12 hours to kill

[caloomba]

Hello All

I'm travelling from Edinburgh - Auckland at the end of June. I'm travelling with Singapore Airline from LHR - Singapore - Auckland.

My flight from LHR - Singapore gets in on a Thursday evening at 1755. The flight to Auckland is at 0845 the next morning.

Taking into account check-in times, I'm going to have about 12 hrs to kill between flights.

So, could any of you guys recommend what to do overnight in Singapore?

As you can see, I'm getting into Singapore early evening so I'd like to take a walk around a bit of the city before it gets too late, so are there any must-see sights?

Can you recommend somewhere to go for a quick bite to eat?
Somewhere to go for a few beers?

Also, I think I might catch a late showing at the cinema, where are the big cinemas in SIngapore?

Hopefully, I'll find enough to do to take me through until 6am when I need to check in for the Singapore - Auckland flight....

[MAN Flyer]

Welcome to SQTalk, caloomba.

First off I can't help you with any cinema recommendations as I've never been to one in Singapore, but there are plenty of other things to do. You don't say either way but are you intending getting a hotel room ?. Even though it's very easy to go out and do things in Singapore straight through the night, I would definitely get a room in town.

As for having a few beers, there are many options. For the first time tourist visitor you have got Clarke Quay and Boat Quay on the Singapore River with plenty of dining and drinking options. You also have Chijmes (www.chijmes.com.sg), which is a converted convent with a number of bars and restaurants. Alternatively you may want to try a Hawker Centre for some cheap local food.

You mention having to go back to check in for your flight to Auckland but you should be able to check in all the way from either EDI or LHR. It will take about 20-30 minutes to get back to Changi Airport for a 6am flight.

[jhm]

As for sights, have a look at something like this:

http://www.visitsingapore.com/publis...ight_tour.html

for an idea of what the usual touristy attractions are.

As far as food goes, I would say that the quintessential Singaopore experience must be to go to a hawker centre (e.g. Lau Par Sat), wander around the many stalls (all safe to eat from), choose something from the huge range available to eat (e.g. satay, noodles, chicken rice, chilli/pepper crab etc) and drink and repeat. I would forget about the "quick bite to eat" as eating really is one of the main attractions of Singapore!

The only main attraction of Singapore is shopping. Given that you get in at 6pm, I would take the train (MRT) to somewhere called Orchard Road and do some window (or real) shopping in the many air conditioned shopping centres along the road (before going for dinner as above). You can also visit, e.g., the Lido cinema in Isetan.

[globetrekker84]

I should add the fact that, if you do go landside, keep your boarding pass on you so you can go back airside. I've been in a position where I couldn't get a connecting BP (granted it was on UA) and I was stuck landside all night long till the check-in counter opened at 0400.

Speaking of boarding passes, SQ's got the Boarding Pass privileges, so there's another option for you to look into: http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_U...gapore_en.html

Also, there is a left baggage at the airport, so you don't have to drag everything around for the time you're in the city.

[kapitan]

after 12 hours on a flight, it would be an overnight for you bearing in mind you are departing from LHR..... by time you land in SIN, you will be dead tired..... out of airport, you will be hitted with the overbearing heat and stickiness due to the humidity, you will be doubly tired...... I don't think there will be much energy left for you to be painting the town red, unless of course you are a young man.....

well, at least that's for me, whenever I come back from a EU trip, I am so dead tired by time I land in SIN that all plans for any parties will be off for that night.

[kris]

Hello All

I'm travelling from Edinburgh - Auckland at the end of June. I'm travelling with Singapore Airline from LHR - Singapore - Auckland.

My flight from LHR - Singapore gets in on a Thursday evening at 1755. The flight to Auckland is at 0845 the next morning.

Taking into account check-in times, I'm going to have about 12 hrs to kill between flights.

So, could any of you guys recommend what to do overnight in Singapore?

As you can see, I'm getting into Singapore early evening so I'd like to take a walk around a bit of the city before it gets too late, so are there any must-see sights?

Can you recommend somewhere to go for a quick bite to eat?
Somewhere to go for a few beers?

Also, I think I might catch a late showing at the cinema, where are the big cinemas in SIngapore?

Hopefully, I'll find enough to do to take me through until 6am when I need to check in for the Singapore - Auckland flight....

For cinemas, you're probably best going to town which is about a S$20(?) cab ride away. One of the more ancient cinemas is Lido at Shaw House but if you walk down Orchard Road, Cathay at Cineleisure is also available. I'm not too sure about weekdays, but you should be able to catch a few late night (til 12am) shows. Try http://sg.movies.yahoo.com/ for showtimes.

For beers around that area, you can try TG It's Friday at the Heeren. Brotzeit at 313 @ Somerset is also pretty good for a chill atmosphere. If you're willing to go a bit further down from Orchard Road (like a 5 minute cabride, 15minute walk), I recommend Night & Day Bar at Selegie Road, next to Wilkie Edge. Best that you call ahead to check if they're open though, their hours are iffy.

Enjoy your stay.

[soarbeyond]

For movies in and around town,
You can also try Cathay at Handy Road(near Plaza Singapura),IMO it's "classier" & less packed than the one at cineleisure.
Golden Village at the top floor of Plaza Singapura
Golden Village at Marina Square
Eng Wah at Suntec City

[Kyo]

Now, there are new attractions - Vivocity has good cinemas and Sentosa's got the new resorts and even a casino. By the end of June, you have plenty of options...

[JoJo Zep]

Hi Caloomba,

I'm actually slightly jealous of your 12 hour transit as my transit through SIA is only a few hours next weeka and I would have loved to have seen the new sites at Sentosa. If you head that way, you can also call into Vivocity which has a good cinema including Gold Class which I prefer as you can pre-book times, seats and even when you'd like a cold beverage to arrive during the movie. The new Casino opened on Sentosa last week which is a short monorail ride away from Vivo and they might be open all night long if that's what you are after.

If it's your first time in Singapore, as suggested by others, a visit to Orchard Road, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay is a good option. Maybe then over to Sentosa if you have the stamina.

It is a long flight when you get into Singapore and the humidity really hits you if you aren't used to it so have a back up plan. I used to live in Singapore and I'm sorry to say I need the hotel room for a stay like you have as I get cranky otherwise The Crowne near the Airport is a great option as you can head back to the airport last thing at night and then have only a walk to the terminal. If you have any points with the Priority Club (Hotel chain membership), nights at Crowne Changi are pretty easy to get.

Enjoy - I miss the food and Changi Airport the most

[caloomba]

This is great stuff - I think I'll find lots to do given the suggestions on here.

I'm afraid I'm flyng on the cheapest ticket possible and I don't fly often, so I don't any points to use nor will I be able to access any lounges.

With that in mind, do you know which facilities I might be able to take advantage of at Changi? Just in case I've had a bad flight and can't cope with the humidity in Singapore!

I've heard there's a pool, showers, sleeping areas you can hire for a few hours etc?

Thanks

[andySYD]

I would definitely get a room either in town (cheaper) or in Crowne Plaza. Or perhaps it's just my age showing :\

[kris]

I've heard there's a pool, showers, sleeping areas you can hire for a few hours etc?

Thanks

Maybe this is a stupid question, but do you have access to a Lounge?

[9V-JKL]

With that in mind, do you know which facilities I might be able to take advantage of at Changi? Just in case I've had a bad flight and can't cope with the humidity in Singapore!

I've heard there's a pool, showers, sleeping areas you can hire for a few hours etc?

Thanks

Loads to do: http://www.changiairport.com/changi/...ctivities.html

[225]

I would definitely get a room booked as if your are knackered a few hours sleep will do the trick. cinemas are all well and good but chances are the films on the plane will be the latest plus it means sitting down again for 3 hrs! If you go gold class you'll fall asleep I reckon.
I would get a hotel, freshen up then head to clarke quay for food and a beer or three, you can stay as late or early as you feel then, plus you can walk down the river which is a nice walk in the evening.

[JoJo Zep]

Caloomba, have a look at the link )V-JKL sent as there is lots to do at Changi. It was voted one of the better airports for sleeping in - if you have to http://www.sleepinginairports.net/asia/singapore.htm

There's a massage place in T2 which also has sleeping cots, showers etc that I found to be great value when I didn't have access to a lounge. The place is called Rainforest and I had a quick look at prices online but only massage and facial prices only were listed although they still highlight the 'slumberetts' they have there.
http://www.sats.com.sg/newlook1/Rainforest/start.html.

Changi is a great airport, and very safe, with plenty to do if you get tired and need to stop for a bit before your flight out. Have fun