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?
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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 cag.fst@changiairport.com and the team will be happy to assist.
Happy travels!
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