Land at Changi Airport and breeze through immigration—take your time to collect luggage and enjoy the butterfly garden or a quick coffee at Jewel before heading into the city. Transfer by taxi or MRT to your hotel in the Civic District or Marina Bay area, check in (or drop bags) and stretch your legs with a relaxed walk along the Esplanade Promenade, taking in views of the skyline and the colonial facades of the Padang and Victoria Theatre.
After a light lunch at Lau Pa Sat or at a nearby café, visit the nearby National Gallery Singapore to glimpse Southeast Asian art, or stroll through the historic streets of Boat Quay and the Fullerton area for an easy intro to the city's past. If you prefer green space, wander the shady paths of Fort Canning Park and pop into the Battlebox museum for a compact dose of local history.
Head toward Marina Bay in time for golden-hour photos of the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands; grab an early dinner at Satay by the Bay or one of the rooftop restaurants in the Marina Bay Sands Shoppes. Finish the night with the Gardens by the Bay light-and-sound show at the Supertree Grove and, if energy allows, a drink at a rooftop bar overlooking the bay—an elegant, low-key welcome to Singapore before tomorrow's deeper exploration.
Start your day with a leisurely breakfast near the Civic District, then continue exploring the colonial heart of the city by visiting the National Gallery Singapore for a deeper look at Southeast Asian art and the nearby Asian Civilisations Museum to round out the cultural context. From there, wander through the historic streets toward Chinatown, popping into the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the bustling Chinatown Food Street for a mid-morning snack of dim sum or kaya toast—an easy progression from yesterday’s Marina Bay views into the city’s rich heritage.
After lunch, stroll through the atmospheric shophouses of Keong Saik Road and Ann Siang Hill, then cross into colorful Little India where you can visit the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and the Tekka Centre for vibrant market scenes and local bites. Spend time browsing specialty stores on Serangoon Road, sample Indian sweets at a traditional shop, and if you want a quiet pause, duck into the Indian Heritage Centre to learn about the community’s history in Singapore.
As evening falls, return toward the river for dinner at Clarke Quay or Chinatown’s Chinatown Complex hawker centre to taste local favorites like chilli crab or Hainanese chicken rice; alternatively enjoy a modern take on Singaporean cuisine at one of the boutique restaurants on Amoy Street. Finish the night with a scenic bumboat ride on the Singapore River or catch a performance at the Esplanade—capping a day that weaves colonial landmarks, lively ethnic quarters, and the flavours that define the city.
Wake up to a refreshing breakfast at your hotel before heading back to Marina Bay for a deeper dive into Gardens by the Bay; explore the cooled Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories for otherworldly plant displays and take the OCBC Skyway for sweeping skyline views that build on yesterday’s waterfront stroll. From there, stroll across to the ArtScience Museum to catch a rotating exhibition blending technology, design and culture—an easy cultural lift that links your earlier visits to the National Gallery and Asian Civilisations Museum.
After lunch at Satay by the Bay or a café in the Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, ride the MRT to Orchard Road for an afternoon of shopping and people-watching; browse flagship stores, boutique lanes like Emerald Hill, and heritage spots such as ION Orchard’s rooftop garden. If museums appeal, detour to the nearby Peranakan Museum or the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum for a focused cultural stop that complements your exploration of Singapore’s diverse histories.
As twilight falls, return toward Orchard or head back to Marina Bay for dinner—choose from celebrity-chef dining in Marina Bay Sands or hawker classics at Newton Food Centre to sample Hokkien mee or sambal stingray. Finish the night with cocktails at a rooftop bar on Orchard Road or catch the Garden Rhapsody light-and-sound show at the Supertree Grove, an atmospheric finale that ties together the city’s modern skyline and lush green spaces.
After breakfast in Singapore, collect your bags and take the ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani (ferry time ~1 hour); enjoy coastal views and a relaxing transit before clearing Indonesian immigration. On arrival, a resort transfer whisks you to your beachfront hotel in Trikora or Lagoi — check in, unpack, and take a slow stroll along the powdery white sand to get your first taste of Bintan’s tropical calm.
Spend a leisurely afternoon sampling resort amenities: lounge by the pool, book a Balinese-style massage at the spa, or explore nearby attractions like the Banyan Tree’s beach club or the Bintan Resorts’ waterfront promenade. If you’re feeling active, rent a kayak to paddle along the shore or join a short guided snorkel trip off Penyengat Beach to spot reef fish and coral patches just offshore.
As the sun dips, savor fresh seafood at a local beachside restaurant—try grilled snapper or sambal prawns accompanied by iced tea—while watching the sky over the South China Sea turn golden. Return to your resort for a relaxed nightcap on your balcony or a quiet walk along the moonlit beach, setting a restful tone for the island days ahead.
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at your resort before joining a guided snorkeling trip to Penyengat or nearby small reefs off Trikora Beach, where you can float over coral patches and spot clownfish, parrotfish and sea urchins; most resorts or dive shops provide gear and short briefings for beginners. If you prefer to stay closer to shore, rent a clear-bottom kayak from Lagoi Bay and paddle past mangrove fringes, keeping an eye out for herons and the occasional monitor lizard basking on the sand.
