Stop Over in Singapore
Have a 12 hour or 24 hour layover in Singapore? No problems! This compact city-state is a great place for a stop-over to experience a melting pot of cultures.
Layovers often feel like a necessary evil when flying long-haul—especially when chasing a good deal. Normally, I’m not a fan unless there’s a chance to make the most of the stop. While we usually fly with British Airways, this time we couldn’t resist an amazing fare to Singapore with Qantas Airways. To break up the journey, we did a proper stopover to explore the vibrant city-state of Singapore.
Inbound: 12-Hour Layover at Changi Airport
Our inbound journey gave us an overnight 12-hour layover in Singapore, a perfect window to rest and explore. The overnight at Crowne Plaza Changi made the transition from plane seat to proper bed blissfully easy.
Blurry-eyed but curious, we spent the evening wandering through Jewel Changi, the airport’s futuristic shopping and lifestyle complex. It’s a breathtaking blend of architecture and nature, anchored by the HSBC Rain Vortex—a 40-metre indoor waterfall cascading through a glass-domed atrium. On the hour each evening, the waterfall comes alive with a dazzling light and sound show to delight the crowd.
To stretch our legs after a 13-hour flight, we headed up to Canopy Park on Level 5. It’s an indoor playground for all ages: lush gardens, bouncing nets, misty “foggy bowls,” giant slides, and quirky topiary trails. After a few hours of exploration (and a little retail therapy), we returned to the hotel and finally laid horizontal on soft, welcoming beds.
The next morning? Off to Bali!
Return Leg: 30 Hours to Soak Up Singapore
On the way home, we had a generous 30-hour layover—plenty of time to dive into the city properly. Staying in the central Singapore, we set out to explore this sleek, compact city-state: a buzzing, walkable mix of cultures, flavours, and shiny skyscrapers.
We arrived late afternoon, greeted by the signature heat and humidity. First stop: food! Lau Pa Sat, also known as Satay Street, was the perfect place to kick off a Saturday evening. Tucked beneath the glittering skyline, the streets were filled with smoke and aroma as skewers sizzled on charcoal grills. We started with satays, then moved inside for a feast—Hainanese chicken rice, roti, curries, and more. A delicious introduction to Singapore’s famous hawker culture.
The next morning, we walked along the waterfront, taking in iconic sights like the Fullerton Hotel, ArtScience Museum, and the impressive towers of Marina Bay Sands. The blazing sun drove us indoors for much-needed AC, cold drinks, and lunch at a Japanese ramen spot. Then braving the heat again, we set to explore Gardens by the Bay. The highlight? The Children’s Garden, complete with a water play area that turned into a welcome escape from the tropical weather. For more fun, we visited the PropNex Family Zone, another brilliant playground—if you can handle the heat!
Later that afternoon, we headed to Chinatown for a dose of history and culture. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, built in the Tang Dynasty style, offered a peaceful pause, while the surrounding streets buzzed with shops selling trinkets, souvenirs, and snacks. Our walk was cut short by a classic Singapore storm—sheets of rain bouncing off the ground as locals and tourists dashed for cover.
Thank you, Singapore, for the perfect layover combo: lush gardens, hawker feasts, cultural treasures, and just enough humidity to make that flight AC feel glorious. Until next time!
