48 Hours in Singapore: Food, Skylines, & Neighborhood Hopping

Singapore is clean, modern, and packed with great food. The city state is small and dense with a great subway system (the MRT) so it is easy to skip around between neighborhoods quickly. We lived in Singapore for two years so we wanted to revisit some of our favorite spots during our trip to Southeast Asia. We only had two days, but we made the most of it by eating our way through hawker centers and hopping between iconic neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India, Arab Street, Marina Bay, the Orchard Road area, and Clarke Quay.

Before you visit, download the Grab app because it is the most popular ride sharing app in Singapore and we were able to move between some areas quickly and cheaply by booking a Grab ride. 

We loved how cashless everything was. We made it through our entire 48 hours in Singapore using credit card only, without needing to take out any cash.

Bonus: Tap water is safe and delicious, so bring a reusable bottle and refill as you go.

Hawker Food, Futuristic Skylines & Colorful Neighborhoods

Here’s how we spent 48 hours in Singapore, including exactly what we did and how much it cost in both SGD and USD.

Where We Stayed

• Rendezvous Hotel Singapore (Bras Basah Road)
  Centrally located next to the Bencoolen MRT and walkable to museums, Orchard Road, and several food spots. They have a great fitness center and pool. We thought this hotel was less expensive than many Singapore hotels and we were very happy with the amenities and room.
  Cost: SGD 217/night (~USD 160/night), including all taxes and fees. Here's the link to the hotel: Rendezvous Hotel Singapore
• Airport to Hotel (Grab app)
  We took a Grab from Changi Airport directly to the hotel.
  Cost: SGD 41.72 (~USD 31).
  

Getting Around on the MRT

Singapore’s MRT is fast, clean, air-conditioned, and incredibly easy to use.

• MRT fare for 4 stops: SGD 1.90 (~USD 1.40) per person
• You can tap your credit card directly at the turnstiles, so there's no need to buy a separate ticket or get a local pass.

Hawker Food at Lau Pa Sat

We kicked things off with a classic Singapore experience: a hawker center meal at Lau Pa Sat, which is a historic food hall in Singapore that has both a covered part and a Satay Street that comes alive during the evenings.

• Two chicken and rice dishes: SGD 13 (~USD 10)

It’s fast, affordable, and delicious, and since it is Singapore's signature dish we just had to eat it. Plus you’re surrounded by tons of other food options if you want to mix and match. Most food halls in Singapore will have a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, and Indian options to reflect the three major ethnic groups in Singapore.

Marina Bay & Night Skyline

The Marina Bay area is the heart of the iconic Singapore skyline. We thought the skyline looked best during dusk and the evenings.

• Walk along Marina Bay for views of Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, and the water.
• Head toward Boat Quay and Clarke Quay for riverfront bars, restaurants, and colorful lights reflected on the water. We had two margaritas during happy hour at Clarke Quay's Chupitos for SGD 26.50 (~USD 20.40). Be prepared for tourist prices at Clarke Quay. You are paying a premium for being by the water.

It’s a beautiful area for an evening stroll, even if you don’t spend anything beyond your MRT fare.

Gardens by the Bay (Christmas Light Season)

Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s can’t-miss attractions. Normally, it’s free to walk around and enjoy the "trees" and the gardens from the ground, including the light shows at 7:45pm and 8:45pm. During the Christmas season, the Supertree Grove transforms into a very festive light and sound show. There is an elevated platform you can walk on which has a fee, but might offer more magnificent views.

• Christmas Light Festival entry: SGD 15 per person (~USD 11 per person)

Orchard Road 

Orchard Road is Singapore’s main shopping boulevard and goes all out for the holidays. It is a very long stretch so it might take you a couple of hours to walk the entire road. We only walked a portion, and it was enough.

• Massive light displays and decorations
• High-end malls, international brands, and lots of people-watching

Even if you’re not in a shopping mood, it’s a fun place to walk and soak up the city’s energy.

Neighborhood Hopping: Chinatown, Little India, & Arab Street

One of the best parts of Singapore is how easy it is to jump between neighborhoods with completely different vibes.

• Chinatown has lot of market stalls, colorful decorations, food and souvenir shops. Great for street snacks and quick bites. While Chinatown is big, the pedestrian walking area is just outside of the Chinatown MRT exit. We got an ice cream cone at Mixue for SGD 1 (~USD 0.77)
• Little India has colorful buildings, busy streets, and incredible smells from the restaurants and spice shops.
• Arab Street & Kampong Glam has trendy cafés, boutiques, and the beautiful Sultan Mosque. There is a pedestrian street here as well, with shops and restaurants. 

Final Thoughts

In just 48 hours, Singapore gave us world-class skylines, cultural neighborhoods, efficient public transit, and amazing food at every price point. It’s an easy city to navigate, especially with the MRT and tap-to-pay everywhere, and we loved that we could drink the tap water and go completely cash-free for our entire stay.

It’s a perfect 2-day stopover or city break.

Planning your own Singapore trip? Don’t forget to grab our free packing list and our free travel safety checklist so you can have everything you need to enjoy your trip and stay safe along the way.