Planning a short layover in Singapore or curious about a quick visit? Wondering what you can see in a day?
Read about how we spent a 24 hour stopover in Singapore as first-time visitors. Use our timeline and tips to make the most of your trip!
Singapore is the perfect place for a layover, especially for first-time visitors. The airport is organized and easy to navigate and there are excellent transport links to and from the city centre. Plus, the city is condensed enough that you can see a lot in a short amount of time.
My husband and I visited Singapore in February 2024 for 24 hours before flying to Koh Samui, Thailand. While it was a convenient stopover from London Heathrow, it also fulfilled a major travel goal of mine.
I’ve dreamed of seeing Singapore since my early teens. I grew up watching Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern tour the island city on the Travel Channel and was captivated by its contrasts. The blend of east and west, old and new, preservation and innovation – it’s like visiting the past, present, and future all at the same time.
In person, Singapore is just as inspiring. It’s rich in culture, vibrant in color and satisfies every sense.
With that said, I wanted to share what our experience was like as first-time visitors on a 24 hour layover. I’ll talk about where we went, what we did, and what it was like. Read through our timeline to get an idea of what you can accomplish in 24 hours and use our tips to help plan your trip!
5 Things You Should Know Before You Visit Singapore:
What all first-time visitors should know before visiting Singapore:
1) SG Arrival Card
All travelers must fill out the electronic arrival card at least three days prior to arrival in Singapore unless you are a citizen of Singapore, permanent resident or long term pass holder. This can be filled out and submitted online. Please check the link for your individual requirements!
2) Plug Adaptor:
Singapore uses 220-240 volts AC (50 cycles) and the outlets take Type G (square 3 prong). We used our UK 3 prong plug adaptors.
3) Clean Tables Campaign:
It is an offense to leave dirty dishes and cutlery behind at all hawker centers, so make sure you clean up after yourself. Please also be mindful to return halal and non-halal trays to respective stations or racks.
4) Rules & Laws:
Do not litter, chew gum, or eat and drink on public transportation. Most importantly, don’t use drugs! Drug trafficking is punishable by death under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
5) Language:
Official languages are Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, and English. We got around just fine with English.
Here’s How We Spent 24hrs Singapore Layover As First-Time Visitors:
17:30: Flight landed at Terminal 1.
Deplaning, E-gates, SG arrival card scan, and luggage retrieval took about 15-20 minutes. Quick and efficient, with little to no queues.
Tip: Check out the map of Changi Airport before you land. Know where to go ahead of time, especially if you’re on a tight schedule (or if you’re a type-A traveler like me)!
Luggage Storage:
We stored 1 x 23kg (50lb) bag at Smarte Carte.
Price: S$32.00 for 24hrs (about £18 /22€ /$24 USD)
The whole process took about 15 minutes, but the wait time depends on how long the queue is and how many bags people ahead of you have.
18:15: Airport Wander
We spent half an hour walking in and around the Jewel. It’s amazing to see in person! It’s like stepping into an indoor jungle.
18:45: Taxi To The Hotel
The taxi rank is in the Arrivals area downstairs. Paid with card and the trip took about 30 minutes with traffic.
Price: S$38.65 (£22 /€26 /$29) which includes an airport surcharge of S$8
The fare was a bit expensive, but after 16 hours of traveling we just wanted to go straight to the hotel. More information about transportation from the airport can be found here.
This was also a great way to get the first glimpse of the city as we drove past the Marina and could admire the skyline.
19:15: Hotel Check-in
We stayed at lyf Funan Singapore an apartment hotel inside the Funan Mall. An affordable and modern option in walking distance to the Waterfront Promenade and Chinatown.
Price: S$182 for 1 night (£105/ 123€ /$136)
Funan Mall also has a food court on the ground floor. There are lots of different options for food if you’re feeling tired and don’t feel like venturing too far for food – I know, blasphemy in Singapore.
If you’re on a tight schedule during your Singapore layover, stay somewhere central to the sights you most want to see. Easy way to maximize your time, especially on a layover.
We mainly wanted to see Chinatown, Waterfront Promenade, and Gardens by the Bay so lyf Funan Singapore worked out great for us. It’s also near City Hall MRT station, if you’re using MRT during your stay.
21:00: Dinner
We ate at Sukiya in the Funan Mall.
Price: S$28.00 (2 meals, 2 drinks and a side) (£16 /19€ /$21)
You can order and pay by scanning the QR code on the table. Great for jet-lagged travelers!
21:45 – 23:15: Night Sights Along the Waterfront Promenade
We walked along the Waterfront Promenade, snapped some pics of the Merlion and took in the night sights.
Consider exploring this area at night. There’s less people around, the temperature is cooler thanks to the breeze coming off the water. And you can get great pics of all the buildings and Merlion lit up.
8:15: Starting the Day in Singapore
Our goals for the day were to walk around Chinatown, go to Gardens By the Bay and get back to the airport by 3pm for our next flight.
8.30am – 11:40: Checking out Chinatown
We spent most of our morning walking through Chinatown where we we spent our time wandering and exploring.
