Want to venture further afield than your usual tried-and-tested beach vacays? Start ticking off the travel bucket list with these family-friendly adventures in Asia: and they're all direct flights from Singapore!
So the wanderlust has hit again! All parents know that the less complicated the journey, the more relaxing the holiday, which is where the holiday destination close to Singapore steps in. But, if you’ve done your fair share of island hopping, you might be wanting something a little different. Have you ticked Lombok, Laos, Taiwan, and Japan off your travel bucket list yet? From Buddha parks to stunning beaches, golden temples and hot springs, we’ve rounded up some amazing destinations that are all just an easy, direct flight from Singapore.
Direct flight family holiday destinations to add to your bucket list
1. Japan
Why go?
Disney. Cherry blossoms. Hot springs. Beautiful scenery. The bullet train. Sushi… There are so many reasons why we want to go to the Land of the Rising Sun!
How to get there
With a choice of airlines including Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, there are plenty of direct flights per day to Tokyo from Singapore. Flight time is almost seven hours.
What to do
Japan is unquestioningly gorgeous all year round, but you would be hard pushed to find it looking more beautiful than during the spring cherry blossom festival season. Happily for us, that coincides with Easter, with full bloom ranging between 20 March and 25 April in various parts of Japan. And once you are done with the flowers? Disneyland, of course!
If you’re staying in Tokyo, the kids will love the Ueno Zoo (pandas!), the Fire Museum (where the small people can dress up and become firefighters for free!), and the Imperial Palace and Gardens (the actual palace might not be their bag but the grounds are not only beautiful but provide ample running space for energetic kiddos). Oh, and don’t forget to catch a bullet train somewhere (Kyoto is fabulous) just for the experience!
Did you know?
Tattoo fans among you, here’s an FYI – many of the traditional onsens (natural hot spring spas) still have a ban on inked guests! So if you do have a tatt, make sure to check that the onsen you have in mind will let you and your ink through the door!
Where to stay
If you fancy a bit (or a lot) of a splurge then it goes without saying that Tokyo Disneyland Hotel will be a sure hit with the kids. Otherwise, why not rent a traditional Japanese Ryokan through Airbnb?
2. Taiwan
Why go?
If stunning scenery is something that you are keen to catch, then make sure you have a huge memory stick for all those photos you’ll be taking in Taiwan. The beaches are beautiful, the landscapes are breathtaking, the surfing is phenomenal (if that sort of thing floats your boat), and the food is mouth-watering. If you’re a vegetarian, then you’re in luck: over 10% of the population shun meat. Vegetarians will not go hungry with over 6,000 veggie restaurants to choose from!
How to get there
If budget is the name of the game then you’re in luck. As well as the bigger airline carriers, Scoot and JetStar run direct routes to Taipei daily. Flight time is under five hours.
What to do
What’s there to do? Plenty! Head to the Central Mountain Range – a magnet for adventurous types – and if you’re feeling fit, scale up to East Asia’s tallest peak, Yu Shan (Jade Mountain). The peak is the perfect spot to catch a family selfie with the ‘sea of clouds’ sweeping over the mountains behind you.
If climbing isn’t your idea of a relaxing holiday (scaling mountains with smaller kids in Ergos is not ideal!), then make sure you head to one of the island’s many night markets and bazaars. Go with an empty belly (and an open mind) and feast on street food (xiao-chi, which literally means small eats!) washed down with bubble tea (or snake blood if you are feeling especially adventurous!). And pick up some Hello Kitty souvenirs, of course.
If you can…
Taiwan is full of volcanically activated hot springs, literally on the doorstep of Taipei. Jump on a bus and head out for some natural bubbly spring fun (with a Hello Kitty beer in hand!). Many of the springs have spas attached to them that offer great family retreats.
Did you know?
Singapore’s fave dumpling joint, Din Tai Fung, originated in Taiwan. Those little parcels of deliciousness are served up in more than 10 countries since the doors first opened in 1958. Xiao long bao, anyone?
