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Did you know that the entirety of Singapore is a) an island and b) the whole of mainland Singapore is the entire country AND city? There are no other cities within Singapore. Renowned as one of the world’s greenest cities, Singapore is very popular among global travelers.
While there is so much to do in the Lion City, if you’re here for a week or so and want to branch out beyond the busy metropolis, is there anything available? Thanks to its position off the southern tip of Malaysia, the answer is yes! In fact, you can even enjoy day trips from Singapore to other countries, like Malaysia! How crazy cool is that?!
I’ve compiled a list of day trips from Singapore that veer into its (even) greener parts, and out of the central areas, as well as a few fun adventures to SG’s neighbors.
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Singapire’s very own getaways
1. Sentosa Island: Tropical feels
Beaches, sunshine, snorkeling, and a cool restaurant selection appealing to a multitude of tastebuds…Welcome to Singapore’s most iconic island.
Technically, Sentosa Island is just a cable car ride away from the city center. But foreigners consider it another destination altogether. I remember just post-COVID days, many locals holidayed on Sentosa for a staycation.
Apart from cable caring your way across (which is the best way to lap up the views, you can drive to Sentosa.
Best beaches to visit on Sentosa Island include Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong. Enjoy cocktails and cool vibes at its Ola Beach Club and Tanjong Beach Club. Pretend to skydive at iFly. Bring the kiddies to Madame Tussauds or Universal Studios.
Where to eat?
2. Pulau Ubin: For nature and wildlife enthusiasts
Step away from Singapore’s modernity for an afternoon, morning, or a full day at nature-abundant Pulau Ubin.
As much as it’s a cliche to say you feel worlds away, you truly do! The last traditional village (known as a kampong) lies here, so you feel like you’re in Singapore circa the 1960s.
The only way to get to Pulau Ubin is via a 10-minute boat ride across to this little island on Singapore’s northeast side. It’s truly paradise for nature lovers, especially if you’re curious about what wildlife lives around these parts.
Activities include nature walks, bird spotting, kayaking (very popular), fishing, and cycling.
Nature-filled landscapes to see:
- Butterfly Hill
- Chek Jawa Wetlands
- Pekan Quarry Floating Wetlands
- Sensory Trail Pond
- Ubin Fruit Orchard
Cultural points of interest to discover:
- Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple
- German Girl Shrine (relating to WWI)
- Teck Seng’s Place
3. Kranji countryside: Calling all green fingers
Leave behind the sound of tooting horns and urban landscapes for ever-green Kranji countryside — a short 30-minute drive from Singapore. Catch the Kranji MRT station here; it’s that easy.
Actually, the area is just “Kranji,” but most refer to it as the countryside. It’s technically Singapore’s green lung, and home to most farms and nature sanctuaries. It’s another one of the super fun day trips from Singapore for those in love with wildlife and Mother Nature. Comparing it to Pulau Ubin, there’s more to do here. Plenty of which is quite educational, too.
Home to over 177 bird species, the Kranji Marshes are a visitor’s favorite, as well as the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
Cute, cool, and insightful farms to visit are Hay Dairies Goat Farm, Plants & Pints, Chengtai Nursery, Nippon Koi Farm, Orchidville, and Kok Fah Technology Farm.
Places to eat? Head to Bollywood Farms or BISTRO by Gardenasia.
4. Kusu Island: See turtles
Pack a picnic for a couple of hours and head over to untouched Kusu Island, also known as Tortoise Island. This is where wishes come true. Look out for the wishing well and wishing tree around the island.
Some five kilometers off the mainland, you need to catch a short ferry ride over to get here. The island itself is not very big at all, and the main activity is to go religious/spiritual site-hopping. Do you love to snap pics of temple architecture? Then you’ll really enjoy it here.
Constructed in the early 1920s, the main temple is the Chinese Da Bo Gong (named after the deity it’s dedicated to). Discover three shrines around the island, hidden away in its jungle-y terrains.
Little ones and animal lovers: the Tortoise Sanctuary is situated just behind Da Bo Gang. See baby turtles!
Spend some time at the beaches, and this island is super duper clean! Bring along some snorkel gear…If you’re lucky, you may even spot little turtles in the waters.
