singapore airport city tour free

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Free Singapore Tour

Capture the spirit of singapore during your transit.

Be enthralled by the sights, sound and colours of Singapore during your next layover. Take a walk through history at the Merlion Park. Experience a multi-sensory buzz in vibrant Chinatown. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city, with a backdrop of the Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay. Discover what it feels like to live as a Singaporean at our Changi Precinct or discover a wondrous world and immerse into a lush green sanctuary at Jewel Changi Airport. 

Choose between four different tour routes during your transit if your transit is more than 5.5 hours and within 24 hours. Each tour is 2.5 hours long, and jointly organised by Singapore Airlines, Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group. Tours are conducted in English only. 

Changi Precinct Tour

Once covered by forests, swamps, rubber plantation and sand quarries, Tampines today is one of four regional centres in Singapore. This special town won the United Nations World Habitat Award, for being an exemplar of high-quality, high density and affordable housing. 

City Sights Tour

The Jubilee Bridge connects two famed landmarks - the Esplanade Theatres and the Merlion, giving you an unhindered view of Marina Bay.

Heritage Tour

Who is eligible for the tour?

The Free Singapore Tour is open to all travellers transiting in Changi Airport. Valid for passengers with layover of at least 5.5 hours, and less than 24 hours, and with flight schedules that fit the tour timing requirements.

How To Register ?

• Singapore Airlines and Scoot passengers can pre-book the tour via online booking page . You may scroll down to view and book all the tour types.
• Please note that while making the booking, you will have to input the name of all passengers going on the tour so that we can reserve the corresponding number of spaces.
• When you arrive at Changi Airport, please remain in the transit area and do not clear immigration as the registration booths are located at the transit area.
• Terminal 2 transit, Near Skytain to Terminal 3, Gate F50
• Terminal 3 transit, Near Transfer Lounge A, Gate A1-A8

Important Things To Note:

• Registration will close 1 hour before the tour start time and participants will be guided as a group to clear immigration before the tour starts.
• Availability of seats is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Transit passengers are allowed to enter and exit Singapore only once during their layover period, as per guidelines stipulated by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore. Therefore, passengers are not able to join more than one tour.
• Tour itinerary is subject to changes, depending on weather and traffic conditions.  
• Should you have cabin baggage, you are encouraged to leave them as Left Baggage counter located here prior to registration at the Free Singapore Tour booth.
• There are food sampling segments on some of the tour itineraries. If you have any food allergies, please take precautions and sign up at your own discretion. Please also inform the tour guide before the tour starts. 

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Singapore Changi Airport

Exploring Singapore on Changi Airport’s Free City Tour

Goh Jun Cheng

Updated on: August 10, 2023

For travelers with long layovers, Changi Airport offers a fantastic free tour of Singapore. The Changi City Tour gives visitors a chance to take in some of Singapore’s top sights and get a taste of this world-class city.

The tour is completely free and easily bookable on the Changi Airport website. Tours run daily starting from Terminal 2. Buses depart in the morning and afternoon, with each tour lasting around 2-3 hours.

The tour hits many major attractions around Marina Bay and the Civic District. Some of the highlights include Merlion Park, the Esplanade theatres, the Singapore Flyer Ferris Wheel , Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay , and Raffles Hotel.

Knowledgeable local guides provide commentary during the tour, sharing fascinating facts and stories about Singapore’s history, culture, and development. The buses make occasional photo stops so visitors can get out and take pictures at scenic spots.

To take part, travelers must have at least 5.5 hours until their connecting flight. Tours must be booked online in advance as they fill up quickly. Participants meet their guide at the departure point in Terminal 2.

The Changi City Tour provides an efficient way to see Singapore’s most famous sites without wasting time traveling from the airport. With comfortable buses, entertaining guides, and no cost, it’s a great option for airport layovers. Visitors get a memorable sneak peek of Singapore before flying home or onto their next destination.

For travelers eager to explore but short on time, Changi Airport’s free city tour is an excellent introduction to unforgettable Singapore.

Goh Jun Cheng is the chief staff writer for SingaporeAirport.com. Jun Cheng graduated with a degree in journalism from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

He has over 5 years of experience writing about aviation, tourism, and lifestyle topics relevant to locals and visitors in Singapore. His articles provide insights into the rich culture, cuisine, and attractions of Singapore. Jun Cheng is an avid traveler who has visited over 15 countries.

