Singapore Grand Prix™ Travel Guide
Your guide on how to get to Marina Bay Street Circuit, where to explore & other important information to know before you go.
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. See additional information about visa requirements here, and the SGAC declaration requirements here.
- 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 +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: For the Singapore Grand Prix™, temperatures should range from around 31°C (89°F) during the day to 25°C (77°F) at night. The weather is almost always hot and humid in Singapore, so pack and dress accordingly and keep in mind that tropical downpours are not uncommon!
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
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.
F1® Experiences offers a selection of the best hotels in Singapore. If you are still looking for accommodation, contact your Sales Representative for more information about available hotel options.
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 and Ridesharing
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.
F1® Experiences
Booked accommodation along with your Official Ticket Package from F1® Experiences? Daily transfers to and from the circuit can be added to your Official Ticket Package for an additional cost.
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 Sand
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.