Day trips from Singapore to Malaysia
5. Langkawi: Adventure-packed
Among the day trips from Singapore, Langkawi is mega popular, especially among Singaporeans. One of my besties is from Singapore, and she’s often over in Langkawi. A short 1.5-hour ferry ride and you’re in a new country, so it’s popularity is a no-brainer.
Nicknamed “the Jewel of Kedah,” the two main things to do here include: beaching and shopping.
First off, the whole island is…duty-free!
Secondly, the beaches here are awesome, and remind me a lot of certain parts of Thailand. Pantai Cenang is always busy, with lots of water sports activities to get involved in. Tanjung Rhu Beach is low-key with a mangrove (tours available). Sandy Skulls Beach boasts mellow waters, and families love it here.
Other exciting activities to join in Lagkawi? See the island from above via the Langkawi SkyCab. Go snorkeling around the surrounding islands. Feel the adrenaline during ATV rides (book exhilarating tours here), or when ziplining. And then there’s also the Splash Out Langkawi water park.
Oh, and apparently fairies live at Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) Waterfall…And don’t miss the nighttime and extra-magical Dream Forest Langkawi walk either.
6. Johor Bahru: For Malaysian cuisine
It’s crazy to think that a one-hour drive, not flight, but drive, and you end up in a new country?! Wild…Even more popular than Langkawi is Johor Bahru. Sitting on the very southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, its causeway is the connector between both countries.
I always think of JB (as the locals call it) as a Malaysian food haven. It’s nothing like the capital, or Penang. But it is great for sampling Malaysian dishes during short day trips from Singapore.
For local flavors, eat at:
Design-wise, get your architectural fix at the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque and Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple. JB is home to some extra zany museums and playgrounds, such as LEGOLAND Malaysia and the Angry Birds Activity Park.
P.S. Forming part of Johor state is tropical Desaru Island. Catch a direct ferry from SG to Desaru, which is 90 minutes. It’s one of those perfect day trips from Singapore if you want to experience Malaysia’s tropical island side.
7. Malacca: Plethora of museums and landmarks
I love that two of Malaysia’s renowned cities are just a couple of hours away, deeming them ideal for day trips from Singapore. Malacca is a three-and-a-half-hour drive, to be exact. Also referred to as Melaka, it’s a port city with eons worth of preserved heritage! And it’s also another foodie hot spot in Malaysia.
What to do for the day in this UNESCO city? There are so many cool buildings and areas to visit where you can compare varying architecture. A little like Penang’s George Town, many landmarks still have their colonialism about them in terms of appearance.
Check out The Stadhuys (built by the Dutch), St. Paul’s Hill, the Shore Sky Tower, A Famosa fortress (a Portuguese construction), and Sultanate Palace Museum. Experience Jonker Street, and visit museums including Hang Tuah Centre, the Submarine Museum, and the Maritime Museum of Malacca: Muzium Samudera.
Day trips from Singapore to Indonesia
8. Bintan: Experience a taste of Indo’s beaches
Do you mean, the beer? Nope! While the names are close, Indo’s iconic malt and hops drink is called Bintang. This island is, however, in Indonesia, and it’s very similar in spelling, just without the ‘g’ — so don’t get the two mixed up.
Situated in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago, high-speed ferries offer day trips from Singapore to Bintan, and the journey is about one hour.
Indo is famed for its beach vibes, and that’s precisely what to expect from this locale. It feels totally tropical-jungle-y.
Spend a couple of hours tanning and swimming at Trikora Beach or Lagoi Beach. As you can imagine, it’s a playground for water sports, including snorkeling. Buddhist 500 Lohan Temple is also incredible. Get to marvel over that typical Indonesian sanctuary architecture here!
One of my favorite things to do in the Lion City is eat, eat, eat! The food scene here is on another level, and some of the best in SEA. Curious about the cafe offerings? In between day trips from Singapore, grab yourself an excellent cup of coffee, matcha, and refuel on scrumptious food options. Here are 10 of my favorite local cafes in Singapore.
Dying to spend more than just one day in Singapore, but worried about your budget? Not to fear…Maybe this Ultimate Guide to Backpacking in Singapore will help you with some financial planning.
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