Decision. EU passports get 30 days visa-free; just file the free SG Arrival Card online within 3 days of arrival [10] [11]. From Changi, take the MRT (~€1–1.50, 35 min) unless you land late or are loaded with bags, then Grab (~€13–24) [2]. Singapore itself is small and walkable — lean on MRT + the odd Grab, ~€4–8/day [3]. The two day-trips worth your time: Pulau Ubin (offbeat kampong/cycling, half-day, ~€6) [12] and Johor Bahru for cheap food + Legoland (full day, bus ~€5 return) [20]. A Bintan beach day is the splurge-worthy third if you want sand [9]. Prices in EUR at ~1 S$ = €0.67 [25].
Getting IN & OUT
EU citizens enter visa-free for up to 30 days; passport must be valid 6+ months with an onward ticket [11]. The SG Arrival Card (SGAC) is mandatory but free, submitted online within 3 days (incl. arrival day) — it is not a visa [10]. Singapore is the standalone leg here, but it chains naturally to Malaysia (Johor Bahru, by land) and Indonesia (Batam/Bintan, by ferry).
| Route | Mode | Time | EUR (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changi → city | MRT (1 change at Tanah Merah) | ~35 min | €1–1.50 pp a |
| Changi → city | Grab / taxi | ~30 min | €13–24 / €17–30 a |
| Changi → city | Private transfer car (4-seat) | ~30 min | €37–40 flat b |
| City → Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | Cross-border bus (Causeway) | 45–90 min* | ~€1 each way c |
| City → Johor Bahru | KTM Shuttle Tebrau (train) | 5 min ride | €3.40 (S$5) d |
| HarbourFront → Batam (Indo.) | Ferry (Sindo/Batam Fast etc.) | 45–60 min | €46–60 return incl. fee e |
| Tanah Merah → Bintan (Indo.) | Bintan Resort Ferries | ~70 min | ~€58 same-day return f |
*Bus time is mostly immigration queues at the Causeway, not distance. The KTM Shuttle Tebrau (Woodlands → JB Sentral) skips the road jam but sells out — book ahead; the Woodlands counter is cashless (KTM Wallet only) [5]. Cross-border buses (CW2, 160, 170, 950) run frequently for S$1.28–1.38 (~€1) each way [6]. The faster RTS Link rail (Woodlands North → Bukit Chagar) is due to open around Jan 2027 at S$5–7 — likely just after your trip [7].
Batam ferries leave HarbourFront or Tanah Merah, S$58–80 return plus a S$10 departure fee, four operators, 60+ daily sailings [8]. Bintan runs only from Tanah Merah; Bintan Resort Ferries drops you at Lagoi Bay near the beaches [9].
Taxi from Changi is metered S$25–45 plus a S$6–8 airport surcharge and a 50% midnight surcharge (00:00–05:59) [1]; Grab shows one all-in price with no airport surcharge [2].
Getting AROUND locally
The MRT covers every neighbourhood on your list (Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Tiong Bahru) and reaches HarbourFront for Sentosa. No card needed: tap any contactless Visa/Mastercard or phone via SimplyGo; adult fares run S$1.28–2.57 (~€0.85–1.70) per ride after the Dec 2025 fare revision [3]. For heavy MRT/bus days the Singapore Tourist Pass gives unlimited rides — S$17 / 24 / 29 for 1 / 2 / 3 days (~€11 / 16 / 19), though it excludes the Sentosa Express [4]. Most couples won’t beat plain contactless; budget ~€4–8/day on transit, more if you favour Grab.
Singapore is genuinely walkable, with 730+ km of cycling paths and a 360 km Park Connector Network linking most of the island [23]. Tourist bike rental (e.g. GoCycling) runs ~S$10/hr or S$10–20/day (~€7–14) — handy for East Coast Park or Pulau Ubin [24].
The day-trip orbit
| Place | Getting there | Half / full | EUR (approx) | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulau Ubin | MRT→bus to Changi Pt + bumboat ~15 min | Half | ~€6 (boat + bike) | offbeat |
| Sentosa + boardwalk | MRT to HarbourFront, walk boardwalk free | Half/full | €0 walk / €24 cable | touristy |
| Southern islands | Ferry from Marina South Pier | Half | ~€10 round trip | offbeat ⚠ |
| Southern Ridges walk | MRT to HarbourFront (start) | Half | €0 (free) | offbeat ⚠ closed |
| Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | Cross-border bus / KTM Tebrau | Full | ~€5 return + food | touristy↔offbeat |
| Bintan beach day (Indonesia) | Ferry from Tanah Merah ~70 min | Full | ~€58 return | touristy |
Pulau Ubin — the best offbeat half-day: a 15-min bumboat from Changi Point (S$4/~€2.70 each way, cash only, leaves once 9–12 passengers board) drops you on a 1960s-kampong island for cycling and the Chek Jawa wetlands [12] [13].
Sentosa — touristy but easy: walk the free Sentosa Boardwalk from VivoCity, or pay the S$4 (~€2.70) Sentosa Express monorail in (rides within and back to the mainland are free) [19]. The scenic alternative is the cable car, round-trip S$35 adult / S$25 child (~€24 / €17), running 08:45–22:00 [18].
Southern islands — St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu on one round-trip ferry from Marina South Pier, S$15 adult (~€10); Lazarus has the quiet swimming beach [14]. ⚠ In 2026 St John’s main jetty is closed for repairs (re-routed to Lazarus) and Big Sisters’ weekday trips are suspended [15].
Southern Ridges — a free 10 km hill walk (4 parks) over the 36 m Henderson Waves bridge, both ends on the MRT [16]. ⚠ Sections are closed for works until July 2026, so during your June trip do Henderson Waves alone rather than the full ridge [17].
Johor Bahru — the value full-day: cross by bus (~€5 return) for dim sum, Korean BBQ and City Square mall at a fraction of Singapore prices [20]. For families, Legoland Malaysia added a MINILAND Singapore in 2026; tickets ~MYR 199 adult (~€38) [21] [22].
Bintan — the only true beach in the orbit: a same-day Bintan Resort Ferries getaway from Tanah Merah to Lagoi Bay runs ~S$87 (~€58), ~70 min, best in the March–October dry season — go if you want sand, skip if you’re tight on days [9]. Batam is closer and cheaper but more city than beach [8].