An Affordable Singapore Itinerary for 2 Days (2026)
Singapore is a common stop on Southeast Asia backpacking routes, as a gateway between Malaysia and other countries. But with higher costs than its neighbours, is a short visit actually worth it? I visited Singapore as a stop between Bali and Thailand and found it far more enjoyable than I expected. This 2-day Singapore itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience the city in a short time without overspending.
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Quick overview of this 2 day Singapore itinerary
- Day 1: Singapore cityscape – Marina Bay, Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay
- Day 2: Museum day – ArtScience Museum and the aquarium on Sentosa Island
Planning your 2 day Singapore itinerary
Day one of this 2 day Singapore itinerary focuses on its most recognisable central sights, all clustered around Marina Bay. You’ll start with city views from the Marina Bay Sands observation deck, followed by a ride on the Singapore Flyer for a different perspective. The day finishes at Gardens by the Bay, timed for the evening Supertree light show.
Day two shifts away from the skyline. The morning is spent exploring street art and visiting the ArtScience Museum, before heading to Sentosa Island in the afternoon for the aquarium and a slower, more open setting. The day ends back in the city with a simple introduction to Singapore’s hawker food scene.
Day 1: Modern Singapore and Marina Bay
Morning: Views, shopping and lunch at Marina Bay Sands
Start the first day of your 2 day Singapore itinerary with the city’s most iconic landmark, Marina Bay Sands. A luxury hotel, it’s nicknamed ‘The Boat’, inspired by its unusual design. The best time to visit is 9-11am to avoid the crowds.
Three glossy, shiny towers are topped by a bullet-shaped platform hosting upmarket restaurants and bars, an infinity pool and an oasis of palm trees. It really is spectacular: by day, there are incredible views from the observation deck at the top of Marina Sands. By night, it is illuminated and becomes the central hub of the city’s nightly light-and-sound show.
Beneath the towers lies The Shoppes – a vast designer shopping centre where you can purchase to your heart’s content (though maybe not your wallet’s!). Here you can grab a quick and cheap lunch at Rasapura Masters, a food court serving authentic Singapore dishes. Alternatively, the nearby PS.Cafe offers hearty international mains and fresh salads in stylish surroundings.
Book your Marina Bay Sands observation deck e-ticket in advance here and skip the queues.
Early afternoon: Get your bearings on the Singapore Flyer
After exploring Marina Bay Sands, take a pleasant 10-15 minute walk over the Helix Bridge to the Singapore Flyer. Head towards the Marina Bay waterfront and follow the signs – you can’t miss the giant observation wheel.
The Singapore Flyer is a revolving giant ferris wheel from where you have a bird’s eye view of the city. You’ll normally need an hour or two here, and the best time time to visit is 2-4pm for clear daytime views.
One of its glass pods is reserved for dinner guests (‘full butler sky dining’ costs around S$269 per couple). Another is a Moët & Chandon champagne-sponsored VIP bar. In this pod we spotted a man trying to impress his date!
Peering out across the city, you can usually see container ships, the city’s Formula 1 racetrack and some giant purple tree-like sculptures. The latter are ‘Supertrees’, part of the Gardens by the Bay, where you’ll be heading next.
Before you go, check out the sign next to the Singapore Flyer where you can pose for cheesy photos – like I did in the one below.
Book your ticket to the Singapore Flyer in advance here.
Late afternoon: Explore the conservatories in Gardens by the Bay
From the Singapore Flyer, it’s just an 8-10 minute walk to Gardens by the Bay. Head back towards Marina Bay Sands and cross the Marina Overpass, then take the Dragonfly Bridge over the lake to reach the gardens.
Some of the grounds are free to walk around and you can enjoy themed gardens and sculptures. Inside the large conservatories, which cost around S$28 per person to enter, you will find unusual trees and flowers from all over the world.
Climbing up to the top of the Cloud Forest Conservatory’s plant-covered ‘mountain’ (by lift, so you don’t need to break a sweat), you can walk through different areas detailing the biodiversity of these lofty natural environments. Misty air cools your skin as you take in the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and tropical highlands, via elevated walkways high above the canopy.
