What to do on a Singapore layover: 10 activities between flights

A long layover in Singapore is a chance to explore. Taxis into the city are cheap, and there’s plenty to do, from museums to food tours. Here are 10 of the best things to do on a Singapore layover.

Many travellers from Europe to Australia will fly with Singapore Airlines. Most of the time, this means a short change of planes at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

However, sometimes the flight connection timings are not all that helpful, leaving several hours between planes. Sometimes, it’s nearly a day.

Changi Airport may be the best in the world, and you can book into the Jewel entertainment complex, but frankly that time is better spent exploring Singapore.

How much does a taxi from Changi Airport cost?

The simplest way to spend a Singapore layover is to just take a taxi into the city.

A taxi from Changi Airport to downtown Singapore costs between S$20 and S$40, depending on traffic.

All taxis are metered, so you won’t get ripped off.

Things to do on a Singapore layover

Once you’re in Singapore, there are plenty of things to do on a Singapore layover. Here are 10 of the best activities and experiences you can book in advance.

Visit the eye-popping Gardens By The Bay.
See the sights on a bike tour.
Learn to fly a Boeing 737 in a flight simulator.
Go on the Night Safari at Singapore Zoo.
Explore the Artscience Museum and Asian Civilisations Museum.
Take a cultural cooking class.
Head up 200 metres to the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck.
Go on a food-tasting tour around the Kampong Glam, Little India and Chinatown neighbourhoods.
Take the cable car to Sentosa Island.
Learn about the country at the National Museum of Singapore.

Changi Airport hotels

Alternatively, you might choose to just get some sleep in an airport hotel. There are several Changi Airport accommodation options, of which the Crowne Plaza is most luxurious. The Yotelair and Aerotel are more functional but perfectly decent.

If you’re happy to jump in a taxi for a couple of minutes, there are also several high quality hotels within a couple of kilometres of the airport. Take a look at the Capri by Fraser Changi and Dusit Thani Laguna.