15 Best Day Trips from Singapore: Easy Escapes and Tours

From a 10-minute bumboat ride to mangrove islands through border crossings and ferry hops, these escapes deliver within a day. Start here for travel times, difficulty levels, and who each trip suits.

1. 1

   Pulau Ubin

   Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Northeast Singapore · Kampong island, cycling · 10-minute bumboat, SGD 6 one-way

   The island sits off the northeastern coast with deliberately undeveloped wooden stilt houses, dirt tracks, and secondary forest, and reaching it takes under 15 minutes once at Changi Point Ferry Terminal in a shared bumboat that departs when 12 passengers have assembled. The main draw is cycling; basic bikes rent for around SGD 8 to 15 per day and the island is small enough to loop in three to four hours. Book this if you want nature without paperwork or a full day away.

   Source: Nomado Travel
2. 2

   Sentosa Island

   HarbourFront MRT, Sentosa · Beach resort, theme parks · Sentosa Express monorail, SGD 4 return from VivoCity

   The Sentosa Express monorail offers the most convenient way to get to the island, departing from VivoCity shopping mall at HarbourFront MRT station, with a round-trip cost of SGD 4. Though technically within Singapore and not a true escape, it packs beaches, Universal Studios Singapore, and a cable car into one easy day. The island works best for families with young children or anyone who wants theme parks and beaches without crossing a border.

   Source: Nomado Travel
3. 3

   Batam Island

   HarbourFront Ferry Terminal · Indonesian island, urban exploration · Ferry 45–60 minutes, SGD 58–76 return

   Batam wins on speed, frequency, and price—roughly 45–60 minutes from HarbourFront, ferries every 20–30 minutes, return fares from SGD 58. A fuel surcharge applies from 12 March 2026, adding SGD 5–10 per leg on top of published fares. Best for budget-conscious travellers and those who want an Indonesian city experience compressed into afternoon hours without the nature focus of Bintan.

   Source: Travjoy
4. 4

   Bintan Island

   Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, East Singapore · Indonesian island, beaches and sand dunes · Ferry 55–70 minutes, SGD 78–92 return

   Bintan is a 55-minute high-speed ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore, with multiple daily ferries operated by Bintan Resort Ferries, and return ferry tickets cost approximately SGD 38–60 depending on the service and booking class. A day trip compresses what works best as a two-night escape into 6–8 usable hours after ferry crossings. Choose this if you have a full day and want distinctive sand dunes and blue lakes not found elsewhere in the region.

   Source: Singapore Spirit
5. 5

   Johor Bahru (Causeway, Public Transport)

   Woodlands Checkpoint via MRT · Malaysian city, shopping and food · Bus or KTM train 30–60 minutes, SGD 2–5

   Johor Bahru (Malaysia) requires your passport but rewards you with cheap food, shopping, and LEGOLAND, reachable in 30 to 60 minutes by bus or train. Public bus is typically the cheapest at SGD 2 to 5 per person one way and works best for light packers comfortable with checkpoint queues. This suits solo travellers and couples who don't mind immigration lines and can navigate public transport without guidance.

   Source: Nomado Travel
6. 6

   Johor Bahru (Causeway, Private Transfer)

   Woodlands Checkpoint via private vehicle · Malaysian city, shopping and food · Private car 45 minutes to 1 hour, SGD 60–150+

   The quickest way is by using private transport from Singapore to Johor, which takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour and provides a direct, hassle-free journey without the delays of immigration queues. Private car works best when the trip involves children, older travellers, shopping bags, strollers, or a destination beyond JB city centre. Families and groups benefit most from the door-to-door convenience and comfort.

   Source: SG My Travel
7. 7

   LEGOLAND Malaysia

   Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri · Theme park · Private car or guided tour, 1–1.5 hours

   Many Singaporeans visit JB for a day trip to the Legoland Theme Park. Transport to the park takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours from Singapore depending on border crossing times; most travellers book either a private transfer or a guided tour that handles the border logistics. Best for families with children aged 4–12 who want a single themed attraction without needing to explore an unfamiliar city.

