Best Road Trips in Singapore

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 18, 2024
Best Road Trips in Singapore

Driving. Sometimes, going for a drive can be a frustrating experience. For instance, no one enjoys the long commute to work. Stuck in traffic, screaming silently into your steering wheel as another idiot fails to merge correctly. Idiot! How dare someone drives on your streets and doesn't even know the laws of the road! Ahem. Even if the commute is smooth, you still end up at work. And let's be honest, you'd probably rather be anywhere else.

But sometimes, taking a drive can be a liberating experience. Just you and the open road, no holes barred. You can go anywhere and do anything. The horizon beckons you to adventure - do you answer the call? So, if you're looking for the latter, you'll find great drives in Singapore. It's a beautiful place full of futuristic architecture, beautiful tree lines, and a disarming coastline. But what are the best road trips in Singapore? Get in, start your engine, and read on.

Including:

  • Mount Faber
  • Lim Chu Kang Road
  • Mandai Road
  • Ocean Drive
  • Bayfront Avenue
  • and more!
Image of Fun, Vacation, Person, Road Trip, Boy, Child, Male, Adult, Female, Woman,

Ocean Drive

And the sky is so blue, the sun's gonna shine on everything you do. So says the hit 90s track from stalwart luminaries The Lighthouse Family, and yes, we're definitely showing our age. Age aside, the lyrics are definitely appropriate for Ocean Drive, one of the best road trips in Singapore!

Ocean Drive is the road's name, so you should know what to expect.

You'll be passing by the ocean and getting some of the best views on the planet. On your way, you'll spot some truly massive mansions and other unique buildings, so keep an eye out. And best of all, at the end of it, you'll find Sentosa, Singapore's premier relaxation destination. So why not stop by and check out the Giant Swing and Skybridge while you're there?

Lim Chu Kang Road

If you want to see the more historic parts of Singapore, take a drive on Lim Chu Kang Road. It's touted as one of the five Heritage Roads in the state, thanks to the many indigenous trees that line it. When you see them, you'll know exactly why they're protected!

Angsana, Broad Leaf Mahogany, and Rubber trees will all pop up on your cruise, so be sure to snap some pictures of them as you pass. Maybe get a passenger to do it or stop your car before snapping - we wouldn't want your Singapore vacation to come to an abrupt end!

Image of Car, Vehicle, Road, Freeway, Highway,

Mount Faber

Singapore might not be known for its mountains - it has scarce few of those. However, if you want the next best thing, then a drive up Mount Faber might be one of the best road trips in Singapore!

Thanks to the narrow, traffic-free roads, you'll forget you're in Singapore at all! As you get higher, you'll catch a glimpse of Singapore's skyline down in the distance, before you end the first leg of your journey up at Mount Faber Park, a delightful green space where you can easily spread out for a picnic to drink in the view.

Mandai Road

Another of Singapore's Heritage Roads, Mandai Road is a delightfully green stretch of highway that's well over 150 years old. So, as with Lim Chu Kang Road, expect to see plenty of protected natural beauty as you drive.

The old trees form a canopy above you as you go, eventually ending as you reach the Upper Seletar Reservoir, where you'll find a serene lake to explore.

Image of Accessories, Sunglasses, Baby, Person, Adult, Male, Man, People, Head, Face, Photography, Portrait, Fun, Road Trip, Vacation,

Bayfront Avenue

For a more modern drive, take Bayfront Avenue and drive right through Singapore's envious Central Business District. If you're looking to tick off some tourist hotspots on your itinerary, then it's one of the best road trips in Singapore!

Gaze out of the window, and you'll pass recognizable landmarks of Singapore's skyline, like the Helix Bridge, the Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Marina Bay Sands, and the Singapore River. Leave when the sun goes down to see the Central Business District in all its neon-soaked glory!

Kampong Lorong Buangkok

Fancy seeing the startling differences between the Singapore of old and the Singapore of today? Then you'll want to take a drive down to the last remaining village on Singapore's mainland - Kampong Lorong Buangkok.

Passing Buangkok's modern metropolis, you'll find Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Having foregone the modern marvels of metropolitan life, this village is a peek back to the past. Only a handful of families call Kampong Lorong Buangkok home, so it's understandable that they've all remained very close through the generations. If you do decide to take this fantastic drive, just be on your best behavior when you pass. While the residents might not mind the odd photo, you don't want to pry too much into their happy lives by doing a social media dance or some other heinous action while visiting.

