Roberta Aguirre
Singapore's Changi Airport is a destination in itself, with local and international boutiques, two hotels, a cinema, art installations, and the new Jewel Changi area, which includes a butterfly garden, walking trails, and the world's tallest indoor waterfall. However, if you have a long layover, you may be wondering if you can leave the airport and explore the city. The answer is yes! Singapore Airlines even offers free tourist tours of the city for passengers with long layovers. If you decide to leave the airport, you will need to go through immigration and customs, and depending on your passport, you may need a visa to enter Singapore. It takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Singapore, so it is recommended that you have at least a 6-hour layover if you want to leave the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum time needed to leave the airport | 4 hours |
| Transport options to the city | Public bus, train, taxi, private hire car, limousine, car |
| Transport time to the city | 20-30 minutes |
| Transport cost to the city | $1.50 (train); $17-$45 (taxi) |
| Visa requirements | No visa required for Australian citizens; no visa required for citizens of Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA; 96-hour Visa Free Transit for eligible countries including India and China |
| Baggage storage | Available in each terminal |
| Attractions | Hawker centres, the Jewel, Merlion Park, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay |
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What You'll Learn
Transport options to the city
Changi Airport in Singapore is located about 20km (12 miles) from downtown Singapore. It is well-connected to the city centre by various modes of transport.
One of the fastest ways to get to the city centre is by taxi. The airport taxi service is available 24/7, with various types of taxis, sedans, premium taxis, and limousines, lined up in front of the terminal. The ride to the city takes about 30 minutes and costs between S$25 and S$45. Taxi fares are calculated with a taximeter, with factors such as distance to destination and time of day affecting the price. Additionally, different rates and surcharges may apply, including airport surcharge, midnight surcharge, and peak-hour surcharge.
Another option is to take a public or shuttle bus. The public bus line 36 or 36A goes directly to the Singapore city centre, with stops at central locations such as Marine Parade Rd, Somerset, Orchard Rd, and various MRT stations. This option is slower due to multiple stops, but it is a good choice if you want to explore the city and connect to other modes of transport. A single adult fare for the bus is €1.50 (SGD 2.60), and you can pay the driver in cash, although they may not have change. You can also purchase an EZ-Link card at the airport or use a contactless bank card or mobile wallet.
If you prefer to take a train, the metro (MRT) is a great option, offering value for money. The MRT stations can be crowded, and the changeover can be challenging if you have luggage or are not familiar with public transport. The MRT connects to various parts of the city, and you can purchase an EZ-Link card or a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited rides. The typical journey from the airport to the city hall takes about 35-40 minutes, with a transfer at Tanah Merah to the East-West Line. Alternatively, you can take the blue Downtown Line via Expo Station if you're heading to places like Bugis or Chinatown.
Finally, you can also opt for a private transfer or hire car, which offers a comfortable and direct journey to your accommodation. These can be booked in advance or at the airport, and they are available 24/7. While they are the most convenient, they may be more expensive than public transport options.
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Visa requirements
If you are leaving Singapore Changi Airport during your layover, you will need to follow the arrivals signs and exit the airport as if Singapore is your final destination. You will then need to check in again for your connecting flight. It is recommended that you have a minimum of 4 to 6 hours between flights to leave the airport and explore the city.
In terms of visa requirements, citizens of Australia , Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America do not need a visa to enter Singapore for a layover. For US travellers, this is the case for visits of up to 30 days. Transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, holding valid onward air tickets, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, permitting a stay of up to 96 hours in Singapore.
If you are only in Singapore for a layover, you may need to apply for the SGAC, which is free of charge. To apply, you will need a valid passport, contact information, flight information, and information about your accommodation in Singapore.
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Where to eat
Singapore Changi Airport is a destination in itself, with local and international boutiques, two hotels, a cinema, art installations, and the brand new Jewel Changi area. The Jewel Changi is a botanical garden-like airport terminal with nature-centric attractions such as the 130-foot-tall "Rain Vortex", walking trails, a butterfly garden, a hedge maze, and a scenic canopy bridge.
If you are looking to explore the city, it is recommended to have a minimum of 6 hours to kill, considering it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Singapore. The best-value option to get to the city is the metro (MRT), which costs around $1.50 each way and takes 30 to 45 minutes. Taxis are another option, costing between $17 and $30 for a 20- to 30-minute ride.
