Singapore is one of those typical layovers when doing long haul flights direction Australia or Asia, and as it turns out it’s really worth it if you’ve got the chance to spend a day or two in the city before continuing your trip. I’d recommend you to spend a couple of days here: it’s enough as the country is small but you’ll get the chance to see and enjoy everything it has to offer.
Marina Bay in the afternoon.
The famous Sands Hotel with its infinity pool on the left, and the ArtScience Museum in the centre, with its characteristic lotus flower shape.
Itinerary
If you’ve only got time for a ‘layover’ in Singapore, there are basically 4 areas that you can’t miss:
Chinatown
Amalgam of cultures in all its splendor. Don’t miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the hinduist temple Sri Mariamman and Thian Hock Keng temple (the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore).
Little India
Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman temple, discover the wonderful colors of the Tan Teng Niah House and don’t leave without going to the Tekka hawker center for a delight of cheap and yummy food.
Arab area
The top two things in this area are the Sultan Mosque and all the little alleys and streets surrounding it (specially magic are Haji Lane and Arab Street).
Marina Bay
This is why you’re in Singapore ?Discover the building with the lotus flower shape (in reality it is the ArtScience Museum), the Sands Hotel and the Sands Shopping Center (try to go up to the roof/swimming pool and enjoy the wonderful views of downtown from above). There is an unmissable light and music performance in the marina every night (near the Louis Vouiton shop).
Particularly beautiful are the Gardens by the Bay, with its ‘Supertrees’ (they offer a light and music spectacle free of charge every night too, don’t miss it!). The surrounding gardens are nice too, and the two ‘Domes’ (the Flower Dome and the Rainforest Dome – there is an entrance charge for these two) are very interesting as well. If you are hungry don’t hesitate to go to Satay by the Bay (order one of the taster plates with all types of satay you can imagine), or if you’d rather prefer a very good quality hawker centre walk until Makansutra Gluttons Bay in the other side of the bay and enjoy the real authentic Singaporean dish, chilli crab.
A final recommendation:
Arrive to the airport with time because inside it you can find Changi Jewel Waterfall: the tallest indoor waterfall in the world. It is inside the Jewel mall centre and it’s very easy to find it as there are plenty of indications. You can even check-in your luggage before so you can enjoy it lighter. There is no better end to your trip ?
Budget
Return flights
Or even better: stop here a couple of days whenever you have to do a layover when doing a long-haul flight! ?
450€
Travel Insurance
Remember to always have your insurance when you travel. I normally get an annual MultiTrip so it covers me all year round.
35€
Food
This included 2 X Breakfast, 2 X Lunch, 2 X Dinner and all refreshments & snacks for 2 days.
78€
Local Transport
This included shared UBER to/from the airport and underground tickets for 2 days.
14.25€
Accommodation
Shared dorm with shared bathroom in a hostel.
102€
Entry fees
Entrance to the Rainforest Dome in the Gardens by the Bay.
