24 hours in Singapore

What to do if you have 24 hours in singapore?

Singapore is but a tiny red dot on the world map but do not assume that there is nothing to see.

Don’t fall in to that trap and make a trip even if it is just a 24hour stopover.

Singapore Changi airport is a fantastic place but 24 hours in the airport is a stretch, so here’s a plan for a little bit of everything, well not everything but enough to go back home and tell your friends and family that you saw Singapore and have some pictures to show for it as well.

Lets assume that you took the night flight into the city and checked into some pre-booked transit hotel. Enjoy and get indulged, as most Singapore hotels in the mid range of prices will give you a good experience. Try to be close to town if you can, staying near Orchard road or near City hall makes it easer to travel around.

24 hours in singapore, what to do 24 hours in singapore - What to do

It might be a good idea to grab a SIA Singapore hop on hop off coach schedule. It’s a coach service by Singapore Airlines where SIA and Silk Air passengers get to travel for $6/pax while others pay double ($12). The coach takes you to some choice spots in Singapore and you can pick and choose where you want to.er…yes, hop on and hop off!! Coach tickets can be bought on the bus itself or in some hotels. The concierge should be able to help with details on that.

Singapore has a fantastic network of public transportation but you do still have to walk around a lot to truly experience it, so it may be a good idea to put on some comfortable shoes or sandals and dress light (it’s a tropical country)

7:00 am

Most hotels will have a breakfast deal but if you can wring yourself away from the continental spread hop onto a cab or a bus and head into Little India, you won’t regret it. Once there you will be spoilt for choice. But a simple authentic south Indian breakfast at Komala Vilas is a good way to start your day.

Steaming hot idlis (steamed rice cakes), vada (savoury lentil doughnuts), scrumptious Pongal and a hot cup of filter coffee are all the fuel you need for the day ahead.

A simple tasty meal with ample taste of culture is what you will experience in Little India. The hustle and bustle of shop owners and shoppers trying to get an early start to their day, groceries and vegetables and just on a religious tryst. Walk around while you digest your breakfast and take in all the culture, noise and colours around you, step into a couple of Indian temples right outside your doorstep.

24 hours in singapore, what to do 24 hours in singapore - What to do

10:00am

Time for a little bit of shopping, Orchard road is not too far away. Orchard is a long stretch of some of the best malls you will find in the country. Prepare to get engulfed in mall mania housing popular international names, Haute couture, branded beauty care, touristy souvenirs, silks, house-wares and you name it.

12:00pm

Two hours in Orchard if you can tear yourself away, hop on to the SIA bus in front of one of the malls look for the SIA bus sign in the bus stops.

Next stop Bugis Street, the ultimate in Singapore street shopping experience after a tryst with expensive brands.

24 hours in singapore, what to do 24 hours in singapore - What to do

The whole street is a maze of shops selling clothes, watches, bags (some brands), accessories, food, fruits, souvenirs etc.

It is impossible to cover all the little lanes especially with the limited time on hand because you are sure to get lured into almost each and every one of them by the enthusiastic vendors.

Walk up to the end of Bugis Street and step into the Buddhist temple on nearby Waterloo Street, Kwan Im Tong Hood Che dedicated to the Buddhist goddess of mercy. It’s a beautiful temple and gives an insight into Singapore diverse culture. Devotees light incense there and at the Sri Krishnan Hindu temple right next to it as a testimony to the religious diversity and tolerance in Singapore.

24 hours in singapore, what to do 24 hours in singapore - What to do

Arab Street is a short (ish) walk away. Glad you are wearing those comfortable shoes aren’t you? Traditionally called Kampong Glam, Arab Street is the heart of Singapore’s Islamic heritage. Kampong literally means village and Glam, well, I say now is short for glamour (not) but it truly is a bustling abode of the old and new.

Small sidewalk cafe's, rows of fabric shops selling anything from fabric to carpets and cane baskets take you through a different era altogether. Quaint shop houses that serve anything from traditional Malay to Egyptian and Turkish food Sheesha (hookah) and all. Maybe a good break to have some lunch and take in on the art scene all around, shop some artefacts, hang around have some traditional Kopi and kuah at the coffee shops.

4:30-5:00pm

Its time to hop back on the bus and head to the Singapore Flyer at Raffles Boulevard. The Singapore Flyer has a lot of indoor activities.

After a day of culture, shopping and good eats in the hot sun it’s a good time to sink into some indoor simulator, urban beach café and rainforest experience.

Since there is no time to experience the nature part of Singapore, the flyer somewhat simulates the experience that you can otherwise get on a leisurely holiday to Singapore.

7:00pm

The sun has set and its getting a little dark out so hop onto the Ferris wheel to have a preview of Singapore by night.

All ticketing information can be found as you enter the complex itself.

The Ferris wheel is the highlight of the Singapore Flyer experience and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Singapore by night.

24 hours in singapore, what to do 24 hours in singapore - What to do

8:00pm

Its dinner time take now, you can take a river taxi from the Singapore Flyer an go on a tour of the Singapore river before you hit Singapore’s most popular river front hangouts Boat quay, Riverside quay and Clark quay. You cannot come into Singapore and leave with out some seafood experience Jumbo at Riverside point is known for its chilli crabs.

A relaxing and delectable dinner on the peaceful and colourful riverfront and then the rest of the night is all yours at the hottest nightspots in Clark quay to party the night away. Make sure you are back at your hotel room in time to pack and leave for the airport though.

Most people think Singapore is all about just shopping which is not really true. There are some nice experiences that you can have and 24 hours will just give you a taste of what you really need to come back for.

24 hours in singapore, what to do 24 hours in singapore - What to do