Singapore DIY Itinerary With Family And Tips In Traveling With Kids
Singapore is our second country of destination. After we left some of our luggage in the Philippines, it took us 4 hours to travel by plane from Cebu Philippines to Singapore. We arrived around 2 pm via Cebu Pacific Airlines– a local airline in the Philippines. The immigration process is quick compared to another airport hub.
A tiny but wealthy country. I am in awe of how clean and organized this country is. I love the way how citizens are well-disciplined and well-behaved.
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Our family friend met us at the airport, and we all rode the train to our hotel. We stayed and relaxed for a bit enjoying the amenities of our hotel room. I’ve been trying to get a panoramic view of our hotel, Pan Pacific Singapore. So many people recommended it. The place is not what I expected because I am raving to see the beautiful view that everyone is talking about. The room facilities and amenities are all so worth it.
Great Things About Pan Pacific Singapore. :
- They have a speaker in the bathroom where you can hear the music while using it.
The glass wall of the bathroom made my life easier because my kids can still enjoy watching their T.V. shows. While having their bath time, which was a great help to me!. - It is in the same building as one of the big malls in Singapore.
- The money changers with a reasonable exchange rate are in the same building, which is excellent, especially when you’re traveling with small children. Everything needs to be handy and accessible.
At 4:30 pm, we started our journey walking around the city and ate dinner with our family friend. The kids had so much fun, and China Town is very festive and lively as it is around the Chinese New Year. My 1-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter dance in front of everyone. A piece of music inspired us. We enjoyed watching them having fun and enjoying their first night in Singapore.
We traveled and visited tourist attractions on our own. As our friends are working and they can only spend time with us during the night. We visited some tourist attractions and ate dinner together. That is within walking distance to our hotel.
However, I remember how tiring it is to push a stroller and or carry a 1-year-old. Glad I had two men who help me take my son and push the stroller for my daughter. Having a 1-year-old with us is very hard because we can’t give him anything even if we have food in our diaper bag.
Some tourist spots are farther to travel from the central area of Singapore. Leaving the hotel around 7:00- 8:00 am, and it will take us at least 1 hr and 30 minutes train ride each way.
Things To Pay Attention When Visiting Singapore Especially With Small Children:
- Please do not bring a bubble gum because it is illegal in Singapore.
- It is hard to visit this place if you’re traveling with small children, especially if you don’t have your private car.
- You are not allowed to drink and eat while riding the train and even when you’re walking towards the train station.
- Not only is riding a train will have this problem, but it includes riding a taxi, bus, and renting a private car as well.
These are the following itinerary we used in visiting Singapore and hope it helps everyone who is planning to go to this country and especially those who travel with family and small children.
The following listed below is the itinerary we used.
Day 1
2:00- 3:00 pm Arrived in Singapore
3:00- 3:30 pm Check-In
3:30- 4:30 pm Relax
4:30- 6:00 pm Singapore Flyer
6:00- 7:00 pm Dinner with friends
7:00- 10:00 pm Went to Bugis Street
Details:
Our flight from the Philippines is smooth and easy. Four hours’ flight between the two countries isn’t that bad at all. Upon entering the immigration, there were no lines, it is fast and smooth. They only ask us if we carry bubble gum in our bag and we said no. Then, they let us get through and done with the immigration process.
Singapore flyer is our first stop in visiting the country. Kyle enjoyed looking at the map and trying to figure out the places that we saw up there. I recommend riding it during twilight it will be so pretty to look at with all those lights. My classmate in college is based in Singapore and our family friend. So we then decided to meet them together as we won’t have much time. The more people the merrier too so we enjoyed their company. My friend Karen let us taste one of Singapore’s best soup. It was delicious we left the place full and happy. After dinner, the girls decided to shop and go to Bugis. My hubby decided to come back to the hotel as my son is cranky and was tired of running around after him.
Visiting Bugis with friends is a great place for budget-friendly or family shopping. We all enjoyed the night and bought a couple of pasalubong (gifts) to our friends and family back in the Philippines and of course a keepsake for ourselves. It’s a fun night for everyone including my daughter of course! LoL.
Day 2
7:00- 8:00 am Breakfast
8:00- 10:00 am Garden By The Bay
10:00-11:00 am Marina Sands
11:00- 12:00 noon Eat lunch and Rest
12:00- 2:30 pm S.E.A Aquarium
2:30- 4:00 pm Underwater World
4:00- 7:00 pm Sentosa Merlion
7:00- 10: 00 pm Dinner
Details:
Pan Pacific Singapore where we stayed at is nearby Garden By The Bay and Marina Bay Sands. We woke up early to eat breakfast with the kids and start our way to the Marina Sands area and go to the Garden By The Bay right when they open. The garden is decorated with Chinese symbols as it is nearing to Chinese New Year. I love seeing all the yellow flowers plus all the Chinese red decorations hang in the bushes or trees. The garden is worth a visit and it is magical. I can say the best garden I have ever been to in my life I guess. Going back to our hotel we took the route from the garden going to Marina Sands and into our hotel. It was a decent walk considering we have our one-year-old in tow.
After we took a rest and ate our lunch. We rode a taxi heading to our next destination. Our family friend Tash and Chucky accompanied us this time and we met at S.E.A Aquarium. We all enjoyed the day seeing dolphins show, fish aquarium and many more. It is fun, especially for the kids. Our next stop is Sentosa Merlion and treats our friends for dinner in a US restaurant chain it’s called TGIF Friday.
