1 Day Singapore Itinerary

If you only have one day in Singapore, you’re not going to see everything – but you can see a surprising amount.

Singapore is a major transport hub, so it’s common to find yourself here for just a night or two on the way somewhere else. Some of my own visits have been short stopovers, while others have given me much more time to explore.

After many visits to Singapore, I’ve learnt that when time is limited, it’s better to concentrate on a few areas rather than spend half your day travelling from one side of the island to the other.

This 1 day Singapore itinerary combines some of the city’s most famous sights with plenty of local food, including kaya toast for breakfast, lunch at a hawker centre and satay for dinner.

You’ll visit Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, Chinatown and Raffles Hotel before finishing the day with one of Singapore’s famous evening light shows.

It’s a full day and there’s a fair amount of walking involved, but most of the stops are relatively close together and Singapore’s excellent public transport makes it easy to get around.

If this is your first taste of Singapore, don’t be surprised if one day isn’t enough. You might find yourself planning a longer stopover next time.

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1 Day in Singapore at a Glance

Short on time? Here’s the itinerary at a glance before we get into the details.

• 7:30 am – Start with a kaya toast breakfast
• 8:30 am – Explore Gardens by the Bay
• 10:30 am – Visit the ArtScience Museum (optional)
• 12:30 pm – Lunch at Maxwell Food Centre
• 2:00 pm – Explore Chinatown
• 4:00 pm – Have a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel (optional splurge)
• 5:30 pm – Visit the Merlion and Marina Bay
• 7:00 pm – Dinner at Lau Pa Sat and Satay Street
• 8:45 pm – Watch Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay
• Afterwards – Call it a night or see Singapore from above at Marina Bay Sands

It’s a busy day, but you don’t have to do everything. Skip the stops that don’t interest you and give yourself more time at the places that do.

One Day in Singapore Itinerary

This itinerary is designed to give you a taste of Singapore’s food, culture and biggest sights without wasting too much time travelling between them.

You can do the whole day using public transport, with the occasional Grab or taxi if you want to save time.

There’s also plenty of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for Singapore’s heat and humidity.

7:30 AM – Breakfast: Kaya Toast and Kopi

Start your day with one of my favourite Singapore breakfasts – kaya toast.

Kaya is a sweet coconut and egg jam, usually spread onto toasted bread with butter and served alongside two soft-boiled eggs.

Traditionally, you’ll have it with a cup of kopi (local coffee) or, if you’re like me and don’t drink coffee, order teh instead.

You’ll find kaya toast shops all over Singapore. Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Toast Box are two of the easiest chains to find, but there are plenty of independent kopitiams serving it too.

I’ve tried kaya toast at quite a few places now, and it’s one of those simple Singapore food experiences I keep coming back to.

If you want to seek out some of the best-known versions during a longer visit, have a look at my guide to where to eat kaya toast in Singapore.

But with only one day, I wouldn’t travel across the city just for breakfast – choose somewhere convenient to where you’re staying or near the start of this itinerary.

Allow: Around 30–45 minutes

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8:30 AM – Gardens by the Bay

Make your way to Gardens by the Bay for your first major sightseeing stop.

Start outside at the Supertree Grove. It’s free to wander through the gardens, and visiting early gives you a chance to explore before the heat really kicks in.

The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome open at 9 am, so you can be ready to go inside when they open.

If you only want to visit one, I’d choose the Cloud Forest. This huge glass conservatory is home to tropical plants, elevated walkways and one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls.

You could also visit the Flower Dome, but with only one day in Singapore, I wouldn’t try to squeeze in both. There’s still a lot to fit into your day.

If you’d prefer to keep costs down, skip the conservatories altogether and explore the outdoor gardens and Supertree Grove. You’ll be coming back here tonight for Garden Rhapsody.

Getting there: Take the MRT to Gardens by the Bay (TE22) or Bayfront (CE1/DT16), depending on where you’re coming from.

Allow: Around 1.5 hours

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10:30 AM – ArtScience Museum

From Gardens by the Bay, walk across to Marina Bay Sands and the distinctive lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum.

One of the permanent attractions is Future World: Where Art Meets Science, an interactive digital exhibition created in collaboration with teamLab.

Expect colourful projections, moving artwork and installations you can interact with.

I’ve visited Future World and really enjoyed it, but with only one day in Singapore, I’d consider the ArtScience Museum optional.

If immersive digital art appeals to you, go in. It also gives you a welcome break from Singapore’s heat and humidity.

