Singapore: Private City Tour by Car or Foot with Local Stops

Summary

Singapore’s icons, markets & surprises with a local’s stories

You’ll wander Singapore’s Colonial District with a local guide who shares personal stories and secret details you’d never spot alone. Taste kopi at Tiong Bahru Market, stand by the Merlion’s splashy tail, and stroll through lush Botanic Gardens—all at your own pace, with hotel pickup and a treat included. It’s less about ticking boxes than feeling what makes Singapore tick.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way our guide, Li, waved us over outside Raffles Hotel—like she’d been waiting for old friends. There was this faint smell of rain on the pavement (it had just stopped), and the city felt washed clean. We started in the Colonial District, where St. Andrew’s Cathedral rises up all bright and white against the sky. Li told us how her grandmother used to sneak into the cool shade there as a kid—funny how stories stick to places like that. I tried to imagine it through her eyes instead of just another landmark.

We wandered through Victoria Theatre (the doors creaked a little) and then past City Hall, where people in business shirts zipped by looking busy but somehow relaxed at the same time. The Merlion Park stop surprised me—I’d seen so many photos but standing there, hearing water slap against the steps and feeling that weirdly fishy-salty breeze, it felt different. Li pointed out tiny details I’d have missed: a carved lion tail here, old tiles there. She laughed when I tried to say “Merlion” in Mandarin—definitely didn’t nail it.

I loved how we could tweak the route—Li asked if we wanted more gardens or more food (easy answer: both). So we ended up at Tiong Bahru Market for kopi and something sweet I still can’t pronounce. The Botanic Gardens were next; orchids everywhere, humid air thick with green smells. By then my shirt was sticking to my back but honestly? Didn’t care at all. The ArtScience Museum looked like some kind of spaceship across Marina Bay—the light bounced off it in this almost blinding way.

There was no rush anywhere. Just small moments—a shared snack, a story about Li’s uncle working at Raffles decades ago, sunlight on wet pavement—that made Singapore feel less like a checklist and more like someone’s home. I keep thinking about that first laugh outside Raffles Hotel; weird what sticks with you after a day like this.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Colonial District and Landmarks

• Visit St. Andrew's Cathedral
• See Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
• Tour Raffles Hotel
• Pass by City Hall
• Pass by Merlion Park
• Pass by ArtScience Museum
• Pass by Singapore Botanic Gardens
• Pass by Gardens by the Bay

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included on this Singapore private tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included if you book the private tour by car option.

How long does the Singapore city tour last?

You can choose 4 or 7 hour options depending on your preference.

Can I customize which sights we visit?

Yes, your guide will personalize the route based on your interests.

Are entrance fees or snacks included?

A local drink or snack is included if you book full coverage tours; entrance fees may vary by stop.

Is public transportation used during this tour?

If you book full coverage 4 or 7 hour tours (not by car), public transportation is included.

Is this tour suitable for families or kids?

Yes, infants and children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

Will we visit Gardens by the Bay?

This can be included depending on your preferences and time chosen.

Who leads these private tours in Singapore?

A multilingual local guide leads each private tour—just your group and them.

What’s included

Your day includes either hotel pickup (if touring by car) or easy public transport rides (for walking tours), plus a friendly local guide who adapts everything to your pace and interests. You’ll get a taste of something local—a drink or snack—and plenty of stories along the way before heading back whenever you’re ready.