Best Long Weekend Trip Ideas from Singapore in 2019

Klook Team

Last updated 14 Mar 2024

Maximize those public holidays!

It’s the start of a new year and if you didn’t drag your heels to work today, we salute you! All we’re honestly looking forward to is the next weekend or public holiday. Lucky for us Singaporeans, we have 14 days of public holidays to look forward to!

We’ve devised the perfect cheat sheet to turn your 14 days of holiday into 45 days of escape. Here’s how you can make full use of those public holidays to travel the world and some cities you should visit in those months!

1. February

Take 3 days leave for a 9 day holiday

Public holidays:

Feb 5 – Chinese New Year
Feb 6 – Chinese New Year

Recommended destination – Tromso, Norway

If you dislike noisy relatives asking you when you’re getting married, having children or even worse, asking if you’ve gained weight, the perfect excuse to escape the lunar new year visiting rituals is a holiday!

If you’d like to tick catching the Northern Lights off your bucket lists, February is the best time to do it! Tromso, Norway is one of the places to catch the mystical Aurora Borealis because of its prime location at the tip of Norway.

Leave it to the experts to take you to the best spots to catch the lights! Afterall, if you endured the long flight there, you wouldn’t want to miss the lights just from being at the wrong spot. Klook your Northern Lights Big Bus Chase tour and let the guide take you to the hotspot of the night.

There are even snacks and hot beverages and a restroom on board the bus for ultimate comfort. More importantly, there are photographers to help capture the lights and you will receive these digital photos at the end of the tour. They can also provide you with advice on how to best capture them if you are bringing your own cameras.

Check out our first timer’s guide to Tromso, Norway for more ideas on things to do in Tromso!

2. April

Take 4 days leave to enjoy 9 days off!

Public holidays:

April 19 – Good Friday

Recommended destination – Kyoto, Japan or Chiang Mai, Thailand

Every year without fail, you know you can expect at least a long weekend in April thanks to the Good Friday public holiday. April is the best time for a recharge after a hectic first quarter and here are some travel options. Take 4 days of leave and enjoy 9 days off work in total!

It’s sakura season in Japan and one of the best places to catch the cherry blossoms and experience a true hanami is in Kyoto, Japan! Don a kimono and stroll the streets of Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku no michi).

This is one of Japan’s most popular cherry blossom spots due to the hundreds of trees lining the path. The Maruyama Park is one of the best hanami party spots where you can picnic under one of the oldest weeping cherry trees.

If you prefer something wet and wild, the Songkran festival in Thailand is not to be missed! Songkran is an annual water festival that takes place from the 13th to 15th of April and the Thais believe that it is essential to wash off the misfortunes of the past year with some epic water fights.

Chiang Mai, Thailand is the best place to experience the water festival because festivities are held for an entire week! The heart it all is at Tha Pae Gate so be sure to head over for a splashing good time.

The best way to get around Chiang Mai is with the Klook private car charter! Let the driver take you to the different Songkran hotspots and also, the car is the perfect hideaway from the waterworks.

3. May

Take 2 days leave and enjoy 5 days off and take 4 days leave to enjoy 9 days off!

Public holidays:

May 1 – Labour Day
May 19 – Vesak Day
May 20 – Vesak Day Holiday

Recommended destination – Bali, Indonesia and Seoul, South Korea

Hooray! There are 2 public holidays in May and if you follow our schedule, you’ll get to spend half the month travelling! The first holiday falls on 1st May and if you take the next 2 days off, you’ll get a total of 5 days off.

The perfect 5 day getaway from Singapore is Bali, Indonesia, where you’ll get to enjoy the best of all worlds in just 1 place! Catch the sunrise on Mount Batur, go on the Insta-famous Bali Swing, chill at Finns Beach Club or even visit offshore islands like Nusa Penida!

P.S. Check out our Bali food guide for some mouth watering food you won’t regret trying.

The next public holiday falls on the 19th and 20th weekend, a celebration of Vesak Day. Apply for 4 days of leave and you’ll get to enjoy a total of 9 days off and out and about in a new city.

For your 2nd holiday in May, head over to Seoul, South Korea for a holiday you’ll never forget. Think yummy Korean barbeques, Korean cosmetic stores and thrilling rides at some of the best theme parks Everland and Lotte World. Squeeze in a day trip out to nearby cities like Busan with your Korail Pass!

Don’t forget to put on a hanbok for Instagram worthy pictures as well as free entry into the palaces!

4. August

Take 4 days leave to enjoy 10 days off!

Public holidays:

Aug 9 – National Day
Aug 11 – Hari Raya Haji
Aug 12 – Hari Raya Haji Holiday

Recommended destination – Taipei, Taiwan

As the Singapore celebrates her birthday, you can celebrate with a quick escape from work to Taipei, Taiwan! August is perfect for visiting Taiwan because not only are you surrounded by the beautiful autumn foliage, the weather is cool and not wet.

Visit the famous Taipei 101 or take a day out of the bustle of the city to the nearby Shifen to release a sky lantern or visit a teahouse at Jiufen! Since Jiufen and Shifen are located outside of Taipei city, it might not be the easiest to get there. Klook your Jiufen and Shifen shuttle bus and let the bus take you there for a convenient and comfortable trip.

You can also take a trip out of Taipei to nearby cities like Taichung or Kaohsiung with the Taiwan High Speed Rail. Be sure to Klook your THSR pass and save yourselves the hassle of queuing up for single trip tickets.

5. October

Public holiday:

Oct 27 – Deepavali
Oct 28 – Deepavali Holiday

Recommended destination – Hanoi, Vietnam

October is the month of Deepavali and since it falls on a Sunday, you’ll even get Monday off work! This 3 day break is perfect for a quick relaxing getaway that won’t break the bank.

Hanoi, Vietnam is a great place to be in October. Get ready for aromatic condensed milk coffees, all the pho you can eat and charming maze like streets. October is the best time to visit because of the cool dry autumn weather and it’s the perfect weather for a cruise around the majestic Ha Long Bay or even a trek to the beautiful hills of Sapa.

6. December

Take 2 days leave to enjoy 5 days of holiday!

Public holiday:

Dec 25 – Christmas Day

Recommended destination – London

We all love the year end holidays, with Christmas carols playing in every store, glittering lights and ornaments all around. Level up your Christmas this year with a trip to London and you just might experience a true winter wonderland!

Think Christmas markets with hot chocolate and mulled wine, outdoor ice skating rinks and even catching the Nutcracker musical at Covent Garden. Of course you can’t miss a visit to the Warner Bros Studios Tour – Making of Harry Potter! Can you think of a more magical Christmas than the one at Hogwarts?

Other weekend getaways!

Just because there are no public holidays or long weekends doesn’t mean you can’t make a quick escape. Luckily, Johor Bahru is just a quick ride across the causeway away! Think exciting cafes and delicious seafood to fill those bellies and even a Johor Premium Outlet for you to get your shopping done, it’s no wonder Singaporeans love this place.

If you don’t want the hassle of driving yourselves around and don’t like the long immigration queues that come with taking the bus, check out how to Klook your Johor Bahru transfer and some things to do in JB!

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