How To Plan The Perfect Singapore Stopover
Magnificent and mysterious, Singapore has built a name for itself over the years as an Asian powerhouse. Beyond the glitzy skyscrapers, Singapore’s rich multicultural history is waiting to be discovered. With a little preparation, you can make the most out of your 48 hours and plan the perfect Singapore stopover!
Before You Go
The last time I was in Singapore was for my birthday, right before the COVID-19 pandemic became a global issue and international traveling became much more complicated.
With international travel still uncertain in many places, I decided that writing about the incredible things I saw would help others who were craving some adventure to “travel” with me virtually through these posts while we plan our future trips!
No one likes to travel with stress, especially with such a short amount of time squeezed into a stopover. The last thing you want is a hiccup in a tight itinerary! It’s always a good idea to stay up to date with the destination you want to visit, so whether you only have 48 hours in Singapore or are opting to stay longer, below are some helpful links to make sure you are traveling safely and making the most of your trip!
- COVID-19 Travel Requirements and Regulations (Traveling to Singapore)
- Local Laws and Customs
- Visa and Entry Requirements
Stop By the “Jewel”
Known affectionately as just “The Jewel”, The Jewel Changi is located inside Changi International Airport, so you’ll be able to start making the most of your 48 hours in Singapore as soon as you land! Check out the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, The Rain Vortex, which spans 10 stories and can be reached from terminals 1- 4.
If you have youngsters with you, the Canopy Park is also located inside the Jewel and hosts interactive displays such as the Discovery Slides and the Mirror Maze, which are just as much fun for adults as they are for children.
Address: 78 Airport Boulevard, Changi International Airport, 819666
MTR Station: Changi Airport
Hours of Operation: Mon-Thurs 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 10am-11pm
Hit The Block
Singapore makes up for its small size with a dense population and endless variety in quirky shops, restaurants, and pubs. Take advantage of the city’s metro system and walk through the funkiest neighborhoods it has to offer.
With only 48 hours in Singapore, hit the ground running and see large amounts of the city by just getting out there and walking around! Don’t be afraid to get lost, that’s part of the adventure! The metro stations are regularly placed around the city and are easy to get to, so you will never be too far from reliable transportation.
Check out the colorful street art at Haji Lane, or Singapore’s largest mosque – the Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam. Keong Saik has some of the most stylish speakeasies and the Chinatown flaunts beautiful Peranakan (Chinese with Malay-influence) architecture!
MTR Stations
Below are a few popular neighborhoods in Singapore and their nearest MTR stations to help save you time and hassle figuring out where to go:
Haji Lane: Kembangan
Kampong Glam: Bugis
Chinatown: Chinatown
Joo Chiat: Paya Lebar, Macpherson
Keong Saik: Outram Park
Savor The Street Food
World-famous for its street food, Singapore is home to the hawker stand. Hawkers are usually grouped under one roof so you can try all of the iconic dishes without going too far!
Best Hawker Stands in Singapore:
- Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle Stall (World’s Cheapest Michelin-Star Restaurant)
- Sungei Road Laksa (Best Laksa)
- Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (Best Kway Teow stir-fried noodles)
- Tai Wah Pork Noodle (Best Egg Noodles with Minced Pork)
- Red House Seafood at Prinsep (Best Chilli Crab)
If you have NAFLD like me, or are just wanting to move away from the oil and sugar for a bit, check out my extensive guide on Eating in Singapore With NAFLD– it goes through metabolically safe dishes to try at some of the best hawker centers in the country!
Take A Stroll In The Botanical Gardens
Home to thousands of indigenous plants, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a must-see and crowning achievement of horticulture. At 163 years old, this park has a compelling history- it was first founded in 1859 and its production of rubber trees (where raw latex comes from) went on to become a major player in southeast Asia’s dominance in the rubber trade.
The National Orchid Garden sits within the Botanic Gardens and displays more than 60,000 orchid plants! It is located in the Central Core of the garden and is a must-see if you only have 48 hours in Singapore!
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is completely free to explore and does not have an admission fee. However, if you plan on visiting the National Orchid Garden, it costs SG$5, which is still just under $4.00 USD.
Tip: Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring some water with you as it can be very hot and humid, especially with all of the lush greenery around!
Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Nearest MTR Station: Botanic Gardens
Hours of Operation: 5am-12am, 7 days a week
Marvel At The Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Just a stone’s throw from the Supertree Grove, The Marina Bay Sands hotel stands out from its surroundings. Designed by the same architect who dreamt up the Rain Vortex at Changi International Airport, this hotel is perfect for gawking and posing for pictures!
Ladies, Wednesday nights are free for CÉ LA VIE the top of the hotel, and is a great place to take in the view of the city. The drinks are standard and a little marked up due to the location, but the view makes the line totally worth it! I spent my birthday and last night in Singapore on the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands and seeing the city from that height is an unforgettable experience.
Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956
Nearest MTR Station: Bayfront South
Weave Through Supertree Grove
Personally, I prefer going at night to the Gardens By The Bay because you get to see the magical illumination on each tree in Supertree Grove, but since it’s right next to Marina Bay Sands, check it out whenever it’s convenient for you!
Gardens By The Bay is a phenomenal display of bio-mimicry and the 18 towering man-made trees are home to indigenous flora and many different species of birds. We walked around at ground level, but if you want a nice view of the Singapore skyline then taking the bridge will be your best bet!
Admission Fee: SG$28
Nearest MTR Station: Bayfront, Exit B
Hours of Operation: 5am-2am, 7 days a week
Final Thoughts and Tips
Language Barriers
Singapore is a magnificent country with an advanced metro system and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Most of the signs are in English, however, they also list everything in Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay as well! If you have trouble getting around, just ask someone! Everyone we met was extremely friendly and willing to help us out.
The Weather
Singapore is a very hot and humid country. Sitting just 1 degree north of the Equator, it enjoys year-round heat and no dramatic seasonal changes. It’s considered a tropical rainforest climate, and boy do you feel it! If you are not used to humidity (me) then you may find that your nice hair iron or those fancy satin pants are more of a nuisance in this extreme climate. Opt for looser clothing and breathable fabrics.
You may not feel like you’re losing any water because it is so muggy outside, but make no mistake that you need to stay well hydrated here. I was buying bottled water and cold drinks at every rest point during our stopover and I would recommend anyone visiting to do the same!
Hygiene
Slightly funny story, I got food poisoning during my “perfect” stopover in Singapore. But it was NOT from the street food, the tableside relishes, or the chopped durian. No, it was from a world-famous, Western fast-food chain – McDonald’s.
The moral of the story? Stick with the street food! Served hot and fresh with high turnover, if you’re practicing proper hygiene while eating out, your chances of getting sick off of Singaporean street food are next to nothing.
Bathrooms are readily available in Singapore however I highly recommend bringing your own tissues and wet wipes with you since we found a lot of the bathrooms were actually not well stocked with bath tissue. You’ll thank yourself later for being prepared!
Final Thoughts
Singapore is a lovely, complex and enticing place to visit. Part of the fun of traveling is expanding your worldview and getting to immerse in other cultures, learning about them and in a respectful and meaningful way. With this guide I hope that you can explore Singapore and get the most out of your stopover!
