Taking a trip with a stopover and only have one day in Singapore? This itinerary packs in the top attractions for your whirlwind 24 hours in Singers. From dusk ’til dawn, sea to sky, Chinatown to Sentosa Island, Crazy Rich Asians to everyday normality and a few budget tips thrown in. Let’s dive into what this impressive Asian city has to offer.
Quick answer: One day in Singapore is enough to see the highlights if you start early: Chinatown’s temples in the morning, a Singapore Sling at Raffles, the cable car to Sentosa in the afternoon, a hawker dinner, then the free Garden Rhapsody (7.45pm) and Spectra (8pm and 9pm) light shows at Marina Bay.
- Cost: a day of free sights, two hawker meals and a one-day Singapore Tourist Pass comes to about S$26 per adult. Add a Sling, the Gardens by the Bay domes and the cable car and it’s nearer S$144.
- Best free stops: Thian Hock Keng Temple, Supertree Grove, Fort Siloso Skywalk, Garden Rhapsody and Spectra.
- From the airport: the MRT leaves Changi Airport from 5.31am (Monday to Saturday), and contactless Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards work at the gates.
- Checked: prices and opening times checked against official sources in October 2026.
24 Hours in Singapore
Short on time? Here’s the whole day on one page, with 2026 times and prices:
Morning – Chinatown, Raffles
Your ambitious morning Singapore itinerary starts with some traditional culture.
Start at the Thian Hock Keng Temple. This is one of the oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples in Singapore. Check out the detail in the architecture and observe the Singaporean Chinese customs during a self-guided tour. The temple area is small, it does not take much time to explore but is a very peaceful experience. It’s dedicated to Ma Zu Po, protector of sojourners, and has been a national monument since 1973.
- Address: 158 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068613
- Opening hours: daily, 7.30am to 5.30pm (free entry)
Next, in this country of contrasts, head to the manic streets of Chinatown which is less than ten minutes walk away.
If you missed breakfast, this is the place to grab some affordable food. Delve into dim sum at one of the food trucks.
There are many things to see in Singapore’s bustling Chinatown such as Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the bright and eye-catching Sri Mariamman Temple, and of course the street market for souvenirs!
Visiting in January or February? Chinatown goes all out for the festival, so check our guide to where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei.
Raffles Hotel and the Long Bar
Raffles is one of the few remaining 19th-century buildings in Singapore. It is cliché but every visitor should try a Singapore Sling at Raffles bar, the historic Long Bar. I don’t want to spoil the experience for you but don’t be alarmed when you see the floor!
Expect to wait in line, pay a premium price but bag that Singapore bucket list item.
Long Bar is walk-in only (no reservations) and opens at 11am daily, with last seating at 10.30pm Sunday to Wednesday and 11.30pm Thursday to Saturday. A Sling was around S$37 in early 2026, before service charge and GST, and yes, you’re still invited to brush your peanut shells onto the floor.
- Address: 1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673
- Long Bar: #02-01 Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Road (enter from North Bridge Road)
Merlion Park
Swing by the mythical landmark half fish-half lion at Marina Bay Sands. Alternatively, skip this and save the views for the boat ride later.
Gardens By The Bay
This is the Insta-famous waterfront garden with the cool light Supertrees installations.
Although famous for its alien-like light up flowers, the Gardens have a few other endearing features such as the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and many large sculptures.
The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are open 9am to 9pm and cost S$46 together for non-resident adults (S$32 for kids aged 3 to 12), and the Supertree Observatory is S$14. Come back after dark for Garden Rhapsody, the free Supertree light show at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.
- Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
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Chijmes
Chijmes is the elegant 19th-century building used as the set of the best friend’s wedding in Crazy Rich Asians. This gothic style building is actually a collection of restaurants and bars so an upmarket lunch option if feeling hungry by this point.
- Address: 30 Victoria St, Singapore 187996.
Other Areas of Interest
This is a lot to pack in for your first morning in Singapore but these attractions give you a nice taster of Singapore old and new.
There are a few other Singapore attractions you might not want to miss such a boat ride which starts at Clarke Quay (another area with bars and restaurants), Little India (pretty Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, bright House of Tan Teng Nia, Temple of 1,000 Lights, cheap lunch/dinner options) and Newton Food Centre (touristy hawker market which locals dine at too).
Afternoon – Sentosa Island and Sunset Spots
Again, another itinerary jam-packed with things to see in Singapore. Feel free to pick and choose to suit your needs.
Mount Faber Cable Car
Ride the popular Singapore Cable Cars from Mount Faber to Sentosa Island. See the city over Keppel Harbor from a unique bird’s eye view.
