Overnight Stopover in Singapore

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Singapore skyline with a pink and yellow sky

If your vacation includes an overnight stop in Singapore, there’s a fair chance you’ll have enough time on your hands to venture out and see a little of the Garden City, you lucky thing. This is one of the world’s most-visited cities, so it stands to reason that there are oodles of things to keep tourists entertained. Our advice is to plan your layover carefully: pick one or two things you’d really like to do and book tickets up front if required. With only a few hours to spare, you’ll want to maximize your time enjoying the attractions rather than waiting in ticket booth queues or frantically googling for fun things to do on the hop. Read on for our guide to the perfect Singapore stopover...

Singapore Stopover Hints and Tips

Image of Railway, Train, Vehicle, Terminal, Train Station,

Singapore’s immigration policies are fairly accommodating for layovers, with many nationalities qualifying for the 96-hour visa free transit facility (VFTF) and others requiring proof of onward travel or easily acquired short-term visas. You can browse a fairly comprehensive summary of requirements here.

Avoid sweating your way around downtown Singapore with trolley cases and backpacks in tow by taking advantage of 24-hour left luggage facilities in any one of Changi Airport’s four terminals. Trust us: you don’t want to be carrying a week’s worth of clothes and toiletries around with you in the afternoon heat!

Heading downtown? Your best bet from the airport is to take a cab. Sure it’s more expensive than the otherwise super-efficient MRT (Singapore’s mass rapid transit system), but it’s also your fastest way of getting to the heart of the action and, on a layover, every minute you can save on transport and admin is an extra minute being wowed by Singapore’s superlative sights. Note that once you’re actually downtown, the MRT comes into its own and is by far the better method of getting from A to B at speed, while cabs can spend what feels like hours laboring through the often dense city center traffic.

Singapore Stopover Highlights for Sightseers

Image of City, Urban, Cityscape,

Sightseers can have it all on a whirlwind visit to Marina Bay. This is where you’ll find one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks: the towering tree-like structures that make up Supertree Grove in the Gardens by the Bay. Get up close to the lush vertical gardens that cling to these manmade steel monsters on a stroll around the elevated OCBC Skyway platform. Or explore all manner of tropical plantlife (as well as one of the tallest indoor waterfalls in town) in the huge durian-shaped hothouses.

Further vertiginous exploits await around the bay,in the shape of the colossal Singapore Flyer observation wheel, inevitably one of the world’s tallest, and the 57th-floor SkyPark atop the futuristic Marina Bay Sands Resort, another instantly recognizable star of the Singapore skyline. If you prefer your entertainment a little more, shall we say, down to earth, you can hit the massive shopping complex on the resort’s ground level, complete with bank balance-sapping luxury brands and cute Venetian-style waterways where you can take a sampan boat ride. Step outside to meet the island’s mascot in statue form. Part mermaid and part lion, the famous Merlion stands sentinel, splashing water into the bay from its roaring mouth.

Singapore Stopover Highlights for Families

Image of Garden, Nature, Outdoors, Vegetation, Land, Rainforest, Tree, Arbour, Fountain, Water,

Kids are notorious for their itchy feet, so it’s a good thing Singapore has plenty of great stuff for families to do on a layover. Chief among these is the island playground of Sentosa, where the cable car ride to get there is just the beginning of the fun. We’re not kidding when we say this tiny landmass is absolutely packed with activities and attractions. Universal Studios theme park with white-knuckle and child-friendly rides? Check. Water park? Check. Massive aquarium? You betcha. This is also where you’ll find some of Singapore’s best beaches, complete with Insta-perfect golden sands, emerald-green lagoons and swaying coconut palms. A handy shuttle service serves the sunny Palawan, Tanjong and Siloso beaches, saving you yet more precious time.

If you don’t quite have the time required to make the most of a trip to Sentosa, fear not! Help is at hand in the form of Jewel, a cavernous entertainment complex connected (landside) to Changi Airport itself. If anything this is even more ideal than Sentosa, especially if you’re traveling with difficult-to-please teenagers, thanks to its rich mix of high-end shopping, hip restaurants and super-cool attractions that will appeal to any selfie addict worth their salt. We’re talking (another) sky high waterfall or, more accurately, ‘Rain Vortex’ (pictured above), a four-story slide, an indoor forest garden that spans five floors, cinemas, mesmerizing kinetic sculptures, a butterfly garden and, yep, even a Pokémon Center. Just imagine: all that fun without even leaving the airport!

