Stopover in Singapore
A stopover in Singapore breaks up the long journey down under while adding a vibrant taste of Southeast Asia, where modern city life meets rich cultural tradition.
What makes Singapore a worthwhile stopover?
A flight down under takes more than 20 hours, so a stopover can make the journey more comfortable while giving you the chance to experience another country and culture along the way. Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating cities, where modern architecture, rich traditions and diverse cultures come together.
This island city-state, located just off the southern tip of Malaysia, is home to more than five million people and offers plenty to see and do, even on a short stay.
In this overview, we share the sights and highlights not to miss during your Singapore stopover.
Singapore is known as a paradise for food lovers and for those who love to shop. But there is much more to discover in this greenest, cleanest and safest city in Southeast Asia:
Fascinating history
A melting pot of cultures
Interesting architecture
Great entertainment
Plan two to three days for your stopover so that you can see everything at your leisure and continue your journey in a relaxed manner. You will be so glad you did.
Best travel time
Singapore can be visited at any time of year, although you should be prepared for warm temperatures, high humidity and regular showers. As the city sits in the tropics, it does not have distinct seasons in the way many travellers might expect. Locals may refer to a dry season and a wet season, but even the drier months can bring frequent rainfall.
Located just north of the equator, Singapore has a typically tropical climate, with warm daytime and nighttime temperatures throughout the year. During the monsoon season, from November to February, heavier tropical rainstorms can occur.
Whatever time of year you visit, Singapore offers a vibrant and memorable stopover experience.
Flights and arrival
Sit back and enjoy your flight with Singapore Airlines, with the option to break up your journey to Australia or New Zealand with a stopover at Changi Airport. Our partner Singapore Airlines offers a high level of comfort and service throughout your flight, whichever cabin class you choose.
Changi Airport is one of Asia’s major international hubs, with direct flights to destinations around the world. It is also known as a ‘silent airport’, meaning flight information is shared mainly through screens rather than frequent loudspeaker announcements.
Singapore Airport offers a choice of premium business lounges, as well as rest areas such as the Sanctuary and Oasis lounges, which are ideal for a quiet pause between flights. However, you may find there is too much else to explore, from shops and gardens to family-friendly attractions. If you are travelling with children, the airport slide is well worth a visit.
You can also visit Canopy Park, home to a series of elevated walkways and glass-floored bridges. With mist drifting through the space, it can feel as though you are walking through the clouds. You can also explore the indoor gardens, find your way through the Mirror Maze or wander through the Hedge Maze.
Changi Airport also has two free cinemas and a swimming pool with a poolside bar. From the airport, Singapore’s excellent public transport makes it easy to explore the city-state. For a relaxed and convenient way to see the main sights, the SIA Hop-on Bus is another good option.
Shopping and eating out
Singapore's main shopping centre is Orchard Road, with an amazing array of shops selling everything from electronic gadgets to beautiful fashion and jewellery, as well as valuable art and antiques. The choice is also overwhelming at the malls of Marina Bay Sands and HarbourFront.
In addition, there are many ethnic districts, such as Little India, Chinatown, Katong and the Arab district of Kampong Glam, with their exotic smells and colours and a huge selection of souvenirs, antiques, spices, silks and jewellery.
Beyond the shopping, Singapore is a wonderful place to experience a wide variety of cuisines. Around the city’s food centres and hawker courts, you will find plenty of small stalls and eateries where you can put together your own meal, sampling different dishes as you go.
There is no need to worry about hygiene, as food preparation in Singapore is closely regulated and standards are generally very high. English is also widely spoken, making it easy to order food and chat with stallholders at markets and food courts.
For a classic Singapore experience, try a Singapore Sling during your stopover. Often described as the city-state’s national cocktail, this famous drink was created at Raffles Hotel’s Long Bar by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. Traditionally, it combines gin, cherry brandy, Bénédictine, pineapple juice, lime juice and other ingredients to create a colourful, refreshing drink.
Hotels and getting around
As with the food, Singapore’s hotels come in every style and standard, from exceptionally luxurious to simple, clean and comfortable. At the top end is the historic Raffles Hotel on Beach Road, which is well worth visiting even if you are not staying there.
A relaxed way to explore the city-state is to take a leisurely boat trip along the Singapore River. Tours often start at Clarke Quay, where you can board a traditional wooden boat and cruise past the restaurants of colourful Boat Quay towards Marina Bay, with views of the city’s striking skyline along the way.
Sights and activities
A must-see is the magnificent Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road and the Buddhist Thian Hok Keng Temple on Telok Ayer Street. And don't forget museums such as the beautiful National Museum, the China Heritage Centre and the Peranakan.
Incorporate a visit to Sentosa Island on your Singapore trip. Sentosa is a huge amusement park with beaches, golf courses, museums, sports fields, playgrounds, aquariums and a monorail. A great place to relax after all the shopping and sightseeing.
Other Singapore sights during your stopover include the colonial quarter with impressive architecture from the British occupation period, the colourful houses in Katong and the Merlion. The almost nine-metre-high Merlion is a hybrid of a lion and a fish and the country's landmark.
Statues of this kind are scattered throughout the city. It is not for nothing that Singapore is called 'the lion city'. However, the particularly imposing specimen, which spouts water, can be found in Marina Bay.
Gardens and green oases
Singapore is a remarkably green city, with palm-lined streets, fragrant frangipani and colourful bougainvillaea adding to its tropical feel. The city is home to many parks, while Singapore Botanic Gardens and the neighbouring National Orchid Garden offer a beautiful natural escape in the heart of the city.
For wildlife experiences, visit Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise or the Singapore Night Safari, where you can see nocturnal animals in a rainforest-inspired setting. You can also explore the rainforest at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, home to Singapore’s highest natural point at around 538 feet.
One of Singapore’s most iconic sights is the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay. These futuristic structures, standing up to around 164 feet high, are covered with plants from around the world and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.
Explore the OCBC Skyway, an elevated walkway that runs between the Supertrees and offers impressive views across the gardens, Marina Bay and the Singapore Flyer. In the evening, the Supertrees come alive during a free light and sound show, which is well worth staying for.
You can also visit the striking conservatories at Gardens by the Bay. The Flower Dome showcases plants and landscapes from Mediterranean and semi-arid regions, while the Cloud Forest is home to a spectacular indoor waterfall and lush mountain vegetation.
Entry requirements
Details and information on the current regulations for a trip to Singapore can be found at the British High Commission of Singapore. Or please check the current entry requirements here.
