Ruth Haines
Singapore is known for having one of the best airports in the world, with plenty of attractions and amenities to keep transit passengers entertained. 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, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, check if you need a visa to enter Singapore, as this will depend on your passport and nationality. You will also need to fill out an electronic form before your arrival and go through immigration. It's recommended to have at least a 6-hour layover if you want to leave the airport, as it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Singapore and you will need to account for time spent on immigration and transportation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the airport | Allowed and encouraged |
| Time required | Minimum 4-6 hours recommended |
| Transport | MRT (30-45 mins, $1.50 each way), taxi (20-30 mins, $17-$30) |
| Immigration | Required to fill in a landing card |
| Visa | Not required for US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, UK |
| Luggage | Can be left in 24/7 baggage storage facilities |
| Tours | Free 2.5-hour guided bus and walking tours available |
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What You'll Learn
Immigration requirements for entering Singapore
Yes, it is possible to leave Singapore airport during a layover. However, you must satisfy all health and immigration requirements before you can be considered for entry.
- Check if you need a visa: While US passport holders do not require a visa for visits up to 30 days, citizens of certain countries do. It is recommended that you apply for a visa within 30 days prior to your arrival in Singapore.
- Present your biometrics: You are required to present your fingerprints, facial and iris scans during immigration clearance. Failure to comply may result in denial of entry.
- Declare Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI): If you are carrying a total value of CBNI exceeding S$20,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency), you must make a CBNI declaration.
- Customs declaration: If you are bringing goods that exceed your Goods and Service Tax (GST) import relief and/or Duty-free concession, you must make a customs declaration and tax payment using the Customs@SG web application before your arrival.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate: If you have recently travelled to countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission, you must produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival.
- Satisfy public health requirements: To avoid tests and quarantine, travellers must fulfil the public health requirements. Those who cannot meet these requirements and refuse any tests and/or quarantine may be denied entry.
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Transport options to and from the airport
Changi International Airport (SIN) in Singapore is a destination in itself. The airport is efficient and easy to navigate, with local and international boutiques, two hotels, a cinema, art installations, and the new Jewel Changi area, which brings nature indoors with its indoor waterfall, walking trails, gardens, and scenic bridge.
If you wish to leave the airport during a layover, there are several transport options to get to and from the city. The best-value option is the metro (MRT), which is open from 5:30 am to 11 pm every day. The MRT ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes and costs roughly $1.50 each way. You can also take public bus line 36 or 36A to the city centre, which costs €1.50 (SGD 2.60). The bus is slow and crowded during peak hours, but it can take you to central parts of the city, including Orchard Road and Marina Bay. The bus also stops at MRT stations, allowing you to change modes of transport.
If you prefer a more comfortable and direct journey, you can book an airport transfer service or take a taxi. Singapore Airport taxis are available 24/7, with various types of taxis, sedans, premium taxis, and limousines lined up in front of the terminal. The ride will cost between S$17 and S$45, with factors such as distance and time of day affecting the price. You can also rent a car at the Arrival Halls or book a private hire car from companies like Grab, Gojek, Zig, Tada Mobility, or Ryde.
For those with longer layovers, Changi offers Stopovers packages, which include a one-night hotel stay, a complimentary SIM card, and a free one-way airport transfer. Additionally, the airport provides free 2.5-hour guided tours, with bus tours stopping at landmarks like Kampong Glam and Gardens by the Bay, and walking tours of Jewel Changi Airport.
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Time needed to explore the city
If you're planning to leave Singapore Changi Airport during a layover, it's important to consider the time needed to make the most of your exploration of the city. Here are some estimates and recommendations to help you plan your time effectively:
Travel Time to and from the Airport
It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach downtown Singapore from the airport. Therefore, it is generally recommended to have a minimum of 6 hours between flights if you want to leave the airport and explore the city. This travel time can vary depending on your choice of transportation and traffic conditions.
Transportation Options
- Metro (MRT): The MRT is a cost-effective option, with a ride costing roughly $1.50 each way. It operates from 5:30 am to 11 pm and takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the city.
- Taxis: A taxi ride will cost around $17 to $30 one way and will get you to the city in 20 to 30 minutes.
- Ridesharing: You can also use ridesharing services such as Grab or Gojek, which take about 20 minutes to reach the downtown area.