   Source: Bus Online Ticket
8. 8

   Desaru Beach (Ferry)

   Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, East Singapore · Beach resort · BatamFast ferry Thursday–Sunday, SGD 108 return

   BatamFast sails Tanah Merah to Desaru Coast Thursday to Sunday, year-round—SGD 70 one-way, SGD 108 return, plus a SGD 12 per-passenger fuel surcharge each way. The ferry-based route limits travel to Thursday through Sunday, making it suitable only for weekend planners. Best for beach-focused travellers who want Malaysia's east coast without a long drive and don't mind the rigid ferry schedule.

   Source: Miss Lobang
9. 9

   Desaru Beach (Driving)

   Tuas or Senai border crossing, Johor · Beach resort · Private car or rental, 2.5 hours

   Desaru beaches are 2.5 hours via Tuas + Senai. This overland route bypasses the ferry schedule limitations of the Thursday–Sunday sailing, giving you full-week access. The longer travel time suits extended-day trippers (those leaving early and returning late) and families who want maximum beach time and can justify the longer drive for flexibility.

   Source: Miss Lobang
10. 10

    Malacca (Guided Tour, Private Transport)

    Multiple pickup points in Singapore · UNESCO heritage city · Private tour with car and guide, 14–16 hours total

    A professional English-speaking guide will arrive in the morning and you'll board an air-conditioned vehicle for the 3-hour journey northwest to Malacca. Hotel pick up and drop off from Singapore is included, with an estimated 8 hours round-trip travel and 6 hours spent inside Malacca to explore. This suits first-time visitors to Malacca who want cultural context and don't want to navigate the city alone; best for couples and small groups.

    Source: Ceetiz
11. 11

    Malacca (Public Bus)

    Queen Street Bus Terminal, Singapore · UNESCO heritage city · Direct bus, SGD 20–35 one-way

    Direct buses depart from Queen Street Bus Terminal in Singapore to Melaka Sentral, operating every few hours daily, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours under normal conditions and fares ranging from SGD 20 to 35 per person each way. With all the travel time, many travellers do not recommend a day trip to Malacca from Singapore unless you're ready for a very long day. Best for experienced solo backpackers and those with genuine interest in Malacca's heritage who can sacrifice sleep for a 12-hour outing.

    Source: Top Asia Select
12. 12

    Kuala Lumpur (Private Day Tour)

    Hotel pickup in Singapore · Malaysian capital, towers and shopping · Private car and guide, 10+ hours

    Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, is at least a 5-hour drive from Singapore, but a private day trip is possible with hotel pickup. Visit key highlights of two Malaysian cities with a private driver and guide, including three local meals, a trishaw ride in Melaka, and tickets to the Petronas Twin Towers or Sky Deck KL Tower. This exhausting trip suits only those with a genuine interest in seeing Kuala Lumpur's landmarks and who are willing to spend most of the day in a car.

    Source: Viator
13. 13

    Kelong Fishing Tour

    Marina at Changi or Bedok · Offshore fishing experience · Fishing boat tour, 4–6 hours

    Kelong (traditional offshore fish trap) fishing tours depart from Changi or Bedok marinas and last 4–6 hours, taking you out into territorial waters to experience Singapore's fishing heritage without leaving the country. Trips include the catch prepared for lunch. Suits adventurous foodies and those who want water time without international travel complications; best for small groups and couples comfortable on boats.

    Source: Miss Lobang
14. 14

    Cameron Highlands

    Teas plantations, Pahang state, Malaysia · Hill station, tea and gardens · Private car or tour, 4–4.5 hours one-way

    Cameron Highlands sits in the Malaysian highlands north of Kuala Lumpur and requires a 4–4.5 hour drive from Singapore, making a true day trip logistically painful unless you book a pre-dawn departure and late return. Tea plantations, gardens, and cooler mountain air characterize the destination. Only viable for those starting before 5 AM and willing to return after 11 PM; best for dedicated plantation tourists with flexible schedules.

    Source: Miss Lobang
15. 15

    Kuala Lumpur and Malacca Combo

    Johor Bahru, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia · Two cities, theme parks and heritage · Private tour, 14+ hours

    Visit key highlights of two Malaysian cities with a private driver/guide, including three local meals, a trishaw ride in Melaka, and tickets to the Petronas Twin Towers or Sky Deck KL Tower. This tour attempts to pack both Malacca and Kuala Lumpur into a single exhausting day, leaving you with snapshots rather than memories. Suits only the itinerary-obsessed traveller who cannot return to Malaysia and must see both cities in one outing.

    Source: Viator