Our journey started with a quick walk through Clarke Quay, a historical riverside quay with a collection of shops, bars, and eateries. If you’re in the area, check this area out in the evening when everything opens up.
We walked along New Bridge Road, Pagoda Street, past the Sri Multicultural Centre with a pit-stop at Maxwell Food Centre @ 10.00. Hainanese chicken rice at Heng Heng was quick and delicious.
We walked through Ann Siang Hill Park via 12 Ann Siang Hill Rd. We went the back way, which we kind of stumbled upon as we were taking pics on Ann Siang Hill Rd street.
Perfect for a quick break from the sun.
Finally, we walked though Gemmill Street and with a quick stop at Telok Ayer Green temple before heading out to our next destination.
11:45: Walk To Gardens By The Bay
From Telok Ayer Green it was a 45min walk to Gardens by the Bay via Marina Bay Sands. This includes stopping to take pictures and getting a little lost.
You can cross the Garden Bay Bridge located in the hotel to enter the Gardens. We entered through the Shoppes entrance and just followed the signs.
There is a viewpoint just underneath the hotel to snap a good picture of the towers and provides a clear view of the Supertrees and skyline.
12:30: Gardens by the Bay
We made a beeline towards the back of the park where the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are located. I booked a combo ticket which you can buy here.
Price: S$32.00 (£18 /22€ /$24)
Check what’s on at the park before you buy tickets. There are new events all the time and their calendar is always updated!
If you have time, try to make the night time light show – Gardens by the Bay Rhapsody Show
We spent 1hr 30mins total at the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. I was most excited to see the Flower Dome and it did not disappoint. It was decorated for Chinese New Year with dragons and filled with beautiful dahlias, peonies, lilies and so much more. Truly a flower lover’s dream.
I especially loved Kei-Chan, a sweet sculpture by Yayoi Kusama that was donated by Ms Lee Tuan.
Cloud Forest is a marvel unto itself. The massive plant mountain waterfall structure dominates the room. You walk up the mountain from the inside and can walk around the outside of it via floating walkways. Not as vibrant as the Flower Dome, but absolutely worth it to see and experience in-person.
14:05: Back to the Airport
We used the Grab app to get back to the airport. You can also check out Gojek, but do what works for you.
Price: S$21.40 (£12 /15€ /$16)
Arrived back at Terminal 1 at 14.30
Make sure to have cash on you! I thought I could pay with card through the app, but the driver would only take cash. We had to do some running around to find an ATM at the airport.
In Terminal 1 (at least), the security check point is at the gate, so you can’t bring any drinks onto the flight with you unless they’re TSA sealed. Keep that in mind before you buy loads of drinks – I ended up chugging my green tea in line. We departed to Koh Samui at 17:10, spending just under 24 hours in Singapore.
17:10: Flight to Koh Samui
So As A First-Time Visitors to Singapore, How Much Were We Able To See in 24h?
We were able to see quite a lot in less than 24 hours. My husband and I managed to walk the length of the Waterfront Promenade and St. Andrews Road on our first night. The following day we saw nearly all of Chinatown, walked through Marina Bay Sands and 2 parts of Gardens by the Bay. We also made time for a quick stop at a hawker centre, two outdoor markets with time to spare to explore the airport.
What Will You Have Time For On A Layover In Singapore?
It really depends on what you want to do, see, and how you’ll get there. I recommend doing the following to maximize your layover.
- Research ahead of time. What do you actually want to do and see?
- Make a list of 3 absolute must-sees. What’s something you can’t miss? What would you be most upset about not seeing while you’re there?
- Book a hotel central to your must-sees. Instead of darting around the city, stay as close to your must-sees as possible to save valuable time.
- Plan your day so that you end up back at your hotel or the airport. Be efficient with your time! Don’t end your day across town far away from your hotel or the airport.
- Take a taxi, ride share or public transportation for distances longer than 20 mins by walking. If you’re on a tight schedule, be strategic with your time and get transport to your must-sees if it’s quicker than walking.
No matter what, if you’re in Singapore for 24hrs, you will see a lot. The city is condensed and is teeming with sights. Around every corner is a hawker centre, market, historic site, park, religious center, shopping mall, attraction, or museum. You’ll see street art, traditional architecture, and plant covered buildings.
Honestly, it’s hard not to see a lot in a short amount of time, so don’t sweat it.
Local Recommendations
If you want recommendations from a local, I highly suggest checking out Girl Eat World’s “1 Day in Singapore Itinerary”. She’s really knowledgeable and has a ton of great tips. I used her blog to plan my trip and it was so helpful.
If you want someone else to do the planning for you, check out Changi Airport’s Free Guided Tours. Read through their requirements and see if you’re eligible. There are three options to choose from and the tours last 2.5 hours. Choose a tour based on your must-sees then spend your free time wandering around and eating, at your own pace.
Visiting Singapore was an unforgettable travel experience. The time I spent there were amongst the best I’ve ever spent abroad. You’ll see what I mean when you visit.
Other Reads
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