What to do at Singapore for 3.5 days

Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 16:11
Last edited 15/03/2018 - 16:53

dear fellow ozbargainers, Mr and Mrs Diesmile will go to singapore for the first time for about 3.5 days in 3 days!!!

i have done plenty of research, looking at itinerary online and point of interests etc. but i am still open to any suggestions for us to do at singapore.

for now, we are staying at hilton garden inn at little india.

and we decided to spend whole day monday (19/3) at universal studio and watch wings of time at night.

other places i want to go:

gardens at the bay on sat, since there is an anime show on the weekend

visit maria bay sands.

not really into long distance walking, especially in 30 degress + heat :)

edit: + flyer for city view. although i am a bit fright of height :)

looks like my itinerary is getting to final version soon:

day 1:
arrival at SG at pm, purchase local sim card, travel card
take the MRT to hotel, shower, clean up
take the MRT to marina bay, visit garden at the bay 2-3 hours
visit maria bay sands, watch light show

day 2:
visit china town, chinese temple and eat lots of durian.
book a table at jumbos for chilli crab
singapore flyer?
chicken rice from tiantian

this is the part where i need help to fill!

day 3:
take MRT to bayfront, then catch express to sentosa
spend 1 day enjoy all the rides at universal studio
watch wings of times and enjoy dinner

day 4:
singapore zoo for all day

go back to airport for mid night flight home.

Travel

Comments

  • iforgotmysocks on 14/03/2018 - 16:20
    +11

    Cut loose and do Australia proud

  • CyberMurning on 14/03/2018 - 16:21
    +17

    i heard geylang for 3.5 days non stop would be great

    • salmon123 on 14/03/2018 - 16:25

      beat me to it!

      • CyberMurning on 14/03/2018 - 16:57

        by the way, i was meaning eating durian there

        • salmon123 on 14/03/2018 - 17:12
          +5

          Yeah - the 'durian' is awesome!

        • supaderp on 15/03/2018 - 18:53

          @salmon123: depends, sometimes if you don't wash it for too long the durian will start smelling like anchovies.

        • salmon123 on 15/03/2018 - 19:22

          @supaderp:

          Even more delicious that way!

    • RedHab on 15/03/2018 - 16:34
      +1

      If you like birds (of the feathered variety) the Jurong Bird park is a must-see.
      They have nice tame lorikeets you can feed, and a huge number of other birds.

      https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/jurong-bird-park/animals-and-zones…

      • CyberMurning on 15/03/2018 - 16:44
        +1

        lots of birds and butterflies at geylang too!

    • Donaldhump on 15/03/2018 - 20:28

      Funny how my four floors comment was banned, when it is the name of a real place and up there with geylang … oh well. I’d never go to these places but is a real place

      • CyberMurning on 15/03/2018 - 21:41

        We like straight forward conversations

  • retiredfeline on 14/03/2018 - 16:21
    +1

    Eat lots.

    S'poreans are inveterate foodies. If you do a search "what to eat in Singapore" you will get pages like: 10 dishes you must eat in SG, the best 10 dishes of SG, etc. Then if you drill deeper, like "best koay teow in Singapore" you will get pages of reviews of places, some in out of the way food courts. Can be quite heady. If that is too much, you can find decent meals in food courts in shopping centres.

    In Little India there are restaurants serving good dosai. Also the Mustafa Centre, which is a 24 hour department store/supermarket.

    Have fun.

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 16:48

      yes, i am from chinese background, so already know what to eat over there, thanks for the suggestion though.

      • retiredfeline on 14/03/2018 - 16:49

        But are you SEA Chinese?

        • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 16:50

          china born.

        • retiredfeline on 14/03/2018 - 16:51
          +2

          @Diesmile: Ah, you will find SEA dishes had a lot of local influence. And of course there are lots of other good cuisines in SG more affordable than here.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2018 - 20:17

      In five or so visits I’ve never had a good meal in Singapore. It is certainly possible I’m not going to the right places, but still very odd considering every single meal I’ve had in Malaysia has been excellent, even in the hotels.

