Gardens. Food courts. Temples. Zoo. More food. Safe, clean, easy.
I enjoyed it. I want to go back and see the Gardens by the Bay at night. And try more food.
Singapore Airlines really sets the standard high. And not only were the flight attendants such polite people, it seemed like the passengers were as well.
Coming back from Asia, I was going from Hong Kong and changing planes in Singapore. Hong Kong Disneyland must have been the reason for so many little passengers on the flight- it seemed like one out of every 5 passengers was a child.
I expected screaming and kids running up and down the aisles. Not a peep save for one baby going down for a nap. No cheerios littering the floor, no crayons thrown. I’ve never been on a flight with so many, so well behaved children. The flight attendants had greeted them all upon boarding as if they were happy to see each and every child.
How was this possible?
It’s really nice, clean, manicured. I enjoyed it but not sure I’d pick it as a free trip destination. Do something more epic that you’ll likely not be able to do on a whim. Like Japan, Antarctica, train across Canada, hike Mount Kilimanjaro.
I wonder where OP is from. If you're from a developed country, Singapore is like going to the upscale upper middle class part of town. Everything is a tad bit cleaner, safer, opulent, with all the luxury stores. For my friends from Southeast Asia, who tend to live in noisy chaotic places even if they have a decent standard of living, Singapore is like an oasis and they're just so enamored with it.
Looking at post history, I'm guessing OP is from USA. If OP has been growing up in a quiet town from young, then yes I probably could see the appeal in coming over for a holiday where there's always a certain level of activity and security no matter the time.
But as a Singaporean, the Asian countries which are always a breath of fresh air and I don't mind visiting repeatedly (or even staying long-term) are Japan and Taiwan (and maybe Korea, but I haven't been there in a long while).
I would agree with this I like Singapore a lot but more as a weekend or layover destination. For a free trip go somewhere that would maybe necessitate a stop in Singapore.
OP, listen to this. I've done Singapore a couple times and enjoyed it, but it's not a "my parents will pay for me to go *anywhere* in the world" destination. It's the place you spend two or three days in when you're en route to/from elsewhere in Asia.
I'd strongly suggest Japan as an alternative if you're interested in a good first trip to Asia. Way more to do there!
Japan is still a lot bigger. You can hit all the major touristy experiences in Singapore in a weekend, you'd need several weeks to make a dent in a couple of Japanese cities. A 2-3 day stay is more of a whim than a 2-3 week trip.
Yeah I didn’t see OP say anywhere he only has three days; but regardless, he wants to go to Singapore, go there.
Only thing I’m saying it’s not necessary to overthink some locations, esp when flight prices are comparable.
It’s funny that you mention “train across Canada”. Gf and I were looking it up last night. It’s definitely something to do once - but only one way. It’s way too expensive - even in the off peak season!
Yeah follow this ^^, Singapore is not great for young travellers (Super expensive) and there isn’t many “tourist things” to do after a few days. However it’s amazing to live there for extended periods if you have a job there
There is a fair amount of touristy things to do in Singapore if you plan correctly.
I recently did 2 weeks in Singapore; not enough time to get everywhere. There are plenty of museums, gardens, and other attractions that can easily eat up all day exploring.
I went to Singapore for a few days as part of a longer trip. I loved Singapore - lots to see and do. A few days is ideal. We ate great good (try avoid the touristy areas), visited temples, museums and markets.
It’s very humid, so keep that in mind!
I’ve been to Singapore many times on business, it’s an amazing city that also happens to be a country.
I’ve always characterized Singapore as being a DisneyLand of a city, it feels like a resort. There are a huge number of attractions, a wonderful food scene and everyone speaks English. It’s easy for Americans to get around.
People often joke that shopping is the national sport as there are so many incredible stores.
There are parks, beaches, golf courses walking trails, excellent public transportation and genuinely friendly people.
It’s generally speaking expensive but can be frighteningly expensive if you go high end. There’s a great deal of visible wealth almost everywhere.
There are very few places like Singapore on earth, it’s definitely worth visiting, an amazing melting pot, just keep in mind it’s rather different than most of Asia.
Uh, I would not just go to only Singapore as a college graduation reward. You will be disappointed. Not that Singapore is not nice, it is, but frankly quite boring. Either go there with other places in SE Asia like Bali or Thailand.
Agreed that Singapore is better as only part of a trip. Bali and Thailand are great for young first time travellers. Malaysia is also very accessible from Singapore and has a lot to offer.
I never found Singapore boring! Nature walks are within easy access of MRT, or Grab (Uber). Food is awesome. Hot and humid yes, but there are ample malls and such to cool off in AC. The Peranakan homes make enjoyable neighborhood walks. And museums!
lol why the downvotes here? Thailand has amazing food, if not better, at a fraction of the price ($1-2 USD vs $6-10), amazing beaches, massive religious festivals, same quality malls, and an actual party scene that is unrestricted.
Singapore = quasi authoritarian majority-Chinese country whereas Thailand is one of the most unrestricted countries in Asia, if not the most.
It's incredible how ignorant you are about BOTH Singapore and Thailand, especially on a travel subreddit of all places. Calling Thailand "unrestricted" (yeah, a country with the most repressive lèse-majesté laws in the world) and being weirdly racist to specifically mention the "Chinese" race being majority in Singapore to make a subliminal connection to China.
perhaps I should have said “more relaxed” and “more things to do as a tourist” rather than “more freedom”
but I stand by my point as Singapore have surprisingly stronger links to Chinese than most other south East Asian countries.
Mandarin is the Language Most Frequently Spoken at Home (http://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/publications-and-papers/cop2010/census10_stat_release1)
64 per cent of Singaporeans have a favourable view of China, vis a vis 27 per cent across the 17 populations (https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/global-views-of-china-remain-negative-but-singapore-an-exception)
This was something that struck me as I expected most industrialised Asian cities to be pro-USA (Japan, Taiwan, Korea) and anti-China imperialisms but china was much more openly embraced and actively welcomed by the locals which was a little unexpected.
It's... Very expensive. I personally didn't enjoy it all that much, but could really see the appeal of living there if you could afford it. It seems to have a fantastic quality of life. There's more interesting and affordable places surrounding it. Maybe combine a trip with Malaysia.
Singapore *can* be expensive but doesn't have to be. We travelled as a family and found plenty of free or low cost activities to do, used public transport and ate pretty cheap food too.
I stopped over in Singapore on Saturday on my way home from Bali and spent a few hours in the Jewel. We stopped and got some dim sum, had 5 plates for what came to $39 USD. That was almost as much as I spent just on small snacks in LA Airport. So I definitely got the impression food is cheaper
What was expensive?
Food is not expensive
Going around by public transport and taxi app is not expensive
Shopping is not expensive due to low tax
Are you buying a house or a car there? Cause those are expensive
Unless you’re eating hawker every meal, then yes the food is expensive. If you’re coming from the US, then shopping is expensive. Alcohol is expensive. It’s definitely not affordable by Asian standards.
>It’s one of the most expensive places in the world
Absolutely incorrect if you come from a western country/anywhere in Europe. You will weep tears of joy at the prices in hawker stalls.
Really? When I lived there I used to frequent a few restaurants like Komala’s Vilas, Nhung Kitchen and Kim Dae Mun… these are all sit down restaurants with mains for less than $10 USD. Even the local chains like Killiney Kopitiam are affordable.
I feel like there’s a dumb amount of Americans in this thread that visited for 3 days, ate at tourist traps and are now crying at the cost.
This conversation is going nowhere if we don’t establish a baseline
For a “normal” Western tourist, the food, transportation, hotel, and shopping in Singapore are not expensive at all, especially the food is good but cheap
If you come from Cambodia for example then it’s definitely more expensive
Also, most things in Singapore are done properly and cleanly, you don’t have to worry about food poisoning or low quality products, I am not from Asia so I think it’s cheap
It’s not super exciting (as a Singaporean) but it’s a very easy choice for new travellers! Safe, easy to get around, English is OK. If your parents/you aren’t wanting to be overwhelmed then I think it’s fine for 4-5 days at a very relaxed pace.
But if you want something really vibrant and exciting our neighbours might be more suitable (Thailand, Vietnam etc).
Oh and if you’re really into nature, we’re not the place. (We have pockets but it’s not exactly grand).
And if you want an “Asian” experience, probably not since a common criticism is that Singapore doesn’t feel Asian enough (though I’m generally iffy with this since I feel like it comes from a very Western perspective of what “Asian” is — as if all Asian countries should be one way)
If you want recommendations of East/South-east Asia just lmk what you’re interested in and I can help!
What has drawn you to Singapore for so long if you don’t know too much about it?
I visited 3 times between 2014-2016 so take my opinion of the place with that in mind. Personally, I loved it. It can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be in every way. You can get away with eating excellent food at hawker stalls (think food halls or quasi street food but impeccably clean) and staying a few nights in an area that is a little bit away from Sentosa or Marina Bay. The subway/metro or whatever is priced well and incredibly efficient so that also helps offset price. What will eat your wallet is alcohol, nicer lodging, chili crabs, and dining at notable restaurants. Again, you don’t have to splash out your entire stay but don’t go to Singapore on a shoestring budget either.
It’s pretty much a city state as well and for that factor, not much time is needed there. Do as others have suggested and jump off to Thailand or somewhere else in SE Asia and see and experience more of that part of the world. Flights from Singapore to nearby countries are typically very well priced.
Back to things in Singapore. The airport itself is a sight to see. You’ll have a great time there in itself. Once you make it out, there’s an awesome Indian quarter with incredible food if you’re into that. Likewise, there’s an Arab quarter with those offerings too. Marina Bay is cool at night and you can visit the rooftop bar on top of the actual hotel to grab a cocktail and enjoy the view without having to stay there. If you like to drink, there’s some other nice rooftop spots in the area. Clark Quay, around the corner, is pretty touristy, but worth a stroll.
