The 6 Best Day Trips From Singapore (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 6 picks

The best day trips from Singapore in 2026 are Johor Bahru, reached across the Causeway or by KTM Shuttle Tebrau train; LEGOLAND Malaysia for families; Bintan Resorts by ferry from Tanah Merah; Desaru Coast and Batam for a beach or ferry break; and Melaka for a long heritage day.

Singapore is small, and two other countries are a short ride away. Malaysia's Johor is across the Causeway, and Indonesia's Batam and Bintan are a ferry ride from HarbourFront or Tanah Merah. Bring a passport with plenty of validity, check entry rules for the country you are visiting (Indonesia asks for at least six months' passport validity on ferry bookings), and build in time for border queues, which can be long on weekends and public holidays. Ferry timetables and fares change by season, so confirm with the operator. For things to do without leaving the island, see our best attractions and nature spots guides.

1. Johor Bahru — Johor, Malaysia

Malaysia's closest city, a short ride from Woodlands by Causeway bus, car or train.

$ BudgetBest for Food · Shopping · First border crossing

Johor Bahru is the simplest cross-border day out. The KTM Shuttle Tebrau runs between Woodlands Train Checkpoint and JB Sentral in around five minutes, and buses and cars use the Causeway. Visitors usually come for food, shopping and a stroll through the old town, where the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple, with its glass-mosaic interior, are both popular stops. Non-Muslims are generally not admitted inside the mosque, so most people admire it from outside.

The RTS Link, a 4 km line between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar with immigration cleared at the departure station, is due to cut the crossing to about five minutes. LTA's project page still says end-2026, but in October 2026 the operator said passenger service is now expected in February 2027, so keep using the Causeway or the shuttle train until it opens.

Good to know: Cross outside peak times where you can, and check current entry requirements for both countries (including Malaysia's rules for Singapore-registered cars) before you go.

JB Sentral, Jalan Jim Quee, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Google Maps

2. LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort — Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia

A theme park, water park and SEA LIFE aquarium in Johor, built for families with young children.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Young children · Theme parks

LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort says its theme park has eight themed lands with more than 40 rides, shows and attractions, its water park has more than 20 slides, rides and play areas, and a SEA LIFE aquarium and LEGOLAND Hotel sit on the same site. Its website showed the theme park, water park and aquarium open 10am to 6pm on the day we checked, with last entry at 5pm for the park and aquarium.

The site lists day tickets from RM69 with online savings, and Malaysian-resident deals that do not apply to visitors from Singapore. Opening days and prices change with the season, and the park runs seasonal events, so check the calendar before you book. The resort publishes directions on its website; most Singapore visitors cross the border first and continue by car, coach or e-hailing.

Good to know: Book online, check the opening-hours page for your date, and arrive at opening to get the most out of the rides.

7 Jalan LEGOLAND, Bandar Medini Iskandar Malaysia, 79250 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia

Google Maps Website

3. Bintan Resorts — Bintan, Indonesia

Beach resorts on Bintan's north coast, an hour or so by ferry from Tanah Merah.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Beach · Short break · Ferry day out

Bintan Resorts Ferries runs between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore and Bandar Bentan Telani on Bintan's north coast. Its timetable lists Monday to Thursday departures from Singapore at 08:10, 11:10, 14:00 and 17:00, and sailings back from Bandar Bentan Telani at 08:35, 11:35, 14:35 and 18:35 Bintan time. The company's pages give the crossing as about 60 minutes.

The 08:10 sailing out and a late-afternoon sailing back make a day trip workable, although most visitors stay at least a night. The operator says passports need at least six months' validity from the date of travel and links to Indonesia's e-VOA site for visa details. Friday to Sunday times differ, and extra sailings run in holiday periods, so check the schedule on brf.com.sg before you buy.

Good to know: Bintan time is one hour behind Singapore, so check the return sailing in Bintan time to avoid missing it.

Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, 50 Tanah Merah Ferry Road, Singapore 498833

Google Maps Website

4. Desaru Coast — Johor, Malaysia

A 4,000-acre resort coast on Johor's South China Sea shore, with a waterpark, golf and beach hotels.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Beach · Waterpark · Golf

Desaru Coast describes itself as a resort destination of about 4,000 acres at the southern tip of Johor. Its attractions include the Adventure Waterpark, ATV rides, JungleWalla and The Els Club golf course, and its hotels include Mandarin Oriental, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.

