Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have resumed the Free Singapore Tour, which had been suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The three tours that were available before COVID-19, namely the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour, and Jewel Tour, have been updated to feature new attractions. Singapore Layover

The Changi Precinct Tour is a novel tour that will acquaint tourists with the fascinating views and sounds of the eastern area adjacent to Singapore Changi Airport. The tours are two and a half hours long and will be accessible daily, with the intention of gradually increasing to nine tours per day.

Before the pandemic, almost 30% of the passengers at Changi Airport were transit and transfer passengers. In order to make the airport a more appealing transfer hub and encourage passengers to explore Singapore, the Free Singapore Tour was introduced in 1987. In 2019, more than 80,000 people joined the tour, with the majority of participants coming from India, Australia, and Indonesia. Indian and Australian travellers constituted over one-third of the total participants.

Discover the Hidden Gems of Eastern Singapore with the New Changi Precinct Tour

The latest Changi Precinct Tour is a unique excursion that takes visitors to the eastern region of Singapore, highlighting popular community spots like Tampines and the serene beauty of Changi Beach and Village. This tour is a great opportunity to see how locals live and explore the history of Singapore’s lesser-known regions, providing an escape from the city center’s usual chaos.

Refreshed itineraries to offer travellers new experiences Singapore Layover

At the Jewel Tour, in addition to visiting popular attractions like the Shiseido Forest Valley and the HSBC Rain Vortex, participants can now discover more about Singapore’s food heritage through local brands such as Bee Cheng Hiang and Tong Garden, and sample local snacks at the same time. Another new component of the tour is a free guided walkthrough of a digital attraction – Changi Experience Studio – for participants to experience some of its airport-themed games and interactive exhibits.

New pit stops in the City Sights Tour include the Civic District, where travellers will get an introduction to Singapore’s urban development through visits to various national monuments including the National Gallery Singapore, Anderson Bridge, and The Padang. The bus route will also pass through the new Marina Bay Financial District en route to Gardens by the Bay. The Heritage Tour, available from June, will feature places of interest such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, Arab Street, and Haji Lane, for participants to gain a more in-depth understanding of Singapore’s unique and diverse multi-cultural heritage.

Singapore Tours Now Showcasing Sustainability Efforts

The updated tour itineraries now feature Singapore’s sustainability initiatives, such as the Eco Community Garden at Our Tampines Hub, Gardens by the Bay and Jewel. These sustainable locations have been incorporated into the Changi Precinct, City Sights and Jewel Tours, respectively, to give participants an overview of Singapore’s commitment to sustainability.

Monster Day Tours has been appointed by CAG, SIA, and STB to run the Free Singapore Tours.

Mr Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President of Air Hub & Cargo Development at CAG, said, “The Free Singapore Tour was very popular among our transit and transfer passengers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are happy to bring it back with the resumption of travel. For travellers who choose to transit or transfer at Changi Airport, the Free Singapore Tour is designed to give them a glimpse of what Singapore has to offer, including the unique attractions and offerings at Jewel Changi Airport and the neighbouring Changi Precinct which has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Together with our partners, SIA and STB, we hope to welcome more passengers who fly through Changi Airport to enjoy a slice of Singapore through our new tours and world-class attractions and facilities.”

Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Executive Vice President Commercial, Singapore Airlines, said, “We welcome the timely relaunch of the enhanced Free Singapore Tour, which offers a unique transit experience for our customers. We are pleased to continue working closely with CAG and STB to promote the sustainable growth of travel to and through Singapore.”Mr Chang Chee Pey, Assistant Chief Executive, Marketing Group, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “We are delighted to bring back the Free Singapore Tour through our long-standing partnership with CAG and SIA. It is imperative for us to refresh our tourism offerings to meet the demand for wellness and eco-conscious travel, and cater to travellers seeking deeper experiences. We hope that the tour will inspire transit and transfer passengers to plan a longer trip to Singapore in future, and discover much more of what our vibrant city has to offer.”

Book a tour in advance on the new portal Singapore Layover

Advance booking is now available on Changi Airport’s website. Transit and transfer passengers who wish to join the Free Singapore Tour must have a layover period of at least 5.5 hours but less than 24 hours. Participants will need to have a valid entry visa for Singapore to take part in the tours.