Singapore is without a doubt one of the best places you can think of for a layover between flights. The city itself of course deserves at least a couple of days of your time, but in case this is not possible, A LAYOVER IS A GREAT INTRODUCTION into what this modern Asian city has to offer. So how is it done and what can you actually see & do in 1 day? Check out our TIPS AND ITINERARY SUGGESTION.

GENERAL TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR SINGAPORE LAYOVER

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• Firstly, you need to make sure you have ENOUGH TIME BETWEEN FLIGHTS – we booked our flights so that we landed in Singapore at 6AM and our next flight was at midnight. That left us with a full day to go around the city.

• Check if you need a VISA for Singapore

• Pack EXTRA LIGHT CLOTHES – the air in Singapore is usually extremely humid and it will certainly be very warm. Take summer sandals, shorts & possibly a hat for sun protection in your hand baggage

• At the check in for your first flight make sure you CHECK THE BAGGAGGE all the way through to your final destination. You will get all of your boarding passes for the next flights.

• Do not buy any LIQUIDS or bigger sized cosmetic products at the airport duty free where you board the first flight – you will not be able to take them on board as you need to go through security check again after your Singapore city tour.

• MAKE A LOOSE PLAN about how you want to spend the day and where you want to go in Singapore – this might save you some time once you´re there

• Try to GET AS MUCH SLEEP AS YOU CAN on the flight before landing in Singapore

GETTING OUT OF SINGAPORE´S CHANGI AIRPORT

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CHANGI AIRPORT is truly an adventure on its own, so you might as well just spend a whole day there! But still, we recommend you to go out and get a taste of the city, especially if this is your first time. Here are a few steps on how to do it:

• fill out the IMMIGRATION FORM you get on the plane – instead of putting down the hotel address (assuming you are not spending the night of course) just write the FLIGHT NUMBER of your next flight. In case you did not get the form on the plane (or lost it somehow) you can get it at customs also.

• Don´t forget to CHANGE CLOTHES and dress something light

• Pack all the things you do not need into a bag and head through CUSTOMS. Have your passport, immigration form  and your boarding pass for the next flight ready. If there is no other big plane arriving at the same time, it should not take too long to get through as all the other passengers have to grab their checked bags first.

• Once you are out find the LEFT BAGGAGE COUNTER. It might be convenient to directly go over to the terminal from which you are flying out later on, but you can also leave it on the one you landed. The counters are at the arrivals, just follow the signs. Each piece stored for 24 hrs will cost you between 1 and 9 SIN $ (depends on the size of it). Take care to safely store the ticket you get for picking up the bags when you return to the airport.

• There are several cafe´s and SHOPS in the arrivals area, so if you need anything you can buy it there.

GETTING INTO SINGAPORE CITY

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Of course you can always take a taxi, but we recommend using the MRT TRAINS. They are really comfortable, quick and the network is easy to understand. Here are some tips on how to move into and around the city with them:

• Follow the MRT signs at the airport, the train STATIONS ARE UNDERGROUND, so you will have to go down.

• There are 2 options at buying a ticket – you can get a SINGLE / RETURN TICKET or you simply buy a SINGAPORE TOURIST PASS – this one will allow you unlimited rides on the trains which is quite practical if you only have 1 day and are keen on stopping at different places. There are also other advantages with this card.

• You can purchase SINGLE/RETURN TICKETS at the machines, they cost between 0,80$ and 2,80$ for adults, depending on the zone.

• You can get your SINGAPORE TOURIST PASS at the little office (you cannot miss it, it´s just opposite the machines). You will also have to present your passport! It costs 20$ for a day, but you get 10$ back once you return the card.

• CHILDREN below 0,9m of height travel for free without a card, the ones younger than 7 years have reductions or travel for free, but need a card.

• Make sure you take a LITTLE MAP of the MRT System with you, or make a photo of the network, so that you can check it any time later.

• Okay now you are all set, there is just 1 line departing from the airport so just hop on.

• You will have to change the train very soon, at the TANAH MERAH station and transfer to the train with end station at JOO KOON (green line). This one will take you to the centre.

• The journey from the airport to the city will take about 30 MINUTES.

• There is FREE WIFI on MRT (you have to register and get an SMS with a code).

• There are many RULES you need to respect while in Singapore – no food or drinks allowed on the MRT trains.

