More and more travellers are looking towards Singapore for business, leisure and holidays—and it’s not hard to see why.
With its futuristic architecture, lush green spaces, impeccably clean streets, low crime rate and, of course, one of the world’s most beautiful airports, Singapore is a destination that deserves a place on your travel list.
Singapore is one of those places that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into the future—a serene, safe and ultra-modern “future-scape.”
My First Solo Trip was to Singapore; It is Very Safe
Singapore was where I traveled solo for the first time, which was quite different for me because I usually travel with my family. Surprisingly, though, I felt at home almost immediately.
I flew Qatar Airways Business Class and had a comfortable eight-hour journey from Doha to Singapore. I arrived at Changi Airport at around 8 p.m., and because I had pre-booked a private airport transfer, a chauffeur was already waiting for me in the arrival hall with my name on a placard.
It was the perfect start to the trip—I didn’t start figuring out public transport after a long flight, or stressing about getting to my hotel. I booked the private transfer through [link].
And if you’re planning your own Singapore trip, this guide is designed to make the process easier. I’ll walk you through What’s worth booking before your trip, your essential pre-trip checklist, where to stay, what to eat, how to get around and what to do, plus a free, practical 4-day Singapore itinerary that you can save and use for your own trip. And as a bonus, I’ve included some important Singapore travel facts you should know before you go.
Where to Stay in Singapore: Four Areas I’d Recommend
One of my golden rules when travelling is: stay as close to the city centre as your budget allows. Yes, central hotels can cost more, but what you spend on location, you often save in time, transportation and convenience. When you have only a few days in a destination, being well located can make a huge difference. These four areas: If you want luxury, spectacular skyline views and easy access to some of Singapore’s most iconic attractions, Marina Bay is hard to beat. Orchard Road and Marina Bay is where you’ll find some of the city’s most luxurious hotels. But if shopping is high on your Singapore agenda, Orchard Road is an excellent choice.The Civic District is ideal if you want to be close to Singapore’s historic and cultural landmarks while still enjoying a central location. And for those travelling on a tighter budget—Chinatown is worth considering. You will find traditional architecture, local restaurants, hawker centres and easy access to public transportation.
Hotel Matters Too
Location is important, but the hotel itself can completely change your experience.Think iconic views, futuristic architecture, beautiful interiors, fine dining and easy access to the city’s major attractions. Of course, Marina Bay Sands is probably the first luxury hotel that comes to mind because of its famous rooftop infinity pool and striking architecture. Exactly because of this, it is why it gets pretty packed. Fortunately, Singapore has plenty of other beautiful luxury hotels—and on this trip, I stayed at one of them.
ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay
Overlooking Singapore’s Marina Bay waterfront and skyline, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is known for bringing nature into its hotel design. It has even been described as Singapore’s first “garden-in-a-hotel.”And if you’re a content creator or simply love beautiful spaces, there is plenty here to photograph and film.
From the dramatic, naturally lit atrium to the glass elevators, skybridge and lush greenery incorporated throughout the property, the hotel offers plenty of picture-worthy corners without needing to leave the building.
One thing I particularly appreciated was its location. Because the hotel is close to many of Singapore’s major landmarks and attractions, getting around was incredibly convenient. With only four days to explore, that saved me valuable time and made it possible to see and experience much more of the city without spending hours commuting from one attraction to another. Book the hotel here
My advice: You don’t need Singapore’s most expensive hotel to have a luxury-feeling trip.A well-located four-star hotel can sometimes give you as much overall experience.Compare Singapore hotels and current rates (affiliate link)
How to Get Around Singapore
For most visitors, MRT + walking is the best combination. Much of exploring Singapore can just be walking between attractions. But if you want convenience, if you want luxury, book private cars. This is what I did. Viator offers packages that includes airport transfers, hotel pickups and drop-offs with professional drivers and the best part is you can pay only for the seats you need, and still get whole vehicle to yourself or your group. Vehicle is usually a luxury minivan with automatic sliding doors. Drivers are punctual and well behaved. I had a local tour guide help me with the curate experiences best for a first-time visitor like myself. Book here (link) Singapore also has a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited basic travel on public buses and trains for the pass duration; however, compare the cost with paying for individual journeys before purchasing one.
If you’re on a budget, you don’t need a private driver for the entire trip. You could use MRT for most of your sightseeing. You could walk between attractions. Take taxis at evenings or late night outings.
