Home / Layover guides / Singapore
Singapore · Changi Airport (SIN)Singapore layover guide: what to do with 6, 12 or 24 hours
Quick answer: with a layover of 5.5 to 24 hours, book Changi's Free Singapore Tour, a free 2.5-hour guided tour. With more time, take the MRT to Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay, then come back for dinner at a hawker centre.
About one in three passengers at Changi Airport are in transit, and the airport is famous as a destination in itself. Singapore is safe, clean and easy to get around, which makes it one of the best layover cities in the world.
Can you leave the airport?
- If you stay in the transit area, you do not need a visa.
- Many nationalities can enter Singapore without a visa; some, including India and Pakistan, need a valid Singapore visa. Check the rules for your passport before you fly.
Free and good-value layover perks
- Free Singapore Tour: free 2.5-hour guided tours for transit passengers with layovers of 5.5 to 24 hours. Choose from Heritage and Culture, City Sights, Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands, or the new Sentosa Discovery tour.
- Pre-book up to 50 days ahead, or visit the tour booths in the transit areas of Terminals 2 and 3 (open 8am to 7pm). Arrive at least 90 minutes before the tour starts.
- Each tour has a latest flight departure time, and bags must be through-checked to your final destination.
Getting into the city
- The MRT (metro) connects the airport to the city in around 30 to 40 minutes with one change.
- Taxis and ride-hailing apps are quick and reasonably priced.
Layover plans that work
Explore Changi
Visit the airside gardens and enjoy the food. If you can clear immigration, the Jewel complex and its giant indoor waterfall is next to Terminal 1.
Free Singapore Tour
Join one of the free tours. It is the easiest way to see the city without worrying about timing.
Marina Bay and the gardens
Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay waterfront and the Merlion, then a hawker centre dinner.
Neighbourhoods and food
Add Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, and take your time over Singapore's famous street food.
Find layover tours in Singapore
Browse top-rated tours and tickets in Singapore, with free cancellation on many experiences. Choose tours that fit your layover and include transport back to the airport.
BookingCEO may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Staying inside the airport
- Look for the airside gardens, rooftop pool and rest areas across the terminals.
- Free and paid lounges, napping areas and transit hotels are available.
Local tips
- Singapore has strict rules: no chewing gum, no littering and no eating on the MRT.
- Use a contactless bank card on the MRT.
- Be back at the airport at least 3 hours before your next flight.
Make your Addis Ababa layover unforgettable.
If your trip connects through Addis Ababa Bole Airport, our private layover tours include airport pickup, a licensed guide and a promise to have you back at least 3 hours before your flight. From $75 per person.
See our Addis layover toursFrequently asked questions
Is the Free Singapore Tour really free?
Yes. Changi offers free 2.5-hour tours for eligible transit passengers with layovers of 5.5 to 24 hours.
Do I need a visa for the Free Singapore Tour?
Some nationalities need a valid Singapore visa to join, because the tour leaves the airport. Check before you fly.
Can I see the Jewel waterfall on a layover?
Jewel is landside, so you need to clear immigration to visit it.