One of the best things about living in Singapore has to be its proximity to many awesome Southeast Asian holiday destinations. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing tropical beach holiday, a fruitful cultural immersion, or a buzzing city to explore, there’s something for everyone.
Here are 10 holiday destinations you can visit from Singapore via a short plane, bus, train, or car ride in four hours or less. These are perfect for short 4D3N or less getaways, with day trips, even if you only have one day of leave.
We’ve included other hidden gems that locals love in this list too, so you can really maximise your time here and skip the tried-and-tested popular spots for that much-needed family holiday from Singapore.
Bookmark these short-haul holidays close to Singapore for the year-end season:
If you’ve ever travelled with kids before, you’ll know what it’s like. Some kids get antsy, restless, and bored easily, which may make it challenging to travel to further-away places.
Since Singapore is so well-connected to many beautiful places in the region, you’re spoilt for choice for your next super short-haul holiday destination that will keep the entire fam happy.
Chances are that you’ve heard one of your local friends say they’re headed to “JB” for the weekend. That’s Johor Bahru in Malaysia, a mere hour’s drive from Singapore.
As the capital city of the Malaysian state of Johor, JB is a very popular destination for Singapore residents who want a quick getaway from Singapore. It offers an array of attractions, including modern malls, theme parks, farm stays, aesthetic cafes, and rustic restaurants.
If you ask your local friends what they like to do there, don’t be surprised to hear them say things like grocery shopping, massages, car repairs, and hunting down their favourite eating spots! That’s literally most of the reasons why we love JB so much.
Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, is also a great choice for a quick vacation from Singapore. Singaporeans love visiting KL for a home-away-from-home vibe. Modern, cosmopolitan, and trendy, it has all the amenities that Singapore has to offer at a third of the cost, thanks to the favourable exchange rate (3RM to 1SGD).
For more unique things to do, visit the glitzy Petronas Twin Towers and the mysterious Bat Caves, or catch a bus to the nearby Genting Highlands for some theme park and casino fun. Enjoy all of this against the deliciously cool backdrop of 20 degrees Celsius, thanks to its high altitude.
Although it’s slightly further than JB or KL, you’ll want to bookmark the port city of Georgetown, Penang, in Malaysia.
A foodies paradise, the city boasts its own unique versions of popular hawker food in Singapore, such as Char Kuay Teow, Laksa, or even desserts like Chendol. You’ll need to try for yourself to ascertain which version you prefer.
Beach resorts, heritage tours, the Penang National Park, and a butterfly farm are some of the things you can look forward to at Penang.
These two Indonesian islands are both hotspots for Singapore residents to visit for a short getaway. Bintan is only a 1-hour 15-minute ferry ride away, while Batam is even closer, just 35 minutes by ferry.
You can opt for gorgeous villas that come with private pools, family-friendly beachside hotels, or beach resorts that include kids’ clubs. Whatever your preference, you have plenty to choose from, and that’s the best part.
Spas, seafood, and plenty of seaside vibes are what you can look forward to here for a weekend of relaxation with the family. For the more active set, both Bintan and Batam also offer nature hikes, water sports, and wildlife parks.
You’d be forgiven for skipping over the Indonesian capital of Jakarta when it comes to planning a family-friendly getaway from Singapore. After all, why travel from one hectic city to another?
Concentrate your itinerary on where your main attractions are to avoid having to deal with the city’s notorious traffic, such as Ancol, Semang or BSD.
The city’s newest mega malls, Gandaria City and Pacific Place, also promise plenty of shopping, eating and indoor play for the entire family—everything you need for a great kid-friendly vacation.
No travel list would be complete without Bali, the tropical paradise destination of choice for many from all over the world. Just a stone’s throw away from Singapore, Bali is definitely worth making a trip to for a breather for the entire family.
Skip the party vibe of Seminyak or Canggu and stay in Nusa Dua or Sanur, where there are plenty of family beach clubs, calm and shallow waters, and stroller-friendly cafes.
If you have older kids, you could venture further into Ubud for some waterfall hiking and swimming, rice terrace tours, and craft and cooking classes.
Another must-go destination on the list of top beach holidays in the world is Phuket. Happily enough, it’s just two hours away from Singapore, which makes it really easy to get to for a quick weekend trip.
There are many family-friendly beach resorts to choose from, perfect for a lazy-day recharge. Not to mention, water parks, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, night markets, cultural theme parks, and island-hopping tours for those who want to pack their days (and nights) to the brim.
