Southeast Asia - Singapore - 3 days trip

Singapore

Best time to visit

March to August
Currency Singapore Dollar (SGD)

VISA

www.mfa.gov.sg
Form 14A https://www.ica.gov.sg/docs/default-source/ica/forms/form14a.pdf
Form V39A https://www.ica.gov.sg/docs/default-source/ica/forms/formv39a.pdf
INR 1800 + 650

SG Arrival Card

https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore/sg-arrival-card
You are required to submit the SGAC within three (3) days (including the day of arrival) before arrival in Singapore. For example, if you are arriving in Singapore on 30 Jun, you can submit your declaration from 28 Jun onwards.

Day 1: Gardens by the Bay

The Gardens by the Bay is a nature park spanning 101 hectares(250 acres) in the Central Region of Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. It is the largest of the three gardens at 54 hectares (130 acres), draws inspiration from an orchid. (Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, also known as the Singapore orchid, is a hybrid orchid (a grex) that is the national flower of Singapore.) The orchid takes root at the waterfront (conservatories), while the leaves (landforms), shoots (paths, roads and linkways) and secondary roots (water, energy and communication lines) then form an integrated network with blooms (theme gardens and Supertrees) at key intersections.

Gardens by the Bay conservatories

The conservatory complex at Gardens by the Bay comprises two cooled conservatories – the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest, situated along the edge of Marina Reservoir.
Flower dome and Cloud forest external view
Monday - Sunday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Flower Dome is the world's largest columnless glasshouse at 1.2 hectares (3 acres). It features a changing display, the flower field, and eight other gardens, namely The Baobabs, Succulent Garden, Australian Garden, South African Garden, South American Garden, Olive Grove, California Garden and the Mediterranean Garden.
Cloud Forest features a 42-metre (138 ft) "Cloud Mountain." After ascending to the top by an elevator, visitors descend the mountain via a circular path which crosses underneath the 35-metre (115 ft) waterfall multiple times.
Supertree grove: 18 tree-like structures that dominate the Gardens' landscape with heights that range between 25 metres (82 ft) and 50 metres (160 ft). They are vertical gardens that perform a multitude of functions, which include planting, shading and working as environmental engines for the gardens.
There is also a Supertree Observatory,an elevated walkwa, yhoused inside the tallest Supertree which is 50 metres tall.
Every night, at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, the Supertree Grove comes alive with a coordinated light and music show known as the Garden Rhapsody.

Marina Bay Sands

Visit the Art-Science Museum, located within Marina Bay Sands, for innovative exhibitions
Sands Skypark Observation Deck
ticket BOOK in ADVANCE
$32/person (11-4pm) $98 family (2+2)
$36 (after 5pm) $114 family
"The Spectra: A Light & Water Show" @ Marina Bay Sands: It’s a free 15-minute outdoor show displayed over the water at the Event Plaza. Sunday to Thursday @8pm and 9pm, Friday and Saturday @8pm, 9pm and 10pm.
- Directly upfront: grab a spot near the Event Plaza at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
- From afar: Witness the grandeur from Merlion Park or the Fullerton Bay Hotel area for a wider perspective.
- Waterfront Promenade: Stroll along the promenade for a relaxed viewing experience with the city skyline as a backdrop.
- Best of all, you can get on a river boat to get really close. Just be prepared for potential splashes!

Day 2: Sentosa Island

Spend the day at Sentosa Island: Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Sentosa Beaches.
Universal Studios: The tour includes your favorite Hollywood movies at the Universal Studios along with enjoying movie-themed rides and attractions (1)Hollywood, 2)New York, 3)SciFi City, 4) Ancient Egypt, 5)The Lost World, 6) Far far away). Don’t miss out on the experiences offered by 4-D Adventureland, and Madagascar the water-ride zone. Thrill seekers can also opt for Revenge of the Mummy - a thrilling ride about warrior mummies in deep darkness.
Ticket SGD 62 / $46 / AED170 you can easily spend around 5-6 hours at Universal.
S.E.A. Aquarium is one of the world's largest aquariums, home to more than 100,000 underwater animals from approximately 1,000 species, including sand tiger sharks, sea jellies and manta rays. Standard S.E.A Aquarium entry ticket (SGD33 / $24.4 / AED90) have a flexible duration which means you can spend as little as one hour or spend the whole day at the aquarium.
Sentosa Beaches
Wings of Time: Modern venue featuring a nightly show with colorful lights, lasers, water fountains & 3D effects. The show costs SGD18 and it typically lasts for about 20 minutes, better to prebook the show.
Trick-eye Museum with a large array of 3-dimensional artwork for interactive optical illusions.
Madame Tussauds It takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete a visit.
https://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/places-to-stay/

Enjoy the evening at Clarke Quay for dining and nightlife.

Day 3: Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam.

city tour of Singapore. Visit the popular Merlion Park, stop at Chinatown, pass by Little India, and finally, pass by the famous Orchard Road.
Merlion along the Singapore River: The Merlion's fish-like body symbolises Singapore's origins as a fishing village, and head represents the city's original name of Singapura (lion city)
Chinatown food street - with 24 hawker stalls - some famous are: BBQ Chicken Wings at Chomp Chomp Goodluck, Hainanese Chicken Rice at Bugis Street, Abalone Noodle at Balestier, Beef Noodles at Odeon and Indian Cuisine at Serangoon Raju.
The majestic Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is an outstanding four-story temple. The temple gets its name from what Buddhists believe to be the remaining tooth of Buddha, which was acquired from his funeral.
Most of the visitors focus in the solid 320 kilogram-gold giant stupa on the last floor, which is where the sacred relic is stored. One can observe from the public viewing area, and only the monks are permitted in the relic chamber. The temple also holds a museum within on the third floor in which one can observe about 300 Buddhist artifacts from all around Asia.
Little india
Kampong - home to the golden Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane — a colorful, narrow, and artsy street that is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Singapore

Visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Zoo

Singapore Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage site) set on 60 acres of what was once plantation land, four distinct gardens feature thousands of species of orchids, beautiful tropical plants, beautiful landscaping, children’s areas with tree houses, and other attractions. Admission is free.

Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Mandai Wildlife Group www.mandai.com is a self-funded organisation based in Singapore which manages the Mandai Wildlife Reserve at Mandai in Singapore, which includes the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild.
The Singapore Zoo is famous for its open-concept enclosures that put visitors very close to the wonderful animals that call the zoo home.
The Night Safari is one of the most interesting things to do in Singapore for visitors of all ages. The complimentary guided tram tour only takes 40 minutes and takes guests through each habitat for close-up views of nocturnal animals from 130 species.
River Wonders, formerly known as River Safari, is a river-themed zoo and aquarium located in Mandai, Singapore, it forms a part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Shopping

Spend your  shopping along Orchard Road, known for its malls and boutiques.

Explore the vibrant neighborhood of Bugis and Bugis Street Market for budget-friendly shopping. (The Newton Food Centre is a popular foodie hub, offering everything from barbecued seafood and roasted meats to traditional desserts.)


Other notable places:

fort canning park

is a historic hilltop park in Singapore that combines natural scenery with historical landmarks from Singapore's past, including ancient and colonial eras. It was the site of a 14th-century royal palace, a 19th-century British fort, and a key command center during WWII, and it now serves as a public space for recreation, events, and as a venue for weddings. 

street art

Key locations

Haji Lane: Known for its vibrant street art scene.

Chinatown: Features numerous murals, including the famous Chinatown Murals and those on Keong Siak Road.

Little India: Displays art that celebrates the area's cultural narratives.

Joo Chiat: Another area with a growing collection of street art. 

Southern ridges

The Southern Ridges is a 10 km (6.2 mi) trail system in southern Singapore that connects several parks, including Kent Ridge Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, and Mount Faber Park. It features a series of elevated walkways, bridges, and trails, with highlights like the iconic Henderson Waves, Singapore's highest pedestrian bridge. It's a popular recreational spot for enjoying nature, panoramic city views, and varied landscapes. 

orchard library

The library is known for its design, split into areas like "The Studio" for co-creation and "The Loft" for quiet contemplation, and was a winner of the President's Design Award Singapore in 2015.

raffles marina

The lighthouse, built in 1994, is a prominent landmark and is open to the public for visiting and photography. 

tanjong rhu


Additional Tips:

  • Consider purchasing a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited rides on public transportation.
  • Book tickets for popular attractions in advance to skip the queues.
  • Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen, especially if you're exploring outdoor attractions.
  • Try local dishes at hawker centers for an authentic culinary experience.


Singapore to Malaysia travel

- By flight: Actual travel time is 1hr, but overall may take 4-6hrs - costs around $70/250AED
KUL / Kuala Lumpur
LGK / Langkawi airport
- By car: 4hrs $250/1000AED
- By bus: Around 5hrs and costs $25/100AED
Although each long-distance company has different departure and arrival points, but most of the buses depart from Golden Mile Complex in Singapore and terminate at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in central Kuala Lumpur.
Few other options:
  • Kitchener Complex Lavender Singapore
  • Kovan Hub Bus Terminal, Singapore
  • Boon Lay, Singapore
to
  • Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur
  • One Utama, Selangor
There are many bus companies operating a variety of schedules, such as StarMart Express, Transfer Travel, Seasons Express, Sri Maju Group, The One Travel, and Grassland Express.
Aeroline operate a full double-decker coach fleet, serves full meals on all trips and every seat has an AVOD system
You can book ticket online https://www.aeroline.com.my/
https://www.kkklexpress.com/ Genting Highlands et
All seats has a personal entertainment system but no meals are provided, except for a bottled water and snacks. https://www.firstcoach.com.my/
https://www.starmartbus.com/- also service to many cities in Malaysia Genting highlands, Cameron highlands etc

Procedure for Crossing the Singapore-Malaysia Border

Compared with air travel, the procedure for crossing the border overland is a little different and more complicated. Generally, buses from Singapore to Malaysia go to Singapore's Tuas Checkpoint for exit inspection, and then go to the Malaysian checkpoint in Gelang Patah for entry inspection. When arriving at the border:
  • Get off the bus with the necessary documents (passport, visa), but you can leave luggage in the bus.
  • Process through Singapore's Tuas Checkpoint for the exit stamp in your passport.
  • Get onto the bus again, cross the bridge over the Johor Strait, and after 10–15 minutes you'll reach the Malaysia border control area.
  • Get off the bus with all your belongings this time, pass through Malaysian customs and get your entry stamp for Malaysia. You will be screened before entering.
    ref: https://www.asiahighlights.com/singapore/singapore-to-kuala-lumpur
Tips:
  • For a quick crossing, please prepare your exit card in advance.
  • Please prepare your entry card and complete it in advance before going through Malaysian Immigration.
  • Declare whatever you bring that might cause some problems such as alcohol and cigarettes.
  • Please note that it may take about 1 hour for you to cross the border if it is not crowded, but the whole procedure might be delayed and you may have to wait for hours in line if it is crowded.

Thailand

Flight: 1:30hrs from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket - $40/145AED


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