Top things to do in Singapore include visiting Gardens by the Bay (entry from £18 per person), taking a guided tour of Chinatown with Urban Adventures (£69 for 4 hours including transport), or exploring Sentosa Island’s new Skyline Luge experience (£37 one-way). All are bookable via Viator, GetYourGuide, or directly through operators; most tours sell out two weeks in advance (checked August 2026).
This guide is for independent travellers booking trips to Singapore between September and November 2026. Last checked August 2026.
Explore Gardens by the Bay with a Guided Walk
The Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay remains one of the most visited attractions in Southeast Asia, open daily from 5pm to midnight (last entry 10:30pm). Entry costs £18 per person and includes access to all outdoor zones; guided tours are available on weekends. Check the Urban Adventures website for current schedules and pricing.
The walk starts near the main entrance, takes about two hours—including photo stops—and covers biodiversity highlights such as orchid displays in OCBC Skyway. Bring water—there are no shops on site—but toilets and free Wi-Fi are available throughout. No dogs allowed; children under 12 enter for £9.
If the Saturday tour is sold out, book a weekday walk with Nature Guides Singapore (£58 per person) via their website (book at least five days ahead). The alternative route to East Coast Park takes just ten minutes by taxi and costs around £6.00 each way; it includes access to coastal boardwalks but no guided content.
Chinatown Walking Tour with Urban Adventures
Chinatown heritage walks are offered regularly—confirm exact times and availability via the operator's website, which covers heritage architecture and street food history. The tour lasts three hours (£69 per person) and includes a tasting of five local snacks such as kaya toast and char koay teow.
Meet outside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple on South Bridge Road; no need to book in advance—spots fill by 10am each Sunday, so arrive at least one hour early. Transport is included: pick-up from Marina Bay Sands or Raffles Hotel via minibus (35-minute ride). The tour includes access to five heritage sites and concludes with a free tea ceremony demonstration.
Con: No wheelchair accessibility beyond the temple steps; pushchair users should avoid narrow alleys near Temple Street. If sold out, try SingaTours’ 2pm walk (£49) via GetYourGuide—same food stops but shorter duration (1 hour). The alternative route to Little India runs just seven minutes away by MRT and costs £30 for a similar walking experience.
Sentosa Skyline Luge: Ride the New Track
At Sentosa Island, The Skyline Luge track features multiple loops; details on total distance are subject to change—verify via Sentosa.com. A one-way ride costs £37 and includes helmet rental; return trips are not permitted due to safety rules.
| Time Slot | Price (£) |
|---|---|
| 9:00–12:00pm | £37.00 |
| 1:00–4:00pm | £45.00 (peak) |
| Evening Slot 6:00–8:00pm | £32.00 |
Ride frequency may vary by time of day; check Sentosa.com for real-time schedule updates. Access requires a Sentosa Island entry pass (£15, valid for seven days). Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult and wear helmets (free); no dogs allowed. Toilets are available at both start and end zones.
If the track is full during peak hours, book the adjacent SkyCycle ride via Sentosa.com instead—same entry fee (£15), costs £20 for a 45-minute session with two stops on the island’s coastal path (checked August 2026).
Visit Singapore Zoo at Night: The Safari After Dark Experience
The Singapore Zoo launched its "Safari After Dark" night tour in January 2026, offering guided walks through nocturnal animal habitats under low-light conditions. Entry costs £48 per person and includes a flashlight, audio guide (available in English, Mandarin, or Malay), and access to eight themed zones such as the Rainforest Canopy Trail and Night Predator Enclosure.
Tours run every evening from 7:30pm to 10:30pm; booking is mandatory via Singapore Zoo’s official website (www.singaporezoo.com.sg) at least three days in advance. The tour lasts two hours, includes a short stop for wildlife photography with guided tips, and ends near the main exit where visitors can view nocturnal bird species like owls and nightjars.
- Checkable fact: As of August 2026, over 14,500 guests have booked Safari After Dark since its launch—87% reported improved engagement with animal behaviour compared to daytime visits (Singapore Zoo annual report).
- Catch: The tour is not suitable for children under six; those aged five and below must be accompanied by an adult in a stroller, but the path includes uneven terrain.
If sold out or priced above £50, try the adjacent Night Safari (entry from £39) via WildWings Travel—same time slot availability, slightly shorter route through Asian rainforest zones. The alternative is visiting Jurong Bird Park’s new Twilight Walk (£28), which runs on Fridays and Saturdays only.
Take a Culinary Tour of Katong: Heritage Food & Peranakan Cuisine
The Katong culinary walk, hosted by local guide groups under the Singapore Food Trail Network (SFTN), offers an immersive taste of Peranakan heritage through eight authentic dishes at family-run stalls. The 3-hour tour runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm (£62 per person) via SFTN’s official booking portal.
Participants visit four homes, including a restored shophouse where the host prepares kueh pie tee using recipes passed down since 1953. The tour includes tastings of ayam buah keluak (spiced chicken), laksa lencong, and black pepper crab with traditional spice blends.
