Singapore in 4 Days
Four days is exactly right for Singapore: enough for the neighbourhoods and the food, short enough that the prices don't hurt. It is also the easiest city in Asia to do without a plan — which is why a plan makes it twice as good.
4
Days
£90–£150 / $115–$190 per person per day
Per day
Year-round; February–April is marginally drier
Best time
5
Nights
Your day-by-day plan
Marina Bay
Morning · Land, MRT into town, drop bags
Afternoon · Merlion, Esplanade and the Helix Bridge
Evening · Gardens by the Bay light show, then Satay by the Bay
Old quarters
Morning · Chinatown and the Buddha Tooth temple
Afternoon · Tiong Bahru's art deco lanes and bookshops
Evening · Little India and Tekka Centre
Green and colonial
Morning · Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden
Afternoon · National Gallery or the Peranakan Museum
Evening · Kampong Glam, Haji Lane, Arab Street dinner
Sentosa or the reservoir
Morning · Southern Ridges walk or Sentosa beaches
Afternoon · Last hawker lunch at Maxwell or Old Airport Road
Evening · Changi — get there early, the airport is a sight
Local tips that save you money
- Hawker centres are the whole point: £3 gets a Michelin-listed plate. Look for the longest local queue.
- Chewing gum, durian on the MRT and jaywalking all carry real fines. The rules aren't decorative.
- Changi's Jewel is worth a two-hour layover buffer on the way out.
Singapore: common questions
How many days do you need in Singapore?+
This plan covers 4 days, which is the sweet spot for Singapore without doubling back. You can trim the last two days or add a beach stop if you have longer.
What is the best time to visit Singapore?+
Year-round; February–April is marginally drier. Shoulder months give you the same sights with lower prices and shorter queues.
How much does a trip to Singapore cost?+
Budget roughly £90–£150 / $115–$190 per person per day, excluding international flights. That covers accommodation, food, local transport and entry tickets at a mid-range pace.
How do you get around in Singapore?+
MRT for everything, tapped with a contactless card. Nothing in this plan is more than 20 minutes from a station.