Singapore Stopover Highlights for Foodies

Image of Bbq, Cooking, Food, Grilling, Adult, Male, Man, Person,

Foodies rejoice! Singapore’s delicious hotch-potch of Asian cuisines – Indian, Chinese, Malay, Indonesian and more – means you’ll never go short of a new dish (or six) to try. A swift foray into Chinatown or Little India oshould be considered essential on all but the very shortest of layovers. We’re talking steaming grills, heady with the aromas of kung pao chicken and Peking duck and spicy fish head curry served up in the kind of picturesque labyrinthine lanes of which Instagram dreams are made.

Want more? Kampong Glam, Singapore’s buzzing Muslim district and bona fide foodie mecca, promises sticky peanut satay, traditional nasi padang and zingy lamb rendang that’s almost as delicious as the neighbourhoods edible-looking Peranakan shop fronts in lime greens, mustard yellows and chili reds. The legendary Old Airport Road Food Centre is a short cab ride from Changi Airport and offers more of the same, with a dizzying array of street food stalls all condensed under one unspeakably tempting roof.

Nighttime Singapore Stopover Highlights

Image of Hotel, Resort, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Vegetation, House, Housing, Villa, Pool, Swimming Pool, Water, Landscape, Bridge,

Staying overnight? Singapore’s flurry of fun nighttime activities will have no trouble enticing you away from an evening spent flicking through cable channels at your airport hotel. Hawker centers like the aforementioned Old Airport Road are great places to wander, soak up the vivid Singaporean culture, take memorable snaps and stuff yourself silly. There are over 100 of these spread out right across the city, meaning whichever part of town you visit you’re never far from a delicious (and surprisingly affordable) feast.

Feasts of the visual variety are free to enjoy back down in Marina Bay, where nightly light-and-sound shows are held at both Supertree Grove and in front of Marina Bay Sands. The resort’s Spectra spectacular combines dancing fountains with huge visual projections, mist effects and lasers, backed by a booming orchestral soundtrack. Watch both shows from the SkyPark, 57 floors up, or catch a ride on the Singapore Flyer for sensational nighttime views of the sparkling city skyline. Animal lovers can even take a night safari inside the world’s first park dedicated solely to nocturnal beasts. Meet a cavalcade of crepuscular creatures from the Asian tropics and African savannah, including oddball favorites like fishing cats, slow lorises, giant anteaters and barking deer.