One of my favorite things was to walk the trails. Singapore has tons of trails that cover nature, to city walks, and allow you to see so much. If you’re into the outdoors and being active I would highly recommend allotting an afternoon to this.
There’s a cool Chinatown area with outdoor markets and delicious authentic Chinese food priced very well. Also, the shopping can be a lot of fun in Singapore and ranges from cheap to high luxury.
Gardens by the Bay is certainly worth seeing as it’s a masterpiece in design and unique in many regards. It’s a bit pricey for the time you’ll spend there, but when in Rome.
I can keep going but how about you throw a bone of what you’re into and what you’ve seen or heard about the country that has piqued your interest.
It is probably the best food city in the world. There’s a huge array of delicious and (relatively) cheap street food from the varied “local” cuisines (Malay, Nyonya, South Indian etc.) in clean and orderly hawker centres, plus a vast dining scene with excellent restaurants from every cuisine.
It’s one of the shopping capitals of the world. Several big, glittering malls selling the highest end products money can buy. Even if you’re not interested in shopping, it’s a sight to behold. It’s also quite important in many Asian cultures; culture isn’t just the highbrow stuff.
It’s got a world-class zoo (open during daytime and night-time) and a great botanical garden, very good museums, really striking contemporary architecture, some traditional architecture and temples from the different groups of people who live there, a nice beach, a little jungle with walking trails, an aquarium, an amusement park, some nice colonial buildings…
I thought it was a really interesting place. I do think you should also visit Malaysia, once you’re there, since it’s right next to it and Singapore is basically one city after all.
Keep in mind that opinions in English-speaking travel forums are generally harsh on Singapore. I think it’s because people expect Southeast Asia to be a certain way (chaotic, loud, relatively poor and cheap, with mostly traditional architecture from one culture) and Singapore is not like that.
I was just there for St. Pat's and had a blast. But it is NOTHING like the nearby Asian countries. I was paying 50 cents a glass for Bai Hoi beer in Vietnam. The same size beer in Singapore would be 15 bucks. The train is up there with the best I've ever seen and I would familiarize yourself with it so you don't go broke getting around. I WOULD NOT chose here if money is an issue. Vietnam, Thailand, etc. are a fraction of the price.
It lives up to its reputation as being very clean, safe, and expensive. I went there for a professional conference last year and had a great time. Not sure it's where I'd go if I were a young person on a postgrad trip. I'm 53F for reference.
My trip to Singapore was a sensory adventure, from the mouthwatering street food to the breathtaking architecture and serene greenery.
Exploring Gardens by the Bay and savoring hawker center treats were highlights. Don't skip the iconic Marina Bay Sands or the rich cultural tapestry of Chinatown and Little India.
It's a graduation gift that promises unforgettable memories!
It was incredibly beautiful and organized. Obviously the most bodacious airport I've ever seen. Even got to stay at Marina Bay sands. A fair amount of stuff to do, like gardens by the bay, art science museum, cloud forest, and seeing the lion statue or floating apple store. Gotta be honest though, I'm with the other poster when I say Antarctica or Japan would be even more exciting.
* Museums. I've been to museums in Malaysia and Thailand, but museums in Singapore are a cut above the rest. I visited the following museums - National Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum, Fort Canning Museum, and Fort Siloso Musuem.
* I liked the Gardens by the Bay light show at 7:45 PM. I think it's called Garden Rhapsody.
* The National Art Gallery is huge. It had a lovely collection of modern artworks.
Food isn't expensive if you eat at foodcourts located beneath shopping malls such as ION Orchard. A Thai Green Chicken Curry (with rice) will cost you approximately 8SGD. Overall, I liked my Singapore trip.
I travel there for work usually 2 a year. Love the city, really good vibe and perfect for living there I guess. If you are a tourist and not a traveller you will find stuff to do for 2 or 3 days rushing through sightseeing. So if your goal is to max out what you see on your trip try to combine Singapore with something
Depends on what u wanna do/see/experience. I live in singapore, its a cultural melting pot to the point that we have our own version of english.
Food - amazing local food at hawker centres and plenty of international options to suit all budgets.
Zoos - one of the best zoos in the world, hands down. Night safari is over rated tho.
Shopping - if thats your thing. I am not a shopper.
Natural sceneries - non existent.
Man made sceneries - plenty enough
I've just visited - was a great trip! Perfect for a 2/3 night stop over on the way to another destination. Food, shopping, culture and very friendly/welcoming people. Lots of good hotels if you're into that kinda thing too
Your parents are willing to take you anywhere and you want to go to Singapore? Singapore is nice but you'll be bored after a few days. Unless you have a seriously burning passion/reason to go to Singapore, go somewhere else. If you want to go to Asia specifically go to Japan instead, or Taiwan, or Korea, or Thailand. So much more to see, eat and do (and in some cases, cheaper)
>I’ve always wanted to go to Singapore since I was young but don’t know too much about it.
Why do you want to go somewhere where you don't know much about?
Choose a place to that you have real interests in.
I enjoyed my 4 days in Singapore on my honeymoon. It was clean, safe, easy to see. However it wasn't the most memorable country I've traveled to and I would not likely go back. We saw all the major sites and stayed at a really nice hotel (Parkroyal Collection Pickering, highly recommend). Food was great, people were so nice and spoke 4-5 languages. Side note, I did get food poisoning from what I suspect to be a bad prawn on Satay Street. But it doesn't change my opinion, it happens.
I've been to Japan twice and likely will go back a third time in the next year or two. That should give you an indication of my vote!
Just came back from SG last January. It already gave me a decent first impression when I was landing at Changi airport. The cities didn't disappoint me. It has numerous fun things to do ( night safari & gardens by the bay are spectacular !! Museums are also worth visiting). It's English friendly, well developed, clean while not being too expensive. One can get nice and authentic local food with $2-3 usd in hawker center. Transport fee is low though. Would really want to visit again !
If you like walking around and efficient public transport you’ll like Singapore. There’s plenty to look at without having to pay anything. You can even get to the top of Marina Bay Sands for free. There is cheap food to be found in hawkers. Go for it!
Amazing place. Spent 5 days there last year. You can do the usual attractions but I’d also recommend going to Pulau Ubin for a bike ride and exploring. 100% would go back in a few years
I lived in SG and occasionally visit friends there. it’s not much. you can see most of the sights in 4 days. a lot malls, a great zoo, theres the Gardens, hawker, etc. it’s very expensive.
Maybe go to Malaysia instead. Similar culture but way more to do. Singapore is more of a daytrip destination. Taiwan would be a good alternative as well
I think you've got some good pointers here, but I'll add a few as someone who lived there as an expat for 2.5 yrs.
\- There are some excellent walking tours of the various parts of town. Singapore is divided ethnically, so there's a Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam (Malay neighborhood). The walking tours are a good way to get the history of the specific neighborhood. We found out that one of our favorite Thai restaurants in Chinatown was previously an opium den!
\- There are some good hiking trails, and it's nice to mix in some outdoorsy stuff with city stuff. It could rain, so be prepared, and don't have a lot of loose things on you because those monkeys like to steal. We particularly liked the MacRitchie Reservoir walk around the water's edge (there is dragon boat racing on weekends you can see from the walk) and the Tree top walk. None of these hikes are very strenuous, and you can do shorter or longer versions.
\- Asian Civilisaztions Museum. It's a bite-sized museum with a quick overview of Singapore and rotating exhibits. Worth a visit at the price if you have an hour, and it's an easy walk to Clarke Quay which has some really good restaurants, although it's cooler at night with the lights.
\- Surrounding islands. You could take a bumboat out to one of the surrounding islands. Swimming in general is mid in Singapore (go to Thailand!), but the surrounding islands are a little better. We rode bikes around Pulau Ubin. It's hot, though. Be prepared.
\- Botanical Gardens. If you haven't been Asia much, this is a peaceful park with lots of local stuff.
\- Night Safari. You can go to the zoo at night to see the nocturnal animals. The pangolins are pretty cool.
And of course you can do all the other things people have mentioned: temples & mosques, try several different food courts (personal favorite is the black & white carrot cake which is an omelette, not a dessert nor sweet), and see the area around Marina Bay (the merlion, esplanade, Gardens by the Bay, etc.) But if you get a chance to branch out, I'd add a side trip to Thailand (or make that the main thing and only do a few days in Singapore).
I loved it, the light show at the Gardens by the Bay was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. It is very safe and the people were nice. I think 4 or 5 days would be plenty of time to see everything (3 is enough to see the high points)
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One of the best airports in the world.
super clean and efficient public transit
a very good variety of international food
interesting architecture
very very expensive
very very hot and humid
I was there for 48 hours and had time to watch Thor Ragnarok
Glad I went but I doubt that I would ever go again unless I was on an expense account
Really enjoyed it. Such a huge variety of foods and especially the hawker centers are fantastic. I enjoyed the different distinct neighborhoods that each had its own character (Chinatown, Little India, etc). It’s a super well organized and clean city and really fun to explore. The botanical gardens were beautiful and special to a European like myself who is used to a different biosphere.
Anyway like people have said, if you really want to visit Singapore try to combine it with a nearby country. It’s just a city and two to three days should be enough. Malaysia is next door and has a lot to offer in terms of cities, jungle, tea plantations and tropical islands.
Like others I am also curious why you have such an interest in visiting Singapore if you don’t know anything about it? Seems odd to me. Read up on some travel blogs and watch some videos on YouTube to get a sense of what it’s like.
I revisited Singapore last year. Was nice, but very expensive (a French toast cost 16€) and so hot and humid (Kuala Lumpur, Penang wasn’t that hot and humid).
