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The “Free Singapore Tour” for transit and transfer passengers is coming back.

The tour was relaunched on Apr. 3 by Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a statement released by CAG.

Three of the existing tours, namely the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour and Jewel Tour, have been refreshed to include new areas of interest.

A new tour known as the Changi Precinct Tour will also be launched. This itinerary will introduce travellers to the sights of the eastern region surrounding Changi Airport.

Each tour has a duration of two and a half hours and will be available daily, including public holidays. There are plans to gradually increase the number of tours to nine per day.

Free Singapore Tour will be operated by Monster Day Tours.

New tour: Changi Precinct Tour

The Changi Precinct Tour is a new itinerary that will bring participants via bus to the eastern part of Singapore.

Places of interest include the Tampines heartland, Changi Village and Changi Beach.

It aims to offer a glimpse into local residents’ lives away from the city centre.

Refreshed itineraries

For the existing tours, additional pit stops have been introduced.

The City Sights Tour will now include the Civic District and the new Marina Bay Financial District in the bus route.

The Heritage Tour, also by bus and available from June 2023, will feature places of interest such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, Arab Street and Haji Lane.

The Jewel Tour will let participants sample local snacks from local brands such as Bee Cheng Hiang and Tong Garden, and feature popular attractions like the Shiseido Forest Valley and the HSBC Rain Vortex.

Another new component of the Jewel Tour is a free guided walkthrough of the Changi Experience Studio which includes airport-themed games and interactive exhibits.

The itineraries will also feature sustainability efforts at some locations, such as the Eco Community Garden at Our Tampines Hub and environmental initiatives implemented at Gardens by the Bay.

Post-pandemic recovery

The Free Singapore Tour was first introduced in 1987 to enhance the airport’s attractiveness as a transfer hub and to entice transit and transfer passengers to visit Singapore as a holiday destination.

In 2019, more than 80,000 passengers went on the Free Singapore Tour, with most of them hailing from India, Australia, and Indonesia.

Transit and transfer passengers accounted for approximately 30 per cent of Changi Airport's passenger traffic before the pandemic.

"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," said CAG’s Executive Vice President of Air Hub and Cargo Development Lim Ching Kiat.

“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,” added Chang Chee Pey, the Assistant Chief Executive of STB’s Marketing Group.

Book in advance

More details for the Free Singapore Tour are available on Changi Airport’s website and advance booking is now open.

Transit and transfer passengers who wish to join the tours must have a layover period of at least five and a half hours but less than 24 hours.

Participants will also need to have a valid entry visa for Singapore to be eligible for the tour.

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Top images via Facebook/Changi Airport