Save on attractions and activities in Singapore

Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

Continue reading

Things to do in Singapore at Night
Blog

Things to do in Singapore at Night

The night. The mysterious time of the day when the light fades away, and things tend to go bump on a regular basis. To some, the absence of life brings the horror of our mortality to life. They go inside, turn on the lights, and pray for daybreak. Some of them sleep too. That's pretty useful. But to the rest of us, the night is just the beginning. It's our time to shine. To those of you out there who call the darkness home, we salute you. And we're here for you. Even on vacation, our penchant for the shadows cannot be sated. We flourish when others flounder. We head out into the night to find fun, where many dare not. We sleep during the day...because we have to sleep sometime. So, what can you do if you're a night owl in Singapore? Well, read on and discover our picks of the best things to do in Singapore at night! Cue thunder, lightning, and cackling. Including: Gardens by the Bay CÉ LA VI SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands Raffles Courtyard and Long Bar Wings of Time Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour and more! See night wonders at Gardens by the Bay Let's kick things off with some greenery. Gardens of the Bay is not only Singapore's most famous green space; it's also one of the most recognizable on the planet. Featuring millions of plants across multiple climates, it's the perfect place to reconnect with nature. But when the sun goes down, you'll discover something even more amazing there - the Garden Rhapsody. And what is that? Well, it's the best light and music show you'll ever see in a park! Thanks to the park's Supertrees, you'll be treated to a light show that seems to move the trees along to the music. It's all smoke and mirrors, of course, merely a trick of the light. But it's one of the most impressive tricks of light you're ever likely to witness. So if you're looking for things to do in Singapore at night, the Garden Rhapsody is arguably the most awe-inspiring. And, with two shows every night, you'll always find time to check it out. Get rooftop vibes at CÉ LA VI SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands On Singapore's warm evenings, one of the best things to do in the city is have a refreshing drink. Want to appreciate some of the best views in the city while you sip? Do it all at a rooftop bar! Enter CÉ LA VI, Singapore's premier rooftop bar at Marina Bay Sands. Step off the elevator on the 57th floor, and you'll get VIP views along with VIP treatment. And yes, that means you'll be skipping the queue straight into the VIP bar! But we're not done yet, because you'll also get a free drink on us! Sublime. Or vibe on ground level at Raffles Courtyard and Long Bar However, if heights leave you squirming, or the heavens have opened up, why not try the drier, terra firma delights at Long Bar at Raffles? You'll still be treated to stunning surroundings, thanks to the swaying palms and majestic white arches that adorn the hotel's courtyard. You'll still get excellent service from Raffles' award-winning staff. And you'll still get a complimentary drink - of course, none other than the country's favorite 'Singapore Sling'. And hey, if you want to stay for longer, you'll get to pick from dozens of refreshing offerings on their eye-opening menu. Be dazzled at the Wings of Time For more song and light shenanigans, head to Singapore's premier hotspot, Sentusa's, for pyrotechnics with a plot! At the Wings of Time, through light, sound, song, and fireworks, you'll follow the story of Shahbaz, a bird from long ago, as he tries to find his way home. He and his friends explore human progress through the millennia, from the Pyramids to the Industrial Revolution. And all of this translates to one of the most dazzling spectacles you'll find in Singapore, one that lights up the night sky with a rainbow of colors. An unmissable experience, Wings of Time is one of the best things to do in Singapore when the sun goes down. Explore Singapore by night on a Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour If you want to see some of Singapore's most prominent landmarks, then you needn't do it during the day. Thanks to this nighttime bike tour of Marina Bay, you can still tick plenty off your itinerary. With an experienced tour guide in tow, you'll pass plenty of Singapore's blissful landmarks, from the Gardens of the Bay to the SuperTrees, and along the Kallang River. And if you want to know more about each place, your guide will be more than happy to drop some knowledge bombs on your trip. Traveling around Singapore at night almost feels like another world, so if you're a night owl, get on your bike and get peddling! See sleepy - and not so sleepy - animals on a Night Safari If you wonder what other creatures share your night owl status, then where better to meet them than on an evening safari? With a rare chance to see what happens in the animal kingdom when the sun goes down, this night safari is one of the best things to do in Singapore at night! The park features four zones; Leopard Trail, Wallaby Trail, Fishing Cat Trail, and East Lodge Trail. And each zone houses a myriad of different species that can happily co-exist. So don't worry, it's nothing like Jurassic Park. And within each zone, you'll find plenty of animal favorites like lions, leopards, Malaysian tapirs, hippos, tigers, hyenas, otters, and bears. Even the adorable - and sadly incredibly endangered - pangolins are lurking about somewhere, waiting for their moment in the camera. See if you can find them. And those are our picks of the best things to do in Singapore at night! Looking for some more fun activities and attractions to grace your vacation's sunny days? Go City's got you covered. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price.
Dom Bewley
How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore
Blog

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore

Lantern displays, fireworks and cultural performances – there are plenty of ways to soak up the festival spirit in Singapore.
Dom Bewley
Best Neighborhood to Stay in Singapore
Blog