Baggage Storage
If you plan to explore the city, you can store your baggage at the airport. There are several baggage storage facilities available throughout the airport, as well as at some tourist spots in the city centre, such as Marina Bay Sands.
Time for Exploration
With a 6-hour layover, you can expect to have approximately 2 hours to explore the city after accounting for travel time and airport procedures. This gives you enough time to visit some nearby attractions or experience the local food scene.
If you have a longer layover, such as 8 hours or more, you'll have more time to explore additional attractions and perhaps even visit some of Singapore's famous nightlife spots, such as Gardens by the Bay, which is stunning when lit up in the evening.
Changi Airport Attractions
Even if you don't have time to leave the airport, Changi Airport itself is a destination worth exploring. The airport offers a variety of attractions, including the Jewel Changi area, which brings nature indoors with its towering indoor waterfall, walking trails, a butterfly garden, and more. The airport also features high-end drinking establishments and shopping options ranging from boutique to big-name designers.
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Changi Airport attractions
Yes, travellers can leave Singapore Changi Airport during a layover. It takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Singapore, so it is recommended to have a minimum of 6 hours between flights to explore the city. Singapore is known for its unbeatable food scene and is safe, clean, and compact.
Changi Airport itself is also a destination worth exploring. The airport is home to local and international boutiques, two hotels, a cinema, art installations, and the new Jewel Changi area. Jewel Changi is a $1.3 billion addition to the airport, housed in a stunning glass-and-steel dome. It features a movie theatre, rooftop Sunflower Garden, Mirror Maze, tube slide, indoor nature trails, orchid gardens, palm and fig trees, arcade games, and a dramatic waterfall at its centre.
For those with long layovers, Changi Airport offers free 2.5-hour guided tours of the city. There are two bus tour itineraries that run seven times daily, stopping at landmarks such as Kampong Glam and Gardens by the Bay. There is also a free walking tour of Jewel Changi Airport offered twice daily. Changi Stopovers packages are available for longer layovers, which include a one-night hotel stay, a complimentary SIM card, and a free one-way airport transfer.
Travellers can easily navigate between the airport's four terminals via complimentary Skytrain and shuttle bus services. Each terminal has 24/7 baggage storage facilities, making it convenient to drop off luggage before heading into the city. The MRT (metro) is the best-value option for getting into the city, with a ride taking 30 to 45 minutes and costing approximately $1.50 each way. Taxis are also available, with a 20- to 30-minute ride costing about $17-$30.
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Singapore Airlines' free city tours
Leaving Singapore Airport During a Layover
Yes, you can leave Singapore Changi Airport during a layover. However, you will need to go through immigration and fulfil regular immigration requirements, which may include applying for a visa. It takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Singapore, so it is recommended that you have a minimum of 6 hours between flights to make it worth your while.
Singapore Airlines Free City Tours
Singapore Airlines offers free city tours for passengers with a layover of between 5.5 and 24 hours. These tours are conducted in collaboration with the Changi Airport Group and are held in English.
There are three 2.5-hour bus tour options:
- City Sights Tour: Visit Merlion Park and Gardens by the Bay, and take in the city skyline.
- Heritage and Cultural Tour: Explore Chinatown and Kampong Gelam, and learn about Singapore's history and culture.
- Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands Tour: Enjoy panoramic views of the river and bay, and admire the architecture of the Marina Bay Sands hotel.
You can pre-book these tours via the Singapore Airlines website, where you will need to input the names of all passengers taking part. When you arrive at Changi Airport, head to the transit area to find the registration booths. Present your boarding passes and any required visas at the Free Singapore Tours booths, and the group will be guided through immigration before the tour starts.
Please note that availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration closes 1 hour before the tour's start time.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover, but you will be subject to Singapore's immigration requirements. It is recommended that you have at least 6 hours between flights if you want to leave the airport.
You can take a taxi, which will take around 20-30 minutes and cost around $17-$30, or you can take the MRT (metro), which takes 30-45 minutes and costs around $1.50.
You will need to fill out a landing card and, depending on your passport, you may need a visa. US citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 30 days.
Changi Airport has been named the best airport in the world and includes an entire shopping district, a cinema, art installations, and the new Jewel Changi area, which features nature trails, gardens, a butterfly garden, a hedge maze, and the world's tallest indoor waterfall.