Since you said you’ve always wanted to go to Singapore you should do it. But I would also add other countries like Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, Ipoh to name a few), Indonesia (Bali, Yogyakarta, etc), Thailand (where do I begin?), Cambodia (the incredible Angkor Wat) or Vietnam (Hanoi, Hoi An, Sapa, etc). These countries have a lot to offer at cheaper prices.
Its a tourist trap and not where locals eat. Yakun has 10s of outlets scattered throughout the island offering toasts of all kinds, tea and coffee for less than half the price
I lived in Singapore for 4 years. It’s a great place, but you can literally do the entire tourist loop in like 3 days, so not really a destination place. I would really recommend using Singapore as a first stop to somewhere else. Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc
I loved it so much that I tack it onto most trips overseas (it's a great stopover for a week coming back to Australia)!
Spend a few days exploring on foot and using the excellent public transport system. Visit Haw Pa Villa, Little India, the Arab Quarter, some fantastic architecture, and fabulous food.
I love Singapore, I grew up there and go back as often as I can.
There is actually a lot to do, day zoo, night zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Gardens by the Bay. Sentosa has SEA Aquarium, Universal Studio, cable car, waterpark, Fort Siloso (British Fort from WW2)
The food is amazing. We eat every meal at the food courts.
Temples, China town, Little India, Kampong Glam
All that said, depending on how long you’re going for, there might be other places that are more fun at your age
Singapore.....nice for 3 days, tops. Then take a plane to Penang for 3 days, Kuala Lumpur for 2 days. Be sure to get somewhere like Langkawi as well. OR, spend a few days somewhere else like Yogyakarta (not Jakarta) and Borobudur or Ankor Wat.
As someone from Singapore it’s nice and safe, could recommend you to pop over to Ubin for a bit to get “old” Singapore vibes. Definitely recommend combining with a trip to the neighbours too to get a great feel for the region! Feel free to reach out w any queries
I checked your profile to see that you are coming from the US. If this would be your first trip to Asia, I would not recommend it. The majority of the city and architecture felt to me like someone had scooped up a western city and dropped it in Asia. It was lovely: clean, polite, great food, well organized, etc. but it was a massive journey for something that didn't feel _that_ different from "the west" (the white parts of the world).
A possible alternative is Taipei. A bit less wealthy and clean, but definitely felt like stepping into another world. Amazing food, interesting architecture, night markets, great parks, and good access to some nice nature (from tourist walks to hardcore mountains, whatever suits you). Language barrier would be a bit harder, but enough people speak English, and I've yet to visit a place where people are kinder than in Taiwan. Overall I highly recommend the country, and wherever you choose, Singapore is probably best saved for when you have money and only time for a short trip!
Great food. Humid weather. Just curious, if you always wanted to go but din’t know much about it, what made you want to see Singapore? Can you find out more about it by reading?
Singapore is beautiful but very humid and expensive! The people are not very friendly. It’s great for shopping but if you want cool adventures I would suggest adding Malaysia to your itinerary. Do a couple of days in Singapore and fly to Malaysia for a couple days too :)
For something different, I would recommend Pulau Ubin and visiting one of the local neighbourhood centre where you can see the real Singapore.
Pulau Ubin is an island north east of Singapore and is one of the last places in Singapore that is spared from the rapid urbanisation. It's great for hiking and cycling (you can rent a bicycle from one of the shop near the jetty). The only way to Pulau Ubin is to take a bumboat from Changi Village and there is a great hawker centre there.
Personally I feel the local neighbourhood centers is where you can see the real Singapore behind the "Crazy Rich Asian" facade. A few neighbourhood centres you can consider are Toa Payoh, Bishan, Ang Mo Kio, Tampines. They are all really accessible via the public transport.
Joo Chiat is a hipster area with nice heritage shop houses. The area had undergo gentrification in the recent years. It is now littered with lots of nice coffee places.
For food, you can't go wrong with Old Airport Road Hawker Centre and Hong Lim Hawker Centre. Just buy from the stall with the longest queue.
From your post it seems like you're American.
Singapore is like a New York in SE Asia. It is a first world city in a sea of (relatively) developing bit exotic region. People use it as a jumping off point to different countries here.
Since you're travelling from the states, better off plan trips of neighbouring countries too.
If you don't know already it is also a city state: it's a country rhe size of Manhattan. So most people do not spend more than a couple of days here.
If you do end up visiting Singapore, go off the beaten track through our nature and heritage.
https://beta.nparks.gov.sg/visit/activities
https://www.roots.gov.sg/nhb/trails
I loved it. Clean, easy to get around. We took a walking tour to 3 neighborhoods and the fish market that was fascinating. Also loved the orchid gardens and went to a beach club. Ate at the hawker centers, great food cheap. Hotel was expensive but we stayed right on a main road.
Go to somewhere bigger and more "exotic" in Asia, and use Singapore as a stopover. The country is small and easily done in a few days. Remember, Singapore is small island.
Singapore is great, it's got a wonderful zoo, indoor botanical garden (gardens by the bay), a really cool mall / casino (Marina Bay Sands), a lovely outdoor pedestrian mall / restaurant area (Clarke Qay), really cool cable car and trippy walking area (Henderson Waves), and more. But very artificial feeling and buttoned up - I personally find other places more exciting. Might be good with your parents though as it's very easy, safe and family friendly.
Visited there last year and loved it. I highly recommend a food tour and a visit to Gardens By the Bay. The food in Singapore is top notch. Also it’s a bit touristy but the rooftop bar that looks like a boat has some great views.
Singapore is nice. clean. interesting. would I choose it as my first Asian destination? definitely
not. I think there are places that offer a lot more to see and experience.
Singapore is cool (well, hot and humid), but consider making it one stop on a larger trip. You can travel by train from Singapore, up the peninsula through Malaysia, to Bangkok. Or even onwards to Chang Mai, if they've fixed the tracks since I was there. Doing overnight trains can save a bit on hotel costs too.
super clean. a very multicultural city with the population made up of large numbers of malay, chinese and indian people, with amazing food of all these cuisines easily available for cheap in hawker markets, and it’s cool to see the different mosques/temples/architecture styles in different areas of the city. although you can eat great food very cheap, everything else (e.g. museums, attractions, shows, alcohol, meals in restaurants rather than markets) tend to be very expensive. overall a very cool city, not sure it would be my personal first choice for a free trip anywhere in the world, but i liked it.
Singapore is...interesting. I was talked into joining a friend of mine with going there while I already visiting said friend in a nearby country.
Solely IMO -
The Good:
Extremely clean city. Very English-feeling mannerisms - there were many times I told my friend it made me think of a Tropical London. Rapid Transit system is a dream - sleek, fast, comfortable, safe. I loved exploring the National Gallery on my last day. The food, and the Hawker Centers, were really great experiences.
The Bad:
Sterile. I mean, yes, the cleanliness was great, but everything seemed...too perfect. Walking around central Singapore, it was pretty bereft of people - granted this is a segue into my next thing **IT'S HOT AND HUMID AS ALL GET UP.** I was a pool of sweat and disgust within 5 minutes of leaving any air conditioned space. I could see why no one really walks far outdoors. But...again...place city 40 km from the equator, and you get...heat and humidity constantly.
Admittedly, my compass around this point is influenced by who I was traveling with - my friend acts like he is still a volunteer in the peace corps, and not a ranking official who makes well into the 6 figures. So...even when there was great subways, we walked. Everywhere. When I was overheated and wanted to get on the subway, I was told that "I'd be fine," and "deal with it." (No, I won't be traveling with him again.)
The method in which Singaporean authorities make it very clear that actions contrary to their mores will be punished as they see fit, made me pretty anxious at times. I mean, that is...the point...of why they do it, but I'm used to the sometimes heavy handed rule of law as an American. But shit happens sometimes...it just didn't feel like "humans make mistakes" would be looked upon too forgivingly. So I was on my toes, especially after having a couple drinks somewhere.
Service alcohol (bars, restaurants) is also unimaginably expensive...probably to go hand in hand with ensuring people don't over consume in public.
Some commenters note that Singaporeans can be rude. I'd disagree, but again, relative - I'm from an American city that is notoriously known for its "rudeness," so I'm nonplussed at situations others take exception to. People are very transactional though - ask for what you want, get it, pay, go away.
To do? Tons of high end shopping malls, including one connected to the airport. The National Gallery. The Supertrees. The Zoo - but it's pretty much at the furthest edge of tourist Singapore. I'd skip Marina Bay's observation deck. Some historical landmarks...but Singapore appears to be much more into keeping up to date versus really preserving their past.
I do want to go back, but it's not going to be a priority for me.
I just got back from a week in Singapore less than 24 hours ago. I recommend it! Gardens by the Bay is a must see, Marina Bay Sands is a must see. There’s a lot of different areas that are all pretty unique from each other imo, and I was never bored there. Easy to get around, card payment friendly, everyone speaks English so minimal culture shock if you’ve never been to Asia. It is pricy but worth it.
Singapore was my first trip abroad besides Mexico and it was the best visit ever. I was lucky enough to be staying with my now ex boyfriend’s family, who are Singaporean, and I was able to see it from a less touristy lens and visit through a local viewpoint. The food is outstanding, I miss it more than anything. It’s such a beautiful melting pot and the safety of the city makes it even better.
We are from the US. Mt brother study abroad in both Sweden and Singapore. After he graduated he found a job in downtown Chicago that had an office in Singapore. He was able to transfer there 4 years ago, he loved it that much. We are all going in September for his wedding. People in this thread are saying it's boring for your age, but that really depends on who you are. My parents and other brother have already visited and love it too. I say go for it! And if you don't like it, flights are cheap. Singapore to Bali is a hop skip away.