Best Neighborhood to Stay in Singapore

Picking the right accommodation location is one of the most important parts of planning a vacation. What can your budget allow? What kind of vibe are you looking for? What do you want to be near? Whether you're looking for a mix of things, or are more specifically target one parameter, we've got you covered. Below, we've collated the best neighborhoods to stay in when you visit Singapore. So, whether you're looking to be by the city's most famous landmarks, in the thick of Singapore's nightlife, or want something a bit more traditional, we've found districts that will fit you like a glove. So read on, and find the perfect place for you! Including Marina Bay Riverside Downtown Orchard Road and more! Marina Bay Bringing your family to Singapore? Then Marina Bay is arguably the best neighborhood for you and your clan to stay in. Though it may err on the pricier side, if you're bringing the entire family to the city, you probably have the cash to burn. Location-wise, you'll be in the thick of the action. Marina Bay is a stone's throw from Clarke Quay and the Civic District, so you'll find plenty to keep busy. Plus, one of Singapore's top attractions, the Gardens by the Bay, is right on your doorstep. If you can, book a room at the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Not only are the rooms exquisite, but you'll also have easy access to the hotel's wonderous infinity pool. Riverside Leaving the little ones at home and looking to explore the city's after-dark samplings? Look no further than Riverside. Here, you'll find Singapore's hub of nightclubs, bars, and affluent restaurants. The once-busy docks have been transformed into Singapore's hippest evening area. Not only will you find plenty of rooftop bars where you can soak up some rays or see in the sunset, but you'll also don your dancing shoes at one of the area's many discotheques. Boogie woogie, and all that. However, like Marina Bay, Riverside is on the dearer side of Singapore neighborhoods. Many of the city's top restaurants and night haunts are located there, and you'll be paying a premium to sample their delights. It's also the busiest district for tourism, so if you travel during peak season, expect to be rubbing shoulders with plenty of other travelers. Downtown Singapore's financial district is, understandably, the city's most expensive place to stay. Reserved for traveling business people and the many clients they're visiting, accommodation can be on the pricier side. However, if you can afford it or are in town for business, why not splash the cash? Some of the city's best hotels are housed within, so if you've got it, why not flaunt it? Stacked with skyscrapers and futuristic designs seen in shows like Westworld, you'll find plenty of photo ops around Downtown. But don't worry; it isn't all glass, steel, and concrete. In fact, you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities and even parks if you need to take a verdant break. And yes, while most hotels are relatively expensive, hunt about, and you might find cheaper deals on some more reasonable places. Orchard Road Calling all shoppers. Do you have expensive taste? Do you accept nothing but the biggest and best labels adorning your body and accessories? If you answered yes, then Orchard Road is the best neighborhood to stay in while visiting Singapore! Even if you're not in the market for a new coat or bag, there are still plenty of reasons to stay in the area. You'll find classy cafes, wonderful restaurants, and smaller boutique stores where you can pick up unique items you won't find on the high street. And, when you finally hit your overdraft and have too much to bring back with you, you'll find easy connections to other parts of the city. So, if you need to shop but also want a dazzling locale as your base of operations, check out Orchard Road. Chinatown While we've mainly covered the higher end of budgets when it comes to neighborhoods in Singapore, you needn't break the bank to get the best. In fact, if you're looking for a more authentic cultural experience where rents are cheap, and food is affordable, you can't do much better than Chinatown. A little piece of China in the heart of Singapore, Chinatown also offers all the wonderful delicacies you can expect from a little slice of the east. Food stalls selling myriad Chinese dishes and street food; welcoming shops full of cultural items and knickknacks, as well as great connections to some of the more expensive parts of the city. If you're not looking to break the bank and desire a bit of peace with your accommodation, Chinatown is more than worth a look. Plus, you'll even find the city's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant within, so you can dine like a king without flogging the crown jewels. Little India If you like the idea of Chinatown but prefer your cuisine with a little added spice, say hello to Little India. As a location, it shares many of the same benefits as its eastern partner, with cheaper rents, affordable food, and plenty of authentic shops and experiences to discover. Food-wise, however, expect to find plenty of traditional offerings; curries of all shapes and sizes, pakora, vada pav, and many more. And, as it's located close to some of Singapore's best shopping districts, you'll have plenty of reasons to head out and explore, should you wish to. And those are our picks of the best neighborhoods to stay in during your Singapore vacation! Now that you know where to set up your base camp, you'll need to plan the rest of your trip. If you're suffering from choice paralysis, let Go City ease your woes! Thanks to our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of the city's best bits and make huge savings while you're at it!
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.