Singapore stopover on way to Australia
If the thought of 22 hours of travelling in one go feels overwhelming, a stopover in Singapore could be the perfect solution. Often seen simply as a transit hub, Singapore is a destination in its own right — vibrant, modern, incredibly efficient, and packed with unforgettable experiences.
On Jeannie’s recent Australia trip she discovered firsthand just how much this dynamic city has to offer during a 23-hour stopover. What began as a convenient break in the outbound journey quickly became another destination added to her bucket list for a much longer return visit.
A Smooth Arrival into Singapore
Following a 13-hour flight from London Gatwick, we landed in Singapore at 6am — and within just 20 minutes of leaving the aircraft, we had collected our luggage, cleared immigration, completed fingerprint and photo checks, and were already in a taxi heading into the city.
Singapore’s airport efficiency is genuinely impressive and sets the standard for international travel. The seamless organisation, combined with intuitive wayfinding and exceptional facilities, makes arriving here remarkably stress-free — especially after a long-haul flight.
Transport into the city was equally simple. Using the airport Wi-Fi, we booked a Grab taxi (Singapore’s equivalent of Uber) without needing to purchase a SIM card. Around 20 minutes later, we arrived at our hotel in Clarke Quay.
Stay: Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay
For a short city stopover, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay proved to be the ideal base.
Perfectly positioned within walking distance of Clarke Quay and the MRT network, the hotel offers easy access to Singapore’s major attractions. One of its standout features is the impressive 40-metre rooftop pool — ideal for relaxing between flights, although unfortunately time didn’t allow us to enjoy it this visit.
The rooms are compact but thoughtfully designed, with comfortable beds and excellent rainfall showers — exactly what’s needed after a long journey. Breakfast is buffet-style with a wide variety of options, and for guests with early departures, the hotel even provides takeaway breakfast bags and coffee.
For travellers wanting comfort, convenience, and value during a stopover, this is an excellent option that leaves more room in the budget for the adventures ahead.
Exploring Singapore in a Day
With limited time available, we wanted to experience as much of the city as possible, so we opted for the Singapore Big Bus Tour. Conveniently, the nearest stop was only a five-minute walk from the hotel.
The tour operates two routes:
Yellow Route – City Tour
Highlights include:
- Orchard Road
- Gardens by the Bay
- Raffles Singapore
- Singapore Botanic Gardens
- Marina Bay Sands
Red Route – Heritage Tour
This route explores Singapore’s diverse cultural neighbourhoods, including:
- Little India
- Chinatown
- Traditional hawker centres and local markets
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Our first stop was the stunning Singapore Botanic Gardens — the only tropical garden in the world recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stepping inside felt like entering another world entirely. Towering rainforest trees, exotic plants, and the sounds of tropical wildlife created a peaceful escape from the city’s skyscrapers. We wandered through the six-hectare rainforest section and could easily have spent an entire day exploring the gardens further, including the famous National Orchid Garden.
Raffles Hotel & the Singapore Sling
No trip to Singapore would feel complete without visiting the legendary Raffles Singapore, birthplace of the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail.
If sampling the original cocktail is on your bucket list, be prepared for queues — waiting times can exceed an hour during busy periods. Running on very little sleep after nearly 24 hours awake, we opted instead for the complimentary Virgin Singapore Sling, which was refreshingly delicious and gave us enough energy to continue sightseeing.
Chinatown & Hawker Centre Dining
For lunch, we headed to a traditional hawker centre in Chinatown — one of the best ways to experience authentic Singaporean cuisine.
These bustling food markets are hugely popular with locals and offer incredible dishes from as little as a few dollars. Singapore’s food scene reflects its multicultural heritage, blending Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian influences into one of Asia’s most exciting culinary destinations.
One important tip: many hawker stalls are cash only, so it’s worth carrying some local currency.
Marina Bay Sands & Gardens by the Bay
Our afternoon was spent exploring the iconic Marina Bay Sands and the spectacular Gardens by the Bay.
The famous Supertree Grove is even more impressive in person. Interestingly, these futuristic tree-like structures are not purely decorative — they function as environmental technologies, helping to exhaust heat from the conservatories while also generating solar energy for the nightly light show.
Unfortunately, after being awake for over 36 hours, we didn’t quite make it to the evening performance — but it certainly gave us the perfect excuse to return.
Unmissable things to do if you have a longer stopover.
Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island is Singapore’s premier island resort destination, located just off the southern coast and easily reached by monorail or cable car.
With luxury resorts, beaches, family attractions, and entertainment, it offers a completely different side to the city. Highlights include:
- Wings of Time
- Universal Studios Singapore
- Harry Potter: Visions of Magic
- KidZania Singapore
The atmosphere here feels more like a luxury beach resort destination than a city stopover.
Sentosa Island has the vibe of Abu Dhabi.
Escape to Bintan Island
For something completely different, consider a day trip or overnight stay on Bintan Island.
Popular with Singapore locals for spa breaks, shopping, and beach escapes, Bintan offers a more laid-back and affordable experience than Singapore itself. Best of all, the fast ferry journey takes only around 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Create a Multi-Centre Holiday
Singapore also combines beautifully with nearby private island resorts for travellers seeking both city excitement and tropical relaxation. Within just a few hours by ferry, you can transition from futuristic skylines to secluded beaches and luxury island retreats.
A Singapore stopover may begin as a practical break in a long journey to Australia — but it often becomes a memorable part of the trip itself.
Planning Your Own Singapore or Australia Adventure?
Discover more travel inspiration, destination guides, cruise features, and holiday ideas by exploring our latest blogs.
If you would like help planning your own Singapore stopover, Australia holiday, cruise, or tailor-made itinerary, get in touch, our friendly team would love to help.
You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for travel inspiration, exciting updates, special offers, and our latest adventures around the world.
