The 8 Best Day Trips From Singapore for Beaches, Islands, and Cross-Border Adventures
From a rustic kampong island reachable by bumboat to Indonesian beach resorts an hour away by ferry, here is where Singaporeans actually go to escape the city.
Last updated June 25, 2026
Tranquil scene of traditional boats docked at Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia with lush greenery in the background. · Teh Yu Song
Singapore is small, but it sits at the crossroads of three countries and a scatter of southern islands, which makes it one of Asia's best bases for day trips. In a single morning you can cross a causeway into Malaysia, board a ferry to an Indonesian beach, or hop a bumboat to a car-free island that looks like Singapore did fifty years ago.
These picks range from genuinely effortless (a 10-minute boat ride from Changi) to ambitious full-day missions (Malacca and back), and a few cross international borders, so bring your passport and budget time for immigration queues, especially on weekends and holidays. Distances are short, but the experience swing is enormous: mangrove cycling one day, durian and Peranakan shophouses the next.
We have ordered them roughly best-first for the typical visitor, balancing how easy each is to reach against how rewarding it feels once you arrive. Each entry includes how to get there, who it suits, and the specific things worth your time.
Planning a trip to Singapore?
| Place | Location | Getting there | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulau Ubin | Off northeastern Singapore, 10 minutes by boat from Changi Point | Take the MRT or a bus to Changi Village, then a 10-minute bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (about S$4-5 each way, departs when 12 passengers gather). | active travelers, families, and nature lovers wanting a half-day escape |
| Batam, Indonesia | Riau Islands, Indonesia, about 1 hour by ferry south of Singapore | Ferry from HarbourFront Centre or Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Batam Centre or other terminals, roughly 1 hour, around S$40-60 return plus terminal fees. | budget-minded relaxation, spa days, and seafood lovers |
| Bintan, Indonesia | Riau Islands, Indonesia, about 1 hour by ferry southeast of Singapore | Direct ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani, about 1 hour, roughly S$60-80 return; resort transfers usually meet the boat. | beach days and resort relaxation |
| Johor Bahru, Malaysia | Across the Causeway, Malaysia, about 1 hour from central Singapore | Bus or the RTS/KTM Shuttle Tebrau train from Woodlands, or grab a taxi; total time around 1 hour but highly dependent on immigration queues. | budget shopping, food, and a quick taste of Malaysia |
| Legoland Malaysia Resort | Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia, about 1-1.5 hours from Singapore | Drive or take a direct shuttle bus from Singapore (around 1-1.5 hours including immigration); some operators run door-to-park transfers. | families with kids |
| Lazarus Island and St John's Island | Southern Islands, Singapore, about 30-45 minutes by ferry from Marina South Pier | Ferry from Marina South Pier to St John's Island (about 30-45 minutes, roughly S$15-18 return), then walk across to Lazarus; check the limited weekday schedule. | a low-key beach picnic close to the city |
| Desaru Coast, Malaysia | Southeastern Johor, Malaysia, about 1.5-2 hours from Singapore | Drive via the Second Link, or take a ferry to Tanjung Belungkor and connect by road; total around 1.5-2 hours. | families and beach lovers up for a longer drive |
| Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia | Malacca state, Malaysia, about 3-4 hours by road from Singapore | Coach or car about 3-4 hours each way via the North-South Expressway; book a tour or stay overnight to avoid a rushed day. | history buffs and food lovers willing to commit a long day |
1
Pulau UbinOff northeastern Singapore, 10 minutes by boat from Changi Point Google
Pulau Ubin is the easiest way to time-travel out of modern Singapore without leaving the country. This sleepy island still has a kampong (village) feel with wooden jetties, free-roaming chickens, and old provision shops, and it is best explored by rented bicycle on dirt trails through secondary forest. The highlight is Chek Jawa Wetlands, a rich intertidal flat with a mangrove boardwalk and coastal trail where you can spot mudskippers, wild boar, and hornbills. Bring cash, water, and sunscreen, as facilities are basic and there are few shops once you leave the main village.
