6 hour evening layover in SIN. What to do?

[eosphoros]

Hi guys,

In two weeks I will have a 6 hour layover in SIN from QF5 arriving 7:20pm to JL710 departing 1:45 am. This will be my first time with a connection longer than 2.5 hours in SIN and so might be a good opportunity to actually check out the city. Anyone (I'm sure a lot of you will) have any good tips for things to do in a Friday evening at that time (and also best methods of transport to and from the airport).

If it's not enough time, I could always spend the time in the new QF lounge.

 

[markis10]

Grab a cab to East Coast Parkway for dinner or head into town, just allow 90 minutes before departure to get a cab back, getting a cab at night can be a slow process.

 

[JohnK]

You can also take the train somewhere and come back with train as well.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm in the same situation in August, and am heading downtown on the MRT and/or by cab to downtown Boat Harbour for dinner with friends. Sure, its a tourist trap, but hey, we always have fun there and a nice dinner is a nice dinner. Afterwards its a short walk to Marina Bay, the Merlion and views to the Marina Bay Sands complex (worth the diversion) before cabbing back to the airport.

 

[GeraldG]

Grab a cab to East Coast Parkway for dinner or head into town, just allow 90 minutes before departure to get a cab back, getting a cab at night can be a slow process.

Try calling a cab , there is a booking fee 2.80-3.50 (65521111 to 65558888)

 

[dajop]

Try calling a cab , there is a booking fee 2.80-3.50 (65521111 to 65558888)

Try being the operative word. Generally calling is OK, but the only time I've genuinely had difficulty getting a taxi has been late Friday evenings (I usually SMS for taxi) and every time I SMS'd it returned "no taxi's available". Luckily there's usually a lot of taxis into the condo (and those waiting let me queue jump), and got to airport with 4 mins to spare.

I don't want to scare anyone off, but if travelling on Friday or Saturday evenings it may be worthwhile planning for a train (last one connecting to Changi leaves Raffles Place around 23:20), or factoring in a 20-30 min wait for a taxi to be on the safe side (particularly if raining). Although 01:45 departure should be late enough to avoid the peak.

 

[DrA]

I have a similar request for information. My QF flight arrives in SIN from PER at ~15:20 and my flight out on BA isn't until 22:55. While I'll have access to the new Qantas lounge as a WP, presumably it's not worth hanging around there for 7.5 hours (the fun of QF reducing capacity out of PER - horrible connection times). I'm not really familiar with Singapore aside from the airport, so don't know what my options are for getting out and about for a while.

Is there anywhere I should go for a fantastic dinner? How do I get there? How much time do I need to leave to get into town and back? That sort of thing. It will be a Tuesday afternoon/night if that matters.

Appreciate any advice

 

[BrentH]

Train isn't bad.

I'd be going somewhere to EAT though. Singapore has some awesome food. Hawker centers are the way to go. They're basically everywhere. Lau pa sat will have satay sticks on a Friday evening.

 

[markis10]

Train isn't bad.

I'd be going somewhere to EAT though. Singapore has some awesome food. Hawker centers are the way to go. They're basically everywhere. Lau pa sat will have satay sticks on a Friday evening.

Dont have to leave Changi for a hawker centre, the staff canteen will do the trick, but closes early.

 

[BrentH]

The upstairs food court?

True, though with 6 hours, I'd still be leaving to see something outside an airport terminal. Lau pa sat puts you in the thick of things, not far from the river and casino.

 

[markis10]

The upstairs food court?

No, the staff canteen.

 

[michaelj]

I'd go to Newton Circus hawker centre. Great food, good atmoshere. There are probably other similar centres closer to Changi that others may recommend.

 

[serfty]

It may close before you get there, but here's how to get to the Staff canteen: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ansit-between-terminals-41362.html#post647221

There is a photographic guide from post #32 courtesy of ermen.

 

[harvyk]

Keep the suggestions coming, I've got 8 hours in SIN next month, from midday to 8pm (technically 19:55), on a Thursday. Getting lunch somewhere is certainly high on the list of priorities, and I do want to spend sometime at the SIN QP...

First trip to SIN so complete newbie...

 

[dajop]

One place, quite close to the airport I would recommend is East Coast Lagoon Food Village. It is a good sized hawker market, close to the water, and has great BBQ chicken wings (my favourite, stall 14 Ah Hwee), lots of satay vendors and a few good seafood stalls as well as the usual range of Singapore hawker food. About 10 mins from the airport by taxi. Good if time is limited.

If time is more generous, certainly a a visit to central Singapore, a wander around Marina Bay, perhaps a visit to La Pau Sat to eat, and maybe even Chinatown is worthwhile.

 

[harvyk]

If time is more generous, certainly a a visit to central Singapore, a wander around Marina Bay, perhaps a visit to La Pau Sat to eat, and maybe even Chinatown is worthwhile.

A visit to central Singapore certain sounds good. I'd imagine that within the 8 hours I have available (prob more like 5 once getting out of the airport and back to the airport + lounge time are taken into account) I'd have more than enough time to do that.

 

[markis10]

A visit to central Singapore certain sounds good. I'd imagine that within the 8 hours I have available (prob more like 5 once getting out of the airport and back to the airport + lounge time are taken into account) I'd have more than enough time to do that.

The timings dont work for the OP but the Changi free tours are worthwhile in your case:

Free Singapore Tour - Changi Airport

 

[dajop]

A visit to central Singapore certain sounds good. I'd imagine that within the 8 hours I have available (prob more like 5 once getting out of the airport and back to the airport + lounge time are taken into account) I'd have more than enough time to do that.

5 hours is plenty of time to go into central Singapore, enjoy some food and drink and walk around a few areas.

 

[Timba-Jet]

SIN of all cities is made for a quick transit visit be it 2,4... or 8 hours. Transport is very very cheap (train) to cheap (taxi). Food is great value and yummy.
Be adventurous, just make your way into town have a walk around and explore!

 

[Mal]

East coast lagoon food village is one of my fav hawker markets in Singapore. Is a bit more exy then some others but cheaper and less "in your face" than newton circus and is very close to the airport.

Does start shutting down about 10 or 11 at night though and getting much later the options are limited there. I do have some favourite 24 hour hawker centres... But that's for another thread.

Let me put it this way... If I am in Singapore it is very likely I will make an appearance there. Usually gorge on the satay and slide in a seafood dish or two (whether it be chilli crab, chilli stingray or one of the numerous other seafood options and sometimes also do the chicken wings.. Very tasty!).