Borders are slowly but surely reopening in Southeast Asia and once more, we have our sights set not just on a stopover to Singapore but on a complete family vacation in the tropics.
Singapore has so much to offer for families, it’s a shame to see so many cram in the best the city has to offer in only 1 or 2 days. We think 5 days is a great amount of time to spend in Singapore to absorb all the highlights, but without burning too much of a hole in your holiday budget.
We’re going to talk you through all the practicalities of planning a post-COVID trip to Singapore including:
Visa Rules and Entry Requirements for Singapore
As you’d expect, the exact requirements have been changing constantly since March 2020.
It’s important that you familiarise yourself with not only your Visa requirements and eligibility for entering Singapore but the Singapore arrival card requirements, which include a health declaration for all foreign travellers entering Singapore.
It is important to note that your Visa and SGAC are two separate documents and both are required for all members of your family.
The Singapore Government’s Safe Travel website is the best place to source current COVID rules for you and your family.
Timing Your Trip to Singapore
Due to Singapore’s geographic position in Asia, sitting almost on the equator, you can expect a hot and humid climate year-round with an average daytime temperature of 27°C.
Whilst there are no traditional seasons, you will find it slightly cooler in January and February and slightly hotter and humid from June to August. There is a short rainy season from November to January but don’t expect it to dampen your Singapore plans too much.
Where to Stay in Singapore with Kids
Assuming you are staying in Singapore for 5 days, where are you best basing yourself when travelling with kids?
The plus side of staying in Singapore, it is compact and easy to navigate the city. As long as you case yourself close to an MRT station you can easily get around, even with a stroller.
The downside to accommodation in Singapore, it is certainly not a budget destination (relative to its Southeast Asia neighbours). Larger families with 3+ kids will need to consider two adjoining rooms or serviced apartments.
Around Clarke Quay, a good mid-range choice is Holiday Inn. If your budget will stretch then the Shangri-La Singapore is one of the best family hotel experiences, arguably anywhere in the world!
If you want to stay near to the theme parks and have beach resort facilities, then try Resorts World on Sentosa, or for a chilled out vibe in a luxury setting, we loved W Singapore at Sentosa Cove.
How to Get Around in Singapore
Changi Internation Airport (SIN) is just 20 minutes from the city centre without traffic.
Unless there’s heavy rain or its peak hour, it’s easy to get around by taxi, Grab or public transport in Singapore. (Always best to have both apps saved on your phone).
The MRT is easy to use, stroller-friendly and free for your under 5’s.
We’ve helped you with this handy map to discover the best things to do with kids in Singapore:
What Can Families Do with 5 Days in Singapore
On to the important stuff, what can you do with 5 days in Singapore?
You may want to vary this itinerary slightly depending on your kid’s ages and interests but here’s broadly how we suggest you could split your time in the Lion City:
Day 1: 5 Day Singapore Itinerary
- Relax and unwind after your flight with a morning spent at one of Singapore’s most popular and beautiful outdoor spots, the Botanical Gardens. Take in the National Orchard Garden and kids can start burning off some of that energy at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
- For the afternoon, explore on foot around Chinatown including the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum and Chinatown Heritage Centre.
- Spend your late afternoon around the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel and if time permits, a stop in at the beautiful flower-shaped Art Science Museum.
- Snap a shot of the Merlion and grab dinner at One Fullerton or Clifford Pier for views of the Marina Bay Sands and the 8pm light show.
Day 2: 5 Day Singapore Itinerary
- An early start, head to Singapore Zoo for Jungle Breakfast! Pack bather as the kids will definitely want to end the experience in the splash park.
- We suggest a relaxing afternoon, at your hotel pool if you have one, or pop to one of the beaches on Sentosa island.
- Head to a hawker’s market for dinner. Easily accessible from the city centre are Lau Pa Sat Food Centre and Gluttons Bay Food Centre.
Day 3: 5 Day Singapore Itinerary
- A fun-filled day to be spent on Sentosa island – Singapore’s playground. If you’re not already staying on Sentosa you can catch the cable car over for dramatic views, or take the quick and easy MRT.
- A full day can be had just at Universal Studios but if you want to mix things up, we’d suggest half a day put aside at Adventure Cove Water Park too; consider Express Passes if you want to fit both in and avoid hot, cranky little ones.
- There’s a huge range of lunch and dinner options at Resorts World Sentosa.
Day 4: 5 Day Singapore itinerary
We’re going to give you two options on day 4, depending on your kids’ ages and interests (and what COVID rules are doing at your time of travel for border crossings!)
- Option 1: Head across the border to Malaysia for a full day of theme park fun at Legoland in Nasajaya, Johor Bahru. You may even want to stay the night at the impressive Legoland hotel here, complete with a lazy river!
- Option 2: Let’s pack a picnic and hit the water. Setting sail from Marina South Pier several times a day is the ferry out to St Johns Island and Lazarus Island, to the south of Singapore. Enjoy a full day out in the sun before dinner at one of the hawker’s markets.
Day 5: 5 Day Singapore Itinerary
- Take in a different perspective of the city with a self-guided walking tour through Little India.
- Head for lunch around Clark Quay, touristy but beautiful! If time permits, take a river cruise or Duck tour.
- Finish your Singapore experience with a trip to the stunningly picturesque Gardens by the Bay. See the spectacular Supertree Grove, visit the 2 incredible biodomes and don’t forget bathers (again – pack several!) for a stop at the Far East Asia Organisation Children’s Garden, always a highlight for kids in visiting Singapore.
- Stay until evening to see the Supertrees alight at night.
More you could add to this Singapore itinerary
Every family can move at a different pace, so you can, of course, mix and match days from this itinerary; build in more stops and downtime if you need to (the city is full of parks and playgrounds!) or cram even more into your 5 days in Singapore.
Some suggestions and alternatives you may also want to add to this 5-day itinerary if you have longer in Singapore, or you’re on a repeat trip and looking for something new and interesting to do:
- Spend half a day with interactive experiences at Jurong Bird Park
- Explore Fort Siloso Skywalk and Fort Siloso museum (self-guided walk) on Sentosa
- Seek out SEA Aquarium on Sentosa for spending a few hours indoors on a hot day
- Shoppers will want to save up some time to spend on Orchard Road
- If you don’t head to Singapore Zoo early in the day, how about saving it for an evening and enjoy the Singapore Night Safari
- Take a ride on the Singapore Flyer observation Wheel
- Visit the National Museum of Singapore
- Singapore Discovery Centre
- Take a cruise on the Singapore River
- Explore Fort Canning, a historical landmark also packed full of play gardens.
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