Best Day Trips from Singapore
No matter how you look at it, and no matter what you like to do, Singapore is a fantastic place to visit. This unique city-state has a history and culture like nowhere else on earth, and the cuisine to match. One of the world's great food cities, Singapore is a sprawling, vibrant, bustling place where cultures collide and where nothing is quite like it is anywhere else on earth.
With so much going on, it might seem a shame to leave the city. But there's more to Singapore than just the city, even though it may sometimes not seem like it. Some incredible natural areas surround Singapore, and it would be a shame not to see more of Southeast Asia when there are so many excellent day trips available.
Drop off your unneeded bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Singapore, and you'll be ready to enjoy everything the region has to offer. From world-leading amusement parks to fascinating cultural sites to white sand beaches to mountains and jungles, the best day trips from Singapore will make you feel like you are exploring the whole world in this tiny country. Once you've seen the best museums in Singapore, don't miss the opportunity to see more of what makes this country so special.
How to get out of Singapore
You don't want to drive in Singapore. And while some of this tiny country's best sights aren't easy to reach by public transit, you should probably stick to it rather than stressing yourself out trying to drive on the packed and chaotic streets of Lion City.
Luckily, Singapore is surrounded by many great destinations so that you can explore a lot without ever getting behind the wheel. Buses, trains, ferries, and even cable cars can take you to some of the best day trips from Singapore without stress.
From Singapore to Sentosa Island
One of the best day trips from Singapore is also one of the city's top attractions and is reachable by cable car from Singapore itself. Sentosa Island is home to some of the best beaches in Singapore, as well as a number of great amusement parks, museums, and other attractions. The island has been developed specifically for tourism, and it shows. Everything on Sentosa Island is clean, safe, and easy to get to. It's also home to many shopping malls, including Resorts World Sentosa, making this an excellent choice for a family day trip.
Once you're on Sentosa Island, there's no shortage of things to do. Visit one of the many excellent beaches, go for a swim, or try your hand at windsurfing or kayaking. Or visit one of the island's world-class amusement parks, like Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Waterpark, or S.E.A. Aquarium.
There are also a number of great museums on Sentosa Island, like the Merlion Museum, Fort Siloso Skywalk, and the Tiger Sky Tower. Or take a walk through one of the island's many nature trails, like the Nature Discovery Walk or the Imbiah Lookout Tree Top Walk. No matter what you're interested in, you'll find something to do on Sentosa Island.
How to get to Sentosa Island
You can reach Sentosa Island by taking the MTR to HarbourFront station. From there, you can take the cable car or the Sentosa Express monorail to the island itself.
From Singapore to Universal Studios Theme Park
This legendary theme park is located on Sentosa Island, but it's so big and so much fun that it deserves its own entry. After all, it's very easy to spend the entire day just at this theme park, especially if you have kids, and miss out on the rest of what the island has to offer.
But even if you don't have kids, Universal Studios Singapore is still an excellent choice for a day trip. The park is incredibly well designed and maintained, and there's something for everyone, whether you're a fan of the Fast and Furious franchise, want to take a picture with Gru from Despicable Me, or just want to go on some classic amusement park rides.
There are seven different themed zones at Universal Studios Singapore, each with its own unique attractions. In Hollywood, you can ride the Battlestar Galactica roller coaster, take a walk down Hollywood Boulevard, or visit the world-famous Studio Tour. Or check out New York City, where you can ride the Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase or see a Broadway-style show.
How to get to Universal Studios Singapore
As we mentioned before, Universal Studios Singapore is located on Sentosa Island. So to get there, just follow the directions above for how to get to Sentosa Island. Once you're on the island, it's a short walk to the theme park itself.
From Singapore to Iskandar Puteri
This is another one for theme park lovers. Iskandar Puteri is home to Singapore's Legoland Park, with more than 70 rides and incredible adventures for fans of the popular toy. Plus, Iskandar Puteri also houses the Hello Kitty theme park, making this an ideal destination for families who want to take a day trip from Singapore.
How to get to Iskandar Puteri
To get to Iskandar Puteri from Singapore, just take a bus from the Queen Street Bus Terminal. The ride takes about two hours, and buses depart every 30 minutes or so.
From Singapore to Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin is one of the best day trips from Singapore for nature lovers. This small island is located in the northeast of Singapore, and it's famous for its lush greenery, mangrove forests, and sandy beaches. It's a popular spot for bird watching, hiking, and camping, and it's also home to a number of interesting historical sites.
