DIY: Singapore Itinerary for 5 Days

Singapore has been on my travel list for long time but was only able to visit it last year. I spent 5 quick days in Singapore traveling solo after a long time of no travels. This was my first DIY trip last 2016 and it was during the month of March.

Singapore is one of the South East Asian countries where Philippine passport holders can visit visa-free. This trip was one of those unplanned solo trips. When my employer allowed me to travel, I immediately booked a round trip flight and accommodation to whichever country I am free to visit without visa.

Why Singapore? Singapore is one of the popular travel destinations in the world due to its beautiful landscapes, cosmopolitan culture, historical structures, must-see attractions, special events and delicious food to name a few.

So, let’s start.

Day 1 – Marina Bay

• Merlion Park
• Gardens by the Bay
• Marina Bay Sands
• ArtScience Museum

From Dubai, I took a Qatar Airways flight to Singapore. The flight was about 7-8 hours. It is a bit long for a 5-Day only trip. I took the night flight and arrived Singapore in the morning. I bought a Tourist Pass for 3 days from the Airport station so I won’t be lining up to reload my train and bus card plus it has unlimited train and bus travel around Singapore.

I stayed in one of the highly-rated hostels and it is along the Beach Road, the 5 Stones Hostel. Booking.com rated them 8.4/10, Tripadvisor 4.5/5 and hostelworld.com 8.5/10. The hostel’s location is ideal as it is near 2 MTR stations, one of them is the Bugis Station. It is just a few minutes walk away from famous Clarke Quay. Walking distance to Haji Lane and Arab Street. The location is just right in the middle of the tourists destinations.

The hostel’s interior reflects the Singapore culture. A noticeably clean and well-maintained hostel with very friendly staff. The hostel provides breakfast buffet from 6:00 to 10:00 in the morning.

From the hostel, I walked towards Bugis Station and found a small market where there are lots of locals eating lunch. Of course, I tried eating there as well. Unfortunately, during this travel, I only had a smartphone with me. Too bad.

After eating, took a ride from Bugis MRT Station to Raffles Place MRT Station to get to the Merlion Park. Find the Fullerton Hotel and then take the underground walkway that will lead you to the Merlion Park.

It was cloudy but was scorching hot and humidity was high. If you travel by this time, I suggest that you bring a water bottle with you, a nice cap, sun glasses, wear comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen lotion.

From Merlion Park, I walked along Jubilee Bridge to Waterfront Promenade passed by the The Float at Marina Bay and finally Bayfront Avenue to check out Gardens by the Bay. Too much walking happened.

The ArtScience Museum.

Marina Bay Towers

The Helix Bridge.

On the way to the Gardens by the Bay.

From afar you can see the Singapore Flyer.

On the way, you will see the Garden, the Flower Dome from afar. Such an amazing scenery. Felt like I was in a movie or something.

Inside the garden, there are restrooms where you can freshen up and some vendors where you can buy some drinks and snacks.

To walk on top, in between the flower domes, you can get a ticket for SG $8.00.

There are plenty of things you can do inside the garden. See below:

1. Conservatories – open daily from 9am to 9pm
2. Outdoor Gardens – open daily from 5am to 2am (free admission)
3. OCBC Skyway – open daily from 9am to 9pm

There are also Garden Tours you can try for minimal fees.

The view from the top is just refreshing and overwhelming. I wished Dubai is having the same haha! It is a massive impressive garden inside the city. The greenery and the flower domes just very satisfying in the eyes.

That’s pretty much from my Gardens by the Bay experience as my legs were feeling heavy and tired already. I headed down to the ArtScience Museum. I sat for a moment at the bay side.

Then I decided to check out the Art Science Museum. Paid around SG $20-$30 for an exhibit.

Below photos are some of the things yo can see inside the museum:

The dancing lights. Crystal Universe by the ArtScience Museum. My photo doesn’t justify the awesome technology they put in this crystal universe.

After checking out the exhibit, I decided to go back to my hostel and just eat along the way wherever I can taste local food where regular Singaporeans eat daily.

Suddenly, it rained.

That ended my solo on foot tour around Marina Bay.

At Marina Bay Mall..I didn’t  stroll around the mall as personally, I am not a fan of malls, and secondly, I had enough of malls in Dubai. 🙂

At the Marina Bay MRT going to Bugis MRT Station.

