Heading to Singapore? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
TL;DR
- Perfect for: 2–3 days
- Best for: Food lovers, urban explorers, culture seekers, first-time Asia soloists
- Why visit: Ultra-safe, vibrant city with world-class food and wild futuristic gardens.
SINGAPORE AT A GLANCE
- Population: 5.64 million, densely packed onto one lively island
- Culture: Modern city-state with multicultural flair, built on trading history
- Famous for: Hawker centers, Marina Bay Sands, spotless streets, wild architecture
- Nicknames: The Lion City, “nanny state” (cheeky locals)
- Solo vibe: Exceptionally safe, friendly locals, perfect for first-timers or introverts
ESSENTIAL INFO
- 💰 Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD)
- 🗣 Language: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil (English very common)
- 🌦 Best time to visit: All year (packs umbrella + sunblock!); expect flash rain & heat
- ✈️ From airport:
- Train: ~$2.90 SGD (40 min, change at Tanah Merah for city center)
- Shuttle: $6.50 SGD (30 min)
- Taxi: ~$25 SGD (25 min, metered)
- 🧳 Safety: Among the world’s safest cities; laws are strict, crime is rare
- 🎭 Cultural calendar tip: Chinese New Year, Singapore Food Festival & Arts Festival are lively and colorful
- 🎦 What to watch on the plane: “Crazy Rich Asians” – nothing gets you in the mood like Singapore’s glitz and flavor
WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)
- 🛏️ Best hostel: Atelier Hostel. Super clean capsules with blackout curtains for a great sleep, plus friendly staff who’ll help you plan your Singapore adventures. Right in lively Chinatown, with a cozy café downstairs for killer coffee and croissants. One of the most in-demand hostels in Singapore—book ahead! ☕️
- 🏘️ Best neighborhood for hotels/Airbnb: Chinatown—heart of the city, full of food, culture, and easy transit
- 🧭 Alt neighborhood: Little India—colorful, budget-friendly, close to hawker gems and quirky shops
- Tip: Always stay near an MRT station—you’ll thank yourself in the humidity!
TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION
- 🚶♂️ Walkability: Compact downtown; walkable in bursts—beware tropical sun and sudden rain
- 🚌 Bus: Extensive, cheap (from S$1.60), but can be slow/confusing; use SimplyGo app
- 🚋 MRT/LRT: Clean, fast, English signage, runs everywhere (EZ-Link card or credit tap)
- 🚖 Taxis/ride-hailing: Skip hailing; grab a ride with Grab app (Uber is gone here)
- 🚲 Bikes: Many docking stations (SG Bike, Anywheel); best for East Coast Park or calm riverside rides
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE
- 🏛️ Gardens by the Bay – Stroll Supertree Grove, wander the Cloud Forest; soothing solo or Instagram gold
- 🌿 Fort Canning Park – Lush, historic, and surprisingly quiet—easy solo ramble with history panels everywhere
- 🧠 Haw Par Villa – Surreal outdoor museum of bizarre Chinese myth sculptures; nobody will judge your weird selfies here!
- 🧭 Orchard Road window shop & Chinatown hawker hop – Spy local life and snack between massive malls and street eats
- 🎨 ArtScience Museum – Mind-bendy, interactive exhibits perfect for solo musing or rainy afternoons
- 🔀 Wildcard: Mustafa Centre in Little India—24/7 shopping maze, lose yourself among souvenirs and snacks at 4am
WHAT TO SKIP
- ❌ Singapore Flyer: Pricey for a ferris wheel; skyline views are just as good from Marina Bay Sands rooftop
- ❌ Sentosa’s beaches: Manufactured sand and big crowds; for real adventure, stick to cultural or city spots
- ❌ Orchard Road’s luxury shopping malls: Lovely architecture, but global brands you’ll find elsewhere
EATING & DRINKING
- 🧍♂️ Solo-friendly spot: Maxwell Food Centre – Buzzing, local, open seating, epic chicken rice and more
- 🥃 Quiet pub/bar with character: The Drunken Poet – Cozy Irish spot with a Singapore twist, great if you want a real pint and footie
- 🍽️ Try these: Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, chili crab—best at Tian Tian (Maxwell), 328 Katong Laksa, and Jumbo Seafood
- 💸 Best cheap eats: Tekka Centre – Legendary for Indian, Malay, and Chinese stalls, under S$5 for a feast
- 🥦 Veg/vegan: D’Life (Bukit Timah) – Tasty veggie local dishes, affordable, and easy to make friends at communal tables
- 🍸 Cocktails or nightcap: Atlas – Jaw-dropping art deco gin bar; even alone, you’ll feel like Gatsby
BEST OF SINGAPORE IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY
- Sunrise: Early stroll in Fort Canning Park—beat the heat, catch the city waking up
- Morning: Coffee at Ya Kun Kaya Toast + explore the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
- Lunch: Feast at Maxwell Food Centre—try the chicken rice!
- Afternoon: Marvel at Gardens by the Bay, then get lost in ArtScience Museum if it rains
- Evening: Sunset from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark; wow factor guaranteed
- Dinner: Hawker hop in Chinatown—grab satay, noodles, or anything new to you
- Night: Craft cocktail at Atlas or Drunken Poet—or late-night shop at Mustafa Centre for a quirky finish
LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM
- 🎉 Festival tip: Chinese New Year is dazzling—expect lanterns, lion dances, pop-up markets (Jan/Feb)
- 📍 Hidden gem: Arab Street – Peaceful, colorful textiles, tiny cafes, and the city’s prettiest mosque
- 📷 Photo spots: Supertree Grove lit up at night; murals in Little India; Marina Bay’s skyline from the Helix Bridge
- 🧠 Etiquette tip: No eating or drinking on public transport (seriously!)—fines are real
- 🚩 Safety reminder: One of the safest cities anywhere, just follow local laws and you’ll be golden
- 👀 One last thing: Don’t rush—let yourself wander between food, green spaces, and cultures. Singapore is best savored bite by bite.