SIN 11 hour overnight layover questions
May 30, 2019, 9:21 am
#1
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SIN 11 hour overnight layover questions
I realize there are several threads already on layover ideas, but they are mainly daytime connections. I'm arriving around 9:00pm and departing around 10:00am the next morning. I'll be on US time so no need for a hotel or interest in sleeping. Instead I'd like to tour the city, with more interest in sights, culture, and history than bars and nightclubs. I understand even overnight there are plenty of options in the airport or Jewel, but I would like to get out. Several tours (including the airport's own tour) only operate during the day. I'm okay either with a tour guide or finding places on my own. Thanks for any suggestions.
May 30, 2019, 9:25 am
#2
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Check whether you're too late for the night zoo.
Other than special events, I'm not aware of stuff beyond bars and clubs that generally stay open very late. IIRC the historic long bar at Raffles Hotel is open until about 2 am.
Marina Bay Sands and the double helix bridge? A hawker center? Generally just walk around.
Other than special events, I'm not aware of stuff beyond bars and clubs that generally stay open very late. IIRC the historic long bar at Raffles Hotel is open until about 2 am.
Marina Bay Sands and the double helix bridge? A hawker center? Generally just walk around.
May 30, 2019, 9:59 am
#3
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Check whether you're too late for the night zoo.
Other than special events, I'm not aware of stuff beyond bars and clubs that generally stay open very late. IIRC the historic long bar at Raffles Hotel is open until about 2 am.
Marina Bay Sands and the double helix bridge? A hawker center? Generally just walk around.
Other than special events, I'm not aware of stuff beyond bars and clubs that generally stay open very late. IIRC the historic long bar at Raffles Hotel is open until about 2 am.
Marina Bay Sands and the double helix bridge? A hawker center? Generally just walk around.
Last edited by tarheelnj; May 30, 2019 at 10:53 am Reason: spell check
May 30, 2019, 10:03 am
#4
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The enormous Mustafa Center (more than a full block of shopping) is open 24/7. If you have not been to Singapore before, it's worth an hour or two. They sell everything. People come from India to shop there, filling multiple suitcases to the point of bursting.
https://www.mustafa.com.sg
The Night Safari (zoo) is open until midnight. But I don't think you could get there in time to make it worth your while.
https://www.mustafa.com.sg
The Night Safari (zoo) is open until midnight. But I don't think you could get there in time to make it worth your while.
May 30, 2019, 10:24 am
#5
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I realize there are several threads already on layover ideas, but they are mainly daytime connections. I'm arriving around 9:00pm and departing around 10:00am the next morning. I'll be on US time so no need for a hotel or interest in sleeping. Instead I'd like to tour the city, with more interest in sights, culture, and history than bars and nightclubs. I understand even overnight there are plenty of options in the airport or Jewel, but I would like to get out. Several tours (including the airport's own tour) only operate during the day. I'm okay either with a tour guide or finding places on my own. Thanks for any suggestions.
May 30, 2019, 11:01 am
#6
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While I might sound boring/lame, I would honestly just get a hotel room at, or near, the airport, and peace out if I were in your shoes. Many of us early FTers used to do "SIN runs" on NW and UA, and didn't bother with hotels because the planes arrived at midnight, and left at 6a, so 3 hours in the city plus an hour in the lounge made sense. But, you'd be looking at ~8 hours in the city, when most retail establishments (apart from convenience stores, and bars that are probably not your style) are closed.
May 30, 2019, 12:56 pm
#7
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More on this from a friend who is a Singapore resident. His suggest overnight activity plan would be:
Take cab or MRT to Boat Quay. Walk along the water to the Merlion.
Take in the view of Marina Bay, and continue there via Esplanade.
then a short cab ride to Mustafa for shopping, and perhaps some indian food.
And then back to the airport, with enough time to explore the new Jewel.
Take cab or MRT to Boat Quay. Walk along the water to the Merlion.
Take in the view of Marina Bay, and continue there via Esplanade.
then a short cab ride to Mustafa for shopping, and perhaps some indian food.