The cable car runs 8.45am to 10pm daily, and a SkyPass round trip covering the Mount Faber Line and Sentosa Line is S$35 for adults (S$32.90 if you book online).
Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island is fun for little ones and big kids too. This is home to Universal Studios Singapore, which boasts rides, shows and attractions, with one-day tickets from S$76. Naturally, the theme park gets very busy during the weekend and holidays. We visited on a weekday which was a great crowd-free experience.
Other things to do on Sentosa include Fort Siloso Skywalk (free, 9am to 7pm) and the Wings of Time fireworks show on Siloso Beach at 7.40pm and 8.40pm (from S$19.80). The Crane Dance light show we used to recommend closed in 2020.
Dinner at a Hawkers Centre
Hawkers Centres are down to earth restaurant areas which serve tasty yet affordable meals in Singapore. They differ from food courts like we are accustomed to in the West. Food courts tend to be found in shopping malls whereas hawker centres have their own premises, a collection of stalls under one roof.
For an authentic Singapore dining experience, you should eat at one of the many hawkers around the city for at least one meal!
Each offer their own unique experience and there are at least two on the way to your next destination, Marina Bay Sands area.
Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Centre is known for its chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes). At Lau Pa Sat (with outdoor seating) you can get set meals for as low as SGD 6.
For a benchmark, Singapore’s statistics office puts the average price of economical rice (one meat, two veg) at S$3.82 and sliced fish bee hoon at S$5.35.
At hawkers, you can buy from a variety of vendors and take them to your seat. Just join a line and order. A fun foodie experience which doesn’t break the bank.
There are vegetarian options at hawkers centres but if you want to plan ahead check out this vegetarian restaurants in Singapore guide.
Love food? Check out, Chiang Mai!
Evening Sunset and Singapore Lightshow
Your day in Singapore ends with a sunset, hopefully, and a dramatic light show, definitely.
There are many rooftop bars in Singapore for you to enjoy watching dusk turn into darkness. Next, watch the Marina Bay light show, Spectra.
Starting from 8 pm (then 9 pm daily, plus 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays), the free 15-minute water and light show takes over the skyline in Singapore. It lights up the focal point, the striking Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the hotel that looks like a boat.
Want both free shows? Here’s how the evening timings line up:
One of the Singapore highlights for me was watching the sun go down and dusk settle in from 1 Altitude, which is a relaxed rooftop bar with live music.
Singapore can be expensive but sunset drinks at 1 Altitude are genuinely reasonably priced! Singapore actually has over twenty rooftop bars (they know their audience) so there is plenty to choose from if you are visiting are for more than one night. There’s even a microbrewery rooftop bar, find out more here.
The Appeal of Singapore
Singapore is clean.
We’ve heard horrible rumours that if you are sick in public, you are fined and have to clean it up yourself!
Singapore is not cheap, so wasting money is not an option.
Essential Information
Best Time to Visit Singapore
Singapore is an island and with island life, you have to prepare for extreme weather conditions.
November, December and January are the rainiest months, with December the wettest at around 330mm on average. November through to January has the least amount of daylight. Average daily temperatures sit between about 26°C and 28°C all year round (roughly 79 to 83°F).
For a month by month breakdown, see our best time to visit Singapore humidity guide.
Singapore Currency
Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Today’s rates can be found here.
Getting to Singapore
Changi Airport is the main Singapore airport. There are public buses and MRT trains connecting you to the city from about 5.30am until around midnight (the first train leaves Changi Airport station at 5.31am Monday to Saturday). Taxis run 24 hours and take about 30 minutes to the city.
Getting Around Singapore
The transport system is great, you can buy a Singapore Tourist EZ Link card, now sold as the Singapore Tourist Pass, which is unlimited travel for S$17 (one day) or S$29 (three days).
Or skip the card altogether: foreign Visa, Mastercard and American Express contactless cards work on the MRT and buses, with a S$0.60 admin fee per day of use on Visa and Mastercard.
Where to Stay in Singapore
Budget accommodation in Singapore is also a challenge, many of the hostels and hotels that are lower in cost are not in a great location for those on vacation without a car.
Aim to book your Singapore hotel or hostel close to a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) station to stay connected in the city. There are some options for you to consider.
Hotel Clover 5 HongKong Street $$
Hotel Clover 5 HongKong Street gets a great review from guests for its downtown location, price and compact but clean rooms.
This affordable Singapore hotel has air-conditioned rooms and WiFi. The hotel has a lovely outdoor swimming pool too.
Check out the best rates at TripAdvisor and Booking.