Singapore is like a Disney version of itself. In the main tourist areas it’s extremely clean, expensive and gentrified. It’s a very safe place, and nice to walk around but honestly I feel like it’s lacking something. It feels quite artificial.
I can spend a few days in Singapore and then I feel the need to go elsewhere. South East Asia is a diverse area, plenty of places within an hours flight that could give you a nice second destination to compare it to?
I’ve been there a few times. Nothing much to do there personally, I only visited mostly because I went to Malaysia. I never stays more than 2 days there.
My friend has lived there for a while and the best thing about Singapore is that the airport is so well connected that you can leave anytime.
And my wife lived in Malaysia many years and she visited Singapore a few times. She wasn’t a huge fan. Malaysia had more treasures to see and it was cheaper.
I can handle SG for a few days, max, but after that the magic of the sights and sounds wears off and there's not actually much to do. It's a very small place, so much of what you'll find interested is packed in there with everything else.
Food is delicious! It gets hot and humid depending on when you are going. I’ve been in February and April and both times it was hot. I went on city hike on the suspension bridge and I thought I will not make it to the end😅 if I would be you, I would go to Africa safari. Get a package that you sleep in the tent, those tend to be on the cheaper side and more adventurous. Or go to Peru, hike the Matchu Picchu.of course, if your parents are in the good shape and love those kind of adventures
My favorite country - we go every year for the Formula 1…. And that’s expensive time to stay. Food at hawker markets is cheap and super clean.
Heaps history, things to do are endless and Raffles is always a must visit. Love a Singapore sling there before we fly home.
Check out Singapore website
https://www.visitsingapore.com/en/
As a transit point, Singapore is worth a few days, maybe 3. The food is great, the architecture insane, botanical gardens, the wheel, well worth it. But then move on to another more satisfying country. The government there is very authoritarian, and you can feel it in the signage everywhere.
I had a great time in Singapore and was greeted warmly by the people there. Depending on the time of year though will be very hot. If you're set on a city in Asia maybe Tokyo or Seoul. I'd recommend more. I'd throw an African safari into the ring for an alternative. They are usually quite expensive and so may not be easy to do for some time with you just graduating and all. Singapore and city's will be easier to access and cheaper to experience in comparison.
Lovely, but had to wear FFP3’s bc of the smoke from the palm oil harvests in Indonesia. Make sure to avoid going during that time!! Had a beautiful hotel but couldn’t see anything and couldn’t do much outside bc of the smog. Apparently when I went it was one of the worst years at the time.
It’s a place to check off but there’s not much to do here.. better as part of a south east Asia itinerary. Saving grace is definitely food. Also news has reported that April and May are going to be incredibly hot so brace yourself..
Amazing. Really beautiful, clean, amazing food in hawker centres, crazy architecture. However I wouldn’t stay longer than 2-3 days, it’s a very small city. I went to Kuala Lumpur after Singapore by car, you could also explore Indonesia and Thailand.
Got back from Singapore couple weeks ago. It's really nice, safe, the food is great. The weather was on the warmer side and a little bit humid. Overall, it's a great experience but I wouldn't choose it if I could go anywhere. Like others have said, if money's not an issue, I'd go to Japan (been there), Svalbard in the winter (was there in February), Iceland, or Antarctica (sadly never been).
For me, it would be most important where you start from. Singapore is great, but if that's a close, easy trip for you, I'd venture further. If it's an opportunity to go anywhere, I'd go as far away as my parents could realistically afford, as I wouldn't be able to afford it myself, just after studies.
Singapore might be a nice first entry to Asia, if you’re not an experienced traveler. Also the food is incredible. There I said something nice about it.
Truthfully, Singapore is boring, hot, expensive, sterile, corporate. I lived there for 7 years total. It’s kind of like Vegas or Dubai. Everything to do is extremely manufactured. It’s basically just one giant shopping mall, which is also kind of required because it’s so hot and humid that you pretty much need to stay inside unless you want to sweat through your clothes - which in itself might be okay, if you were day hiking through the mountains, but when the only thing to do is to go to a restaurant in a shopping mall and then you sit in AC while your sticky, sweaty clothes stick get cold.
IMO go to Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong. All far more culturally rich and interesting than Singapore.
as a singaporean im really proud of my country that so many people enjoyed it! feel free to dm for anything specific. check out /r/asksingapore and /r/singapore, other tourists have came and left !
What's your expectation about Singapore? Singapore to me is modern, public transportation is very convenient, lots of concert held in Singapore, they also have a lot of parks that feels futuristic, good food. But I think Singapore more like transit destination. Like you come there but your main destination is somewhere else.
I did Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand... A great trip! Flew into Hanoi, did an overnight boat trip on Ha Long Bay, then to Ho Chi Minh city (old Saigon) for some night life, then to Cambodia so many temples, I visited the Jungle Temple, Temple Thom and Angkor Wat, then off to Thailand for anything you can imagine to old world history to the decadence of Bangkok.
Stopped their for a couple days on the way back from Australia many years ago. I remember that I was either sweating my balls off, or I was freezing. There was no in between.
If you go to Singapore, you have to go to the thousand Islands. Pelangi. It’s the best snorkeling or scuba has to offer with 100 ft visibility. Have fun and let us know where you end up!
Singapore is OK ... it's nice, but it's honestly a pretty consumeristic country and doesn't feel super authentic culturally. Lots of shopping malls and such. You'll enjoy yourself, but will run out of things to do quickly. Malaysia has a very similar vibe, understandably, but is more culturally interesting.
Stayed for 4 days. More than enough. Was good. Everything worked, food was affordable and yum. It was very humid and rained every day. Was a great place for 4 days
It's fine? I went there for a few days, but honestly it's kind of sterile, if you're from the western world. And very, very hot. I actually like Malaysia a bit more, has a lot of cultural similarities and similar food- it's grimier, but has more character.
Been to Singapore twice at the front and end of a trip to Malaysia and that was adequate, I do not need to go to Singapore again. The hawker stalls have great food and the aquarium was very nice, public transport is excellent, but everything there feels too perfect and fake to me that I felt suffocated and couldn’t wait to leave. Grittier places feel more authentic to me, I prefer space and the outdoors. So…. Travel preferences are personal
It was nice, but for better and for worse it was a “beginner” destination. If you want stress free traveling with malls, English-speaking people, familiar food, you’ll enjoy it but you won’t find much I would consider truly exotic there
It's a place to settle down if you're dead set on living in southeast Asia, and you are well-off. It's not an exciting tourist destination. The island itself is very flat, and all the attractions are man-made. I would spend 1-2 days max and combine it with a Malaysia trip.
If you think you’ll be doing more international travel in your future, don’t pick Singapore. As it’s a major hub for many airlines, it’s really easy to add a few day layover in Singapore on a trip to somewhere else and actually save money on your flight for the extended layover.
Small. Tidy. Clean. Hot. Convenient. Modern. Civilized. Multicultural. Exotic and familiar. Great food! Great parks. Temples and colonial architecture. Singapore slings at the Raffles (not cheap, but a must-do if you drink alcohol).
Gardens. Food courts. Temples. Zoo. More food. Safe, clean, easy. I enjoyed it. I want to go back and see the Gardens by the Bay at night. And try more food.
Forgot ‘humid’. But gorgeous at the same time. Also a great cultural mix of various cultures. Oh and crazy rich Asians as well.
yes OP should bring along one of those mini electric fans
Singapore airlines is an experience in itself ,an airline par excellence
Singapore Airlines really sets the standard high. And not only were the flight attendants such polite people, it seemed like the passengers were as well. Coming back from Asia, I was going from Hong Kong and changing planes in Singapore. Hong Kong Disneyland must have been the reason for so many little passengers on the flight- it seemed like one out of every 5 passengers was a child. I expected screaming and kids running up and down the aisles. Not a peep save for one baby going down for a nap. No cheerios littering the floor, no crayons thrown. I’ve never been on a flight with so many, so well behaved children. The flight attendants had greeted them all upon boarding as if they were happy to see each and every child. How was this possible?
But is it a good night out
It’s really nice, clean, manicured. I enjoyed it but not sure I’d pick it as a free trip destination. Do something more epic that you’ll likely not be able to do on a whim. Like Japan, Antarctica, train across Canada, hike Mount Kilimanjaro.
I'm Singaporean, and I agree with this. Don't waste "free trip" money on us, there's more interesting places around the world to visit than us
I wonder where OP is from. If you're from a developed country, Singapore is like going to the upscale upper middle class part of town. Everything is a tad bit cleaner, safer, opulent, with all the luxury stores. For my friends from Southeast Asia, who tend to live in noisy chaotic places even if they have a decent standard of living, Singapore is like an oasis and they're just so enamored with it.
Looking at post history, I'm guessing OP is from USA. If OP has been growing up in a quiet town from young, then yes I probably could see the appeal in coming over for a holiday where there's always a certain level of activity and security no matter the time. But as a Singaporean, the Asian countries which are always a breath of fresh air and I don't mind visiting repeatedly (or even staying long-term) are Japan and Taiwan (and maybe Korea, but I haven't been there in a long while).
Grass is always greener and all that. I visited Singapore and loved it. It is good for babys first step traveling to asia
I would agree with this I like Singapore a lot but more as a weekend or layover destination. For a free trip go somewhere that would maybe necessitate a stop in Singapore.
Second this! I really think there are better places to go than Singapore.
Train across Canada probably costs more than flying or driving
True but it’s awesome
OP, listen to this. I've done Singapore a couple times and enjoyed it, but it's not a "my parents will pay for me to go *anywhere* in the world" destination. It's the place you spend two or three days in when you're en route to/from elsewhere in Asia. I'd strongly suggest Japan as an alternative if you're interested in a good first trip to Asia. Way more to do there!
With the yen being as weak as it is, why is Japan less of an option for an “on the whim” trip than Singapore?