Evening: Supertree Light Show at Gardens by the Bay
My favourite moment of Gardens by the Bay, and in Singapore overall, was lying beneath the Supertrees that we had spotted from the Singapore Flyer.
Each evening at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, crowds gather, relaxing on the ground, as these giant monuments burst into colour and light. This dazzling yet oddly calming display is set to classical music. A truly wondrous and unique spectacle.
Buy your tickets to Gardens by the Bay online in advance here.
Dinner and cocktails to celebrate your first day
After the magical Supertrees light show, you have excellent dinner options right within Gardens by the Bay or a short walk away.
Try the fusion restaurant Hopscotch, which serves great value, generous portions and unique cocktails with a local twist.
Afterwards, why not return to Marina Bay Sands for a fruity Singapore Sling cocktail on their stylish rooftop bar. Otherwise, from wherever you are in the city centre, you can watch the free nightly 15-minute Spectra light and water show, for a spectacular first evening of your 2 day Singapore itinerary.
Day 2: Culture and Island Adventure
Morning: Explore Singapore’s art scene
Start your second day by taking the metro train (MRT) from your accommodation to the central business district. If you’re staying in Lavender or Chinatown, it’s just a few stops to Raffles Place or City Hall station in the city centre.
The contrast between modern sculptures and towering skyscrapers is stunning. I loved the curvaceous contemporary art in the centre of this straight-up-and-down business district.
Late Morning: ArtScience Museum
From the city centre, take a pleasant 10-15 minute walk towards Marina Bay to reach the ArtScience Museum. Follow the waterfront path for scenic views along the way.
You may have already spotted the ArtScience Museum, which is shaped like a robot hand crossed with a tulip. This museum sets out to fuse the concepts of science and art.
The museum holds temporary, world-class exhibitions. We visited a showcase of the life and work of famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, through her portraits. It was an in-depth memoir, showcasing Leibovitz’s work with Hollywood A-listers – including Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and her famous shot of a heavily pregnant Demi Moore in 1991.
Alongside were intimate family photos and her lesser-known forays into landscapes and photojournalism of wartime Sarajevo. Leibovitz’s portraiture is stylistically unconventional, as she captures the humanity and idiosyncrasy of her subjects.
Another exhibition, on at the same time, investigated the story of the dinosaurs’ time on Earth.
Buy your entry ticket to the ArtScience Museum here.
Lunch at Marina Bay Sands
Head back to Marina Bay Sands for lunch. Try Tim Ho Wan PEAK for stylish dim sum or Black Tap for gourmet burgers and extravagant milkshakes.
Afternoon: Sentosa Island adventure
From Marina Bay, there are several ways to reach Sentosa Island. The most scenic route is by cable car, which takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the monorail from HarbourFront MRT station or grab a taxi.
Just south of Singapore, Sentosa Island is known as ‘Asia’s Favourite Playground’. It houses a number of attractions including Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium.
You enter this impressive aquarium via a glass tunnel, through an ocean habitat filled with ominous sharks and graceful manta rays. Its different zones, including a tank in which you can touch the fish and crustaceans, reveals the diversity of various underwater habitats with some weird and wonderful creatures on display.
Seeing shark eggs was a first for me, and forlorn seahorses that look like they’re wearing tattered bridal gowns. I have ‘found Nemo’ several times before at aquariums and indeed while diving Australia’s Great Barrier Reef: the orange-striped clownfish, darting among the anemone, are pretty cute.
Buy your Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass Ticket here.
Dinner: Singapore street food
All that sightseeing can work up an appetite so be sure to sample the local fare. Return to the main island for dinner and experience Singapore’s incredible street food culture. Head to one of Singapore’s famous hawker centres or food streets for an authentic local experience. Try Chinatown or check out Newton Food Centre, a famous hawker centre for local dishes.
Wandering around the city’s markets, you will no doubt stumble upon a durian stall. This intriguing, stinky, spiky fruit is a delight for some people’s tastebuds, but to others its unusual, pungent flavour and pervading odour of week-old dirty socks is distinctly off-putting. Try it and decide for yourself: is this fruit heaven or hell?
