Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign city-state located off the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia and linked to it by two man-made causeways.
Singapore comprises 63 islands, including the main island, Pulau Ujong. Sentosa, Jurong Island, Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin are the largest of Singapore's smaller islands.
The most convenient route to Singapore is by air to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), commonly known as Changi Airport, located around 20km (13mi) northeast of Marina Bay – Singapore's downtown centre.
We answer the most commonly asked questions (FAQs) about how to get to Singapore.
The following are the most convenient flights to Singapore.
From Malaysia: Malaysian Airlines, AirAsia and Jetstar Asia offer the most convenient daily direct flights to Singapore.
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore is 55 min, direct flight
From China: Singapore Airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Spring Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer the most convenient flights to Singapore.
Beijing to Singapore is 6 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Shanghai to Singapore is 5 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Hong Kong to Singapore is 3 hrs 45 min, direct flight
From Australia: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Scoot Tigerair offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Singapore.
Adelaide to Singapore is 7 hrs 30 min, direct flight
Brisbane to Singapore is 7 hrs 40 min, direct flight
Sydney to Singapore is 8 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Melbourne to Singapore is 7 hrs 40 min, direct flight
Perth to Singapore is 5 hrs 15 min, direct flight
From New Zealand: Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Singapore.
Auckland to Singapore is 10 hrs 45 min, direct flight
From United Arab Emirates: Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines offer the most convenient flights to Singapore.
Abu Dhabi to Singapore is 8 hrs 5 min, direct flight
Dubai to Singapore is 7 hrs 30 min, direct flight
From United Kingdom: British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Qantas offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Singapore.
London to Singapore is 13 hrs 5 min, direct flight
Manchester to Singapore is 13 hrs, direct flight
From Ireland: Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, British Airways and KLM offers the most convenient flights to Singapore.
Dublin to Singapore is 15 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
From France: Air France and Singapore Airlines offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Singapore.
Paris to Singapore is 12 hrs 50 min, direct flight
From Germany: Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Scoot Tigerair offer the most convenient flights to Singapore.
Berlin to Singapore is 12 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Dusseldorf to Singapore is 12 hrs 25 min, direct flight
Frankfurt to Singapore is 12 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Munich to Singapore is 11 hrs 50 min, direct flight
Hamburg to Singapore is 14 hrs 15 min, connecting flightˆ
From United States: United Airlines, Delta, Korean Air, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Singapore.
Los Angeles to Singapore is 17 hrs, direct flight
San Francisco to Singapore is 16 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Seattle to Singapore is 15 hrs 45 min, direct flight
Atlanta to Singapore is 22 hrs 38 min, connecting flightˆ
Boston to Singapore is 20 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Singapore is 20 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Singapore is 21 hrs 45 mins, connecting flightˆ
New York to Singapore is 21 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Air Transit, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Singapore.
Toronto to Singapore is 20 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Singapore is 20 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
Vancouver to Singapore is 18 hrs, connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is located around 20km (13mi) from the downtown centre of Singapore.
Ground transportation desks (tel: +65 6241 3818) are situated in the arrivals hall of each terminal, and provide information on all forms of transport to/from the airport.
The free Skytrain service runs frequently between Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
A free bus shuttle operates 24/7 connecting Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to Terminal 4.
Taxi: Taxi ranks are situated outside the arrivals hall and are available 24 hours a day. All taxis are metered and fares start from S$28 to the downtown area.
The journey to the city takes around 20 minutes depending on the destination and time of day.
Shuttle: Shared-ride shuttle buses (tel: +65 6241 3818) run between the airport and city centre hotels. Hotels and resorts can also meet guests by prior arrangement.
Bus: Several public buses link Changi with various destinations across the island – bus 36 goes to Dhoby Ghaut, Somerset and Orchard Road. It takes about 60 minutes to get to downtown Singapore.
Bus stops are located in the basement of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. For Terminal 4, passengers need to walk to the bus stop next to Car Park 4B.
As locals use a smartcard called EZ-Link to pay for public transport, cash payment is rare, therefore visitors are advised to prepare the exact fare as no change will be given.
Coach: The Transtar (tel: +65 6299 9009; www.transtar.travel) coach service leaves from Terminal 2 for Johor Bahru, across the causeway in Malaysia.
Rail: Singapore's Metro System, known locally as the MRT (tel: +65 1 800 336 8900; www.smrt.com.sg), takes about 30 minutes to reach the city centre by train (with one change at Tanah Merah).
The airport metro station is located beneath Terminal 2.
Note: Visitors can purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass which allows unlimited travel on metro and basic bus services for a set period at the MRT station in Terminal 2.
Avis and Budget have car hire counters in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4, while Hertz has offices in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 only.
Money: Bureaux de change kiosks are open 24 hours a day and are located in all terminals. Banks and ATMs are also available throughout the airport.
Food: Singapore Changi Airport offers numerous restaurants, cafés, bars, delis, fast-food outlets and snack bars, providing both Western and Asian cuisine. Many of these eateries are open 24 hours a day.
Shopping: There are numerous shops at Singapore Changi Airport, including duty-free outlets and 24-hour mini-supermarkets in all terminals. Other retailers sell a range of items, from the latest fashion to specialist local produce.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the airport.
Public telephones are also available throughout the airport. Postal services are also available in Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Other: Facilities at Singapore Changi Airport include several well-equipped transit lounges, themed gardens, a swimming pool and spa facilities, walk-in medical clinics, a 24-hour medical emergency centre (tel: +65 6543 1118 or 6543 2223), pharmacies and a multi-faith prayer room.
Baby-change rooms and children's play areas are also available; most female toilets have baby change facilities.
There is also a 12m-high (39ft) slide (crowned the largest slide in an airport) for children in Terminal 3.
The transit hotels in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (tel: +65 6542 8122 for Terminal 2, and +65 6507 9788 for Terminal 3) also provide business lounges. Facilities include workstations, photocopying and fax machines, and meeting rooms. Secretarial and translation services are also available upon request.
Singapore Changi Airport has level access, lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. A 24-hour wheelchair hire service is available from the medical centres (tel: +65 6543 1118).
Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline in advance of travel
A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay, a return/onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
Singapore is a very easy city to navigate thanks to an excellent and inexpensive public transport network.
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system is the most convenient way to get around Singapore between 5.30am and midnight. Maps showing the surrounding area are printed on the walls in MRT stations – great for figuring out which exit to use.
Buses typically go everywhere the trains do and more, and operate from 5am till 1am the following day, plus some later night buses from the city.
Taxis are also convenient and inexpensive, and most drivers speak English; although there are surcharges during peak hours and from midnight to 6am. You may flag taxis on the street or at a taxi stand.
More information about how to get around Singapore…
Latest update: How to get to Singapore: 5 September, 2025
Advertising