Singapore Layover of Six Hours or More

Take your chance and explore one of the most modern cities in the world

If you’re flying to Asia, there’s a good chance you’ll have a layover in Singapore, one of the world’s most modern cities. If you have six hours or more between flights, you can leave Singapore Changi Airport and explore the city. With a shorter layover, however, we wouldn’t recommend going into the city, as you risk missing your connecting flight. We had a nine-hour layover and managed to see almost everything we wanted to, although we explored at a fairly quick pace. With more time, you can take things slower and enjoy the city without rushing. And if you could have a longer stopover, why not stay for a few nights and experience even more of what Singapore has to offer?

In this article, you’ll find practical information about:
– How to get out of the airport in Singapore and back
– What you can see with 6–9 hours or more in Singapore
– Where to stay in Singapore for an overnight layover

Out of the Airport of Singapore and into the City by Metro in Half an Hour

Singapore is one of those cities where you can hop on the metro at the airport and reach the city center in just half an hour. If you’re on a layover, your luggage will usually be checked through to your final destination, so you won’t need to collect it. You don’t need a visa, but make sure to check the current entry requirements for your country before you travel. Once you arrive, simply go through immigration (passport control), which is usually quick, and follow the signs to the metro station. The journey into the city takes around 30 minutes. Get off at Bugis or Raffles Place in the CBD, and you’ll already be within easy reach of Marina Bay and many of Singapore’s main sights.

Take the Metro Back to the Airport of Singapore
Three Hours before Departure

Make sure to leave enough time to get back to the airport for your next flight. We recommend being back at the airport at least two hours before departure, as you’ll need to go through security again with your hand luggage. As the journey from the airport to the city center takes around 30 minutes each way, we recommend taking the metro back to the airport about three hours before your flight. For this reason, a layover of at least six hours is ideal. This gives you roughly two hours to explore the Marina Bay area without having to rush. Of course, the more time you have between flights, the more of Singapore you can explore!

Staying overnight in Singapore? The metro is just as easy to use with luggage, but for extra comfort, it’s simple to take a taxi straight to your hotel,  just follow the signs for taxis. You can also book a taxi in advance if you’d rather avoid any surprises on your first day of travel.

Top 5 Free Highlights of Singapore
for a Layover of Six Hours or More

During our nine-hour layover, we managed to see the following five highlights, plus the F1 pit lane and Max Verstappen’s pit box – yes, someone here is Dutch! And we did it all without taking a single taxi.

If you have less time, you’ll have to choose which highlights to focus on. With around six hours, we recommend sticking to Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade and Gardens by the Bay. With seven or eight hours, you can start adding places such as Little India, Sultan Mosque or Chinatown, depending on what interests you most. With nine hours, you should be able to fit in all five highlights at a fairly quick pace. If you want to see even more or simply prefer to explore at a slower pace, we recommend staying for at least one night, depending on your flight times.

6 hours: Marina Bay + Gardens by the Bay
7–8 hours: Add Little India, Sultan Mosque or Chinatown
9 hours: All five highlights at a fairly quick pace
Overnight: Explore at a slower pace & more to explore

1. Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade – Not exactly a hidden gem, but an absolute must-see. The best view is from Merlion Park. We didn’t see it, but you could try to see Marina Bay Sands Spectra Light & Water Show, if you are there in the evening. Shows run at 8pm and 9pm, with an extra show at 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
2. Gardens by the Bay – A truly one-of-a-kind blend of architecture and nature. Entry to Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is free. You can walk through the outdoor gardens, see the Supertree Grove from the ground without buying a ticket. Paid tickets are only required for indoor domes and elevated walkways.
3. Little India – We rank this above Chinatown, since you’ll find a Chinatown in almost every country.
4. Chinatown – Still well worth a visit, and a great place to grab a bite.
5. Sultan Mosque – Combined with the highlights above, you’ll experience several different cultures within just a few hours.

Bonus: Lau Pa Sat is another great spot to eat. This hawker market has been around for more than 130 years, making it the perfect place to try authentic Singaporean food.