Mirella Pandjaitan
Aug 15, 2025
A satiated appetite masked by a lightweight attire and comfy sneakers comprises my starter pack for venturing the sprawling metropolis teeming with iconic sights and eclectic neighbourhoods, that is, Singapore. Tiny yet mighty, Singapore is a universe of wonder with many gems — and even then, exploring within a limited timeframe can quickly become overwhelming. For some, navigating unfamiliar streets, deciphering addresses, and researching countless attractions can often detract from the joy of discovery. I’m normally the type of person who endures the art of getting lost and winging it in my voyages. This visit, however, couldn’t uplift that.
As I always say, “Let’s make the most of it.”
So, how can one experience the essence of Singapore efficienntly, without sacrificing depth or enjoyment?
The answer lies in the open-top bus tour — a sophisticated and effortless way to capture the city’s grandeur. From the elevated vantage point of the upper deck, we effortlessly glided past Singapore’s most celebrated landmarks, all while capturing stunning photographs and immersing ourselves in the city’s fiery pulse.
My travel sidekick and I were encouraged to give this Hop-On Hop-Off Bus a shot. Merely one full day of exploration was all there is; thus, we let the universe put in the motion, considering this travel alternative tackled Singapore’s big names in one go. Indeed, the city’s public transportation is as seamless as it can get. Time was crunching, though!
The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus goes by its name: ‘Hop On’ to discover as you let the wheels carry you down the open road and then ‘Hop Off’ to explore at any stop that captures your fancy. Millions of travellers around the world are inspired by the freedom of open-top sightseeing every year. But in reality, it’s beyond a convenient way to get around. It’s freedom — to explore at your own pace. It’s flexibility — to shape your journey, your way. It’s effortless discovery — letting the city unfold before you, stop by stop.
“Sounds interesting,’’ we nodded to each other after soaking in the hotel staff’s explanation. I started flipping over the colourful, glossy brochure. All sorts of information we require are detailed, including a map and lists of nearby attractions from the bus stops. “The bus stop closest to us is right off Orchard Road, in front of the Apple Store,’’ informed the hotel staff. Might as well embark on a scenic journey and let Singapore’s charm unveil through a unique approach, we reckoned.
Seven fleeting hours were all we had to chase this little adventure. A mere four sites to scope out — no more, no less. Optimism rushed over the heaviness of waking hours. Our heads turned to the right every time a bus slowed to a halt. Alas, no double-decker, open-top buses appeared as we exhaled, turning our heads following the motion fades as the bus settled still to the front, unravelling the Mandarin Gallery in daylight just across the street. I double-checked the bus stop code from the brochure and on the pillar. Everything was aligned. Patience, however, was running on fumes.
“There it is!’’ I exclaimed, jumping out of the bench, striding towards the opening bus door. According to the brochure, tickets could be secured online, a uniformed staff, or onboard any open-top bus. The latter felt more on par. SGD 70 for a one-day pass for two was inconsistent with what I had read but I shrugged it off and together, we climbed the stairs to the open-air top deck.
Singapore seemed to sizzle beneath the sun, yet at the same time was enriching a playful zephyr from our seats. The driver distributed another brochure and a front-to-back schedule. Skimming through it, “Oh my God, this isn't the bus we're meant to catch!’’ I shrieked. No words muttered through the gasps of my sidekick. Five minutes later, after a proper read-through of the schedule, I recognised that my brain fart was, as a matter of fact, a blessing in disguise!
“Look, our first stop is Lau Pa Sat. We're on FunVee's Green Line and it stops at ‘Shenton Way’, which is near the hawker centre,’’ I expressed, to which my sidekick sighed with relief — verbally and non-verbally. “Let’s enjoy the ride — we still have 11 more stops to go.’’ By some stroke of luck, another unplanned redirection in my world travels had saved me extra effort.
The FunVee Open-Top Double-Decker Bus allowed us to see Singapore like never before; with the wind in our hair and the city at our feet as we rode high above the streets. It was our front-row seat to the best of Singapore. Not another bus tour, this moving experience traversed the city’s notable skyline, cultural enclaves, and hidden gems all at our own pace. We're no first-timers, nor are we long-time locals; nevertheless, we rediscovered the soul of Singapore we once thought we knew — from a stunning new perspective.
Every turn reveals a new story on 32+ stops across two thoughtfully curated routes, Green and Orange. Cruising past architectural marvels like the Esplanade Theatre and Singapore Flyer, overseeing heaps of tourists encircling the legendary Merlion Park, and witnessing the astounding Singapore Flyer up close were some of the city's must-see highlights inclusive of the Green Line's 23 stops.
Meanwhile, the Orange (or Marina Sightseeing) Line unveils striking skyline views and cultural immersion as this 14-stop journey connects to Singapore’s heritage through its most energetic districts — Little India, Arab Street, Chinatown — and spiritual landmarks like the Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, all while soaking in stunning visuals of Marina Bay Sands and the Gardens by the Bay.
Onboard, multilingual audio guides provide rich commentary, unlocking the tales behind every landmark, building, and boulevard we passed. Along the Green Line, soaring buildings rose like giants on all sides within the city's bustling financial district, reminiscent of New York City. I had a jolting realisation that it was ultimately the 11th stop: ‘This is us!’’ We quickly disembarked and FunVee's green exterior revealed the century-old building, Lau Pa Sat, just opposite us. A brief pick-me-up at a pharmacy soon turned frantic since tons of white collars rushed in an orderly manner to the true taste of Singapore.