• Here is a link to the MRT NETWORK MAP, you could print it out before you go:

THINGS TO SEE & DO IN SINGAPORE IN 1 DAY – SUGGESTED ITINERARY

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There are many ways to spend your day in Singapore. You could visit SENTOSA ISLAND, go to the ZOO, explore the less known PULAU UBIN island (which is a total contrast to the modern city), or you could make the best of your visit visiting the CITY CENTRE. Here is our suggested itinerary on how to spend a day in the centre (assuming you arrive early in the morning and leave in the late evening), seeing and getting to know a little bit of everything (based on our 3 visits to Singapore so far).

First off, its BREAKFAST TIME. And breakfast time in Singapore means KAYA TOAST. You have to try it. So, take the GREEN MRT LINE from the airport and get off the the BUGIS STREET station. Find the TOAST BOX CAFE and order the most famous Singaporean breakfast with a cup of coffee.

In case the SHOPS AT BUGIS are already open you can take advantage of some great shopping, otherwise continue with the BLUE MRT LINE line to LITTLE INDIA – it´s like stepping in a whole new colourful world with wonderful smells! Treat yourselves with a fresh coconut drink at the TEKKA CENTRE or do some cheap shopping. Or both ;). There is even a small PLAYGROUND just opposite the MRT station in case you are travelling with kids.

Take the purple line and step of at DHOBY GHAUT station – from here it´s just a short walk to the NATIONAL MUSEUM – it´s a great place even if you visit it quickly, it will give you an important insight of the country´s history and development.

Walk through FORT CANNING PARK to CLARKE QUAY where you can board a typical BUMBOAT which takes you around the bay in 45 minutes. Perfect to catch some wind breeze and rest your feet. You could get off at other stations if you want to save some time, but here we suggest to return to Clarke Quay.

Walk along the RIVERSIDE to the famous MERLION statue and stop at one of the more expensive restaurants on the way if you crave for a great seafood lunch. Get lost between the hight skyscrapers in RAFFLES and head over to the famous MARINA BAY SANDS HOTEL via Marina Boulevard.

IF YOU ARE SHORT ON TIME you can skip the walk from Clarke Quay to Marina Bay Sands Hotel and step of the bumboat at the hotel where there is also a stop.

Walk through the hotel and it´s amazing SHOPPING CENTRE and get a bite to eat in its FOOD COURT – it´s cheap and there is lots of different food to choose from. We had Indian and Lu had Korean.

Head to the amazing GARDENS BY THE BAY which are just on the other side of the hotel. Visit the famous SUPERTREES first and take a walk on the amazing SKYWALK, you will not regret it. It´s just so great and important to have a huge green area like this in a big bustling city. Being a landscape architect myself, this is my favourite part of Singapore.

By now, you must feel tired and sweaty – no worries, there is a solution. This wonderful WATER PLAYGROUND at the Far East Organisation Children´s Garden. As we have been here before, we knew we just have to take our swimsuits with and we could enjoy this wonderful and fun refreshment. There are lockers to lock your bags also and a small cafe with drinks and ice cream. What a treat.

Continue to the FLOWER DOME and CLOUD FOREST – you might not have the time for both but you should visit at least one – we loved the Cloud Forest. It´s also a nice place to hide from the heat.

Make sure you time your visit to the Gardens by the bay so that it gets dark while you are there. Return to the SUPERTREES at dusk and admire the wonderful lights. Trust me, you will not regret it ;).

If you still have enough time left you can watch the famous WONDER FULL LIGHTSHOW at the Marina, take a tour on the SINGAPORE FLYER or alternatively go to CHINATOWN for dinner and some last shopping before you head back to the airport.

From Chinatown take the PURPLE MRT LINE in the direction Harbour Front – get off at Putram Park where you switch to the GREEN MRT LINE which takes you to the AIRPORT.

CALCULATE AROUND 1 HOUR FOR THE WAY BACK, considering the fact you need to return the Singapore Tourist card, pick up your left baggage and find the right terminal. And in case you have less time to do all this, just concentrate to the places you prefer to visit and instead of walking use the MRT more – it´s quick and efficient.

BACK AT SINGAPORE´S CHANGI AIRPORT

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• Don´t forget to COLLECT YOUR BAGS from the left baggage counter and transfer to the right terminal

• Have your boarding pass ready and head to CUSTOMS. Sometimes they will not accept it and you will have to go to the check in line, although you already have one (no clue why this happens). But don´t worry you get the same seats.

• Off you go through SECURITY CHECK

• Enjoy your time at the AIRPORT before flying out. There are family zones, endless shops and beautiful flowers to look at. Also a swimming pool and wonderful restaurants. There is no fear you can get bored.

So, here it was – Singapore is well worth a stop. If you cannot fit in a couple of days, then you should at least reconsider planning in a layover during the day. We will be back for sure.

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