Singapore: Private walking tour with local guide & pickup

Summary

See Singapore’s real side—food, stories, and city life with a guide

You’ll walk Singapore’s neighborhoods with a local guide who meets you at your cruise terminal. Taste hawker food in Little India, see Kampong Glam’s mosques and markets, ride the MRT and buses like locals do, and hear personal stories that bring each district to life—a day trip you’ll remember long after your ship sails away.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to sweat so much before noon, but that’s Singapore for you. Our guide, Mei, met us right at the cruise terminal—she had this easy way of making the city feel less intimidating, even as we dodged crowds and zipped onto the MRT. First stop was Kampong Glam; I caught the smell of incense drifting from Sultan Mosque just as a group of kids ran past us giggling in Malay. Mei pointed out a tiny bakery where she used to buy kueh as a kid—she insisted we try some. Sticky, sweet, coconutty—I still think about that bite.

We wandered through Little India next. The colors here are wild—garlands hanging everywhere, gold shops flashing in the sun. At Tekka Center, Mei ordered us dosai and sugarcane juice (she laughed when I tried to say “terima kasih”—probably butchered it). The hawker center was loud but friendly; an old man at the next table nodded at our plates in approval. I liked how nothing felt staged—just people living their day.

After Chinatown (the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is more peaceful than I expected), we hopped on a bus toward Marina Bay. Mei told stories about her grandmother coming over from China by boat—her voice got quiet for a second before she switched back to pointing out skyscrapers and explaining why Merlion Park is such a big deal here. We didn’t rush; sometimes we just stood under some shade watching office workers hurry by or families posing for photos by the river. It felt like seeing all these famous places but also catching small slices of real life.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private Walking Tour of Singapore

• Meet guide at cruise terminal and customize tour
• Visit St Andrews Cathedral
• See historical colonial building
• Explore National Gallery
• Pass by Esplanade Park
• Visit Merlion Park
• Check out Fullerton Waterboat House
• Stroll along Boat Quay
• Walk Clarke Quay entertainment district
• Enjoy Singapore River Cruise
• Walk along Marina Bay boulevard
• View from Skypark Observation Deck
• Relax at Gardens by the Bay
• Ride Singapore Flyer
• Visit Marina Barrage reservoir
• Try Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel
• Explore Chinatown and cultural sites
• Visit Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• See Thian Hock Keng Temple
• Dine at Maxwell Hawker Centre
• Discover Tiong Bahru neighborhood
• Explore Kampong Glam and Sultan Mosque
• Visit Haji Lane
• Tour Malay Heritage Centre
• Shop at Mustafa Center
• Experience Little India and Sri Mariamman temple
• Visit Tekka Center
• Walk Orchard Road shopping district
• See Pinnacle@Duxton sky gardens
• Learn about Peranakan culture in Katong
• Visit Sentosa Island attractions

Top questions

How long does the private walking tour of Singapore last?

You can choose between a 6-hour or 8-hour private shore excursion.

Is pickup from the cruise terminal included?

Yes, your local guide will meet you directly at the cruise ship terminal.

What areas of Singapore are visited on this tour?

The itinerary covers neighborhoods like Kampong Glam, Little India, Chinatown, Marina Bay, and more depending on your interests.

Are transportation costs included?

Yes, all public transport costs (MRT and buses) during the tour are included.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included but your guide will help you try local foods at hawker centers (at your own expense).

Can children join this private walking tour?

Children aged 11 years and under join for free; those 12 and over are counted as adults.

Is this Singapore walking tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible if you have someone to assist with boarding public transport.

Do I need cash for purchases during the tour?

You’ll need Singapore dollars (SG$) for any shopping or food; US dollars aren’t accepted in shops or restaurants.

What’s included

Your day includes private guiding by a local expert who meets you at your cruise terminal, all transportation costs on public MRT trains and buses throughout Singapore’s districts, plus plenty of chances to sample street food or shop along the way before returning to port—or wherever you want to finish up.