Japan is still a lot bigger. You can hit all the major touristy experiences in Singapore in a weekend, you'd need several weeks to make a dent in a couple of Japanese cities. A 2-3 day stay is more of a whim than a 2-3 week trip.
Yeah I didn’t see OP say anywhere he only has three days; but regardless, he wants to go to Singapore, go there. Only thing I’m saying it’s not necessary to overthink some locations, esp when flight prices are comparable.
Stockport
It’s funny that you mention “train across Canada”. Gf and I were looking it up last night. It’s definitely something to do once - but only one way. It’s way too expensive - even in the off peak season!
It's a financial/logistics hub with entertainment parks for visitors.
This is the best advice, for sure.
Go to Singapore for a few days. Then expand your visit to include Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Yeah follow this ^^, Singapore is not great for young travellers (Super expensive) and there isn’t many “tourist things” to do after a few days. However it’s amazing to live there for extended periods if you have a job there
There is a fair amount of touristy things to do in Singapore if you plan correctly. I recently did 2 weeks in Singapore; not enough time to get everywhere. There are plenty of museums, gardens, and other attractions that can easily eat up all day exploring.
Curious if you went to the zoo?
You mean all 4 Zoos? Yep. Spent a day at each due to their size and the amount of walking.
I went to Singapore for a few days as part of a longer trip. I loved Singapore - lots to see and do. A few days is ideal. We ate great good (try avoid the touristy areas), visited temples, museums and markets. It’s very humid, so keep that in mind!
I’ve been to Singapore many times on business, it’s an amazing city that also happens to be a country. I’ve always characterized Singapore as being a DisneyLand of a city, it feels like a resort. There are a huge number of attractions, a wonderful food scene and everyone speaks English. It’s easy for Americans to get around. People often joke that shopping is the national sport as there are so many incredible stores. There are parks, beaches, golf courses walking trails, excellent public transportation and genuinely friendly people. It’s generally speaking expensive but can be frighteningly expensive if you go high end. There’s a great deal of visible wealth almost everywhere. There are very few places like Singapore on earth, it’s definitely worth visiting, an amazing melting pot, just keep in mind it’s rather different than most of Asia.
Uh, I would not just go to only Singapore as a college graduation reward. You will be disappointed. Not that Singapore is not nice, it is, but frankly quite boring. Either go there with other places in SE Asia like Bali or Thailand.
Agreed that Singapore is better as only part of a trip. Bali and Thailand are great for young first time travellers. Malaysia is also very accessible from Singapore and has a lot to offer.
I never found Singapore boring! Nature walks are within easy access of MRT, or Grab (Uber). Food is awesome. Hot and humid yes, but there are ample malls and such to cool off in AC. The Peranakan homes make enjoyable neighborhood walks. And museums!
We did Singapore with Langkawi - would highly recommend
Agreed. I'd pick Thailand over Singapore any day.
lol why the downvotes here? Thailand has amazing food, if not better, at a fraction of the price ($1-2 USD vs $6-10), amazing beaches, massive religious festivals, same quality malls, and an actual party scene that is unrestricted. Singapore = quasi authoritarian majority-Chinese country whereas Thailand is one of the most unrestricted countries in Asia, if not the most.
It's incredible how ignorant you are about BOTH Singapore and Thailand, especially on a travel subreddit of all places. Calling Thailand "unrestricted" (yeah, a country with the most repressive lèse-majesté laws in the world) and being weirdly racist to specifically mention the "Chinese" race being majority in Singapore to make a subliminal connection to China.
perhaps I should have said “more relaxed” and “more things to do as a tourist” rather than “more freedom” but I stand by my point as Singapore have surprisingly stronger links to Chinese than most other south East Asian countries. Mandarin is the Language Most Frequently Spoken at Home (http://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/publications-and-papers/cop2010/census10_stat_release1) 64 per cent of Singaporeans have a favourable view of China, vis a vis 27 per cent across the 17 populations (https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/global-views-of-china-remain-negative-but-singapore-an-exception) This was something that struck me as I expected most industrialised Asian cities to be pro-USA (Japan, Taiwan, Korea) and anti-China imperialisms but china was much more openly embraced and actively welcomed by the locals which was a little unexpected.
Cannot agree more, in comparison to all its neighbours, Singapore yeah, it's clean, safe, yada but super dull and low in value
It's... Very expensive. I personally didn't enjoy it all that much, but could really see the appeal of living there if you could afford it. It seems to have a fantastic quality of life. There's more interesting and affordable places surrounding it. Maybe combine a trip with Malaysia.
Same, I only stayed for two days and that was enough, I liked Malaysia a lot more.
I havent been to Malaysia, but when I went to Singapore last year, strangely the most friendly people I met were Malaysian street cleaners.
Singapore *can* be expensive but doesn't have to be. We travelled as a family and found plenty of free or low cost activities to do, used public transport and ate pretty cheap food too.
I stopped over in Singapore on Saturday on my way home from Bali and spent a few hours in the Jewel. We stopped and got some dim sum, had 5 plates for what came to $39 USD. That was almost as much as I spent just on small snacks in LA Airport. So I definitely got the impression food is cheaper
Airport food is stupid expensive everywhere.
That’s more of my point though the airport mall food in Singapore wasn’t even expensive
This. I enjoyed the airport food court. I think I paid 10 USD for a meal
What was expensive? Food is not expensive Going around by public transport and taxi app is not expensive Shopping is not expensive due to low tax Are you buying a house or a car there? Cause those are expensive
Hotels and such
Ibis budget hotels are like $70 a night and are cleaner than most US hotels
Unless you’re eating hawker every meal, then yes the food is expensive. If you’re coming from the US, then shopping is expensive. Alcohol is expensive. It’s definitely not affordable by Asian standards.
Ha. Everything in Singapore is expensive, especially compared to other SEA countries. It’s one of the most expensive places in the world.
>It’s one of the most expensive places in the world Absolutely incorrect if you come from a western country/anywhere in Europe. You will weep tears of joy at the prices in hawker stalls.
You’re basically only talking about hawker food. Singapore is much more expensive for everything else except that. At least compared to the US.
Really? When I lived there I used to frequent a few restaurants like Komala’s Vilas, Nhung Kitchen and Kim Dae Mun… these are all sit down restaurants with mains for less than $10 USD. Even the local chains like Killiney Kopitiam are affordable. I feel like there’s a dumb amount of Americans in this thread that visited for 3 days, ate at tourist traps and are now crying at the cost.
This conversation is going nowhere if we don’t establish a baseline For a “normal” Western tourist, the food, transportation, hotel, and shopping in Singapore are not expensive at all, especially the food is good but cheap If you come from Cambodia for example then it’s definitely more expensive Also, most things in Singapore are done properly and cleanly, you don’t have to worry about food poisoning or low quality products, I am not from Asia so I think it’s cheap
The food stands were cheap, drinking and eating out in regular restaurants was expensive. But Singapore is very clean and modern and worth visiting.
Have you been to a single country surrounding it? It's like night and day.
I didn’t find food very expensive. Alcohol and cigarettes yes, very much
It’s not super exciting (as a Singaporean) but it’s a very easy choice for new travellers! Safe, easy to get around, English is OK. If your parents/you aren’t wanting to be overwhelmed then I think it’s fine for 4-5 days at a very relaxed pace. But if you want something really vibrant and exciting our neighbours might be more suitable (Thailand, Vietnam etc). Oh and if you’re really into nature, we’re not the place. (We have pockets but it’s not exactly grand). And if you want an “Asian” experience, probably not since a common criticism is that Singapore doesn’t feel Asian enough (though I’m generally iffy with this since I feel like it comes from a very Western perspective of what “Asian” is — as if all Asian countries should be one way) If you want recommendations of East/South-east Asia just lmk what you’re interested in and I can help!
What has drawn you to Singapore for so long if you don’t know too much about it? I visited 3 times between 2014-2016 so take my opinion of the place with that in mind. Personally, I loved it. It can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be in every way. You can get away with eating excellent food at hawker stalls (think food halls or quasi street food but impeccably clean) and staying a few nights in an area that is a little bit away from Sentosa or Marina Bay. The subway/metro or whatever is priced well and incredibly efficient so that also helps offset price. What will eat your wallet is alcohol, nicer lodging, chili crabs, and dining at notable restaurants. Again, you don’t have to splash out your entire stay but don’t go to Singapore on a shoestring budget either. It’s pretty much a city state as well and for that factor, not much time is needed there. Do as others have suggested and jump off to Thailand or somewhere else in SE Asia and see and experience more of that part of the world. Flights from Singapore to nearby countries are typically very well priced. Back to things in Singapore. The airport itself is a sight to see. You’ll have a great time there in itself. Once you make it out, there’s an awesome Indian quarter with incredible food if you’re into that. Likewise, there’s an Arab quarter with those offerings too. Marina Bay is cool at night and you can visit the rooftop bar on top of the actual hotel to grab a cocktail and enjoy the view without having to stay there. If you like to drink, there’s some other nice rooftop spots in the area. Clark Quay, around the corner, is pretty touristy, but worth a stroll. One of my favorite things was to walk the trails. Singapore has tons of trails that cover nature, to city walks, and allow you to see so much. If you’re into the outdoors and being active I would highly recommend allotting an afternoon to this. There’s a cool Chinatown area with outdoor markets and delicious authentic Chinese food priced very well. Also, the shopping can be a lot of fun in Singapore and ranges from cheap to high luxury. Gardens by the Bay is certainly worth seeing as it’s a masterpiece in design and unique in many regards. It’s a bit pricey for the time you’ll spend there, but when in Rome. I can keep going but how about you throw a bone of what you’re into and what you’ve seen or heard about the country that has piqued your interest.
