It’s lights out, and away we go! 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🏎️🏎️🏎️
The F1 Grand Prix season is once again upon us, and it is truly an exciting time to be in Singapore. As someone who has lived in Singapore for the past decade, I wanted to write a travel guide specific for F1 fans. My goal is to help make your visit to the Singapore Grand Prix as easy and drama-free as possible!
Here are a few topics we will cover:
- What’s new in the Singapore Grand Prix 2024?
- Where to stay for the Singapore F1 Weekend
- How to get to the Singapore Grand Prix
- Taking public transportation in Singapore during F1
- Food options during the Singapore Grand Prix
- Singapore Grand Prix survival tips
- Which Singapore Grand Prix Grandstand Tickets should I get?
- Things to do for F1 Fans in Singapore
I moved to Singapore in 2009, just one year after the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix. Since then, the Grand Prix has become a major event for Singapore, and it has also become a big part of my life in Singapore… but not because I was always an F1 fan – I was actually forced into it.
The first job I had in Singapore was as a designer at a creative agency, and one of our biggest clients was a sponsor of one of the F1 teams back then. Whenever the F1 season comes around, there would be a ton of work revolving around F1.
I had to work long hours to complete my tasks. I had absolutely no interest in F1 back then, and I was so sick of having to create media collaterals with a rookie driver named Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button’s faces late into the night (avid F1 fans might be able to guess which client it was). When I quit that job, I had enough of F1 and completely stopped paying attention to it.
Many years later, I caught the Drive to Survive fever during the pandemic and… I was immediately hooked. Say what you will about the Netflix show, but the fact remains that it was a great gateway into the sport for a beginner like myself.
And yes, to my great surprise, the “rookie” Lewis Hamilton had gone on to become one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time!
Anyway, enough about myself and F1 – Let’s get into the juicy stuff.
What’s New in Singapore Grand Prix 2024?
The Singapore Grand Prix is back for the 15th time at the Marina Bay Street Circuit!
In 2024, there is no major change to the circuit layout from 2023. There are a few rule changes, such as the new speed limit on the pit lane and a fourth DRS zone added between turns 14 and 16, but the layout remains the same.
🏎️ View the Singapore Grand Prix circuit map in 2024
In 2023, the circuit layout received a major overhaul. The Bay Grandstand, previously a permanent seating area that can accommodate 27,000 seats, was decommissioned for renovation works around the Singapore waterfront. It wasn’t the best grandstand we had to offer anyway – The seats were cramped and I’m sure fans were not missing it.
But because of this, a few modifications to the circuit layout had to be made:
- Reduced turns – The circuit lost a few turns (previously turns 16 to 19) and the entire track along Raffles Avenue became one long straight (turns 15 to 16). Shame, because I’ve always loved Turn 16 and 19, which sees the cars going under the grandstand into a short tunnel. But I suppose it will make for a more exciting race.
- Shorter circuit length and increased laps – Lesser turns have resulted in a slightly shorter circuit length, and as such the number of laps will be increased from 61 to 62.
- New Grandstands – To accommodate seatings that were lost from the Bay Grandstand, a few grandstands in the area were added.
Where to stay for the Singapore F1 weekend
During non-F1 weeks, anywhere in Singapore is convenient to stay because the country is very small. But when it comes to the F1 Grand Prix weekend, where you stay could make or break your experience.
Here are some options you can consider:
- Hotels where the F1 drivers and team stay
- Convenient hotels within walking distance to the circuit
- Affordable hotels
1. Hotels where the F1 drivers and team would likely stay in Singapore
If your goal is to catch a glimpse of the F1 drivers, these hotels are historically frequented by the team during the Grand Prix weekend:
- The Ritz-Carlton Millenia – The Ferrari and Aston Martin team and drivers were seen staying here in 2022. The Alfa Romeo drivers were also sighted here in 2023.
- JW Mariott South Beach – Historically, the Mercedes team and drivers tend to favor this hotel.
- Pan Pacific – The Ferrari team and drivers were seen staying here in 2019.
- Marina Bay Sands – The Ferrari and McLaren drivers were seen here in 2023. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari driver) were seen here again in 2024.
- Conrad Centennial – Lando Norris from McLaren were seen staying here in 2024.
