Singapore is often imagined as a tiny dot that can be circled before lunchtime is over. Indeed, as of June 2025, it covers only about 736.3 km², with its longest stretch measuring 49 km from east to west and 28 km from north to south. But once you actually intend to follow its perimeter, rather than simply cutting across from one side to the other, that small size starts to become deceptive.
The reason is that Singapore’s coastline extends for 193 km, according to the CIA World Factbook, and it does not form a neat circle that can be followed in a single sweep. Much of it is occupied by ports, military bases, and industrial complexes in Tuas.
So the question, "How many hours does it take to go around Singapore?" really depends on one simple thing: what mode of transport you use.
Half a Day by Car, a Full Day by Bicycle
If you are only crossing the island via expressways, Singapore feels small. The 49 km distance from east to west is roughly a 45-minute to one-hour journey under normal traffic conditions.
But "going around" is clearly different from "crossing." To follow the island’s edge, from Changi in the east, looping around to Tuas in the west, then heading up through the north and back again, the distance can be two to three times longer than a straight route. Coastal roads are also filled with turns and traffic lights.
Assuming a total distance of around 150 to 200 km along the island’s perimeter at typical urban driving speeds, the trip would realistically take about three to four hours of relaxed driving.
This figure is an estimate rather than an official record, as no institution has formally measured the driving time required to circle Singapore’s coastline. Still, the logic is straightforward, and it is one reason many people believe the island can be circled within a day.
The story changes if you travel by bicycle, and this is where the answer becomes more interesting. Singapore’s cycling community has a tradition known as the Round Island ride, in which cyclists pedal around the island’s perimeter in a single journey.
One documented cycling trip completed a loop of roughly 140 km in 11 hours, mostly using park connectors and sidewalks, including stops for ice cream and Pocari Sweat at a 7-Eleven in East Coast Park, as cited by Sengkang Babies.
This is a personal cycling record rather than official data, so it should be viewed as a real-world example of a single journey rather than a standard benchmark. Strong cyclists who ride with minimal breaks can complete it in far less than 11 hours, while beginners taking a more relaxed pace may need considerably longer.
What is certain is that this is not a casual afternoon activity. It is a full-day expedition that requires a helmet, plenty of water, and nerves of steel for the final kilometers.
Singapore Is Building Its Own Island-Circling Route
The good news is that going around the island is gradually becoming easier. Singapore is currently developing the Round Island Route (RIR), a 150 km park connector network designed to encircle the entire island once completed.
The first phase, spanning 75 km, opened in January 2022 and covers the eastern half of the island, stretching from Rower's Bay Park to Berlayer Creek. However, even completing this initial 75 km section can take half a day by bicycle, or several outings if explored on foot.
The route is also far more than just a strip of pavement. Along the way, visitors encounter uniquely designed bridges, seaside boardwalks, and even colonies of Oriental Small-clawed otters that occasionally appear around mangroves and river mouths.
Meanwhile, the remaining sections covering the western half of the island are scheduled to be completed progressively through 2035.
So, How Many Hours Does It Actually Take?
There is no single answer, and that is precisely what makes the question interesting.
By car, circling the island’s perimeter can be done in roughly three to four hours. By bicycle, completing a full Round Island loop takes about 11 hours based on documented cycling accounts. On foot, the journey would take several days.
At 736 km², Singapore is small enough to be circled within a day, yet its winding coastline is complex enough to make the idea of "going around the island" feel more like an adventure than a routine trip.