While walking towards my hostel, I found this restaurant, not fancy, just like a cafeteria where people are lining up to order. Out of curiosity, I lined up as well and checked out their food. The staff couldn’t speak much of English so I asked what’s their best dish, she offered something which you can see in the photo:

Ended the night early as my feet were really tired from walking the whole day.

Day 2

• Sentosa
• Bugis St.
  
• Haji Lane
• Arab St.

From Bugis Station you can ride the MRT to Harbour Front Station. Take the Exit E to Vivo City and proceed to 3rd level. Board the Sentosa Express for a minimal fee and get off at Waterfront Station.

There, you can see a number of attracttions such as Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Advernture Waterpark, Dolphin Island, Trick Eye Museum, K-live Sentosa and a lot more. For passes you can visit RW Sentosa website or Sentosa website.

Sentosa is best toured with friends and family. For me, not a kind of solo traveler friendly place. :p This alone can pretty much eat your whole day. There are a number of restaurants you can try inside. Some of them are Mel’s Drive In, Friar’s, Goldilocks, Oasis Spice Café and Marty’s Casa Del Wild. ATMs are also located outside the studio near the lockers and near the Dino Store just in case you will need to withdraw.

After some strolling and sight seeing I headed back to Bugis to check out the famous Bugis St. and Haji Lane which both are walking distance from my hostel.

Bugis is known as a shopping haven for cheap buys. Some of the places you can visit are Bugis Junction, Bugis Village and Bugis Street Market. Bugis Junction is a large shopping complex most popular for tourists as it is near the MRT station. Aside from clothing, you can shop gadgets and make ups. Food variety from different stalls are also available.

Day 3

Bugis St.
Chinatown

On the third day, I walked towards Bugis St. again and had some shopping and tried variety of street food sold in the area.

And then in the afternoon, I headed to see Chinatown.

From Bugis Station, I took the train to Chinatown Station. Take the Exit A and it will direct you immediately towards the center of Chinatown.

There you can visit the following:

• Outram Park
• Chinatown Heritage Centre
• Red Dot Design Museum
• Chinatown Street Market
• Tanjong Pagar
• Raffles Place
• Clarke Quay
• Singapore River

I spend my time eating, shopping and temple visiting in Chinatown as my legs were still really achy because of the first 2 days’ tour. Below are some of the photos taken while I was in Chinatown. It was summer, March, when I visited Singapore and it was too hot to walk non-stop.

Day 4

• Clarke Quay
  
• Bugis St
  
• Haji Lane
  
• Arab St

On my 4th day, I gave myself half day of rest after continuous walking and strolling around the city and did some work as well. Just watched TV at the hostel and bought some snacks from the nearby 711.

Since I am just a few minutes walk away from Arab St., Haji Lane and Bugis St., I just walked little to each one of them, tried locally sold street food and shopped again.

And in the evening, I get to spend some time with a college friend who is working in Singapore, Qantas Airlines. Spend the night drinking, taco munching and chatting. Clarke Quay is the center for night life. There are several types of bars you can choose from depending on your trip. We have seen tourists getting way too drunk that they cant even walk, they forget their things and puke everywhere at 10:00PM which is considerably early still for a night life.

In Clarke Quay, you can do the following if you have time:

• Singapore River Tour
• Visit Asian Civilization Museum
• Fort Canning Park
• Try the Reverse Bungee Ride
• Boat Quay
• Visit the Art Gallery Singapore
• Visit Hong San See Temple

Bove photo taken along Haji Lane and Arab St.

Hangout a little with a roomie at night at Haji Lane and had fish and chips and this colorful cake.

Day 5

On my 5th stay, I just strolled within Beach St, where my hostel is located and spotted some eatery and cafeterias that sells authentic Singaporean street food. And then after that, just hangout inside the hostel lobby and bought some snack from the nearby 711 while waiting for my flight time.

To the airport I took the train to Tanah Merah Station and then to Changi Airport Station.

TIP

• Having a Tourist Pass is worth it as it will save you money and time.
• There is a rental deposit of $10 that can be refunded.
• Change currency before traveling.
• Bring comfortable shoes and clothes as you will be walking most of the time.