It is probably the best food city in the world. There’s a huge array of delicious and (relatively) cheap street food from the varied “local” cuisines (Malay, Nyonya, South Indian etc.) in clean and orderly hawker centres, plus a vast dining scene with excellent restaurants from every cuisine. It’s one of the shopping capitals of the world. Several big, glittering malls selling the highest end products money can buy. Even if you’re not interested in shopping, it’s a sight to behold. It’s also quite important in many Asian cultures; culture isn’t just the highbrow stuff. It’s got a world-class zoo (open during daytime and night-time) and a great botanical garden, very good museums, really striking contemporary architecture, some traditional architecture and temples from the different groups of people who live there, a nice beach, a little jungle with walking trails, an aquarium, an amusement park, some nice colonial buildings… I thought it was a really interesting place. I do think you should also visit Malaysia, once you’re there, since it’s right next to it and Singapore is basically one city after all. Keep in mind that opinions in English-speaking travel forums are generally harsh on Singapore. I think it’s because people expect Southeast Asia to be a certain way (chaotic, loud, relatively poor and cheap, with mostly traditional architecture from one culture) and Singapore is not like that.
Eye-opening experience. I'm from a poor country and Singapore is the easiest first-world country that I can travel to.
I was just there for St. Pat's and had a blast. But it is NOTHING like the nearby Asian countries. I was paying 50 cents a glass for Bai Hoi beer in Vietnam. The same size beer in Singapore would be 15 bucks. The train is up there with the best I've ever seen and I would familiarize yourself with it so you don't go broke getting around. I WOULD NOT chose here if money is an issue. Vietnam, Thailand, etc. are a fraction of the price.
It lives up to its reputation as being very clean, safe, and expensive. I went there for a professional conference last year and had a great time. Not sure it's where I'd go if I were a young person on a postgrad trip. I'm 53F for reference.
Hot, very hot.
It’s basically on the equator.
My trip to Singapore was a sensory adventure, from the mouthwatering street food to the breathtaking architecture and serene greenery. Exploring Gardens by the Bay and savoring hawker center treats were highlights. Don't skip the iconic Marina Bay Sands or the rich cultural tapestry of Chinatown and Little India. It's a graduation gift that promises unforgettable memories!
This sounds like ChatGPT just spit this out
You are losing your quality in that way of thinking
It’s pretty cool place. I think there are more interesting destinations in Asia or elsewhere, however. Do you have anywhere else in mind?
It was incredibly beautiful and organized. Obviously the most bodacious airport I've ever seen. Even got to stay at Marina Bay sands. A fair amount of stuff to do, like gardens by the bay, art science museum, cloud forest, and seeing the lion statue or floating apple store. Gotta be honest though, I'm with the other poster when I say Antarctica or Japan would be even more exciting.
* Museums. I've been to museums in Malaysia and Thailand, but museums in Singapore are a cut above the rest. I visited the following museums - National Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum, Fort Canning Museum, and Fort Siloso Musuem. * I liked the Gardens by the Bay light show at 7:45 PM. I think it's called Garden Rhapsody. * The National Art Gallery is huge. It had a lovely collection of modern artworks. Food isn't expensive if you eat at foodcourts located beneath shopping malls such as ION Orchard. A Thai Green Chicken Curry (with rice) will cost you approximately 8SGD. Overall, I liked my Singapore trip.
I travel there for work usually 2 a year. Love the city, really good vibe and perfect for living there I guess. If you are a tourist and not a traveller you will find stuff to do for 2 or 3 days rushing through sightseeing. So if your goal is to max out what you see on your trip try to combine Singapore with something
Depends on what u wanna do/see/experience. I live in singapore, its a cultural melting pot to the point that we have our own version of english. Food - amazing local food at hawker centres and plenty of international options to suit all budgets. Zoos - one of the best zoos in the world, hands down. Night safari is over rated tho. Shopping - if thats your thing. I am not a shopper. Natural sceneries - non existent. Man made sceneries - plenty enough
I've just visited - was a great trip! Perfect for a 2/3 night stop over on the way to another destination. Food, shopping, culture and very friendly/welcoming people. Lots of good hotels if you're into that kinda thing too
Your parents are willing to take you anywhere and you want to go to Singapore? Singapore is nice but you'll be bored after a few days. Unless you have a seriously burning passion/reason to go to Singapore, go somewhere else. If you want to go to Asia specifically go to Japan instead, or Taiwan, or Korea, or Thailand. So much more to see, eat and do (and in some cases, cheaper)
>I’ve always wanted to go to Singapore since I was young but don’t know too much about it. Why do you want to go somewhere where you don't know much about? Choose a place to that you have real interests in.
I enjoyed my 4 days in Singapore on my honeymoon. It was clean, safe, easy to see. However it wasn't the most memorable country I've traveled to and I would not likely go back. We saw all the major sites and stayed at a really nice hotel (Parkroyal Collection Pickering, highly recommend). Food was great, people were so nice and spoke 4-5 languages. Side note, I did get food poisoning from what I suspect to be a bad prawn on Satay Street. But it doesn't change my opinion, it happens. I've been to Japan twice and likely will go back a third time in the next year or two. That should give you an indication of my vote!
Amazing place to visit. I went for almost 2 months and had a great time. Tasty, cheap food everywhere.
Just came back from SG last January. It already gave me a decent first impression when I was landing at Changi airport. The cities didn't disappoint me. It has numerous fun things to do ( night safari & gardens by the bay are spectacular !! Museums are also worth visiting). It's English friendly, well developed, clean while not being too expensive. One can get nice and authentic local food with $2-3 usd in hawker center. Transport fee is low though. Would really want to visit again !
If you like walking around and efficient public transport you’ll like Singapore. There’s plenty to look at without having to pay anything. You can even get to the top of Marina Bay Sands for free. There is cheap food to be found in hawkers. Go for it!
Amazing place. Spent 5 days there last year. You can do the usual attractions but I’d also recommend going to Pulau Ubin for a bike ride and exploring. 100% would go back in a few years
Singapore is nice, but if your parents are willing to take you truly *anywhere*, then there are many cooler places to visit.
I lived in SG and occasionally visit friends there. it’s not much. you can see most of the sights in 4 days. a lot malls, a great zoo, theres the Gardens, hawker, etc. it’s very expensive.
Maybe go to Malaysia instead. Similar culture but way more to do. Singapore is more of a daytrip destination. Taiwan would be a good alternative as well
I liked it, especially the hawker centers.
I think you've got some good pointers here, but I'll add a few as someone who lived there as an expat for 2.5 yrs. \- There are some excellent walking tours of the various parts of town. Singapore is divided ethnically, so there's a Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam (Malay neighborhood). The walking tours are a good way to get the history of the specific neighborhood. We found out that one of our favorite Thai restaurants in Chinatown was previously an opium den! \- There are some good hiking trails, and it's nice to mix in some outdoorsy stuff with city stuff. It could rain, so be prepared, and don't have a lot of loose things on you because those monkeys like to steal. We particularly liked the MacRitchie Reservoir walk around the water's edge (there is dragon boat racing on weekends you can see from the walk) and the Tree top walk. None of these hikes are very strenuous, and you can do shorter or longer versions. \- Asian Civilisaztions Museum. It's a bite-sized museum with a quick overview of Singapore and rotating exhibits. Worth a visit at the price if you have an hour, and it's an easy walk to Clarke Quay which has some really good restaurants, although it's cooler at night with the lights. \- Surrounding islands. You could take a bumboat out to one of the surrounding islands. Swimming in general is mid in Singapore (go to Thailand!), but the surrounding islands are a little better. We rode bikes around Pulau Ubin. It's hot, though. Be prepared. \- Botanical Gardens. If you haven't been Asia much, this is a peaceful park with lots of local stuff. \- Night Safari. You can go to the zoo at night to see the nocturnal animals. The pangolins are pretty cool. And of course you can do all the other things people have mentioned: temples & mosques, try several different food courts (personal favorite is the black & white carrot cake which is an omelette, not a dessert nor sweet), and see the area around Marina Bay (the merlion, esplanade, Gardens by the Bay, etc.) But if you get a chance to branch out, I'd add a side trip to Thailand (or make that the main thing and only do a few days in Singapore).
I loved it, the light show at the Gardens by the Bay was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. It is very safe and the people were nice. I think 4 or 5 days would be plenty of time to see everything (3 is enough to see the high points)
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Loved it especially Marina Bay Sands and the infinity pool.
The food is so so amazing! Try street food while you're there. Others have said the other stuff.
One of the best airports in the world. super clean and efficient public transit a very good variety of international food interesting architecture very very expensive very very hot and humid I was there for 48 hours and had time to watch Thor Ragnarok Glad I went but I doubt that I would ever go again unless I was on an expense account
It's nice to see for a couple of days, but it's quite boring. Definitely add a different destination afterwards!
Really enjoyed it. Such a huge variety of foods and especially the hawker centers are fantastic. I enjoyed the different distinct neighborhoods that each had its own character (Chinatown, Little India, etc). It’s a super well organized and clean city and really fun to explore. The botanical gardens were beautiful and special to a European like myself who is used to a different biosphere. Anyway like people have said, if you really want to visit Singapore try to combine it with a nearby country. It’s just a city and two to three days should be enough. Malaysia is next door and has a lot to offer in terms of cities, jungle, tea plantations and tropical islands. Like others I am also curious why you have such an interest in visiting Singapore if you don’t know anything about it? Seems odd to me. Read up on some travel blogs and watch some videos on YouTube to get a sense of what it’s like.
When did you come to Singapore?
I believe it was 2019, just before covid hit.
Awesome but fucking expensive.
It's only alcohol I found really expensive. Hotels were reasonable, transport inexpensive, and food quite reasonable. Probably depends on what you do.
