artnsoul

We are planning to spend an extra night in Singapore after our cruise next August. The ship ports at 7:00 AM and our flight home the next day would not be until 10:15PM. Virtually, we will have almost 2 full days and one night in Singapore. Is this enough time to see the sites in Singapore? Would appreciate input as to whether or not we should extend our stay for another full day. Thanks so much!

rhkkmk

a great overall view of singapore can be had from the hop on hop off bus and the associated boat ride..

2 days is ok, 4 would be better.

Kathie

There is certainly plenty to do and see in Singapore. Pick up a Singapore guidebook and see what appeals to you.

I love the botanical gardens, especially the orchid garden, the Museum of Asian Civilizations, the charming little museum in Raffles Hotel. There are some new gardens in Singapore since I was last there - The Bay Gardens.

I don't really shop much in Singapore, though many do. Many people love the zoo and the night safari. I enjoyed the walk-in aviary at the Jurong Bird Park.

Little India and Chinatown are both fun places to explore

Of course, the major pastime for Singaporeans is food. The food in Singapore - foods of all kinds - is wonderful, especially the local specialities.

I've been to Singapore well more than a dozen times and always find new things to do, new places to explore. We will be making three night short stop in Singapore this year, and I know we will wish we had more time.

Ann7544

We just recently stopped by Singapore on our way to Bali, two days on the way in and one day on the way out. And, I have to say, we wished we could have at least another day or two. We visited the sections of the town: the Arab street, little India, China town, Asian Museum - great, walked down the river, had drinks at one of the pubs, visited one of the famous open food markets and many indoor ones, visited the Botanical Garden and Orchid garden within - must see, did the hop on, hop off bus, did not really shop but did a whole bunch of window shopping because it's fun and this took three days. All of this was really nice and memorable, but I wish we had time for more. I would have loved to have been able to go to the night safari, bird park, the zoo, to have gone to the top of the three-tower hotel (forget the name, but cannot miss it) with the boat/park on top of the three towers as well as walked around that area at night (exposition or something) as it's supposed to be filled with people and activities. I hope to make the trip back some day. If you have the time and can afford it, book 4-5 days and enjoy. It's an amazing, clean, safe city where everything functions and people are nice, food fantastic and scenery unique.

Craig

We had 3 days there and felt that we did not have enough time. Kathie, in her post above has posted a good summary of the highlights. For a splurge, I would recommend a meal at Sky on 57 at the Marina Bay Sands...

Smeagol

I agree with all the comments there is plenty to see and do in Singapore. Just recently opened the gardens by the bay, as Ann mentions the bird park, ( which I went on my first ever visit to Singapore over 10years ago and loved it) Botanic gardens in fact all the places named above. Not to mention the multitude of shopping options ( assuming you like shopping)
A really great Hawker centre is Lau Pa Sat close to the financial district and there are some lovely restaurants and bars around club street ( with a bit of an expat vibe) or the more upscale places of MBS ( the 3 tower hotel/complex Ann mentions above) if it's rains there are some great museums, and I just love the night safari. I also think Jumbo @Dempsey hill is THE place to have the famous black pepper crab.
My absolute favourite stop off with killer views is the Lantern bar at the top of the Fullerton Bay hotel( you do need to prebook a table just for drinks but it's worth it for at least one drink and to see the gorgeous lobby of the hotel)
A new restaurant I tried just 2 weeks ago is Level 33 , great food and again some good viiews and not too expensive... Seriously the list of things to see, do and eat is endless in Singapore. ( I have just come back from my 9th visit there)

Guenmai

I vote for at least 4, full days. I've stayed there for as long as two weeks and there are still things that I haven't done. But, I'm one who doesn't like to have to run around, like a crazed person, checking off all the must-see sites on a list. I like to take my time which is one reason why I've been there many times.

Happy Travels!

WWanderer

Would a week or so be too much? My husband's just been invited to spend a week or two there. He would be working during the day--would I find enough to do on my for a week? Or maybe two weeks. I'm thinking I could travel later and meet him there. Then perhaps do Hong Kong together, which is high on my bucket list. Or Bali, ditto.

