When I planned a trip to Malaysia, I discovered that the Singapore Grand Prix would take place during the week I would be in Kuala Lumpur. I had never experienced this special Formula 1 race before (although I’ve seen several others), and it had been high on my wish list for many years. One unique part of the event, and for some, even more important than the race itself, is the entertainment program. For years, this has been one of Singapore’s most talked-about events. Who is performing, when, and where? These questions are important because artists and bands do not perform on all three race days. Sometimes only on Friday, sometimes only on one of the other days. You also need to get a ticket that gives you access to the part of the circuit where the famous star is performing as there are several stages spread out over the circuit.
I was too late to find and buy tickets. A large number had already sold out. Still, it was a chance to attend the race, and I wasn’t going to let it pass me by. I am an F1 fan, but not such a huge fan that I would fly all the way to Singapore just for an F1 race. How cool was it that, after planning the trip to Malaysia, I found out that the Singapore Grand Prix would also take place during that period?
Quick thinking—are there still affordable flights from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore? Is there still affordable accommodation available? I always prefer to fly from Subang Airport, and luckily, there were still many tickets available there. Accommodation in Singapore is always a problem, but I quickly spotted a few familiar names, and one of them I had already stayed at years ago. It was also right above a subway station that went directly to my gate (entrance to the F1 circuit). Do I want to take in the whole weekend or just the race? After all, I had given up some beautiful days in KL for it.
Tickets
For the Singapore Grand Prix, tickets usually go on sale a year before the race. There are so-called ‘Early Bird’ tickets that are considerably cheaper than buying them at the regular price. I ended up buying my tickets a few months before the race. A number of seats had already sold out, and although many were still available, I later found out that they weren’t great seats. For example, there was a straight stretch without DRS. It’s nice that they go fast there, but there will be no overtaking and not much action either. So, I had to keep looking. I came across a Walkabout ticket. No fixed seat in the grandstands, but the freedom to go wherever I wanted within the zone. And the price wasn’t too bad. After a long search, I found a ‘Premier Walkabout’ ticket and I was immediately sold. This ticket allowed me to walk the entire circuit, access all zones, and see all performances. I could even catch a glimpse of the pit lane. The ticket wasn’t cheap, but I decided to go for it.
Later, it turned out that I could still sell the tickets for Friday and Saturday separately (beware: selling tickets is officially not allowed, so if you sell your unused tickets, do so at your own risk). The event also attracts a lot of non-race enthusiasts who simply go there to see their favorite idol live.
Premier Walkabout ticket
I like to take photos and prefer to do so from multiple angles. My Premier Walkabout ticket was ideal in that respect because you could walk anywhere. The disadvantage was that you didn’t have a fixed seat and couldn’t really enjoy the race in peace. The viewing platforms were also extremely busy, as I got the impression that a huge number of Walkabout tickets were being sold, even though it’s not a budget ticket. An added bonus is that with a Premier Walkabout ticket, you get a free ride on the Singapore Flyer, which gives you a truly magnificent view of the circuit.
The Premier Walkabout ticket is also ideal for non-racing fans who come purely for the performances. You have access to all zones (1 to 4) and all the stages within those zones, including the two main stages: Zone 4 Padang Stage and Zone 1 Wharf Stage. Walking around during the GP is also a lot of fun in Singapore. There are food and drink stalls everywhere, and special viewing platforms scattered around, each offering a different view. However, because of the low fences, you always have a fence in your view. The expensive Grandstands are much higher up, but with those, you’re also stuck in the same spot for the entire race.
Think of it as a festival ticket costing around €300 (if you get it in time), with 3 days of performances and parties you can attend.
Performances are the main event
The best-kept secret is the list of all the performances that will take place on each day of the race weekend. This is important because not every artist or band performs on every day. Some perform only on Friday, while others perform only on Saturday or Sunday. Fans, therefore, sometimes come to the circuit only on that day, specifically for that performance. This is why the tickets are equally valuable on all three days, but each time for a different audience.
The best performances are scheduled for the evening. On Friday evening, for example, the famous American band Thirty Seconds To Mars performed in Zone 1, while at the same time, a DJ session was happening in one of the other zones. Later in the evening, in Zone 4, there was an almost full performance by OneRepublic (until closing time).
On Saturday, there was another long list of performances. You would almost forget that qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix is considered by some to be even more important than the actual race (that’s because overtaking is so difficult). As with Monaco, the fastest in qualifying is often also the race winner. In the afternoon, there were various performances and several DJ sets right from the start. One great performance was by Kool & the Gang, a nice treat for the older visitors on Saturday. The highlight was a performance by Tones And I in Zone 4 at the beginning of the evening, followed by The Corrs in Zone 1 a little later. The evening’s big hit was the performance by Kylie Minogue, which was one of the reasons people paid hundreds of euros for a Saturday ticket for Zone 4.
The circuit opens at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, and from that moment on, there are multiple performances on the various stages. Tones And I also performed that day (Zone 1 Wharf Stage), and not long after that, Dean Lewis performed in Zone 4 Downtown. Kylie Minogue also performed once more at the start of the evening (Zone 1 Wharf Stage), as did Thirty Seconds To Mars in Zone 4 Padang Stage. Kelis also performed in Zone 4 Downtown.
