One thing you may or may not know about us is that when we’re noteatinganddrinkingour way around the island, we’re planning our next foray to a foreign destination. But while we love nothing more than jetting off to anew place, those crazy flights with multiple stopovers along the way really are a pain. After the last killer multi-leg journey, we decided that our next vacay needs to be as smooth-going as possible, so we started researchingtravel destinationswith non-stop flights from Singapore. Seeing as how Changi Airport is such a huge international hub, we weren’t all that surprised to come up with a ton of cool spots. If you’re looking for an easy hop-on, hop-off overseas trip, these are some sweet destinations you can fly to directly from the Little Red Dot.
Athens, Greece
Step off the plane in Athens and you’re in a whole different world… actually many worlds piled on top of each other. History can be seen on every corner here with remnants of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Roman structures sharing real estate with modern constructions. And of course the entire city centres around the Parthenon, the birthplace of modern Western civilisation. When you’ve had your fill of ancient architecture, you can soak up contemporary arts and culture in Athen’s modern art galleries, theatres, and cafes, head out to the beaches of Attica, or take a cruise around the Greek islands.
Airline: Scoot
New York, USA
Singapore Airlines recently made news by breaking the record for the world’s longest flight with a route that flies direct from Singapore to New York. There are no economy seats on the new ULR (ultra-long range) flights, just business class and premium economy, but that might not be such a bad thing considering the flight is about 17 hours and 30 minutes. Singapore Airlines is offering great fares at the mo’, so snap yourself up a seat and spend some time exploring the boroughs of the Big Apple. Just a note: the flight actually lands in Newark, New Jersey, which is just a short drive from New York.
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Auckland, New Zealand
Australia is an easy trip from Singapore, but if you’ve already been and are looking for something a bit different, New Zealand is a good bet. Auckland is a pretty cool place to rock up to because you get the best of both worlds with modern urban vibes in the city and natural wonders like volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, and hot springs just a short drive away. Want to add a bit of adrenaline to your adventure? Take a trip up the Sky Tower and walk along the edge of open-air platform or do a sky jump off the top.
Airline: Singapore Airlines & Air New Zealand
Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg (also known as Jo-burg) tends to get a bad rap on the international travel scene, but the city is actually going through somewhat of a rebirth at the moment and well worth a trip for intrepid travellers looking for a uniquecity break. Once there you’ll find great weather, friendly people, and tons of interesting things to see and do. Visit the Apartheid Museum, hit up a traditional market, peruse a contemporary art gallery, or go for a beer and some gourmet bites in the happening Maboneng hood.
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Istanbul, Turkey
There aren’t too many cities in the world that are as culturally diverse and vibrant as Istanbul. After all, this is where the Asian and European continents meet. For centuries people from all corners of the world have converged here and left their mark on the architecture, art, and cuisine. On any given day you can explore ancient churches and palaces, shop for exotic spices, jewellery, and Turkish sweets at bustling bazaars, or enjoy a shisha and tea with the locals.
Airline: Turkish Airlines
Kathmandu, Nepal
Hop on a plane in Singapore and in just four to five hours you can step off into the kaleidoscope of colourful temples, barrelling rickshaws, and backpacker cafes in Kathmandu. If cultural sites are on your must-see list, make your way to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Durbar Square, which is jam-packed with interesting temples and palaces. Kathmandu is also the gateway to the Himalayas and some of the best trekking on the planet, so if you have the time, get out and soak up some fresh mountain air and views.
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
At first Ethiopia’s capital city may seem sprawling and chaotic, but delve deeper and you’ll find plenty to fascinate. Spend some time in the city’s museums to get a sense of the country’s unique history, explore the Mercato, the biggest outdoor market in the world, and soak up some culture at the Netsa Art Village. Then there are the delish Ethiopian eats from easy-goinng street food to contemporary multi-course meals.
Airline: Ethiopian Airlines
Fiji Nadi, Fiji
Nadi is the main entry point for most travellers to Fiji, but most zip off to other islands right away. However, it’s not a bad place to spend a few days. This multicultural city has a super friendly vibe, great restaurants serving an array of cuisines, and easy access to Denarau Island with its upscale resorts. Want to experience some those beautiful tropical island scenes Fiji is famous for? Cruise on over to the Mamanuca or Yasawa Islands nearby.
Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw has been the capital of Poland since 1596 and is still a thriving centre, which is pretty impressive considering it was nearly destroyed during WWII. Here you’ll find a unique mix of neighbourhoods housing everything from Gothic churches to modern glass and steel structures, open-air cafes, captivating museums, and designer shops. And if it’s nightlife you’re after, Warsaw won’t disappoint with tons of great pubs, jazz bars, and nightclubs.
Amritsar, India
Located in India’s northwestern state of Punjab, Amritsar is a vibrant hub of Sikh religion and culture. At the centre is the sacred Golden Temple, which attracts pilgrims and sightseers from around the world. A visit to the temple is an absolute must, as the gilded halls and ornate decorations are truly impressive. Be sure to join the free communal meal served daily in the dining hall so you can try authentic vegatarian fare and mingle with the locals.
Airline: Scoot