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Where to Go This Weekend from Singapore: 10 Options for 2025 (Comparison)
Where to Go This Weekend from Singapore: 10 Options for 2025 (Comparison)
Short direct answer: The fastest weekend escapes from Singapore are Batam or Bintan by ferry (about 40–90 minutes door-to-door), Desaru by short ferry or 2–2.5 hour drive, and short flights to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi or Phuket (1–2.5 hours). Where to Go This Weekend from Singapore: 10 Options for 2025 (Comparison)
This guide compares 10 practical, bookable weekend options for 2025 with travel times, estimated costs, sample itineraries, ferry schedule tips, visa info and recommended packages. Use the quick links below to jump to a destination and keep our checklist handy before you leave.
Where to Go This Weekend from Singapore: 10 Options for 2025 (Comparison)
- 1. Batam (Indonesia)
- 2. Bintan (Indonesia)
- 3. Desaru (Malaysia)
- 4. Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
- 5. Melaka (Malaysia)
- 6. Tioman Island (Malaysia)
- 7. Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- 8. Langkawi (Malaysia)
- 9. Phuket (Thailand)
- 10. Genting / Short Cruise from Singapore
1. Batam — fastest ferry getaway (45–70 minutes)
Quick facts
- Travel time: 45–70 minutes ferry (plus immigration). Total door-to-door ~2–3 hours.
- Best for: spa & massage, seafood, resorts with private pools, short family escapes, quick romantic weekends.
How to get there
- Ferries depart HarbourFront Centre and Tanah Merah. Frequent daily sailings — early mornings to late evenings. Book in advance on ferry operator sites or package deals.
Sample 2-day itinerary
- Day 1: Morning ferry → check-in resort → lunch at Nagoya Hill area → afternoon spa or pool → seafood dinner.
- Day 2: Short city tour (temples, local markets), souvenir shopping → return ferry late afternoon.
Estimated cost (per person)
- Ferry: S$25–50 one-way
- Hotel: S$70–300+ per night (budget hotel to private-pool villa)
- Meals & local transport: S$30–80
Recommended packages
- Batam | Montigo Resort + Ferry! Asia's Top 5-Star Resort with Private Infinity Pool — luxe family/pool villa option.
- Batam | 1 Day City Tour + Ferry at Only S$99! — quick day-trip package (good value).
Tips
- Bring your passport with at least 6 months validity and a return ticket. Singapore passport holders enjoy short-term visa-free entry for tourism in Indonesia, but rules change — check before you travel.
- Book the earliest ferry out and a late-afternoon return to maximise your time. Expect longer queues on Fridays and Sundays.
- For more on Batam planning, see this guide: [2023] Start Planning to Batam! and 7 Best Thing To Do in Batam.
2. Bintan — beach resorts and snorkelling (40–90 minutes)
Quick facts
- Travel time: 40–90 minutes by ferry depending on terminal (Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan or Tanah Merah to Tanjung Pinang routes available).
- Best for: beach resorts, family stays, golf, snorkelling, glamping options.
How to get there
- Ferries from Tanah Merah run to specific Bintan terminals (BRF schedules vary by season). Book resort transfers in advance.
Sample 2-day itinerary
- Day 1: Morning ferry → check into resort → beach & water activities → seafood dinner.
- Day 2: Morning snorkeling or mangrove/firefly tour → lunch → return ferry late afternoon.
Estimated cost (per person)
- Ferry: S$30–70 one-way
- Resort: S$120–600+ per night (budget to luxury villas)
- Activities & transfers: S$30–150
Recommended packages
- Bintan | Nirwana Resort Hotel + Ferry
- Bintan | Club Med Bintan Island + Ferry — all-inclusive activity-heavy option.
Helpful guides
Tips
- Check the resort transfer policy — many resorts include pick-up from the Bintan ferry terminal.
- Ferries to specific resort piers can save taxi time, so match your ferry arrival terminal to your hotel.
3. Desaru — Malaysian beach weekend by ferry or drive (90 minutes ferry / 2–2.5 hour drive)
Quick facts
- Travel time: Tanah Merah to Desaru ferry ~90 minutes (one-way) or 2–2.5 hour drive via Causeway and East Coast if you prefer driving/coach.
- Best for: waterpark families, beach resorts, seafood, staycation-style escapes without a flight.
How to get there
- There are dedicated ferry sailings from Singapore to Desaru (operators may run on select days). Alternatively, drive or take a coach through Johor (allow extra time for Causeway queuing at peak periods).
