What can I do during a 24-hour layover in Singapore?

22.06.2024 - 08:19 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 21, 2024 • 6 min read

Tiny Singapore has a lot to offer, but you can still enjoy a snapshot of the island-state if you're only there for a short time.

In the 12 years that I've been living in Singapore, I have steered many visiting friends on what to do on a 24-hour stopover. Here's how to spend your time before your onward flight.  

Singapore is a masterclass in public transport. You can catch the MRT, bus, taxi or Grab (Southeast Asia’s version of Uber) from the airport right into the center of the action. It only takes 40 minutes to cross the entire island, so it won't take long to reach your hotel, wherever you decide to stay. For those on a really quick visit, make use of the luggage storage facilities at the airport terminals so you can explore hands-free. 

A Singapore Tourist Pass costs from SGD$22 a day, which gives you unlimited access during that time to buses and the MRT. Taxis are extra but still kind on the wallet. Popular locations are fairly close together, for example, a five-minute taxi ride whisks you from the Marina Bay area to Chinatown, or a 10-minute taxi ride could take you from Little India to the upscale shopping trawl of Orchard Road. It’s also an easy city to walk around, although maybe you will want to seek some shade around midday.

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The fastest way to understand Singapore is through its food. The hawker centers (street food stalls) are where Singaporeans gather and bond over their favorite dishes. Singapore’s hawkers are such an important part of the culture, they were recognised by UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. Everyone has their favorite hawker, but a good place to start is Lau Pa Sat near Singapore’s financial district, as it serves every dish you can think of. Found in what looks like an oversized band stand, this popular food court is open 24 hours. Satay St, next to the food court, is lined with hawkers from 6pm each day who serve skewers of meat cooked over hot coals. 

Still hungry? Here are Singapore's best flavors

You can walk from here around the bay or take a six-minute taxi ride to Gardens by the Bay where you can take the perfect Instagram shot by the famed Supertrees. While you’re there, ride an elevator to the top of the tallest Supertree to get a 360-degree view of the city that includes the sea, Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer. If you have more time, spend a couple of hours in the aircon-filled glasshouses that are the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, open from 9am to 9pm.

For your next stop, take a taxi to the heritage area of Kampong Glam. Among the pastel-colored shophouses and street art, you’ll find cute cafes and independent stores, such as Sifr Aromatics, a