Layover in Singapore

Asian megacities are becoming increasingly attractive. Here you'll find a completely different culture in every aspect, and incredible technological advancement at every stage. And for travel between countries, there are convenient and popular transit air hubs that are interesting in themselves. One of them is Changi Airport in Singapore. You can make a layover here if you're flying, for example, via Middle Eastern countries to Bali or to Thailand. We suggest understanding in advance how life is organized in one of the world's most advanced airports.

How to plan your flight

Changi Airport is a huge organism consisting of four terminals and the magnificent Jewel complex. To prevent your layover from turning into a marathon, factor in time for logistics. Not planning to go into the city? 2-3 hours for a layover will be enough to comfortably get from one terminal to another on the automated train (Skytrain) and look around a bit. Decided to see Singapore? Allow a minimum of 8 hours for your connection. The journey to the city center takes about 30-40 minutes, plus time for border control and an essential buffer for the return trip.

Types of layovers

Your action plan depends on how your tickets are issued:

1. Unified ticket (Through check-in): the most convenient option. Luggage flies directly to the final destination, and you receive all boarding passes at your departure point. You simply follow the Transfer signs.

2. Separate tickets (Self-transfer): in this case, you must go through passport control, collect your luggage, and re-check in at the departure counter. Here, it is critically important to have the right to enter the country (a visa or the right to visa-free transit).

What documents are needed to go into the city

For citizens of the Russian Federation, Singapore offers visa-free transit (VFTF) for up to 96 hours. The main requirements are as follows:

• Availability of an air ticket to a third country (for example: Moscow – Singapore – Phuket). A round trip (Moscow – Singapore – Moscow) does not fall under this rule. Bus tickets from Singapore to another destination will also not be suitable.

• A valid international passport (valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry).

• Entry into Singapore is possible by any means – land, air, or sea – but departure must be by air only.

• A completed electronic declaration SG Arrival Card. It must be completed online on the official immigration website no earlier than 3 days before arrival. It is free and takes 5-10 minutes.

• 96 hours is your maximum. No extension of stay in the country without a visa is provided.

• Upon request by a border control officer, you will need to provide proof of sufficient financial means for your stay in Singapore and a hotel booking.  

How to get from Singapore Airport to the city center

Transport in Singapore works perfectly, so getting to Marina Bay will not be difficult.

Metro (MRT)

Changi Airport station is located in the basement between Terminals 2 and 3. Trains run approximately from 05:30 to midnight. To reach the city center, you need to transfer at Tanah Merah station (simply cross to the opposite side of the platform). You can pay for your fare with a bank card that has contactless payment functionality.

Buses

Bus stops are located under each of the three main terminals T1, T2, and T3. Bus No. 36 is the most popular among travelers, as it goes through the entire city center and the shopping street Orchard Road. The journey will take longer than by metro, but it will allow you to see the city from the window. Buses run from six in the morning until midnight, so if your flight arrives in Singapore early in the morning, you will easily be able to get to the city.

Taxi

The most comfortable way. Taxi queues are perfectly organized: an attendant will tell you which car to get into. The cost of a trip to the center will be about 25-40 Singapore dollars, depending on the time of day and the type of car. Cars are available near each terminal.

What to do during a layover at the airport

If you decide to stay at the airport, you won't be bored.

Dining

Changi has hundreds of cafes. If you want authenticity, look for food courts (Hawker centers) where airport staff themselves eat. There, for a budget of 6-10 dollars, you can eat a portion of the famous Hainanese chicken rice. In the Jewel complex, the choice is even wider: from Michelin-starred restaurants to chain coffee shops. The airport website lists 224 food and beverage outlets, so you'll have plenty to choose from – local cuisine, global chains like Burger King, and so on.

Rest and Entertainment

In the transit areas of all terminals, there are Snooze Lounges – special dark rooms with ergonomic chairs for sleeping. These are free zones, so you can save money here. Additionally, transit hotels operate – Aerotel, Ambassador Transit Lounge, Yotelair in the Jewel complex.

There's enough entertainment at Changi for a full day of exploration: a bamboo grove, a cactus garden, a climbing center, a maze… There are so many art objects that we would sooner tire you out than list them all. Terminal 3 houses a butterfly garden, and Terminal 2 has a sunflower garden on the rooftop. And in Jewel, you'll find the Rain Vortex – the world's tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by thousands of tropical plants.

Want something truly exclusive? Terminal 1 has an outdoor swimming pool (paid access) where you can swim while watching planes take off.

Night layover in Singapore

Since the airport is large and busy, everything is organized as conveniently as possible for a night layover. Those wishing to sleep can head to the aforementioned Snooze Lounges or transit hotels. Rooms in these can be booked in 6-hour blocks. This is convenient as you don't need to go through immigration.

For those whose internal clocks are disrupted by time zone changes, there's an unusual way to spend time – a night safari. This is one of the world's best zoos, which only opens in the evening. You ride in a special tram through the jungle and see animals in their natural nocturnal habitat. An excellent idea for a long night connection.

If the time between flights allows, and you didn't arrive at Changi during a period when buses and metro are not operating, head into the city. The famous Gardens by the Bay park is beautifully lit up at night, and the fountain show at Marina Bay Sands runs on schedule (usually at 20:00 and 21:00, with an additional show at 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays).

What to see during a layover

Decided to go into the city after all? Excellent, even in a few hours you can see many of Singapore's attractions.

Gardens by the Bay – the city's calling card. The gardens look like sets from the movie "Avatar": huge tree-like structures are covered with living plants, and between them stretches the OCBC Skyway, offering views of the entire bay. In the Cloud Forest conservatory, a high-altitude climate is recreated. Here you'll also find another impressive waterfall, surrounded by a misty forest.

Marina Bay Waterfront – the central point of the city, where all the luxury and grandeur of Singapore are concentrated. First, take a look at the Marina Bay Sands hotel – the famous building with a boat-shaped roof. Even if you're not a hotel guest, you can go up to the Sands SkyPark observation deck.

In Chinatown, you can visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – a monumental structure with a lavish interior. It's also a great place to buy inexpensive souvenirs and street food. There are other ethnic quarters too, such as Little India or Kampong Glam with hipster streets like Haji Lane, where the walls are adorned with graffiti.

If your layover extends for a full day, head to the entertainment island of Sentosa. You can get there by monorail or cable car. Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium will definitely be at the top of your must-visit list.

Singapore is a city that makes you fall in love with it in just a few hours. The main thing is to keep track of time and remember that check-in for your next flight closes in advance. Have a pleasant journey!