Otherwise, skip it and spend longer at Gardens by the Bay, explore Marina Bay or head to Chinatown earlier.

There are also changing temporary exhibitions, so check what’s on when you visit.

Getting there: Walk from Gardens by the Bay through the Marina Bay Sands precinct.

Allow: Around 1–1.5 hours

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12:30 PM – Lunch at Maxwell Food Centre

By now you’ll probably be ready for lunch, so make your way to Maxwell Food Centre for your first proper hawker centre experience of the day.

Maxwell has a bit of sentimental value for me because it was the first place I ate on my very first visit to Singapore. We dropped off our luggage and came straight here for lunch – and I’ve been back many times since.

The most famous stall is Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, but don’t feel you have to join a long queue just because it’s the name everyone knows. There are plenty of other stalls and dishes to choose from.

This is a good opportunity to try something from my list of must-try foods in Singapore, whether that’s chicken rice, popiah, rojak, fried carrot cake or whatever catches your eye.

Save room for a drink too. Sugar cane juice is particularly refreshing on a hot Singapore day.

One of the best things about eating at a hawker centre is that everyone can order from a different stall, so if you’re travelling with someone else, grab a few dishes and share.

Getting there: Maxwell has its own MRT station (TE18), making it easy to reach from the Marina Bay area. If you’re trying to maximise your time, a taxi or Grab is another option.

Allow: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour

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2:00 PM – Explore Chinatown

After lunch, you’re already in Chinatown, so spend some time exploring before moving on.

One of the highlights is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, just across the road from Maxwell Food Centre. Entry is free, and even if you only have time for a quick look inside, it’s worth including.

From there, wander through the streets of Chinatown past colourful shophouses, temples and market stalls.

I also recommend looking out for the street art. There are some fantastic murals tucked around the neighbourhood, many showing scenes from everyday life in Singapore in years gone by.

You could also visit Sri Mariamman Temple, browse the shops around Chinatown Street Market or simply wander without trying to tick off every attraction.

Getting there: Walk from Maxwell Food Centre.

Allow: Around 1–1.5 hours

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4:00 PM – Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel

From Chinatown, make your way to Raffles Hotel for one of Singapore’s most famous – and certainly not cheapest – drinks.

The Singapore Sling was created at the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel in 1915, and having one here has become an iconic Singapore experience.

I’ve now done it myself, and I think this is one of those occasions where you’re paying as much for the experience and location as you are for the cocktail.

The Long Bar retains its old-world feel, and you can join in with the tradition of eating peanuts and throwing the shells onto the floor – something that feels particularly strange in famously clean Singapore!

A Singapore Sling here is definitely a splurge. If spending that much on one cocktail doesn’t appeal, skip it and continue with the itinerary.

The Long Bar is walk-in only, so you don’t need to make a booking. There can be a queue at busy times, though, so allow some flexibility.

Getting there: From Chinatown, take the Downtown Line to Bugis and walk to Raffles Hotel. A taxi or Grab is another easy option.

Allow: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour

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5:30 PM – Visit the Merlion

From Raffles Hotel, make your way towards Marina Bay and the Merlion.

The half-lion, half-fish statue is one of Singapore’s most recognisable landmarks. You don’t need long here, but if this is your first visit, it’s worth stopping for the obligatory photo.

The location is also part of the appeal.

From Merlion Park you’ll have fantastic views across Marina Bay towards Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum, so take a few minutes to enjoy the waterfront rather than simply snapping a photo and leaving.

Getting there: It’s around a 15-minute walk from Raffles Hotel.

Allow: Around 30 minutes

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7:00 PM – Dinner at Lau Pa Sat and Satay Street

For dinner, head to Lau Pa Sat, one of Singapore’s best-known hawker centres.

There are plenty of stalls inside the beautiful historic building, but the main reason I’ve included Lau Pa Sat in this itinerary is Satay Street.

On weekday evenings, part of Boon Tat Street beside Lau Pa Sat closes to traffic from 7 pm and fills with tables, chairs and satay stalls.

On weekends, Satay Street gets going earlier in the afternoon.

Smoke from the grills fills the street as vendors cook skewers of chicken, beef, mutton and prawns over charcoal. Order a selection to share, usually served with peanut sauce, cucumber and onion.

If satay isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other dishes available inside Lau Pa Sat.

Getting there: Walk from Merlion Park through the CBD to Lau Pa Sat.

