Singapore or Dubai: Which one is best for a holiday?

Long-distance travel, especially to Asia or Australia, sometimes means taking a split flight. If you can stop over in Singapore or Dubai, which should you choose? And, importantly, should you stay for longer during your layover?

Whether you’re stopping over for a night or wanting to break up your journey and extend your stay for a week, we at Trip.com are here to help! If you’re struggling to choose between Singapore and Dubai, we’ve compiled all of the important information you want to know. From flight lengths to travel budgets, activity options to entry requirements, we’ve got it covered.

✈️ Singapore or Dubai: Key Travel Differences

Trip planning starts with the key details of the destination you want to visit. To give you a clearer idea of what to expect when visiting Singapore and Dubai, here are their key travel differences (and similarities) below.

Singapore or Dubai: Which destination is cheaper?

If budget is the key deciding factor when choosing between Dubai and Singapore, Singapore is slightly more affordable, especially for food and public transportation. However, a flight to Dubai might cost you less than a flight to Singapore, so it all depends on how you allocate your travel budget. For a better idea of what a trip to either destination will cost, check out our table below.

🎯 Singapore or Dubai: Which is the better fit for your travel style?

🍜 Singapore or Dubai for food lovers: Which has the best cuisine?

Both Singapore and Dubai have distinctive food cultures that’ll appeal to different types of travellers. Singapore is ideal for foodies who want to explore a wide variety of Asian cuisines and eat cheaply at hawker centres. Dubai, on the other hand, is a great choice for Middle Eastern dishes and international fine dining.

Check out our recommendations for the best regional dishes below to give you an idea of what you can try at either destination.

Best food to try in Singapore

• Hainanese chicken rice: A Singaporean favourite made with tender poached chicken and rice cooked in chicken stock, ginger and garlic.
• Laksa: This noodle soup has a rich, coconut-based curry broth, usually topped with prawns, fish cakes, tofu puffs and noodles. Creamy, spicy and filling, it’s proper comfort food with a kick.
• Chilli crab: A whole crab cooked in a thick, sweet and spicy tomato-based sauce with egg. Get stuck in with your hands and mop up every last bit of sauce with fluffy fried mantou buns.
• Char kway teow: These chewy rice noodles are fried with prawns, egg, bean sprouts and Chinese sausage in a savoury soy-based sauce. Expect a smoky, slightly sweet flavour.

Best food to try in Dubai

• Al machboos: A traditional Emirati dish of spiced rice cooked with tender chicken, lamb or fish, often flavoured with dried lime, cinnamon and cardamom. It’s hearty, aromatic, and warming.
• Al harees:  Emirati comfort food made by slowly cooking wheat and meat until they form a thick, porridge-like dish. It’s often finished with a little drizzle of ghee.
• Shuwa: Marinated lamb or goat is wrapped in banana or palm leaves and slow-cooked in an underground pit for hours. The meat comes out incredibly tender and smoky.
• Luqaimat: These little dough balls are fried until golden and crispy on the outside. Drizzled with date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds, this sweet treat is pretty hard to resist!

🏙️ Singapore or Dubai for city breaks: Which is the most exciting?

Both Singapore and Dubai make spectacular backdrops for a city break, with futuristic skylines that look straight out of a sci-fi movie. However, there are some noticeable differences. Singapore has more green space within its boundaries, while Dubai has more big-ticket attractions and entertainment.

For a better idea of what each destination offers, take a peek at our recommended neighbourhoods below.

Best neighbourhoods to visit in Singapore

• Marina Bay: A vibrant waterfront area, Marina Bay features an iconic skyline and popular attractions. Perfect for a gentle pre- or post-dinner walk.
• Chinatown: This lively neighbourhood filled with traditional shophouses, historic temples, street markets and bustling food stalls. Make a bee-line here to visit the hawker centres!
• Little India: Another vibrant Singapore neighbourhood! Take time to explore Hindu temples, vibrant murals, spice shops and traditional Indian eateries.

