In this episode we share that by only having 24 hours in Singapore puts you in “taste-test mode” — you’re not trying to do everything, you’re trying to feel the city. After disembarking from a cruise (with a few early-morning obstacles), we spent a full day chasing iconic Singapore experiences: kaya toast and local coffee at Ya Kun, the wow-factor of Gardens by the Bay (OCBC Skyway, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome), lunch at the famous Lau Pa Sat hawker center, and a festive night at Christmas Wonderland in Supertree Grove. (Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.)
Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee ☕️ or using our links whenever you book a trip!
We also share where we stayed (Conrad Singapore), what we’d do differently next time (food tour, satay, more time), and a key lesson about visiting Jewel Changi Airport — including what no one tells you about early baggage drop and terminal logistics.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• How to plan a Singapore stopover when you only have one day
• What’s worth paying for at Gardens by the Bay (and what you can skip)
• What to expect at a hawker center without a guide (and how to order smarter)
• The truth about durian ice cream (smell, taste, and the after-effects)
• Why Jewel Changi Airport can be trickier than it looks (check-in timing + terminals)
• Why Singapore is a great gateway for Southeast Asia cruises
• How many days you really need to do Singapore right (your sweet spot: 3–4 days)
Here's Your 36-Hour Singapore Itinerary
Morning (arrival + hotel area)
• Cruise disembarkation + immigration e-gates tip: pack a day bag for the final night (toiletries, meds, pajamas, change of clothes, laptop)
• Transport tip: Grab is the main ride-hailing app
• Breakfast: Ya Kun Kaya Toast (kaya toast + coffee)
• OCBC Skyway (iconic Supertree views and Marina Bay Sands)
• Cloud Forest (Jurassic Park exhibit + indoor waterfall + walkways)
• Flower Dome (holiday train display and botanical zones)
• Lau Pa Sat hawker center
• Tip: order small items from multiple stalls instead of one big dish
• Reminder: clear your tray — signs warn of fines/bans
• Evening Light Show at the SuperTree Grove (FREE) or if visiting during the holidays you'll need a ticket to the Christmas Wonderland at Supertree Grove
• or see the light and water show in front of Marina Bay Sands Hotel - if you're not familiar check out the Marina Bay Sands episode on Amazing Hotels
• Jewel Changi Airport waterfall + photo spots
• Reality check: early bag drop depends on airline desk hours
• Terminal note: you may have to change terminals by bus/taxi, depending on where you depart
• Don’t rely on same-day ticket luck if you only have one day — book Gardens by the Bay tickets ahead.
• If you’re choosing between Supertree Observatory and OCBC Skyway, you probably only need one for views.
• At hawker centers, go with a plan (or better: take a food tour). If you’re unsure, order a few small things from different stalls.
• For Jewel: check your airline’s early check-in hours and your departure terminal before building your timing around it.
Conrad Singapore (Hilton)
• Strong location for getting around
• Great value (you paid cash because points redemption wasn’t worth it)
• Upgrades + Diamond benefits made a big difference
• Excellent breakfast (lounge available but you didn’t have time)
• The first “wow” view from the OCBC Skyway
• Cloud Forest: mist, waterfall, and Jurassic Park exhibit
• Holiday train display surprise inside Flower Dome
• Christmas Wonderland vibes in warm weather
• The chance encounter at the airport with fellow cruisers (and the Georgia Bulldog hat moment)
What We'd Do Differently Next Time
• Add a food tour (especially for hawker centers)
• Try the satay you skipped at Lau Pa Sat
• Make time for Raffles Hotel + Singapore Sling
• Go up to Marina Bay Sands rooftop bar / viewing area
• Plan a longer stay: 3–4 days to slow down and go beyond highlights
If Singapore is on your list — whether as a stopover or a longer stay — we’d love to help you plan it in a way that fits how you actually like to travel.
Follow Sunshine Travelers
Music: This Acoustic Happy
Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay
