24 Hours in Singapore: What To See and Do on Your Layover
Passing through Singapore and looking for the best way to spend your time? Whether you’re looking to explore the world’s best airport, join a free city tour, or check out all the sites and attractions on your own time, this Singapore layover guide will help you make the most of your time. I recently spent 24 hours in Singapore on my way from Tokyo to Bali and compiled this list of things to do and see during your layover. I also included a few things to skip if you’re short on time.
Important Layover Information for 24 Hours in Singapore
Before jumping into the best way to spend 24 hours in Singapore, I wanted to address some common layover questions. Don’t need layover information? Skip to the best way to spend 24 hours in Singapore.
Do I need a visa to leave the airport?
Like many countries, this depends on which passport you hold. US citizens do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. Check here to see if you require a visa to enter Singapore.
How long of a layover do I need to leave the airport?
I wouldn’t recommend leaving the airport if your layover is less than 5 hours. The Free Singapore Tour requires a minimum 5.5-hour layover.
I heard Singapore is expensive, what if I’m on a tight budget?
You didn’t hear wrong. Regardless of which lists or rankings you check, Singapore is consistently rated among the most expensive countries to live in the world. But don’t worry, there are plenty of things to do and see that don’t cost a dime! Keep reading this post for more information.
What if I can’t or don’t want to leave the airport?
Have a shorter layover, or not in the mood to deal with immigration and go out exploring? Luckily for you, Singapore’s Changi International Airport is consistently rated among the best in the world by Skytrax! There is absolutely no shortage of things to do, see, and eat at Changi even if you have 24 hours in Singapore. And to make your life easier, Changi has a handful of transit hotels to help you rest and recharge comfortably if you’re not planning to clear immigration. See below for more information on what to do and see at Changi International Airport.
How to Spend 24 Hours in Singapore (TL;DR Summary)
Interested in the best way to spend 24 hours in Singapore, but don’t have time to read through all the details? Here’s a TL;DR summary of what to see and do, along with a few things to skip.
Click the links in the list below for more details on each thing to see and do if you have 24 hours in Singapore.
Even though Singapore is very small, it might be a stretch to see and do EVERYTHING. Here are a few things I would consider skipping if you only have 24 hours in Singapore.
1. Take In the Beautiful Scenery at Gardens by the Bay
Close your eyes and picture Singapore, what do you see? I’m willing to bet most of you see those iconic, futuristic Supertrees featured in Crazy Rich Asians. To be honest, before I added Singapore to my year-long trip across Asia, the Supertrees were pretty much the only things I knew about Singapore (besides the Marina Sands). Those Supertrees (and much more) are located in the beautiful Gardens by the Bay, by the famous Marina Sands Hotel.
If you’re looking for the one spot to visit during your 24 hours in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay should top your list. Gardens by the Bay is technically considered a nature park, but I think it’s better described as a collection of outdoor and indoor attractions designed with nature in mind. Some of the attractions are paid, but most are free including Supertree Grove, Dragonfly Lake, Serene Garden, and Sun Pavillion. While I did find some of these attractions, like the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome to be a little overhyped, there’s plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy.
2. Take a Walk Along the Waterfront Promenade for Best Skyline Views
Two things about Singapore really stood out to me: the skyline and how clean it was everywhere. It’s just a cool city/country to walk around and enjoy some fresh air (if you can withstand the heat and humidity). And there’s no better way to see the city than by taking a walk along the Waterfront Promenade!
There are a few different spots labeled “Waterfront Promenade” on Google Maps and I couldn’t find much information on where exactly it starts and ends. But you can follow this roughly 2-mile loop that will take you by some popular destinations like the ArtScience museum, Merlion Statue, and the Singapore Flyer all while enjoying different perspectives of the modern architecture filling the skyline.
Depending on where you’re staying, chances are you’ll end up walking along the Waterfront Promenade without even trying. This was the case for me, as I ended up along a part of the Promenade while walking back from the Gardens by the Bay to my awesome stay at the Westin Singapore. Just head out for a walk by some of the popular sights and attractions and you’ll likely find yourself along the Promenade.
3. Catch the Sunset at the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck
Besides seeing the Supertrees, I was most excited to visit the SkyPark Observation Deck at Marina Bay Sands. I’ll be honest, I felt like it was a little bit of a letdown, but maybe my expectations were just a bit too high. Your $24 ticket only gets you access to a small portion of the roof after you wait up to an hour in a long admission line. And like any popular tourist attraction, you’ll be battling crowds all vying for the spots with the best views.
That being said, the views of the marina are pretty spectacular! If you’re lucky enough to secure a ticket during sunset, you’re in for a real treat. If you can’t make it up for sunset, I would recommend heading up in the evening when the breathtaking skyline is lit up. After all, a blog post about what to do and see in Singapore wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the SkyPark Observation Deck, even if you only have 24 hours in Singapore.
4. Watch the Garden Rhapsody Light Show at Supertree Grove
If you don’t have time to check out Gardens by the Bay during the day, don’t worry! While you may not be able to enjoy some of the other beautiful scenery as much, nighttime brings a special treat. The Supertree Grove, which contains 12 of the 18 Supertrees scattered around Gardens by the Bay, comes to life with a twice-nightly magical sound and light show that is basically a Christmas light show on steroids. The show, called Garden Rhapsody, is one thing you shouldn’t miss if you have 24 hours in Singapore!
Garden Rhapsody takes place every day at 7:45 and 8:45 PM and is completely free to watch from the ground. You can also watch from a higher vantage point by heading up to the OCBC Skyway, but in my opinion, the view of the trees is better from below. Not to mention, you’ll need to wait in two long lines; one to buy your ticket and the other to head up to the Skyway.
5. Sample Some of Singapore’s Famous Dishes
A Singapore layover guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the food! If you only have 24 hours in Singapore, it might be tough to sample all of Singapore’s famous dishes. But if you’re a foodie, and sampling the local cuisine is high on your list, there are plenty of food tours you can join.
If you don’t want to dedicate a few hours to sampling food, you can still sample some of Singapore’s most popular and delicious dishes. And the best part, is you don’t even need to sit down at a fancy restaurant since you can find most of the best Singaporean food right at hawker centers scattered throughout the city. While there is no shortage of options to sample, I would recommend trying the two most famous dishes, chili crab (the national dish of Singapore) and Hainanese chicken rice.
6. Explore the Attractions at Changi International Airport, the World’s Best Airport
There’s a reason Singapore’s Changi International Airport has been crowned the world’s best airport 10 out of the last 14 years in the Skytrax annual airport rankings. I take that back, there are MANY reasons why Changi Airport is consistently rated as the best airport in the world. Changi Airport literally has everything from Instagrammable art exhibits to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, and even an indoor butterfly garden! Not to mention, most of the attractions are free! I would need an entire post dedicated to the 50+ different attractions at Changi Airport.
Whether you have 24 hours in Singapore or just a short layover, Changi Airport won’t disappoint you. I regret not spending more time at Changi Airport, which is a phrase I never thought I’d say or write!
Jewel Changi Airport Information
When most people think of Changi Airport, they’re probably picturing Jewel, which is home to the HSBC Rain Vortex. At 130 feet in height, HSBC Rain Vortex is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and the perfect Instagram pic backdrop. But there’s plenty more to do and see at Jewel. Unleash your inner child and go for a bounce 25 feet above the ground on the Bouncing Net or get lost in the Hedge Maze and Mirror Maze. There are also plenty of options to grab a bite or go shopping.
When it comes to visiting Jewel, don’t make the common mistake that I did. I didn’t realize that Jewel is landside, which means it’s outside of the secure area. In other words, you need to exit and then clear security again if you’re still airside. This also means you have to clear immigration if you haven’t left the airport yet, so factor all of this extra time in if you want to check out Jewel. If you already cleared security, or not planning to leave the airport, you can still catch a glimpse of Jewel. The Skytrain connecting Terminals 2 and 3 actually passes through Jewel and stops momentarily to give riders a chance to see and photograph the Rain Vortex.