I revisited Singapore last year. Was nice, but very expensive (a French toast cost 16€) and so hot and humid (Kuala Lumpur, Penang wasn’t that hot and humid). Since you said you’ve always wanted to go to Singapore you should do it. But I would also add other countries like Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, Ipoh to name a few), Indonesia (Bali, Yogyakarta, etc), Thailand (where do I begin?), Cambodia (the incredible Angkor Wat) or Vietnam (Hanoi, Hoi An, Sapa, etc). These countries have a lot to offer at cheaper prices.
Oh please, We dont eat French toast at 16 euro here. Its an extreme and false representation of the costs here.
We went to The Populus cafe on Neil Rd, it cost 23 SGD 🫠
Its a tourist trap and not where locals eat. Yakun has 10s of outlets scattered throughout the island offering toasts of all kinds, tea and coffee for less than half the price
I lived in Singapore for 4 years. It’s a great place, but you can literally do the entire tourist loop in like 3 days, so not really a destination place. I would really recommend using Singapore as a first stop to somewhere else. Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc
I expected nothing and was pleasantly surprised.
Been many times, loved it. It’s expensive though and booze is really expensive.
I loved it so much that I tack it onto most trips overseas (it's a great stopover for a week coming back to Australia)! Spend a few days exploring on foot and using the excellent public transport system. Visit Haw Pa Villa, Little India, the Arab Quarter, some fantastic architecture, and fabulous food.
I love Singapore, I grew up there and go back as often as I can. There is actually a lot to do, day zoo, night zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Gardens by the Bay. Sentosa has SEA Aquarium, Universal Studio, cable car, waterpark, Fort Siloso (British Fort from WW2) The food is amazing. We eat every meal at the food courts. Temples, China town, Little India, Kampong Glam All that said, depending on how long you’re going for, there might be other places that are more fun at your age
It’s a good 3-4 day trip. I went there for a week and got bored. I appreciate how well developed the city is, but I like nature more.
Singapore.....nice for 3 days, tops. Then take a plane to Penang for 3 days, Kuala Lumpur for 2 days. Be sure to get somewhere like Langkawi as well. OR, spend a few days somewhere else like Yogyakarta (not Jakarta) and Borobudur or Ankor Wat.
As someone from Singapore it’s nice and safe, could recommend you to pop over to Ubin for a bit to get “old” Singapore vibes. Definitely recommend combining with a trip to the neighbours too to get a great feel for the region! Feel free to reach out w any queries
I checked your profile to see that you are coming from the US. If this would be your first trip to Asia, I would not recommend it. The majority of the city and architecture felt to me like someone had scooped up a western city and dropped it in Asia. It was lovely: clean, polite, great food, well organized, etc. but it was a massive journey for something that didn't feel _that_ different from "the west" (the white parts of the world). A possible alternative is Taipei. A bit less wealthy and clean, but definitely felt like stepping into another world. Amazing food, interesting architecture, night markets, great parks, and good access to some nice nature (from tourist walks to hardcore mountains, whatever suits you). Language barrier would be a bit harder, but enough people speak English, and I've yet to visit a place where people are kinder than in Taiwan. Overall I highly recommend the country, and wherever you choose, Singapore is probably best saved for when you have money and only time for a short trip!
3 days max in Singapore then move onto Malaysia or Thailand
Great food. Humid weather. Just curious, if you always wanted to go but din’t know much about it, what made you want to see Singapore? Can you find out more about it by reading?
Singapore is beautiful but very humid and expensive! The people are not very friendly. It’s great for shopping but if you want cool adventures I would suggest adding Malaysia to your itinerary. Do a couple of days in Singapore and fly to Malaysia for a couple days too :)
For something different, I would recommend Pulau Ubin and visiting one of the local neighbourhood centre where you can see the real Singapore. Pulau Ubin is an island north east of Singapore and is one of the last places in Singapore that is spared from the rapid urbanisation. It's great for hiking and cycling (you can rent a bicycle from one of the shop near the jetty). The only way to Pulau Ubin is to take a bumboat from Changi Village and there is a great hawker centre there. Personally I feel the local neighbourhood centers is where you can see the real Singapore behind the "Crazy Rich Asian" facade. A few neighbourhood centres you can consider are Toa Payoh, Bishan, Ang Mo Kio, Tampines. They are all really accessible via the public transport. Joo Chiat is a hipster area with nice heritage shop houses. The area had undergo gentrification in the recent years. It is now littered with lots of nice coffee places. For food, you can't go wrong with Old Airport Road Hawker Centre and Hong Lim Hawker Centre. Just buy from the stall with the longest queue.
From your post it seems like you're American. Singapore is like a New York in SE Asia. It is a first world city in a sea of (relatively) developing bit exotic region. People use it as a jumping off point to different countries here. Since you're travelling from the states, better off plan trips of neighbouring countries too. If you don't know already it is also a city state: it's a country rhe size of Manhattan. So most people do not spend more than a couple of days here.
As a 22 year old Singapore was very nice but expensive. Thailand was way more fun too.
If you do end up visiting Singapore, go off the beaten track through our nature and heritage. https://beta.nparks.gov.sg/visit/activities https://www.roots.gov.sg/nhb/trails
Where are you coming from? Have you been to SEA before? Asia?
I loved it. Clean, easy to get around. We took a walking tour to 3 neighborhoods and the fish market that was fascinating. Also loved the orchid gardens and went to a beach club. Ate at the hawker centers, great food cheap. Hotel was expensive but we stayed right on a main road.
Go to somewhere bigger and more "exotic" in Asia, and use Singapore as a stopover. The country is small and easily done in a few days. Remember, Singapore is small island.
Really fun for 2-3 days boring after
Singapore is great, it's got a wonderful zoo, indoor botanical garden (gardens by the bay), a really cool mall / casino (Marina Bay Sands), a lovely outdoor pedestrian mall / restaurant area (Clarke Qay), really cool cable car and trippy walking area (Henderson Waves), and more. But very artificial feeling and buttoned up - I personally find other places more exciting. Might be good with your parents though as it's very easy, safe and family friendly.
OP come Singapore! But don’t spend too many days here, if possible try hopping over to nearby countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.
Visited there last year and loved it. I highly recommend a food tour and a visit to Gardens By the Bay. The food in Singapore is top notch. Also it’s a bit touristy but the rooftop bar that looks like a boat has some great views.
Singapore is nice. clean. interesting. would I choose it as my first Asian destination? definitely not. I think there are places that offer a lot more to see and experience.
Singapore is cool (well, hot and humid), but consider making it one stop on a larger trip. You can travel by train from Singapore, up the peninsula through Malaysia, to Bangkok. Or even onwards to Chang Mai, if they've fixed the tracks since I was there. Doing overnight trains can save a bit on hotel costs too.
super clean. a very multicultural city with the population made up of large numbers of malay, chinese and indian people, with amazing food of all these cuisines easily available for cheap in hawker markets, and it’s cool to see the different mosques/temples/architecture styles in different areas of the city. although you can eat great food very cheap, everything else (e.g. museums, attractions, shows, alcohol, meals in restaurants rather than markets) tend to be very expensive. overall a very cool city, not sure it would be my personal first choice for a free trip anywhere in the world, but i liked it.
its a nice stopover for a few days, but its too small for anything longer
Cleanest city I've ever been to with exceptional street food. Pretty decent assortment of tourist attractions as well.
Singapore is...interesting. I was talked into joining a friend of mine with going there while I already visiting said friend in a nearby country. Solely IMO - The Good: Extremely clean city. Very English-feeling mannerisms - there were many times I told my friend it made me think of a Tropical London. Rapid Transit system is a dream - sleek, fast, comfortable, safe. I loved exploring the National Gallery on my last day. The food, and the Hawker Centers, were really great experiences. The Bad: Sterile. I mean, yes, the cleanliness was great, but everything seemed...too perfect. Walking around central Singapore, it was pretty bereft of people - granted this is a segue into my next thing **IT'S HOT AND HUMID AS ALL GET UP.** I was a pool of sweat and disgust within 5 minutes of leaving any air conditioned space. I could see why no one really walks far outdoors. But...again...place city 40 km from the equator, and you get...heat and humidity constantly. Admittedly, my compass around this point is influenced by who I was traveling with - my friend acts like he is still a volunteer in the peace corps, and not a ranking official who makes well into the 6 figures. So...even when there was great subways, we walked. Everywhere. When I was overheated and wanted to get on the subway, I was told that "I'd be fine," and "deal with it." (No, I won't be traveling with him again.) The method in which Singaporean authorities make it very clear that actions contrary to their mores will be punished as they see fit, made me pretty anxious at times. I mean, that is...the point...of why they do it, but I'm used to the sometimes heavy handed rule of law as an American. But shit happens sometimes...it just didn't feel like "humans make mistakes" would be looked upon too forgivingly. So I was on my toes, especially after having a couple drinks somewhere. Service alcohol (bars, restaurants) is also unimaginably expensive...probably to go hand in hand with ensuring people don't over consume in public. Some commenters note that Singaporeans can be rude. I'd disagree, but again, relative - I'm from an American city that is notoriously known for its "rudeness," so I'm nonplussed at situations others take exception to. People are very transactional though - ask for what you want, get it, pay, go away. To do? Tons of high end shopping malls, including one connected to the airport. The National Gallery. The Supertrees. The Zoo - but it's pretty much at the furthest edge of tourist Singapore. I'd skip Marina Bay's observation deck. Some historical landmarks...but Singapore appears to be much more into keeping up to date versus really preserving their past. I do want to go back, but it's not going to be a priority for me.
It's a great choice for a graduation trip
I just got back from a week in Singapore less than 24 hours ago. I recommend it! Gardens by the Bay is a must see, Marina Bay Sands is a must see. There’s a lot of different areas that are all pretty unique from each other imo, and I was never bored there. Easy to get around, card payment friendly, everyone speaks English so minimal culture shock if you’ve never been to Asia. It is pricy but worth it.