Day 3
7:00- 4:00 pm Singapore Zoo
4:00- 6:00 pm Relax and take a nap
6:00- 8:00 pm Dinner with friends
8:00- 10:00 pm Orchard Park
Details:
Singapore Zoo is where we spent most of our day during our third day in Singapore. Arriving early at the zoo is a must to be able to see all the zoo offers. Too many things to see and do inside the zoo and it’s also one of the biggest and best zoos in the world. During our visit, my daughter Keira enjoys feeding the giraffe and participating and volunteering on a dog show. It’s memorable for us and especially for her. Make sure to bring swimsuits for yourself if you want to and or your kids so they can roam around and play in the wet area to cool off during the day. It can be scorching hot in the middle of the day. It was a tiring, fun day and a lot of walking, running and chasing to do with our one-year-old son. Lol.
As always we went back to our hotel to take a nap with our kids before we meet our friends again for dinner. This time, they brought us to the Hawker Food Center. It is an outdoor open space where there are lots of vendors and Singaporean cuisines to choose from. You can never go wrong in trying to find something to eat here. The area is clean and both locals and tourists go here to eat. for budget travelers, it is a food place in Singapore that you can’t miss to try during your first visit. This place passed my hubby taste. Yes, the pickiest eater of the Rode Family and of course in our home.
After dinner, we stroll around Orchard Park with our friends and both men surrendered with Kyle! Lol. Keira was too tired of walking so we have to put her in the stroller. Both hubby and Chucky had to carry Kyle in their arms or put him in their shoulders. It’s our last night in the area and the only time Nate can spend time with them as they won’t be home in the Philippines for a few months. A wonderful night full of laughs, talks and at the same time exhausted with colicky kids. Glad we both tire them out and they slept on our way back to the hotel.
Day 4
7:00-12: 00-noon last day of our trip
Details:
I wanted to let you know that don’t cut your time to each attraction because you are trying to check the other one beside it. I made my family embraced and enjoyed the zoo instead of going to the one nearby. Don’t cram your schedule and end up not enjoying every place you visit. By doing this, you got everything you pay for, and you are not wasting your money trying to pay all those entrances that you do not have enough time to enjoy them.
To families who are planning to visit Singapore, there are many things to do. From Orchard Road going to Sentosa Island, Sentosa Merlion, Underwater World, and S.E.A Aquarium. If you are traveling with animal lovers, then head to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park, and River Safari. Take note these attractions are quite far from the city center of Singapore. We need to plan all these attractions because some of them are on the beaten path of Singapore.
We ate breakfast at our hotel and while I was busy packing my family enjoyed relaxing and staying in the hotel. For our lunch, we did try the beef Chao Fan at the mall next to our hotel. We’re very impressed that it tastes the same as the Chao Fan we usually order here in the States. I rented an SUV to proceed to our next destination Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Please see our next adventure, What To Do In Johor Bahru With Younger Kids.
Jan
Singapore… Just a dream city – but it’s not cheap there, is it? 🙂
April
I think the same price here in the US.
Holly
This itinerary is amazing! Even great for those who don’t have kids but want to have some fun!
Rudy @ Backpack & Snorkel
We will probably have 2 full days in Singapore. Luckily, we are 2 adults, so we can rush more, but still, it is so difficult to squeeze everything in 2 days.
April
Yes, hope you both have fun! Are you guys planning to go to neighboring countries too?
Ann Pape
It looks like you had a blast with your family! Love the itinerary. Will definitely have to save this post for my future travels.
April
Thank you.
Wide Open World
Wow I didn’t know you aren’t allowed chewing gum there! and no eating or drinking on the train would be tough. The train rides must be short?
April
No, it takes one hour plus to get to the zoo. It was a pain having a one-year-old in tow.
Smita
Singapore is such a fantastic city – I’ve loved every visit that I’ve made there! During my first visit I had checked out the night zoo and it was absolutely incredible.
Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions
This is a great post! I LOVE that picture you captured of the city over the water at sunset. Singapore is a lot of fun and you don’t need a full week to enjoy it because it’s compact with a great public transport system. It’s too bad that it’s a bit difficult to navigate with small kids, but at least you had some help!
April
Yes, I’m glad I had two giants men with me! Haha, it saves my tiny arms from holding him.
Josy A
I love that photo of you all at the aquarium! You all look so flipping happy! 😀
I totally agree that you shouldn’t rush around to all the sights, staying at one or two things that your family enjoys (like the zoo) is way more fun that trying to fit in everything.
April
Haha, we are all having fun while my son is so serious in the stroller! Lol. Thanks
Anshul
I did the same itinerary a few years back. Although I missed Gardens by the Bay and still regret about it.
April
There’s always next time. I still want to come back there if we’re given a chance to visit again.
Sarah Carpenter
Singapore is such an amazing city and this is a great itinerary! We loved Gardens by the Bay, especially the light show.
April
Thank you! Yes, it is amazing.
An Indian Traveler
SINGAPORE was the first foreign country I traveled to. Your post brings back the memories of my trip. I really enjoyed reading your post.
April
Thank you for stopping by and it brings backs great memories.