Best Day Trips from Singapore Worth Exploring

As if Singapore itself wasn't already exciting enough, there are plenty of day trip ideas surrounding the state you'll want to consider for your itinerary. Nearby attractions in Malaysia and Indonesia are surprisingly easy to get to, and if you're considering a longer adventure in this corner of the globe, it's well worth building a list of trip ideas before you board a plane or boat.

Several of us here at SIMOVO have explored Singapore and the surrounding region a few times - and, for this guide, we put our heads together and came up with some exciting day trip ideas you might want to explore on your own. Making sure you have a local eSIM loaded and ready to go, other travel experts also agree that these destinations are must-sees whether you're here for a week or even longer.

Day trips from Singapore overview

First things first - before you embark on any day trips from Singapore, make sure you get your fill of the city itself, or at least make a plan to pack it all into your itinerary. A great place to start, if I do say so myself, is our guide on things to see in Singapore - which condenses much of the state's best features and popular sights into a quick, handy read.

Otherwise, while it might sound surprising, you can embark on all kinds of day trips from Singapore that take you to different nations and territories! Singapore is well-linked with fantastic ferry rides, meaning you can sail out to Indonesia, Malaysia, and more - and still come back the same day.

With that in mind, before you travel to Singapore itself, always make sure to check out ferry dates and times from terminals such as Tanah Merah and HarbourFront. A good place to start, in our collective experience, is FerryGogo, which breaks down the different routes operating locally and to wider reaches. 

A piece of advice FerryGogo offers that we absolutely agree with is that it's worth arriving early for any trips you wish to make from Singapore via ferry. Day trips away from the state are very popular, meaning you'll want to beat the rush. Plus, if you're traveling to areas such as Bintan and Batam, you're actually crossing slight time zones, so account for traveling an hour behind - and plan your return trips carefully.

Best day trips from Singapore

The best day trips from Singapore, in our collective opinion, are those that complement the sparkling city - they don't take your interest completely away from Singapore, but instead give you a different perspective on culture and cuisine while you're in the region. And, as mentioned, many of the trips you can make across the local region are easily managed via ferry.

Of the day trips we recommend the most, we suggest you check out Sentosa Island, Pulau Ubin, Batam, Bintan, and Johor Bahru. Let's take a quick look at why you should build these destinations into your day trip agenda.

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is a fantastically fun day out for families thanks to its theme park attractions - it's here where you'll find Universal Studios Singapore, for example. However, there's also the glorious Siloso Beach and sites such as Fort Siloso, which lets you dive into Singapore's distant history at your leisure.

Pulau Ubin

Pulau Ubin is just one of several islands part of the Singaporean chain, and it happens to be one of the best-known, mainly thanks to its break away from city hustle and bustle. A short ferry ride takes you to an island that's proud of its rustic charm, and ideal for anyone keen to ride bikes through coastal forests and mangroves.

Batam Indonesia

Batam is a real slice of paradise you won't find anywhere else - it's considered something of a satellite to Singapore despite technically being part of Indonesia. It's super popular with tourists thanks to its shopping scene, its delicious cuisine from local fisheries, and even its golf courses - meaning if you like to tee off occasionally, you can do so here amid a tropical backdrop.

Bintan Island

Bintan is another tropical getaway that's technically part of Indonesia, but considered a major factor in many travelers' Singapore itineraries. It's easy to get to in under an hour, and while it can get popular during the main tourist season, there are a handful of luxury beach resorts here that really feel exclusive. If your budget accommodates it, prioritize a trip and stay in Bintan!

Johor Bahru Malaysia

And again, yes, you can visit territories such as Malaysia speedily from Singapore and still head back to your base in the city. Johor Bahru is fast becoming a holiday metropolis for couples and families. It's well-loved for its waterpark and adventure scenes, as well as its fantastic surfing opportunities. There are ongoing plans to strengthen transport to and from Singapore, too.

Best nature escapes near Singapore

If you're keen to make getting back to nature a key part of your Singapore getaway, you'll be pleased to know that there are plenty of reserves and park spots around the region that won't take too much effort to reach and explore.

Within the city itself, you might want to check out Singapore Botanic Gardens, the world-famous Gardens By The Bay, and Palawan Beach, over on Sentosa Island. Yes - even though Sentosa has a strong reputation for being a family tourist resort, there are still some stretches you can explore to break free from the noise for a little while.

We also recommend taking a look out at Langkawi, Malaysia, for its mangroves and forest spaces, and Nikoi Island, over in Indonesia.

Best time for day trips from Singapore

We generally recommend traveling to Singapore and around the local area sometime during the spring or fall/autumn. It's around these times of year that you'll be able to enjoy the best of the natural landscapes, and you can generally expect fewer tourists (and usually cheaper prices). 

What's more, traveling either side of summer will still give you access to some of the best attractions in the local area, meaning you won't have to worry about missing out on the experiences everyone keeps telling you about!

That said, there are still pros and cons to visiting during winter - it's quieter out here, but you're more likely to experience rainfall and high humidity.

Singapore travel tips

Whether you're looking into day trips from Singapore for the first time or you're a seasoned traveler, here are some tips you'll want to keep in mind the next time you jet across.

• Always make sure you're loaded up with the best apps for Singapore travel - for example, so you can navigate the local transport networks and keep a close eye on local attractions and eateries.
• If you're traveling from far afield, make sure you have the right plug type fitted to your devices. If you're traveling from the UK, don't worry - Singapore uses the same type of plug fitting!
• And, of course, we encourage you to download an eSIM for Singapore, whether you're sticking to the main city or exploring the wider reaches. That way, you won't have to think about coming home to high roaming bills, as your internet access is paid for upfront - and if you run out of data, SIMOVO has made it really simple for you to top up.