Pulau Ubin jetty and village seen from a bumboat, the short ferry ride from Changi Point

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Day Trip Guides

Cross the Causeway or catch a ferry: easy day trips from Singapore and what to know before you go.

Day trips from Singapore are easy to plan. In a few hours you can cross into Malaysia, take a ferry to an Indonesian island or explore one of Singapore's own quiet islands. This page collects our day trip guides.

Below the list, you will find the basics for each trip: how to get there, border steps, money tips and what to expect. Use it to pick a trip that suits your time, budget and travel documents.

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Planning day trips from Singapore

Day trips from Singapore fall into two groups. Some cross a border, into Malaysia by land or into Indonesia by sea. Others stay inside Singapore, on small islands that feel far from the city. Both fit into one day, but cross-border trips need more planning.

Before any trip abroad, check three things. Is your passport valid for at least six months? Do you need a visa for your nationality? If you needed a visa for Singapore, does it allow more than one entry? Our Visas & Entry topic covers the basics.

Johor Bahru: across the Causeway to Malaysia

Johor Bahru, often called JB, is the Malaysian city just across the Johor Strait. The Causeway, a road and rail link, joins it to Woodlands in northern Singapore. Visitors go for shopping malls, local food and lower prices. Families also visit Legoland Malaysia, a theme park in Johor.

How to get to Johor Bahru

Bus: Cross-border buses run from several points, including Kranji MRT station and the Queen Street bus terminal. You get off with your bags at each checkpoint to clear immigration, then board the next bus on the same route.
Shuttle train: A short shuttle train runs from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral station. Tickets can sell out, so book ahead.
Taxi: Licensed cross-border taxis also run. Fares are higher, and you still queue at both checkpoints.

Tips for the Causeway

Queues at the Causeway can be long on Friday evenings, weekends and public holidays. Go early on a weekday if you can, and allow plenty of time to get back. Malaysia uses the ringgit, so bring some local cash or a bank card that works abroad.

Batam and Bintan: Indonesian islands by ferry

Batam and Bintan are Indonesian islands to the south of Singapore. Most ferries take about an hour or less, so both work as day trips. Batam is the closer and busier island, known for shopping, seafood and golf. Bintan is larger and quieter, with beach resorts along its north coast.

Ferry terminals

Ferries to Batam leave from the HarbourFront ferry terminal and from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
Ferries to Bintan mostly leave from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, in the east near Changi.

Book return tickets ahead, especially at weekends. Arrive early, as you clear immigration before you board. Batam and Bintan are one hour behind Singapore, so check which time your ticket shows. Indonesia uses the rupiah. Many nationalities need a visa on arrival or an e-visa, so check the rules well before you travel.

Day trips without leaving Singapore

You do not need a passport to feel far from the city. These trips stay inside Singapore and suit a slow, relaxed day.

Pulau Ubin is a quiet island off the north-east coast. Take a bumboat, a small motorboat, from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. Rent a bike and ride past old kampong (village) houses.
Chek Jawa Wetlands, on the eastern tip of Pulau Ubin, has boardwalks over mangroves and the shore. Visit at low tide to see more sea life.
St John's and Lazarus Island lie south of the city. Ferries leave from Marina South Pier, and the beaches are often quiet on weekdays.
Kusu Island is a small island with a Chinese temple and a Malay shrine. Ferries from Marina South Pier serve it too.
Sentosa Island Day Out is the easiest island trip. You can walk across from HarbourFront.

Before or after Pulau Ubin, eat at Changi Village Hawker Centre in the same Changi area. Bring some cash, as small operators on the island may not take cards.

How to choose the right day trip

Short on time: Stay in Singapore. Sentosa and the southern islands need no border checks.
Food and shopping: Johor Bahru is close, but plan around Causeway traffic.
Beach and rest: Bintan suits a slow day at a resort.
Nature and cycling: Pulau Ubin is the classic choice. Go early.

To reach ferry terminals and checkpoints, see Getting Around and How to Use the MRT in Singapore: A Tourist Guide. For currency and budgets, see Money & Costs.

Coming back to Singapore

Visitors must submit the SG Arrival Card online before they enter Singapore. This applies after a day trip too. The card is free on the official ICA website. Singapore also has strict rules on goods you bring in, such as tobacco, alcohol and chewing gum. Day-trippers often get no duty-free allowance, so check Singapore Customs before you shop abroad.

FAQs about day trips from Singapore

Can I visit Johor Bahru as a day trip from Singapore?

Yes. Many visitors go for the day by bus or shuttle train. Bring your passport, and allow extra time for queues at the Causeway, especially at weekends.

How long is the ferry to Batam or Bintan?

Most crossings take about an hour or less. Add time for check-in and immigration at both ends.

Do I need a passport for Pulau Ubin or Sentosa?

No. Both are part of Singapore, so there are no border checks. Pulau Ubin is reached by bumboat, and Sentosa by bridge, cable car or monorail.

Which day trip is best for families?

Sentosa is the simplest, with beaches and attractions close together. For a trip across the border, Legoland Malaysia in Johor is a popular choice for younger children.