      • retiredfeline on 17/03/2018 - 20:58

        I think it's just you. I had several good meals there, not just restaurants but also food courts and from hawkers. SG people are quite picky about food.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/03/2018 - 09:26

          I think they struggle with fresh produce, especially milk I believe even their very rare “fresh” milk is still actually UHT and their coffee makes me gag. Give me Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, any day over Singapore. Would love to eat in India.

        • retiredfeline on 18/03/2018 - 09:28

          @LoopyLou: All kinds of fresh food are expensive in Singapore as it all has to be imported. Singapore is not the place for that.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/03/2018 - 09:35

          @greenpossum:

          I think Singapore is geneally popular because it’s in between, it gives the west a taste of the east, and the east a taste of the west. I just see an asian country thinking they’re more posh and trying to be western. Really not interested so maybe I’m biased on the food. But how can the food be good if it’s not fresh?

        • retiredfeline on 18/03/2018 - 10:27
          +1

          @LoopyLou: The dishes you get in Singapore are the ones they have been making all these years. Probably they just don't suit you.

          I don't think Singapore is aspiring to be anything but itself. Singapore has always been a port with a mash of influences. If becoming posh and "Western" means modern conveniences is that some kind of failing? Should they deny themselves modernity to be "authentic"? It appeals to travellers because of convenience and the use of English. There is no room on the island for nature, farming, and the sorts of activities elsewhere. Much of the Singapore experience is in fact theme parks, shopping and food. Even for the locals. There just isn't the room. 5.7 million people in 720 km^2. Even I was surprised by 5.7 million. I still remember it was ~2 million at the beginning of the 70s.

      • virhlpool on 09/01/2019 - 08:04

        I found the food in Singapore to be fresh, tasty and cheaper than here. I just followed reviews/ ratings while choosing restaurants (not necessarily expensive ones) - also the volume of crowd in the restaurants would speak for them as well.

  • gaz3342 on 14/03/2018 - 16:22
    +1

    Do the open top bus tour, it's hop on / hop off and you will see EVERYTHING there is to see.

    Also consider spending some time at Sentosa Island

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 16:56

      ya, will spend 1 day there, but at most at universal studio

      • jason101 on 14/03/2018 - 22:48
        +2

        The aquarium outranks Universal in my opinion

        • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 22:52

          really? can you explain a bit more in details plz. thanks.

        • jason101 on 14/03/2018 - 23:16

          @Diesmile: It may be a personal preference, but to me the https://www.rwsentosa.com/en/attractions/sea-aquarium aquarium is the best I have been to in the world, where as the Universal theme park Sentosa was possibly one of the 2nd worst theme park I've ever been to in the world (with Legoland Malaysia taking that cake). Not that there is anything wrong with the park, but to me it was just average as far as theme park experiences go. Where as the aquarium had lifetime wow factor for me.

          • virhlpool on 09/01/2019 - 08:07

            @jason101: You haven't been to some of the best aquariums in the world then. Aquarium at Atlanta is by far the best from 3 or 4 that I have seen so far including Singapore one. It ranks pretty high as well by most of the publications.

        • Diesmile on 15/03/2018 - 12:06

          @jason101:

          thanks, although aquariums are nice, i prob will try more roller coasters, since i was too scared to try them before i married my wife.lol

        • Hunry on 15/03/2018 - 14:43
          +2

          @Diesmile: I loved Universal Studios at Singapore! The Transformers ride is very unique. I'd recommend getting the fast/express pass if queues exceed an hour because you'll end up missing out on quite a bit of the park. However, after 5PM queues usually die down and rides have very little wait times.

        • Diesmile on 15/03/2018 - 14:45

          @Hunry:

          yes, but if we want to watch wing of times, then we had to factor dinner time as well.

        • TheBean on 16/03/2018 - 18:36
          +1

          @Diesmile: Get the express pass for sure, and go as early as you can to make the most of the rollercoasters as even the express queues get very long ~ 45++++++++ min wait on the express pass at peak times.

      • barratttc on 17/03/2018 - 09:58

        You MUST get the express pass!! Not negotiable. It will cost you more BUT otherwise you shall spend all day in queues. You'll have a great day. Lots of fun. AND you will be able to go on the Battlestar Gallactica twin roller coasters. They were closed when I was there.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 16:04
      +1

      Sentosa is well past its sell-by date. I wouldn't bother.