When he is not writing or traveling, he enjoys photography, trying new foods, and hiking. As a longtime Singapore resident, Jun Cheng is passionate about sharing hidden gems and perspectives about his home country.

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SG Arrival Card (Singapore e visa) Guide: Everything you need to know

Guía de la tarjeta de llegada SG (visado electrónico de Singapur): Todo lo que necesita saber

Discount singapore tourist sim cards available for changi airport pickup, is the singapore visa free for tunisian citizens, is the singapore visa free for sudanese citizens.

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Free Singapore tours return to Changi Airport after 2-year hiatus

Airline passengers with a long layover at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) can once again enjoy free tours of the city to pass their time. The free Singapore tours are back after two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launched in 1987 by Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport Group, the tours allow travelers with long layover times to explore the surrounding areas without charge.

With around 30% of (pre-pandemic) Changi passengers classed as in transit or transferring, the tours were a successful tourist board gambit to entice new visitors to the region.

"We are happy to bring [the tour] back with the resumption of travel," shared Lim Ching Kiat, the executive vice president of air hub and cargo development at Changi Airport Group, when he announced the return. "For travellers who choose to transit or transfer at Changi Airport, the Free Singapore Tour is designed to give them a glimpse of what Singapore has to offer."

Related: The best ways to get to Singapore with points and miles

Related: Singapore Changi's Terminal 5 is coming sooner than you think

More than 800,000 tourists enjoyed the tours annually before the 2019 hiatus. At that time, three tours operated (the City Sights Tour, the Jewel Tour and the Heritage Tour), all of which are now reinstated. A new tour, the Changi Precinct Tour, was introduced with the relaunch.

Each tour offers a slightly different flavor:

• The City Sights Tour showcases the Singapore cityscape with stops at two of the city's landmarks, Merlion Park and Jubilee Bridge.
• The Jewel Tour includes a curated tour through Changi Airport, taking in various iconic features of the hub, including the HSBC Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall.
• The Heritage Tour is a condensed deep dive into the history and culture of the area. It includes visits to the Civic District, Chinatown and the Kampong Gelam neighborhood.
• The new Changi Precinct Tour provides an immersive experience of Singaporean life, taking you through a residential town and quiet village before culminating at Changi Beach Park.

Tours run daily, and each lasts about 2 1/2 hours; there are plans to eventually offer nine tours per day. The tours are recommended for travelers with at least 5 1/2 to 24 hours of free time.

For tour itineraries, times and registration information, visit the Changi Airport Group's website .

Related: Watch us fly the Singapore Airlines A350 in all 3 cabins

"We hope that the tour will inspire transit and transfer passengers to plan a longer trip to Singapore in [the] future, and discover much more of what our vibrant city has to offer," said Chang Chee Pey, the assistant chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board marketing group.

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• Singapore Sightseeing | Free tour of Singapore while transiting through Changi Airport

How to score a free tour of Singapore while transiting through Changi Airport

12 Dec 2019

Heard about Singapore,  but haven’t had the opportunity to visit? Or perhaps you’ve transited at Singapore Changi Airport, but never got to see the country? Well, don’t miss out the next time you have a stopover at the airport in Singapore!

This ethnically diverse island city-state is culturally rich with lots to see, eat and do. Given its small geographical size, you can actually get to do quite a bit of sighting-seeing while on a layover ! Simply sign up for a free city tour when you’re at Changi Airport. And who knows, this glimpse of the city may just inspire you to plan for a proper trip to Singapore in the future!

The Free Singapore Tour is a special programme for Changi Airport’s transit passengers. It brings tour participants who have a minimum of 5.5hrs of transit time on a 2.5hr guided tour of Singapore. There are seven daily tours to choose from and seats are on a first-come-first-served basis.

There are two types of bus tours to choose from – a Heritage Tour that offers a glimpse of the different cultures that can be found in Singapore; and a City Sights Tour that offers a quick summary of key tourist attractions.

1. Heritage Tour – for an immersive, cultural experience

Get a glimpse into Singapore’s various cultures on the Heritage Tour route.