And then back to the airport, with enough time to explore the new Jewel.
May 30, 2019, 1:34 pm
#8
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More on this from a friend who is a Singapore resident. His suggest overnight activity plan would be:
Take cab or MRT to Boat Quay. Walk along the water to the Merlion.
Take in the view of Marina Bay, and continue there via Esplanade.
then a short cab ride to Mustafa for shopping, and perhaps some indian food.
And then back to the airport, with enough time to explore the new Jewel.
Take cab or MRT to Boat Quay. Walk along the water to the Merlion.
Take in the view of Marina Bay, and continue there via Esplanade.
then a short cab ride to Mustafa for shopping, and perhaps some indian food.
And then back to the airport, with enough time to explore the new Jewel.
May 30, 2019, 2:22 pm
#9
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Taxis in Singapore are plentiful. And even better: they are clean, and have professional and knowledgable drivers. The rates are decent, but not super cheap. And, yes, many cabs are cash only. At night there will be a surcharge (I think it's a few dollars, but not certain).
May 30, 2019, 4:41 pm
#10
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Grab is another option, might be easier than hunting down cabs at night. On grab, (foreign) credit card or cash works, can request taxi or private car
Do note that public transit is closed at night (~12-5am?), other than some night buses
Don Quixote orchard is open 24/7 if you want some Japanese stuff (they have a 24/7 tinyeatery at Changi jewel)
Gardens by the bay, outdoor garden open til 2am, though the attractions close much earlier (9pm)
A few hawker center stalls open 24/7 (most stalls would close by 1am), see if you can find one
Do note that public transit is closed at night (~12-5am?), other than some night buses
Don Quixote orchard is open 24/7 if you want some Japanese stuff (they have a 24/7 tinyeatery at Changi jewel)
Gardens by the bay, outdoor garden open til 2am, though the attractions close much earlier (9pm)
A few hawker center stalls open 24/7 (most stalls would close by 1am), see if you can find one
Last edited by paperwastage; May 30, 2019 at 4:51 pm
May 30, 2019, 5:23 pm
#11
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There are also lots of legitimate spas open 24 hours but not cheap (SGD 50-100 for a massage). Mustafa center is your best bet, quite entertaining even if you dont shop.
May 30, 2019, 6:04 pm
#12
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Don't take a cab if you can avoid it at night. During the day time the charges are "reasonable". At night ... they become crazy, especially if you are going into the town area to places like Boat Quay or Marina Bay. Check out the link here for costs https://www.taxisingapore.com/taxi-fare/, but here are some surcharge highlights:
Midnight - 5am = 50% on top of metred fare ($10 trip, costs $15)
0600 to 0930 = 25% of metered fare (Mon - Fri)
1800 to 0000 = 25% of metered fare (Mon – Sun & Public Holidays)
1700 to 0000 = $3 (Mon – Sun & Public Holidays) City Area surcharge
1700 to 0000 = $5 (Fri – Sun) Changi Airport surcharge; $3 other times
I would also use Grab (but keep an eye on surge pricing). Depending on how much you want to save, and if you are in no rush, Grab Share as will save you a couple more dollars here and there.
Midnight - 5am = 50% on top of metred fare ($10 trip, costs $15)
0600 to 0930 = 25% of metered fare (Mon - Fri)
1800 to 0000 = 25% of metered fare (Mon – Sun & Public Holidays)
1700 to 0000 = $3 (Mon – Sun & Public Holidays) City Area surcharge
1700 to 0000 = $5 (Fri – Sun) Changi Airport surcharge; $3 other times
I would also use Grab (but keep an eye on surge pricing). Depending on how much you want to save, and if you are in no rush, Grab Share as will save you a couple more dollars here and there.
May 30, 2019, 6:17 pm
#13
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I wrote couple of posts in past - one here and second here
Few suggestions for your specific case, if you want to stay up whole night - assuming that when you land, you just woke up and have not problem keep it next 10 hours.
