Best short trips from Singapore: 9 spontaneous getaways with flights under 3 hours

Going on holiday used to translate to weeks of meticulous planning, carefully considered leave days and a long itinerary of things to do and sights to see. 

But more are

embracing spontaneous, ultra-short overseas breaks

, with travellers booking last-minute flights and staying for as short as 24 hours. With

6 public holiday long weekends in 2026

, you could consider taking a quick getaway to rest and recharge.

If you need travel inspiration for a super short trip from Singapore, here are some destinations with flights under three hours.

In this article

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Our top picks for super short trips from Singapore

Selected for accessibility from Singapore and ease of travel, these destinations offer the best variety for an ultra-short holiday.

For a more in-depth look at how to get to these destinations, what to do there, flight times and prices, scroll down to read more.

But first, here’s what to consider when planning a micro-holiday.

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How to plan fuss-free, ultra-short trips from Singapore

Pick somewhere you have been before

Travellers who do ultra-short trips tend to choose familiar destinations. Knowing how to navigate the public transport system, the best routes to and from the airport and where to shop and eat removes most of the uncertainty that comes with overseas travel.

If you are on a time crunch, get the most out of your holiday by planning your arrival time to be outside of the morning or evening rush hour.

Avoid overscheduling yourself

The last thing you want is to feel more exhausted and stressed out than before you left.

If the goal is a quick mental reset, you want to curate a more focused experience for yourself and allow for unstructured time.

For those staying for only 48 hours, enjoying a delicious meal, checking out a few restaurants and browsing a few shops is more than plenty to do.

Use price comparison platforms when booking flights

Booking last-minute flights may not necessarily be more expensive than purchasing a plane ticket months in advance, thanks to dynamic pricing and the high number of low-cost carrier flights around the region.

You can use platforms such as

Skyscanner

and

Traveloka

to browse the cheapest flight deals from Singapore in real-time.

Book accommodations in areas you are familiar with

For ease of mind, you can book a room in a renowned hotel chain such as the

Hilton Hotels

or the

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)

. These hotels usually have a concierge service that can assist you with restaurant bookings and transport arrangements, if needed.

But if you already have preferred accommodations, you can save more by booking through platforms such as

Trip.com

and

Agoda

, especially when there are on-going double-digit day sales.

Keep an eye out for travel deals

Booking flights and accomodations when there are ongoing sales is also another way to save on your next trip. Here are some ongoing flight promotions:

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Short trips from Singapore with flight times of 3 hours or less

If you’re trying to figure out where to go, here is a list of popular holiday destinations, sorted by flight duration. 

With flight times of three hours or less, you don’t have to worry about extended travel times eating into your precious weekend.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Flight time from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur:

The flight time from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is about an hour. Return flights to the Malaysian capital start from $92, with the cheapest flights being from AirAsia.

What to do in Kuala Lumpur:

Have breakfast at local eateries like Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam, go thrift shopping at Shimokita Space and Jalan Jalan Japan, and hit up a cafe in Bukit Bintang.

Catch a glimpse of the

Petronas Twin Towers

, hit up the

KL Tower for views

and visit

Aquaria KLCC

. For a splashing good time, make a stop at

Sunway Lagoon Water Theme Park

.

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur

Langkawi, Malaysia

Flight time from Singapore to Langkawi: 

It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to fly from Singapore to Langkawi. AirAsia and Scoot have direct flights, with the most affordable option starting from $9.

What to do in Langkawi: 

Langkawi is known for its white sandy beaches and beautiful turquoise waters. Spend a day lounging by the beach, try your hand at

stand up paddling and snorkling

, or island hop across five islands on a

jet ski tour

.

For those who want to enjoy sweeping, panoramic views of Langkawi and its rainforests, you could

book a cable car ride

up Mount Manchinchang. Or headover to the Langkawi Sky Bridge, which is 660m above sea level.

Where to stay in Langkawi:

Penang, Malaysia

Flight time from Singapore to Penang:

It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to fly from Singapore to Penang. Direct return flights to Penang start at $104.

What to do in Penang:

Dive into Penang’s culinary scene with a great plate of char kuey teow on Presgrave Street, Chulia Street or Kimberley Street. 

Spend the day wandering through George Town’s many lanes and alleyways to check out the wall murals and street art. Stop by the many cafes in the area for an iced drink to beat the sweltering heat. 

On the weekends, drop by Hin Market to browse the bustling food and crafts stalls. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to Penang, book a

Penang Day Tour

to rediscover the city. 

For those who have more time, take the funicular railway up Penang Hill for panoramic views and check out

The Habitat Penang Hill

, an award-winning rainforest discovery park. 