My sources are public information directly from the drivers’ or team members’ social media accounts from the previous years. However, please be aware that driver or team sightings are not guaranteed. The F1 teams might rotate where they stay every year. I also encourage you to keep your distance and respect their privacy if you see them in person, especially from Friday to Sunday!
Bonus point: All of these hotels are already on the F1 circuit itself – If you stay here, you won’t spend much time traveling back and forth. In fact, most of the rooms will even have a view of the circuit. This explains why the teams prefer to stay at these hotels and will likely stick to it 🙂
2. Convenient hotels within walking distance of the circuit
If getting to and back from the circuit is your priority, you’ll want to check out these hotels! They won’t be cheap, but staying at the following hotels will make your weekend logistics much easier. I’ve divided it by the closest gates for easy reference:
Gate 1 (Nicoll Highway)
If your priority is quick access to the hospitality lounges or Turn 1 and 2 grandstands, these hotels will be very convenient:
- Park Royal on Beach Road – Just a few minute walk to the bridge that takes you to
- Andaz Singapore – One of the newest hotels in Singapore. Also has a bar on the rooftop on Level 39, which might have some view of the track
Gate 3A and 3B (City Hall)
If you need access to Zone 4, these hotels are ideal. Not only are they close to the gates that lead you to Zone 4, but they’re also close to other amenities such as food, grocery shops and shopping malls.
- Swissotel Stamford – This hotel deserves a special mention for F1 fans. It sits right on top of Turn 9, and some of the rooms are facing the circuit!
- Raffles Hotel – One of the most iconic hotels in Singapore, dating back to 1887. It’s located right next to the track.
- Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay – Formerly known as Marina Mandarin, but changed hands in 2020.
- JW Mariott South Beach – One of the newer hotels opened in 2017.
- The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore – Heritage hotel opened in 2018
- Fairmont Hotel – Located on top of Raffles City Mall, which makes it easy to reach restaurants and grocery stores in case you need anything
- Rendezvous Hotel – This hotel is 2 blocks away from the track, but still within walking distance
Gate 4, 5, and 6 (Esplanade)
The Esplanade is one of the most beautiful areas in Singapore. Aside from being practically next to the circuit, it’s also very close to our central business district and an easy entry to Zone 4.
- The Fullerton Hotel – One of the heritage hotels in Singapore
- Fullerton Bay Hotel – Located next to Fullerton One for easy access to restaurants by the bay and plenty of eateries around Raffles Place MRT.
Gate 2, 7, and 8 (Promenade)
These hotels are amazing places to be during the F1 weekend in Singapore. They’re RIGHT in the middle of the circuit. This means you’ll be right in the thick of all the F1 excitements.
- Mandarin Oriental – With the 2023 change to the circuit layout, Mandarin Oriental enjoys a view of the track from both sides of the hotel
- Marina Bay Sands – This hotel doesn’t need any introduction – it’s one of the most famous hotels in Singapore!
- The Ritz-Carlton Millenia – Also boasts a view of the circuit from both sides of the hotel
- Pan Pacific – This hotel is usually used as the media center. The hotel also offers a view of the circuit from one side.
3. Affordable hotels that are still convenient to the circuit
If budget is important to you and you don’t mind staying just a little further away from the F1 circuit I’ll run through some options here. But when I say further, don’t worry. Singapore is a very small and well-connected city, so you won’t have to travel for hours. For ease of stay, you’ll still want to stay near a train station.
- For access to Gate 1, 2, and 8 – You’ll want to aim for hotels that are close to stations in Yellow (Circle) or Blue (Downtown) Lines
- For access to Gate 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, and 7 – Stay at hotels near the Red (North-South) or Green (East-West) Lines
Here are some hotel recommendations that are just a little outside of town but still close to the MRT stations with easy access to town:
- Hotel JJH – Near Bugis MRT
- Wanderlust by Oakwood – Near Jalan Besar MRT
- Citadines Rochor – Near Rochor and Jalan Besar MRT
- Vibe Hotel Orchard – Near Newton MRT
- Citadines Connect City Center – Near Dhoby Gaut MRT
- KēSa House by Oakwood – Near Outram Park MRT
- The Scarlet Singapore – Near Chinatown and Telok Ayer MRT
- Yotel Singapore Orchard – Near Orchard MRT
How to get to the Singapore Grand Prix
The Singapore Grand Prix is a street circuit, meaning all of the actions will be happening on real public roads. This also means those roads will be closed during the grand prix, so the best way to get around is by train, which runs underground.