There were a few more performances during the race, but no big stars this time, as they were watching the race from the best seats in the house.
The biggest performance of the F1 weekend was the closing performance by Lenny Kravitz. It was great to see him live. He gave a rather long concert on the main stage of Zone 4 Padang Stage, and he was the one who closed the weekend.
Although there was some criticism beforehand about the rather lackluster lineup, they were all big stars. It was fun to experience, and for first-timers, it’s a great party to be a part of.
Race Day
The race started exactly at the appointed time, despite some uncertainty beforehand about possible rain. Everyone found a spot, and because I had stayed too long at Kylie’s, I ended up being a bit late. All the viewing platforms in the bend section after the start were already packed. I just managed to find a spot by some stairs leading up to one of the platforms. It turned out to be a good move because I had a great view of the cars entering the bend section after the start from the straight. It was a fantastic start, and the first few laps were quite exciting. But, as always, the Singapore GP is mainly a long procession. It was a cool race and very special to experience for myself. Lando Norris won the race convincingly in the end, with Max Verstappen in second place, 20 seconds behind.
When the race was over, there was a gigantic fireworks show for another 20 minutes. Huge fireworks were set off all over the circuit. The audience was not allowed on the circuit at that time, not even to walk towards the Grand Stand to see the victory ceremony.
After the race, everyone walked across the track to the Padang Stage near the Padang Grandstands. Lenny Kravitz performed here for over an hour and a half, and it was fantastic. A real highlight and a great way to end the weekend. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was lost in the music. Lenny sounded like he did 20 years ago, and it was wonderful.
Finding accommodations around the race weekend
Singapore is known for its high hotel prices, and during the race weekend, they often increase even more. If you dare to take the risk, you can book your accommodation last minute. The price trend is as follows: the race weekend is usually announced a year in advance, and hotels immediately raise their prices for that period. Prices continue to rise during the lead-up to the event (especially around the start of ticket sales) until they drop again just before the race. However, many places are already fully booked by then, so you may have to hope for the best.
Make sure you book a hotel that is directly on one of the many metro lines leading to the city center. This will allow you to easily commute between your hotel and the circuit. Many hotels in the center offer special F1 packages, where you can book a ticket and hotel combination in advance.
An alternative is to rent an apartment via Airbnb, which is especially useful if you are traveling with a group. We noticed that Airbnb prices didn’t skyrocket during the race weekend. Some landlords seemed to take no notice at all.
We ended up booking at V Hotel Lavender, which is right next to the green metro line. This metro line took us to Raffles Place in just a few minutes, one of the entrances to the Singapore F1 circuit. V Hotel is simple but fine.
F&B options at the race weekend (inside and outside the circuit)
Eating inside the circuit isn’t cheap, and you’re not allowed to bring food from outside. There are often long queues, and the food is usually of mediocre quality. You can’t really call it bad, but outside the circuit, you can find delicious food just about anywhere in Singapore. If you want to temporarily leave the circuit, you’ll receive a wristband (or stamp). Be aware that you’ll need to show your ticket for that day when you return.
If you think it’s too much hassle to leave the circuit for food, you can check the list of eateries per zone on the Singapore Grand Prix app under ‘Event -> Food & Beverage.’ A beer costs 17SGD. There were huge queues before the race, but when I got a beer on the third lap, there were no more queues. Soft drinks cost 5SGD, and cocktails/wine cost 15SGD. A burger and fries cost 40SGD.
Many people eat beforehand (lunch) or afterward at Penang Place in Suntec City, which is right next to the circuit. It’s a popular but affordable restaurant offering authentic Malaysian food. They often have special deals during the F1 weekend. This also applies to hundreds of other restaurants. Some have special F1 menus, while others offer coupons that can be redeemed for a discount or an extra dish or drink.
Weather forecast during the race weekend
Singapore is located in the tropics, and it often rains there. It can also rain heavily during the race weekend, as it did in 2022, when the race started over an hour late due to a huge downpour. A poncho is, therefore, always handy to have with you.
Weather apps often give a distorted picture. If you believe the apps, it almost always rains all day. However, this is usually not the case. It’s more often a heavy shower, typically towards the end of the afternoon, and sometimes in the evening. Occasionally, it might rain during free practice, qualifying, or even during the race, but it’s rare that the entire race takes place while there’s heavy rainfall.
Checklist. What do you take with you and what don’t you take?
Tip: Don’t take too much with you. Leave everything at home that you won’t use, as it could lead to unnecessary delays since your bag will have to be checked thoroughly.
- Poncho
- Cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Special earplugs (for the noise)
- Water bottle (empty, no more than 600 ml)
- Electrolytes
- Phone charger
- Cash and credit/debit card
- Good shoes
- Wet wipes
- NO lenses larger than 30 cm
- NO tripod or selfie stick
- NO umbrella (they are allowed, but a poncho is better)
- Sneakers (no flip-flops)
How to get there
The Singapore Grand Prix takes place in the city center, and during the race, large parts of the city are inaccessible if you do not have a ticket.
