Ready-made plans
Ready-made plan

4 days in Singapore for families

Marina Bay 3 nights

I built this for families who want Singapore's big hits without exhausting the kids: gardens, Universal Studios, the zoo and great hawker food. Everything is close, clean and easy, with a rest every afternoon.

Gardens by the Bay light showA full day at Universal StudiosMorning at Singapore ZooBest in Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Today's prices
Ideas from around the world ·
Hotels, 3 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.

Day 1 Gardens by the Bay

  1. 13:30Land at Changi Airport, transfer to Marina BayImmigration is quick. A taxi or Grab is easiest with kids and bags.Changi · about 30 mins · 25 to 40 SGD per car
  2. 14:30Check in and restRooms are usually ready by 3. Use the pool while you wait.Marina Bay · about 2 hrs · FreeTaxi
  3. 16:30Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, Gardens by the BayCool, air conditioned domes. The indoor waterfall in Cloud Forest wows the kids.Marina Bay · about 1.75 hrs · 46 to 60 SGD adult, less for childrenWalk or taxi, 10 min
  4. 18:30Dinner at Satay by the BayOpen-air hawker centre inside the gardens. Many halal stalls and a few vegetarian ones.Gardens by the Bay · about 1 hr · 10 to 20 SGD · Order: Chicken or mutton satay with peanut sauceWalk, 10 min
  5. 19:45Garden Rhapsody light show at the Supertree GroveLie back on the ground under the Supertrees. Music and lights for 15 minutes.Gardens by the Bay · about 20 mins · FreeWalk, 8 min

Tip: Book Gardens by the Bay dome tickets online to skip the counter.

Day 2 Sentosa and Universal Studios

  1. 09:30Universal Studios SingaporeGo straight to the rides your kids care about most. Express passes help on weekends.Sentosa · about 6.5 hrs · 75 to 90 SGD adult, less for children
  2. 12:30Lunch inside the parkSeveral food courts inside. Look for the halal certified outlets marked on the park map.Universal Studios Singapore · about 45 mins · 15 to 25 SGD · Order: Chicken rice or a pasta for the kidsInside the park
  3. 16:00Downtime at Siloso BeachSand, shade and an easy paddle. Take the free Sentosa beach tram.Sentosa · about 1.5 hrs · FreeBeach tram, 10 min
  4. 18:00Dinner at Malaysian Food StreetIndoor, air conditioned hawker street. Good vegetarian options and many halal stalls.Resorts World Sentosa · about 1 hr · 12 to 20 SGD · Order: Char kway teow or roti canaiBeach tram and walk, 15 min
  5. 19:40Wings of Time showWater, fire and laser show over the sea. Book the first show so kids are not up late.Siloso Beach · about 20 mins · 19 to 25 SGDTaxi or tram, 10 min

Tip: Buy Universal tickets online for a timed entry and carry a small umbrella for rain or sun.

Day 3 Zoo and Little India

  1. 08:30Singapore ZooOpen concept zoo with orangutans, a splash park and animal shows. Bring swimwear for the kids.Mandai · about 3.5 hrs · 48 to 55 SGD adult, less for children
  2. 12:15Lunch at Ah Meng RestaurantInside the zoo. Local favourites and simple options for kids.Singapore Zoo · about 45 mins · 12 to 20 SGD · Order: Nasi lemak or laksaWalk
  3. 13:30Back to the hotel to restMidday heat is strong. A swim and a nap set up the evening.Marina Bay · about 2.5 hrs · FreeTaxi, 30 min
  4. 16:30Little India walk and Sri Veeramakaliamman TempleColourful temple on Serangoon Road. Shoes off, shoulders covered.Little India · about 1 hr · FreeTaxi, 15 min
  5. 17:30Tekka Centre and Mustafa CentreTekka for fresh flowers and textiles, Mustafa for everything from chocolates to electronics.Little India · about 1.25 hrs · free to browseWalk, 5 min
  6. 19:00Dinner at Komala VilasPure vegetarian South Indian since 1947. Eat with your hands from a banana leaf.Serangoon Road · about 1 hr · 8 to 15 SGD · Order: Banana leaf meal or masala dosaWalk, 8 min

Tip: Pack a change of clothes for the zoo's water play area.

Day 4 Merlion, Chinatown and home

  1. 09:00Merlion ParkThe classic photo with the Marina Bay Sands across the water.Marina Bay · about 30 mins · Free
  2. 10:00Buddha Tooth Relic TempleOrnate five storey temple with a rooftop prayer wheel garden. Dress modestly.Chinatown · about 45 mins · FreeTaxi, 10 min
  3. 11:00Chinatown Street MarketSouvenirs, magnets and snacks on Pagoda and Trengganu Street.Chinatown · about 1 hr · free to browseWalk, 5 min
  4. 12:30Lunch at Maxwell Food CentreFamous for Tian Tian chicken rice (not halal, closed Mondays). Halal and vegetarian stalls are in the same centre.Chinatown · about 1 hr · 6 to 12 SGD · Order: Hainanese chicken riceWalk, 8 min
  5. 14:00Collect bags at the hotelMost hotels hold bags after check-out.Marina Bay · about 45 mins · FreeTaxi, 10 min
  6. 15:00Transfer to Changi AirportGo early and see the Rain Vortex waterfall at Jewel, right next to Terminal 1.Marina Bay to Changi · about 30 mins · 25 to 40 SGD per carFrom the hotel

Tip: Get an EZ-Link or use a contactless card on buses and MRT.

Where to stay

Singapore, Marina Bay and City Hall · nights 1 to 3Walk to the gardens and quick to everything else
  • Marina Bay Sands luxury · about 900 to 1,500 SGD a night The rooftop infinity pool is reserved for guests and kids love it
  • Swissotel The Stamford mid · about 350 to 550 SGD a night Directly above City Hall MRT, big rooms and great views
  • Village Hotel Bugis budget · about 180 to 280 SGD a night Simple and central, near Bugis MRT with a pool

Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.

What to eat

  • Hainanese chicken rice at Tian Tian, Maxwell Food Centre The dish Singapore is known for, cheap and gentle for kids
  • Chilli crab at Jumbo Seafood, Riverside Point, Clarke Quay Singapore's signature seafood, order with fried mantou buns
  • Satay at Satay by the Bay, Gardens by the Bay Grilled skewers in the open air, many halal stalls
  • Banana leaf meal and dosa at Komala Vilas, Serangoon Road Pure vegetarian South Indian since 1947
  • Katong laksa at 328 Katong Laksa, East Coast Road Spicy coconut noodle soup, eaten with just a spoon
  • Kaya toast and soft boiled eggs at Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Far East Square The classic Singapore breakfast

Evenings are easy and safe: free light shows at Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay, hawker dinners and early nights for the kids.

Why it is planned this way

  • I put the zoo first thing on day 3 because animals are active and it is cooler before 11.
  • I kept Universal Studios to its own day with a beach break after, so nobody melts down.
  • I chose the early light shows each night so kids are in bed by 9.

Opening times and prices change. Tomo checks them again for your dates when you make the plan yours.

Your dates, your hotel, your pace