Capsule Pod Boutique Hostel $
I particularly like the idea of the capsule hostels in Singapore, this boutique capsule is reasonable at around $20.
Capsules are great because they are super private (a curtain pulls over your bed) so although you are in a hostel you don’t have to mingle if you’d prefer privacy.
If you get the capsule bug, we’ve also rounded up the best capsule hotels near Haneda Airport for your next Japan stopover.
You can read more reviews and/or book here at TripAdvisor.
Accommodation price points very much depend on the area, here’s a guide to Singapore’s neighbourhoods!
Affordable Travel Tips for Singapore
Singapore is regularly rated the world’s most expensive city so finding where to stay, eat and what to do on a budget may be a challenge but not one that can’t be met.
- Enjoy the many free attractions such as Gardens By The Bay, Botanics Gardens, Sentosa Beach.
- Avoid night time drinking – watch the free light shows instead (Gardens By The Bay and Marina Bay).
- Check out the Clarke Quay drinks promotions later afternoon.
- Eat at the hawker centres for meals under $10.
- Use the Singapore Tourist Pass or your contactless bank card for the transport system.
Want to see what your own version of the day would cost? Pick a style or tap the stops you fancy:
Two Scots Abroad · Travel data
One day in Singapore: what it costs
A full day of the free stuff, two hawker meals and a transport pass comes in at about S$26. Add a Sling, the domes and the cable car and you’re nearer S$144. Pick a style, then tap anything to add or drop it.
Your day (tap to add or remove)
Your day costs
S$144.17
Per adult, in Singapore dollars
| Stop | Detail | Cost |
|---|
Source: Singapore Tourist Pass, Gardens by the Bay, Mount Faber Leisure, Resorts World Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa, Chinatown.sg, SingStat, Third Eye Traveller
As of October 2026 · twoscotsabroad.com
Singapore Packing List
- Layers, the air conditioning in malls and on the MRT can feel cold.
- Shades.
- Suntan lotion.
- Waterproof but breathable jacket – there are downpours but it still feels hot.
- Refillable water bottle – you can drink the tap water in Singapore.
- Bamboo cutlery kit US / UK – avoid the plastic at hawkers centres.
Wondering what to pack for your Southeast Asia trip? Check out this packing guide.
Carrying on around the region? Our guide to the best time to visit Southeast Asia to avoid humidity helps you time the next stop.
One Day in Singapore FAQs
Is one day in Singapore enough?
One day is enough for the big hitters (Chinatown, Raffles, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa and the Marina Bay light shows) if you start around 7.30am. You’ll need two or three days for Universal Studios, Little India and a proper hawker crawl.
How much does one day in Singapore cost?
A frugal day with free sights, two hawker meals and a S$17 one-day Tourist Pass costs about S$26 per adult. With a Singapore Sling (around S$37), the two conservatories (S$46) and the cable car (S$35), budget about S$144, before any hotel.
What time are the free light shows in Singapore?
Garden Rhapsody runs at 7.45pm and 8.45pm in the Supertree Grove. Spectra at Marina Bay Sands is at 8pm and 9pm daily, with an extra 10pm show on Fridays and Saturdays. Both are free.
How do I get from Changi Airport to the city?
Take the MRT from Changi Airport station to Tanah Merah and change to the East West Line, or change at Expo for the Downtown Line. A taxi takes about 30 minutes and runs 24 hours.
Can I use my bank card on the Singapore MRT?
Yes. Foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard and American Express contactless cards work on MRT and buses. Visa and Mastercard carry a S$0.60 admin fee per day of use, so a Tourist Pass can work out better if you’re riding a lot.
Is the Crane Dance still on at Sentosa?
No, the Crane Dance closed in 2020. For a night show on Sentosa, Wings of Time runs at 7.40pm and 8.40pm on Siloso Beach, from S$19.80.
Final Words
Singapore is an expensive city so a 24-hour visit will give you a great taste of this melting pot without breaking the bank! There are many free things you can do in Singapore that don’t skimp on the fun so you can keep your trip affordable yet enjoyable. This island really is a majestic blend of old and new, a perfect stopover or extended trip.
Flying on to Australia? Our 24-hour Sydney stopover plan works the same way.
Any questions?
Just ask in the comments below.
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We’re heading over to Singapore in 10 days, I’m so excited! Even though we won’t have a rooftop infinity pool. 🙂
I really recommend getting up high at dusk and stay until dark, have a ball!
Wow, the rooftop pool looks amazing! We didn’t have one when we were in Singapore…therefore, a good excuse to go back!
This was Craig’s aunty and uncle’s pad! I do really want a go in the Marina Bay Sands rooftop pool one day so I might see you there!