Schweden

I'm doing a visa run from Thailand and my Scoot flight lands at 2:30am. I've booked a reservation at the Holiday Inn Express Katong but I assume I won't be able to check-in until 10am at the earliest. As such, does anyone have any recommendations for what I should do in the 7 hours between 3 and 10? How would I get into town? It'll be my first time in Singapore and I'm only traveling with a backpack so I'm open to the idea of just wandering around at night.

UAPremExecflyer

You can go to Transit Hotel for a few hours sleep http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/singa...arrive-t1.html
Are you really asking how to get from airport to the city? Did you look at the SIN website? Did you have a look at this forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/singa...ty-center.html

invisible

There are shuttle buses going to major hotels, but you need to check at Changi website if they are oprating at night. If so, and you would not mind night walk (assuming that you've rested), - you get out at Ritz or Fullerton and walk around Marina Bay and Gardens By the Bay. You can enjoy sunrise from Marina Barrage and then go to your hotel - ask the, if they allow early checkin around 9am if you pay 50% if they night stay.

Schweden

Google Maps suggested the 36 bus when I select public transit at 3am. Unfortunately, the SBS website and Changi website told me that the bus doesn't run between midnight and 6am. As such, I wanted to see if anyone here knew any way to get into the city at night apart from taxi. If there isn't, perhaps I'll just hang around the McDonalds for 3 hours. The transit hotel could be an option but I might get enough sleep in Bangkok and on the flight to not need it.

TA

Why not just take a nap and get some rest for a little while on the curved couches in any of the airport waiting areas, with some earplugs or noise cancelling headphones?

gilbertaue

^
...once you've had your rest, then go through immigration and hop on a the bus/mrt that operates from around 6am. Head down to Marina Bay or Raffles Place and watch Singapore wake up.

Annalisa12

Book an extra night the day before so you can get in at 2 am. The tiredness is not worth saving a 100 or 2.

TravelDream

I agree completely. It would really run at least the first two days of your holiday IMO.

TheTakeOffRush

Arriving at 0230 counts as In the Middle of the Night, in my eyes. Not much different than arriving at 2330. But very much different from the awkwardness of arriving at 0630.

MSPeconomist

I'd do the transit hotel. Alternatively, you could nap airside in various locations at SIN or in the free movie theater.

Unless there's been a recent change, the shuttle bus to hotels does operate all night, although the frequency is reduced compared to prime hours. I like the idea of taking it to the Fullerton to see the Marina area at sunrise.

Unfortunately you're arriving too late for the hawker centers, although there are some clubs etc that will still be open, for example IIRC the power plant stuff and maybe some bars and restaurants along the river. The casino on Sentosa is also likely to stay open 24/7 but I wouldn't expect an interesting crowd in the middle of the night; in fact, I'd expect it to be depressing at this hour.

I'm not sure about MBS, but I don't know of any hotel bars that are open really late. IIRC the latest places in CHIJMES close before 3 am, which is around the closing time for the Long Bar at Raffles, depending on the day of the week. Fullerton Bay Hotel might have a relatively late bar given its general vibe.

tide

This is what I'd do.

I would take a taxi to Geylang Road (say, around, Lorong 18). There will be multiple food outlets open. It's the red light area after all.

Then, if you are partial for window shopping, cab it to Mustafa Center (not that far away) which is open 24 hours. It's in Serangoon Road, the Little India area. It is huge, carries all sorts of interesting things and must be seen at least once. You can find something to eat here again - this area is also never really closed.

Then when buses/MRT starts running at 5am+, I'd go to City Hall MRT and walk to the Raffles Place/Marina Bay area and take in sights before it becomes hot.

Finish with breakfast at Lau Pa Sat and check-in into hotel.