Welcome to my channel Regmi Discovering World !
As a Nepalese citizen, I’m starting to write about my travel experiences here because I believe they might be helpful for those planning to visit. Let’s begin with my journey to Singapore.
Travel Details: I recently visited Singapore after spending a few days in Thailand. I usually opt for the cheapest flights when traveling, such as those offered by Scoot and AirAsia, as it allows me to save money which I can then enjoy during my stay in the destination country. The flight from Thailand to Singapore cost me around $45 and took approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Immigration Experience: Upon arrival at Singapore Changi Airport, I had to go through immigration, unlike citizens from some other countries like China and India who have the privilege of automatic entry by scanning their passports. As a Nepalese passport holder, I faced immigration. The immigration officer asked to see my return ticket, to which I replied that I hadn’t decided on the duration of my stay yet – whether it would be 2 days or 5 to 6 days. Consequently, I hadn’t booked a return ticket yet as I planned to visit the Philippines after completing my stay in Singapore. I think as a Nepalese passport holder, sometimes they might ask for a return flight ticket or proof of sufficient funds for the stay here. However, for us, an arrived visa allows for one month, and we can extend for one more month online if we want to stay in Singapore.
Regarding my preferences for experiencing Singapore, I enjoy both the simplicity of eating $5 roti and paneer with my hands on the roadside while engaging in conversations with Indian restaurant owners, as well as the modern and luxurious downtown core. The futuristic Gardens by the Bay and the elegance of Marina Bay Sands make me momentarily feel like a wealthy heiress.
Given these preferences, I suggest an itinerary that encompasses a variety of experiences, including street food, sky bars, cultural immersion, historical sites, and must-see attractions for first-time visitors. There are many different styles in which to explore Singapore, but I hope this upcoming itinerary gives you a bit of both: street food, sky bars, culture, history, and the must-see attractions for a first visit!
Here’s my suggested ultimate Singapore itinerary:
Singapore itinerary overview
- Day 1 – Gardens by the Bay, Cloud Forest, ArtScience Museum, the Merlion, Gluttons Bay Hawker Market, Marina Bay Spectra light show, skyline drinks
- Day 2 – Chinatown, Arab Quarter, Haji Lane, Little India.
- Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld
- Activities: GetYourGuide / Viator
- Food tours: A Chef’s Tour
- Airport transfers: Klook
- SIM card: eSim data plan
- Guidebook: Lonely Planet Singapore
- Travel insurance: :True Traveller (European traveler’s) / AXA,(other nationalities)
Now for the details…
Day 1 – Explore the Core
Many of the glamorous sights of Singapore are positioned around the HarbourFront. Wander the area to discover the Merlion, Gardens by the Bay, the Cloud Forest, and numerous impressive shopping centers (get used to Venice replica boats cruising inside them!).
Here’s what to do in 2 days in Singapore…
The Gardens by the Bay
A very famous place in Singapore. The Gardens by the Bay look like something from Avatar or a film set in the year 3000 (not much has changed but we live underwater! – my millennial UK readers will get the reference!).
They’re different depending on whether you visit during the day or night. I did both which is the best way to experience them to the fullest.
Not only do they look impressive, but they’re also doing Singapore a service. They provide a habitat for animals, act as a water filtration system, and use solar panels. The plants and flowers growing up them give off valuable nitrogen to the urban city center.
Their sustainable efforts make me love them even more – but I would regardless! One of my favorite experiences was lying underneath them at midnight watching their twinkling bulbs. In the daytime, you can spend an hour or two wandering around them.
Entrance fee: The trees are free to view from the ground or you can pay S$8 to take the 22-meter high OCBC Skyway walk. Buy a skip-the-line ticket in advance.
Opening times: 9am-9pm daily. You can walk around the grove from 5am-2am while the ticketed skywalk is open from 9am-9pm (last ticket sale 8pm).
The Cloud Forest
This is a must when spending 2 days in Singapore. During my first visit, I missed the Cloud Forest due to the SG$45 price tag which in retrospect was an error.
The conservatory is enormous with several levels and bridges to wander while admiring the flora and fauna. Make sure you time your visit around a ‘misting’ (or kill some time waiting for one) when the dome fills with mist like a tropical rainforest. It’s so atmospheric!
Entrance price: S$45 for the Cloud Forest alone / S$54 including the Flower Dome.
Opening times: 9am-9pm.
[Book your e-tickets to the Flower Dome & Cloud Forest here]
The ArtScience Museum
If you catch a skyline view of Singapore, you won’t miss the giant lotus-shaped building nestled on the waterfront. Inside is the ArtScience Museum.
My motivation for visiting was the sparkly Digital Light Canvas (pictured above), though I don’t believe this is a permanent fixture. Everything was interactive including a light show using visual trickery to make you feel as if the walls and floors of the room were moving.
Entrance price: S$14 including the exhibition. Buy a skip-the-line ticket in advance.
Opening times: 7am-7pm daily.
The Merlion
An iconic stop for your Singapore itinerary. It may seem strange that an animal only found in Africa has become a symbol for Singapore. How?
Rumor has it that many years ago a tiger was spotted in Singapore (presumably having swum over from Indonesia) and mistaken for a lion. Somehow this resulted in respect for the animals, and this statue was subsequently built as a tourist attraction in the 1980s.
Swing by to visit this emblem of Singapore and snap a few photos. It’s particularly atmospheric at night. To get there, cross the Esplanade Bridge. Alternatively, take a Singapore riverboat cruise past it.
Dinner at Makansutra Gluttons Bay
Although there are countless hawker markets in Singapore, one of the best is Makansutra Gluttons Bay, conveniently located near Marina Square and the Esplanade. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor shared tables and browse the many food stands before settling on what you want.