Lucky for you visitors, Singapore is well known for its connectivity. I’m confident that you will enjoy our amazing and clean public transportation.
Here are a few ways to access the Grand Prix depending on which areas you want to access:
- Grandstand Access by the Nearest Gates and Train station
- Gate Access by Nearest Train Station
- Taxi drop-off points
- Zone 4 Access
Grandstand Access by Nearest Gates and Train Station
If you have a Grandstand tickets, here are ways to get to your seat:
| Grandstand | Closest Gate | Closest Train Stations |
|---|---|---|
| Bayfront | Gate 8 | CC1 DT16 Bayfront |
| Connaught | Gate 7 | CC3 Esplanade |
| Orange @ Empress | Gate 4 | EW14 NS26 Raffles Place |
| Orange @ Pit | Gate 1 | CC5 Nicoll Highway |
| Padang A and B | Gates 3A / 3B | EW13 NS25 City Hall or CC3 Esplanade |
| Pit Entry | Gate 1 | CC5 Nicoll Highway |
| Pit Exit | Gate 2 | CC4 DT15 Promenade |
| Pit | Gate 1 | CC5 Nicoll Highway |
| Promenade | Gate 2 | CC4 DT15 Promenade |
| Raffles | Gate 2 | CC4 DT15 Promenade |
| Republic | Gate 2 | CC4 DT15 Promenade |
| Chicane @ Turn 1 | Gate 2 | CC4 DT15 Promenade |
| Chicane @ Turn 2 | Gate 2 | CC4 DT15 Promenade |
| Stamford | Gates 3A / 3B | EW13 NS25 City Hall or CC3 Esplanade |
| Super Pit | Gate 1 | CC5 Nicoll Highway |
| Turn 1 | Gate 1 | CC5 Nicoll Highway |
| Turn 2 | Gate 1 | CC5 Nicoll Highway |
Gate Access by the Nearest Train Station
If you have a premier walkabout ticket which gives you access to all the zones, here is a list of gates and how to get to them. For the Zone 4 walkabout, scroll down to the Zone 4 Access section.
| Gate | Closest Train Stations |
|---|---|
| Gate 1 | CC5 Nicoll Highway |
| Gate 2 | CC4 DT15 Promenade |
| Gates 3A / 3B | EW13 NS25 City Hall or CC3 Esplanade |
| Gates 4, 5, 6 | EW14 NS26 Raffles Place |
| Gate 7 | CC3 Esplanade |
| Gate 8 | CC1 DT16 Bayfront |
Taxi drop-off points
First of all, I have to highlight again that I really do NOT recommend taking a taxi or car or any mode of transportations that uses the road during the Singapore Grand Prix. It is a street circuit, meaning the public roads would be closed off and there will be traffic jams around the area. Most taxi drivers will want to avoid the circuit area.
If you’re coming from afar and need to arrive by car, I suggest getting a taxi to an MRT (train) station and then resuming your journey to the Grand Prix via MRT.
Here are a few stations you can get dropped off at:
- EW12 DT14 Bugis – The most ideal station since it has both the green line and blue line, which means you can access all of the gates directly by train. From here, it will just be 1-2 stations to the grand prix! Accessing the yellow line is also only 1 transfer away.
- NS24 Dhoby Gaut – 1-2 stations away from City Hall and Raffles Place. Easy access to Gate 3A/3B, 4, 5 and 6
- EW16 Outram Park – Just 2-3 stations from City Hall or Raffles Place MRT. Easy access to Gate 3A/3B, 4, 5 and 6
However, if you still want to try your luck, you could try catching a taxi to the following drop-off points, which will be closer to the gates to the circuit.
| Gate | Closest Taxi Drop off point |
|---|---|
| Gate 1 | CC5 Nicoll Highway Station |
| Gate 2 | Milennia Walk |
| Gates 3A / 3B | Swissotel Stamford Hotel |
| Gates 4, 5, 6 | UOB Plaza |
| Gate 7 | Milennia Walk |
| Gate 8 | Marina Bay Sands Hotel or Casino side |
Zone 4 Access
If you hold a Zone 4 walkabout ticket or the Padang, Stamford, Connaught, Orange @ Empress Grandstand ticket, you will be limited to Zone 4 – which means you can only access through the following gates: Gate 3A/3B, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Taking Public Transportation in Singapore during F1
Without a doubt, taking the train is the best way to get around during the Grand Prix weekend in Singapore. Again, I don’t recommend traveling by taxi or bus during this period.