What To Eat In Singapore
To be completely honest, I’m probably not the best person to give an extensive list of food recommendations—I’m a very picky eater.When I’m travelling and unsure of what to order, I usually play it safe with a rice dish. And in Singapore, that turned out to be an excellent decision because Hainanese Chicken Rice might just be one of the best rice meals I’ve ever tasted. I’d also recommend Hokkie Mee, if you’re a noodles lover.
During my stay, I mostly made use of the 24-hour in-room dining service at my hotel. When I’m in the mood for a fine-dining experience, I simply made a reservation at one of the restaurants within the hotel.Because I was solo travelling, I didn’t see the need to step out of my hotel to dine alone. The only meal experience I had outside my hotel were the refreshments I picked up during my sightseeing; a fresh smoothie at Chinatown shopping complex and an ice cream at Garden by the bay-golden garden.
This is simply my preference. But here’s the important part: my experience shouldn’t stop you from exploring Singapore’s food scene. Singapore is widely known for its vibrant hawker food culture. One of the major places you will find this is at Chinatown complex. Enjoy.
Explore Singapore Tours, Attractions and Experiences
This is another service I recommend pre-booking especially if it’s your first time visiting Singapore.There are several tour companies offering curated experiences designed for first-time visitors or if you want to get the best of Singapore within a short stay.
For my trip, I used GetYourGuide to research, plan and book my tours. They offer a wide range of experiences, competitive prices, flexible bookings and cancellations options on many activities. There are family-friendly options including discounted rates for children and free entry for infants.
The best part for me was having a local tour guide- Ray, an incredible guy. He was helpful, knowledgeable about the history of the places I visited. He kept me on schedule and made it so much easier for me to navigate the places I visited.
My tip: If you’re visiting Singapore for the first time, especially on a short trip, consider booking a few curated tours in advance. It takes much of the planning off your plate and allows you to focus on enjoying the city.
Stay Connected From the Moment You Land: Get an E-sim
One small thing can make international travel considerably easier: having mobile data ready before you arrive. I wouldn’t recommend relying entirely on airport’s Wi-Fi. An eSIM lets you connect without searching for a physical SIM after landing. And trust me, you’ll appreciate having it. Imagine finishing a long day of sightseeing under Singapore’s heat, running out of cash and desperately needing a cold, refreshing drink—only to realise you can’t pay because you’re offline.
It’s a small pre-trip purchase that can save you a lot of unnecessary stress once you arrive. You can get your eSIM before you fly with airalo, they offer 10% discount rate.
What is Worth Booking Ahead of Time
Your Singapore Pre-Trip Checklist
☐ Book your hotel
☐ Check your entry requirements
☐ Arrange your eSIM
☐ Book major attractions
☐ Arrange airport transfer if preferred
☐ Download maps and travel documents
☐ Save your hotel address
☐ Keep some SGD/payment options available
☐ Leave enough time to enjoy Changi Airport
Facts About Singapore You Should Know Before Your Trip
Did you know?
Singapore has one of the world’s most impressive airport facilities. Like it’s an actual tourist attraction. Featuring world's tallest indoor waterfall. I’ve included Changi Airport in the itinerary, so keep reading for how to experience it.
Dropping small pieces of trash or spitting in public spaces can trigger immediate fines. This is how Singapore maintains its clean street.
Chewing gum is banned for sale in Singapore. If you carry some of yours, get familiar with the rules and don’t litter.
You will find out that Singapore is home to a lot of temples, many of which are also tourist attractions. Dress properly cover shoulders and knees) and take off your shoes.
Accessing someone else’s Wi-Fi network without permission can potentially have legal consequences. So, resist the temptation to connect to a neighbour’s or stranger’s network without permission.
Your Free 4-Day Singapore Itinerary
DAY 1Marina Bay → Gardens by the Bay → Singapore skyline at night
DAY 2Chinatown → Hawker lunch → Little India → Kampong Gelam
DAY 3Sentosa → One major attraction → Beach/relaxation → Dinner
DAY 4Final sightseeing → Shopping → Jewel Changi Airport → Flight home
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Singapore Expensive?
Yes, and No. It depends on your lifestyle. You can get good hotels around Chinatown for 100-200 dollars. Meals are as low as 5-10 dollars at hawkers centres.
How is SIngapore weather?
Singapore is hot and humid. Do not undergoing it its weather, and it can rain anytime. If you can, carry with you an umbrella, and perhaps a water bottle.
Do I need visa to enter Singapore?
If you are travelling with a Nigerian passport, you need to apply for visa, with a six months valid passport. Usually with the help of an accredited travel agent.
Is Singapore safe for solo travellers?
Absolutely yes.Singapore might be world safest city. Lol