It’s no news that travellers don’t exactly enjoy long flight stopovers — but, if there is one place that I know wouldn’t mind having a long layover in, it would be in my country, Singapore! After all, with the efficient public transportation system in a rather small city, it’s super easy and super cheap to get to the city center! Even if you have just 24 hours in my country you can easily see a lot of main sights and you can cover its cultural, architectural and Muslim-friendly culinary highlights in a day – without feeling like you are on an episode of The Amazing Race. Read on to find out to make the most out of your 24 hours layover in Singapore!

Tips for Your 24 hours Layover in Singapore

Currency

In Singapore, the currency used is the Singapore dollar, where SGD1 equals to about USD0.72. If you want to convert your money to Singapore dollars, I’d highly advise NOT to convert in the airport because of their uncompetitive rates. You can easily find money changers in the city with better rates, or you could use a multi-currency travel wallet card if you have, like YouTrip!

Going to the City Centre

From the airport, there are many options to choose from depending on your budget:

• Private car on Grab or Gojek app: I recommend this option for first-timers to Singapore! Costs around $10 to $15 and you’ll get to the city in about 20 minutes.
• Train: If you want to save, the convenient trains (called MRT) can be taken from Terminal 2 and 3. You have to change trains at Tanah Merah to a city-bound train. Costs only about $2.30 and you can get to the city under 40 minutes.
• Bus: You can take buses from the basements of Terminals 1 and 3. For Terminal 4, the bus stop is located next to the Carpark 4B. One ticket costs about $2 and payment by cash with no change given, so bring some small change! Take bus 36 or 36A for a ride into the city and takes around an hour.
• Taxi: Around $20 to $30 including airport surcharge
• Airport Shuttle: At around $9, the shuttle brings you to designated hotels 

#Asingaporeanabroad’s tip: For ease in exploring the country, leave your luggage and heavy backpacks at Singapore’s Changi Airport which starts from about USD3 for 24 hours! For more information, you can read up here.

Morning

What better way to start your day with a traditional Singaporean Muslim-friendly breakfast? Make your way to Bugis at Heavenly Wang – and fill up with kaya (coconut egg jam) toast and soft-boiled eggs, paired with a cup of steaming hot kopi (coffee). You can also have these at many, many other coffee shops. 

#Asingaporeanabroad’s tip: Try mixing some dark soya sauce and white pepper into the eggs for an extra kick. It’s a must-try to get the full Singapore experience!

After fuelling up, you’re ready to kickstart your 24 hours in Singapore and wander around the city!

Gardens By The Bay

Welcome to Singapore’s almost surreal, futuristic 101 hectares garden! Having opened its doors as recently as 2012, this expanse of greenery quickly became a must-visit attraction in the country. Set in the heart of the city, the green space is instantly recognisable, with its iconic Supertrees and distinctive cooled conservatories. It has three waterfront gardens which is a lot to cover, so I recommend you to visit the Supertree Grove and Sun Pavillion which can be enjoyed for free. The Cloud Forest is also very awe-inspiring and the tickets cost SGD28 for adults and SGD15 for kids. Buy in advance here!

If you decide to visit at night, make sure you don’t miss their enthralling light show. Enjoy the display as the Supertrees come alive with beautiful colours and melodies, taking place at 7.45pm and 8.45pm!

Afternoon

By then it will be past noon, and if you are finding a space to make your daily prayers, head to Kampong Glam’s iconic Sultan Mosque. Originally built in 1824, it has this classic architecture that makes it stand out amongst the shophouses and tall buildings around it. 😍 There will always be many locals and tourists alike going there for a visit throughout the day. 

Kampong Glam

Centred on the bustling Arab Street, Kampong Glam is the Muslim center of Singapore. It is home to mosques, street art and 19th-century shophouses that have been turned into textile shops, trendy cafes and casual restaurants serving Middle Eastern cuisine and Malay fare. 

Credit: Hjh Maimunah Restaurant & Catering on Facebook

By now, your stomach will be grumbling so make your pit stop to the Hajah Maimunah Restaurant, the only Michelin-awarded Nasi Padang restaurant in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2019! This halal restaurant is always popular with the lunch crowd and is renowned for their kampung-styled traditional Malay food. My favourite will always be their mouth-watering Tahu Telor (Egg Tofu) and Lemak Siput Sedut (snails), so don’t miss them out with a plate or steaming hot rice!

Haji Lane

Widely frequented for its colourful shophouses and storefronts, take a stroll down this hip and trendy street! It is lined with boutique cafes, vibrant graffiti, street art and quaint little stores with brightly decorated window displays. It is also a perfect location which makes for an unmissable photo opportunity.

Orchard Road

You can’t miss Orchard Road when you are here in Singapore. This road has the highest concentration of shopping malls in the world! It has a mix of designer labels and mid-range brands, with something for everyone to cater for every budget. For the budget hunters, Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza is a fantastic option. 313@Somerset and Plaza Singapura are often frequented by families and youths. For luxury shoppers, head over to Ion Orchard and Ngee Ann City!

#Asingaporeanabroad tip: Cool down with Singapore’s signature dessert: an ice-cream bar sandwiched between a colourful loaf of bread! You can get them at any street-side ice cream stalls along the road for only SGD1.20.

Evening

Marina Bay Sands

No trip to Singapore would be complete without a stop to the iconic Marina Bay Sands (MBS), even if it’s a 24 hour layover. You can stroll along the Waterfront Promenade or visit the Shoppes, which is the shopping mall in MBS.

For a truly perfect end to your Singapore layover, visit the Skypark and enjoy the panoramic views of Marina Bay from the top of the city’s largest observation deck.

Jewel @ Changi Airport

It’s time to head back to the airport, but hold up. There’s all-in-one mall and attraction located at the centre of Changi Airport? Yup. Whether you’re a local or a traveller, Jewel has surprised many of us with its awe-inspiring attractions it offers. 

You definitely can’t miss the HSBC Rain Vortex, which is situated at the centre of Jewel. The 40m indoor waterfall is the tallest indoor waterfall IN THE WORLD! And before you leave, have your dinner at any of these Muslim-friendly eateries:

Restaurants: 

• El Fuego by Collin’s
• Hawker
• Earle Swensens
• Commons
• Saap Saap Thai
• Sama Sama by Tok Tok
• So Pho
• Stuff’d

Fast-food joints

• Jinjja Chicken
• Burger King
• KFC
• Old Chang Kee

If you have time, Sentosa Island is also another popular hotspot to visit. Popular with both locals and tourists alike, I love bringing my friends from overseas here because there are plenty of adventurous activities to do there! I brought my Romanian friend to learn surfing there when she was in Singapore for a long transit, without the need for ocean swells!

If you want to make the most out of your 24 hours in Singapore, you can check Klook experiences. It’s your one stop tour shop for just about everything here in my sunny country!