Trains in Singapore travels underground on this part of the city, making them immune to road closures and traffic jams. Known to locals as MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), it is designed to transport many people at the same time!
1. Getting an MRT Ticket
Accessing the MRT in Singapore is really easy. You don’t need to get tickets as long as you have a credit card that can support contactless payment. Just ensure your credit card has been enabled for foreign transactions, and you can use your credit card to tap in and out of each MRT station directly at the gantry.
You can even add these cards to your smartphone or Apple Watch and use those to go through the ticket gantry directly.
2. Public Transportation Fares
Public Transportation in Singapore is affordable, ranging from SGD 1.09 to SGD 2.20 depending on the distance traveled. Within the F1 circuit, you’ll likely only need to travel a few stations, which will only cost you SGD 1.09 per trip.
If you are using a foreign credit card, there will be some fees charged for each posting of train charges. But they are very minimal, about 15 cents per posting (not per ride). Cards will only typically do daily posts or once the total amount reaches $5.
3. Last Train
Access to the MRT normally ends at midnight. But during F1 Weekend, the last train is usually extended to 12:45 AM. However, please do check again if it is indeed extended this year. You can keep an eye on the SMRT website for service announcement, for example here is the announcement for 2024.
4. Taxi and Ride Sharing options
In Singapore, Grab and Gojek are the leading ride-sharing options. You can also download Zig by CDG, which is operated by Comfort Del Gro, the leading taxi operator in Singapore. Another alternative app would be TADA.
All of these apps will let you book a taxi or ride-sharing car. The fare is on-demand, which means it could get expensive if you’re calling a car from a high-demand place like the F1 circuit during Grand Prix weekend.
Food Options during the Singapore Grand Prix
We all still need to eat during F1 weekend, right? Here are your option for some grubs around the circuit area:
1. Food Options Inside the F1 Circuit Park
Throughout the F1 Circuit Park, there will be plenty of food stands and bars where you can buy food, drinks, and alcohol.
Price-wise, the food ranges around SGD 13-20. Non-alcoholic drinks cost around SGD 4-5 and a bottle of water costs SGD 3. For alcoholic drinks, Singapore taxes alcohol heavily, so it will cost you a pretty penny – the price range is from SGD 15 (beer and wine) to SGD 20-25 for cocktails.
In terms of food variety, the food is pretty much like a music festival food. There will be plenty of options with some sort of protein and fries or chips. I thought the food in the F1 Circuit Park was mediocre, especially when there are so many good affordable food options in Singapore. I would try to eat outside of the circuit if possible.
Bring your own water bottle: There are free water refill stations throughout the F1 Circuit, so it’s worth bringing a reusable bottle! Otherwise, you’ll have to spend SGD 3 per bottle.
If you don’t fancy the food stalls, there are still restaurants and food courts within the F1 Circuit Park. You could try Makansutra Gluttons Bay, which will serve local food at a more affordable price. There are also a few restaurants in the Esplanade Mall that remain open throughout the Grand Prix weekend.
2. Food Options and Amenities Outside the F1 Circuit Park
The Singapore Grand Prix circuit is built in the middle of downtown Singapore. As such, there are plenty of food options and amenities around the circuit!
Note that in this section, I’m referring to food options in the area OUTSIDE of the circuit, not inside of the circuit. So plan to visit them BEFORE or AFTER the race.
Shopping Malls
Shopping malls in Singapore are a great place to find food. Each mall usually has plenty of restaurants or food courts for a more affordable option.
- Raffles City – Located right on top of EW13 NS25 City Hall MRT station. There are plenty of restaurants here, especially in the basement. My recommended restaurants are Koji Sushi Bar, Muji Cafe, Poulet, and Din Tai Fung.
- Marina Square – Accessible from CC3 Esplanade and EW13 NS25 City Hall MRT station via an underground path via underground path. Sandwiched in the circuit with direct access to the hotels where F1 teams tend to stay, this mall became the unofficial F1 team and driver favorite hangouts. Fans have spotted the likes of Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll in the days leading up to the GP!