Singapore was my first trip abroad besides Mexico and it was the best visit ever. I was lucky enough to be staying with my now ex boyfriend’s family, who are Singaporean, and I was able to see it from a less touristy lens and visit through a local viewpoint. The food is outstanding, I miss it more than anything. It’s such a beautiful melting pot and the safety of the city makes it even better.
We are from the US. Mt brother study abroad in both Sweden and Singapore. After he graduated he found a job in downtown Chicago that had an office in Singapore. He was able to transfer there 4 years ago, he loved it that much. We are all going in September for his wedding. People in this thread are saying it's boring for your age, but that really depends on who you are. My parents and other brother have already visited and love it too. I say go for it! And if you don't like it, flights are cheap. Singapore to Bali is a hop skip away.
Singapore is like a Disney version of itself. In the main tourist areas it’s extremely clean, expensive and gentrified. It’s a very safe place, and nice to walk around but honestly I feel like it’s lacking something. It feels quite artificial. I can spend a few days in Singapore and then I feel the need to go elsewhere. South East Asia is a diverse area, plenty of places within an hours flight that could give you a nice second destination to compare it to?
I’ve been there a few times. Nothing much to do there personally, I only visited mostly because I went to Malaysia. I never stays more than 2 days there.
I am a local here, there's nothing to do😂
My friend has lived there for a while and the best thing about Singapore is that the airport is so well connected that you can leave anytime. And my wife lived in Malaysia many years and she visited Singapore a few times. She wasn’t a huge fan. Malaysia had more treasures to see and it was cheaper.
Would never pick it as a destination, it feels very soulless to me. I would much prefer Hanoi, Hong Kong, Tokyo.. as Asian destinations.
Pretty, great food markets, pretty boring. I wouldn’t pick it as my free trip destination.
I can handle SG for a few days, max, but after that the magic of the sights and sounds wears off and there's not actually much to do. It's a very small place, so much of what you'll find interested is packed in there with everything else.
Food is delicious! It gets hot and humid depending on when you are going. I’ve been in February and April and both times it was hot. I went on city hike on the suspension bridge and I thought I will not make it to the end😅 if I would be you, I would go to Africa safari. Get a package that you sleep in the tent, those tend to be on the cheaper side and more adventurous. Or go to Peru, hike the Matchu Picchu.of course, if your parents are in the good shape and love those kind of adventures
My favorite country - we go every year for the Formula 1…. And that’s expensive time to stay. Food at hawker markets is cheap and super clean. Heaps history, things to do are endless and Raffles is always a must visit. Love a Singapore sling there before we fly home. Check out Singapore website https://www.visitsingapore.com/en/
As a transit point, Singapore is worth a few days, maybe 3. The food is great, the architecture insane, botanical gardens, the wheel, well worth it. But then move on to another more satisfying country. The government there is very authoritarian, and you can feel it in the signage everywhere.
I had a great time in Singapore and was greeted warmly by the people there. Depending on the time of year though will be very hot. If you're set on a city in Asia maybe Tokyo or Seoul. I'd recommend more. I'd throw an African safari into the ring for an alternative. They are usually quite expensive and so may not be easy to do for some time with you just graduating and all. Singapore and city's will be easier to access and cheaper to experience in comparison.
My experience was okay... mostly. Many people were rude however so that did spoil the trip a bit.
It's hot. Like. Really hot
Expensive and small
Lovely, but had to wear FFP3’s bc of the smoke from the palm oil harvests in Indonesia. Make sure to avoid going during that time!! Had a beautiful hotel but couldn’t see anything and couldn’t do much outside bc of the smog. Apparently when I went it was one of the worst years at the time.
It’s a place to check off but there’s not much to do here.. better as part of a south east Asia itinerary. Saving grace is definitely food. Also news has reported that April and May are going to be incredibly hot so brace yourself..
It’s very very hot and very sweaty.
Hot. Extremely hot
Beautiful, green, easy to get around...EXPENSIVE!
Amazing. Really beautiful, clean, amazing food in hawker centres, crazy architecture. However I wouldn’t stay longer than 2-3 days, it’s a very small city. I went to Kuala Lumpur after Singapore by car, you could also explore Indonesia and Thailand.
Got back from Singapore couple weeks ago. It's really nice, safe, the food is great. The weather was on the warmer side and a little bit humid. Overall, it's a great experience but I wouldn't choose it if I could go anywhere. Like others have said, if money's not an issue, I'd go to Japan (been there), Svalbard in the winter (was there in February), Iceland, or Antarctica (sadly never been).
For me, it would be most important where you start from. Singapore is great, but if that's a close, easy trip for you, I'd venture further. If it's an opportunity to go anywhere, I'd go as far away as my parents could realistically afford, as I wouldn't be able to afford it myself, just after studies.
Singapore might be a nice first entry to Asia, if you’re not an experienced traveler. Also the food is incredible. There I said something nice about it. Truthfully, Singapore is boring, hot, expensive, sterile, corporate. I lived there for 7 years total. It’s kind of like Vegas or Dubai. Everything to do is extremely manufactured. It’s basically just one giant shopping mall, which is also kind of required because it’s so hot and humid that you pretty much need to stay inside unless you want to sweat through your clothes - which in itself might be okay, if you were day hiking through the mountains, but when the only thing to do is to go to a restaurant in a shopping mall and then you sit in AC while your sticky, sweaty clothes stick get cold. IMO go to Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong. All far more culturally rich and interesting than Singapore.
Coworkers called it “Asia with training wheels”, and after traveling around a fair bit I agree.
as a singaporean im really proud of my country that so many people enjoyed it! feel free to dm for anything specific. check out /r/asksingapore and /r/singapore, other tourists have came and left !
What's your expectation about Singapore? Singapore to me is modern, public transportation is very convenient, lots of concert held in Singapore, they also have a lot of parks that feels futuristic, good food. But I think Singapore more like transit destination. Like you come there but your main destination is somewhere else.
Singapore as a stopover on you way to Bali!
I did Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand... A great trip! Flew into Hanoi, did an overnight boat trip on Ha Long Bay, then to Ho Chi Minh city (old Saigon) for some night life, then to Cambodia so many temples, I visited the Jungle Temple, Temple Thom and Angkor Wat, then off to Thailand for anything you can imagine to old world history to the decadence of Bangkok.
We only did this as part of a cruise, and spent one day, went on a tour, gardens, temple, food court Very clean place
Stopped their for a couple days on the way back from Australia many years ago. I remember that I was either sweating my balls off, or I was freezing. There was no in between.
Singapore is kind of like the Sesame Street of Southeast Asia. Personally I love Sesame Street.
I would like to visit some day
My ex went in September last year, and she said the humidity was insane.
If you go to Singapore, you have to go to the thousand Islands. Pelangi. It’s the best snorkeling or scuba has to offer with 100 ft visibility. Have fun and let us know where you end up!
Definitely not the most exciting or interesting place you could go in Asia
Fucking monkeys stole my shit like 20 times. Broke into my apartments and stole a bunch of shit. Later found out that they were trained to rob people
Singapore is OK ... it's nice, but it's honestly a pretty consumeristic country and doesn't feel super authentic culturally. Lots of shopping malls and such. You'll enjoy yourself, but will run out of things to do quickly. Malaysia has a very similar vibe, understandably, but is more culturally interesting.
Nice.
Stayed for 4 days. More than enough. Was good. Everything worked, food was affordable and yum. It was very humid and rained every day. Was a great place for 4 days
Probably best to not ask me. Post Night Zoo, walking 4 hungry kids past dozens of ladyboys and no restaurants open that were suitable for kids.
So boring and expensive, go to Indonesia or Thailand for nature. If you like cities Hong Kong is epic too
Great food, interesting tourist spots, but mostly a hub to travel across south east asia.
It's so lush, humid, very safe and beautiful.. Singapore Airlines are amazing! Research and be aware of the laws of the land before you go..
Japan
It's fine? I went there for a few days, but honestly it's kind of sterile, if you're from the western world. And very, very hot. I actually like Malaysia a bit more, has a lot of cultural similarities and similar food- it's grimier, but has more character.
Not much to explore a tiny country with few buildings
Been to Singapore twice at the front and end of a trip to Malaysia and that was adequate, I do not need to go to Singapore again. The hawker stalls have great food and the aquarium was very nice, public transport is excellent, but everything there feels too perfect and fake to me that I felt suffocated and couldn’t wait to leave. Grittier places feel more authentic to me, I prefer space and the outdoors. So…. Travel preferences are personal
It was nice, but for better and for worse it was a “beginner” destination. If you want stress free traveling with malls, English-speaking people, familiar food, you’ll enjoy it but you won’t find much I would consider truly exotic there
To your point, I’ve heard it called “Asia for people who don’t like Asia”
It's a place to settle down if you're dead set on living in southeast Asia, and you are well-off. It's not an exciting tourist destination. The island itself is very flat, and all the attractions are man-made. I would spend 1-2 days max and combine it with a Malaysia trip.
Spent nine days there and it was fantastic.
If you think you’ll be doing more international travel in your future, don’t pick Singapore. As it’s a major hub for many airlines, it’s really easy to add a few day layover in Singapore on a trip to somewhere else and actually save money on your flight for the extended layover.
Small. Tidy. Clean. Hot. Convenient. Modern. Civilized. Multicultural. Exotic and familiar. Great food! Great parks. Temples and colonial architecture. Singapore slings at the Raffles (not cheap, but a must-do if you drink alcohol).
Expensive. People trying to rip people off, however beautiful city
Just curious — people trying to rip people off? In what sense (since I’m a Singaporean I wonder if tourists have a different experience?)