Singapore is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and the dream destination of many would-be first-time travelers. If you’re dreaming of visiting the Lion City, I’m here to help you with your itinerary and travel plans.
My first international travel way back in 2022 was to Singapore. I chose Singapore because it offers visa-free travel (all Southeast Asian countries offer visa-free travel for Filipinos) and the fact that it’s home to several famous tourist destinations such as Universal Studios and Marina Bay Sands.
Singapore Travel Requirements
As first time travelers, we prepared every documents we could think of – bank statement, proof of income, leave form, Certificate of Employment and 3 months payslip (for me), travel insurance, return tickets, hotel bookings, and so on. Name it, we have it!
We even searched for the possible questions to be asked by the immigration officer and how to properly answer them. That’s how prepared we were! (Additional requirements we prepared are SG Arrival Card (required for tourists visiting Singapore) and Philippine eTravel Pass.
So, just imagine the joy we felt when we passed the interview of the IO and after our passports got stamped for the first time. It was one of a kind!
We landed at the Changi Airport at around 9PM. We booked an airport transfer thru Klook from airport to hotel, so we had a hassle free transfer. Our driver was already waiting for us when we arrived at the airport.
Singapore Tourist Attractions
Question: Can you tell me you’re in Singapore without telling me you’re in Singapore?
Answer: Take a picture of the following tourists spots and post it on social media, no need for caption. 🙂
Among the tourist attractions in Singapore that we did not miss were:
- Universal Studios
- Gardens by the Bay
- Suntec City
- Merlion Park
- Marina Bay Sands
- Singapore River Cruise
- Singapore Zoo
- Singapore Flyer
- Flower Dome
- ArtScience Museum
- Little India
- Singapore Botanic Gardens
Those are some of the tourist attractions that we visited. Seems chaotic especially if you are a first time traveler. You might wonder what to visit first, next and last. Well, wonder no more, I will be sharing with you our Singapore DIY itinerary. Feel free to copy and follow them when you explore the Lion City.
By the way, our DIY Itinerary was prepared and organized according to which one is convenient for us. We stayed at Hotel Boss during the first four nights in Singapore. We were supposed to travel back to Cebu on our fifth day, but as they say, sepanx is real in SG. And after giving it some thought, we decided to extend for two more nights and another two more nights after that. Because why not?
On our fifth and sixth nights, we decided to transfer and stay at Hotel Grand Central. And after that we made a very impulsive decision of staying at Marina Bay Sands for just one night.
Yes, you read it right. We stayed one night at Marina Bay Sands, and it was very one-of-a-kind experience. The room, the service, the food and the whole experience were amazing! Not to mention our breathtaking view when we were on the 57th floor – the Sands Skypark Infinity Pool.
When you’re there it is like living your life dreams, literally and figuratively. It was such a wonderful experience that we forgot how much it cost us to stay in the hotel for just a night. Haha. Kidding aside, I truly recommend staying there even just once in your life. As they say, travel and make memories – the money will return, time won’t.
Singapore DIY Itinerary
Now is the time to share with you all our DIY itinerary which by the way was prepared and organized by my then fiancé, now husband.
Day 1
- 4:15 PM to 9:00 PM – Flight from Cebu to Singapore
- 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM – Transfer to Hotel Boss
- 10:00 PM – Check in at Hotel Boss
- 10:30 PM – Dinner at The Hainan Story Chapter One (Hotel Boss)
- 11:00 PM – Vicinity tour (optional)
- 11:30 PM – Sleep
Day 2
- 8:00 AM – Wake up and breakfast
- 9:00 AM – Travel to Resorts World Sentosa
- 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM – Resorts World Sentosa, SEA Aquarium, etc.
- 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM – Universal Studios
- 6:00 PM – Travel to Singapore River Cruise
- 6:30 PM – Singapore River Cruise
- 7:30 PM – Dinner at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
- 8:30 PM – Vicinity tour (Clarke Quay Central Mall)
- 9:00 PM – Back to hotel
Day 3
- 8:00 AM – Wake up and breakfast
- 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – City Tour (c/o Klook)
- Merlion Park
- Chinatown
- Jewellery Factory
- Flower Dome
- Panoramic view of Singapore Flyer
- 12:30 PM – Chinatown, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sightseeing (buy souvenirs)
- Lunch at Hawker Chan
- 2:30 PM – Travel to Gardens by the Bay
- 3:00 PM – Gardens by the Bay
- 5:00 PM – ArtScience Museum
- 6:00 PM – Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck
- 7:00 PM – Dinner at Pepper Kitchen
- 8:00 PM – Spectra: A Light & Water Show
- 9:00 PM – Back to hotel
Day 4
- 8:00 AM – Wake up and breakfast
- 11:00 AM – Walk to Little India
- 11:30 AM – National Museum of Singapore, National Gallery
- 12:30 AM – Travel to Singapore Botanic Gardens
- 1:00 PM – Singapore Botanic Gardens, Museum of Ice Cream
- 2:00 PM – Travel to Singapore Zoo
- 2:30 PM – Singapore Zoo
- 4:30 PM – River Wonders
- 6:00 PM – Night Safari (with tram ride)
- 7:00 PM – Travel to Bugis Street
- 7:30 PM – Bugis Street (buy souvenirs and pasalubong, try street food)
- Dinner at Jollibee
- 9:00 PM – Back to hotel
Day 5 and 6
Stayed at Hotel Grand Central. Days 5 and 6 are our free days in Singapore – aka the extension. We decided not to follow any itinerary and just explore and wander in the Lion City.
Day 7 and 8
Stayed at Marina Bay Sands.
Days 8 and 9
Stated at Hotel 81 while waiting for our flight back to Cebu on Day 9.
Wrapping Up
Singapore is definitely one place that should be in every traveler’s bucket list. But keep in mind that Singapore is one of the most expensive places to visit, so you must be prepared financially before going there.
So that’s it for our Singapore itinerary and travel guide for first-time travelers. We’ve been to Singapore twice already and we just can’t get enough of it. It’s a small island that continues to mesmerize everyone with its boundless beauty and hidden wonders.
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends who are interested to visit Singapore someday!
