One-Day Itineraries

A simple Singapore 1-day itinerary

A Singapore 1-day itinerary works best when you stay in the city centre. Marina Bay, the Civic District, Chinatown and the Singapore River are close together. You can walk between many stops and use the MRT for the rest. This plan covers the main sights at a steady pace, with breaks for food and shade.

Morning: breakfast and the Civic District

Start with kaya toast and kopi, the classic local breakfast. Kaya is a sweet coconut and egg jam, spread on toast with butter. Kopi is local coffee, often made with condensed milk. Ya Kun Kaya Toast (Far East Square) is a handy stop in the CBD.

Next, walk to the Civic District, the area around City Hall. Choose one museum rather than rushing through several:

• National Gallery Singapore, for Singapore and Southeast Asian art.
• Asian Civilisations Museum, by the river, for art and history from across Asia.
• National Museum of Singapore, for the story of the city.

Midday: Chinatown temples and a hawker lunch

Take the MRT or a short taxi ride to Chinatown. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Sri Mariamman Temple, a Hindu temple nearby. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. At the Hindu temple, remove your shoes before you go in.

For lunch, walk to Maxwell Food Centre. It is a hawker centre, a large food court of small stalls with low prices. Try chicken rice, the dish many visitors order first. The Chinatown Cheap Eats Crawl: A Half-Day Route has more food ideas for the area.

Afternoon: Gardens by the Bay

The afternoon is the hottest part of the day. Spend it at Gardens by the Bay. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are cooled glass domes full of plants from around the world. The Cloud Forest also has a tall indoor waterfall. The domes charge an entry fee, but the outdoor gardens and Supertree Grove are free.

Bayfront MRT station is the closest stop. From Chinatown, the Downtown Line runs there without a change.

Evening: Marina Bay and the light shows

Stay at the gardens for Garden Rhapsody, the free light and music show at the Supertrees. Then walk to Marina Bay Sands for Spectra, a free water and light show by the bay. Show times change, so check them on the day.

Finish with a walk across the Helix Bridge and around the bay to Merlion Park. Have dinner at Lau Pa Sat, where satay stalls set up on the street in the evening.

Tips to make one day work

• Stay central. A hotel in Marina Bay, Chinatown or the Civic District saves travel time. See Best Area for First-Time Visitors to Singapore.
• Pay by card. Tap a contactless bank card at MRT gates and on buses.
• Plan for rain. Short, heavy showers are common. Keep museums and malls as backups.
• Drink water often. The heat and humidity tire people out quickly.
• Book ahead. Buy tickets online for paid sights to save time at the gate.

Prices for sights change, so check official websites before you go. For more ideas, browse our Singapore Attraction Guides.

FAQs about a Singapore 1-day itinerary

Is one day enough to see Singapore?

One day is enough for a good first look at Marina Bay, Chinatown and the river. You need three days or more to add Sentosa, Little India and the nature parks.

What is the best way to get around in one day?

Walk where you can and use the MRT for longer hops. All the stops in this plan are close to MRT stations. Taxis are useful late at night.

What should I skip if I only have one day?

Leave Sentosa, the zoo and the Night Safari for a longer trip. Each takes half a day or more, including travel.

How much does a day in Singapore cost?

It depends on your choices. Hawker meals are cheap, and many sights are free, such as the Supertree Grove and the light shows. Paid attractions and restaurant meals raise the cost quickly.