- Night safari, you will have 1.15h till you land and last entry. Theoretically possible if you are the first to get out and walking/immigration does not take more than 10-15 min. Driving from Changi to zoo would take 30-40min, and it will be around SGD $40-50 range
- Gardens By the Bay at night is great and well as walking around Marina Bay.
- Ce La Vi on top of Marina Bay Sands stays open till 3:30AM. One Altitude and couple of other places stay that late as well. All of them charge for entrance - $20-$40, however at Ce La Vi you will get vouchers for the entrance price you can spend et bar. Be ready for sticker shock - 0.33l mineral water costs there $15 and up
- Lantern on top of Fullerton Bay Hotel, opposite of Marina Bay Sands stays open till 2AM - no cover charge but prices are in the range of MBS
- In terms of walking - plenty of options. Walk from Raffles/Fullerton Hotel till Clarke Quay, go other side, come back and continue walking around Marina Bay
- As people said already - Mustafa. You can easily get lost there, literally. It is an experience
- Club Street around Telok Ayer. As name suggests, it is all clubs and bars, but what time they close - no idea.
- Come back at airport around 6AM and stroll around Jewel for couple of hours
- Night time food: you can eat at Ce La Vi and other above mentioned places (including in/around Mustafa). For specifically hawker food your best and most interesting options would be to go around Geylang Road. Mongkok Dim Sum is open 24h and walking around Geylang area at night, especially side streets on from Lorong 4 till Lorong 20 is quite entertaining.
Good luck. You will have plenty of options. Don't forget to come back and write experiences.
If you will be using taxi to go to zoo, back and around, expect that you will spend more than $100 total due to night surcharges. You might have better luck with Grab and Gojek, but not guaranteed. On friday night Grab wanted $45 to take my home from Rafles. Usually it costs $12.
Few suggestions for your specific case, if you want to stay up whole night - assuming that when you land, you just woke up and have not problem keep it next 10 hours.
- Night safari, you will have 1.15h till you land and last entry. Theoretically possible if you are the first to get out and walking/immigration does not take more than 10-15 min. Driving from Changi to zoo would take 30-40min, and it will be around SGD $40-50 range
- Gardens By the Bay at night is great and well as walking around Marina Bay.
- Ce La Vi on top of Marina Bay Sands stays open till 3:30AM. One Altitude and couple of other places stay that late as well. All of them charge for entrance - $20-$40, however at Ce La Vi you will get vouchers for the entrance price you can spend et bar. Be ready for sticker shock - 0.33l mineral water costs there $15 and up
- Lantern on top of Fullerton Bay Hotel, opposite of Marina Bay Sands stays open till 2AM - no cover charge but prices are in the range of MBS
- In terms of walking - plenty of options. Walk from Raffles/Fullerton Hotel till Clarke Quay, go other side, come back and continue walking around Marina Bay
- As people said already - Mustafa. You can easily get lost there, literally. It is an experience
- Club Street around Telok Ayer. As name suggests, it is all clubs and bars, but what time they close - no idea.
- Come back at airport around 6AM and stroll around Jewel for couple of hours
- Night time food: you can eat at Ce La Vi and other above mentioned places (including in/around Mustafa). For specifically hawker food your best and most interesting options would be to go around Geylang Road. Mongkok Dim Sum is open 24h and walking around Geylang area at night, especially side streets on from Lorong 4 till Lorong 20 is quite entertaining.
Good luck. You will have plenty of options. Don't forget to come back and write experiences.
If you will be using taxi to go to zoo, back and around, expect that you will spend more than $100 total due to night surcharges. You might have better luck with Grab and Gojek, but not guaranteed. On friday night Grab wanted $45 to take my home from Rafles. Usually it costs $12.
Last edited by invisible; May 30, 2019 at 6:38 pm
May 30, 2019, 7:21 pm
#14
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I wrote couple of posts in past - one here and second here
Few suggestions for your specific case, if you want to stay up whole night - assuming that when you land, you just woke up and have not problem keep it next 10 hours.