- Suntec City and Millenia Walk – Accessible from EW13 NS25 City Hall, CC4 DT15 Promenade, CC3 Esplanade MRT stations via an underground path. My favorite restaurants here are Din Tai Fung, Shake Shack, and Saboten. For a more affordable option, head to the Food Republic food court in the basement of Suntec City.
- Capitol Piazza – Accessible from EW13 NS25 City Hall MRT station via an underground path. You can check out Cafe Punggol Nasi Lemak for local fare and Cafe Kitsune for coffee and Japanese pastries.
- Funan – Also accessible from EW13 NS25 City Hall MRT station via an underground path. There are plenty of good eats here. I suggest checking out Afuri Ramen and Le Nu noodles for quick but good bites. There is a food court on the lowest level of the mall for more affordable food, and all the stalls take credit cards.
- One Fullerton – Close to EW14 NS26 Raffles Place MRT Station, this is an open air waterfront area with trendy eateries and bars. I recommend PS Cafe, Overeasy, and Jypsy Restaurant.
- Marina Bay Sands – Accessible underground via CC1 DT16 Bayfront MRT. There are a few upscale restaurants worth checking, and there is also a food court in the basement for a more affordable option.
- CHIJMES – Close to EW13 NS25 City Hall MRT station via street access. CHIJMES is a historic church converted to a trendy hangout place. New Ubin Seafood is a great place for a big group and Senor Taco has decent food.
Local Food
Singapore is known for good food. While you are here, I encourage you to try some of our delicious local fares.
Singapore Food Guide: Don’t know where to start? Read my Singapore Food Guide for dishes you can try while you’re here!
- Lau Pa Sat – A local food court close to DT18 Telok Ayer MRT station or EW14 NS26 Raffles Place MRT. Locals will tell you this place is expensive, but it’s really not! It’s only a few dollars more than other local food courts and in my opinion worth it for the convenience. My favorite here is the Char Kway Teow stall in the middle, or Thunder Tea Rice which is herbal Hakka rice bowl.
- Old Airport Road – Close to CC8 Dakota MRT on the yellow line, and it is where you can get authentic cheap Singaporean hawker food.
- Amoy Street Food Center – Close to EW15 Tanjong Pagar MRT and DT18 Telok Ayer MRT station. Best visited on a weekday lunch as this food court caters to the office crowd!
Restaurants and bars with a view of the F1 Circuit
If you fancy a drink with a view of the race, you could try your luck with these places. However, I must caveat that these locations are aware of their F1 advantage and would likely be closed for F1 events during practice and the race itself.
- Smoke & Mirrors on the 6th floor of the National Gallery Museum – They have a perfect view of the track in front of the Padang Grandstand
- Altro Zafferano on the 43rd floor of Ocean Financial Centre – Great view of the straights on Esplanade Drive.
- PS Cafe at One Fullerton – the outdoor seating might have a glimpse of Turn 13.
- Ce La Vi at Marina Bay Sands – You might be able to catch some glimpses of the Esplanade drive portion of the track and Turns 18 and 19.
- LeVel 33 on the 33rd floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre – It’s across the waterfront, which is a little further away from the circuit but you might be able to catch some glimpses of the Esplanade drive straights.
Singapore Grand Prix Survival Tips
While the Singapore Grand Prix is a well-managed event, there are still some benefits to being a local and knowing the tips and tricks around the F1 circuit! Here are some of my tips:
Keep yourself hydrated – Please don’t forget to drink water throughout the day. Singapore is a very humid country, and you’ll soon feel the effect of the heat and humidity. This year alone, I saw two tourists succumb to dehydration and had to be carried to first aid.
Bring your own reusable water bottle – Related to the point above, there are plenty of water refill stations throughout the circuit.
Bring a portable fan – This was a game-changer for me. I brought a portable fan that could be hung around my neck, and it saved me from sweating so much in the heat! Especially when we were in our seats and there was barely any airflow.
Check the weather for the day – Singapore has a microclimate situation and most weather forecasts won’t be accurate, but you can rely on the 2-hour nowcast provided by NEA which is sectioned to different areas of Singapore They also have rain radar, which will help you decide if you need to bring ponchos or umbrellas.
