Singapore in 3 days: itinerary, MRT, hawker centres and the SG Arrival Card

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Singapore packs a lot into a small island: gardens, food from a dozen cultures, distinct neighbourhoods and some of the best public transport anywhere. Three days is a satisfying first visit.

Before you arrive: the SG Arrival Card

All travellers entering Singapore, including Singapore residents arriving by air and sea, need to submit the SG Arrival Card online before arrival. You can submit it within the three days before you arrive, counting the arrival day, through the official Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website or the MyICA app. It is free and it is not a visa. Lookalike sites charge a fee for the same form, so use only the official ica.gov.sg address. Whether you need a visa depends on your passport; many nationalities do not need one for a short visit. Check ICA's site for your nationality.

Getting around: the MRT

The MRT reaches almost everywhere a visitor goes, including Changi Airport. You can tap in and out with a contactless bank card or a phone wallet, as on buses, so there is usually no need to buy a separate travel card. Rules are strict and enforced: no eating or drinking on trains or in stations. Buses fill the gaps, and ride-hailing apps work well. Walking is pleasant in the evening and harder in the midday heat.

Day 1: Marina Bay and the gardens

Morning: Gardens by the Bay. The outdoor gardens and Supertree Grove are free; the two conservatories (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest) charge entry.
Afternoon: walk the Marina Bay waterfront to the Merlion, and visit a museum to escape the heat, such as the National Gallery or ArtScience Museum.
Evening: the free light shows at the Supertree Grove and on the bay. Check the current showtimes.
Dinner: Lau Pa Sat or Makansutra Gluttons Bay for satay and seafood.

Day 2: Chinatown, Tiong Bahru and Little India

Chinatown: the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple and the shophouse streets. Lunch at Maxwell Food Centre or Chinatown Complex.
Tiong Bahru: an art deco housing estate with cafés, bookshops and a market.
Little India: colours, spice shops, the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple, and the 24-hour Mustafa Centre.
Kampong Glam: the Sultan Mosque, Arab Street and Haji Lane's cafés and murals.

Day 3: nature or Sentosa

Choose one:

Nature: the Singapore Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, free entry except the National Orchid Garden), then the Southern Ridges walk with its Henderson Waves bridge, or the treetop walk at MacRitchie Reservoir.
Wildlife: the Singapore Zoo and its Night Safari, out in the north of the island.
Sentosa: beaches, theme parks and attractions, reached by monorail, cable car or a boardwalk from VivoCity.

Finish with a drink and view of the skyline, or the riverside at Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.

Hawker centres: how to eat

Hawker centres are open-air food courts of small stalls, and they are where Singaporeans eat. Singapore's hawker culture is on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.

Chope a seat: locals reserve a table by leaving a packet of tissues on it. Respect it and find another seat.
Order at the stall, pay there, and either wait or tell them your table number.
Return your tray to the tray-return points when you finish; it is expected, and in some centres enforced.
Try: Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow, chilli crab, roti prata, kaya toast with soft-boiled eggs for breakfast.
Many stalls take cards or QR payments now, but carry some cash.

Practical notes

It is hot and humid all year, with sudden heavy showers. Carry water and an umbrella.
Fines for littering, smoking in non-smoking areas, jaywalking and eating on the MRT are real. Chewing gum sales are restricted.
Tipping is not expected; many restaurant bills already include a service charge.
Tap water is safe to drink.

Entry rules change, so check ICA's site before you fly. Got a favourite hawker stall or a question about your trip? Share it in the comments.