People from Tamilnadu, India, who travel for leisure, work or business, commonly visit Singapore. During the British era, a sizable number of people with Tamil ancestry immigrated to Malaysia and later shifted to Singapore when the National was informed. One of Singapore's official languages is Tamil.
Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world and grew into a developed nation in a short period of time. Singapore is a tropical nation with consistent weather all year round. For such a small nation, there is plenty of places to see and things to do. There is a lot to see and do in Singapore, so it's best to mix and match your itinerary based on the key attractions found throughout this island city-state. So let's look at various activities and how you might spend three days in Singapore doing them all.
Things to Know before you Go
Visa (for Indian Passport holders): Prior Visa has to be arranged for Indian Passport Holders if you are visiting Malaysia. Getting a tourist visa is not hard and it can be done through Travel agents.
Currency: Singapore's currency is the Singapore Dollars (SGD). 1 SGD ~ 50 INR
Best way to travel in Singapore: Singapore is connected by its extensive, city-wide Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system, as well as a vast bus network and taxi services
Accommodation : Hotels are expensive throughout Singapore and and staying near the main attraction will cost a fortune. It is better to look for hotels close to a train station in the suburbs (further away from the city)
Language : Malaysian/Chinese/Tamil are the official languages of the country, but you can find English widely spoken and boards/signs in English.
Food: Average Basic meal in Singapore will cost SGD 10~15 (INR 500~750). There are plenty of fast food joints across the city. We didn't have the need to cook, so we didn't opt for any Airbnb's. Our hotel provided complimentary breakfast and we did have a microwave in the rooms
Water: Tap water is safe to drink, but I was advised to buy bottled water by a local friend. It is not expensive. Try to get one from the supermarket. Buying it in convenience stores like 7/11 will be expensive
Wifi & Mobile data: Travel sim is available in all airports for short term stays. It gives you a great flexibility when you are travelling to regional areas or on day trips. I do recommend this. It comes with a data pack, enough for 3~4 days
Credit Cards and ATMs: It was easy paying by card and didn't feel the need to use Cash. But better to carry some in case you are going to a street shop. You can also pay for Taxis' with credit/debit card
Safety: Singapore is extremely safe when compared to many other Asian destinations. Keep your wallets & passports safe. Always be mindful of your surroundings & stick to your instincts. If you feel something is not right, don't do it.
Best time to Visit
Understanding Geography
Singapore is a tropical country and has got the same weather throughout the year. So doesn't matter when you travel. Look for local festivals, which is the time to be avoided.
So what is the best time to visit??
February-March would be the best, it is not the holiday season. Hotels/Accommodations are not pricier. There is lesser rainfall during this period
Singapore is a small country and most of the attractions are built for international tourists. We had three days in Singapore and still felt we have to cover a lot. Such is the variety Singapore offers. Apart from the City tour & Key attraction, you can easily spend 2 Full days in Sentosa Island
How to get to Singapore
Our Budget
Traveling from India, International flights arrive at . The Airport itself is a built as a tourist attraction and has plenty to offer. Dumbstruck with the facilities, cleanliness and entertainment it offered.
We flew Scoot from Trichy International airport and flying time is 4 hours. You have direct flights from Chennai & Coimbatore as well
Singapore is one of the expensive places on the planet. It is not a budget destination, but travelling from Tamil Nadu, gives you the advantage of cheap flights
Scoot airlines (former Tiger air) the cheapest to get into Malaysia. Return ticket cost us 14000 INR/person from Trichy International Airport to Singapore
We stayed in Little India, closer to the public transport. Our room was SGD 100 (5000 INR)/night which is reasonable. It included a complimentary breakfast & wifi
Restaurants were expensive as well. A proper meal cost us 15 SGD/person/meal (750 INR).
This is the quickest way to reach Singapore. There are other connecting options via Colombo/Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok
Where to Stay
1. Colonial/Historic Districts
Due to its excellent location and proximity to all of Singapore's other neighborhoods, this is our preferred spot to stay. You can quickly walk to Orchard Road with all its fantastic shopping, the pubs and restaurants in the Quay and Marina Bay areas, the mouthwatering street cuisine in Bugis & Kampong Glam, and Little India.
2. Little India. Most of the Indian community lives here and surrounded by Tamil restaurants. Affordable accommodation and plenty of shopping. The cheapest of all accommodation can be found here.