Allow: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour

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8:45 PM – Watch Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay

Finish your sightseeing with one of my favourite free things to do in Singapore – Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay.

Each evening, the Supertrees come alive with music and lights. I’ve seen Garden Rhapsody many times now and I still go back. It’s one of those Singapore experiences I never get tired of.

There are two shows each evening, currently at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm. The later show fits this itinerary nicely and means you don’t have to rush dinner.

Try to arrive at Supertree Grove a little before the show starts so you can find a good spot. I recommend watching from underneath the Supertrees – simply look up and enjoy it.

Garden Rhapsody is completely free.

Getting there: From Lau Pa Sat, walk to Shenton Way MRT (TE19) and take the Thomson-East Coast Line directly to Gardens by the Bay (TE22). A taxi or Grab is another easy option.

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What About the Spectra Light Show?

There’s another free evening show at Marina Bay Sands called Spectra, which combines fountains, projections, lasers and music over the water.

If you particularly want to see it, check the show times and see whether you can fit it into your evening.

But with only one day in Singapore, I wouldn’t rush between shows just to see both.

If you only choose one, my pick is Garden Rhapsody.

Still Going? See Singapore From Above

After Garden Rhapsody, you may be ready to call it a night – and after a full day of sightseeing, I wouldn’t blame you!

But if you’ve still got some energy, you could finish your day with a view over Singapore.

The Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck is 56 storeys above the city, with views across Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay.

It currently closes at 10 pm, with last entry at 9:30 pm. That makes visiting after the 8:45 pm Garden Rhapsody possible, but you’ll need to head straight across to Marina Bay Sands rather than lingering after the show.

For a more relaxed option, head to CÉ LA VI SkyBar on Level 57 of Marina Bay Sands. It stays open much later, so you can finish the evening with a drink and a view without watching the clock.

Either way, this is an optional splurge. If you’re ready for bed after Garden Rhapsody, you’ve already packed plenty into your day.

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Tips for Spending One Day in Singapore

With only one day in Singapore, a little planning will help you make the most of your time without feeling like you’re constantly rushing.

Use Contactless Payment on Public Transport

Singapore’s MRT and buses are easy to use, and international visitors can use eligible contactless cards to tap on and off.

Foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard cards currently attract a small daily administration fee, but for a one-day visit I think the convenience can outweigh buying a separate transport card.

You can also use eligible cards through mobile wallets. Just make sure you use the same card or device to tap on and off.

Use a Taxi or Grab When It Makes Sense

Public transport is excellent, but sometimes saving 20 or 30 minutes is worth spending a little extra.

With such a packed itinerary, I’d happily use a taxi or Grab if it saves a complicated journey or if you’re hot, tired or running behind schedule.

Wear Comfortable Shoes and Prepare for the Heat

There’s a lot of walking involved in this itinerary.

Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and bring a small umbrella – useful for both tropical downpours and Singapore’s strong sun.

Singapore’s heat and humidity can take more out of you than you expect, so take a break when you need one.

Book Your Must-Do Attractions

If the Cloud Forest, ArtScience Museum or Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is a must-do for you, book your ticket in advance.

You don’t need to book everything, though. Some of the best experiences in this itinerary – exploring Chinatown, seeing the Merlion and watching Garden Rhapsody – are completely free.

Don’t Try to Do Everything

This is deliberately a full itinerary so you have plenty of options, but you don’t have to tick off every stop.

Skip ArtScience Museum if digital art isn’t your thing. Give the Singapore Sling a miss if you don’t want to spend that much on a cocktail.

Choose one conservatory at Gardens by the Bay rather than racing through both.

Your one day in Singapore will be much more enjoyable if you spend your time doing the things that interest you rather than trying to complete a checklist.

For even more advice before your trip, read my Singapore travel tips.

Is One Day in Singapore Enough?

One day in Singapore isn’t enough to see everything – but it is enough to get a really good taste of the city.

With this itinerary, you’ll experience some of Singapore’s most famous sights, eat at hawker centres, explore Chinatown, walk around Marina Bay and finish with one of my favourite Singapore experiences, Garden Rhapsody.

But don’t worry if you don’t get to every stop. Pick the things that appeal to you most and enjoy them rather than spending your whole day watching the clock.

Singapore is an easy place to come back to, particularly if you regularly travel through Changi Airport. I’ve returned many times now, and I still find something new to do – or an excuse to revisit an old favourite.

And if your one-day visit leaves you wanting more, next time make it a longer stopover.