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Discover Singapore and Malaysia as we explored some of the most iconic attractions in Southeast Asia in just five days. From the futuristic skyline of Marina Bay and thrilling rides at Universal Studios Singapore to vibrant cultural streets and a quick trip to Kuala Lumpur, this journey highlights memorable experiences across two dynamic destinations.
To make our trip smoother and more convenient, we booked most of our attractions through Klook. The platform offers competitive prices and a wide selection of activities, making it easy to arrange everything in advance — from Universal Studios tickets to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay.
For your convenience, each attraction mentioned in this itinerary will be linked so you can easily check details and plan your own trip.
Day 1 – Arrival & Marina Bay Exploration
Before our trip, we completed the Singapore Arrival Card online. As soon as we landed, we headed straight to the airport counter to pick up our SIM card, ready to start exploring the city. The one we purchased conveniently worked in both Singapore and Malaysia, which made staying connected throughout the trip much easier. We also withdrew some cash using our GoTyme Card, which ended up being very useful during the trip. In fact, we used the same card for MRT and bus transportation, and it also worked seamlessly for restaurant payments and shopping without any issues.
From Terminal 4, we took the free shuttle bus going to Terminal 2 where we caught the MRT. After a connecting train ride, we arrived near Hotel Boss, which would be our home for the duration of our stay in Singapore. The room was clean and comfortable, and the building itself had a modern feel. Considering how expensive accommodations in Singapore can be, staying here felt like a great value and a good place to rest after long days of exploring.
Before heading out to explore, one thing I would suggest is checking which mode of transportation works best for your route. During our trip, we realized that buses were often more convenient since many stops are located closer to major attractions. Bus stops also appear more frequently compared to MRT stations, which sometimes require additional walking or transfers. We tried both MRT and buses and found them equally comfortable — the goal was simply to reduce long walks. Trains and buses typically arrive every few minutes, but it’s still helpful to plan ahead if you have reservations or specific arrival times. Traffic wasn’t really a concern during our stay. For buses, simply tap your card when boarding at the driver’s side and again when exiting through the middle door.
After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we headed out for our first walk around the city and made our way to Marina One Green Heart for some quick photo opportunities and to capture the surrounding architecture. From there, we continued walking toward the Marina Bay area where we caught our first views of the iconic skyline near Marina Bay Sands and the famous Merlion.
To end the day, we walked over to Lau Pa Sat, one of the most popular food spots in the area. The place was lively and packed with both locals and tourists, which made the atmosphere even more exciting. This is where we decided to have dinner and enjoy our first meal in Singapore — a simple but satisfying way to wrap up our first day in the city.
Day 2 – Universal Studios Singapore
For our second day, we headed to Universal Studios Singapore for a full day of rides and attractions. To get there quickly, we took the Sentosa Express, which made the trip convenient and straightforward. It was an easy way to reach Sentosa Island without much walking, and we were able to arrive at the park early to start the day.
We spent most of the day exploring different themed areas inside the park and trying out several rides. The atmosphere was lively, and it was exciting to move from one zone to another while experiencing the attractions. Universal Studios Singapore may not be the biggest theme park, but it offers plenty of fun experiences that can easily fill an entire day.
Here’s a quick rundown of the rides and attractions we tried:
- Lights, Camera Action! Hosted by Steven Spielberg
- Transformers The Ride: The ultimate 3D Battle
- Battlestar Galactica: Human
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Canopy Flyer
- Enchanted Airways
We also had our lunch inside the park and took the chance to try some of their snacks throughout the day. Between rides, we browsed a few shops and picked up some souvenirs to remember the visit.
After spending the whole day at the park, we headed out and had dinner at Weave Mall before returning to the hotel. It was a nice way to wind down after an exciting and activity-filled day.
Day 3 – Flying to Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia
On the third day, we woke up early and took a Grab for a smooth and comfortable ride to Terminal 4, where we had our flight to Kuala Lumpur. There are several ways to reach Malaysia from Singapore, but this option suited us best for convenience and timing. Before traveling, make sure to complete your MDAC for faster immigration and fill out the Singapore Arrival Card, which is required each time you enter the country. It’s also helpful to plan your day ahead but keep a flexible timeline — queues at immigration can sometimes take longer than expected.
After arriving in Kuala Lumpur, we took the KLIA Ekspres to KL Sentral and then another train heading into the city center. From there, we explored the Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC Park, Pavilion, and Suria Mall. At KL Sentral, we purchased our train tickets through a kiosk, which was easy to use and allowed payment via our GoTyme Card. If you plan to explore more local or countryside areas, having some cash is useful, but for city travel like ours, the card worked seamlessly. At the airport, we found a money exchange and converted a few Singapore Dollars to Malaysian Ringgit for any purchases during the day.
For our return trip to Singapore, we landed again at Terminal 4 and followed the same process with the shuttle and train back to our hotel. From our research, the last train back may be around 11 PM, so it’s important to plan your bookings accordingly.
A quick tip: GrabFood also works in Singapore and can deliver right to your hotel lobby. On this day, we ordered food because we had dinner earlier than usual and wanted to catch the last train comfortably.
If you plan to explore Malaysia more extensively, you can place this part at the end of your itinerary. In our case, we opted for a day trip and returned to Singapore for further exploration, leaving a one-day gap, before flying back to the Philippines from Changi Airport to Clark Airport. This arrangement worked best for our preferences and our location back home.
Day 4 – Gardens by the Bay & Local Gems
On day four, we started our morning at Gardens by the Bay, exploring the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. The flowers and plants in the Flower Dome were truly amazing — it’s incredible how Singapore integrates greenery into its urban landscape. This place feels like a mini biosphere all in one, and the air inside felt so fresh and clean. The Cloud Forest was equally fun; despite being “for kids”, I genuinely enjoyed the displays and creative figures at my age.
A little further along, we reached the iconic Supertree Grove. The massive structures were breathtaking, a true masterpiece that brings life and greenery into the cityscape.
After soaking in the views, we headed to Fort Canning Park for a more relaxed atmosphere. We grabbed some coffee and pastries there, enjoying the laid-back vibe and the calm greenery. Nearby, we also visited Fort Hill for a quick photo op — it’s close to Clarke Quay, making it a perfect spot to capture both history and city views.
From there, we proceeded to Chinatown, where there’s plenty to see and do — temples, Maxwell Food Centre, street food, and thrift shops kept us entertained for hours.
Later in the evening, we headed to Orchard Road for shopping and had dinner at the food court in Wisma Atria Mall. We ended the night wandering along Arab Street and Haji Lane, soaking in the local atmosphere. A quick tip: some shops close around 10 PM, but there are still street food options to enjoy late into the evening.
Day 5 – Departure & Airport Experience
On our last day, our flight was scheduled for the late afternoon, but we decided to head to Changi Airport by late morning to explore a bit before departing. We took a Grab to Terminal 4 and left our luggage in one of the airport’s luggage storage facilities, which made moving around much easier.
From there, we took the shuttle bus to Terminal 1 to check out some of its highlights. First stop was the Rain Vortex, a stunning indoor waterfall that’s hard to miss. We also visited the Pokémon Store to grab a few souvenirs and spent some time browsing the many shops — there are plenty of options for pasalubong and last-minute gifts. Who would have thought that an airport could double as a sightseeing destination?
After enjoying the sights and a little shopping, we took the shuttle back to Terminal 4 to catch our flight and officially wrap up our Singapore – Malaysia trip. It was a relaxing way to end the journey, combining convenience with one last bit of exploration before heading home.
I hope you found this article helpful and gained some useful insights for your upcoming trip. Wishing you safe travels and an amazing journey ahead!