7 Best Singapore Private Tours (2025 Reviews)
I used to think Singapore private tours were just for people with too much money and not enough sense of adventure. Boy, was I wrong about that one.
Turns out, having someone who actually knows the city show you around changes everything. Instead of wandering around Marina Bay with a thousand other tourists, taking the same photos everyone else takes, you get to see Singapore the way locals do.
Your guide actually answers those random questions that pop into your head – like why everyone’s obsessed with kopitiam culture or what those colorful shophouses in Chinatown really mean.
The best part? You move at your own speed. Want to spend twenty minutes talking to a hawker about their grandmother’s laksa recipe? Go for it. More interested in the weird architectural details everyone walks past? Your guide’s probably got stories about those too.
I’ve tried seven different private tour options now – everything from food crawls through hidden neighborhoods to those fancy airport VIP services that make you feel slightly ridiculous but also kind of important. Some were amazing, others… well, let’s just say not all guides are created equal.
Here’s what I learned about the ones actually worth your time and money.
🏆 Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour
A flavorful journey through Singapore’s hawker heritage, with stops at Chinatown, Little India, and the best street eats along the way.
⏱ 3.5 hours | 📍 205 New Bridge Rd, Singapore | 💬 5.0 Stars | ✅ Free Cancellation
Looking to explore Singapore further with personalized experiences? Enhance your private tour adventure with specialized Singapore Food Tours for authentic culinary discoveries and local market visits. Add active Singapore Bike Tours for intimate neighborhood exploration and cultural immersion.
Evening options include exciting Singapore Night Safari wildlife encounters and relaxing River Cruises with illuminated city views. Don’t miss Gardens by the Bay for breathtaking botanical displays and architectural marvels.
Top 3: Singapore Private Tours
1. Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour | 2. Private Customised Singapore Walking Tour | 3. Private Airport Transfer in Singapore |
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Duration: 3.5 hours | Duration: 4 hours (half day) or 8 hours (full day) | Duration: 20–60 minutes |
Pickup: 205 New Bridge Rd | Pickup: Custom hotel pickup (optional) | Pickup: Airport pickup |
Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours | Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours | Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours |
Includes: All food tastings, guide, bottled water | Includes: Custom route, local guide | Includes: Private driver, air-conditioned vehicle |
Tastes of Chinatown, Little India, hawker stalls | Flexible itinerary, iconic sights, local neighborhoods | Fast, seamless transfer to/from airport |
👉 Reserve Your Spot! | 👉 Reserve Your Spot! | 👉 Reserve Your Spot! |
Quick Picks: Singapore Private Tour
- Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour
- Private Customised Singapore Walking Tour
- Private Airport Transfer in Singapore
- Private Tour: Sightseeing Daytrip to Johor Bahru from Singapore
- Half Day or Full Day Private Custom Walking Tour of Singapore
- Singapore: Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide
- Singapore: Changi Airport Premium Lounge Entry
Private Tours in Singapore (2025 Reviews)
Tour 1: Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour
🟧 Meeting Point: 205 New Bridge Rd, Singapore 059430
🟧 Departure Time: 9:00 AM
🟧 Duration: 3.5 hours
🟧 Guide: English-speaking, live guide
🟧 Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
🟧 Includes: All food tastings, English-speaking guide, bottled water
So we ended up booking the Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour after I read they actually focus on hawker centers instead of just dragging you to the usual tourist traps. Smart move on our part.
Started near Chinatown, which was fine, but honestly? The good stuff happened once we got to the actual food places. You know that moment when you walk into a hawker center and it hits you – the smell of sambal, woks going crazy, that whole chaotic food symphony? That’s when I knew this wasn’t going to be another bland tour.
Our guide was one of those people who just gets it. She’d point out some random stall and then tell you this whole story about the family who’s been running it for three generations. Like, we’re eating in Little India and she’s explaining how the spice blends connect to actual migration patterns. Who thinks about that stuff? But it made every bite mean something more.
Best part was not feeling rushed. Most food tours, they march you around like you’re in some kind of eating army. This felt more like tagging along with someone who actually lives there and knows where the good stuff is hiding. I could ask weird questions, take my time with the food, actually taste things instead of just photographing them.
The cultural stuff was deeper than I expected too. Stories about how communities stick together through food, how recipes survive when everything else changes. Heavy topics but she made it all connect somehow.
And that kaya toast at the end? I’m still thinking about it. Buttery, sweet, paired with coffee so strong it could wake the dead. Perfect way to finish.
More Tours of Singapore
Tour 2: Private Customised Singapore Walking Tour
🟧 Meeting Point: Custom meeting point arranged upon booking
🟧 Departure Time: Flexible start time, typically 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM
🟧 Duration: 4 hours (half day) or 8 hours (full day)
🟧 Guide: English-speaking, live private guide
🟧 Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
🟧 Includes: Custom itinerary, English-speaking guide, hotel pickup (optional)
I wasn’t sure how much we’d see on a half-day walk, but this Private Customised Singapore Walking Tour ended up covering more of the city and its soul than I expected.