  • salmon123 on 14/03/2018 - 16:24
    +1

    geylang, duxton hill, orchard towers

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 16:56

      what does duxton hill offer?

      • salmon123 on 14/03/2018 - 17:09

        Do you really need to ask? Same stuff as geyland and orchard towers…

        • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 17:24

          lol, too bad i have mrs with me

        • salmon123 on 14/03/2018 - 17:31
          +1

          They're very open minded and there's something for everyone, doesn't matter which way you swing.

        • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 17:38

          @salmon123:

          prob more money minded, lol

  • montorola on 14/03/2018 - 16:29
    +1

    Bugis Markets

    • CacheHunter on 14/03/2018 - 23:29

      I know that others have suggested the food, but there's a fantastic apam balik stall at the markets - I used to try to detour all my international flights through Singapore just so I could get some

      • virhlpool on 09/01/2019 - 08:10

        You can find cheap designer clothes, bags etc in Bugis St market. The quality is generally good and well worth the money.

  • stargalaxy on 14/03/2018 - 16:32

    Try the DURIAN.

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 16:48

      a must, every time i visit asia, i eat durian. to add on the list, drink plenty coconut water to counter balance the fire.

      • retiredfeline on 14/03/2018 - 16:54
        +1

        Mangosteens are the traditional antidote.

  • websterp on 14/03/2018 - 16:34
    +1

    Visit a couple of hawker food centres for dinner. Satay Street, Newton Circus, etc., etc. This is a must do if you are visiting Singapore for the first time or the 100th time. And don't forget to taste the Chilli Crab and a Sling!

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 16:49

      i notice this chili crab came up on a lot of lists. are they really spicy? because i am not really into that.

      • stargalaxy on 14/03/2018 - 16:54
        +1

        Not really spicy, you better book as it is always crowded, Jumbo is the name of the joint and they have few outlets.

        • Archi on 15/03/2018 - 13:32

          no signboard seafood is much better

        • dji1111111 on 15/03/2018 - 14:39
          -1

          @Archi:

          Beg to differ. No Signboard was extremely overpriced and not even worth it.
          No wonder it was dead quiet when Jumbo Seafood was fully packed both times I've been there.

        • Archi on 15/03/2018 - 15:00
          +1

          @djc926:

          really, jumbo to me seemed like a tourist trap..

          and no signboard in geylang was great and bustling with locals. maybe I need to try jumbo again.

        • dji1111111 on 15/03/2018 - 18:59
          -1

          @Archi:

          I tried the one in Clark Quay and it was terrible and completely regretted the decision to eat there.
          Then I tried Jumbo and it was cheaper and better.

        • Jared17 on 16/03/2018 - 07:39

          @djc926:
          All wrong. Long Beach is the best

      • retiredfeline on 14/03/2018 - 16:54

        You can request milder.

  • GG57 on 14/03/2018 - 16:36

    Food-wise and location-wise, I like the chilli crab and other seafood at the restaurants on East Coast Parkway.

  • IceCreamBandit on 14/03/2018 - 16:39
    +1

    Orchard Road is good for shopping.

    Gardens by the Bay is great. The 'Domes' are air-conditioned but entry fees apply. They also have nightly light shows at 7:45pm and 8:45pm.

    Chilli crab is a must if you like seafood

    • virhlpool on 09/01/2019 - 08:11

      Orchard road is full of malls but expensive and not anything in terms of price that you wouldn't get elsewhere. I would rather prefer small shops style markets where I have price advantage over here e.g. Bugis St market.

  • dasher86 on 14/03/2018 - 17:01

    Do not stay in little india on a Sunday…

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 17:05

      lol don't scare me, and why is that?

      • dasher86 on 14/03/2018 - 17:11

        It was very busy with and difficult to move. think new years celebration in the CBD where there are fireworks…
        Mainly male migrant workers - my partner didn't feel very comfortable. - reasonably harmless chaps but they just stare…

        • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 17:13

          i guess that can be getting a bit uncomfortable, i guess we prob won't hang around there at night.

          we prob will watch the lights and night life around china town and bay areas and go to hotel straight after.

