Days 1–7: Singapore
Follow the full 7-day Singapore itinerary for complete day-by-day plans. Summary of what's covered:
| Day | Focus | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive + Marina Bay | Gardens by the Bay, Supertree show, Merlion walk |
| Day 2 | Chinatown + CBD | Maxwell hawker, Buddha Tooth Temple, Tai Hwa noodle ⭐, Clarke Quay |
| Day 3 | Little India + Kampong Glam | Tekka, Sri Veeramakaliamman, Sultan Mosque, Haji Lane |
| Day 4 | Nature + West Side | Southern Ridges, Dempsey Hill, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Orchard |
| Day 5 | Pulau Ubin Island | Bumboat, cycling kampung lanes, Chek Jawa wetlands, quarry lakes |
| Day 6 | Sentosa Full Day | USS, Adventure Cove, beach, Wings of Time |
| Day 7 | Wildlife Day | Singapore Zoo morning, Night Safari evening |
Day 8: Travel to Kuala Lumpur
Option A: KTM ETS Train (Budget-Friendly)
Take MRT to Woodlands, shuttle bus to JB Sentral, then KTM ETS Gold train from JB Sentral to KL Sentral (RM55–90, ~5–6 hours). Book at ktmb.com.my well in advance. Scenic journey through Malaysian palm oil plantations. Arrive KL Sentral by 3pm.
Option B: Fly to KL or Penang (Fast)
AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines fly Changi–KL Subang or Changi–Penang International (1 hour). Fares from S$40–80 one way on AirAsia. Book 2–4 weeks in advance. Depart from Changi T1/T2/T4; arrive KL by 10am.
KL: KLCC Twin Towers + Bukit Bintang
Check in to your KL hotel (Bukit Bintang area recommended). Walk to KLCC, the Petronas Twin Towers are best photographed from the KLCC Park lake at dusk. The bridge viewing tickets (S$20 equivalent) sell out, book online. Then explore Bukit Bintang: Jalan Alor night market (famous street food), Pavilion KL shopping mall.
Dinner: Jalan Alor Night Market
KL's most famous food street. Grilled chicken wings (RM3 each), char kway teow, stingray in banana leaf, chendol (shaved ice dessert). Budget RM25–50 per person. Much cheaper than Singapore for the same dishes.
Day 9: KL or Penang Exploration
If in Kuala Lumpur:
Batu Caves + Old KL
MRT to Batu Caves station (RM1.50, 35 min from Masjid Jamek). The Batu Caves Hindu temple complex has 272 rainbow-painted steps to a cavern with a giant Murugan statue (free). Return to KL for the colonial core: Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square), Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Central Market for souvenirs and handicrafts.
Bangsar or TTDI: Local KL Life
Take Grab to Bangsar (expat neighbourhood with excellent restaurants) or Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) for the local weekend market. See a completely different Malaysia from JB, leafy suburbs, good coffee, independent bookshops.
If in Penang (highly recommended alternative):
George Town Heritage Area
George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage city. The Penang Street Art trail (famous hand-painted murals by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic), the Armenian Street shophouses, Khoo Kongsi clan temple (free), and the colonial British quarter. Hire a trishaw (RM30/hr) to see the main sites.
Penang Food: Asam Laksa + Char Kway Teow
Penang's food is arguably Malaysia's best. Must-eat: Penang Asam Laksa (sour fish broth noodle, ranked one of the world's top 50 dishes by CNN), Char Kway Teow (smoky wok-fried flat noodles, better than Singapore's), and Cendol at Penang Road Famous Teochew. Budget RM15–30 for an incredible feast.
Penang Hill Funicular + Sunset
Take the Penang Hill funicular railway (RM30 return) up to 833m for panoramic views over the island. The sunset over the Malacca Strait is beautiful. Hawker stalls at the top serve local food.
Day 10: Return to Singapore & Depart
Final Malaysian Breakfast + Travel Back
One final Malaysian breakfast, roti canai, teh tarik, nasi lemak, before heading to the airport or train station. If flying KL–Changi: 1 hour. If taking the train from JB–Singapore: allow 2–3 hours total including border crossing. Changi Airport arrival recommended 2.5 hours before departure.
Changi Airport: Jewel + Terminal Exploration
Allow 2–3 hours at Changi. Visit Jewel Changi (the Rain Vortex, world's tallest indoor waterfall, is free to see from the ground floor). The Shiseido Forest Valley and Hedge Maze in Jewel's Canopy Park cost S$16. Last Singapore hawker meal at Terminal food courts. Duty-free shopping (Singapore airport has some of Asia's best duty-free).
10-Day Budget Summary
| Category | Budget (S$) | Mid-Range (S$) |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore hotel (7 nights) | 280–420 | 1,050–1,750 |
| Malaysia hotel (2 nights) | 40–80 | 150–300 |
| Singapore food (7 days) | 210–280 | 490–700 |
| Malaysia food (2 days) | 30–60 | 60–120 |
| Singapore attractions | 200–280 | 350–450 |
| SG–KL/Penang transport | 50–120 | 120–280 |
| Malaysia local transport | 30–60 | 60–120 |
| Malaysia attractions + food | 20–60 | 80–200 |
| Total per person | S$860–1,360 | S$2,360–3,920 |