7. Consider a Free Tour if You Have Less Than 24 Hours in Singapore
If you’ve read any of my other posts, you probably figured out I’m not really an “organized tour” kinda guy. I hate being limited by time schedules, shepherded around with a group of strangers, pressured to tip a guide who is adding hardly any value, etc. In fact, I will actually go to great lengths to avoid tours and keep things self-guided whenever I can! Of course, there are many exceptions, like being on safari or visiting areas that require a guide/tour. One such exception I can recommend is the Free Singapore Tour offered at Changi Airport.
The Free Singapore Tour is available for transit and transfer passengers whose layover period is between 5.5 and 24 hours. There are actually four different 2.5-hour tours to choose from (click here for daily schedule and tour descriptions). One tour in particular, the City Sights Tour, will bring you to the Gardens by the Bay and the Promenade. If you have much less than 24 hours in Singapore and you’re keen on getting out and seeing some of the sights, one of these free tours is a great option for you.
Some Things to Skip With Only 24 Hours in Singapore
If you only have 24 hours in Singapore, I would recommend skipping these popular attractions:
1. The SkyPark Observation Deck Isn’t Worth It During the Day
As I mentioned earlier, I was a little disappointed by the Marina Sands SkyPark Observation Deck during the day. Sure, the views of the marina and cityscape are pretty stunning, but if you only have 24 hours in Singapore, you may not want to dedicate a decent chunk of that time to the SkyPark if you can only make it during the day.
There are a few things to consider before booking your $24 ticket to the SkyPark. First, the lines are long, even though you need to book a timeslot in advance. By the time you reach the SkyPark, it’s crowded and you only have access to a small portion of it. Not to mention, Singapore is sweltering during the day nearly year-round and you’ll be pretty exposed to direct sun up there. I recommend heading up for sunset, or skipping the SkyPark if you only have 24 hours in Singapore.
2. The Merlion Statue Isn’t Worth Going Out of the Way For
If you decide to walk around the entire Waterfront Promenade, you’ll pass by the Merlion Statue at some point. If it’s not under maintenance, it’s worth stopping by to snap a quick pic and then move along. Otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to see Merlion if you don’t have much time in Singapore. There are plenty of amazing skyline and marina views all along the Promenade, and Merlion is… well, it’s just a 25-foot tall statue shooting water into the marina. There is really nothing that special about it.
3. Both the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome Are Underwhelming Tourist Traps
While Gardens by the Bay is the one can’t-miss attraction if you have 24 hours in Singapore, there are some parts of it I would recommend skipping. Both the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome were total letdowns if I’m being honest. The Cloud Forest turned out to be a kitschy Avatar-themed tourist trap and while the Flower Dome was beautiful, it wasn’t nearly special enough to justify the ticket price. An adult combo ticket for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome goes for $40 and a child ticket is $30. I felt like this was the biggest waste of money so far on my trip across Asia.
4. The OCBC Skyway Is Not Worth the Time or Money
Another attraction that I would recommend skipping is the OCBC Skyway. In my opinion, the views of the Supertrees are better from ground level. Plus, you have to wait in line to buy tickets and then wait in line again to go up. I wouldn’t mind the wait if I had more than 24 hours in Singapore or if the views were actually better, but it wasn’t worth the $10 to me.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re lucky enough to have a long layover in Singapore, you certainly won’t be bored. And luckily, Singapore is very small and most of the best things to see and do are located close by. Whether you decide to do a self-guided tour, take advantage of a free city tour, or just explore Changi Airport, use this guide to decide how to best spend your time.
I hope you found this guide on how to spend 24 hours in Singapore helpful. Love my advice? Completely disagree with me? Leave a reply below and let me know your thoughts!