Looking for all the best tours of Singapore where you can see the sights with an expert tour guide? Here are our favourites for the whole family!
If you’re Singaporean or have lived here for a while, you might think you know most of all there is to know about where to go, what to eat, and things to see and do here in Singapore. We’re here to say that there is always more to know – and even the most avid Singapore explorer can do with the help of an expert tour guide around the Little Red Dot! From food tours to biking expeditions to open-top bus adventures (even converted water buses!), here’s our round-up of our favourite tours and tour guides in Singapore.
Also, tune in to our HoneyKids Asia podcast on some of the best family-friendly tours in Singapore:
Our favourite tours of Singapore and expert tour guides
1. Big Bus Tours – Hop-on, Hop-off
One of our favourite ways to see the city – the classic hop-on, hop-off bus is a winner for everyone in the family. The buses are double-decker with an open top, allowing you to see the sights in the fresh air. We love taking the kids and snapping pics of their happy smiles against the backdrop of some of Singapore’s most famous landmarks without even having to walk. Top tips: Take hats, sunscreen and water bottles for day trips. Also, do the tour at night – the city lights up in a new way, and this is the best way to see it!
Book online and save: Singapore Big Bus Tours
Tickets from $63.93 per adult
2. DUCKTours
It’s a bus! Or is it a boat? It’s a DUCKTour. This hilarious-looking ‘amphibious’ vehicle is part bus tour, part Singapore River Cruise. Meet at Suntec City for this 60-minute adventure, departing hourly.
Book online and save: DUCKTours Singapore
Tickets from $45 per adult.
3. Singapore River Cruise
If you don’t fancy a hybrid approach, we highly recommend taking a traditional Singaporean bumboat along the river on a Singapore River Cruise. The pre-recorded information highlights key sights, buildings, statues and landmarks along the way, and it really is one of the loveliest ways to see this little slice of Singapore.
With the sea breeze in your hair and the skyscrapers looming above you with the shophouses of Boat Quay dotted along the shoreline, the boat cruises past the Fullerton Hotel and a very famous bronze statue of children jumping into the water. From a bumboat is the best way to see it! The cruise then rounds the corner to the magnificent sight of Marina Bay Sands. This is a great one for grandparents. There are ample photo opps, and don’t forget your hat, sunscreen and drinks, as there aren’t any available on board.
Pro tip: Start at the Clarke Quay jetty and take a round trip, or hop off in Marina Bay and enjoy the restaurants. A great one to pair with a trip to Gardens by the Bay or the Art Science Museum!
More info and jetty locations: Singapore River Cruise
Tickets $28 per adult, purchased on-site at Clarke Quay Jetty ticketing booth
4. Lion City Bike Tour
Four wheels, no wheels – how about two wheels? Ride around the streets of the city (with the added bonus of stopping off for Singaporean snacks along the way!). We love Lion City Bike Tours for their super-knowledgable and fun guides. Biking can sound daunting, but you can opt for gentler, flatter routes and still see so much of Singapore. They even head to Pulau Ubin if you’re looking for a challenge!
Pro tip: The best way to impress more active grandparents or visiting friends and relatives? Book a private tour, so you can more easily adjust the route (and food stops!) to suit your group!
More info: Lion City Bike Tours
Prices from $85 per adult for the signature tour.
5. Everyday Tour Company – Meet the locals in a HDB
Looking for a truly authentic Singapore experience without tourist traps? The Everyday Tour Company has got you covered. Offering a range of really interesting tours, this is your chance to visit a Singaporean’s private home in the Singapore Public Housing HDB Tour. You’ll get to explore, learn, eat, drink, and meet real people of the heartlands. The Everyday Tour Company also offers shophouse, neighbourhood, and food tours, so there’s something for everyone.
More info: The Everyday Tour Company
Price for 1 – 3 people: $300
6. See the sights and take a ride on a Trishaw!
We’ve always wanted to take a ride on one of these! Trishaws were the favoured form of transport in Singapore long before cars, buses and trains. According to this tour operator, “in Singapore, children are taught to address elders as ‘Uncles’ and ‘Aunties’ as a form of respect. ‘Trishaw Uncle’ is a term of endearment for the trishaw riders who formed the early backbone of Singapore’s labour force, using their manual strength to get people to places.”
We love it! Now, Trishaw Uncles are available for expeditions through the colourful, quaint and bustling streets of Singapore, including some of our favourite places to explore: Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam.
