From Singapore with Kids: Family Travel Guide | Homejourney

From Singapore with Kids: Family Travel Guide – Quick Overview

Travelling from Singapore with kids is easier than many parents expect: Changi’s kid-friendly facilities, short flight times around Asia, and Singapore’s high safety standards make it an ideal launchpad for family adventures, whether you’re planning a Thailand weekend, a quick Bangkok weekend, or a relaxed Phuket weekend getaway.[2][4]

This cluster guide complements Homejourney’s main family and relocation pillar content by focusing on practical, on-the-ground tips for parents: how to plan a short Thailand trip from Singapore, keep kids safe and happy in transit, and use these travels to explore longer-term lifestyle and real estate options across Asia, including Singapore.

Why Use Singapore as Your Family Travel Hub

Having raised kids in the West and East of Singapore, and done multiple long weekends to Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi, I’ve seen firsthand why families base themselves here: it’s clean, efficient, and consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the world, with low violent crime and strong public order laws.[4][6]

Singapore’s Changi Airport regularly tops global rankings and is effectively a family attraction on its own, with the Jewel indoor waterfall, Canopy Park play areas and free movie theatres.[2][5] For jet-lagged kids, we often give them 1–2 hours at Jewel’s play zones before heading home or to the hotel – it resets their energy and makes the journey feel like part of the holiday.

From a logistics standpoint, most key Asian family destinations are within 2–3 hours’ flight: Bangkok (about 2 hours 30 minutes), Phuket (about 1 hour 50 minutes), Krabi, Penang and Bali are all realistic for a short Thailand trip or long weekend. This is why many expat and local families combine Singapore living with frequent regional escapes.

Best Time to Travel from Singapore with Kids

Singapore itself is hot and humid year-round, with temperatures around 25–32°C and frequent brief showers, so there is no strict “off-season” for local attractions like Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa or the Singapore Zoo.[2][4] For regional trips, school holidays in June and December are peak, so we book flights 2–3 months in advance to keep costs manageable.

For a Thailand weekend (Bangkok or Phuket), November to February is generally more comfortable weather-wise, with lower humidity and slightly cooler temperatures, though this is also high season in many Thai beach destinations. Families travelling off-peak (April, May, September) can often secure cheaper airfares and quieter resorts, but should prepare for brief tropical storms.

Getting From Singapore to Thailand with Kids

A typical Singapore to Thailand family journey starts at Changi Airport, usually flying from Terminal 1 or 2 on budget carriers or full-service airlines. From the city, we usually allow 25–35 minutes by taxi from central areas like Orchard or Tiong Bahru, and 45–60 minutes from far-western estates like Jurong if travelling during peak traffic.

With young kids, we prefer flights departing between 9am and 1pm, avoiding red-eyes and late-night returns where possible. Most Singapore–Bangkok flights are around 2.5 hours, while Singapore–Phuket is under two hours, which kids generally tolerate well with snacks, colouring books and downloaded shows.

Currency-wise, you’ll use Singapore dollars (SGD) at home and Thai baht (THB) in Thailand. Many Singapore families change a small amount of THB at local money changers in areas like Raffles Place or Parkway Parade before departure for immediate expenses, then use cards or ATMs in Thailand for the rest. Homejourney supports multi-currency considerations in our financial tools, making it easier to compare costs if you’re also thinking about property investment in the region.

Top Family Attractions in Singapore Before or After Your Trip

If you’re basing yourselves in Singapore – or doing a stopover before heading to Thailand – there are several must-do, kid-friendly areas clustered close together, which keeps travel time down for tired children.[1][2][6]

Marina Bay & Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay, next to Bayfront MRT, is a favourite with our kids: the Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are cool, shaded and stroller-friendly.[2] We usually spend 2–3 hours here, then walk 10–15 minutes to Marina Bay Sands and the promenade for early dinner and the Marina Bay light show in the evening.

Insider tip: The children’s water play area at Gardens by the Bay is ideal in mid-afternoon heat – pack a change of clothes and small towel for each child.

Sentosa Island

Sentosa, accessible via HarbourFront MRT and the Sentosa Express, is effectively Singapore’s family playground, hosting Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, beaches and more.[2][4] Families with kids under 7 often prioritise S.E.A. Aquarium and the beach club pools, while older kids gravitate to Universal Studios and Mega Adventure Park’s zipline.

Insider tip: Combine one paid attraction with free time on the beach; doing two big-ticket parks in a day usually overwhelms younger kids and parents.

Singapore Zoo, River Wonders & Night Safari

The Mandai wildlife cluster (Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari) is about 30–40 minutes’ drive from central Singapore. Many families choose one park in the morning and then return another day for the Night Safari to avoid 10–12 hour days with small children.[1]

Insider tip: It can be significantly cooler and breezier in the early evening; bring a light cardigan for kids doing the Night Safari tram ride.

Practical Travel & Safety Tips for Families

Singapore’s public transport is clean and reliable, with MRT stations generally stroller-accessible via lifts, and posted rules enforced regularly, which contributes to a safe environment.[6] With kids, we typically use MRT for city-centre attractions and book taxis or ride-hailing for early-morning airport runs or late-night returns.

For regional trips like a Bangkok weekend or Phuket weekend, families should always check the latest travel advisories and airline safety information, and consider travel insurance that includes medical coverage for children. While Singapore is extremely safe, regional destinations can have different standards for road safety, helmets, and water safety; parents should be prepared to enforce their own rules.

Money-saving tip: In Singapore, attraction bundles like the Go City Pass can shave costs off major draws such as Universal Studios, Gardens by the Bay conservatories and more, and are especially useful if you’re doing multiple family attractions in a short stay.[5]

Family-Friendly Accommodation in Singapore

When travelling with kids, we usually recommend staying either around Marina Bay/City Hall (for sightseeing), Orchard Road (for shopping and central access) or on Sentosa itself (for resort-style stays). These areas offer family rooms, pools and easy transport to major attractions.[3][4]

Families considering a medium- to long-term stay often explore neighbourhoods like East Coast (close to parks and beaches), Holland Village (expat-friendly, near international schools) or Novena (central yet quieter). Through Homejourney’s Property Search , you can compare family-friendly condos near MRTs, playgrounds and schools to match your travel habits and lifestyle.

If you are thinking about a second home or investment property, browse new launch and resale projects with detailed analyses of location, unit mix and amenities via our Projects Directory . For financing insights, Homejourney’s Bank Rates page helps you understand current mortgage trends across banks in Singapore.

Food & Dining with Kids in Singapore

Hawker centres are central to local life: places like Lau Pa Sat, Newton Food Centre, and East Coast Lagoon Food Village offer affordable, authentic dishes such as chicken rice, satay, roti prata and laksa in a casual setting.[4] Many kids enjoy simple staples like chicken rice and fried rice, while more adventurous eaters can sample chilli crab or sambal stingray.

Insider tip: Go slightly before local peak mealtimes (11:30am for lunch, 6pm for dinner) to avoid queues with kids; we also carry a small pack of wipes and tissues because some hawker centres do not provide napkins.

For more curated food ideas before or after a Thailand weekend, see Homejourney’s guide to dining in Singapore for Thai-bound travellers: Best Food and Restaurants in Singapore for Thailand Weekend Travelers .