Day trips · Singapore
5 best day trips from Singapore
Where to go when you want a day away from Singapore, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Singapore is Johor Bahru (About 1–2 hours including the border). The closest option is Southern Islands, about 7 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 5
- Closest
- Southern Islands (7 km)
- Most popular
- Johor Bahru
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johor Bahru | 25 km | About 1–2 hours including the border | Causeway bus from Queen Street, or shuttle train from Woodlands | Budget, Families, Food lovers |
| Batam | 25 km | About 1 hour by ferry | Ferry from HarbourFront Centre | Budget, Couples |
| Bintan | 50 km | About 1 hour by ferry | Ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal | Beach, Couples, Families |
| Southern Islands | 7 km | About 30 minutes by ferry | Ferry from Marina South Pier | Quiet stays, Families, Beach |
| Malacca | 240 km | About 3.5–4.5 hours by coach | Coach from Singapore to Melaka Sentral | Culture, Food lovers |
The day trips
.jpg){kind=link}
25 km · About 1–2 hours including the border
1.Johor Bahru
Malaysia's southern city lies just across the Causeway, with the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, an old town of shophouses and Legoland Malaysia in Iskandar Puteri. Border queues can be very long at weekends and on Friday evenings, so go on a weekday morning and check entry requirements on official sites.
- Getting there
- Causeway bus from Queen Street, or shuttle train from Woodlands
- Best for
- Budget, Families, Food lovers
25 km · About 1 hour by ferry
2.Batam
The closest Indonesian island is popular with Singaporeans for spa days, seafood dinners and golf. It is more developed than scenic, so it suits a relaxed day rather than sightseeing.
- Getting there
- Ferry from HarbourFront Centre
- Best for
- Budget, Couples
50 km · About 1 hour by ferry
3.Bintan
Bintan's northern coast at Lagoi is a resort enclave with sandy beaches, golf courses and water sports. A day trip is possible, but most visitors stay a night or two.
- Getting there
- Ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
- Best for
- Beach, Couples, Families
7 km · About 30 minutes by ferry
4.Southern Islands
St John's Island and Kusu Island have lagoon beaches, picnic lawns and, on Kusu, a Taoist temple and Malay shrines. They are a quiet escape from the city, with very limited food, so bring supplies.
- Getting there
- Ferry from Marina South Pier
- Best for
- Quiet stays, Families, Beach
240 km · About 3.5–4.5 hours by coach
5.Malacca
Malaysia's UNESCO-listed port town has the Dutch colonial Stadthuys, Jonker Street's Peranakan shophouses and a riverside walk. It is a long day by coach, so many visitors stay overnight.
- Getting there
- Coach from Singapore to Melaka Sentral
- Best for
- Culture, Food lovers
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- An extensive bus network covers areas the MRT misses, such as Tiong Bahru, Katong and Dempsey Hill. Tap in and tap out with the same card.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Singapore?
Johor Bahru. Malaysia's southern city lies just across the Causeway, with the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, an old town of shophouses and Legoland Malaysia in Iskandar Puteri.
+How long does it take to get from Singapore to Johor Bahru?
About 1–2 hours including the border — Causeway bus from Queen Street, or shuttle train from Woodlands, about 25 km.
+How long does it take to get from Singapore to Batam?
About 1 hour by ferry — Ferry from HarbourFront Centre, about 25 km.