After a seaside lunch—sample fresh grilled fish at a beach warung—spend the afternoon trying water sports at your resort: stand-up paddleboarding, jet-skiing, or a guided wakeboarding session are widely available around Bintan Resorts and Banyan Tree’s beach club. Alternatively, take a short guided coastal walk toward the sea walls near Trikora to explore tidal pools and local fishing spots, meeting friendly fishermen and learning about simple trap nets and daily catch habits.
As the sun lowers, head to a beachfront café in Lagoi Bay for sunset drinks and traditional Indonesian snacks like pisang goreng, then enjoy a seafood dinner at a local restaurant—try sambal prawns or ikan bakar (grilled fish) served with steamed rice and sambals. End the night with a relaxed resort spa session or a barefoot stroll along the moonlit shore, letting the gentle sound of waves close a lively day of island adventure.
After breakfast, take a short drive to Tanjung Pinang’s Pulau Penyengat or the nearby traditional village of Senggarang to meet local artisans and visit a mosque with historical Portuguese-era influence; wander narrow lanes, pop into a lontar (palm-leaf) craft stall, and sample freshly made kue (snacks) from a roadside vendor. The guided village walk gives a gentle cultural introduction that builds on your beach days, with friendly locals happy to demonstrate weaving or salt-harvesting techniques.
In the afternoon, join a guided mangrove boat tour from Lagoi Bay or a local operator on the Riau coast to glide through shaded channels, spot egrets and kingfishers, and learn about the mangrove’s role in protecting the coastline and supporting fisheries; many tours include a stop at a crab-fishing or oyster-farming spot where you can try simple hands-on techniques. After the mangroves, visit the small Tanjung Pinang seafood market to see the daily catch and pick up fresh ingredients for tonight’s dinner or a cooking demo if available.
For dinner, head to a beachfront seafood restaurant in Trikora or Lagoi—order ikan bakar (charcoal-grilled fish), sambal prawns and sayur urap, paired with iced tea or a local arak cocktail—and enjoy the relaxed rhythm of island dining as the sun sets. Cap the night with a moonlit stroll along the resort beach or a quiet drink at your hotel, reflecting on the island’s communities and ecosystems before tomorrow’s return to Singapore.
After an early ferry back from Bintan and arrival at Tanah Merah, transfer to your hotel in Singapore and drop off luggage before heading out for a shopping-focused morning—stroll Orchard Road’s flagship malls like ION Orchard and Ngee Ann City for international brands, or hunt for local designer finds at the boutique-lined Emerald Hill. If you prefer a theme-park start, take the MRT and Sentosa Express to Resorts World Sentosa and spend the morning exploring Universal Studios Singapore’s signature rides and themed zones instead, continuing the island-to-city arc of your trip.
Choose a relaxed afternoon to balance the morning: linger on Sentosa’s Palawan or Tanjong Beach for a seaside lunch and beachfront cafes, or if you stayed in the city, visit VivoCity for waterfront dining before taking the cable car up to Mount Faber for panoramic views and a scenic return to Sentosa. Art and culture fans can detour to the nearby Peranakan Museum or the National Museum of Singapore for a concise cultural reset after your island experience, keeping the itinerary’s mix of relaxation and discovery intact.
As evening falls, assemble for dinner at Clarke Quay or the lively Quayside Isle on Sentosa Cove—choose riverfront seafood at Jumbo Seafood for chilli crab or opt for contemporary dining at one of Resorts World’s restaurants if you’re on Sentosa. Finish the night with a leisurely riverside bumboat ride, rooftop cocktails back in Marina Bay, or catch the Wings of Time light-and-water show on Sentosa beach, a fittingly cinematic close to your island-to-city day.
Savour a relaxed breakfast at your hotel, then take a final short stroll to a nearby highlight—visit the tranquil Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO site) for a morning walk among orchids and rain trees, or pop into Tiong Bahru’s charming cafés and independent bookstores for last-minute souvenirs and kaya-filled pastries. If you prefer one last city landmark, swing by the nearby National Museum of Singapore for a quick gallery or the Fort Canning Park viewpoint for final skyline photos before returning to collect your bags.
After checking out, enjoy a leisurely lunch at Jewel Changi—choose local favourites at the food hall or a sit-down meal with a view of the HSBC Rain Vortex—and use the time to browse shops for duty-free items or gifts. Allow plenty of buffer for immigration and transfer: leave early to accommodate traffic, or take the convenient MRT/taxi to Changi Airport two to three hours before your international flight, with time to relax in the airport’s lounges or visit the Butterfly Garden if your flight schedule allows.