          • virhlpool on 09/01/2019 - 08:14

            @Diesmile: Little India has got some of the best restaurants in the town if you want to try vegetarian food (not runof the mill chicken curries that we get here) and most of them are very reasonably priced.

            Many restaurants and shops are open till late night and Mustafa Centre is open 24/7 so you will never feel unsafe in that area. While of Singapore is very safe anyway. We went to a coin-operated laundromat to do our laundry at 2am and there were still people around and it felt very safe.

        • dasher86 on 14/03/2018 - 17:14

          @Diesmile:
          should okay.

          this thread here explains it better than i do.
          https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g294265-i1748-k6459…

  • ZippyRoo on 14/03/2018 - 17:16
    +2

    If you have time, do the Night Safari or/and the River Safari. Also the Singapore Flyer during sunset is nice.

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 17:24

      i want to do the flyer, but i have heard night safari is not that interesting and so far away as well.

      • ZippyRoo on 14/03/2018 - 17:30
        +1

        I quite liked the night safari, and there were actually lots of animals to see. I booked it with transfer on Viator to pick us up from the hotel and drop us off at the end, so it was a pretty smooth experience. The river safari is newer, only came about a few years ago I believe so I haven't been personally, but it looks pretty interesting from their website. Make sure you bring an umbrella, it usually rains for a little bit every day late in the arvo.

        • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 17:37

          got you, maybe i will buy an umbrella at singapore. wife hates me carry lots of things around.

        • Mummy2 on 14/03/2018 - 19:37
          +1

          We did the river safari 2 years ago. We all preferred the night safari by far.

          As part of the river safari you get to see lots of aquatic animals in their enclosure tanks and the pandas (which was cool). This is by foot. Neither of these things you get to see unless you do the river safari option (or at least that was the case 2 years ago). They weren't part of the regular zoo. The actual river safari bit was about 30 mins - a boat on the river going around the back (river side) of the enclosures of some of the animals in the regular part of the zoo. It's just pot luck if any happen to be at the river end of their enclosures and you get to see them. We saw a rhino and a giraffe I think. That was it (it was a pleasant boat ride but not interesting). There is also a "water ride" as part of the river safari which is pretty cool. It only lasts about 5 mins but you get to go through (into) some enclosures with birds and primates and there are a splashes along the way.

          • virhlpool on 09/01/2019 - 08:18

            @Mummy2: They also have a new thing called Rainforest Lumina which is a light and music effect walking trail within the zoo. It's around an hour long walk with a lot of lighting and animations on the way. There is a separate ticket for it but I would say it's worth it. You can actually book a combo ticket for all five attractions: Zoo, night Safari, river safari, bird park and rainforest lumina

        • CheapCoffee on 16/03/2018 - 00:35

          @Mummy2:

          Agreed. River safari was OK but I had a friend with me who has been to the night safari and thought it was much better :)

      • garffi on 14/03/2018 - 23:01

        I liked the night safari too, it's an interesting concept. If you decide to go, definitely don't miss out on 'creatures of the night' show.
        There's also a light and water show called Spectra near the Marina Bay Sands area. It's free, so why not?
        I think you've already found some good places to go. Universal studios was one of the highlights of my trip. Gardens by the Bay is also very cool (literally too).

      • fruxo on 15/03/2018 - 23:59

        We were disappointed in the night safari. It wasn't terrible, but if I was you I'd focus on just visiting the zoo during the day instead. We found that much more enjoyable.

  • WreckTangle on 14/03/2018 - 19:18

    U gotta visit the Merlion fountain… classic Singapore (and its free). Plus the spectra light show nightly, also free. https://www.marinabaysands.com/entertainment/spectra.html#q4…

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 19:28

      yeap, had that on the list too. also going to visit the merlion on the island.

  • STE on 14/03/2018 - 20:18
    +1

    smash up the tiger beer at Marina Bay Sands club level

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 22:53
      +1

      never in drinking, lol, same with my wife.