Where to stay in Penang:

But for those who want to relax by a nice pool with a sea view, treat yourself and book a suite at the

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

.

Jakarta, Indonesia

Flight time from Singapore to Jakarta:

You’ll need 1 hour 50 minutes to get to the Indonesian capital. Choose direct flight options from Scoot, AirAsia, Garuda Indoneisa, Batik Air, TransNusa and Citlink. Prices start at $137.

What to do in Jakarta:

If you’ve been to Jakarta before, skip tourist sites like Monas or the downtown Kota Tua neighbourhood. Instead, you could spend time cafe hopping in the Senopati area.

Alternatively, spend the day at

Sea World Ancol

, relax at

The Spa at Park Hyatt Hotel Jakarta

, or admire Jakarta’s skyline from the

Thamrin Nine Observatory Deck

. 

Where to stay in Jakarta:

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Flight time from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City:

The flight time from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Direct return flights start from $152, with Vietjet being the most affordable option.  

What to do in Ho Chi Minh City:

Much like Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City is a paradise for both foodies and shoppers. After you’ve enjoyed a bowl of pho, had your banh mi and drank a cup of egg ca phe, it is time to hit the shops.

Vietnamese fashion designers are having their moment in the spotlight. Whether you are into bold, distinctive streetwear or playful, feminine silhouettes, browse these guides to discover Vietnamese labels to check out:

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City:

Bangkok, Thailand

Flight time from Singapore to Bangkok:

The flight time from Singapore to Bangkok is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Fly Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways or Thai Lion Air for direct return flights, prices start at $168.

What to do in Bangkok:

For seasoned Bangkok explorers, it’s likely you’ll spend the day shopping and eating at your favourite haunts. 

If you’re looking for a new experience, consider going on a

Bangkok Night Michelin Foodie Tour

, watching a

muay thai match

or navigating through the maze that is

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

.

Where to stay in Bangkok:

Bali, Indonesia

Flight time from Singapore to Bali:

The flight time from Singapore to Bali is about 2 hours 45 minutes. Choose direct flights from Air Asia, KLM, Scoot and Singapore Airlines. Direct return flights start at $149, with the most affordable option being AirAsia.

What to do in Bali:

Bali is one of the most popular beach destinations for Singaporeans. Go for a morning yoga or pilates class and spend the afternoon lounging at a beach club such as FINNS Beach Club, La Brisa or Ku De Ta.

Squeeze in a massage before you head to dinner at one of the many trendy restaurants. End the night with a drink or two or head to La Favela to party. 

For the more adventurous, you could

book a tour to see Mount Batur, the terraced rice fields, and the Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary

.

Where to stay in Bali:

If you want more options on where to stay in Bali, browse our article with

top hotel picks in Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu and Kuta

.

Da Nang, Vietnam

Flight time from Singapore to Da Nang:

The flight time to Da Nang is 2 hours and 50 minutes. Flights to Danang from Singapore start from $186, with the most wallet-friendly option being Vietjet.

What to do in Da Nang:

The coastal city in central Vietnam has a laid-back vibe and is sandwiched between the sea and the mountains. 

Spend your day swimming in the clear waters of My Khe Beach or exploring the Marble Mountains and its limestone hills, caves and temples.

If you want to head out of the city, beat the heat and visit

Ba Na Hills

. While you’re there, walk across the Golden Bridge, a 150-metre pedestrian bridge which looks like it is held up by giant stone hands.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Flight time from Singapore to Chiang Mai:

The flight time from Singapore to Chiang Mai is 3 hours. Direct return flights start at $280, as offered by Scoot.

What to do in Chiang Mai:

Located in northern Thailand’s mountains, Chiang Mai boasts stunning landscapes and is the backdrop for plenty of outdoor activities. 

Drop by an

elephant conservation centre

, ride on a

jungle luge and zoom down a zip line

, go river-rafting, rock-climbing and more.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai:

All prices and deals are correct at time of publication

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FAQs: Short trips from Singapore

Where to go from Singapore for a short trip?

Aside from browsing our list and going to popular destinations such as Penang, Bangkok and Bali, you can use platforms like Skyscanner for travel inspiration.

On the Skyscanner website, you could select the “Explore Everywhere” and “Flexible dates” options to view flight prices for the whole month and the most affordable flights, as sorted by country.

Which countries do Singaporeans travel to the most?

The most popular destinations for Singaporeans to travel to are Malaysia, Japan, China, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

Are short trips worth it?

Yes, short trips can be worthwhile. A quick getaway can be a form of low-stakes holidaying that does not require too much time, planning or financial commitment.

Those who go on short trips often pack light and have a flexible itinerary, which removes the mental labour that often accompanies preparing for longer trips.