The guide asked what we were interested in before we even started, then tailored the entire route to match: a mix of colonial landmarks, street murals tucked away in alleyways, and green spaces I’d have never found on my own. We skipped the cookie-cutter highlights in favor of real storytelling not just dates and facts, but what things meant to people who lived through them.
There was a beautiful pause in Kampong Glam where we wandered past rows of pastel shophouses, and I remember the guide casually explaining the scent wafting from a spice shop like it was poetry. He also made sure we stayed cool, hydrated, and shaded, essential in the Singapore heat.
What I really appreciated was the pace. No rush. No pressure. Just a thoughtful, engaging experience that felt like it was made for us because it was.
Tour 3: Private Airport Transfer in Singapore
🟧 Meeting Point: Changi Airport arrivals hall or hotel lobby (depending on direction)
🟧 Departure Time: Available 24/7 (selected upon booking)
🟧 Duration: 20 to 60 minutes (depending on traffic and location)
🟧 Guide: Not applicable — driver only
🟧 Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
🟧 Includes: Private air-conditioned vehicle, driver assistance, luggage handling
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting to be impressed by an airport transfer. But this Private Airport Transfer in Singapore ended up being one of the most seamless and appreciated parts of our arrival.
Our driver was waiting right at the airport arrivals area. He had an iPad with our family name and a calm, kind smile. The car was clean, cool, and stocked with water, a small touch, but honestly, after 17 hours of travel, it felt like a luxury.
The entire process was friendly, efficient, but most importantly, reassuring. No haggling, no guessing which ride-share bay to walk to, no last-minute surprises. We were out of the airport and on the road within minutes, gliding into the city with skyline views and just enough friendly chat to feel welcomed, not overwhelmed.
If you’re arriving late at night, traveling with kids, or want to start (or end) your trip without any friction, this service is worth every cent.
Tour 4: Private Tour: Sightseeing Daytrip to Johor Bahru from Singapore
🟧 Meeting Point: Your hotel or custom pickup in Singapore
🟧 Departure Time: 8:00 AM
🟧 Duration: 8 hours
🟧 Guide: English-speaking driver-guide
🟧 Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
🟧 Includes: Private transportation, all tolls and border fees, English-speaking guide, bottled water
We were picked up right from our hotel, and within an hour we were over the border and into another country entirely.
There was something surreal crossing into Malaysia for a day, it sounded ambitious, but this Private Tour: Sightseeing Daytrip to Johor Bahru from Singapore made it feel smooth, safe, and actually quite exciting. We were picked up right from our hotel, and within an hour, we were over the border and into another country entirely.
Weird how fast things change, you know? One minute you’re in squeaky-clean Singapore, next minute you’re in this completely different world. Colors are brighter, chaos feels more real somehow. Our driver knew what he was doing with all the border stuff, which was good because I had no clue what paperwork we needed.
The whole day was this mix of old and new that kind of messed with my head. You’re walking through some old village streets when suddenly there’s this massive street art piece covering an entire wall. Just crazy colorful stuff that makes you stop and stare.
The glass temple was wild though. Never seen anything like it – everything’s reflecting light in weird ways. Kind of trippy but in a good way.
Food was my favorite part. I’m pointing at random menu items like “that one looks interesting” and hoping I don’t end up with something terrible. Most of it was great though. Some of it… well, let’s just say I’m more adventurous now than when I started.
Our guide let us take our time, ask dumb questions, take way too many photos. Didn’t feel rushed or scripted like some tours do. Just felt like exploring with someone who actually knows the area. Made me realize how different things can be just an hour away from where you’re staying.
Tour 5: Half Day or Full Day Private Custom Walking Tour of Singapore
🟧 Meeting Point: Your hotel or custom location in central Singapore
🟧 Departure Time: 9:00 AM or as arranged
🟧 Duration: 4 or 8 hours
🟧 Guide: English-speaking private guide
🟧 Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
🟧 Includes: Custom itinerary, English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, optional MRT rides
This Half Day or Full Day Private Custom Walking Tour of Singapore gave us the kind of experience every traveler secretly hopes for — one that feels like it was designed just for them.
We opted for the full-day version and were met by our guide in the hotel lobby — cheerful, energetic, and immediately attuned to what we were looking for. I mentioned an interest in colonial architecture, and somehow within 20 minutes we were strolling past grand arcades and civic landmarks with a narrative that brought them alive.
This wasn’t one of those “here’s the Merlion, let’s move on” kinds of tours. We lingered where it made sense, detoured when something unexpected caught our eye, and even stopped at a tiny kopitiam (coffee shop) that didn’t appear in any guidebook. The guide adapted the day on the fly, including breaks when our energy dipped and bonus stops when we were curious.
