Optimal Singapore Tour - 2 Nights & 2 Days
by Nikhil Khanna
(Dubai, UAE.)
| Hi, I shall be arriving in Singapore Airport, T2 at 2.45pm from Yangon on 28th of September. My flight to India is on the 30th evening at 8.00pm. Please suggest me a tour plan to use my time in Singapore to the max. I am interested in the cultural and shopping side of the tour and do not want to miss the Night Safari.'And yes, male, 35, traveling alone. I haven't done a hotel booking yet. Thank you in advance. |
Hi Nikhil
To optimise your time, you could use a Singapore tour itinerary such as this:
DAY 1 - SINGAPORE ZOO & NIGHT SAFARI
If you are travelling light, take a taxi from the airport to the Singapore Zoo. For a late afternoon arrival, you still have enough time to walkabout and maybe catch one of the animal shows. (The Zoo closes at 6pm.)
At 6pm, hop over to the Night Safari next door, have dinner, watch the fire-eating pre-show and proceed to enjoy the Night Safari thereafter.
Luggage arrangement
If you have lots of luggage, you could get Porter Xpress at the airport to deliver them to your hotel, without having to take them to the animal parks. You could then collect it from concierge or something when you check in the night.
DAY 2 - CITY CENTRE, SINGAPORE RIVER & CLARKE QUAY
Take the MRT to City Hall station. Around this station are some important heritage sites and numerous shopping options, including:
Heritage Sights
a) Raffles Hotel Singapore - Visit their free museum or enjoy a Singapore Sling and some peanuts at the Long Bar.
b) St Andrew's Cathedral, the Padang and the former City Hall.
Shopping Options
c) The Marina Bay malls, such as Raffles City Shopping Centre, Marina Square, Suntec City, Millenia Walk and Marina Bay Sands, all offer glitzy higher end shopping options.
d) But if you veer of to North Bridge Road, you could find some interesting shops at Peninsula Plaza, Peninsula Shopping Centre and Funan IT Mall. Near are shops that stock pretty good clothes, shoes and accessories for men.
Set aside enough time to explore the Singapore River, such as on a walking tour or on a river cruise.
Culminate your day at Clarke Quay, where there are many dining spots by the riverside or in the malls.
Get the free map!
The Visitors' Centre at the airport has a range of free tourist maps. You could ask for one showing the main sights in the city area. This will help you get around more easily for Day 1's itinerary.
Clarke Quay Hotels
If you have not booked your hotel, consider these Clarke Quay hotels. These are mid-range accommodation that puts you close to most city spots in Singapore.
Singapore Lantern Festival
September is also Lantern Festival in Singapore, and you'll find some pretty interesting lanterns near Clarke Quay and The Central(mall).
DAY 3 - CHINATOWN, LITTLE INDIA AND/OR KAMPONG GLAM/BUGIS
I believe in the adage 'Less is more!'. So while the natural urge for short-term tourists is to see much as possible - and in the process lose a lot of time to commuting - I urge that you plan to see fewer places and see them well. So I recommend that with your departure in mind on Day 3, you may want to choose just one of the following and see it well:
a) Chinatown has shopping options for souvenirs, clothes, shoes, even antique-style furniture. Also, you'll find cheap hawker food, as well as a slew of Chinese restaurants serving cuisines from many places in China.
b) Little India
c) Kampong Glam / Bugis
Have a good trip to Singapore.
Gabriel Tan