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How to Travel around Singapore
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This Map will give you the must see places in Singapore. You’ll get an overall idea of what to do and you can mix it up the way you want. We Would also highly recommend to go on a full day trip or may be even 2 to Sentosa Island
Pass we bought
A Singapore Tourist Pass (STP), available for purchase if you are visiting Singapore for a few days, entitles you to unlimited travel on:
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One day (Singapore Dollar $10)
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Two days (Singapore Dollar $16)
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Three days (Singapore Dollar $20)
Singapore has metered taxis, but be sure to make sure the meter is on before you get in and that no extra surcharge will be added
Must See Places in Singapore
1. Gardens by the Bay
A 250-acre nature park with a view of the Singapore Strait, Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore's most visited tourist destinations. With floral and art sculptures in a range of dazzling colours and designs, it has an abundance of plant life in the shape of a themed park.
The cloudy Cloud Forest conservatory indoor forest, which has a 138-foot mountain covered in plants and a big waterfall, is the primary attraction. As you descend the spiral staircase, see how the greenery changes after taking an elevator to the top.
Other notables include the renowned outdoor Supertree Grove observatory with a raised Skyway that is 22 metres high and the Flower Dome, the largest glass glasshouse in the world that simulates "perpetual spring."
2. Merlion
The Downtown waterfront of Singapore is only a short stroll away from the National Gallery. After passing over one of the numerous bridges there, you'll soon find yourself in front of the Merlion, a famous landmark in Singapore. Like many Singapore landmarks, it may have only been placed to the city's waterfront in 2002, but it didn't take long for it to become a symbol of the city. To capture this stunning fountain with the city towers or Marina Bay Sands as a backdrop, stand with dozens of other tourists.
3. Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands, one of the most well-known landmarks in the city, has become synonymous with Singapore's skyline because to its three towers and surfboard-shaped top. The complex includes a hotel as well as a mall with designer shops, restaurants, and a theatre. The city's ArtScience Museum is located outside in a building with a lotus form.
Additionally, visitors can visit the Observation Deck for some amazing city views even if the infinity pool that spans the hotel's SkyPark is only accessible to guests. Purchase your Observation Deck ticket online and skip the queue to the top.
4. Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay, which is located along the Singapore River, is a lively waterfront district filled with bars, clubs, and eateries that serve the surrounding Central Business District's office workers. However, the quay is ideal for after-dinner beverages because it is wonderfully lit up at night and offers so many places to get a drink. You can also board a cruise from here to float across Singapore's waterways at night to view how the city looks.
5. Singapore Zoo
When travelling with young children or toddlers, this is one of the must-do activities. They will find the Zoo to be more fascinating than the famous structures.
The Singapore Zoo, located in a genuine rainforest setting, is a prime example of the "open zoo" concept. A Guided Tram Ride will take you through six different geographic regions of the world, from the rough Himalayan Foothills to the jungles of Southeast Asia, if you prefer to see the park on wheels. Additionally, it provides a unique Night Safari.
6. Other Important Places to See
As we mentioned before, Singapore has too much to offer than we think. However considering the time limitation of 4 days, This itself is already a packed Itinerary. Adding one or two days of Sentosa island will make it even more tight. The below are interesting destinations as well. You can mix and match depending upon the type of travel you want to make.
For example: A History lover will be more interested in knowing about the local culture, doing a food tour, exploring local neighbor hoods like Chinatown, Little India
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National Museum of Singapore
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Singapore Flyer (you can skip this if visiting marina Bay sands)
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China Town
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Jurong Bird park
Day Trips from Singapore
Sentosa Island
Many tourists decide to visit to Sentosa, a well-known resort island, to experience a different side of Singapore. Sentosa Island, located south-west of the city, offers visitors access to Singapore's beaches, golf courses, and amusement parks, making it ideal for visitors of all ages and interests.
Sentosa Island is essentially the only place in Singapore where you may go to the beach. Three beaches can be found on Sentosa, Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach, and Tanjong Beach, which are all evenly spaced around the southern shore of the island. Each has a distinct vibe that will appeal to different types of people, yet they all share stunning white sand. Sentosa's beaches are perfect for vacationers on a budget searching for somewhere to relax because they offer free public access.
Universal Studios
Southeast Asia's first and second cinematic theme park is Universal Studios Singapore. The area, which is a part of Resorts World Sentosa, is 49 acres (20 hectares) large and is home to 24 fascinating attractions in total. The park is organised into seven zones, each of which has a distinct concept based on a hit TV show or big-budget movie. Additionally, each zone has its own set of characters, eateries, stores, and rides.
Once inside, pick up a map of the USS and guide yourself across the zones. You will get easily lost and walking in circles.
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New York
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Sci-fi City
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Ancient Egypt
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The Lost World – Jurassic Park
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Far Far Away
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Madagascar
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Back to Hollywood (Entrance)
Conclusion & Our Recommendation
One of my favorite cities is Singapore, and I adore the city's layout. For tourists, it offers a lot. Please allot extra money in case we become distracted by the city's and its attractions' inherent attractiveness. 3 days is not very long. For a leisurely exploration, we advise 4–5 days.
Our Recommendation
Must Go Destination