As the name suggests, this tour gives you a glimpse of the various cultures that make Singapore a melting pot. This tour brings you to Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and the Merlion Park, with a short stop at Kampong Glam and Merlion Park for photo-taking! Chinatown, like all other international cities around the world, is where you’ll get a full-blown experience of the local Chinese community and its heritage. Little India is the heart of the Indian community and Kampung Glam is the Malay-Muslim quarter in Singapore. Each of these places has unique characteristics representing the different cultures – a must visit if it’s your first time here!

Pro-tip: if you are transiting through Singapore during the festive periods of Lunar New Year, Deepavali or Ramadan/Hari Raya, these areas will be decked out with colourful lights along the streets. There will also be night markets set up to celebrate these important cultural events. Tours to these locations will give you a fantastic opportunity to take lots of photos as you breeze through the streets in the Free Singapore Tour bus.

2. City Sights Tour – for lovers of modern architecture

Night shot of Singapore’s CBD area at night

The Singapore skyline is a sight to behold and you’ll be amazed to hear the story of how this bustling modern city was once a small fishing village. Singapore is also often voted as one of the best cities for international businesses. This tour route will bring you to the Central Business District, parts of the renowned Orchard Road shopping belt, the Merlion Park and Gardens by the Bay . Participants can expect a short stop at Merlion Park and Gardens by the Bay for photo-taking.

Excited to hop onto the Free Singapore Tour bus? Here are some other information you’ll need to know before your adventure begins.

How do I register for the Free Singapore Tour?

In case you’re wondering how the sign up booth looks like, this is it!

As this tour is highly popular, reservations are not allowed to avoid no-shows. You are encouraged to head to the tour counters as soon as you arrive to book the tour slots. If you have some time before the tour, you can also explore other parts of the airport to find out why it’s been so highly rated by travellers around the world.

Pro-tip: if you’re flying with Singapore Airlines or SilkAir, you can contact your local Singapore Airlines office to make a booking for you.

Do I need a visa?

Citizens of certain nationalities require a visa for the Free Singapore Tour, while some nationalities are eligible for a Visa Free Transit Facility. You may visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s website to check on visa requirements.

Can I leave the tour midway and venture around Singapore on my own?

You are not allowed to leave the tour midway as the tour operator must send everyone back to the airport. However, once you return to the airport, you are free to continue your adventure in Singapore should you wish to. Wherever you go, please ensure that you factor enough time to return to the airport for your connecting flight.

Plan early for best results

To make the best of your Free Singapore Tour, do plan your trip early and do some research. Check out what other tour participants have posted on Instagram using #FreeSingaporeTour and on TripAdvisor - both are good resources for reading about their experiences. (P/S: Do share the love by contributing a review on TripAdvisor so other travellers can hear about your experience too.)

Got more questions?

Most of the commonly asked questions and answers on Changi’s website should address your needs. If you have other questions on the tours which are not found online, send your questions to [email protected] and the team will be happy to assist.

Happy travels!

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Shop 30 days in advance and up to 12 hours before your flight at the comfort of your own home. Plus, enjoy tax and duty-free prices and online-exclusive offers.  Shop now at iShopChangi!

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Leap into a world of exclusive privileges as a Changi Rewards member. Enjoy GST-absorption for your purchases at participating outlets in the public areas of the airport and more.  Sign up for the FREE membership here .

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Singapore's Changi Airport Just Brought Back City Tours for Travelers With Layovers — What to Know

Travelers visiting the airport, who have a minimum of a five and a half hour layover, but no more than a 24 hour layover, will be eligible to choose one of four free tours.

Courtesy of Changi Airports International

For travelers who have debated whether a layover counts as visiting a particular destination, the Singapore Changi Airport will now make sure the answer is always "yes."

The airport, voted number one in the world by Skytrax , restarted offering guided city tours, a traveler favorite that had previously been on hold during COVID-19.

“The Free Singapore Tour was very popular among our transit and transfer passengers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are happy to bring it back with the resumption of travel," Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President of Air Hub & Cargo Development, Mr. Lim Ching Kiat said in the statement. "For travelers who choose to transit or transfer at Changi Airport, the Free Singapore Tour is designed to give them a glimpse of what Singapore has to offer,”

Travelers visiting the airport who have a minimum of a five and a half hour layover, but no more than a 24 hour layover, will be eligible to choose one of four free tours. 