Built in the 19th century, the historic icon attached with timeless charm (also known as Telok Ayer Market), has stood proudly as a landmark of Singapore’s skyline for generations. Officially gazetted as a National Monument in 1973, Lau Pa Sat is a cultural treasure. Its remarkable octagonal layout and ornate Victorian-era columns have undergone several renovations. I gazed up at its lofty, carved eaves, admiring the lace-like detail of the wrought ironwork. This robust and refined building is now reimagined as a world-renowned hawker centre, incorporating heritage and flavour in the most tantalising way possible.
Singapore’s UNESCO-recognised Hawker Culture is where rich heritage and multicultural roots come alive through food. Over 80 stalls of favourite hawker delights and global gourmet bites are all under one legendary roof. No passport needed for this food journey. We roamed gently — encountering six Michelin-mentioned names — from smoky char kway teow and fragrant chicken biryani, to silky chee cheong fun, iconic Hainanese chicken rice, sizzling satay, and nostalgic kaya toast. There’s a dish here to satisfy every craving, to which my case was a smouldering bowl of Singaporean laksa. We came hungry and left inspired.
“Our bus doesn't pass Chinatown but it's only a 10-minute walk from here,’’ I told my sidekick. I may have gotten us off track; nevertheless, the vivid cafes and restaurants of a tight lane were a feast for our eyes and led us to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, right in the middle of Chinatown.
Its bold red façade and intricate Tang-style architecture is impossible to miss. Inside this four-storey temple is a treasure trove of culture and spirituality, including a stunning gold stupa that houses what’s believed to be a tooth relic of Buddha himself. A sarong must be worn for those donning garments revealing too much skin. Once dressed respectfully, wander through the temple's sacred halls, explore the fascinating museum, or take a peaceful breather in the rooftop garden. Countless tourists came into the mix of worshippers to admire the artistry, soak in the atmosphere, and find a moment of serenity.
“I want to swing by a store,’’ enthused my sidekick. “It happens to be nearby Clarke Quay, but it's a 20-minute walk. Is that okay with you?’’ I asked this movement minimalist. He said it didn't matter, so we made our way deep into the financial district to the downtown core area, where the Parliament, City Hall, and rainbow-hued façade of the Communications and Information Ministry encircled. The mall is not much; it depicts another side of retail therapy accessible in the city. Our laid-back saunter felt like time-travelling with a twist — where shiny skyscrapers high-five charming colonial buildings. It’s as if the old and new are having a fun little dance down the streets!
The last bus was at 4 PM. My wristwatch showed over an hour left to bask in Clarke Quay, the last leg to our expedition. No boats left the dock — I can only imagine how vivacious it must be when the sun kisses goodnight. We made ourselves comfortable at the bus stop's bench, agitatedly counting down the seconds until my wristwatch struck four. I'd checked the bus stop code on the schedule and the pillar, similar to this morning's precautionary take. Woefully, another Hop-On Hop-Off bus passed several times instead.
The Big Bus Tours is another option — stay on board and relish a panoramic loop through Singapore’s stunning skyline, or hop off to explore buzzing neighbourhoods, lush gardens, historic landmarks, and vibrant cultural enclaves. Snap your photos, take your time, then simply board the next bus when you're ready to move on.
Two distinct routes also make one memorable escape encompassing more than 30 stops across the city: Yellow Line (City Tour) and Red Line (Heritage Tour). Yellow signifies a celebration of Singapore’s icons, innovation, and retail havens — ideal for first-timers and lovers of architecture and design. You can discover Singapore’s green heart at the Botanic Gardens, admire the futuristic beauty of Gardens by the Bay, and marvel at cultural institutions like the Singapore Art Museum. There’s also plenty of time to indulge in world-class shopping along Orchard Road and admire the colonial elegance of Raffles Hotel, while insightful stories about Singapore's history, culture, and design are played onboard in seven languages.
Whereas Red embodies a journey through the radiant character and charm of Singapore’s cultural roots and reveals the soul of Singapore’s multicultural identity. Learn about traditional customs, ethnic architecture, and culinary hotspots (also available in seven languages) — from Little India's electric textures, Chinatown's storied streets, to Kampong Glam's cultural mosaic.
Choose between a one-day or two-day ticket, allowing you ample time to soak up the city's sights. Or, for a more immersive experience, upgrade to the Explore Ticket, which includes a three-hour live-guided Night Tour to see Singapore sparkle after dark.
“What if our bus abandons us?’’ despair crept into my sidekick. No, one cannot use a FunVee ticket to take the Big Bus. “The nearest stop is right around the corner, but that seems to be the Orange route. We could always take that one and walk a little further to the hotel,’’ I reassured him. Just as we made a couple of steps away from the bus stop — behold, our colorful FunVee rolled in our direction. We sprinted back and plopped down in the open-top seats, absorbing the pure joy after what felt like forever waiting. So, no, we didn't miss the 4 PM bus and made it back to the hotel for a ravishing spread.
Singapore is a city that rewards curiosity. With Hop-On Hop-Off tours, every corner becomes a new opportunity to discover something etched in one's mind. Ride with ease, venture with confidence, and let the city surprise you. Don’t just see it. Experience it — from the top deck of a Hop-On Hop-Off bus.
Our adventure started here and shall continue another day. Climb aboard — Singapore is waiting! You decide where to linger and when to move on. When you're ready, the next open-top ride is just minutes away.