Make use of the amenities at Esplanade Mall – The thorny building you see near Zone 4 is the Esplanade Theater, and it is attached to a mall area called Esplanade Mall. The mall is located within Zone 4, but not many people know about it unless you’re going from Zone 1 to 4 or vice versa. Within this mall, you’ll find better options for food and a 7/11 convenience store for quick snacks and beverages. The best part? There are REAL toilets here, not a porta-potty! Outside the toilet, you might see a water refill station as well.
There is an express line if you arrive without any bags – Much like going to a big festival, your bags will be checked upon entry. There is also a random body check. Arriving without bags means you get to join an express line and skip the bag check. While the queue to get in was not bad (in a typical Singapore efficiency fashion), it could still get long if you plan to arrive close to the race time, or at the beginning of a popular entertainment act. The downside of this is that you’ll need to buy water inside the circuit, and there is always a queue for beverages.
There walk from Zone 1 to Zone 4 is very long – If you hold a Zone 1 ticket and want to see the performance in Zone 4, expect to take at least 45 minutes to walk to Zone 4. I was late to get to Zone 4 for an act I really wanted to see on the first day of the Grand Prix. On the second day (qualifying session), the overpass was so backed up that we gave up trying to get to Zone 4. But on the last day, they’ll open up the track for spectators to walk on, so we were able to get to Zone 4 within 30 minutes.
Re-entry is allowed, but you need to scan out your QR code on the way out – Singapore Grand Prix uses digital tickets, so you no longer get a lanyard to enter the F1 Circuit Park. Instead, you’ll get a QR code for each day of the Grand Prix, and the QR code will not work again if it has been scanned once for entry. However, if you want to re-enter, you can scan out your QR code and then you can use it again to re-enter the park.
Trophy ceremony – If you hold a Zone 1 ticket, you can get into the track to view the trophy ceremony. The track will be opened to the ticket holders shortly after the driver interviews. There is an entry point into the track next to the Turn 1 platform.
Which Singapore Grand Prix Tickets should I get?
If you’re only attending the musical acts, then you should consider getting the Zone 4 walkabout ticket, which is the most affordable ticket to the grand prix. Make sure to check the schedule though, as some entertainment act would only perform in Zone 1, which Zone 4 does not have access to. If you need access to Zone 1 then you can consider Premier Walkabout ticket.
However, Zone 4 walkabout tickets typically does not offer a good view of the race. If you’re a fan of the race, you’ll want to spend a few hundred more to secure a seat at the grandstands.
There are a total of 17 Grandstands around the Singapore Grand Prix circuit. Which one is the best? Here are my opinions:
- Turn 1 Grandstand (Zone 1) – This was my pick for the 2023 grand prix. And I’m happy to report that I was very pleased with our choice! We were seated in A7 section Row 9, and couldn’t be happier with our seats. We couldn’t see the pit lane, but we could see the first 3 turns very clearly. Section A6 would be a great choice as well.
- Turn 2 Grandstand (Zone 1) – This grandstand is highly coveted because provides a full view of the pit lane and the first 2 turns of the Singapore Grand Prix. I recommend getting a seat in the A3 and A4 section.
- Stamford Grandstand (Zone 4) – A much less pricier option than the Zone 4 tickets, but still potentially action-packed. The Stamford Grandstand is located near Turn 7, and there has been some overtake action here in the past. If you know Singapore GP, you know overtakes are rare. It is also very close to Padang, so if you’re here for the musical act as well, then this is a great choice.
Things to do for F1 fans in Singapore
Since the race happens at night and you are already in the area, why not use the daytime to explore Singapore? And with our extensive public transport system, these spots are easy to reach from the F1 Circuit.
Take a look at attractions near the F1 circuit area that can be easily accessed from the circuit:
1. Gardens By The Bay
To get to Gardens by the Bay, take the train to CC1 DT16 Bayfront MRT.
A visit to the Gardens By The Bay requires at least three hours to properly walk around the area and visit the Floral Fantasy, Flower Dome, and Cloud Forest.
Buy tickets to Gardens By the Bay here
I also recommend catching the Garden Rhapsody on one of the nights – you’ll see the Super Tree in all its glory, with a matching musical number! They do the show every night at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM.
Check Garden Rhapsody Schedule here for the most up-to-date schedule.