There are two ways from Singapore. Batamfast's timetable lists Tanah Merah to Desaru Coast sailings that run only on certain days, and Desaru Coast's website also has pages on its ferry terminal and shuttle bus. By road, travel guides put the drive from the Johor Bahru checkpoints at around 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on border queues. Either way, it is a long day, so consider staying a night.

Good to know: Check which days the Tanah Merah ferry runs before you plan, as some sailings are weekend-only.

Laman Desaru Coast, Jalan Desaru, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia

Google Maps Website

5. Batam — Batam, Indonesia

Indonesia's closest island to Singapore, reached by regular ferries from HarbourFront and Tanah Merah.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Short ferry hop · Spa · Meals

Batamfast lists sailings from HarbourFront to Batam Center and Sekupang, and from Tanah Merah to Batam Center and Nongsapura, with a timetable effective 15 October 2026. Majestic Fast Ferry and Sindo Ferry also run to Batam. Travel aggregators put the crossing at roughly an hour to Batam Center, but timings vary by operator and terminal.

Singapore residents commonly go for meals, spa treatments and shopping. Batam Center, Sekupang and Nongsa are in different parts of the island, so choose your terminal by where you plan to spend the day, and check the last ferry back before you settle in. Batamfast notes that its timetable and routings can change without notice and that a fuel surcharge took effect on 14 March 2026.

Good to know: Book a return ferry with enough margin, and check Indonesia's e-VOA and passport-validity rules before you travel.

Singapore Cruise Centre, 5 HarbourFront Avenue, Singapore 099549

Google Maps Website

6. Melaka — Melaka, Malaysia

A UNESCO-listed old town of Dutch and Portuguese landmarks, best with an early start or an overnight stay.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for History · Food · Overnight stay

Melaka's historic centre was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, alongside George Town. The usual route takes in the Stadthuys on Dutch Square, built by the Dutch in 1650 and likely the oldest surviving Dutch building in the East, the gatehouse of A Famosa, the last surviving part of a 16th-century Portuguese fortress, and Christ Church, which travel sources date to 1753.

Jonker Walk, in Melaka's Chinatown, runs as a night market from 6pm to midnight on Friday to Sunday. Travel sites put the drive from Singapore at about 2.5 to 3 hours each way, and day-tour operators run 13 to 16 hour trips, so it suits an early start or a night away. The river cruise boarding point is moving to Jeti Pengkalan Rama from 2 November 2026 while works continue at Jeti Taman Rempah, expected to finish on 1 March 2027.

Good to know: Time your visit for a Friday to Sunday evening if you want Jonker Walk, and allow for traffic on the way back.

Dutch Square, Jalan Gereja, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest day trip from Singapore?

Johor Bahru is the easiest, because it is just across the Causeway from Woodlands. You can cross by bus, by car or on the KTM Shuttle Tebrau train from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to JB Sentral, which takes around five minutes by train. Allow extra time for immigration queues in both directions.

When does the RTS Link to Johor Bahru open?

The 4 km RTS Link between Woodlands North in Singapore and Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru was targeted to open at the end of 2026. In October 2026 the operator, RTS Operations, announced that passenger service is now expected in February 2027. LTA says immigration is cleared at the station you leave from, and the ride takes about five minutes. Confirm the date before you plan around it.

Can I do Bintan as a day trip from Singapore?

Yes, it is possible. Bintan Resorts Ferries lists Monday to Thursday departures from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal at 08:10, 11:10, 14:00 and 17:00 Singapore time, and return sailings from Bandar Bentan Telani at 08:35, 11:35, 14:35 and 18:35 Bintan time, which is an hour behind Singapore. Friday to Sunday times differ, so check the current schedule.

Is Melaka possible as a day trip from Singapore?

It is possible but long. Travel sites put the drive at roughly 2.5 to 3 hours each way, and day-tour operators run 13 to 16 hour trips. If you can spare a night, you will have more time for the old town, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Do I need a passport for a day trip to Batam or Bintan?

Yes. Bintan Resorts Ferries says passports need at least six months' validity from the date of travel and points travellers to Indonesia's e-VOA system for visa requirements. Check the same rules for Batam before you book.

What should I do on a day trip with kids?

LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort has a theme park, a water park and a SEA LIFE aquarium, and sits in Iskandar Puteri in Johor. For more ideas closer to home, see our things to do with kids guide.

1. Johor Bahru — Johor, Malaysia

2. LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort — Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia

3. Bintan Resorts — Bintan, Indonesia

4. Desaru Coast — Johor, Malaysia

5. Batam — Batam, Indonesia

6. Melaka — Melaka, Malaysia

Frequently asked questions

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