More info: Trishaw Uncle
Prices on request
7. Museum tours with the National Heritage Board
The National Heritage Board are the keepers of Singapore’s rich cultural heritage through the exhibitions and artefacts found in our museums. Take a guided tour and see what’s on by checking in on their website regularly.
More info: The National Heritage Board
Cost: Varies depending on event.
8. Chinatown Walking Tours
When you walk at your own pace, you can take it all in. There is so much to see and experience in Chinatown! Beautiful temples, lantern-lined streets, markets, murals, and more. The Singapore Tourism Board has an excellent guide to Chinatown, so you can explore at your own pace. If you would like a guide to show you around, check out Monster Day Tours.
More info: Singapore Tourism Board and Monster Day Tours
Cost: Free if you do-it-yourself!
9. See the city by Segway
Ah, segways. We love these futuristic-looking vehicles, and they are available to ride in Singapore! Oride, based in Kallang, has guided tours, or you can self-drive and explore. Psst.. They’ve got hoverboards, too, that the teens might be into!
More info: oride.sg
Price: From $30 per adult
10. Garden Tours at National Parks and Gardens by the Bay
Get the kids out in the fresh air, and learn a thing or two about plants at the same time. These tours challenge participants to rethink their perceptions as they venture through Gardens by the Bay’s living collection of strange yet fascinating plants. You can also visit the Botanic Gardens and enjoy a free guided tour by volunteers.
More info: Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Botanic Gardens
Cost: FREE!
11. Jane’s Tours of Black and White Houses
Singapore’s rich colonial history is represented in these stately homes dotted in certain areas of the island. Black and white houses were originally built for the British civil service and members of the military. If you’ve ever wanted to peek inside a ‘black-and-white’ but don’t happen to have uber-wealthy friends who are living in one, then why not tag along on one of Jane’s Tours. Step back into a simpler, more gracious time when you visit the quiet Adam Park estate.
In 1942, British defenders fought the last battle for Singapore before the Japanese occupation of Adam Park. This tour not only introduces you to the charming architectural features of black and white houses, but also explains the war years. Time permitting, you can also walk to Adam Drive, the site of the Sime Road WW2 POW camp.
More info: Jane’s Tours
Price: Available on request
12. The Istana
If you’re lucky enough to visit Singapore during a time when The Istana, one of Singapore’s oldest heritage sites, is offering an open house tour, then make sure you add it to your must-see list! Usually open on special holidays, a visit to The Istana allows you to stroll the grounds and pick up limited-edition souvenirs while also learning about Singapore’s government and history.
More info: The Istana
Cost: Free for Singaporeans and PRs, chargeable up to $12 for others
13. Secret Food tours
Eating is a national pastime in Singapore, and food is a staple of Singaporean culture. Don’t miss a mouthful with the Secret Food Tour, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience and enjoy quality food and discover why eating and drinking are a “way of life” here in Singapore.
More info: Secret Food Tours
Price: From $134, up to 10 pax
14. Guided VIP tour of Universal Studios Singapore
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at some of your favourite attractions? Be among the privileged few to experience the Universal Studios Singapore VIP experience. You’ll have your own private tour guide, skip the queues on most rides, and enjoy exclusive benefits. Some of these include discounts on merchandise, complimentary snacks (including $25 in meal vouchers!) and rare photo opportunities with Universal Studios Singapore characters.
More info: Universal Studios Singapore VIP Experience
Price: From $358 per adult aged 13 and above
15. Behind-the-scenes access to S.E.A Aquarium
Sea-obsessed? Gain priority access to S.E.A. Aquarium and learn about all of the diverse and colourful inhabitants. Ask your personal guide all your burning questions as you view the behind-the-scenes workings of the aquarium. Meet the dolphins, and the best bit, have exclusive back-of-house access to meet the aquarists and see the creatures from the other side of the glass tanks!
More info: VIP experience at S.E.A Aquarium
Price: From $198 per adult aged 13 and above
16. Mandai Wildlife Parks guided tours
The Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari, and soon, Bird Paradise all offer guided tours. From private buggy rides and behind-the-scenes feeding experiences with zoo keepers, don’t miss a show or a chance to see your favourite animals at the times when they are most active!
More info: Check the respective website of the park you are keen on for VIP tour experiences.
Cost: Varies by park
Looking for more things to do in Singapore? We’ve got you covered!
