Where to go from Singapore for 3 days

[shilly]

Where can I go from Singapore for 3 days in February? Ideally I would like to go to Malaysia but not KL somewhere with a beach but don’t know if it’s possible in that time without flying into KL first as I don’t want to have to take 2 flights for such a short stay? Any suggestions welcome. I will be leaving Phuket and I have 3/4 days before my return flight home from Singapore.

[polly]

We usually head out to Sentosa island for those short breaks en route to and from Bali or elsewhere. Some great eats around the Marina. Hotels pricey tho. Wouldn’t risk flying anywhere tho. Or, can you extend your stay in HKT and fly to SIN just 1 day before your flt home?

[JDB]

The Desaru coast in Malaysia is an option – about 2 hours drive from Singapore.

[Froggee]

If you want Malaysia then Langkawi and Penang were both tried and tested by my parents albeit a solid decade ago. Plenty direct flights to both from Singapore.

They enjoyed Penang more (I think they found the colonial-ness of Georgetown fascinating).

However when push came to shove, they went back to Bali every year and Koh Samui most years whereas went back to neither Penang nor Langkawi so take from that what you will.

If you aren’t familiar with Singapore then there is plenty to do in a few days. I don’t overly rate the Sentosa beaches but I actually quite like Sentosa for its general cheesiness and it does feel like “being on holiday” there versus the rest of Singapore.

[BBbetter]

For 3 days I’ll stay in SIN, plenty of things to keep you entertained there. If you are bored of SIN, apart from above suggestions, you can do an island stay at Batam or Bintan, just don’t expect Phuket beaches there.

[SamG]

Unless you’ve been in Singapore for a couple of days already on your way then I agree with BBbetter – I’d just stay there.

Otherwise I’d probably say Penang – there are some beaches and Georgetown is nice for a couple of days especially if you enjoy trying local cuisine

Langkawi has some nice beaches especially the one at the The Datai but not much else to offer. There is a ferry from Phuket though

But if you’re coming from Phuket getting to either is a bit of a chore and I’m not sure I’d bother personally – I’d consider going to Krabi or Koh Lanta instead from Phuket – direct flights from Krabi to Singapore

[shilly]

Thanks everyone much appreciated. We are actually staying in Singapore for a few days before we head to Phuket so I will have a look at the suggestions.

[forensic]

shilly wrote:

Ideally I would like to go to Malaysia but not KL somewhere with a beach but don’t know if it’s possible in that time without flying into KL first as I don’t want to have to take 2 flights

FWIW Scoot fly direct from Singapore to Langkawi, 90min flight.

[SamG]

forensic wrote:

shilly wrote:

Ideally I would like to go to Malaysia but not KL somewhere with a beach but don’t know if it’s possible in that time without flying into KL first as I don’t want to have to take 2 flights

FWIW Scoot fly direct from Singapore to Langkawi, 90min flight.

Yes – potentially makes Langkawi a good option if you ferry’d from Phuket and then flew into Singapore from there. But personally I think Thailand offers better value for money on hotels and more to do – I’d just move around within the Phuket area instead if I wanted a change of scene!

[FH2]

Hello – is there much difference between Air Asia and Scoot in terms of service, comfort and reliability? I need to book flights from Singapore to Bali and Air Asia is marginally cheaper than Scoot. Thanks.

[SamG]

They’re both typical low cost carriers once onboard – AirAsia onboard service and adds ons are slightly cheaper. Both pretty reliable but if pricing was equal I’d go with Scoot – I’ve had more delays on AirAsia than with Scoot for sure. They operate 787s on some of the flights and you can often get ScootPlus seats for a very modest upcharge which especially if you’ve got bags etc can work out a good deal.

[BBbetter]

As SamG says, I’d recommend Scoot if prices for both are similar. Their premium economy is good.

[FH2]

Thanks SamG and BBbetter – will go for Scoot as the price difference is not much. Unfortunately ScootPlus only seems to be available for the early morning or evening flight, and not the one that I want which is late morning!

[The real Swiss Tony]

Given the constraints I’d back Penang as well. In terms of Scoot vs Air Asia, as others have said Scoot certainly was better for me this summer, but both carriers gave off the vibe that the passengers were somehow a secondary consideration to the wider business model!

I would also pay for extra legroom seats. Note that on Air Asia both row 1 and the over wing exit rows board in group 1, but on Scoot it’s only row 1 who get that benefit.

(To clarify other hot/up front seats also board in group 1, but if you want extra legroom that seemed to be the mantra on our flights).