This is the perfect place to get away from it all and take a break from the chaos of the city. Pulau Ubin offers one of the best day trips from Singapore for those who like to see the more natural side of the places that they visit. The white sand beaches and dense forests will recharge your batteries and give you a sense of the wilder side of Southeast Asia, away from the megacities.
How to get to Pulau Ubin
The best way to get to Pulau Ubin from Singapore is by taking a bumboat from the Changi Ferry Terminal. The ride takes about 10 minutes, and boats depart every 15 minutes or so. Once you're on the island, you can rent a bike to get around, or just walk.
From Singapore to Johor Bahru
Located on the southern Malay Peninsula, Johor Bahru is located just across the causeway from Singapore, making it one of the easiest day trips from Singapore. This Malaysian city is known for its excellent shopping, tasty food, and interesting attractions. Shoppers will be in heaven at places like the City Square Mall, Johor Premium Outlets, and Paradigm Mall.
Foodies will enjoy sampling the local cuisine, which is a unique blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. And there are a number of interesting attractions to visit as well, including the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, the LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, and Danga Bay.
How to get to Johor Bahru
The best way to get from Singapore to Johor Bahru is by taking a bus from the Queen Street Bus Terminal. The ride takes about two hours, and buses depart every 30 minutes or so. The best option is to take a dedicated coach, as city buses will require you to make multiple transfers and can take far, far longer.
From Singapore to Bintan Island
Bintan Island is one of the most popular day trips from Singapore, and it's easy to see why. This Indonesian island is just a short ferry ride from Singapore, and it offers an excellent mix of beaches, spas, golf courses, and more. Bintan Island is also home to a number of interesting cultural attractions, including the Penangkaran Turtle Conservation Centre and the Mangrove Information and Education Centre.
How to get to Bintan Island
The best way to get from Singapore to Bintan Island is by taking a ferry from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The ride takes about two hours, and boats depart every 30 minutes or so. Alternatively, you can take a high-speed catamaran which takes just an hour. Once you're on the island, you can rent a bike to get around, or just walk.
From Singapore to Batam Island
Batam Island is another popular Indonesian island that's just a short ferry ride from Singapore. This island offers a similar mix of beaches, spas, and golf courses as Bintan Island, but it's slightly less developed and a little bit cheaper. Batam Island is also home to a number of interesting cultural attractions, including the Sekupang Cruise Terminal, the Tiban Shrine, and the Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall.
How to get to Batam Island
The best way to get from Singapore to Batam Island is by taking a ferry from the HarbourFront Ferry Terminal. The ride takes about an hour and a half, and boats depart roughly every 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a high-speed catamaran which takes just 45 minutes. Like the other islands in the vicinity, you can walk or cycle around the island once you get here.
From Singapore to Pulau Tioman
Pulau Tioman is a beautiful Malaysian island located off the east coast of the country. This island is famous for its clear water, coral reefs, and jungle-covered mountains. It's a popular spot for diving and snorkeling, and there are a number of interesting hiking trails as well.
If you are searching for some relaxation combined with a refreshing dip, this is the place for you.
How to get to Pulau Tioman
The best way to get from Singapore to Pulau Tioman is by taking a flight from the Changi Airport. The ride takes about two and a half hours, and there are multiple flights per day.
From Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, and it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. This city offers a wealth of things to see and do, including shopping at places like the Petronas Towers, visiting interesting attractions like Batu Caves, and sampling the delicious local cuisine. Day trips from Singapore don't get much more ambitious or more exciting than this, and traveling from the waterfront city of Singapore to the bustling capital of Malaysia is a great way to see a different country and a different culture on one of the most exciting trips in Singapore.
How to get to Kuala Lumpur
Driving to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore will take around five hours, and that's without traffic. You can also take a bus to the city, but expect that to take even longer. As a result, it may be better to think of Kuala Lumpur as a weekend trip since it's definitely worth staying the night just so you can scratch the surface of everything this place has to offer.
Conclusion
There is no shortage of reasons to visit Singapore. And once you're in the city, it can be tempting not to leave. After all, there's so much to see and do here that you could spend a lifetime in the city and never reach the bottom of your list. However, day trips from Singapore can show you a whole new aspect not just of this country but of surrounding countries as well. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage and visit some of these incredible locations, and you'll have a much richer experience of Southeast Asia. Plus, you'll return home with some unforgettable memories of all the magical places you've seen.