2023 Singapore Grand Prix – Getting Around Guide

The original night race on the F1® Calendar offers exciting on-track action and a buzzing Southeast Asian city on your doorstep. Here's everything you need to know about getting to Singapore and making your way to Marina Bay Street Circuit for the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix on 15-17 September.

Practical Information

• Visas: For stays of less than one month, the majority of international visitors do not need to obtain a visa before arrival in Singapore. (The list of countries that do require a visa for Singapore is here.) All visitors need to ensure their passport has a validity of at least six months. All travellers must also fill in the SGAC declaration up to 3 days before arrival. 
• Currency: Singapore Dollar (FGD). Cashless transactions are available almost everywhere in Singapore, including at the circuit. Tipping is not widely practiced in Singapore as most restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. 
• Language: Singapore has four official languages. English is the most popular, and it's spoken by the majority of locals. 
• Time Zone: UTC/GMT +8 hours
• In an Emergency: Dial 999 for Police or 995 for Emergency, Ambulance and Fire. 
• Power Sockets: Singapore uses Type G electricity sockets, the same as in the UK. Visitors from other parts of the world should bring along an adaptor. 
• Weather: The weather is almost always hot and humid in Singapore, so pack and dress accordingly. Tropical downpours are not uncommon in September when the race is held, though the skies do tend to clear up very quickly. The average daytime high in September is 31°C (89°F) and the average nighttime low is 25°C (77°F).

Arrival & Getting Around

Flights to Singapore

Singapore Changi Airport is one of the largest and busiest air hubs in Asia. Its four terminals have direct flights to 400 cities in 70 countries and territories from both discount and full-service airlines. Changi Airport has also been rated the world’s best airport by Skytrax for the past seven years in a row! Changi Airport is the home of Singapore Airlines, the title sponsor of the Singapore Grand Prix, and its subsidiaries SilkAir (regional flights) and Scoot (discount flights). The discount carrier Jetstar Asia Airways is also based at the airport.

Where to stay for the Singapore Grand Prix

The best hotels in Singapore can be found downtown, many of them within walking distance of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Five-star hotels within a short walk of the circuit gates - some of which have rooms with circuit views - include the Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Mandarin Oriental, Swissotel The Stamford, Pan Pacific and JW Marriott. The iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel also overlooks the circuit from just across the water. Alternatively, there are plenty of good 3- and 4-star hotels dotted throughout the city with easy access to the circuit by MRT. Recommended areas include Clarke Quay, Orchard Road, and Chinatown. 

You can also add local hotel accommodation to your Official Ticket Package with F1® Experiences including rooms at some of the best hotels near the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

How to get to Marina Bay Street Circuit

Public Transportation

The MRT (metro) is also an easy way to get to the circuit from different parts of the city. The MRT is efficient, weekend tickets are relatively cheap and several stations are very close to the circuit gates. The Promenade station on the Circle and Downtown Line is closest to Zone 1, where the Formula 1 Paddock Club is located; City Hall (East-West Line and North-South Line) and Esplanade (Circle Line) are also nearby. Click here for a Singapore MRT map.

The Singapore Tourist Pass offers unlimited rides on public transport for 1-3 days, which is a good option for Grand Prix weekend. 

Taxi & Ride Sharing

Most taxi operators in Singapore are reliable and honest. The largest are Comfort Taxi (+65 6552 1111) and SMRT Taxi (+65 6555 8888). Uber does not operate in Singapore, but the local equivalent, Grab, is a cheap and effective way to get around on Grand Prix weekend.

Hire a Car

Hiring your own car is not recommended during the race weekend because of the road restrictions and heavy amounts of traffic during the race weekend.

F1® Experiences

Booked your hotel with F1® Experiences? Daily bus transfers to and from the circuit are available at an additional charge for our hotel guests. (Contact your Sales Agent for more information and bookings.)

What to see & do in Singapore

• Take a cruise on the Singapore River: One of the best ways to experience this vibrant Southeast Asian city is from the water. Various companies offer short cruises through the city centre on small vessels known as "bumboats." You can get on and off at various jetties located throughout the city.
• Visit Little India & Chinatown: Discover Singapore's rich cultural history in two of the city's most colourful and diverse districts. Little India has beautiful ornate temples, markets, shopping and more than enough restaurants to keep curry lovers satisfied. Closer to downtown, Chinatown is a maze of narrow streets flanked by historic shophouses. Highlights include hawker markets at the Maxwell Food Centre (famous for its Hainanese Chicken Rice) and the Chinatown Complex and the impressive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. 
• Go shopping on Orchard Road: Singapore is a shopper's paradise and Orchard Road is the epicentre. Some of the city's largest malls can be found on this busy street near the city centre. Mandarin Gallery and The Paragon are best for luxury brands, while Orchard Central and ION Orchard Mall are better for high-street brands. 
• Spend the day on Sentosa Island: A former British army base located just off the coast of Singapore, Sentosa Island has been transformed into one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. In addition to beaches, golf courses and resorts, Sentosa Island is home to the Universal Studios Singapore theme park and a host of other attractions. 
• Check out Marina Bay Sands: Even if you decide to stay elsewhere, Singapore's most recognizable modern landmark is well worth a visit. In addition to a 5-star hotel boasting the world's largest infinity pool, Marina Bay Sands houses one of the city state's two casinos and a large shopping complex on the lower floors. You can also take in some of the best city views from the Sands Skypark or grab a drink at CÉ LA VI on Level 57.