Where to stay
If you can make the 150km journey to Taroko National Park, then head to Silks Place Taroko, a five-star mountainside hotel. It has spacious quadruple rooms for families, a kids’ club running activities such as table tennis and Lego building for the small people, and a soft indoor playground. A pool and a spa seal the deal. If you don’t have the time to get out of Taipei, our pick for a city stay would be the Park City Hotel-Luzhou Taipei. The hotel gets fantastic reviews and provides family rooms large enough to fit the kids AND their Hello Kitty purchases.
3. Laos
Why go?
If you’re looking for somewhere a little more off the beaten track – but still easily accessible with the small people in tow – then how about Vientiane in Laos? With its beautiful scenery, super-friendly people, rich culture, and amazing coffee, this small city with big charm is THE place in Asia if you fancy feasting on gourmet French food for very little cost.
How to get there
Direct flights from Singapore to Vientiane with AirAsia make Laos an easy peasy choice. And with flying time at just under three hours, the kids won’t go too stir crazy during the flight.
What to do
Jaw-droppingly cool and with plenty of room for those kids to run off some crazy energy, our top pick for Vientiane is Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan). This famous sculpture park is home to more than 200 statues, which include a 40m-high reclining Buddha. Once you are all statued out, make sure to visit the Talaat Sao (morning market) where you’ll find hundreds of shops selling handmade silk weavings, metalworks, and woodcarvings to make perfect Laotian souvenirs. And when sunset rolls around? Head to the Mekong River for spectacular views.
If you can…
Catch one of eight, 45-minute long flights per day over to World Heritage City, Luang Prabang, and spend a few days checking out the amazing mountain scenery and marvelling at this showpiece city. If the little legs can make the 100m climb, then definitely head up Mount Phousi for breathtaking views, especially at sunrise and sunset. Don’t forget to visit the Bear Rescue Centre (a heart-string puller if ever there was one), catch the stunning waterfalls and caves in the area and also flutter over to Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park.
If you’re looking for something as fun as it is environmentally sound, then pack your bags for a night or two, and head to Living Land Farm. You and the littlies will not only learn about growing rice, but help to cultivate it too!
Where to stay
We love the boutique charm of the Ansara Hotel, which is just a short stroll from the hustle and bustle of the Mekong River in Vientiane. The hotel offers great-sized rooms for families. It also has a pool to throw the kids in after a hard day of adventuring around the city!
4. Lombok
Why go?
Lombok is often overlooked by its neighbour, Bali, but now that Lombok has direct flight access from Singapore, we are putting it in our top picks for new adventures this year. Mountains, surf, beaches, and a gentler pace of life make it the perfect, more sedate choice. Plus, it makes for a good old-fashioned beach holiday! Dad can catch some waves with some surfing, mum can unwind at a spa, and the kids can get in on some serious sandcastle building action on the sand.
How to get there
Direct flights take just under three hours. Alternatively, you can fly to Bali and catch a boat from there.
What to do
Aside from the sea and surf, Lombok also has some really amazing, relatively unspoilt scenery and fascinating people. Head towards Mount Rinjani (Indonesia’s second tallest volcano) and trek around the National Park (or climb Rinjani if your kids are teens or have Spiderman-like climbing abilities!) where you will see a ton of flora and fauna. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare and elusive Ebony Leaf monkey, discover some beautiful waterfalls and spend some time at the Senaru Traditional Village. This particular spot will give you a chance to check out life in a traditional hill tribe and learn about the Sasak tribe and their role as cultural guardians of Mount Rinjani and the surrounding forest.
If you can…
Take yourself off to pure castaway heaven by spending a day or two over on the Gili Isles. Accessible only by boat, and with no motorised transport on the islands, this is a destination where you can definitely all kick back and relax away from the world and do a digital detox. Make sure you take your snorkels!
Where to stay
If a beachfront location, swimming pools, babysitting services, playground and an arcade room tick the boxes for a perfect hotel, then Holiday Resort Lombok has all of this plus two-bedroom accommodation options for you to rest your weary heads after a long day at the beach.
Need tips for keeping the children occupied during the flight? Check out our survival tips for flying with kids.