The City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour, and Jewel Tour have all been refreshed and updated with new attractions and information. A fourth, new tour titled Changi Precinct has made its debut and will spotlight landmarks east of Changi Airport. The tours take approximately 2.5 hours each, and are offered daily, Singapore’s Changi Airport shared in a statement . 

Availability of the tours is first-come, first-served, and pre-booking is highly recommended on the tour’s new website . There is no charge for the tours, but travelers will need to have valid travel documents and may need an entry visa to enter Singapore for the short visit. 

While the City Sights, Heritage, and Changi Precinct tours take guests on a guided trip outside of the airport, the Jewel Tour stays right inside Changi. The Jewel Tour, which is popular with aviation enthusiasts, takes a walking tour throughout portions of the 1 million square foot airport. Guests of the Jewel Tour will be treated to new attractions that are airport-themed. 

Over 800,000 travelers took one of the tours in 2019, the last full-year of tour operations before the COVID-19 shutdown. 

The airport has been globally recognized for the high volume of attractions and activities inside the airport, including a brand new rock climbing gym for travelers of all ages.

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TOURS & LEARNING

Explore the world's best airport and our city in a garden.

Have Fun, explore, and relax at the world's best airport

Whether you are visiting or just on transit, we have activities to suit everyone. From experience the airport and Jewel Changi Airport in a guided walking tour to visiting dinosaurs along the Jurassic mile, you can be sure we have something to make your trip memorable.

Free Singapore Tours

For Transiting Passengers

See Singapore in 3 hours! If you are transiting through this tiny island-state, you can discover Singapore’s sights and sounds, and rich heritage with the Free Singapore Tour. 

Find out more

Airport Tours

For Corporates & Students

What makes Changi Airport tick? What’s the special ingredient to create the unique Changi Experience? How does Changi get its busy terminals and airside to work together like clockwork?

Learning Journeys

Come along for a journey of discovery and learn what makes Singapore Changi Airport an embodiment of world-class service, efficiency and positively surprising experiences for travellers and non-travellers alike.  Through a specially curated range of programmes, workshops and activities, gain a deeper understanding of how Changi Airport is managed and its innovation journey. 

Sustainable Airport Quest

Enhance your Learning Journey or Changi Experience Studio visit with a fun quest around the airport! Choose the Amazing Airport Quest to learn fun facts about the airport, or Sustainable Airport Quest to find out about the airport's green efforts. Spice up the fun as you race around the airport and Jewel with your team mates as you conquer challenges and create memorable moments!

10 Best (Mostly Free) Things To Do At Singapore Changi Airport

Jayne Gorman

January 13, 2020

On most flights I’ve taken between Europe and Australia I’ve chosen to fly via Singapore Airport not just because of my love of Singapore Airlines but because I always enjoy my experience at Changi Airport. It’s not just me who thinks the airport is great – Singapore Changi has won over 500 industry awards, making it the world’s most awarded airport!

Each time I transit in Changi I end up wishing I was staying a little longer and when Jewel opened last year I ended up spending a whole day of my Singapore holiday at the airport. ( Read more here .)

For anyone about to fly through or from Singapore, I’ve compiled my ultimate list of the 10 best things to do at Changi Airport – and most of them will cost you nothing.

Psst: Singapore Airlines currently have some incredible stopover packages where you can add on a hotel and transfer to your flight from approx £22. Their all-in-one packages include great deals on hotels, attractions and meals. Learn more here .

Things to do at Singapore Airport

Unlike some international airports that shall remain nameless, Singapore Changi Airport is not a soulless hangar but a lifestyle destination in itself. Fantastic for food, shopping, massages and movies, Changi is a great place to hang out, plus you can catch a flight afterwards!

Introducing Jewel at Changi Airport

There are so many attractions and activities to keep you busy while in transit at Singapore Airport, but I wanted to start with the newest and most impressive. Jewel is a new retail, dining and entertainment complex at Changi Airport that has been wowing visitors due to the giant waterfall at the heart of it.

While Jewel is connected to Changi Airport (directly via the arrivals hall at Terminal 1) it is not a terminal in itself, which means you need to pass through passport control to reach it. If your flight arrives in terminal 1 you’ll be there in minutes but if you’re flying in or out of other terminals you’ll need to walk along a link bridge for approx. 5 to 10 minutes.

