats were very comfortable and spacious, which made the journey easier. However, traffic at the border and immigration wait times are notoriously unpredictable. We learned quickly that you should keep your arrival night flexible. Don’t book a non-refundable night tour or a high-end dinner reservation for the evening you arrive.

We recommend heading straight to a hawker center for your first meal. It removes the stress of a ticking clock and introduces you to the local culture immediately. You’ll get to experience Singapore at its best without worrying about a rigid schedule.

Dinner at Lau Pa Sat

Lau Pa Sat is one of the most renowned hawker centers in the city, located right in the middle of the Financial District. It’s housed in a beautiful Victorian-era building surrounded by skyscrapers – which is a cool contrast that feels very Singapore.

When you arrive, head straight for the stalls serving Hainanese chicken rice. It might sound like a simple dish, but the poached chicken and seasoned rice are a staple for a reason. Pair it with a large Tiger beer, find a seat among fellow travelers, and soak in the vibe.

For two large beers and two full meals, we paid $32. If you are there after 7:00 pm, they close down the adjacent street to set up Satay Street, where the charcoal grills and street food add a special experience.

Exploring the Gardens by the Bay at Night

After dinner, take a Grab toward the waterfront to see the Gardens by the Bay. While the conservatories have entry fees, the outdoor gardens and the Supertree Grove are free to enter.

Seeing the Supertrees light up at night is a far better experience than visiting during the heat of the day.

The scale of these structures is impressive, and the atmosphere is surprisingly quiet despite being a major tourist attraction. We spent about an hour wandering around and taking in the views.

A Nightcap at Clarke Quay

Before heading back to our hotel, we decided to walk through Clarke Quay, which is a lively spot on a Friday night. This area is the center of Singapore’s nightlife, filled with restored warehouses that now house bars and restaurants. It is an expensive area – we spent $50 on a round of cocktails – but the energy is worth experiencing at least once.

If you are tired from a day of travel, you might find the noise level a bit high, but it’s a perfect spot for people-watching. We were too exhausted to stay long, but it provided a nice contrast to the quiet of the gardens.

Dining at Spago for Less

One of the highlights of any Singapore trip is seeing the Marina Bay Sands, both the view of the landmark and the view from the top. Most people pay about $30 USD just to go to the observation deck. We chose a different route. We booked a lunch at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, which is located on the 57th floor of the hotel.

The Points Strategy

The total for our bougie lunch was $200. Because Spago is located inside the Marina Bay Sands, the charge appeared on our credit card statement as a hotel expense. This allowed us to use the Capital One “Purchase Eraser” feature to pay for the meal using miles. By using our stash of points, we effectively ate a world-class meal for free – and enjoyed the stunning views.

The Experience

You are only required to spend about $25 USD (30 SGD) per person to dine at Spago. If you want the experience without a massive bill, this is the way to do it.

While the famous infinity pool is strictly for hotel guests – and the staff are very serious about enforcing this rule – you still get the vibe of the restaurant and can peek out to see the open views of the city.

The food and ambiance were both fantastic, as was the service. We highly recommend this experience in the Spago bar and lounge area. It felt much more relaxed and luxe than heading up to the observation deck with the crowds.

Walking the City vs. The MRT

Singapore is a very walkable city, and the infrastructure is designed for pedestrians. We walked from Marina Bay Sands all the way to Clarke Quay and enjoyed the views (like the Merlion) along the way. However, you should be mindful of the weather.

We were lucky with unusually pleasant conditions, but Singapore is typically incredibly hot and humid. If the weather is stifling, don’t hesitate to use the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). It is clean, efficient, and one of the best public transit systems in the world. You can tap in and out using your contactless credit card, so there is no need to navigate a ticket machine.

The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome

If you have a full afternoon, it is worth paying the $70 for the combined ticket to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. But we would skip this if you’re short on time. The real magic is seeing the Supertrees at night.

• The Cloud Forest features a massive indoor waterfall and had a Jurassic Park exhibit during our visit, which is great if you’re traveling with kids (or you’re a kid at heart).
• The Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world and features plants from Mediterranean and semi-arid regions.

Pro Tip: Timing

Go mid-afternoon to escape the heat of the sun, as both domes are climate-controlled and very cool. You can pre-purchase a timed entry in busy season, but we just walked in and got them on the spot without a problem.

Ending the Day at Changi Airport

Even if you aren’t flying out immediately, Changi Airport is a destination on its own. We had a night flight and headed there early to explore the Jewel. This is a massive retail and entertainment complex connected to the terminals. But it’s located outside of security, so you’ll have to remember to leave plenty of time for security after your visit to the Jewel.

Seeing the Jewel

The Rain Vortex is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and is the centerpiece of the Jewel. Since we only had backpacks weighing less than 20 lbs, we just kept them with us. If you have heavy luggage, though, you should check your bags early or use the baggage storage service so you can walk around freely. You can even take the internal airport train that runs right past the waterfall for a unique photo angle.

Silverkris Lounge

We finished our stay with a visit to the Silverkris Lounge before our flight. If you have Star Alliance Gold status or are flying business class, this is a great way to save on a meal and drinks.

While I wasn’t a big fan of the lounge layout (just a sea of chairs), the food selection is extensive, and features both local and international options. If you have a Priority Pass, there are also plenty of lounge options at Changi Airport to help you cut down on cost for food and drinks.

Where to Stay: Price vs. Practicality

If you’re staying in Singapore overnight instead of just exploring on a layover, you may be overwhelmed by the accommodation options. For a short stay, we recommend staying close to the action. There’s something for everyone, from the Marina Bay Sands or Mandarin Oriental to hostels by Clarke Quay. Depending on your budget, these are the places we recommend:

Luxe-for-Less Option

We initially looked at the Andaz Singapore. It’s a beautiful, bougie property that typically costs $400 or more USD per night. But you can book it with 25k Hyatt points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards.

The rooms and the rooftop restaurant look divine. But we didn’t quite have enough points in our Hyatt account for this stay, so we pivoted to a more practical option. (If you really like shopping, there’s also the Grand Hyatt Singapore over in the Orchard Road area, but this was too far from what we wanted to explore.)

Mid-Range Option: The Clan Hotel

Next time we are in town, we are looking at The Clan. Our friend Tamara, from The Brunette Abroad, highly recommends it. It runs about $250 a night and is located right next to the Maxwell Food Centre (home to the famous Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice). It’s a great balance of affordability, location, and a little luxe.

Budget Option: Ibis Budget

For this trip, we stayed at the Ibis Budget. At $137 a night, it was super basic, but the location was perfect for our 24-hour sprint. Like our lunch at Spago, we used the Capital One “Purchase Eraser” strategy to wipe out this expense with points. It wasn’t anything more than a place to sleep and shower, but it was clean, functional, and effectively free.

A Summary of Our Costs

Activity	Cost (Two People)
Ibis Budget	$137 ($0 with points)
Dinner at Lau Pa Sat	$32
Drinks at Clarke Quay	$50
Spago Tasting Lunch	$200 ($0 with points)
Gardens by the Bay Domes	$70
Transportation & Misc	$100
Total Out of Pocket	$589 ($252 with a points strategy)

Singapore can be as expensive or as affordable as you want it to be. By mixing hawker meals with smart points redemptions, we were able to experience the luxury side of the city while staying within a reasonable budget. We don’t recommend the Ibis Budget if you’re looking for a little luxe – it’s a better idea to save those Hyatt points for the Andaz!