If you have an evening flight, unwind with a final Singaporean meal at Changi’s Terminal dining options—try Hainanese chicken rice or laksa at a trusted eatery—then proceed through security and enjoy the airport’s amenities, whether that’s a spa treatment, shopping, or a quiet lounge corner. Bid farewell to the island-city skyline as you board, carrying relaxed memories from Bintan’s beaches and Singapore’s vibrant neighbourhoods until your next trip.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Changi Airport — Jewel & Butterfly Garden | Free entry to Butterfly Garden; Jewel shopping/food variable (S$5-S$50+ for snacks/meals) |
| Taxi or MRT from Changi to Civic/Marina Bay | Taxi S$20-S$40 (peak/time of day & luggage surcharge); MRT S$2-S$3.50 per person |
| Esplanade Promenade / Padang / Victoria Theatre (walk) | Free |
| Lau Pa Sat (lunch) or nearby café | Hawker S$5-S$15 per person; café S$10-S$30 per person |
| National Gallery Singapore | Adult admission S$20-S$25; concession/discounts available |
| Boat Quay / Fullerton area stroll | Free (food/drinks extra) |
| Fort Canning Park & The Battlebox | Park free; Battlebox S$25-S$35 per person |
| Marina Bay photo spots & Merlion | Free |
| Satay by the Bay / Marina rooftop dinner | Satay by the Bay S$10-S$25 per person; marina rooftop S$40-S$150+ per person |
| Gardens by the Bay — Supertree Grove light show | Light show free; OCBC Skyway S$8-S$10; Flower Dome + Cloud Forest conservatories combined S$28-S$35 |
| National Gallery Singapore (revisit next morning option) | S$20-S$25 (if not already visited) |
| Asian Civilisations Museum | Adult admission S$12-S$16 |
| Chinatown — Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Food Street | Temple free (donations encouraged); food S$3-S$15 per snack |
| Keong Saik Road / Ann Siang Hill stroll | Free (food/drinks extra) |
| Little India — Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple & Tekka Centre | Temple free; Tekka Centre food S$3-S$12 per item |
| Clarke Quay / Chinatown Complex hawker centre dinner | Hawker meal S$5-S$25; riverside restaurants S$30-S$80+ |
| Singapore River bumboat ride | S$25-S$35 per person (shared/paid ride) |
| Gardens by the Bay — Cloud Forest & Flower Dome | Combined S$28-S$35 per person |
| OCBC Skyway | S$8-S$10 per person |
| ArtScience Museum | Exhibition ticket S$14-S$28 depending on show |
| Orchard Road shopping / ION Orchard rooftop | Free to browse; shopping variable (S$0-S$500+ depending on purchases) |
| Peranakan Museum / Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum | Peranakan Museum S$6-S$12; Lee Kong Chian S$5-S$10 |
| Newton Food Centre (dinner hawker classics) | Meal S$6-S$20 per person |
| Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Singapore) to Bandar Bentan Telani (Bintan) | Ferry S$25-S$60 one-way per person depending on operator and class |
| Resort transfer in Bintan (to Trikora / Lagoi) | Often included with resort booking; private transfer S$10-S$40 per vehicle |
| Resort beachfront check-in and beach stroll | Free (resort access) — resort costs vary (see accommodation) |
| Resort pool, spa (Balinese-style massage) | Massage S$25-S$80 depending on resort level; pool free for guests |
| Banyan Tree / beach club day access (if applicable) | Day pass S$20-S$60+ depending on inclusions |
| Snorkeling trip to Penyengat / local reefs | S$20-S$70 per person including gear (price varies by operator) |
| Kayak rental (clear-bottom) from Lagoi Bay | S$10-S$30 per hour |
| Jet-ski / wakeboarding / SUP at resort | Jet-ski S$30-S$100 per session; wakeboard/lesson S$40-S$100; SUP S$10-S$30 per hour |
| Local warung seafood lunch / dinner (Bintan) | S$8-S$30 per person depending on selections |
| Pulau Penyengat or Senggarang village visit & mosque | Local transport / boat S$5-S$25 per person; guided tour may be S$20-S$50 |
| Guided mangrove boat tour | S$15-S$50 per person |
| Tanjung Pinang seafood market visit | Free to visit; purchases variable (S$5-S$50+) |
| Early ferry back to Singapore & transfer to hotel | Ferry S$25-S$60; taxi/MRT in Singapore as above |
| Orchard Road malls / Emerald Hill shopping (return day) | Free to browse; purchases variable |
| Universal Studios Singapore (Resorts World Sentosa) | Ticket S$70-S$95 per person (promo prices vary); express passes extra S$30-S$100+ |
| Sentosa beaches (Palawan / Tanjong Beach) | Free access to beaches; transport (Sentosa Express) S$1-S$5 or included in some passes |
| Cable Car to Mount Faber | Round-trip S$20-S$35 per person |
| Clarke Quay / Quayside Isle dinner (final night) | Meal S$20-S$80+ per person depending on venue |
| Botanic Gardens (morning stroll) or Tiong Bahru cafés | Botanic Gardens free; café pastries/drinks S$5-S$20 |
| Jewel Changi — lunch & Rain Vortex | Foodcourt S$5-S$20; sit-down meal S$20-S$60 |
| Transfer to Changi Airport (MRT or taxi) | Taxi S$15-S$35; MRT S$1.50-S$3.50 |
| Airport amenities (lounges / spa) | Airport lounge pay-per-entry S$30-S$60; spa treatments S$30-S$100+ |