Where to stay in Singapore
For a 2 day Singapore itinerary, staying in the Marina Bay area is ideal but tends to be quite expensive. For travellers on a budget, head to Lavender or Chinatown. These neighbourhoods have excellent public transport (MRT) connections to all major attractions and authentic local atmosphere.
Affordable accommodation in Singapore
The Dream Lodge is a fabulous hostel in the lively Lavender district. It has cosy pod-style beds with privacy curtains, personal reading lights and power outlets. The Bohemian is a chic option in Chinatown, which has an awesome social scene and free daily activities.
Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel is well-located in the city centre. It’s top-rated for its stylish capsule beds with modern amenities. It’s a great choice for digital nomads, thanks to its strong Wi-Fi and comfortable work environment.
Explore the map below to find the latest accommodation deals for your dates:
The best areas for dining in Singapore
There is a wide variety of places to eat in Singapore and for travellers on a budget, you’ll find tasty street food markets.
At Clarke Quay you’ll find riverside dining with a lively atmosphere. Chinatown has authentic hawker centres and street food. Avoid eating at Marina Bay, which is all about upscale dining, but you can still enjoy its skyline views.
What to eat in Singapore
Wandering around the city’s markets, you will no doubt stumble upon a durian stall. This is a unique foodie experience that you have to try, if you’re brave enough.
This intriguing, stinky, spiky fruit is a delight for some people’s tastebuds, but to others its unusual, pungent flavour and pervading odour of week-old dirty socks is distinctly off-putting.
Try it and decide for yourself! Is this fruit heaven or hell?
Getting around Singapore
Singapore’s public transport system is world-class and makes exploring the city incredibly easy during your 2-day adventure.
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is Singapore’s subway system and your best friend for getting around efficiently. These clean, modern, air-conditioned trains operate from about 5:30am to midnight with frequent services every 2-5 minutes during peak hours.
The MRT network covers most of Singapore with different coloured lines connecting all major attractions. Station names are clearly marked in English, and announcements are made in multiple languages including English. Most importantly for your itinerary, key stations like Bayfront (for Marina Bay attractions) and Raffles Place or City Hall (for the city centre) are directly connected to your planned activities.
To use the MRT, purchase an EZ-Link card at any station – this works like London’s Oyster card, allowing you to tap in and out at barriers. Fares are very affordable, typically costing between S$1-3 per journey.
Frequently asked questions about 2 days in Singapore
Is 2 days enough for Singapore?
Two days is enough to see Singapore’s main highlights. This itinerary includes Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer and Sentosa Island, plus the incredible food scene. For a more relaxed pace, consider adding more days to explore neighbourhoods like Little India and Kampong Glam.
How much money will I need for 2 days in Singapore?
Budget travellers should expect to spend around S$88-100 (£50-60) per day, covering hostel accommodation, hawker centre meals and public transport. If you prefer comfortable hotels and restaurant dining, expect your daily average to be around S$180-230 (£100-130). Hawker centre meals cost just S$3-6. On top of these costs, you’ll need to add entrance fees for major attractions which typically range from S$20-35 each.
What’s the best way to save money in Singapore?
Stay in affordable neighborhoods like Lavender or Chinatown with excellent MRT metro connections. Purchase an EZ-Link card for discounted public transport fares. Eat at hawker centres where street food meals only cost S$3-6. Take advantage of free attractions including the Supertree light show, Gardens by the Bay outdoor gardens, Singapore Botanic Garden and waterfront areas. Visit during shoulder season (April-May or September-October) when hotel prices are lower.
Final thoughts on this 2 day Singapore itinerary
This 2-day itinerary gives you a great introduction to this city. While Singapore isn’t a cheap destination, staying in hostels and eating at hawker centres makes a short visit manageable on a backpackers budget.
Singapore is at its best in the evenings, when the city slows slightly and the waterfront comes alive with lights, reflections and free public events.
Two days won’t show you every side of Singapore, but it’s enough time to appreciate what makes it distinct – and to decide whether it’s a place you’d like to return to.