2. The Merlion Statue
To see the Merlion statue, you’ll want to go to EW14 NS26 Raffles Place station and walk to Fullerton Hotel. From the hotel, you can take the underground access to One Fullerton, where the Merlion statue will be just right outside!
3. Marina Bay Sands
To get to Marina Bay Sands, locally known as MBS, take the CC1 DT16 Bayfront MRT. Opened in 2010, this hotel has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Singapore. As a bonus, it is also one of the favorite hotels for F1 drivers!
I recommend visiting the following at Marina Bay Sands:
- Marina Bay Sands Sky Park – You’ll get a nice view of the city, including the circuit from the sky park
- ArtScience Museum – One of their permanent exhibits is interactive pieces by the famous teamLAB from Japan
4. Cycle around the Marina Bay area
Valtteri Bottas was spotted cycling this route the night before the Singapore Grand Prix in 2022. He is my inspiration to include this activity here.
You can start by grabbing a bike share near Marina Bay Sands and have a ride around the Marina Bay Area. Download the Anywheel app to rent the green bikes or the HelloRide app for the blue bikes.
You can start from the Marina Bay Sands area and make your way down to Gardens By The Bay, Marina Barrage, and Bay East Garden.
5. Visit Asian Civilisations Museum and National Gallery Museum
These two museums are basically on the F1 track. The National Gallery Museum faces the long straight across the Padang area, while the Asian Civilisations Museum is just next to Orange@Empress Grandstand.
Buy the tickets here:
7. Explore Chinatown
The Chinatown area in Singapore is just a stone-throw away from the F1 circuit, and it’s a great way to spend half a day. I recommend taking the MRT to DT18 Telok Ayer MRT station.
We’ll start from Telok Ayer Street, literally translated to “Bay Water” in Malay (which by the way, is one of the four national languages of Singapore). Why the name? Because this area was literally the coastal line of Singapore before the country began reclaiming lands in the late 1880s. Back when it was still a coastal line, boats would line up and wait for freshwater here before hauling them up to Ann Siang Hill.
On Telok Ayer Street, you can find Thian Hock Keng temple, the oldest Hokkien temple in the country. While exploring the temple, take note of the beautiful tiles in and around the temple. These are the beautiful Peranakan tiles. Later on, in Chinatown, I recommend stopping by Peranakan Tile shop to see the various tile designs.
From Telok Ayer, you can walk north to Ann Siang Hill and find the well I was talking about earlier. Make your way to Chinatown Central, where you’ll find Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, and of course, the Peranakan Tile shop I mentioned before.
The Chinatown area, as the name indicates, was the settlement area for Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore in the 1800s. Nowadays, it’s a bustling area filled with shops, restaurants, and night markets.
Continue your way to Kreta Ayer Road and Keong Saik Road. Kreta Ayer simply means “water cart” in Malay, and similar to Telok Ayer, it was named so due to its past history involving fresh water being carried by oxen carts. Keong Saik Road, on the other hand, is an area that was once a prominent red light district but has now turned into a hip area filled with bars and boutique hotels, housed in colorful preserved shophouses.
Nearby Keong Saik Road is the EW16 Outram Park MRT, which you can take back to the F1 circuit area.
8. Botanic Gardens
Not near the circuit, but can be easily reached from the blue line at the CC19 DT9 Botanic Gardens MRT.
It’s great for a morning stroll if you happen to be awake early. The gardens are free, but there is a paid section called National Orchid Gardens which houses 1000 orchid species.
9. Play Padel Tennis at Marina Square
In the past few years, F1 drivers like Max Verstappen, George Russel, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll, and Lando Norris were seen playing padel tennis at Marina Square with other F1 team members. The court they were playing at was very likely the one at the rooftop of Marina Square, which you can book here.
10. Take quick beach getaway trips from Singapore
There are plenty of quick trips you can take from Singapore, such as Desaru Coast or Bintan Island. Valtteri Bottas was seen in 2024 relaxing at One&Only in Desaru Coast a few days before the Grand Prix.
11. Play a round of golf
I’ll be honest, Singapore is NOT the best place to play golf in. However, in 2024, some of the drivers, namely Sergio Perez, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, were spotted playing golf before the Singapore Grand Prix! The course they were playing at was Laguna National Golf Resort.
And that’s all my tips about visiting Singapore during F1 week. I hope that was useful for you, and as always please feel free to leave a comment below
Until next time! 🏎️ 🏁