Best neighbourhoods to visit in Dubai

• Downtown Dubai: Home to luxury shopping malls, fine-dining restaurants and impressive skyscrapers, including the iconic Burj Khalifa.
• Dubai Marina: A stylish waterfront district lined with towering skyscrapers, luxury yachts, sandy beaches and waterside restaurants. Be sure to take a stroll along the marina promenade.
• Jumeirah: An upscale coastal area in Dubai, Jumeirah features sandy beaches, beachfront cafes, stylish shops and views of the Burj Al Arab. It’s a great place to enjoy a more relaxed side of the city.

🌳 Singapore or Dubai for nature lovers: Which has the best landscapes?

Natural landscapes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you first think of Dubai and Singapore, but both destinations have more natural beauty than you might expect. For travellers looking for green spaces and biodiversity, Singapore is full of tropical greenery and lush gardens. Dubai suits those looking for dramatic desert scenery and outdoor adventures.

Our recommendations on where to take in each destination’s natural landscapes are below.

Best nature spots in Singapore

• Singapore Botanic Gardens: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Singapore, these historic gardens offer a peaceful escape from the city’s busy streets.
• MacRitchie Reservoir: Escape Singapore’s busy streets at this tranquil nature reserve, where forest trails wind beside a peaceful reservoir. Keep an eye out for monkeys!
• Pulau Ubin: Just a short boat ride from mainland Singapore, this island offers a glimpse of the country’s past, with traditional kampong villages and countryside.

Best nature spots in Dubai

• Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve: Just outside Dubai, this protected desert landscape is home to native wildlife, including Arabian oryx and gazelles.
• Hatta: Set among the rugged Hajar Mountains, kayak across the turquoise waters of Hatta Dam or explore the rocky landscape on one of the area’s hiking trails.
• Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: This protected wetland is famous for its flocks of flamingos, which gather in the waters during the cooler months of the year.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Singapore or Dubai: Which is best for families?

Both Singapore and Dubai are fantastic family holiday destinations, with plenty of family-friendly attractions and entertainment. We’d say that Dubai is ideal for families seeking big attractions and beach resorts, while Singapore offers a compact, easy-to-navigate city with great wildlife experiences and theme parks.

For ideas on where to take your family, check out the following recommendations. They’re sure to be a big hit!

Best family attractions in Singapore

• Universal Singapore: From Jurassic Park water rides to Minion-themed simulators, Universal Studios Singapore is packed with exciting rides and plenty of entertainment.
• Singapore Zoo: Home to orangutans, elephants and many other animals, Singapore Zoo is known for its spacious, naturalistic habitats.
• Gardens by the Bay: Explore Singapore’s famous Supertrees, wander through lush indoor gardens and admire exotic plants from around the world.

Best family attractions in Dubai

• Dubai Parks and Resorts: Enjoy multiple days of family fun at Dubai Parks and Resorts, where you’ll find a whole host of theme parks to visit, including Motiongate and LEGOLAND Dubai.
• IMG Worlds of Adventure: Take a break from the Dubai heat at one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks, with rides and attractions inspired by Marvel superheroes and Cartoon Network characters.
• Aquaventure World: Located at Atlantis, The Palm, make a splash at Dubai’s famous water park, with high-speed slides, wave pools and winding river rides.

🕐 What to see in Singapore or Dubai, depending on the length of your trip

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect in Singapore or Dubai, it’s time to start planning. Because Singapore and Dubai are relatively small destinations, you don’t need a long stay to enjoy them. We’ve put together sample itineraries, ranging from a couple of days to a week, to give you an idea of what you can get done during your trip.

🌤️ Best time to visit Singapore and Dubai

Sometimes the deciding factor on where to visit all depends on when you have annual leave. Since both Singapore and Dubai are hot destinations, it's important to plan your trip around when the weather is at its most comfortable.

🇸🇬 When to visit Singapore

Singapore is warm and humid year-round due to its tropical climate, but most people agree that February to April are the best months to visit. Rainfall is at its lowest, so getting out and about is a little easier.

🇦🇪 When to visit Dubai

Dubai is best visited from November to March, when temperatures are coolest but there’s still plenty of sunshine. Summers are notoriously hot, so sticking to winter/early spring makes sightseeing and spending time outside much easier.

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