First Time in Singapore: What I Did, Ate & Loved

Singapore had been on my travel list for years — but I finally got to experience it for the first time during a layover as cabin crew. Being a flight attendant means I sometimes only get a small window to explore but Singapore doesn’t need long to impress. From sky-high views to unforgettable meals, here’s what I did, ate, and loved in this sleek, multicultural city. Luckily for me, I had longer than just 24 hours to explore!

First Impressions

Flying into Singapore’s Changi Airport is an experience in itself — it’s clean, calm, and stunning (that waterfall at Jewel? A dream). As crew, we were staying near the city centre, which made it super easy to explore during our downtime. Even with limited hours, Singapore gave me big travel feels in a short time.

What I Did in Singapore (72 hour Edition)

Marina Bay Sands & Gardens by the Bay

After a quick freshen-up, I joined a few of my crew mates and headed straight to Marina Bay Sands. The SkyPark Observation Deck offered one of the most iconic skyline views I’ve ever seen. I did not stand near the edge for very long on the account of me fearing heights. We stayed to watch the Spectra light show — magical.

What was supposed to be a short walk (it was like 10 minutes) took us to Gardens by the Bay where the Supertree Grove lit up the night like something out of a fantasy film. The attendants told us to lie down in the middle to get the best experience and let me tell you – people should be for this! If you’re lucky enough to do this – do it! We got there for the 8.30pm as we had landed around 5pm and needed to freshen up.

Exploring Cultural Districts

Even in a short visit, you can fit in a lot. We split up and explored:

What I Ate in Singapore

Food is a huge part of Singapore’s identity, and I made it my mission to try EVERYTHING local, authentic, and fresh.

I went straight for the good stuff:

• Hainanese Chicken Rice from Maxwell Food Centre
• Char Kway Teow (wok-fried noodles with seafood)
• Chilli Crab shared with a colleague — messy, spicy and SO worth it
• Satay skewers at Lau Pa Sat under fairy lights? YES, please.

Hawker centres are ideal for cabin crew (and solo travellers on a budget) — quick, tasty, budget-friendly, and full of locals.

Michelin-Star Street Food

Yes — the crew who had been to Singapore before made me try Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice in Chinatown, the world’s first Michelin-starred hawker stall. It cost under $5 SGD, and honestly? It lived up to the hype.

Side note – I cannot lie, Lau pa Sat became my instant favourite place and since going there, I went back every night. It is open from 7pm to 2am.

What I Loved as Cabin Crew

Safe, Clean & Crew-Friendly

As a woman and a Black traveller, I felt totally safe walking around. Singapore is spotless and the transport system is easy, efficient, and air-conditioned (bless 🙏🏽).

The MRT – BEST transport system EVER!

Singapore’s MRT system is perfect for crew on a clock — fast, affordable, and covers most major sights. We were able to hit multiple neighbourhoods without needing taxis.

Cultural Richness

Being Caribbean, I deeply appreciated Singapore’s blend of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Western cultures. It’s beautifully diverse — from the people to the food to the languages you hear walking down the street.

Urban Jungle Vibes

Even as a high-tech city, Singapore is lush. Rooftop gardens, giant trees, and clean air made it a pleasure to walk around, even in the humidity. It has the feel like a city was built in the rainforest or the jungle – as a girl from the Nature Island of the Caribbean (Dominica) this gave me A LOT of joy just walking around.

Tillyah’s Cabin Crew Tips for Singapore

• Stay cool + modest – It’s hot and humid, but temples require covered shoulders and knees.
• Avoid fines! – No smoking outside the orange boxes, no vaping at all, no food; drink or gum on the MRT. Singapore takes its cleanliness seriously.
• Stay near a station – Saves time and money.
• Use a multi-use transport card – Buy a tourist EZ-Link or use contactless for the MRT/bus.
• Drink water – Hydration is key in that tropical heat!

Final Thoughts: Will I Return?

1000% yes. Whether you’ve got 72 hours or a few weeks, Singapore is one of those rare cities that packs a punch in every direction. It’s clean, warm, delicious, and full of culture — I’ll be back (maybe with a checked suitcase).

Tillyah Recommendations:

• Best time to visit: Feb–April (warm, dry, not peak tourist season)
• Apps you NEED: Jetpac (for roaming), Chope (for restaurant bookings), google maps (download singapore as an offline map)
• Must-try local foods: Satay (Squid and Beef are my fav), Mango stickyrice, Grilled Fish, Chicken rice, chilli crab
• Perfect for: Solo travellers, cabin crew, foodies, short breaks
• Safety rating: 10 out 5 (especially for women & solo crew) Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world

I will be back in Singapore in a couple of weeks, I will let you know what more I did.

Love and Hugs,

Tillyah x