Not long ago, we did a piece on 15 ways to get free/cheap multi-day international stopovers. However, sometimes travelers don’t necessarily want a stopover as much as something to do during a multi-hour layover that simply can’t be helped. I mean, there’s only so much shopping and dining you can do, right?
Years (and I mean YEARS…5 of them!) ago, we wrote about how to kill time in an airport for free or cheap. But, of course, there’s another way to kill time during an extended layover besides walking around the airport – you can see the city!
Before the pandemic (actually, in some form since 1987), Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Tourism Board, and the Changi Airport Group had teamed up to offer free guided tours of Singapore to travelers stuck at the airport for hours on end. Understandably, the tours were on pause during the pandemic, but after a two-year hiatus, the tours are back!
Three of the tours that were available before the pandemic are coming back. They are the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour, and Jewel Tour. All three have been refreshed and include new points of interest. There’s also a brand-new Changi Precinct Tour, which will show travelers the sights around the eastern region that surrounds Singapore Changi Airport.
These are the descriptions of the 3 tours:
City Sights Tour
This free 2.5-hour City Sights Tour showcases modern Singapore and how our magnificent cityscape has been built in a sustainable way to ensure a vibrant and liveable city.
Stopovers at Merlion Park will give you some time to take photos against the iconic Marina Bay and the city skyline. The second stop at Gardens by the Bay will wow you with an amazing view of the Supertrees as you walk towards the world-famous Marina Bay Sands.
Heritage Tour (available from June 2023 onward)
This free 2.5-hour Heritage Tour takes you back in time to explore the history and culture of Singapore. You will drive by the historic Civic District, rich with our colonial past, and enjoy a walk in the cultural precincts of Chinatown and Kampong Gelam.
Stopovers at Chinatown and Kampong Gelam will give you some time to take photos against architectural gems, and even grab a local snack or a unique souvenir as a memento.
Changi Precinct Tour
Ever wondered what it would be like to live like a local in Singapore? On this free 2.5-hour Changi Precinct Tour, be immersed in the lives of Singaporeans through a visit to a uniquely designed residential town, and a quiet village just a stone’s throw away from the airport. Forget the city! Uncover hidden gems at Changi Precinct.
Jewel Tour
Discover a wondrous world where nature meets retail through this 2.5 hours walking tour showcasing Changi Airport’s latest development, Jewel. Immerse in a lush green sanctuary as you hike through the Shiseido Forest Valley, marvel at the HSBC Rain Vortex, and sample snacks from local heritage brands. Traverse through the Canopy Park and be drawn into the world of aviation in the Changi Experience Studio. Get the all-in-one Jewel experience!
Each tour runs every day and are in English. They all last roughly 2-1/2 hours and are open to travelers transiting or transferring through Changi International Airport for 5.5 to 24 hours (you can’t go on the tours if you’re in the country for more than 24 hours). They’ll be available daily, with plans to progressively increase them to nine tours a day.
Reservations are required and you must bring your boarding passes, passports, entry visas (as required), and tour booking confirmation.
You can find more information and details on the requirements, tour itineraries, and other options at Changi Airport’s official website.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
I will be in Singapore from about 6 am to 1:15 pm. I cannot go on any tour, not even the Changi tour (9 am to 11:30 am) because it requires a flight at 1:30 pm or later. I could take buses or taxis to go to Tampines, Changi chapel, and the nearby beach myself but it’s not free. Bottom line, many people will not be able to take these tours.