Roberta Aguirre
As of 13 February 2023, travellers are no longer required to present a COVID-19 vaccination card or PCR test to do a layover in Singapore. However, if you plan to exit the airport during your layover, you will need to apply for an SG Arrival Card with an electronic health declaration. Travellers with passports from eligible countries, such as India and China, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit. If you have at least 6 hours to spare, it is recommended to leave the airport and explore the city. Changi Airport is easily accessible via public transport, with the MRT ride costing around $1.50 and taxis costing $17-$30. The airport itself is also a destination, with attractions such as the Butterfly Garden, the brand new Jewel Changi area, and a wide variety of dining and drinking options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 vaccination card or PCR tests | Not required for a Singapore layover as of February 13, 2023 |
| SG Arrival Card (SGAC) | Required if exiting the airport during the layover, regardless of nationality |
| SGAC application fee | Free of charge |
| SGAC application platforms | SGAC e-Service website, MyICA Mobile app on Apple Store or Google Play |
| SGAC application requirements | Valid passport, contact information, flight information, and accommodation details in Singapore (if applicable) |
| Transit travellers from eligible countries | May qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit |
| Leaving the airport during a layover | Possible, but not recommended with less than 6 hours to spare due to travel time to and from the airport |
| Transportation to the city | MRT (metro), taxi, or bus tour |
| Transportation time to the city | Approximately 30 minutes by MRT or taxi, 1 hour by bus tour |
| Transportation cost | Approximately $1.50 each way by MRT, $17-$30 each way by taxi |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Requirements for leaving the airport during a layover
If you are exiting the airport during a layover in Singapore, you will need to apply for an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with an electronic health declaration. This applies regardless of your nationality, and you can obtain one for free via the SGAC e-Service website or by downloading the MyICA Mobile app on the Apple Store or Google Play. To apply online, you will need a valid passport, contact information, flight information, and details about your accommodation in Singapore. If you are only in Singapore for a layover, you can leave the accommodation section blank.
If you hold a passport that does not require a visa to enter Singapore, you can leave the airport and explore the city. However, you will need to clear immigration, and it is recommended that you have at least a 6-hour layover to make the trip worthwhile. You can take the train or taxi into the city, with the latter being a faster option. It is important to note that you will no longer be considered a transit passenger but a regular traveller, and you will need to go through security screening again when you return to the airport.
For US travellers, a visa is not required for visits up to 30 days. Additionally, transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, which permits a stay of up to 96 hours in Singapore.
Paying for Bags at the Airport: A Guide to Frontier
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Transport options for leaving the airport
As of 13 February 2023, there are no COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements for a Singapore layover. However, if you plan to exit the airport during your layover, you will need to apply for an SG Arrival Card with an electronic health declaration, regardless of your nationality. This does not apply if you are an airport transit passenger or have a Singaporean residency card.
Changi Airport is located approximately 20 kilometres east of Singapore's city centre. Here are the transport options for leaving the airport:
- Taxi: Taxis are available for hire at the taxi stands in the arrival areas of Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4. A ride to the city centre takes about 30 minutes and costs between S$25 and S$45. All fares are metered, and there is an additional airport surcharge for trips originating from the airport.
- Private hire car: You can book a private hire car from companies like Grab, Gojek, Zig, Tada Mobility, or Ryde. Download the respective mobile applications on your device and head to the arrival and ride-hailing pick-up points at the terminals.
- Metro: The metro provides connections to several parts of the city, but you may need to do some research to find the nearest metro stop to your destination.
- Public bus: You can take public bus line 36 or 36A to the city centre. Buses provide connections to various parts of the city, but you may need to research the nearest bus stop to your destination.
- Shuttle bus: The shuttle bus offers a combination of door-to-door services and low fares, making it a good option if you're travelling on a budget.
Exploring Qatar During a Layover: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Time needed to explore the city
As of 13 February 2023, there are no COVID-19 vaccination or PCR test requirements for a layover in Singapore. However, travellers intending to enter Singapore during their layover will need to fulfil all public health and entry requirements. If you are exiting the airport during the layover, you will need to apply for an SG Arrival Card with an electronic health declaration.
Now, onto the time needed to explore the city. It takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Singapore from Changi Airport. It is recommended that you have a minimum of 6 hours between flights to leave the airport and explore the city. This will leave you about 2 hours to explore. If you have a 9-hour layover, you will have enough time to get into the city and back to the airport, but there won't be much to "see" at night.
If you have at least 5.5 hours, you can take one of Changi's free tours to explore the city without stressing about logistics and time. The Heritage Tour takes you through Singapore's cultural districts, such as Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, and Merlion Park. The City Sights tour is ideal for families, visiting the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay. If you prefer to explore on your own, you can visit Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay, spending an hour or two exploring the botanical gardens' futuristic biodomes, Supertrees, and skywalks.