Image of Photography, Accessories, Sunglasses, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Face, Head, Portrait, Grass,

Kranji

If you're looking to add a little outdoor adventure to your road trip, then definitely put Kranji at the top of your list. Singapore's countryside is full of farms where you can buy fresh produce, and see some animals while you're at it.

But if you want to stretch your legs and see some of Singapore's stunning natural beauty up close, then you'll need to leave your car, put on your walking boots, and explore some of the awesome trails you'll find nearby. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Kranji Reservoir Park, and Kranji Marshes deserve the foot traffic.

Mount Pleasant Road

And finally, we'll end on another Heritage Road drive up above sea level. Mount Road Pleasant is its name, and historic buildings is its game.

You'll pass beautiful black and white bungalows that predate the Second World War, you'll smell fig, palm, and cinnamon from the local flora if your window's wound down, and you'll enjoy the whole thing no matter the weather. If you want the perfect mix of views, architecture, and nature, Mount Pleasant Road is one of the best road trips in Singapore!

And there ends the return journey on our exploration of the best road trips in Singapore! Looking for more non-car-based fun to fill out your Singapore vacation? Check out Go City! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can book your spots way in advance and get the best prices around.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

The Treetop Walks at MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore
Blog

Natural Attractions in Singapore

Think of Singapore and you’ll likely conjure up images of shimmering glass-and-steel superstructures; a dense forest of urban activity with soaring skyscrapers that jockey for position as they reach ever further heavenwards. But that would be to overlook the vast swathes of green space and unspoiled natural habitat that has earned this island nation the nickname ‘the Garden City’. Read on for our guide to some of the finest natural attractions in Singapore, including: Singapore Botanic Gardens The Gardens by the Bay MacRitchie Reservoir Lazarus Island Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve The Southern Ridges Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Pulau Ubin The Gardens by the Bay Yes we know: the massive durian-shaped hothouses at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay are very plainly not the work of Mother Nature. But it’s what’s inside that counts, right? And what’s inside is nothing short of a nature spectacular. Expect an absolute riot of sights, scents and sounds in the Flower Dome, where carpets of colorful blooms emit a quite dizzying array of perfumes and a thousand-year-old olive tree forms the centerpiece of the pretty olive grove. Meanwhile, the humid Cloud Forest promises sweet-smelling orchids, jungles of ferns and trailing vines and a tall, tranquil waterfall. The Southern Ridges Six miles of jungle trails and elevated walkways connect Mount Faber Park, Labrador Nature Reserve and more along the epic Southern Ridges. Tiptoe through the treetops and shutterbugs may just sneak a snap or two of some of the abundant wildlife here: red-whiskered bulbuls, banded bay cuckoos, orange-bellied flowerpeckers and other such tropical critters await. The trail also includes a section that crosses Henderson Waves, an undulating architectural masterpiece that also happens to be the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore at a whopping 36 meters above terra firma. Don’t look down! MacRitchie Reservoir Completed in 1868, MacRitchie is the oldest reservoir in Singapore and has become both a thriving nature reserve for native wildlife and huge natural playground for locals and tourists alike. Spot macaques and monitor lizards on the seven-mile hike around MacRitchie Trails or get a birds’ eye view from the Treetop Walks, a 250-meter suspension bridge that links the reserve’s two highest points. Take to the water and spend the day kayaking or lace up your running shoes and hit one of the excellent cross-country trails here. Lazarus Island Like your beaches secluded? Lazarus Island is the place for you! One of Singapore's Southern Islands, it’s connected to neighboring Saint John’s Island by a causeway. You’ll need to catch a ferry to Saint John’s and walk the 15 minutes or so to get there but, trust us, it’s well worth the effort. Bone-white sands, swaying palm trees and tropical turquoise waters that are great for swimming and snorkeling await the intrepid traveler. Get there early enough and, who knows, you may even find you have the whole place to yourself! Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Twitchers rejoice! One of the finest natural attractions in Singapore, the unspoiled Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a thriving habitat for native birds and a crucial stopover for migratory species including the long-legged Asian dowitcher and distinctive Pacific golden plover. Across more than 300 acres of mangrove forest, mudflats and ponds, you might also spot monitor lizards, lobsters, mudskippers, water snakes and big, beautiful Atlas moths. The occasional saltwater croc has even been known to put in an appearance from time to time. Take the two-hour loop trail around the reserve to get the most from your visit. Singapore Botanic Gardens This sprawling 200-acre tropical oasis on the edge of Singapore’s Orchard Road Shopping district has been around since 1859 so to describe the gardens as ‘mature’ would be something of an understatement. Admire colorful and aromatic plants in the aptly named Ginger Garden, take a stroll around Swan Lake, snap a selfie at the iconic bandstand, and enjoy the rare experience of wandering through a rainforest within the city limits of a vast metropolis. The gardens are open from 5AM until midnight so you'll have plenty of time to get lost among the vines, blooms and tree-lined walkways. Best of all, entry is free, though a fee applies for access to the thousands of eye-popping blooms inside the National Orchid Garden, the park’s star attraction. Pulau Ubin Boomerang-shaped Pulau Ubin is an island off Singapore’s northeast coast, where lush uncharted jungle is dotted with traditional kampongs and disused granite quarries, now reclaimed by nature, teem with diverse flora and fauna. Pick ripe, pungent durians along the cycle paths – and try one if you’re feeling bold enough or hungry enough to brave a bite! There’s an observation tower and looping walkway at the island’s otherwise wild Chek Jawa Wetlands, where you’ll hear the melodious call of the bulbul and, if you’re lucky, maybe even catch sight of the electric-blue flash of a kingfisher diving for its supper. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Last but most definitely not least in our rundown of Singapore's greatest natural attractions is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, slap-bang in the middle of the island. One of very few designated reserves in the country to have remained untouched by timber merchants, it’s a sprawling green space containing some 400 acres of tropical rainforest as well as, at over 500 feet, the highest hill in the country. The reserve is, perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the finest treasure troves of biodiversity to be found in all of Singapore, with animal species including flying lemurs, crab-eating macaques, reticulated pythons and endangered Sunda pangolins to be found among the dense forests and thick undergrowth. There are many superb walking trails here, with options available for everyone from the amateur ambler to the hardened hiker. Head up to the peak for 360-degree views across Singapore and beyond. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Supertree structures at twilight in Singapore's Gardens by the Bay.
Blog