Estimated cost (per person)
- Ferry: S$60–110 round trip (ballpark)
- Hotel: S$120–400 per night (family resort to luxury)
- Meals & activities: S$30–120
Recommended reading
- Ferry from Singapore to Desaru: Schedule & Prices 2025 (FAQ)
- Top Attractions in Desaru (Beach, Adventure Waterpark, Hotels)
Tips
- Ferry days vary — confirm the specific sailing date before booking. If you drive, check Causeway peak hours and consider leaving after 9pm Friday to avoid delays.
4. Johor Bahru — day trip or short stay (30–90 minutes by car / 45–90 minutes by bus)
Quick facts
- Travel time: 30–90 minutes by car depending on traffic at the Causeway; Grab/coach from Singapore to JB is cheap and quick off-peak.
- Best for: shopping, family attractions (LEGOLAND), food hunts and short stays.
Sample options
- LEGOLAND day package (book ahead) or spend an overnight at a JB hotel to avoid rush-hour crossing times.
- For family-friendly ideas, see the LEGOLAND package: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort + Coach.
Tips
- Check e-hailing bridge crossing services and Grab prices for real-time costs. Bring passport and check estimated queue times at the Causeway for weekends and public holidays.
5. Melaka — heritage & food weekend (3–4 hours by coach/car)
Quick facts
- Travel time: ~3–4 hours by coach or private car depending on traffic. Overnight recommended for a relaxed pace.
- Best for: heritage walk, museums, food & cafe hopping, romantic riverside evenings.
Getting there & tips
- Coach transfer packages include direct return coach and hotel. Example package: Hatten Hotel Melaka + 2-Way Coach Transfer.
- Start early on Saturdays to beat traffic; spend the night to enjoy both day markets and night food scene.
6. Tioman Island — marine & diving weekend (ferry + transfer, best with 2 nights)
Quick facts
- Travel time: boat transfer varies by pier & operator; plan for extra buffer time for transfers. Ideal for 2–3 nights to get value from travel time.
- Best for: diving, snorkelling, island resorts and island chill time.
Recommended package
- Paya Beach Resort - Tioman Island 3D2N Full Board Package — good all-in-one option with transfers and meals.
Tips
- Check the boat schedule the day before you travel — sea-weather can cause cancellations. Buy travel insurance that covers transfer delays.
7. Kuala Lumpur — city & food weekend (1 hour flight / 4–5 hour coach)
Quick facts
- Travel time: ~1 hour flight; coach ~4–5 hours. Flights are frequent and sometimes cheaper when booked early.
- Best for: shopping, hawker-style food, nightlife, quick city culture fix.
Estimated cost
- Return flight: S$60–200 (promo to standard fares)
- Hotel: S$50–200 per night
Packages
Tips
- Book early if you want late-night return flights — they fill up on weekends. Use RapidKL / Grab for inner-city travel.
8. Langkawi — beach + cable car (1h40m flight)
Quick facts
- Flight time: about 1 hour 40 minutes direct.
- Best for: scenic beaches, mangrove tours, duty-free shopping and relaxing resort stays.
Estimated cost
- Return flight: S$80–250 depending on sale dates and airline.
- Hotel: S$80–300+
Tips
- Langkawi is duty-free — factor that into shopping budgets. Ferries are not the usual route from Singapore; flying is faster for a weekend.
9. Phuket — islands, nightlife & beaches (2–2.5 hour flight)
Quick facts
- Flight time: ~2 hours 15 minutes direct from Singapore.
- Best for: island-hopping, Phuket town cafes, beaches, day trips to Phi Phi & Phang Nga Bay.
Estimated cost
- Return flight: S$120–400 (depending on season and airline)
- Hotel: S$60–250 per night
Tips
- Check Thailand’s digital entry requirements — travellers must complete any required digital arrival card ahead of time (TDAC or similar requirements introduced in 2025).
- Book island day trips early on platforms or via your hotel to secure scuba or boat slots.
10. Genting Dream Cruise / short cruises — city & sea in one
Quick facts
- Travel time: cruise departs from Singapore Marina; choose 1–3 night itineraries. Perfect if you want a relaxed no-immigration weekend.
- Best for: families, couples, group celebrations and multi-activity getaways without visas or long drives.
Why consider a cruise
- All-in-one (accommodation + meals + entertainment). No passport stamping required for closed-loop short cruises that return to Singapore, but check the itinerary if it docks overseas.
- Popular operators and deals appear often — check current promotions before you book.
Packages & guides
- See the Genting Dream Cruise offers and short-cruise options on our deals list (search the Cruises section on WeekendGoWhere).
- For a cruise vs resort comparison, consult: Cruise vs Bintan Resort: Which Weekend Getaway is Better Value?
Quick comparison: travel time, rough cost, best for
- Batam — 45–70 min ferry; S$80–300 total; spa/resort, very quick, great for last-minute plans.