Diehard Formula 1 fans typically travel to Singapore several days before the race. There are many flights to the city-state every day, ranging from budget flights with a stopover to the rather pricey direct flight with Singapore Airlines. If you have the budget, we recommend going with SIA. You’ll arrive well-rested, and the flight time is the shortest.
Flights arrive at the acclaimed Changi Airport, and from there, you can easily travel to your hotel by metro.
The Singapore Grand Prix has multiple entrances (gates), often located near the metro station where you get off. This is a convenient way to get all the spectators to the right places. In many cases, your ticket gives you access to a specific zone, and the different zones are each accessible through their own gates. The correct gate is printed on your ticket. It’s simply a matter of taking the right subway and getting off at the correct station.
Checking in is super fast if you don’t have a bag with you. If you do have a bag, you’ll need to go through security, and your entire bag will be searched. As a result, there were long lines, and people with special passes were allowed to go through first. In the end, it took about 30 minutes before I was inside (I had a camera bag with me).
You can also take the metro from one side of the circuit to the other during the race. Walking from Zone 1 to Zone 4 takes about 25-30 minutes, which is quite a long walk in the heat.
The metro runs on an ‘extended schedule’ on all three days, with the last metro on Friday and Saturday at 12:30 a.m. and on Sunday at 12:45 a.m.
Tips
- Bring a poncho. You can buy one in Singapore as well. Be aware that buying these kinds of things at the circuit is shockingly expensive.
- When booking at the last minute, follow this order: First, find a suitable hotel, preferably within walking distance of a metro station. Then, check which tickets are still available. After that, look for any flight ticket deals. Only once all of this is clear, book your tickets, hotel, and flights as quickly as possible, one after the other.
- Due to the extreme heat, a raincoat is not very practical. An umbrella is also not very useful because it can easily inconvenience others.
- Bring enough cash or make sure you have a Wise or Revolut debit card. Paying with cash is usually the fastest way to pay within the circuit. Swiping my card seemed to take ages.
- Selfie sticks are not allowed inside.
- You are also not allowed to bring vaping devices.
- The Facebook group “Singapore F1 Grand Prix Tips & Advice” was very helpful during the preparations. In the weeks leading up to the race weekend, the group is full of questions and answers, as well as announcements about events on and off the circuit. These might include things like an extensive lunch at a top restaurant before the race (with a substantial discount on a set menu) or discount coupons for all sorts of things. Sometimes, you even get a discount simply by showing the Facebook group on your phone.
- The Reddit GrandPrixTravel is also very useful and a place where you can ask all your questions. Click on the Marina Bay Street Circuit (Singapore) in the right-hand menu with circuits to view all messages related to the Singapore Grand Prix.
- After the race, a few gates will open to give you access to the track so you can be closer to the awards ceremony. These gates are located at the beginning and end of the straight. Later, all the gates will open, so you can walk faster to Zone 4 for the concerts that take place there.
- From your regular seat, it is often impossible to keep track of who is leading the race. That’s why there are large screens everywhere with live TV, giving you a good overview of who’s where, just like at home.
- Zone 1 ticket holders can ride the Singapore Flyer once for free, and this can also be done during the race. On the one hand, it’s a shame to miss out on the action while walking to the Flyer, but on the other hand, you get a great view of the track once you’re up in the air. In the end, it was a really cool experience (I had done the flyer before but this was something else), and from the Flyer, you had an amazing view of the race. The Flyer is right in front of the entrance to the straight and the pit lane.
- You are not officially allowed to sell tickets, but that is the case for almost all major events. With a three-day ticket, you get a separate ticket for each day. You can sell any tickets you don’t use. There are Facebook groups for that, but you can also go to the popular ViaGoGo. You can often ask a good price for a Friday or Saturday ticket.
- There are water taps everywhere, so bring your own water bottle.
- There are many after-parties that you can register for in advance—not just for the in-crowd. All these events are shared in advance on the Singapore Facebook fan page. These include lunches at cool places and free-flow drinks at all kinds of cool locations.
- If your phone is suitable, you might consider getting an eSIM. We have one from Airalo, and you can buy a 3-day pass for Singapore and activate it upon arrival.
- If you get the chance, order a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Long Bar.
- You can leave the circuit during the three days and return at a later time. For example, to grab a quick bite to eat. You will receive a wristband (or have a stamp placed on your hand) the first time you enter, but you’ll need to show your admission ticket each time you return.
- Download the official Singapore GP app and upload your ticket to have it scanned quickly and easily at the entrance. After uploading your ticket, the app will automatically show you the areas you can and cannot enter on the map. In our case, we were allowed to enter anywhere within the circuit (Premier Walkabout ticket).
Suggestions?
Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Singapore, or tips on the best places to eat? Let us know by leaving a reply below!
Poor Bunny
5 days ago
April 25, 2025 at 10:33 am
I am especially impressed by how you captured the vibrant atmosphere and the perfect blend of sports and entertainment. Hope to experience this event myself in the future.