3 Days in Singapore: The Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
A practical first-timer Singapore itinerary covering Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, Chinatown, Universal Studios, Sentosa, Little India and Night Safari.
How to Spend 3 Days in Singapore
Singapore rewards the visitor who approaches it properly - this is a city that makes sense when you understand what it's trying to do. In 3 days you can cover the world-class attractions, eat extraordinarily well for very little money, and leave with a genuine sense of a place unlike anywhere else in Asia.
Day 1 - Gardens, Marina Bay & Chinatown
Morning: Gardens by the Bay and Cloud Forest. Start with the Cloud Forest dome when it opens at 9am - a 35-metre indoor waterfall inside a climate-controlled mountain of tropical plants. The temperature inside, around 23C, is a welcome relief from Singapore's outdoor heat. The Flower Dome next door is the world's largest glass greenhouse. Allow 2 hours for both domes. Book Gardens by the Bay on Pin Plan Go at pinplango.com/activity/gardens-by-the-bay-tickets-singapore.
Day 1 Afternoon - Marina Bay Sands & Merlion
Walk to Marina Bay Sands, the three-tower integrated resort with the infinity pool on top. The pool is for hotel guests only, but the SkyPark observation deck is open to the public. The Merlion statue on Marina Bay Promenade is the most photographed spot in Singapore. It is free, on the waterfront, and best photographed with Marina Bay Sands behind it.
Day 1 Evening - Chinatown & Maxwell Food Centre
Take the MRT to Chinatown, walk the shophouse streets of Club Street and Ann Siang Hill, then eat dinner at Maxwell Food Centre, open until 10pm. Tian Tian Chicken Rice at stall #01-10/11 is the most famous hawker stall in Singapore. Arrive before 7pm to avoid the queue.
Day 2 - Sentosa Island: Universal Studios & Beaches
Full day: Universal Studios Singapore. Take the MRT to HarbourFront, then the Sentosa Express to Resorts World. Universal Studios Singapore has 28 rides across 7 themed zones - Battlestar Galactica, Transformers and the Jurassic World section are the highlights. Arrive when gates open at 10am and go straight to the most popular rides before the queues build. Allow a full day. Book Universal Studios tickets on Pin Plan Go at pinplango.com/activity/universal-studios-singapore-ticket.
Day 2 Evening - Sentosa Beach Bars
After Universal Studios, walk to Siloso or Palawan Beach for the evening. Coastes Beach Bar and Bikini Bar are casual, affordable and right on the sand. Singapore's beaches are clean, calm and completely unlike anything the city's reputation as a business hub suggests.
Day 3 - Hawker Trail, Night Safari & Little India
Morning: Little India and Arab Street. Walk the colour and chaos of Little India - Serangoon Road, Tekka Market, the best wet market in Singapore, and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Then walk or take the MRT to Arab Street, the Malay-Muslim quarter, with the golden dome of the Sultan Mosque, batik fabric shops and excellent roti prata at the hawker stalls on Kandahar Street.
Day 3 Afternoon - Rest & Refresh
The Night Safari runs from 7:30pm onwards, so use the afternoon to rest. Singapore in the heat of mid-afternoon, roughly 1-4pm, is the least pleasant time to be outside.
Day 3 Evening - Singapore Night Safari
The world's first nocturnal wildlife park has 900 animals across 40 species, explored by tram and on foot through a jungle environment. The Creatures of the Night show at 7:30pm or 8:30pm is the best introduction, followed by the tram tour. Allow 2.5-3 hours total. Book Night Safari on Pin Plan Go at pinplango.com/activity/night-safari.
Practical Tips for 3 Days in Singapore
Getting around: the MRT is excellent, cheap and covers all major attractions. Top up an EZ-Link card at any MRT station. Eating budget: you can eat brilliantly at hawker centres for SGD 5-12 per meal. Budget restaurants cost SGD 15-25. Fine dining starts at SGD 80 per head. Best time to visit: year-round. February-April is the driest period. Rain comes in short heavy bursts and rarely ruins a full day. Chewing gum: yes, it is still technically restricted. Do not bring it.
Book Your Singapore Activities on Pin Plan Go
All experiences are bookable at pinplango.com/destinations/singapore. Browse all Singapore experiences and choose the tickets that fit your travel pace.
Explore Singapore experiences or Gardens by the Bay tickets or Universal Studios Singapore tickets or Singapore Night Safari tickets.