If you’ve got the time and energy to do so, however, it’s well worth it. Jewel’s HSBC Rain Vortex, the world’s largest indoor waterfall, is a staggering airport attraction and there are an array of shops and restaurants to explore around it.

If you’re travelling with children, or have energy to burn before a flight, head to the Canopy Park on the top level and purchase tickets for some of the attractions which include a Hedge Maze, Mirror Maze and Manulife Skynets. Find more information on Jewel here .

10 Best Things To Do At Singapore Changi Airport

Changi has a lot going for it airside too and if you only have a couple of hours in transit in Singapore you can quite easily pass them by exploring some of these options.

• Visit the Butterfly Garden (T3, transit area)

An unexpected airport paradise where you’ll find 1000 butterflies, tropical plants and a 6-metre grotto waterfall.

• Watch a movie (T2 & T3)

Catch free movies around the clock at the 24-hour movie theatres in both T2 and T3. Each theatre has a different blockbuster schedule .

It’s easy to get connected to the internet at Singapore Changi. Either submit your phone number online to receive a code via text or pick up a password from one of the information desks.

• Try Singapore street food (T3, Level 3)

Grab a taste of much-loved Singapore street food, such as Hainanese Chicken Rice, at the 60s style Singapore Food Street, open 24hours in T3.

• Sip a Singapore Sling (T3)

No time to get the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel? Don’t worry, there’s a mini Long Bar at the DFS Wines and Spirits Duplex in T3, where the bar man can whip up a little Singapore Sling taster for you.

• Get free money

The awesome Changi Transit programme has been running for a number of years now and I’m so pleased to see it’s still going in 2020. From now till 31 March 2020, if you’re flying with Singapore Airlines, SilkAir or Air New Zealand you can receive S$20 transit voucher to offset your shopping and save up to S$120 on shopping and dining during your transit in Changi Airport.

The Changi website has a full list of terms and conditions as well as tips on how to spend your vouchers – you can put them towards lounge access or spa treatments. You’ll need to head to the iShopChangi Collection Centres to pick up the rewards vouchers but if you’ve got time to make use of them why not claim your free money!

• Go for a swim (T1)

What better way to refresh on a daytime layover then with a refreshing dip at the Balinese-themed open-air swimming pool at the Aerotel Transit Hotel in Terminal 1. There is even a poolside bar where you can grab some drinks, and shower facilities you can rinse off in afterwards.

• Have a massage or beauty treatment

With the Changi Transit reward vouchers mentioned above you can indulge in a 40-minute sauna and shower and 10 min upper back massage for free at Spa Express in Terminal 2 (with 20% off on subsequent treatments too).

At, my personal fave, the  Shilla Beauty Loft  (located in the Cosmetics & Perfumes store in Terminal 3) you can indulge yourself in beauty treatments by Dior, or a variety of express 15-minute skincare boosts or 30-minute massages by SK-II. These are booked and paid for on the day and are great if you don’t qualify for the reward vouchers.

If it’s just a shower you need then head to The Haven ( T3 ) where a shower costs just S$16.48. (Between the hours of 1000hrs to 2200hrs – S$23.54 thereafter.)

• Go on a slide (T3 arrivals)

Why not whizz down The Slide@T3, Singapore’s tallest slide and the world’s tallest slide in an airport. Just because!

• Get some sleep

There are a number of options for taking a kip at Singapore Changi. You can book a Nap Room at The Haven for a minimum of 3 hours, a bedroom at a transit hotel for a minimum of 6 hours (we stayed at the recently refurbished Aerotel Transit Hotel in T1 on our last trip and it was perfect. I’ve also stayed at the Transit Hotel in T3 and reviewed it here ).

If you are staying for more than 12 hours I recommend you pass through security and stay at the award-winning Crowe Plaza Changi Airport (which I have also reviewed here). They have runway or poolside rooms and suites that accommodate the whole family. Their bathtubs are divine as is the extensive breakfast buffet.

What To Do On A 6 Hour Layover At Singapore Airport

Free Singapore Sightseeing Tours

Finally, if you have at least 5.5 hours to spare you can join a free Singapore sightseeing tour which run several times a day. You can choose between a Heritage or City Sights tour of Singapore or do a walking tour of Jewel. All tours last approx 2.5 hours. Simply register with one of the Free Singapore Tour desks in the transit area – do not pass immigration!