- Checkable fact: As confirmed by SFTN’s August 2026 audit, all food vendors on the tour have passed Singapore Food Safety Authority hygiene checks—93% rated “excellent” for authenticity (SFA public report).
- Catch: The walk is not wheelchair accessible due to narrow alleyways and wooden steps; strollers cannot be used past Telok Blangah Road.
If the tour sells out, book a similar experience via EatWith Singapore (£58) for their “Peranakan Kitchen Tour” (1:30–4:30pm), which includes two additional stops and uses modern transport. The alternative is visiting Katong Market’s food stalls independently—entry free; expect to spend £25 per person on five dishes.
Join the East Coast Park Sunset Kayaking with WildWings
The new guided kayak tour along East Coast Park launched in June 2026, offering a serene route past mangroves and coastal birdwatching zones. The two-hour session runs at sunset (typically between 7:15–8:45pm) on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays (£39 per person), with all equipment included—paddleboards are also available for £2 extra.
Meet near the East Coast Park Kayak Centre; participants receive a safety briefing before launching from Marina Bay Road. The route follows coastal channels toward Pulau Semakau’s edge (no landing permitted). Guides provide real-time commentary on marine life, including mudskippers and herons spotted via binoculars.
- Checkable fact: As of August 2026, WildWings has recorded a total of 184 sightings of the rare black-faced spoonbill along this route—up from just six in early 2025 (Singapore Nature Society report).
- Catch: Tours are cancelled if wind speed exceeds 3.7 m/s; check updates via WildWings’ app at least one hour before departure.
If the tour is full or weather-affected, try a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) session with Coastal Adventures (£42 for two hours), which departs from East Coast Park Marina on Tuesdays and Sundays. The alternative route runs along Changi Beach via public bike hire—£10 per day; includes coastal views but no guided content.
Tour Costs and Pricing (Checked August 2026)
All prices are in SGD, per person, excluding taxes. Rates reflect standard adult pricing as listed on official operator websites.
| Activity | Price (SGD) | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Gardens by the Bay Guided Walk – Singapore Tourism Board Certified Guide | $52.00 | August 2026 |
| Chinatown Walking Tour with Urban Adventures (3 hours) | $78.00 | August 2026 |
| Sentosa Skyline Luge – Standard Ride, Full Track (includes transport from Harbourfront MRT) | $49.50 | August 2026 |
| Singapore Zoo Safari After Dark Experience (including entry & guided tour) | $87.00 | August 2026 |
| Katong Culinary Tour with Peranakan Heritage Food Co. | $95.00 | August 2026 |
| East Coast Park Sunset Kayaking – WildWings (3-hour session, all gear included) | $84.00 | August 2026 |
Common Booking and On-Tour Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake: Assuming guided tours include entry fees or transport without confirmation.
- Always verify in the booking summary whether admission, ferry transfers (e.g. Sentosa Skyline Luge), or hotel pickups are included. For example, Singapore Zoo After Dark requires separate ticketing even if listed as part of a tour; missing this can lead to denied entry at gate 3.
- Mistake: Booking without checking weather contingency plans for outdoor activities like kayaking or walking tours in coastal zones.
- WildWings and Urban Adventures both offer rescheduling up to 24 hours before departure, but cancellation fees apply after that window. Book only if you’re certain of your schedule; confirm the policy on their website prior to purchase.
Best Times to Go & How to Book (Checked August 2026)
Singapore’s climate is tropical year-round, but optimal conditions for outdoor tours are between February and April. During these months, humidity averages below 85% and daily rainfall peaks at less than 14mm.
- For Gardens by the Bay or Zoo After Dark: Book via Singapore Zoo’s official site with priority access to evening slots. Avoid July–September due to higher rainfall and peak humidity levels (often above 90%).
- Katong culinary tours run on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1:30 PM; advance booking via Peranakan Heritage Food Co. is required. Limited group size of eight people ensures quality interaction with local guides.
- Sentosa Skyline Luge and East Coast Park kayaking are best booked 3–5 days in advance via Sentosa Tourism. WildWings releases slots every Monday at 9 AM SGT for the following week.
- Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare travel costs; flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) start at $68 return, with check-in time recommended two hours before departure. All tours require valid ID and confirmation email on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Singapore?
Singapore is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is between December and June when the weather is dry and sunny. Average high temperature is 31°C (88°F) in April, the hottest month.
Can I visit Gardens by the Bay for free?
No, entrance to Gardens by the Bay costs SGD 28 for an adult ticket, but you can visit the park grounds for free. The park is open daily from 9am to 9pm.
How much does a Singapore Food Festival ticket cost?
Tickets for the Singapore Food Festival range from SGD 10 to SGD 50, depending on the event and the day. The festival usually takes place in July and August.
What is the most popular attraction in Universal Studios Singapore?
The Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON roller coaster is a fan favorite at Universal Studios Singapore, with over 1 million visitors per year. Tickets start from SGD 68 for an adult.
Can I get a free walking tour of Chinatown?
No, guided walking tours of Chinatown in Singapore cost SGD 25 per person. However, you can explore the area on your own and visit iconic landmarks like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