New Things to do in Singapore

Singapore’s relentless progress towards becoming one of the world’s top tourism destinations means any article fanfaring its newest attractions is destined to seem hopelessly out of date within a few months of publication. Great avalanches of new attractions have opened their doors since the turn of the decade, with many more exciting projects in the pipeline. One thing’s certain though, and that's that you’ll never go short of fun activities and attractions in Singapore! Here’s our guide to some of the best – and, for now, newest – things to do in the Garden City, including: Avatar: The Experience The Museum of Ice Cream Skyhelix Sentosa Jurassic Mile KF1 Karting Circuit Kingfisher Wetlands at Gardens by the Bay Splat Paint House Avatar: The Experience Fans of cinema’s best-loved bright-blue dudes are in for a treat. No, we’re not talking about The Smurfs, but the Na’vi people from James Cameron’s blockbusting Avatar movie series. The huge Cloud Forest dome at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay has been transformed to recreate the bioluminescent alien environments of Pandora, the Na’vis’ home planet, with five immersive walk-through zones. Come face to face with otherworldly flora and mythical creatures like the friendly Ilu, a marine creature featured in the latest Avatar movie, The Way of Water. There’s even an opportunity to fly your own Banshee over the Hallelujah Mountains, as well as encountering a baby Banshee and a Viperwolf pup. Museum of Ice Cream Love ice cream? We know, we know: silly question. Of course you love ice cream! One of Singapore’s quirkier new attractions, the fabulously bonkers Museum of Ice Cream has a multitude of technicolor sensory zones to explore. Rediscover your inner child in the dreamlike unicorn playground, go bananas on the huge fruit-shaped swings and dive into the enormous sprinkle pool (not real sprinkles of course; that really would be bonkers). Of course what you really came here for is the unlimited ice cream to which your ticket entitles you, served throughout the zones in a rainbow of different forms and colors. Ice ice baby! SkyHelix Sentosa Perched high on Imbiah Lookout on Sentosa Island, a location already celebrated for its panoramic views, the new SkyHelix Sentosa attraction takes you even higher! Rise to nearly 80 meters above sea level from where (complimentary slushie or soda in hand) you’ll enjoy 360-degree vistas of the Singapore skyline, the Southern Islands and beyond. You get to spend a full 10 minutes at the top of the ride, where the gondola gently rotates, providing you with countless opportunities to cram your Insta feed full of humblebrag no-filter snaps – unusually, phones are allowed on the ride. Book a sunset slot to see the skies turn flaming orange and flamingo pink from one of the finest vantage points in town. Jurassic Mile Make no bones about it, the Jurassic Mile is one of Singapore's most roar-some new attractions. You'll find it along the recently opened Changi Airport Connector, a 3.5-kilometer jogging and cycling path that includes a stretch roamed by life-sized dinosaurs. Spot gentle giants including the brontosaurus, dodge vicious velociraptors and look out for the terrifying T-rex tearing through the fence! Kids and adults alike will adore this fun family activity, which also includes huge flying critters and cute baby dinos hatching from their eggs. Montane Orchidetum Opened in 2021, the Montane Orchidetum is one of the newest additions to the already spectacular National Orchid Garden, the star attraction at Singapore’s Botanic Gardens. This two-story tropical hothouse is a work of art in itself but gets even better once