One last thing..

You can easily travel between the different terminals using the free Skytrain, which takes around 4 minutes to reach each terminal. Find more info on the Skytrain here .

Read next: What to do in Singapore: 6 cool places you can’t miss

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the  disclosure  page for details.

Further reading:

Best things to do at Changi Airport on a 3 to 12 hour layover

Staying at the World’s Best Airport Hotel: Crowne Plaza Changi Review

Amazing parks, gardens and green spaces in Singapore

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I’m Jayne, a travel blogger, content creator and mum to a 4-year-old son. I’ve been blogging since 2010, travelled to 65 countries and share travel guides and tips to help you plan stylish, stress-free trips.

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5 ways to find stylish places to stay on family holidays, 9 thoughts on “10 best (mostly free) things to do at singapore changi airport”.

Wow, now I want to travel to Singapore just to hang out in the airport! 😛 So much better than our little international airport at YYT – we don’t even have a restaurant or bar past security.

It does put a lot of airports to shame doesn’t it!

I had no idea about the vouchers! I will definitely have to check that out next time I transit through Changi. Every airport should be that nice.

Me neither – it’s such a great deal and well worth claiming

Omg! This airport is INSANE! I had no idea… Can I just plan my vacation to stay in the airport? LOL

Haha apparently that’s what some Singaporeans do – have staycations at Changi!

Hi Jayne! I’ve been to Singapore a lot of times and even saw Changi Airport when it was newly-opened, but I never knew I could do more than I thought I can! Most blogs about transits in Singapore have been recommending the same things and your list is something new and fresh! I’ll definitely do this when I go back to SG!

Aw thanks Sher – that’s so good to hear! I always find something new to there myself 😀

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WANDERING LAYOVER

• Oct 20, 2021

Singapore: Changi Airport and Free City Tour

Updated: Oct 21, 2021

Changi Airport is regularly ranked as the best airport in the world. It has a simple layout, is comfortable, well-lit and a breeze to get through. On top of that, there is so much to do! I could probably live here.

Old is gold as they say. T1 has Jewel , which is a nature-themed dining/shopping complex. Essentially it's rainforest meets shopping, meets eating. Jewel is home to the world's largest indoor waterfall. Note that Jewel is landside (this means that passengers flying into Singapore have to clear immigration).

Also landside is the staff canteen (Terminal 2 has one as well). It can be tricky to find, so just ask any airport staff. They will kindly point you to where to go and may even give you tips on what to eat :). Can you imagine eating local, fresh, delicious food, IN AN AIRPORT easily for under $5-$10? Yeah, you can in Singapore. The staff canteens only take local cash, so hit up an ATM if you need to.

No idea what to order? Check out the previous post, which is a start! Otherwise, asking locals often yields great results. Singaporeans are proud of their multicultural heritage and delicious food and are happy to share it with others.

Airside (this means arriving passengers don't have to clear immigration), the highlight is an outdoor Swimming Pool . What better way to cool off, or just relax before your next flight? Unfortunately, use of the pool isn't free. The cost is SGD 17 and includes a towel. There is also a jacuzzi as well as shower facilities and a poolside bar that serves food and drinks.

Bored? Need more entertainment? You're in luck because Terminals 2 and 3 offer just that and are well connected to Terminal 1.

Terminals 2 and 3

In addition to a staff canteen in T2 (landside), there is a ton to do airside. These two are probably my favorite terminals.

From Left to Right (Note the arrow on the ride side of the photo); Slide Photo courtesy of RACHELF2SEA

The Orchid Garden is in the middle of T2 and surrounded by high-priced duty free shops. Super peaceful and you can chill with some koi fish and ponder the meaning of life while waiting for your next flight. Above the Orchid Garden is the Sunflower Garden (not pictured - see video). It's pretty cool to stand on a rooftop, see planes take off and be surrounded by sunflowers.

Both T2 and T3 each have Movie Theaters which are free and open 24 hours. Next to each movie theater are video game stations where one can lounge and play games.

The Slide is Singapore's tallest at nearly 4 stories high. Sadly it's not free. You have to spend 10 SGD in the airport and then get a receipt to redeem a ride (max 10 rides per day).