Smeagol

A week would be great. I have spent a mixture of different time scales there. Look at the above responses if some/most/ all of the above suggestions appeal then you have your answer. Singapore is not for everyone but there is plenty to see and do.

Kathie

I could certianly find plenty to do for a week. If I had two weeks, I'd travel to some nearby places, perhaps an overnight in Malacca, a short trip to Penang, etc. And Singapore is a great jumping off point to get to Bali and Central Java.

Guenmai

A week or two would be fine. I've done that amount of time.

I've heard more than a few comments of Singapore being sterile and not interesting. But, a lot of times people think it's a 1-2 day destination and haven't spent a significant amount of time there. There's more to it than just shopping malls.

I have stayed there for up to two weeks and there are still things I haven't done as I don't like to rush. And it is a good place to center oneself to travel to other places; Bali and Malaysia.

On my first trip to South East Asia, back in the 90s, I was away, solo, for three weeks and did Singapore, Bali, and then flew up to Chiangmai,Thailand (from Singapore) and ended my vacation in Bangkok and then back to L.A.

From Singapore to Bangkok it's only a 2½-hour flight. It's only a 45-minute flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. A friend and I flew there from Singapore as we needed to get there fast. We had a week vacation and chose Singapore as our base. We flew up to KL to see it and also do some serious fabric shopping as she was redecorating her residence and I was there to advise.

Happy Travels!

StanKase

I must be the spoil sport because having been to Singapore twice, last visit in 2010, I found little to see again or the first time after 2 to 2.5 days.I must admit I did not spend 3 hours in the gardens but only maybe 1.5 and 2 hours tops in the zoo and Little India was not very interesting after walking around for 30-40 minutes. The highlight of both stays was staying and eating at Raffles but that I cannot see going to Singapore for a hotel for a 6-7 days with a swimming pool dores not make sense or I am missing something. I even went to the new casino that had just opened a few weeks before our second 2 day stay and enjoyed it though they charged me $20 just to get in to gamble.

WWanderer

Yeah, that's what my brother says. He's been there many times, lived in Asia for years.

Kathie

It depends on how willing you are to go beyond the glitzy shopping centers. There is plenty to see and do, you just have to get beyond the surface appearances.

Smeagol

As I said Stan, SP isn't for everyone but for me therer is plenty to do. Personally I wouldn't even think about going to a casino ( but that's because I have zero interest in it) but of course others do.
They actually charge residents to to go to the casino, this was the way they could get it through the planners and their concerns that their residents would become addicted. I think they can pay an annual fee of $100! ( but am sure someone will corrects me if that's wrong)
Anyway, SP is a great stop off hub to go and explore others areas, with Changi airport being one of the most efficient in the world, so if you are not sure if you fancy a week, do 3 or 4 days and then fly to somewhere else, as Kathie said there are many many choices to go from there. ( and some great low costs airlines that fly from Changi)

KMLoke

For Singaporeans and permanent citizens, the daily levy to enter a casino here is S$100. The annual fee is S$2,000. I don't know of any levy on foreign visitors.

artnsoul

Thank you to all who took the time to address my question of how much time to spend in Singapore after our cruise. Your imput as to places to see is also a big help. I appreciate the information!

StanKase

Smeagol: I agree it has a great connecting airport and for a few days if I had not been I would want to visit. I did pay $20 USD what the rational in the early days of the opening for that fee I do not know. I can tell you it was worth the spectical. It equal or exceeded the Las Vegas best. I also went after dinner as a night time activity but stayed away from giving them more than the $40 for my wife and myself.

WWanderer

Well if it turns out that just my husband goes, he will also not be the least bit interested in the casino or the glitzy malls. He'll be looking for interesting, off-the-beaten-track neighbourhoods.

Looks like I won't make it, but it's still up for debate. I suspect if I suggest throwing in Bangkok, he'll spring, but I've told him he can't go to Bangkok by himself!