4D3N is not enough for these top 10 Singapore family attractions!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Jes Singapore , Travel 0 Comments

I was inspired by the many travel blogs in Turkey that were so detailed and helpful. I think I have to give back to other backpackers coming to Singapore, since we are the number 1 in Lonelyplanet for 2015. Creating a 4D3N itinerary is not easy when there are so many attractions in Singapore to cover.. however, I resolved to help with the directions, price and only family bonding activities. Here you go!

For families:
1) Singapore Zoo
Price: $28 for adults, $18 for kids, buy online for discounts. I would advise to buy the Park hopper tickets for the bundle price.

Opening hours: 9am to 6pm

The orang-utans are such friendly creatures! (Source: Wikipedia)

Our Singapore Zoo is actually really pretty impressive. I have been to the Zoos in other countries and none of them can actually compare to the variety of animals that Singapore has. Don't forget to catch the shows that they have, especially the 'Splash Safari'. You should also take the tram ($5 for unlimited rides) and try out some animals ride.

2) River Safari (Same place as the Zoo)

Price: $25 for adults, $16 for kids

Opening hours: 9am to 6pm

Just as the name suggest, you will be enjoying the rivers and the fauna of it. The main attraction is of course the pandas from China. Kai Kai and Jia Jia. See my full review here.

Resting like a boss because I am the highlight!

How to get to the Singapore Zoo or River Safari
I would not recommend driving in Singapore as it is just now worth it. Taking a taxi from Orchard Road to the zoo takes around 30 minutes depending on traffic. All the drivers should know where it is and it should cost around $20 - 35.

You can also take the public transport. Take MRT to these stations followed by bus. I would not recommend as it might take at least 1 hour from town to travel there.
Nearest MRT stations Connecting buses
Choa Chu Kang (Red line NS4) ~40 mins from Orchard 927
Ang Mo Kio (Red line NS16) ~15 mins from Orchard 138

For weekends and public holidays, the Safari Gate transport is the route that I would take. You just have to pay $7 per trip per person to get to the Zoo from Suntec City (Esplanade or Promenade Station. Some hotels offer free shuttle service to Suntec City too.

3) Night Safari (Same place as the Zoo)
Price: $39 for adults, $25 for kids
Opening hours: 730pm to 12mn

Taking the nice tram to see all the nocturnal animals!

This is to take a look at the nocturnal animals and enjoy the serenity of the night life. The animals are pretty elusive so you may feel a bit cheated but the experience is unlike the day where you see different animals. Your kids will definitely like it as they do not have much chances to roam around at night and the lower temperature at night is so much more enjoyable. They used to have Halloween there but they have cancelled it due to complaints that it was not family-centric. Read my review here.

4) Singapore Jurong Bird Park
Price: $25 for adults, $16 for kids

Opening hours: 830am to 6pm

Colorful parrots! (Source: Wikipedia)

It has been quite some time since I visited Bird Park but I remember it being fun and enjoyable. The variety of birds took me by surprise as I thought it was only a small park. Nevertheless, I was less afraid of birds after which and the shows are always a joy to watch. My highlight of the outing is the penguins!

How to get to the Bird Park

I do not know why these attractions are so out of the way but the nearest MRT is Boon Lay (Green line EW27), which is the extreme west of the city. You have to change to bus 194 or 251 and just ask the driver when to get off and he will let you know. You can also take the Singapore Attractions Express Service.

5) Orchard Road shopping
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm

The glamourous building in Orchard (Source: Wikipedia)

This is the most popular stretch of road in Singapore as you can literally shop till you drop. During certain seasons, you can hear the birds chirping on the trees like an incessant noise and till now they have not found a way to stop this. You can start your shopping spree in Dhoby Ghaut (Red line NS24, Purple line NE6, Orange line CC1) and walk all the way to Orchard station (Red line NS22) or vice versa. Ion (Exit from Orchard station) and 313 Somerset (Exit from Somerset station, Red line NS23) are my favourite malls if you want to cut down on the walking. I think walking the whole stretch is quite interesting as you should be able to see some singing or other performances on the stretch during weekends.

The new Orchard Gateway Shopping mall is in between 313 Somerset and Orchard Central. You can pop by to take a look at the swanky new Library@Orchard, or rest your legs there.

6) SEA Aquarium
Price: $38 for adults, $28 for kids
Opening hours: 10am to 6 or 7pm depending on season

The open ocean experience (Source: Wikipedia)

Check out my review here at this post.