- Bintan — 40–90 min ferry; S$120–400 total; beach resorts, more resort choices than Batam.
- Desaru — 90 min ferry or 2+ hour drive; S$120–350; family beach + waterpark.
- JB — 30–90 min drive; S$20–200; shopping, LEGOLAND, food stops.
- Melaka — 3–4 hour coach; S$80–220; culture/food weekend.
- Tioman — longer transfer; S$200–500; diving & snorkel trips — best with 2 nights.
- Kuala Lumpur — 1 hour flight; S$100–350; city + shopping.
- Langkawi — 1h40m flight; S$160–450; beaches & nature.
- Phuket — 2–2.5 hour flight; S$150–450; islands & nightlife.
- Genting / Cruise — 1–3 nights; S$200–600+ depending on cabin & promos; entertainment + family options.
Step-by-step: how to pick and book a weekend trip fast
- Decide trip length: 1-night (very tight) or 2-nights (recommended for flights).
- Check passport validity: 6 months minimum recommended for Indonesia, Thailand and some international stops.
- Confirm visa & digital arrival card rules for your destination — Malaysia typically visa-free for Singaporeans, Indonesia still offers 30-day visa-free stays for Singapore passport holders but rules were updated in 2025 so confirm before travel, and Thailand introduced digital arrival forms in 2025.
- Book transport: ferry operator site or flight (choose earliest out, latest return to maximise time).
- Reserve hotel or package (packages often include ferry/coach + hotel and can be simpler). Consider travel insurance that covers transfer delays.
- Pack light and carry a photocopy/photo of passport and e-tickets in your phone and offline screenshot of bookings.
Practical travel tips
- Peak times: Fri evenings and Sun afternoons are busiest for Causeway and ferries — leave earlier or later to avoid queues.
- Cash & payments: small vendors in Indonesia/Malaysia accept cash; use cards where possible. Exchange a small amount before arrival.
- Connectivity: buy a local SIM or arrange roaming if you need maps and ride-hailing on arrival.
- Insurance: choose coverage that includes missed connections and medical evacuation for island trips.
- Health: sunscreen, insect repellent (for mangrove / night tours), and motion-sickness meds for choppy ferry days.
FAQ — ferry schedule, packages, visa info, travel tips
Q: What are typical ferry times and schedules?
A: Ferry routes to Batam and Bintan run multiple times daily from HarbourFront and Tanah Merah. Typical crossing time is 40–70 minutes for Batam and 40–90 minutes for Bintan depending on the pier. Desaru sailings are less frequent — check the operator timetable for the exact day you plan to travel.
Q: Are there package deals that include ferry and hotel?
A: Yes — many WeekendGoWhere deals bundle ferry/coach + hotel and sometimes transfers. Examples in this post include Montigo Resort (Batam) and Nirwana Resort (Bintan). Packages can save time and sometimes money versus booking each element separately.
Q: Do Singapore passport holders need visas for these weekend spots?
A: For most short weekend trips from Singapore: Malaysia is visa-free for Singaporeans (up to 30 days), Indonesia grants a 30-day visa-exemption for Singapore passport holders for most entry points (but new digital procedures were introduced in 2025 — always check before you travel), and Thailand allows visa-free stays for tourism (check any new digital arrival form requirements). If you are not a Singapore passport holder (for example, PR or other nationality), verify visa needs for your passport.
Q: Any ferry booking tips?
A: Book early for weekends and long weekends. Choose terminals close to your hotel to reduce transfer time. Save a screenshot of your booking and arrive at least 45–60 minutes before departure for immigration & check-in during peak season.
Q: How much should I budget for a weekend escape?
A: Rough budgeting guide (per person, excluding shopping): Batam/Bintan day trip S$80–200; 2-day resort S$150–600; short flights (KL/Phuket/Langkawi) weekend S$250–700 depending on hotel and flight choice; cruises S$200–600+ depending on cabin and promos.
Suggested related reads & internal links
- How to Travel from Singapore to Batam (FAQ)
- Batam vs Bintan: Which is Better for a Weekend Trip? (Comparison)
- Cruise vs Bintan Resort: Which Weekend Getaway is Better Value?
- Top 5 Bintan Resort in May 2025
Final checklist before you go
- Passport (6 months validity recommended) & printed e-tickets.
- Check latest ferry/flight schedule and terminal.
- Confirm hotel/resort pick-up times and transfer details.
- Complete any required digital arrival forms for your destination (check official immigration pages).
- Buy travel insurance that covers trip interruptions and medical emergencies.
If you want a personalised pick: Batam and Bintan are fastest for a weekend; Desaru or JB are quick land/ferry options; Langkawi and Phuket are the best short-flight beach breaks; and a short cruise is a great no-immigration, family-friendly alternative.
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