Your Ultimate Guide to Spending 24 Hours in Singapore

Located in south east Asia, people often associated Singapore with fancy malls, shopping, luxury hotels and fine dining. Many people pass through Singapore on a layover, and you might have a whole day to explore the city. So how to make the best of one day? Here is a perfect guide including how to get around the city and what to do for you to make the best use of your precious time. 

Traveling season in Singapore

Weather plays an important role while traveling. However, Singapore is an exception, since there isn’t a certain season in Singapore that is “the best” time to visit. There are things in Singapore that can be done all year round. For example shopping: shopping is practically a national sport in Singapore, and the weather doesn’t make much difference to shoppers. However, plan on the post-Christmas and New Years and you might find some discounts and bargains, even extended shopping hours during certain seasons. Weather in Singapore is in general hot and humid throughout the year. Daytime temperatures are usually above 30 degrees, and the wettest months are usually around November to January. There are often short showers in the afternoon. 

• Tips: if you plan on walking around in the city, as it is mostly hot and humid, do remember to dress smart!

Going around in Singapore: transportation 

By knowing the buses, metro system and taxis, it will make your time in Singapore smoother and more convenient

Read more：Experience Singapore Nightlife：6 Best Things to Do

Taking buses in Singapore 

It is not easy to understand the routes of buses and signs while traveling abroad, as a result, buses often come as the last choice comparing to MRT or taxis. Yet, with buses, you also can look at the nice view outside, and explore the city even better. Buses reach many places that the MRT does not, with a well-connected network across the island. If you learn how to take a bus in Singapore, it will save you a lot of time and money! 

Bus operators in Singapore

Public bus services in Singapore are run by several operators, including SBS Transit, SMRT, Tower Transit and Go-Ahead Singapore, but they all work as one network with the same fares and payment methods. Buses are air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. Most services stop running around midnight, so check the last bus if you are out late.

Some tips to notice 

Before hopping on, it is recommended to download a bus arrival app or use a map app to plan your route and see when the next bus arrives. The easiest way to pay is to tap a contactless bank card or mobile wallet, or an EZ-Link card, when you board and again when you get off. Also, remember to press the bell before your stop. 

Taking MRT 

The MRT opened in 1987, yet it is still well maintained and very clean. Just like other public transport, MRT trains can get incredibly crowded during rush hours. The network has six main lines: the North South, East West, North East, Circle, Downtown and Thomson–East Coast Lines, with more being built. Apart from this, the Sentosa Express monorail runs from VivoCity (next to HarbourFront MRT station) to the famous resort island of Sentosa.

• Taking taxis and Grab ：If you prefer a quicker and private way of traveling, you might consider taking a taxi instead of going around with public transportation. It is of course pricier than public transportation, but yet affordable in Singapore. You might be hesitating — when traveling in a foreign country, it is common to worry about being overcharged or misunderstood because of the language. Luckily, taxis in Singapore are safe and metered, and English is widely spoken (Singapore has four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil), so don’t worry!

• Standard taxis：Several taxi companies operate in Singapore, each with its own colors. They are all metered and air-conditioned, and you can hail one on the street (outside the city centre’s no-stopping zones) or queue at a taxi stand.

• Using ride-hailing apps：Although taxis are available almost everywhere, it might be difficult to find one during rush hour. You can also book a car with a ride-hailing app such as Grab, which offers a wide selection of car types and a convenient ride.

Recommended sights for a one-day itinerary in Singapore 

As the transportation super convenient in Singapore, we will be recommending sights that both can be easily accessed and popular among tourists. Some are even within walking distances! 

Take a selfie at Merlion park

You’ve might already seen this before, the most representative images of Singapore, the mythical Merlion. It is a statue with the head of a lion but with a body of a fish. The story starts with Merlion's body, which symbolizes as Singapore began as a fishing village, and its head represents Singapore’s original name, and that is ‘lion city’ in Malay. There are several Merlion statues around Singapore, but the most well-known is the one in Merlion Park. The view is magnificent during the night and do remember to take a picture with Merlion!

• Location: 1 Fullerton Road, Marina Bay, Singapore

Explore Gardens by the Bay

About 20 minutes away from Merlion Park, Gardens by the Bay, as the name implies, it is a huge, enormous nature park with a size of 101 hectares located in the central region of Singapore. Consists of three waterfront gardens, it is also famous for its Flower Dome, one of the largest glass greenhouses in the world. During the day, there is nothing better than taking a fine nice stroll in a magic garden under a humid and heating afternoon! Check out all kinds interesting flowers, green plants and huge succulent! It is also a great spot during the night. The free Garden Rhapsody light show at the Supertree Grove is usually held every night at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm. Plan your night at Gardens by the Bay and enjoy the glamorous light performance and music!　What’s more, OCBC skyway is a 128meter-long skyway, which gives you a feeling of wandering around the garden of Babylon. Offering a dreamlike scene, you will see the spectacular view of the bay and the romantic garden.

• Location：18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
• Light show: usually every night at 19:45 and 20:45 (check the official website for changes)
  

Have a view and get a drink at the top of the Marina Bay Sands

Go up to the top of the Marina Bay Sands resort: the SkyPark Observation Deck is where you can see the whole of Singapore. The rooftop is in boat shape, and the area includes a restaurant, a bar, and an observation deck. Have a relaxing afternoon and enjoy the best views of Singapore at SkyPark. 

Top 3 things to do in Sentosa

From Marina Bay to Resorts world Sentosa 

Marina Bay and Sentosa are both iconic tourist attractions in Singapore, and you can easily do both in one day: the trip between them takes well under an hour. From Marina Bay, take the MRT to HarbourFront, then ride the Sentosa Express monorail from VivoCity or walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk. 
Sentosa, located at the southern coast of Singapore, is a paradise-like island famous for its various entertainment. It is said to have one of the best beaches in Singapore. 

Singapore is famous for its manmade developments including beaches. Although manmade, there is nothing unreal about the soft white sand, which is imported from neighboring country Malaysia. Tourists will find plenty to do at the beaches: having a cocktail at the beach bar, taking a relaxing nap under a palm tree in the afternoon, or splashing water in the warm sea. For the best beach spots in Sentosa, head to Tanjong, Palawan, or Siloso Beach.

• Location: Sentosa Island, Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is a big draw on Sentosa. With several themed zones, exciting rides, live shows, and Hollywood movie-sets pulls, a fun and exciting time is guaranteed! It is a great place for those movie lovers, kids, and families! 

• Location: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269, Singapore

See marine animals up close at Singapore Oceanarium

Another family-friendly, all-weather attraction! The former S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa closed in April 2025 and reopened in July 2025 as the much larger Singapore Oceanarium, with around 22 themed zones and a huge Open Ocean viewing panel. Not only can you see marine creatures from all over the world, there are also educational exhibits about ocean conservation. It is a perfect place for everyone from kids to grandparents to see, learn, and have lots of fun!

• Location: Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa Island, Singapore

Only have one day and want someone to plan it for you? Browse our Singapore tours led by local guides.