How to get there
Nearest MRT is Harbourfront (Purple line NE1, Orange line CC29). Take Exit E to Vivocity. Head up to the top floor at level 3 to catch the Sentosa Express at $3 (One way, return is free), waterfront station. Walk straight past the fountain and universal studios globe for 5 minutes and you should see the entrance.

Alternatively, I would highly recommend that you walk there. The walkway is outside Tunglok and Serenity restaurant. It's a 15 minutes walk and you get to enjoy the sea view with all the cruise ships. Entrance fee is $1 and you can take the Sentosa Express back since return trip is free of charge.

7) Skyline Luge
Price: $15 for adults, $3 for kids (under 6 years old)
Opening hours: 10am to 930pm

Playing with the luge (Source: Wikipedia)

It's a fun activity to do with your whole family. They have some nice scenery while you race with each other. Everyone gets their adrenaline pumping and definitely, once is not enough! Don't say I didn't warn you when you buy your combo tickets. Anyway, nearby is the gigantic merlion which is Singapore's icon so be sure to pose with it.

How to get there
Take the Sentosa Express to Imbiah Station

8) Universal Studios
Price: 1 day - $74 for adults, $54 for kids, 2 consecutive days- $118 for adults, $88 for kids
Opening hours: 10am to 6 or 7pm

Battlestar Galactica is the main highlight! (Source: Wikipedia)

I think this theme park is the main attraction nowadays, I don't even have to tell tourists about it. What you may not know is that Battlestar Galactica, the most heart-dropping ride is closed this year and may reopen this year. Nobody knows when though. If you only have a day and those snaking long queues are getting on your nerves because you can't try them on, consider the Universal Express Unlimited ticket at $50 to cut down on your wait time.

You can also catch the 930pm free show on water fountains and fire near the Starbucks at the Lake of Dreams. Don't worry about it even if you missed it as it is only 10 minutes and mostly just playing with sound effects.

How to get there
Take the Sentosa Express to Waterfront station. It's just beside the SEA aquarium.

9) Marina Bay Sands Skypark and Helix Bridge

Check out this blog post for more info.

10) Gardens By The Bay
Price: $28 for adults, $15 for kids, OCBC Skyway: $5 for adults, $3 for kids
Opening hours: 9am to 9pm

Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay

The OCBC skyway is really just for fun, there is not much view. Personally, I expected something more from the waterfall in the conservatory. The highlight of this should be the supertrees at night when they have the light and sound shows at 745pm and 845pm. You can view the show near the OCBC skyway. But all in all, it was a good experience to get away from the urban jungle.

How to get there
Nearest MRT is Bayfront (Orange line, CE1), walk back to the same exit B and follow the linkway then cross the dragonfly or meadow bridge to reach it. It will take around 10 mins walk.

Bonus: Marina Barrage
Cost: Free!

Opening hours: Never closed!

Great for picnics and terrific view!

The best way to enjoy this place is to have a picnic there. The wind is awesome, the view is relaxing, but the sun may not be kind. If you can, bring your own kite there as the wind is good for kite flying. Otherwise, be sure to bring your own radio or book to chill.

How to get there
Walk around 15 mins from Bay South Gardens by the Bay along the sea to Marina Barrage.

Basic 4D3N itinerary (For 3D2N, just remove Day 4)
Day 1: Zoo followed by Night Safari
Day 2: Jurong Bird Park followed by Orchard Road shopping
Day 3: Sentosa - SEA Aquarium and Universal Studios (Recommended to go during weekdays)
Day 4: Universal Studios followed by luge (Since it's opened till late)
Extra: Marina Bay Sands followed by Gardens by the Bay

Prices for a family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 kids above 6 years old)
Zoo + Night Safari + Bird Park: 3 in 1 park hopper = 88 + 88 + 56 + 56 = $288
SEA Aquarium + Universal Studios: 2 day pass including the express ticket = 163 + 163 + 120+ 120 + 50 * 4= $766
Luge: 8 ride family pass = 59 * 4 = $236
Total: $1290

Extra: Gardens by the Bay = 33 + 33 + 18 +18 = $102
Extra: Marina Bay Sands = 23 + 23 + 15 + 15 = $76
Travelling is never cheap huh.. Check out the backpackers post for a more budget holiday.