We walked through the Civic District, Marina Bay, and even quiet lanes in Tiong Bahru, each with a different feel, a different rhythm. There was a moment in a rooftop garden, watching the city hum below, that still stays with me.
In some ways, this tour felt like a window into a city that’s way too often rushed through.
Tour 6: Singapore: Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide
🟧 Meeting Point: Custom pickup location arranged after booking
🟧 Departure Time: Flexible — your choice upon booking
🟧 Duration: 2 to 6 hours (you choose)
🟧 Guide: Local English-speaking guide
🟧 Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
🟧 Includes: Personalized walking tour, private local guide, custom itinerary
This Singapore: Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide felt more like meeting up with a well-connected local friend than a formal tour, and that’s exactly why I loved it.
Our guide texted us the day before with suggestions, but left the final call to us. Museums, neighborhoods, cafes, street food, you name it. We ended up mixing a little bit of everything: a walk through Kampong Glam, a peek inside a hidden bookstore in the Civic District, and even a short MRT ride out to a quiet, leafy suburb for local eats.
This tour was probably the easiest tour I have ever been on. Nothing was scripted. We asked questions, and got well-informed answers, and shared laughs over kopi and kaya toast like old friends. I could sense the guide was truly proud of their city, not in a rehearsed way, but in the little asides and stories that surfaced between landmarks.
We paused in the shade outside an old temple, where they explained the meaning behind the folded paper offerings being burned. It was the kind of moment you don’t get on big tours, intimate, human, a little unexpected.
Tour 7: Singapore: Changi Airport Premium Lounge Entry
🟧 Meeting Point: Changi Airport Terminal 1, 2, 3, or 4 lounge reception
🟧 Departure Time: Flexible entry based on flight schedule
🟧 Duration: 3 or 6 hours (depending on option selected)
🟧 Guide: Not applicable — self-guided lounge use
🟧 Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
🟧 Includes: Lounge access, food and drink, Wi-Fi, showers, charging ports, quiet seating areas
I booked this Singapore: Changi Airport Premium Lounge Entry during a long layover on our way back to Europe, and I’m honestly kicking myself for not doing it sooner.
From the moment we stepped into the lounge, the chaos of the terminal seemed to disappear. Plush chairs, ambient lighting, and that serene hush you only find in first-class spaces even though we were flying economy. The buffet had everything from laksa to salad, and the showers? Spotless and stocked with everything you’d need to freshen up.
There was something incredibly grounding about sipping a glass of wine while watching planes roll by, without announcements blaring or queues forming. Fast Wi-Fi made catching up on emails easy, and the quiet corners let me close my eyes and pretend I was in a boutique hotel instead of an airport.
This isn’t a “tour” in the classic sense, but it’s an experience, especially if you’ve been hopping around Southeast Asia and need one last moment of peace.
FAQs (7 Best Singapore Private Tours (2025 Reviews)
1. Where does the Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour start, and what will we eat?
The tour begins at 205 New Bridge Rd, near Chinatown. You’ll sample yummy and original hawker dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, kaya toast, and more as you explore local neighborhoods.
2. Can I fully customize my itinerary on the Private Customised Singapore Walking Tour?
Yes, this tour is entirely flexible. The walking tour guide will tailor the experience to your preferences, covering specific landmarks, cultural areas, or even favorite foods depending on your input.
3. How long does the Private Airport Transfer take, and will someone meet me inside the terminal?
The transfer typically takes 20 to 60 minutes. Yes, your driver will meet you inside the arrivals hall at Changi Airport with a sign bearing your name.
4. Is the Johor Bahru Daytrip suitable for families with children?
Absolutely. The tour is private, air-conditioned, and stops can be adapted to suit younger travelers. Many families enjoy the temples, murals, and snack tastings.
5. Do I need to walk a lot during the Half or Full Day Private Custom Walking Tour?
It’s a walking tour, but the pace is completely adjusted to your comfort. MRT or taxi options can be used to reduce walking time; just let your guide know.
6. What makes the Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide different from other walking tours?
This tour is run by passionate local residents, not professional guides, which makes it feel more like exploring with a friend. It’s highly conversational, spontaneous, and personal.
7. What facilities are included with Changi Airport Premium Lounge Entry?
Facilities include unlimited food and drinks, Wi-Fi, power outlets, clean restrooms and showers, private seating areas, and even nap zones ideal for long layovers or freshening up before flights.
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501Places Sandra Bisalo Ranking: Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour
Food Quality
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Local Secrets
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Value for Money
501Places Sandra Bisalo Ranking: Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour 501Places Reviewer’s Top Choice Singapore Private Food and Heritage Tour is the #1 Ranked Tour in 7 Best Singapore Private Tours (2025 Reviews) based on a dynamic blend of category-specific criteria.