Just three hours away from Singapore, Bangkok packs a whole different vibe. It’s a wonderful place for the entire family to have some fun, even if you only have three days to spend.
If you want to shop and eat your fill at Bangkok (Chatuchak Weekend Market or Platinum Mall, anyone?), plan an itinerary that mixes those with these attractions that will keep your younger children plenty entertained. Add to your list mega indoor playgrounds, the SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World Aquarium, the Children’s Discovery Museum, and adorable cat and dog cafes.
Wind down the evenings with a relaxing child-friendly massage at places like Oasis Spa and Bangkok Family Spa. That’ll guarantee the entire family a good night’s sleep for sure.
The up-and-coming seaside town of Da Nang in Vietnam is a must-see, especially since it’s just under three hours from Singapore.
Known for its pristine white My Khe beach, gorgeous Marble Mountain scenery, hot springs, night markets, the fire-breathing Dragon Bridge, and the Asia Park amusement park, you’ll find Da Nang a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment for the family.
For the best weather, visit Da Nang between February and May during the dry season to enjoy lower temperatures (between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius) and lower humidity levels.
Locals say the best way to get around in Da Nang is to hire a private car with a driver. You can book this on platforms like Klook or KKDay.
Head over to Hanoi in Vietnam for a long weekend getaway with the family. It’s just slightly over three hours away from Singapore and a welcome breather from the fast pace of life here.
Ha Long Bay is a must-see when you’re there, and you can opt for family-focused cruise operators that offer family cabins and family-friendly activities like kayaking and swimming in calm waters.
Hanoi City itself offers rich cultural experiences at its museums and pagodas, as well as unique water puppet shows that will delight the entire family.
The tropical heat and humidity will really sap your energy, so keep your itinerary breathable. Give yourself plenty of time in between to take in the sights and wander around the hood. You may even want to head back to your accommodation for a quick midday break for the little ones when it's the hottest part of the day.
Most of these destinations have a bustling nightlife, with night markets and carnivals aplenty for you to check out, so afternoon downtime is essential for everyone to last.
You may be worried about eating food from street vendors, which are commonplace in many Southeast Asian cities. However, the general rule of thumb is that if the locals are eating there, it’s probably safer than not.
If you’re worried about sensitive tummies, you may want to stick to hot, cooked food. Ideally, you want to be able see the preparation yourself, or go to proper restaurants with washed cutlery.
Some destinations have poor public transport networks and require you to get around by private car. Others have awful road conditions, and it’s better to rely on the public train systems to get to where you need to go on time.
Remember that transport systems vary widely from city to city in Southeast Asia, so check this before you embark on your family holiday. Trust us, getting stuck in a horrendous jam for hours on end can really put a dampener on that holiday mood.
Southeast Asia has several monsoon seasons spread out throughout the year, depending on the actual country you visit. The tropical climate of Southeast Asia also means that it can shift from sunshine to rain with absolutely no warning whatsoever.
If you’re used to Singapore’s unpredictable downpours, you’ll know the drill. If not, our guide to surviving Singapore’s weather has some practical tips for staying cool and dry in the tropics.
Do yourself a favour and pack umbrellas and/or raincoats wherever you go, so you’ll be well-prepared to shelter your kiddos from the unexpected downpours and just carry on with your plans.
Pro tip: Use a mosquito spray on yourself and your fam when travelling in Southeast Asia. You can get bitten when you least expect it.
Singapore’s longer school holidays are in June (4 weeks) and November to December (6 weeks).
If you’re not restricted to these dates, try your best to avoid planning your own getaways during these periods. Flight tickets and accommodation at regional destinations will always cost more.
You can also plan your trip around public holidays to maximise long weekends. Check out our updated Singapore public holiday calendar to make the most of your leave days.
Planning to drive into Malaysia for that highly anticipated trip in June or December? You may find yourself stuck in a bumper-to-bumper jam across the Causeway leading in and out of Singapore. It’s best to plan your drive with real-time traffic updates that you can find on mobile apps like 'Beat The Jam'.
Bonus tip: If driving to Malaysia in your own car, make sure you have applied for and obtained your Vehicle Entry Permit to avoid getting fined.
If you’d rather stay closer to home, explore some of Singapore’s best beaches for a quick dose of sun, sand, and sea without crossing the border.
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