Singapore (SIN) Stopover Tips

[Denali]

Based on recent experience, I can report that the transit hotel (T2 in my case) is quite OK...

They had a remodel about 2yrs ago, didnt they?

 

[whughes3]

They had a remodel about 2yrs ago, didnt they?

Quite possibly; it had quite a "new" feel about it...

 

[aspro2]

I've stayed at all three transit hotels in SIN, most recently the newish Aerotel. I really prefer rooms with ensuite and prefer not to be paying for food I don't want, so the T2/3 (Harilela) properties are still my preference, but the swimming pool area at the Aerotel (T1) looked very relaxing. I think noise can be a big issue at any of them, depending on what time you're there (early morning is often the worst, of course), but I guess there might be much more noise where there are shared bathrooms. Staff seem a bit more professional/efficient at T2/3. Nonetheless, I think the best bang-for-back option is the shared-facilities solo Aerotel room.

 

[aspro2]

For Singapore-newbies, it's worth noting that the MRT, while really efficient, does take quite a while to get you to interesting places (for instance, the trip into central SIN is a good 45-70 mins, depending on your goal). There's a shopping centre and food court at Expo, one station up the line from Changi.

I don't think it's worth faffing around with the EZ Link cards unless you're staying a while or returning, or catching buses as well as MRT. The paper tickets on the MRT are simple.

For a stunning stopover experience, I think Gardens by the Bay is wonderful, day or evening. (Saw it for the first time a few weeks ago. The Cloud Forest Dome is nicer than the Flower Dome, in my opinion, if you want to visit them.) The OCBC Skyway (elevated walkway) is probably great, but the queues can be horrendous. Visiting Gardens by the Bay is a bit of a pain walking from Bayfront MRT (or back... easier to get lost), but worth it.

 

[zahra01]

Hi Travellers,
We are staying at the Crown Plaza at Changi o/n enroute to Maldives in April. We need a good dinner option.
Love Chilli crab, but last time we went to one of those places like Jumbo seafood ? on the water, near a whole heap of similar places... it cost a fortune...well like $200 AUD for 2 and we barely got any crab for that really.

Does anyone have any tips where to go for any great meal, not too far from airport. MUST be able to sit down to eat, and have a glass of wine. Wine is not negotiable ! ha ha ha.
Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi Travellers,
We are staying at the Crown Plaza at Changi o/n enroute to Maldives in April. We need a good dinner option.
Love Chilli crab, but last time we went to one of those places like Jumbo seafood ? on the water, near a whole heap of similar places... it cost a fortune...well like $200 AUD for 2 and we barely got any crab for that really.

Does anyone have any tips where to go for any great meal, not too far from airport. MUST be able to sit down to eat, and have a glass of wine. Wine is not negotiable ! ha ha ha.
Thanks

I dunno about the wine - but there's a 'staff' food court right inside Changi that is (a) open to the public (if you know how to find it), (b) is dirt cheap, and (c) is supposed to have some of the best hawker food in all of Singaore.

Details here: https://www.littledayout.com/2017/04/26/get-to-changi-airport-staff-canteen-hawker-center/

 

[zahra01]

I dunno about the wine - but there's a 'staff' food court right inside Changi that is (a) open to the public (if you know how to find it), (b) is dirt cheap, and (c) is supposed to have some of the best hawker food in all of Singaore.

Details here: https://www.littledayout.com/2017/04/26/get-to-changi-airport-staff-canteen-hawker-center/

Sounds Like a good lunch option. I know we've been to a food court often at changi, but I think it's a touristy one, it didn't have a staff canteen vibe..and the food was just ok.

 

[NZflygirl]

I'm landing at 5pm from NZ and departing on QR at 220am.

I was wondering if I'd be allowed to grab my bag and bring it back to T2 (transit hotel of some sort). I'm considering going to the gym, then putting my stinky clothes back in my bag, snoozing at transit then waking up for QR check-in? I figure that's allowed as security is actually at the gate???

 

[Blinky]

I stayed three nights recently after a Himilayan trek of 2 weeks. Stayed at the Sofitel City Central in a suite (booked through Luxury Escapes) and it was the best hotel I have ever stayed at. Sitting on top of a station, so everything was accessible. Going back for four nights with my wife in May after 2 weeks in Japan. Really looking forward to it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm landing at 5pm from NZ and departing on QR at 220am.

I was wondering if I'd be allowed to grab my bag and bring it back to T2 (transit hotel of some sort). I'm considering going to the gym, then putting my stinky clothes back in my bag, snoozing at transit then waking up for QR check-in? I figure that's allowed as security is actually at the gate???

No. This won't be allowed. You can't carry your full-sized suitcase into the concourse. Nor are you permitted to enter the concourse for any purpose other than to catch a flight (so a 'go out', 'come back to gym', 'go out to checkin' and 'come back again' wouldn't be allowed).

What you could do is carry your gym clothes with you in your carry on. This way you would land, head straight to the gym, go to your hotel for sleep, and when you are ready, head through immigration, collect your bags, and then re-check for your QR flight.

Not collecting your bags is perfectly fine, and is in fact recommended by the official Changi site for passengers in your (or similar) circumstances.

Just remember that you must enter Singapore through immigration at the terminal you arrived if you want to collect your luggage. (If you arrive at T2 but go to the gym/hotel in T3, you must head back to T2 to clear immigration and find your bags. Baggae reclaim is dependent on your arrival terminal. If you had no bags you could enter through any terminal.)

