Singapore’s airport now again offers a transit program: Anyone travelling through the airport and staying between 5.5 and 24 hours can benefit from a free tour of Singapore. You can choose from one of currently three different tours – all last two and a half hours.
A similar program was previously operated by Singapore Airlines. Now the airport itself has relaunched the transit program. All transit passengers can therefore benefit from it, regardless of which airline they fly with.
Overview of the Tours
You have (as of August 2023) the following tours to choose from. They each last two and a half hours, and all tours except the Jewel Tour are conducted by bus.
- Changi Precinct Tour (twice daily):
This tour keeps you in the Changi district, near the airport. It doesn’t go to Singapore’s downtown but goes to Tampines instead. Not only is there a huge community centre here, but there are also short visits to Central Park, Changi Chapel & Museum and Beach Park. The beach is artificial, of course. - Jewel Tour (twice daily)
Would you prefer not to leave the airport at all? With this tour, you stay in The Jewel shopping and entertainment district, which is directly connected to the airport terminals. Among other things, you can marvel at a huge waterfall – and of course numerous shops. Then it goes to the Canopy Park on the top floor, where the entrance (otherwise about €6) will be free for you. Individual attractions cost extra. - City Sights Tour (thrice daily):
After being picked up at the airport, you’ll first go to City Hall and then briefly to the Colonial District. As the city’s main attractions are covered, a 30-minute stop at the Merlion is also on the agenda. There you can not only look at the lion sculpture but also have a good view of the city skyline. Continue to the Supertrees, artificial trees that are more impressive than it sounds. After a short stop at the Hotel Marina Bay Sands, you’ll drive back to the airport. - Heritage Tour (twice daily):
First, you’ll go to Marina Bay and the modern city centre. A subsequent visit to the Colonial District illustrates the contrasts in the city. You’ll have 30 minutes each in Chinatown and the Muslim district of Kampong Glam before heading back to the airport.
Unfortunately, there are currently no longer city tours for passengers with longer stays. You can only participate in a maximum of one tour per Singapore transit.
You can find the starting time for the tours at this table:
Conditions
In order to take advantage of the tours, a transit in Singapore with a minimum stay of 5.5 hours and a maximum of 24 hours is required. You also need a passport and must meet the entry requirements.
You can take small backpacks and similar items with you on the bus. Cabin trolleys or similar must be stowed in the baggage storage for a fee (SGD 10 (~€7) per piece of luggage).
After landing, you have to go to the corresponding counters in Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 (map). You have to arrive there at least 75 minutes before the tour.
Please note that you must remain with the group throughout the tour. Whether unauthorized removal has negative consequences is not mentioned anywhere. But you better not try it. If you do, you will need to get back to the airport at your own expense.
More questions and answers are available here on Changi Airport’s website.
Source: Changi Airport on Twitter
Cover Picture: Ditmar Lange