- Cycling the island's dirt trails on a rented bike (around S$10-15 a day)
- Chek Jawa Wetlands boardwalk and intertidal flats
- Fresh seafood lunch at the village's handful of restaurants
Best for: active travelers, families, and nature lovers wanting a half-day escape
Getting there: Take the MRT or a bus to Changi Village, then a 10-minute bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (about S$4-5 each way, departs when 12 passengers gather).
2
Batam, IndonesiaRiau Islands, Indonesia, about 1 hour by ferry south of Singapore Google
Batam is the most popular quick international escape from Singapore, drawing weekenders for cheap spa treatments, golf, seafood, and resort pool days at a fraction of city prices. Ferries run frequently from HarbourFront and Tanah Merah terminals, and many visitors book a packaged day that bundles a hotel day-pass, lunch, and a massage. The seafood is a major draw: head to the floating kelong restaurants around Barelang for chili crab and grilled fish with a sea view, often reached by the photogenic Barelang Bridge. Remember Indonesia is one hour behind Singapore, and you will need your passport and to clear immigration on both ends.
- Affordable spa and massage packages
- Fresh seafood at floating kelong restaurants near Barelang Bridge
- Resort day-passes with pools and beaches at Nongsa and Waterfront City
Best for: budget-minded relaxation, spa days, and seafood lovers
Getting there: Ferry from HarbourFront Centre or Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Batam Centre or other terminals, roughly 1 hour, around S$40-60 return plus terminal fees.
3
Bintan, IndonesiaRiau Islands, Indonesia, about 1 hour by ferry southeast of Singapore Google
Bintan is the more polished, beach-resort sibling to Batam, with white-sand stretches along the northern coast and a cluster of international resorts, golf courses, and a water park at Bintan Resorts (Lagoi). It works well as an ambitious day trip if you book a resort day-pass, though many prefer to stay overnight to make the ferry worthwhile. Beyond the resort enclave, you can visit the colorful temples and seafood stalls of old Tanjung Pinang or take a boat through the mangroves to spot fireflies at dusk. As with Batam, carry your passport and note the one-hour time difference.
- White-sand beaches and resort day-passes at Lagoi
- Mangrove boat tours and firefly spotting
- Treetop ropes courses and water sports
Best for: beach days and resort relaxation
Getting there: Direct ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani, about 1 hour, roughly S$60-80 return; resort transfers usually meet the boat.
4
Johor Bahru, MalaysiaAcross the Causeway, Malaysia, about 1 hour from central Singapore Google
Johor Bahru, the Malaysian city just over the border, is the go-to for value: a strong Singapore dollar means cheap food, massages, groceries, and shopping. The KSL City and Mid Valley Southkey malls draw day-trippers, while the old town around Jalan Tan Hiong Siew and the Chinese Heritage Museum reward those who wander on foot. Don't miss the street food and kopitiam breakfasts, plus the ornate Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque overlooking the strait. The catch is immigration: the Causeway and Second Link can see very long queues at peak times, so go early and travel light.
- Bargain shopping at KSL City and Mid Valley Southkey
- Street food, seafood, and cheap kopitiam breakfasts
- Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and the JB old town
Best for: budget shopping, food, and a quick taste of Malaysia
Getting there: Bus or the RTS/KTM Shuttle Tebrau train from Woodlands, or grab a taxi; total time around 1 hour but highly dependent on immigration queues.
5
Legoland Malaysia ResortIskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia, about 1-1.5 hours from Singapore Google
Closed Wednesdays
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Legoland Malaysia is Southeast Asia's first Legoland and a reliable full-day hit for families, combining a theme park, a water park, and a Sea Life aquarium on one site. Highlights include Miniland, where Asian landmarks (including a tiny Singapore) are rebuilt from millions of Lego bricks, plus roller coasters and the splash-heavy water park that is welcome in Johor's heat. Tickets are noticeably cheaper than comparable Singapore attractions, and you can buy combo passes online in advance to skip queues. Build in extra time for the border crossing and aim to arrive at opening to maximize the day.
- Miniland's Lego replicas of Asian landmarks
- The water park's slides and wave pool
- Sea Life aquarium and family-friendly coasters
Best for: families with kids
Getting there: Drive or take a direct shuttle bus from Singapore (around 1-1.5 hours including immigration); some operators run door-to-park transfers.