- Night safari, you will have 1.15h till you land and last entry. Theoretically possible if you are the first to get out and walking/immigration does not take more than 10-15 min. Driving from Changi to zoo would take 30-40min, and it will be around SGD $40-50 range
- Gardens By the Bay at night is great and well as walking around Marina Bay.
- Ce La Vi on top of Marina Bay Sands stays open till 3:30AM. One Altitude and couple of other places stay that late as well. All of them charge for entrance - $20-$40, however at Ce La Vi you will get vouchers for the entrance price you can spend et bar. Be ready for sticker shock - 0.33l mineral water costs there $15 and up
- Lantern on top of Fullerton Bay Hotel, opposite of Marina Bay Sands stays open till 2AM - no cover charge but prices are in the range of MBS
- In terms of walking - plenty of options. Walk from Raffles/Fullerton Hotel till Clarke Quay, go other side, come back and continue walking around Marina Bay
- As people said already - Mustafa. You can easily get lost there, literally. It is an experience
- Club Street around Telok Ayer. As name suggests, it is all clubs and bars, but what time they close - no idea.
- Come back at airport around 6AM and stroll around Jewel for couple of hours
- Night time food: you can eat at Ce La Vi and other above mentioned places (including in/around Mustafa). For specifically hawker food your best and most interesting options would be to go around Geylang Road. Mongkok Dim Sum is open 24h and walking around Geylang area at night, especially side streets on from Lorong 4 till Lorong 20 is quite entertaining.
Good luck. You will have plenty of options. Don't forget to come back and write experiences.
If you will be using taxi to go to zoo, back and around, expect that you will spend more than $100 total due to night surcharges. You might have better luck with Grab and Gojek, but not guaranteed. On friday night Grab wanted $45 to take my home from Rafles. Usually it costs $12.
Few suggestions for your specific case, if you want to stay up whole night - assuming that when you land, you just woke up and have not problem keep it next 10 hours.
- Night safari, you will have 1.15h till you land and last entry. Theoretically possible if you are the first to get out and walking/immigration does not take more than 10-15 min. Driving from Changi to zoo would take 30-40min, and it will be around SGD $40-50 range
- Gardens By the Bay at night is great and well as walking around Marina Bay.
- Ce La Vi on top of Marina Bay Sands stays open till 3:30AM. One Altitude and couple of other places stay that late as well. All of them charge for entrance - $20-$40, however at Ce La Vi you will get vouchers for the entrance price you can spend et bar. Be ready for sticker shock - 0.33l mineral water costs there $15 and up
- Lantern on top of Fullerton Bay Hotel, opposite of Marina Bay Sands stays open till 2AM - no cover charge but prices are in the range of MBS
- In terms of walking - plenty of options. Walk from Raffles/Fullerton Hotel till Clarke Quay, go other side, come back and continue walking around Marina Bay
- As people said already - Mustafa. You can easily get lost there, literally. It is an experience
- Club Street around Telok Ayer. As name suggests, it is all clubs and bars, but what time they close - no idea.
- Come back at airport around 6AM and stroll around Jewel for couple of hours
- Night time food: you can eat at Ce La Vi and other above mentioned places (including in/around Mustafa). For specifically hawker food your best and most interesting options would be to go around Geylang Road. Mongkok Dim Sum is open 24h and walking around Geylang area at night, especially side streets on from Lorong 4 till Lorong 20 is quite entertaining.
Good luck. You will have plenty of options. Don't forget to come back and write experiences.
If you will be using taxi to go to zoo, back and around, expect that you will spend more than $100 total due to night surcharges. You might have better luck with Grab and Gojek, but not guaranteed. On friday night Grab wanted $45 to take my home from Rafles. Usually it costs $12.
May 31, 2019, 9:03 am
#15
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(I wouldn't necessarily visit MBS at night just for the purpose of seeing the hotel premises either but at least the building there has some visual appeal vs. just rows of shelves of merchandise)