Female Solo Travel: Singapore 3 Day Itinerary

I am so excited to be writing this blog post about my first ever solo travel trip. Anyone who knows me, knows I am the girl who wouldn’t even go to the girls room alone. Before moving abroad, I had never even spent a single night alone by myself! Once in college, I was the only one at my apartment one night and I drove 30 minutes to my cousins house just so I didn’t have to stay the night alone. So, if you are doubting your ability to go on a solo travel trip…If I can do it, so can you! Of course it is important to take precautions, but I realized many of the fears I previously had were manifested in my head.

Why Singapore is the Perfect Destination for Solo Travel

There are many misconceptions out there as to what destinations are considered “safe” for solo travel, especially for female travelers. I believe if you take the correct precautions, women can and should travel to any country they want to! With that said, I wanted to ensure my first travel destination was somewhere I felt completely comfortable. I hit the nail on the head – after researching about Singapore’s low crime rates and track record as a safe traveling destination, I thought it would be perfect for my first solo trip.

In hindsight, I am so happy I decided to challenge myself and fulfill a goal I have had for years – traveling solo to a foreign country! I really can’t explain the liberating feeling of stepping off the plane and just realizing the world is in your palm, and yours to explore. It is something I think everyone should do in their lifetime at least once.

Three Day Itinerary

Day One

First, start out at the Budda Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown. Explore the surrounding markets and stop by the famous Maxwell Food Center with Hawker Food Stalls. (The Hainanese Chicken Rice is a must try dish – and very inexpensive!) Next, make your way to the ArtScience Museum and prepare to be awed by the breathtaking galleries and light shows.

After, you can head next door to be amazing by the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, one of Singpore’s luxury shopping malls. Singapore is famous for Marina Bay Sands Hotel, but rooms run upwards of $300 a night! To get the same impeccable view for a fraction, enjoy a drink at Ce La Vi Skybar, located in the same building. Arrive at opening to avoid crowds and to enjoy a beautiful sunset. To get in the bar you have to pay $23 for a voucher that can redeemed for any drinks or food items on their menu, but I promise you it is well worth the cost!

Lastly, end the night with the free lightshow at Gardens by the Bay, at 7:45 and 8:45 every night! This is truly one of the most spectacular things I have seen in my entire life – I even went to it twice!

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Chinatown

Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, Chinatown. You can spin the large Prayer Wheel!

Hainanese Chicken Rice, Hawker Food Stall at Maxwell Food Center

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Maxwell Food Center

ArtScience Museum

Light Exhibit, ArtScience Museum

Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Ce La Vi Rooftop

Stunning View from Ce La Vi Skybar

Gardens by the Bay Lightshow

Day Two

First, begin your morning at Cloud Forest, which replicates the climate and vegetation located in mountains. I was happily surprised when I arrived at opening on a Saturday to no lines and very few people in the dome. It was one of most serene and surreal experiences I have had while traveling. While the Cloud Conservatory was my favorite part of Gardens by the Bay, you can’t miss the Flower Dome next door. Combined tickets for entry to Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are $28.

Next, explore Merlion Park and stop by the famous Merlion Statue. Afterwards, explore the vibrant Arab Street and the beautiful Sultan Mosque. Be sure to check for times online for a free tour of the Mosque! Before you get too hungry, head to Little India for some delicious, authentic Indian Food. There are tons of options, but I enjoyed some delicious butter chicken from Khansama Tandoori.

Cloud Forest

Flower Dome

Merlion Statue, Merlion Park

The vibrant Arab Street!

Sultan Mosque, the largest Mosque in Singapore

Long Bar, Raffles Hotel. Home of the original Singapore Sling!

Day Three

First, start off you morning at an aesthetic coffee shop, such as The Reading Room. Next, a great budget friendly thing to do is wander around the Singapore Botanical Gardens – it is completely free entry!  Then, head over to explore the central business district in Singapore. If you have seen Crazy Rich Asians, Chijmes is where the wedding was filmed. The Chijmes lifestyle complex includes trendy cafes, pubs, and welcoming outdoor seating.

Next, visit Asian Civilizations Museum and immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Asia. In the evening, buy a ticket for the Gardens By the Bay Skywalk and enjoy the spectacular lightshow from 50 meters in the air! (Note: You will get an assigned time for going on the skywalk to limit the amount of people- so get your ticket about 30 minutes before you would actually like to go up.)

Finally, end the night with some delicious ice cream from Venchi, some of the most delicious ice cream I have ever tasted!

Chijmes

Chijmes Building Complex

Asian Civilizations Museum

Asian Civilizations Museum

Gardens By the Bay Skywalk

View from Gardens by the Bay Skywalk

Venchi Ice Cream

Where To Stay in Singapore

Singapore has many different “regions,” that you can stay in. Of course this is not a one size fits all – but here are my recommendations on what area to stay based on your travel preferences! Luckily, Singapore is not very big (For reference, Singapore is 943 times smaller than Texas) – so you can’t really go wrong wherever you end up staying!

For the Shopper. Orchard Road is perfect for you! Here you can find the best shopping Singapore has to offer.

For the Social Butterfly. The Quays (Clark Quay, Boat Quay, Robertson Quay) offer the perfect mix of nightlife, shopping, live music, and clubs.

For the History Lover. Colonial District. The Colonial District has an abundance of intricate architectural buildings, museums, and stunning cathedrals.

For the Budget Backpacker. Chinatown is the perfect area for a backpacker looking to be near beautiful temples, budget food stalls, night markets, but still close to the MRT that can take you anywhere you need to go in Singapore!

For the Culture Seeker. Little India is a vibrant area with delicious food, shopping, and temples!

For the Modern Traveler. Marina Bay Sands. Marina Bay Sands is one of the more luxurious ares to stay in, and you will be in close proximity to the ArtScience Museum, Ce La Vi Skybar, Gardens By the Bay and more!

For the Trendy Hipster. Bugis Area. The Bugis area has a lot to offer – from eccentric murals covering the streets, fun restaurants, street markets, and Singapore’s largest mosque.

For the Theme Park Lover. Sentosa is a small island in Singapore. Stay here if you are hoping to spend most of your time at the beach, aquarium, and universal studios theme park! This is a great option for families with young children.

Adler Hostel, Chinatown

Solo Travel: Why I Chose Chinatown

All in all, I decided on staying in Chinatown, at Adler Hostel. I loved this hostel and highly recommend! (I will note that while you can meet people here, it is not a party hostel, so if that is what you are looking for there are many other options!) Adler Hostel is very modern, clean, and nestled in a great location nearby temples, shops, and markets. My favorite part is the coffee shop connected to hostel. Guests get a free coffee or pastry item every day you are there! Lattes, Iced Coffee, Croissants – you name it! Additionally, the Chinatown MRT stop is less than a 10 minute walk away, making it easy to get to any destination in Singapore!

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