6
Lazarus Island and St John's IslandSouthern Islands, Singapore, about 30-45 minutes by ferry from Marina South Pier Google
For a beach day without leaving Singapore, the Southern Islands deliver an unexpectedly quiet escape just offshore. Lazarus Island has the standout beach: a clean crescent of sand and calm, swimmable water linked to neighboring St John's Island by a causeway you can stroll across. There are no shops or restaurants, so this is a pack-your-own-picnic affair, which is exactly why it stays peaceful even on weekends. St John's adds a bit of history as a former quarantine station and now a tranquil spot with lagoons and grassy lawns.
- Swimming at Lazarus Island's quiet crescent beach
- Walking the causeway between Lazarus and St John's
- Picnicking with skyline views and no crowds
Best for: a low-key beach picnic close to the city
Getting there: Ferry from Marina South Pier to St John's Island (about 30-45 minutes, roughly S$15-18 return), then walk across to Lazarus; check the limited weekday schedule.
7
Desaru Coast, MalaysiaSoutheastern Johor, Malaysia, about 1.5-2 hours from Singapore Google
Desaru Coast is Johor's beach-resort strip on the South China Sea, popular for a long, breezy stretch of sand backed by integrated resorts, a water park, and golf. The Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark is one of the largest in the region and anchors a family day out, while the beach itself is wide and good for a walk and seafood lunch. It is more of a full-day commitment than JB given the longer drive, so it suits those willing to leave early. Bring your passport and factor in Causeway or Tuas crossing times.
- Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark
- Long sandy beach and fresh seafood
- Golf and resort day facilities
Best for: families and beach lovers up for a longer drive
Getting there: Drive via the Second Link, or take a ferry to Tanjung Belungkor and connect by road; total around 1.5-2 hours.
8
Malacca (Melaka), MalaysiaMalacca state, Malaysia, about 3-4 hours by road from Singapore Google
Malacca is the most ambitious pick here, a UNESCO-listed heritage city that rewards an early start and a long day (many do it as an overnight instead). The historic core mixes Dutch-red Stadthuys buildings, the ruins of St Paul's Church, and a Jonker Street that turns into a buzzing night market on weekends. Food is the real reason to come: Peranakan (Nyonya) cuisine, chicken rice balls, and cendol served in cooling bowls. The drive is long for a single day, so consider a guided coach tour or treat it as a one-night escape to do it justice.
- Jonker Street and its weekend night market
- Dutch Square (Stadthuys) and St Paul's Hill
- Nyonya cuisine, chicken rice balls, and cendol
Best for: history buffs and food lovers willing to commit a long day
Getting there: Coach or car about 3-4 hours each way via the North-South Expressway; book a tour or stay overnight to avoid a rushed day.
Good to Know
Bring your passport Five of these trips cross into Malaysia or Indonesia. Carry your passport (with at least six months' validity) and complete any required digital arrival cards before you travel.
Beat the border queues The Causeway and Second Link to Johor get extremely congested on weekends, public holidays, and evenings. Travel early morning and avoid Friday evenings and Sunday nights if you can.
Mind the time difference Indonesia (Batam and Bintan) is one hour behind Singapore. Set your watch on arrival and double-check your return ferry time in the correct time zone.
Book ferries and tickets ahead Ferries to Batam, Bintan, and the Southern Islands have fixed, sometimes limited schedules. Pre-book ferry seats and attraction tickets (Legoland, water parks) online for better prices and to guarantee a spot.
Carry local cash Pulau Ubin and the Southern Islands have few or no card facilities, and bumboat fares and bike rentals are cash-only. Bring small notes, and pick up ringgit or rupiah for street food across the border.
Few cities give you this much variety within a couple of hours: a car-free island at breakfast, a Malaysian heritage town for lunch, an Indonesian beach by afternoon. Pick one that matches your energy, sort your passport and ferry tickets, and you have an easy, rewarding escape from the city. Use Singapore as your base and string a few of these together across a long weekend.