Singapore is a country I've come to appreciate more and more as I've gotten older. On my first trip there in 2010, I found it unnecessarily expensive (and restrictive), and although I was lucky enough to get a free room at the Marina Bay Sands, I didn't necessarily feel the desire to return.

But I returned more than half a dozen times. And with each passing year, the cleanliness and modernity of the city-state, compared to all the other countries in the area, made it an increasingly attractive travel destination. Today, I would almost go so far as to say it's one of my favorite places in Southeast Asia.

Regardless of your opinion of Singapore – or whether you've ever been there – traveling from Thailand to Singapore is easier than ever. Here you'll find all the options.

Why Singapore perfectly complements Thailand

Although I've traveled from Thailand to Singapore several times, it took me multiple trips to truly appreciate Singapore. Compared to Thai cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, as well as other centers in the region, Singapore is the yin to the yang of Southeast Asia. Singapore possesses a certain order, which, while somewhat diminished by the development of other countries, still feels refreshing.

Especially compared to Thailand, I find that Singapore's hawker culture, while sharing similarities with Thai street food, differs in important ways, such as its stronger focus on seafood and, of course, its superior cleanliness. I also appreciate that Singapore is more multicultural (and therefore somewhat more accessible) than Thailand, whose culture I only truly came to know after many years.

All routes from Thailand to Singapore

Flight from Bangkok

The simplest and most direct way to connect these countries is to search for flights from Bangkok to Singapore and then travel onward from there. Note that flights from Bangkok to Singapore depart from both of Bangkok's airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK).

Flight from Chiang Mai

Planning a trip to Northern Thailand? Instead of flying back via Bangkok, you can fly nonstop from Thailand to Singapore via Chiang Mai Airport (CNX). Keep in mind that flights are less frequent, so this option may be more expensive.

Flight from Phuket

Another option for flying to Singapore is via the island of Phuket. Thanks to its popularity with Singaporeans, there are numerous flights to Phuket Airport (HKT). Alternatively, you can also fly from Krabi Airport (KBV) if you wish to visit Railay Beach or Koh Lanta.

Flight from Koh Samui

The good news? Koh Samui is another popular transit point between Thailand and Singapore. The bad news? Since only one airline (Bangkok Airways) operates flights from Samui Airport (USM), prices are usually extremely high. I therefore recommend booking well in advance if you plan to use this option.

Travel (indirectly) by train

You'd think there would be countless train connections from Bangkok to Singapore, but the opposite is true. The only direct service is the five-star Orient Express, which is wonderful, but unaffordable for budget travelers. Alternatively, you can take regional trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then cross the Malaysian border and continue by Malaysian train to Johor Bahru, from where you can travel overland to Singapore. Keep in mind that this journey takes several days!

Is Singapore worth a visit?

Singapore is definitely worth a visit, although, as I've mentioned many times in this post, it affected me differently at different stages of my life. Currently, I'd say Singapore's biggest advantage is its multiculturalism. I love how you can experience the culture and cuisine of China, Malaysia, and India within just one or two days, all of which blend harmoniously into Singaporean society.

The great thing about traveling from Thailand to Singapore is the short distance. So even if you don't end up being as enthusiastic about Singapore as I have been over the years, you haven't wasted much time or money. And who knows? Maybe you'll even lay the foundation for a future love – which was precisely the main reason for my first visits to Singapore.

Other frequently asked questions about traveling from Thailand to Singapore

Is there a train connection from Thailand to Singapore?

There are some train connections between Thailand and Singapore. However, unless you want to use the luxurious Orient Express (which only runs once a week), you will have to put together a complicated journey using regional trains, which takes a very long time.

Is it possible to fly from Thailand to Singapore?

There are dozens of daily flights between Thailand and Singapore. You can fly from major Thai hubs such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, both with full-service airlines like Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines, and with low-cost carriers like AirAsia and Scoot.

How far is Singapore from Thailand by plane?

From takeoff to landing, your flight between Thailand and Singapore takes approximately two hours. Flights to destinations in southern Thailand (such as Phuket) are slightly faster, and flights to Chiang Mai take just under three hours. I recommend flying in the late morning so you arrive at your hotel in time for check-in. Also, keep in mind that Singapore is one hour ahead of Thailand.

Conclusion

There are many ways to travel from Thailand to Singapore once you've decided to visit the city-state. The easiest, of course, is to fly from a major city like Bangkok or Chiang Mai to Singapore's Changi Airport. But that's not the only option. If you have some time and a sense of adventure, you can use various train connections to travel to Singapore from railway hubs throughout Thailand. Need help planning your Southeast Asia trip? I'd be happy to create a customized itinerary for you – whether just for Thailand or for the entire region.