Leaving Singapore airport for 12 hours

[NoOneKnowsWhoYouAre]

We have an overnight 8pm to 11am layover in Singapore on the way home from Cambodia in March. I'd quite like to leave the airport, even if just to do a taxi ride around the city. Has anyone done this? How do I arrange it? Do we need visas? Any recommendations?

There are free organised tours from Changi.

https://www.changiairport.com/en/experience/free-tours/free-singapore-tour.html

No visa needed.

You can do DIY if you want. Using the MRT would be cheaper than a taxi if you are on a budget. There is a station at the airport and is almost as quick as a taxi to get into town.

Actually, looking at the free tour timetable, it won’t work. You will need to do DIY. As it is in the evening, I would head straight to Clarke Quay. You have time to do a harbour boat trip as well as checking out the nightlife. Another option would be Gardens in the Bay. I’m not sure when that closes though.

Yes we looked at this but the timing is out. Money (to an extent) isn't a problem. Do we just leave the airport?

Yes. You may want to leave your luggage at the airport though.

You could ask the driver to give you a tour, or do as I suggested and head to Clarke Quay and take a boat trip from there. It will make a bit more special than driving around in a car.

The boat trips run from Clarke Quay until 10pm, so you would have to be quick to get on one. My favourite area later on in an evening is by the bay. I’d head straight there tbh. I’d have a walk around Gardens by the Bay - the Supertrees will still be lit up, but you’ll have missed the light and sound shows. Then go up Marina Bay Sands for a cocktail. After that I would go for satay at Lau Passat. If you still have time and energy you’ve got 2 options now - a Singapore Sling in the Raffles hotel just to say you’ve ticked that box, or go to one of the club-y areas - Club Street, Chjimes, or stay by the Bay. You could wander round Bujis Market or Chinatown if you wanted shopping instead. Singapore is fairly 24hrs. There will be something to do most of the night somewhere. If you manage to get your head down, then next morning do your boat ride round the bay.