Singapore
How to get to Singapore: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Changi (SIN) — it is the only airport with long-haul flights, and it sits on the MRT about 30 minutes from the city centre. Seletar (XSP) handles mostly regional and private traffic. Land arrivals from Malaysia come by bus or train over the Causeway or Second Link; ferries reach Batam and Bintan.
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GuideSingapore
Key facts
- Main airport
- Singapore Changi (SIN), four terminals plus Jewel; MRT to the city about 30 minutes
- Second airport
- Seletar (XSP): regional and private flights only
- Flight time from London
- About 13 h direct
- Flight time from New York
- About 18–19 h direct, or 20–24 h with one stop
- Flight time from Sydney
- About 8 h direct
- Land entry
- Bus or train from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, over the Causeway or the Second Link
- Sea entry
- Ferries from Batam and Bintan, Indonesia, and from Johor, Malaysia
- Entry rules
- Most Western passports get 30–90 days visa-free; the SG Arrival Card must be submitted online in the three days before arrival
Summary by passport, month and cost
Singapore has one long-haul gateway, so the airport question is settled before you book. What changes by passport is the entry paperwork; what changes by month is the fare. Fares are usually lowest for travel in February to April and September to November, outside school holidays and the year-end peak.
| Passport | Visa | Typical flight time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Visa-free 90 days | 18–19 h direct from New York; 20–24 h with a stop | SG Arrival Card required before arrival |
| UK | Visa-free 90 days | About 13 h direct from London | SG Arrival Card required |
| Canada | Visa-free 30 days | About 19–21 h, usually one stop | SG Arrival Card required |
| Australia | Visa-free 90 days | About 8 h direct from Sydney or Perth | SG Arrival Card required |
| New Zealand | Visa-free 90 days | About 10–11 h direct from Auckland | SG Arrival Card required |
| Ireland | Visa-free 90 days | About 13–15 h, direct or one stop | SG Arrival Card required |
Visa and stay lengths are set by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and can change; confirm before booking.
Step by step
Book the flight first. Changi is the only airport with non-stop long-haul service, so almost every itinerary lands there. Compare a direct fare against one stop through Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo; the connection often costs less but adds 4–8 hours.
Check your entry paperwork next. Most Western passports enter visa-free for 30 or 90 days, and all travellers must submit the SG Arrival Card online in the three days before arrival. Have your passport valid for at least six months and a return or onward ticket ready.
Then plan the last leg. From Changi, the MRT runs to the city in about 30 minutes for a few dollars; taxis and ride-hailing take 20–40 minutes depending on traffic and cost more. If you arrive by land from Johor Bahru, buses from Larkin or JB Sentral cross the Causeway to Queen Street or Beach Road, and the cross-border train (Shuttle Tebrau) takes about five minutes between JB Sentral and Woodlands.
From Indonesia, ferries from Batam and Bintan dock at HarbourFront or Tanah Merah, and from Johor at Changi Point or HarbourFront. Bring your passport; the same arrival card rules apply.
- Book Changi (SIN) unless you are flying regionally.
- Submit the SG Arrival Card within three days of arrival.
- Check passport validity of six months or more.
- Decide MRT, taxi or bus for the airport-to-hotel leg.
- For land arrivals, avoid Friday evenings and Sunday nights at the Causeway.
Notes
Changi is a destination in itself: Jewel's indoor waterfall and forest are free to visit, and early check-in lets you drop bags and look around before a flight. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 connect by MRT and shuttle; Terminal 4 needs a bus from Terminal 2.
Singapore's border rules are strict and enforced. Vapes and e-cigarettes are illegal to bring in, chewing gum is restricted, and drug offences carry severe penalties including the death penalty for trafficking. Declare anything you are unsure about.
The Causeway between Singapore and Johor Bahru is one of the busiest land borders in the world. Mid-week mornings and early afternoons are calmer; Friday evening and Sunday night queues can run for hours. The Second Link at Tuas is usually quieter if you are driving or taking a coach to western Malaysia.
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Singapore?
Changi (SIN). It is the only airport with long-haul flights and has an MRT link to the city centre in about 30 minutes. Seletar (XSP) is for regional and private flights only.
How long is the flight to Singapore from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
From New York about 18–19 hours direct; from London about 13 hours; from Canada about 19–21 hours with a stop; from Sydney about 8 hours; from Auckland about 10–11 hours. Times vary by route and connection.
Can I enter Singapore by land or sea?
Yes. Buses and the Shuttle Tebrau train cross from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and ferries run from Batam and Bintan in Indonesia and from Johor. Bring your passport and submit the SG Arrival Card before arrival.
Do I need a visa for Singapore?
Most US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and Irish passport holders enter visa-free for 30 or 90 days. All travellers must submit the SG Arrival Card online within three days of arrival. Rules can change, so confirm before booking.
How do I get from Changi Airport to the city?
The MRT takes about 30 minutes and costs a few dollars. Taxis and ride-hailing take 20–40 minutes depending on traffic and cost more. Trains run from roughly 05:30 to midnight.
Is it cheaper to fly direct or with a stop?
A one-stop itinerary through the Gulf, Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo often costs less than a non-stop but adds 4–8 hours. Compare total journey time against the saving before deciding.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialChangi Airport
- officialImmigration & Checkpoints Authority – SG Arrival Card
- officialSingapore Tourism Board – Visit Singapore
- officialSMRT – MRT system map
- secondaryWikivoyage – Singapore