From chili crab to laksa, satay, and Hokkien mee (noodles with prawn and egg), your only problem will be deciding what to order! If it’s too much, take a hawker market tour with a local guide and try a ton of dishes.
Gawp at Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is a famous hotel and resort with a distinctive boat-shaped roof with a pool on top (strictly for hotel guests only). If you haven’t got $400+ a night for a room, head up to the Sands Sky Park Observation Deck (between 9am-11pm) to admire spectacular views from the 57th floor. Tickets cost S$15.
This iconic part of Singapore is best visited in the early evening it’s beginning to get dark and the city lights are starting to switch on. At 8pm on weekdays (and 8pm and 9pm on weekends), the Spectra light show illuminates the area with dancing lights, music, sights, and colors; a real Asia bucket list experience!
No tickets are required; just show up at the Marina Bay Sands building and sit outdoors in the area known as Event Plaza. It’s free and lasts around 15 minutes.
Saturday night – grab a skyline drink
During your 2-day Singapore itinerary, take a trip to CÉ LA VI, the bar at the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel where you’ll either purchase a drink at the bar or buy a S$20 token at the entrance (the system changes depending on how busy the evening is).
Either way, cocktails are about S$20 so we opted for a Singapore Fling – a frozen version of the iconic Sling – and dragged out our time at the top. We got to see the city light show (8pm and 9pm each night) from above which was incredible.
More things to do in Singapore at night:
- Drink a Singapore Sling cocktail in their birthplace, Raffles Hotel
- Take a city lights dinner cruise finishing with fireworks
- Watch the Garden Rhapsody light show at 7.45pm and 8.45pm at the Gardens by the Bay
- Take a UNESCO hawker centers food tasting tour at 5pm
- Experience the nightlife at Clarke Quay: here you’ll find plenty of clubs and bars that stay open ’til late. If you want to drink somewhere cheaper and more laidback, head to Boat Quay instead.
Day 2 – get your culture fix Once you’ve seen the glamorous, futuristic center of Singapore, a day of culture is on the cards. The diversity of Singapore is another thing I love about the city: the Indian, Chinese, and Malay groups make Singapore a melting pot of religious temples and delicious ethnic eats.
For the ultimate Singapore itinerary for 2 days, here’s how I’d recommend spending the last day…
Chinatown Chinatown is a must-visit especially for foodies. Singapore’s Chinatown is the perfect place to shop for your souvenirs and eat absolutely everything. Food Street is just one of the many places you can do this. Tuck into dim sum, chili crab, satay, and much more.
Wander the lantern-lined streets even if you’re not hungry – it’s a lively part of Singapore.
Get your Chinatown food tour here
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple We paid a visit to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, an integral part of the community. Here you can give the world’s largest prayer wheel a spin or watch Buddhist monks chant during regular ceremonies. It’s thought that a tooth from the sacred Buddha himself is enshrined in the fourth floor’s relic room.
It’s open from 7am-7pm daily. Entry is free. Don’t miss the chilled rooftop garden!
Haji Lane and the Arab Quarter Jump into a brand new culture as you visit this friendly, vibrant area of town. This was one of my favorite areas during my recent 2 days in Singapore.
Grab a cheap lunch at the market stands by the mosque, or alternatively, dine at one of the stunning mosaic cafes serving quality Middle Eastern food. There are plenty of cafes and juice bars on Haji Lane but be prepared to pay inflated prices in this popular part of town.
While Haji Lane is geared to tourists, walk just one minute into Kampong Glam, just off Arab Street, to visit the Masjid Sultan (mosque) for free. Lining the walkways to the spot of worship are various food stands selling everything from jalebi and other Indian sweets to fresh fruit and savory snacks.
Masjid Sultan opening times: Visit from 10am-12pm and 2-4pm from Sat-Thurs and from 2.30-4pm on Friday. Another attraction in Kampong Glam is the Malay Heritage Centre, a great place to learn about local history.
Little India Get ready to mix it up again as you say goodbye to the Arab Quarter and hello to the stunning Hindu temples of Little India. This neighborhood is one of the most colorful in town and many tourists stop to pose on this famous corner.
Look out for all the Singapore street art in this part of town!
I feel I may have discovered my spirit home in this part of town, not least for the incredible street art and moreish food. I ate a very cheap and local murtabak (a fried roti stuffed with chicken and veg) on the street corner at Big Boss Bistro and a slightly more upmarket curry dinner at Banana Leaf Apollo.
Both meals were fantastic (and about S$10 and S$25pp respectively including drinks). If you can time your arrival for early evening, it’s an atmospheric dinner spot for a Singapore two-day itinerary.
Visit the Indian Heritage Centre on Campbell Street to learn about the community that call Little India home, and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple to see a colorful and intricately detailed place of worship.
Budget for 2 days in Singapore As I mentioned, there’s something for all budgets in Singapore. You can visit Singapore on a budget of SG$30 a day or splurge $300! Visiting the Cloud Forest (SG$45 including the Flower Dome), the ArtScience Museum (SG$14 for the exhibition) and a drink at Marina Bay Sands (SG$20) likely be your most expensive day.
However, during a day exploring Little India, the Arab Quarter, and Chinatown you can get away with just buying food as all of the entrance costs are free.
Eat local food and you could spend less than SG$30 during 2 days in Singapore but eat at the restaurants in Marina Bay Sands and you could spend hundreds. I noticed that alcohol in Singapore was relatively expensive compared to food: in hawker markets, you can pick up a main dish for SG$4 but not a beer.
Transport is very cheap in Singapore. Underground train journeys on the MRT tend to cost around 90 cents. You’ll want to get a cab to the airport as it’s a long journey on public transport – a metered taxi will cost around SG$20 from Changi Airport or you can pre-book your airport pick-up.
REGMI DISCOVERING WORLD 