You walk through lush gardens that climb five stories high as a towering waterfall sprays soft mist into the air. It’s so peaceful, fresh, and rejuvenating that you consider exploring another path—but decide to head to downstairs for a cocktail, a bite, and a bit of retail therapy.
This is the scene that greets you at Singapore’s Changi Airport, inside its futuristic biosphere known as Jewel, which features floor after floor of discovery, including the world’s tallest indoor waterfall (130 feet!). It’s just one of the features making Changi unlike any other airport; combined with a luxurious flight on award-winning Singapore Airlines, it creates the perfect introduction to this fascinating city-state.
Our insider secret? Exploring Singapore’s wealth of treasures for a day or more can be a great value. Whether you’re traveling to Southeast Asia or the South Pacific, get more out of your trip—and experience one of the world’s top airlines—by flying Singapore Airlines. Then book the Singapore Stopover Holiday package and your hotel and airport transfer can cost as little as $1. With just a little more, you’ll also get entrance to more than 20 local attractions and dining experiences. Tempted to tack on extra days? Do it! Singapore’s easily navigable size and the fact that everyone speaks English make it a (delightfully balmy) breeze.
Whether you’re interested in Singapore’s world-class food scene (ranging from its much-loved street food to Michelin-starred fine dining), its tropical treasures (like rainforest preserves and historic gardens), or its adventurous side (hilltop-to-seafront zip lines, anyone?)—or all of the above—this program includes endless possibilities for all kinds of travelers. Singapore is the place to explore your passions. Here are just a handful of our top picks.
Street food at Newton Food Centre
A Paradise for Foodies
Singapore’s culinary landscape is a reflection of the many cultures living here—Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan, to name a few. Your culinary journey begins aboard your Singapore Airlines flight, where every dish is specifically tested and refined under pressurized conditions (since food really does taste different at 30,000 feet). Then continue your exploration at the amazing restaurants throughout Changi Airport, from classic street food to contemporary fine dining options.
Transfer to your hotel—a firm foodie favorite is the Novotel Singapore on Stevens, conveniently located down the road from the celebrated Newton Food Centre. You may recognize this hawker center from Crazy Rich Asians, but afterwards you’ll remember it for the Hainanese chicken rice (schmaltz rice steamed with aromatics and topped with poached chicken), char kway teow (wok-fried noodles with Cantonese sausage, fishcake, and dark soy sauce), and fish head curry (seriously, trust us on this one). You’ll now have energy to explore the rest of Singapore, for more food of course: Wade in with the locals at Komala Vilas, where you can taste traditional South Indian dosa crepes, or wander down Chinatown Food Street—a bustling, outdoor promenade clad with a dramatic glass ceiling and featuring Singapore’s most iconic comfort foods.
Fun for Families
Families find so much to do in Singapore that you’ll want to extend your stay to fit it all in (your children definitely will). The fun begins on your Singapore Airlines flight, where the service is always attentive to the needs of families and kids can get their own special meals. At Changi, they’ll be thrilled to explore Jewel’s record-setting waterfall from the glass-bottomed bridge suspended 75 feet in the air. Then explore mirrored mazes and take made-for-Instagram photos; every time you turn your head, your kids will have found another adorable animal sculpture to pose with.
If you can tear your kids away from Changi, transfer to a family-friendly hotel like the Furama Riverfront, which has spacious suites with adjoining rooms—including one with larger-than-life animal murals and a bunk bed. One of our favorite family attractions in the Singapore Stopover Holiday Plus package is Universal Studios Singapore, where your kids’ favorite blockbuster movies and TV shows come to life (have fun on that Battlestar Galactica roller coaster your kid convinces you to accompany them on!). After a day of theme park thrills, chill out at the Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal zoo. A pro tip: Instead of hoofing it, take a leisurely 40-minute tram ride that brings you and your kids up close and personal with rhinos and Asian elephants, as well as curious animals like tapirs that wander right up to your tram.
Gardens by the Bay
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Nature for Adventurers
Rest up for your heart-pounding Singaporean adventures with spacious, luxurious seats in every class on your Singapore Airlines flight. When you land, you’ll be ready to dive right into Changi Airport’s dramatic Jewel, where the lush rainforest seemingly sprouts from every corner, immersing you in this “City in a Garden” even before you’ve stepped outside. The intrepid among us never miss the Sunflower Garden (Terminal 2), the Cactus Garden (Terminal 1), or the 1,000-plus butterflies in the Butterfly Garden (Terminal 3).
Transfer to the sleek Hotel Mi, in Singapore’s vibrant Civic District, then go exploring. You won’t want to miss Gardens by the Bay, the city’s revolutionary waterfront treasure that combines nature and engineering into an experience unlike anything we’ve ever seen elsewhere. More than just lush gardens, the park melds surreal architecture with colorful conservatories and stunning vistas to create a singularly unique experience—you’ll even learn about the history of Singapore and its different cultures through plants. Be sure to stay to see the iconic, exhilarating Supertrees (standing at a breathtaking 160 feet tall) and their nightly lights-and-sounds extravaganza.
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
Romance for Couples
With a wealth of dreamy hotels and enchanting experiences, Singapore comes ready-made for romance. You’ll notice this from the moment you board your Singapore Airlines flight, where award-winning inflight service makes for a suitably plush start to your romantic vacation. When you land at Changi, check into one of several spas and unwind with a couple’s massage. Then transfer to the award-winning Park Hotel Clarke Quay, located in one of the city’s buzzy nightlife districts with a spectacular outdoor pool; or head to the boutique Link Hotel Singapore, in Tiong Bahru—one of the city’s most historic and charming neighborhoods.
Start exploring with a sunset cruise on the Singapore River aboard an iconic bumboat and see the city’s historic Art Deco architecture dotting the water’s edge. Then head to the National Museum of Singapore, the nation’s oldest museum, where you’ll find interactive installations showcasing everything from the history of Singapore to cutting-edge contemporary design. Then wrap up your magical day by splurging on an intimate, unforgettable dinner at the museum’s restaurant, Flutes, where you’ll discover why its innovative cuisine and historic setting has made it one of Asia’s must-visit restaurants.
Whatever kind of traveler you are, enjoy a stopover in the Lion City, including all of these featured experiences plus hotels and more—for a limited time, it can cost as little as $1 a day! Book your next flight to Asia on Singapore Airlines with the Singapore Stopover Holiday package and spend an unforgettable day or more here!