    • BiotBargin on 15/03/2018 - 21:56

      go to tiger - pour your own and smash it…then get a few more for the road!

  • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2018 - 22:29
    +2

    Replace 50% with relaxing by the hotel pool.

    • Diesmile on 14/03/2018 - 22:53

      i would if we stay there over a week, but for 3.5 days, we are trying to do as much as possible without getting too tired.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2018 - 23:05

      And take part in the ultimate loser holiday activity?

      • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 01:12

        Is Charlie Sheen's kool-aid on bulk special at Costco?

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 07:27

          If you want to lounge around by the pool, he might as well go to Bali with all the other losers.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 10:01

          @Burnertoasty:
          Those same losers would probably jump grammatical person mid-sentence, much like you.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 18:08
          +1

          @Frugal Rock: I’m sure that sounded awesome in your head, but next time try writing in English.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 20:14
          -3

          @Burnertoasty:
          It might need to be monosyllabic phonetic bogan English for your edification.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 21:08

          @Frugal Rock: Guy, the sentence doesn’t make sense.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 21:26
          -3

          @Burnertoasty:
          It does if you understand primary school grammatical person, so it doesn't make sense to you.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 21:30

          @Frugal Rock: That sentence doesn’t make sense either Shakespeare.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 21:34
          -1

          @Burnertoasty:
          Not to the gormless.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 21:50

          @Frugal Rock: No, literally, that sentence does not make sense. It is not English. You are making a fool of yourself.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/03/2018 - 22:04

          @Burnertoasty:
          What are the consequences, pray tell? I feel more like William Beaumont.

          Drink some fine, 'diner de cons' double points wine.

        • Brianqpr on 16/03/2018 - 18:17

          @Burnertoasty: I would say there's more of interest to see in Bali than Singapore, and I've been to both more than once. You do need to actually make the effort to get out of Kuta/Legian (where you will find most of those 'losers') though. Both are good destinations in their own way. Both destinations also have the option to lounge by a pool if that's your thing.

  • Blue Suby on 15/03/2018 - 09:56
    +2

    I love Singers! Half my trips are as an (old person) single female. There are plenty of places I've been where I've not felt comfortable on my own but Singapore is definitely no one of them. Taxis are plentiful and cheap - if at a busy place ring and book so the wait is no too long. Wine is expensive $60 for a $10-15 bottle here so beer is cheap. MRT is cheap, plentiful and fast if you want to get around. Not much open before 10am so enjoy the cooler night crowds. Don't underestimate you staying power in the high humidity-even the Zoo has little aircon sheds to recuperate!
    As a bye the bye, I was travelling to the Gardens by taxi and my black purse had slipped out onto the floor. I was a little panicked but had an alternate credit card to use (hint-don't put all your money in one container) I did have my hotel key in it-though didn't catch taxi from there. When I got back ready to cancel cards etc. I asked at the counter if it by some chance was handed in. It was there minus the SD20 I had in it-but happy to lose that as a 'finders' fee. They do take crime seriously over there. I did keep an eye on my cards for a few months but nothing untoward was listed.

  • Archi on 15/03/2018 - 13:52
    • lau pa sat in the evening for grilled satay and hawker food with a lime juice.
    • no signboard seafood, for chilli and pepper crab they have a few outlets but the one lor22 geylang is original and better atmosphere more locals.
    • seafood buffett at a royal plaza on scotts
    • foods I recommend Rojak, cereal butter prawns, frog leg congee, sugar cane juice with mint, tropical fruit smoothies, ice cream sandwich, anything with pandan, grilled sting ray, Roti, prawn and fish paste stuffed in veges both in broth and grilled, sampling in takashimaya, fried bihoon, fried carrot cake both white and dark with egg, kaya toast with soft poached egg for breakfast,
    • even though its Malaysian the tarik is nice in Singapore too
  • Diesmile on 15/03/2018 - 13:54

    is sling for female only ?

    • arcticmonkey on 15/03/2018 - 14:36

      Singapore Sling?

      • GG57 on 15/03/2018 - 14:39
        +1

        Real men can drink whatever they want, can probably even have a non-alcoholic version

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