Planning your first trip to Singapore? This DIY Singapore itinerary covers four days and three nights of the city's highlights, from Chinatown and Gardens by the Bay to Kampong Glam, Little India, and Jewel Changi. It focuses on free attractions, hawker food, and public transportation, so you can see a lot without overspending. Filipino travelers will also find tips on visas, payments, and a taste of home.
Before You Go
Entry Requirements
Many nationalities, including Filipinos, can visit Singapore without a visa for up to 30 days. Check the rules for your passport on the official ICA website. You will need:
- A passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival.
- A confirmed return or onward ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and enough funds for your stay.
- The free SG Arrival Card, submitted online within three days before arrival.
Weather
Singapore is hot and humid all year, with temperatures of about 25 to 32°C. February to April is usually the driest period, while November to January brings the most rain. Short, heavy showers are common in the afternoon, so plan indoor attractions for that time.
Budget
Singapore has a reputation for being expensive, but budget travelers can manage on around SGD 70 to 100 per day for a hostel bed or budget hotel share, hawker meals, and public transportation, especially if you focus on free attractions. Hawker meals usually cost around SGD 4 to 8.
Apps to Download
- Google Maps or Citymapper: Directions for the MRT, buses, and walking.
- Grab and Gojek: Ride-hailing and food delivery.
- MyTransport.SG: Real-time bus arrival times.
- Klook: Discounted tickets for attractions.
- Chope: Restaurant reservations.
- Visit Singapore: The official tourism guide.
Payments
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and you can tap a contactless card or phone wallet to ride the MRT and buses. Many hawker stalls accept SGQR payments, and some e-wallets from abroad work through Alipay+, including GCash for Filipino travelers, but keep some cash for stalls that only take notes. Use ATMs from major banks to withdraw Singapore dollars.
Free Things to Do in Singapore
- Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay: The Supertrees light up in sync with music every evening. Take the MRT to Bayfront Station and follow the underground link.
- Spectra at Marina Bay Sands: A 15-minute light, water, and music show on the waterfront promenade every night.
- Haji Lane and Kampong Glam: Murals, indie boutiques, cafés, and the golden-domed Sultan Mosque. Nearest MRT: Bugis.
- The Southern Ridges: A 10 km chain of trails and bridges, including the wave-shaped Henderson Waves, linking Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill, and Kent Ridge Park. Start from HarbourFront MRT.
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: An ornate Buddhist temple and museum in Chinatown. Dress modestly.
- Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi: The world's tallest indoor waterfall, free to see in the public area of the airport.
4-Day DIY Singapore Itinerary
Day 1: Chinatown and Marina Bay
- Morning: Arrive, drop your bags, and head to Maxwell Food Centre for your first plate of Hainanese chicken rice.
- Afternoon: Explore Chinatown, visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple, and stop for kopi or teh at a traditional coffee shop.
- Evening: Watch Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay, then walk to the Marina Bay Sands promenade for Spectra. Have dinner at Lau Pa Sat's satay street or Satay by the Bay.
Day 2: Nature, Kampong Glam, and Bugis
- Morning: Walk part of the Southern Ridges early, before the heat, and cross the Henderson Waves bridge.
- Lunch: Eat at the VivoCity food court or a nearby hawker center.
- Afternoon: Head to Kampong Glam to see Haji Lane and the Sultan Mosque. Visitors can enter outside prayer times, and robes are provided.
- Evening: Shop at Bugis Street, then have dinner in Kampong Glam, where murtabak and biryani are local favorites. Finish with drinks along the river at Clarke Quay if you like.
Day 3: Little India and Orchard Road (or Sentosa)
- Morning: Have breakfast at Tekka Centre, then visit the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and wander along Serangoon Road among spice shops, sari stores, and flower garland stalls.
- Afternoon: Take the MRT to Orchard Road for air-conditioned shopping. Filipino travelers can stop by Lucky Plaza, a hub for the Filipino community with Pinoy snacks, food, and remittance centers.
- Alternative: Prefer the beach? Spend the day on Sentosa instead, and return for dinner at a hawker center.
Day 4: Jewel Changi and Departure
- Morning: Check out and head to Changi Airport early. Leave your bags at the early check-in counters or left baggage service if available.
- Before your flight: Explore Jewel, see the Rain Vortex, walk through the Forest Valley, and grab a last meal and souvenirs. Paid attractions such as the Canopy Park are optional.
What to Eat in Singapore
- Hainanese chicken rice: Simple, comforting, and everywhere.
- Laksa: Noodles in a rich coconut curry broth.
- Char kway teow: Smoky stir-fried flat noodles.
- Nasi lemak: Coconut rice with fried anchovies, peanuts, egg, and sambal.
- Roti prata: Crispy flatbread with curry.
- Chendol or ice kacang: Icy desserts that are perfect in the heat.
Best Hawker Centers on a Budget
- Maxwell Food Centre: Chinatown, famous for chicken rice.
- Lau Pa Sat: A Victorian market hall with satay in the evening.
- Newton Food Centre: Seafood and barbecue, popular in the evening.
- Old Airport Road Food Centre: A local favorite with many well-known stalls.
- Tekka Centre: Indian and Malay dishes in Little India.
- Amoy Street Food Centre: A busy lunch spot in the financial district.
Halal and Vegetarian Options
Kampong Glam is the best area for halal food, with long-running restaurants serving murtabak, biryani, and Malay dishes. Hawker centers have many halal-certified stalls, marked with a certificate. For vegetarian food, head to Little India, where South Indian vegetarian restaurants serve thali and dosa at low prices.
What to Pack
- Light, breathable clothing, plus a light layer for air-conditioned malls and trains.
- A compact umbrella or rain jacket.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for temples and mosques.
- A power bank and a Type G plug adapter.
- A reusable water bottle, as tap water is safe to drink, and sunscreen.
Stay Connected in Singapore
With an egoViet Singapore eSIM, you can install your data plan before you fly and use maps, Grab, and messaging apps as soon as you land, while keeping your home SIM active for calls and one-time passwords. Read our full Singapore travel guide, and if you are just passing through, see our Singapore transit guide.
FAQs: First-Time Singapore Itinerary
How many days are enough for Singapore?
Four days and three nights is enough for a first visit, covering Marina Bay, Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, and either Orchard Road or Sentosa.
How much money do I need for 4 days in Singapore?
Budget travelers can manage on around SGD 70 to 100 per day, excluding flights, by eating at hawker centers and using public transportation.
Do Filipinos need a visa for Singapore?
No. Filipino passport holders can visit Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days, but must complete the SG Arrival Card before arrival.
What are the best free things to do in Singapore?
The Garden Rhapsody and Spectra light shows, Haji Lane, the Southern Ridges, the Botanic Gardens, and the Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi are all free.