Singapore Airlines relaunched the Free Singapore Tour, aimed at transit and transfer travelers having a short layover. After the pandemic caused significant disruption, Singapore has resumed its popular transit tours in partnership with Changi Airport Group and the Singapore Tourism Board.
Travelers with layovers in Singapore can enjoy the Free Singapore Tour. This complimentary guided excursion lasts two and a half hours and is available daily, with plans to eventually offer nine tours per day.
To qualify for the Free Singapore Tour, transit passengers must have a layover period of at least 5.5 hours but less than 24 hours and possess a valid entry visa to Singapore. There are four curated itineraries to choose from: the Changi Precinct Tour, City Sights Tour, Jewel Tour, and Heritage Tour (available starting June 2023).
The newest addition to the portfolio, the Changi Precinct Tour, is a two-and-a-half-hour tour that will take guests to Tampines New Town to see local housing, as well as Tampines Central Park to visit distinctively constructed playgrounds. The tour also covers additional destinations such as Changi Chapel and Museum, Changi Village, Our Tampines Hub, which is Singapore’s first integrated community and leisure hub, and Changi Beach Park.
More Details About the Free Singapore Tour
Three of the existing tours — the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour, and Jewel Tour — have been expanded to include new attractions. Passengers on the Jewel Tour will have the opportunity to visit iconic Changi Airport attractions such as Shiseido Forest Valley and HSBC Rain Vortex. Furthermore, local companies such as Bee Cheng Hiang and Tong Garden will allow you to sample snacks and learn more about the country’s food heritage. A guided tour of the Changi Experience Studio, which features airport-themed activities and interactive exhibitions, is another new feature.
The Civic District, where visitors can explore multiple heritage-listed National Monuments, like the National Gallery Singapore, Anderson Bridge, and The Padang, is a new stop on the City Sights Tour. En route to Gardens by the Bay, the bus will also transit through the Marina Bay Financial District.
The background Tour, which will be available in June, will include the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, Arab Street, Kampong Gelam, and Haji Lane, giving visitors a fuller understanding of Singapore’s unique background.
During the Heritage Tour, visitors can delve into Singapore’s colonial history by visiting places like Chinatown and the Civic District, along with other historical landmarks and sites of cultural significance. The Changi Precinct, City Sights, and Heritage bus tours can accommodate up to 40 passengers, while the Jewel Tour, a walking tour, can accommodate only up to 25 people per trip.
Before the pandemic, transit and transfer passengers comprised around 30% of Changi Airport’s traffic. Over 80,000 passengers went on the Free Singapore Tour in 2019, with India, Australia, and Indonesia being the top markets. Monster Day Tours is responsible for guiding and overseeing each excursion. Seats can be reserved in advance via Changi Airport’s website, and the tour service counters are located within the transit area of Terminals 2 and 3. To book the tours, you can either scan the QR code at the counter or make a pre-booking. If seats are available, simply book them, and you’re all set to go!
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