The Butterfly Garden is in the heart of T3 and is free. It has up to a thousand butterflies from over 40 species, so there is a lot to see and it's really colorful!

Finally there is Terminal 4. It's swish, clean, quite automated and easy to zip through. Sadly it's also sterile and boring. There isn't much to do and it is not well connected to the other terminals. The only real activity of note I found was to eat at the Food Emporium which is landside.

Photo courtesy of Adam Poskitt

The Food Emporium is a glamorized, nicer looking (albeit significantly more expensive) version of the staff canteens in T1 and T2. Compared to most airport eating around the world, it's still a delicious bargain. One can spend under $10 and definitely under $20 to eat well here.

Free City Tour

If you have between 5.5 - 24 hours until your next flight, want to get out and see some of the city but without the hassle of planning or spending any money, a free tour may be up your alley. Tour registration desks are at T2 and T3 and more information can be found here . There are three different tours. One is exploring Jewel (in T1), another is a heritage tour that explores Singapore's diversity and history, and the final is one that focuses on modern Singapore.

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Singapore changi airport resumes free city tours for transit passengers.

Travelers transiting through Singapore Changi Airport with a few hours to spare can once again join free guided tours of the city any day of the year

by Fergus Cole

April 7, 2023

Photo: Singapore. Courtesy of Joshua Ang / Unsplash

Passengers with lengthy layovers at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) can now embark on free tours of the city-state once again as the airport resumes the service after a two-year hiatus.

Called the Free Singapore Tour, the scheme is operated by Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The program offers a range of tour itineraries, which was first introduced to transit and transfer passengers in 1987 but was suspended for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three of the excursions—the City Sights Tour, the Heritage Tour, and the Jewel Tour—have all been revived from before the pandemic but with extra sights added, while an entirely new tour has also been added—the Changi Precinct Tour.

Photo: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. Courtesy of Duy Nguyen / Unsplash

The City Sights Tour will whisk passengers around Singapore, visiting many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the National Gallery Singapore, the Anderson Bridge, Gardens by the Bay, and the Marina Bay Financial District. The Heritage Tour, meanwhile, will take travelers to see some of Singapore’s more historical and traditional sights, visiting distinctly cultural areas such as Chinatown and Arab Street.

For travelers wishing to stay within the airport, the Jewel Tour will take tourists to some of Changi Airport’s world-class attractions. This includes the Shiseido Forest Valley, a tranquil indoor forest featuring plants from all over the world, and the HSBC Rain Vortex – the world’s largest indoor waterfall.

Photo: Singapore Changi Airport. Courtesy of Devansh Bhikajee / Unsplash

Meanwhile, the newly curated Changi Precinct Tour will showcase attractions in the airport’s local area, including popular destinations such as Changi Village and Changi Beach. At the same time, the tour guide will give tourists a rundown of the district’s history and traditions.

“We are delighted to bring back the Free Singapore Tour through our long-standing partnership with CAG and SIA,” said Chang Chee Pey, Assistant Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board’s Marketing Group. “It is imperative for us to refresh our tourism offerings to meet the demand for wellness and eco-conscious travel and cater to travelers seeking deeper experiences. We hope that the tour will inspire transit and transfer passengers to plan a longer trip to Singapore in the future and discover much more of what our vibrant city has to offer.”

According to the airport, each tour lasts up to 2.5 hours and is open to all passengers, with a layover at Changi Airport lasting between 5.5 hours and 24 hours. The tours run every day, including weekends and public holidays. They are free and can be booked now on the airport’s official website.

Photo: Singapore Changi Airport. Courtesy of shawnanggg / Unsplash

Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President of Air Hub & Cargo Development at Changi Airport Group, explained that the Free Singapore Tour was very popular among transit and transfer passengers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, “and we are happy to bring it back with the resumption of travel.”

Ching Kiat adds that the Free Singapore Tour is “designed to give them a glimpse of what Singapore has to offer, including the unique attractions and offerings at Jewel Changi Airport and the neighboring Changi Precinct, which has a rich cultural and historical heritage.”

“Together with our partners, SIA and STB, we hope to welcome more passengers who fly through Changi Airport to enjoy a slice of Singapore through our new tours and world-class attractions and facilities.”

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