Singapore is a foodie's paradise, offering a delicious blend of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian cuisines. The city boasts a range of dining options, from humble hawker stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants. Here are some recommended places to eat during your layover in Singapore:
- Hawker Centres: For an authentic taste of Singapore, visit the Maxwell Food Centre, Old Airport Road Food Centre, or Tiong Bahru Market. These bustling food halls offer a variety of local dishes at affordable prices. Hawker Chan, a famous hawker stall at the Chinatown Complex Food Centre, serves Cantonese-style soy sauce chicken and barbecued pork for around $1.50 per plate.
- Kaya Toast: Sample a traditional Singaporean breakfast, Kaya Toast. It consists of toasted white bread, spread with coconut, butter, and a soft-boiled egg.
- Food Street: Located within Changi Airport, Food Street is designed to resemble a city street with street food vendors offering a variety of delicious options.
- Zion Centre: Located outside the airport, the Zion Centre is a hawker centre that can be conveniently reached by train.
- Restaurants and Bars: For a more upscale dining experience, Singapore offers a variety of Michelin-starred restaurants. The city also has a vibrant nightlife, with unique cocktail bars such as Operation Dagger and Japanese bar Cache for whiskey, craft beer, and sake.
Remember to allow enough time to get back through security before your connecting flight and consider using the airport's baggage storage facilities if you decide to explore the city.
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What to do
If you're looking to leave Singapore Airport during your layover, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, make sure you have enough time to explore—it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Singapore, so it's recommended that you have a minimum of 4 to 6 hours to spare. During this time, you'll need to exit the airport, explore the city, and make it back through security for your connecting flight.
To leave the airport, follow the arrivals signs and exit as if Singapore is your final destination. Citizens of Australia do not need a visa for a Singapore layover. However, all travellers must meet public health and entry requirements. If you're staying inside the airport or have a Singaporean residency card, you don't need to apply for the SGAC.
Singapore Airport has baggage storage facilities in each terminal, so you can easily drop off your luggage before heading into the city. To get to the city, you can take a bus, train, taxi, car, or limousine. The metro, or MRT, is the best-value option, costing roughly $1.50 each way and taking 30 to 45 minutes. Taxis will cost between $17 and $30 for a 20- to 30-minute ride.
Once you're in the city, you can explore Singapore's rich cultural districts. Visit Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, and the iconic Merlion Park. Foodies should check out a hawker centre for delicious and affordable Singaporean food, such as the Maxwell Food Centre or the Chinatown Complex Food Centre. If you're looking for a green space, head to Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay, Singapore's sprawling botanical gardens.
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Where to stay
If you're looking to stay in the airport, Changi International Airport (SIN) has two hotels, the Ambassador Transit Hotel and the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel, which has been named the world's best airport hotel for five years in a row. The Crowne Plaza has a rooftop pool, fitness centre, and four dining options, while the Ambassador Transit Hotel has a lounge and offers rooms by the hour. Other airport hotels include the YOTELAIR Hotel, which offers rooms by the hour, and the Aerotel Singapore Transit Hotel in Terminal 1, which offers six-hour slots that include a meal.
If you're looking to stay in the city, Singapore has a range of accommodation options, from affordable boutique hotels, hostels, and B&Bs in neighbourhoods like Little India, Chinatown, Ann Siang Hill, and Kampong Glam, to five-star accommodations and business hotels around Marina Bay in the Downtown Core District. Singapore Airlines passengers with layovers longer than 24 hours can take advantage of the airline's Singapore Stopover Holiday packages, which include a one-night hotel stay, round-trip airport transfers, complimentary rides on the SIA Hop-on Bus, and free admission to 15 attractions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can leave Singapore Changi Airport during a layover. However, it is recommended that you have a minimum of 6 hours between flights to make it worthwhile. Singapore Airlines offers free tourist tours of the city for passengers with long layovers.
If you want to leave the airport during your layover, you will need to clear immigration and customs. You may also need to fill out an electronic form before arriving in Singapore. If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa for visits of up to 30 days.
Singapore is a small country, so it is easy to explore the city in a short time. You can visit Merlion statues, Marina Bay Sands hotel, Little India, Chinatown, Ann Siang Hill, and Kampong Glam. There are also plenty of affordable places to eat, with meals costing around $5.