inside, where you’ll enjoy the somewhat immersive experience of ascending through a tropical mountain ecosystem, rich with the intoxicating sights and scents of hundreds of blooming orchids, bromeliads, magnolias and tropical rhododendrons. Afterwards, wander the scenic Secret Ravine to reach the orchid garden’s other no less impressive glasshouses. Scentopia Singapore’s floral heritage comes spectacularly to life at Scentopia, one of Sentosa Island’s most scent-sational new attractions. See what we did there? Using augmented reality exhibits and a perfumery that highlights the science behind your favorite spray-on scents, it’s something of a sensory saturnalia. Check out mind-melting augmented reality exhibits including dinosaurs, colorful blooms and huge fungi in the gallery, learn about the weird and wonderful ways in which animals smell the world around them and discover the world’s largest flower, the carnivorous Rafflesia, first documented in Singapore over two centuries years ago. KF1 Karting Circuit Go-karting is big business in Singapore, where adrenaline junkies in search of their next fix are never far from a nerve-shredding attraction or seven. Opened in 2021, the Formula One-inspired KF1 is (at time of writing) Singapore’s largest karting circuit, boasting 750 meters of track and 16 bends and corners. Advanced petrolheads can leave competitors in their wake, with karts capable of burning rubber at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour. A driving license is required if you feel the need for such speed, but you don’t need one for novice sessions (max 30km/h) or (at the risk of stating the obvious) for circuits of the dino-themed kids’ track. Kingfisher Wetlands Gardens by the Bay’s sprawling 250-acre complex rewards multiple return visits and the Kingfisher Wetlands, one of its newest attractions is no exception. Explore the mangrove forest where native species including firefly mangroves and nipah palms can be seen, and keep your camera at the ready for snaps of the beautiful birdlife; there are over 130 species nesting in the reserve, representing nearly one-third of all Singapore bird species and including all nine native kingfishers! Eagle-eyed visitors may also be lucky enough to spot the occasional Malayan water monitor or smooth-coated otter gliding across the water. Splat Paint House Unleash your inner Jackson Pollock in Singapore’s endlessly entertaining Splat Paint House, a permanent new attraction since 2021 following a successful run as a pop-up. This is a place to let loose and create unique artworks by – the clue’s in the name – splattering paint across your canvas in as wild and creative a way as you deem appropriate. Paints are safe and overalls are provided so get busy and get creative: splatter your canvas, splatter the walls and, heck, maybe even splatter your friends! The Round Island Route Launched at the beginning of 2022, the first section of the Round Island Route encircles Singapore’s east coast, with walking and cycling tracks spanning a whopping 75 kilometers. Rent a bike and get ready for the ride of your life. Highlights along this epic coastal trail include the boardwalk and sweeping waterfront views at Changi Bay, a huge bridge that spans the Sungei Punggol canal and all manner of fascinating flora, fauna and marine life. Eyes peeled for majestic white-bellied sea eagles and brahminy kites patrolling the skies! Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
LEGOLAND® Ride
Blog

Wallet-Friendly Wonders Near LEGOLAND® Malaysia

Planning a trip to LEGOLAND® Malaysia from Singapore? Don’t miss these zero-cost finds just around the corner!

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.