If you have a 12-hour layover, you can visit the ArtScience Museum and explore Little India and Chinatown in the same time frame. Little India is famous for its colourful temples and houses, such as Sri Veeramakaliamman, Sri Srinivasa Perumal, and the Temple of a Thousand Lights. Chinatown is fairly close to Little India and is another interesting area to explore.
If you have a longer layover, consider a Changi Stopovers package, which includes a one-night hotel stay, a complimentary SIM card, and a free one-way airport transfer. Singapore Airlines passengers with stopovers longer than 24 hours can take advantage of the Singapore Stopover Holiday package, which includes a round trip to and from the airport, free rides on the SIA Hop-on Bus, and free admission to 15 attractions.
San Francisco Airport: Gas Availability and Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Visa requirements for entering Singapore
As of February 13, 2023, travellers on a layover in Singapore are no longer required to present any COVID-19 vaccination cards or PCR tests. However, if you plan to exit the airport during your layover, you will need to apply for an SG Arrival Card with an electronic health declaration. This rule applies to all nationalities, and you can obtain the SG Arrival Card for free online or by downloading the MyICA Mobile app.
Regarding visa requirements for entering Singapore, citizens of most countries and territories can enter without a visa for a temporary stay of 30 or 90 days. Nationals of certain countries, such as South Sudan, must obtain a visa before entering Singapore. US passport holders, for instance, do not require a visa for business or social visits of up to 90 days. However, they must still meet the entry requirements, such as possessing a valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay.
Nationals of certain countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa-Free Transit, allowing a short stay in Singapore without a visa. Additionally, biometric passport holders from 60 jurisdictions can utilise the Automated Clearance Initiative to enter and exit Singapore through specific checkpoints.
For longer stays or more specialised visits, such as work or study, a visa may be required. Applications for work permits, study permits, and permanent residency can be submitted online. The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) provides detailed information on entry requirements and visa applications. It is recommended to apply for an entry visa within 30 days prior to arrival in Singapore.
Traveling with Candles: Airport Security Rules
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$57.99
Things to do inside Changi Airport
As of 13 February 2023, travellers are no longer required to present a COVID-19 vaccination card or PCR test to do a Singapore layover. However, if you are exiting the airport during your layover, you will have to apply for an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with an electronic health declaration.
Changi Airport has been voted the best airport in the world and is one of the largest transport hubs in Asia. The airport has four main terminals and the Jewel Changi Airport entertainment/retail complex, with three runways. There is much to see and do during a layover at Changi Airport. Here are some things to do inside the airport:
- Catch a movie at the free 24-hour cinemas in Terminals 2 and 3.
- Visit the Butterfly Garden at Terminal 3, which houses over 1,000 butterflies across 40 species.
- Enjoy the wide range of restaurants, eateries, cafes, kiosks and bars. Food Street, for example, has been constructed to look like a street in the city with street food vendors selling various dishes.
- Shop at the hundreds of airport shops, ranging from bargain deals to luxury boutiques.
- Relax in the airport lounges, which offer food, drinks, WiFi, and TVs in a comfortable space. Some lounges also offer shower facilities and nap rooms at an extra cost.
- Stay at the transit hotels within the airport, such as the Aerotel Singapore Transit Hotel in Terminal 1, where you can book in hourly slots to get some sleep, eat, and shower.
- Admire the beautiful seasonal displays throughout the terminals, such as the dragon-themed displays during the year of the dragon.
- Sign up for a free tour of the city highlights or the Jewel complex, which includes a guide to take you through security and coach transportation.
Airports and Aadhaar: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, as of February 13, 2023, it is no longer required to present any COVID-19 vaccination card or PCR tests to do a Singapore layover.
If you are exiting the airport during your layover, you will need to apply for an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with an electronic health declaration. You can do this online via the SGAC e-Service website or by downloading the MyICA Mobile app. You will need a valid passport, contact information, flight information, and information about your accommodation in Singapore. If you are only in Singapore for a layover, you can leave the accommodation section blank.
It takes about 20 minutes to get to the Marina Bay area by taxi and about an hour by train.
Changi Airport is one of the top airports in the world. It has the fastest airport wifi in the world, a Butterfly Garden, two hotels, a cinema, art installations, and the new Jewel Changi area, which includes a movie theatre, rooftop Sunflower Garden, Mirror Maze, tube slide, indoor nature trails, orchid gardens, and a waterfall.
It depends on how long your layover is. If you have less than 6 hours, it is not recommended that you leave the airport. However, if you have more than 4 hours, you may want to consider leaving the airport to explore the city.