Alternatively you could arrive and head to a hotel landside.

 

[NZflygirl]

No. This won't be allowed. You can't carry your full-sized suitcase into the concourse. Nor are you permitted to enter the concourse for any purpose other than to catch a flight (so a 'go out', 'come back to gym', 'go out to checkin' and 'come back again' wouldn't be allowed).

What you could do is carry your gym clothes with you in your carry on. This way you would land, head straight to the gym, go to your hotel for sleep, and when you are ready, head through immigration, collect your bags, and then re-check for your QR flight.

Not collecting your bags is perfectly fine, and is in fact recommended by the official Changi site for passengers in your (or similar) circumstances.

Just remember that you must enter Singapore through immigration at the terminal you arrived if you want to collect your luggage. (If you arrive at T2 but go to the gym/hotel in T3, you must head back to T2 to clear immigration and find your bags. Baggae reclaim is dependent on your arrival terminal. If you had no bags you could enter through any terminal.)

Alternatively you could arrive and head to a hotel landside.

Never had an odd timed transit like this so had no idea - thanks!

I don't think I'll go land side, will cut into valuable snooze time and it's just the time of the day/evening.

 

[Nisho]

Hiya everyone,

Where is the best place to obtain cash [SGD] either in Australia or Singapore? I usually never exchange foreign currency in Oz since the rates are typically much worse compared to the destination country. Upon landing in Singapore I expect I’ll only need an initial bit to pay for miscalleneous expenses such as taxis etc, which I thought I’ll grab in SIN (airport).

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

 

[dajop]

Hiya everyone,

Where is the best place to obtain cash [SGD] either in Australia or Singapore? I usually never exchange foreign currency in Oz since the rates are typically much worse compared to the destination country. Upon landing in Singapore I expect I’ll only need an initial bit to pay for miscalleneous expenses such as taxis etc, which I thought I’ll grab in SIN (airport).

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Don't get in Australia. In Singapore, lots of money changers around in many malls. At the airport, I did notice money changing machines in the new Jewel complex - the amount being asked for exchanging AUD into SGD was only 0.95% higher than the rate on xe.com, which is pretty good, and better than you would get in Australia or at the money change booths in the airport, but similar to what you would get at in many malls, or Mustafas (24 hr department store).. If arriving in T1, the machines were very conveniently located not far from the arrivals concourse. Arriving from T2, 3 or 4 not so convenient.

 

[jb747]

Where is the best place to obtain cash [SGD] either in Australia or Singapore? I usually never exchange foreign currency in Oz since the rates are typically much worse compared to the destination country. Upon landing in Singapore I expect I’ll only need an initial bit to pay for miscalleneous expenses such as taxis etc, which I thought I’ll grab in SIN (airport).

Open a bank account with ING. Then use your card at any bank ATM. They will refund any cost associated with the ATM, and their exchange rate is quite decent.

 

[RooFlyer]

Where is the best place to obtain cash [SGD] either in Australia or Singapore?

Best I think would be to get something like a Citi debit card ( in think Bankwest has a similar product). Works at ATMs in Singapore ( and almost anywhere) and you'll get your local cash at so close to spot, it doesn't matter. No withdrawal fee either.

Same virtually anywhere in the world.

 

[Andz]

• How to get from the airport to the city, GRAB, S$16
• Things to do (both near the airport and in the city); JEWEL IN T1 IS A MUST, Marina Bay Sands, Orchard rd, Boat,Clark and Robertson Quay. Swissotel The Stamford Roof top bar. Gardens By The Bay.
  
  Where to stay/hotel recommendations (both near the airport and in the city): Clark or Robertson quay​
• Your favourite SIN airport lounges: Love the coughty GOLD lounge for VF platinum....
• Airport facilities such as luggage storage and showers: Food court on the upper level for great Asian food.
• Any other destination-specific tips or "hidden gems" you've discovered that could be useful for someone stopping over: Visiting the JEWEL in T1, walk from Marina Bay to Robertson Quay, Gardens By The Bay.

 

[dajop]

• How to get from the airport to the city, GRAB, S$16

Maybe. Maybe $30 if it's late evening or after midnight.

 

[jb747]

Citibank was being used by the QF guys for a while, but a year or so back they changed their terms, and it fell out of favour.

 

[RooFlyer]

Citibank was being used by the QF guys for a while, but a year or so back they changed their terms, and it fell out of favour.

Interesting ... I wonder what the issue was? I've been using mine for years without any change in function that I can recall. 28 Degrees card, on the other hand ...

 

[get me outta here]

I had a double room, own bathroom at Aerotel last weekend. The room was just fine for 6 hours. I booked via the QF website w’ a $30 off voucher so total was only $42. The room was quiet due to shutters even though it looked straight on to the runway.

I visited The Jewel which is landslide. If you only just hop on the airside tram thing to go through it, you will only get very limited view of about 10 seconds, esp as the two trams cross right in the centre of the view.

I did another free tour, this time the Historic Tour which although she did an informative talk whilst travelling, was a bit gruelling as immigration is very slow. Plus, the bus swings from too hot to too cold.

I stored my hand luggage for $10 for 1 item.

My SIN transit room, with louvers closed for sleeping: