Things to Do During Layover in Singapore

If you find yourself with a layover when you’re transiting through Singapore, you’ll find a wealth of things to do and sights to see close by. Whether you only have a couple of hours to spare, or you’re staying for a day or two, which we recommend to get a fuller flavor of this fascinating city-state in Southeast Asia, the options are endless.

Thanks to the highly efficient customs clearance and rarely any wait time, getting out of the airport is a breeze. With the downtown only 30 minutes away by taxi, you can soon be exploring some of the top attractions and experiencing some of the city’s rich history, culture, food, and fashion scene. From taking a free guided bus tour or sampling local food at an open-air food court to simply enjoying the exciting offerings at the airport, here are some ways to make the most of your time when you have a layover in Singapore. Our luxury travel planners and group travel agents can help with all of your arrangements.

Explore Gardens by the Bay

This lush oasis in the heart of the city is home to a wide array of gardens and exhibits, including the main attraction, Supertree Grove, an extraordinary attraction featuring 12 futuristic vertical gardens stretching 61 stories high. You can walk along the 128-meter skywalk, and at the top of the tallest one of these living structures is an observatory with stunning views of the Marina Bay area. If you visit Gardens by the Bay at night, you’ll be treated to a dazzling light and sound show. Escape the heat and humidity Singapore is known for in a cooled conservatory with a cloud forest and a huge waterfall. If you love art, you’ll find over 200 sculptures from around the world across the park.

Sip a Cocktail at The Long Bar in Raffles Hotel

Take a step back into history at this iconic 19th-century hotel with gleaming white classic colonial architecture and a long list of legendary guests who have stayed here, from Charlie Chaplin to Elizabeth Taylor. Located only 20 minutes from the airport, Raffles Hotel offers the opportunity to soak in the elegant, old-world ambiance as you indulge with a Singapore Sling, the classic gin-based cocktail the hotel is famous for, being first mixed in the Long Bar in 1915. While there’s a price to pay for littering in Singapore, here they encourage you to throw your empty peanut shells on the floor of the bar, a tradition that dates back over 100 years. If you’re jetlagged and in need of pampering, we also love the hotel’s luxurious spa.

Take a Free Guided Tour of Singapore

For shorter layovers, there’s an easy way to explore Singapore: a free whistle-stop bus tour that leaves from the airport, with three different options to choose from. On the Heritage Tour, you’ll learn about the island’s history and culture as it takes you through the Civic District, Marina Bay area, and along Singapore River, with a quick stop in Chinatown and Kampong Gelam. The City Sights Tour reveals the city’s unique blend of old and new, passing historic monuments like the National Gallery and the Fullerton Hotel and modern marvels like Marina Bay Sands. Offering a glimpse into local life, the China Precinct Tour visits a residential town, a village and a local beach on the East Coast, not far from the airport. These tours take 2.5 hours; we recommend them if you have at least 5.5 hours before your connection. And our team at CIRE can also arrange a private, bespoke tour, if you’d rather have your own private guide.

Sample local food at Satay Street at Lau Pa Sat

If you have an overnight layover and want the authentic street hawker experience Singapore is famous for, head to “Satay Street” at Lau Pa Sat, which means “old market,” in the heart of the city, where you can sample different local foods. Every evening, the road closes, and the street comes alive as vendors set up carts and serve freshly cooked satay—grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce—and local beer to enjoy as you soak in the atmosphere.

Experience the local culture at Kampong Gelam

To experience some of Singapore’s vibrant mix of cultures, head to Kampong Gelam, one of the city’s oldest quarters. This lively neighborhood is home to the gold-domed Sultan Mosque, colorful shops where you can buy souvenirs, and restaurants serving Middle Eastern cuisine. One of the biggest draws in this area is Haji Lane, a narrow street with an eclectic mix of boutiques, quirky cafés and vibrant street art.

Enjoy a wild adventure at the Night Safari

If you have a night or two layover in Singapore and love nature, the Night Safari is an attraction worth visiting. Explore on foot or hop on a tram for a magical Jurassic Park-style adventure, which takes you through the seven geographical areas within the park. Take in the sights and sounds of the park and get up close to creatures of the night. It’s wild!

Hang out at the airport

While luxury travelers usually dread the thought of spending much time at an airport, if you only have a short time before your next flight, you’ll find endless options to keep you entertained, fed, and relaxed at Singapore’s Changi Airport, considered one of the world’s best airports, and a popular tourist attraction in itself. Each terminal has its own unique attractions, including a butterfly garden, movie theater and TheSlide@T3 in Terminal 3. Jewel, its nature-themed lifestyle and retail hub, features an array of restaurants serving top-notch cuisine, including Violet Oon, a Peranakan restaurant set up by a renowned Singaporean chef. You’ll also find thrilling activities, such as a climbing wall, bounce nets, two mazes, and the world’s largest indoor waterfall.

Wherever your layover is, our expert travel advisors and corporate travel planners at CIRE can help with recommendations and arranging things to do, leaving you to relax, enjoy, and make the most of your time.

CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY.  Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.