Exploring the Singapore Flyer: A Comprehensive Guide

The Singapore Flyer looms 540 feet high over Marina Bay in the island-state of Singapore – it’s the world’s biggest observation wheel, built with a lot of superlatives. Guests “fly” in the Singapore Flyer within its 28 bus-size air-conditioned capsules. Each ride takes 30 minutes to complete, finishing a single revolution at a stately 0.78 feet per second. For now, the Singapore Flyer stands as the largest observation wheel globally, surpassing the London Eye in size.

The Ticket to Your Singapore Flyer Flight

Tickets for the Singapore Flyer cost SGD 29.50 per adult, SGD 20.65 for children aged 3 to 12, and SGD 23.60 for seniors over 60. Moreover, various prices and packages are available depending on the season and group size. The official site for the Singapore Flyer provides the latest information on special pricing packages: www.singaporeflyer.com

Given the high volume of visitors to the Singapore Flyer, a standard queuing system is not employed. To mitigate long lines, a flight-style check-in has been implemented. Ticket holders can enjoy roaming within the retail terminal at the base of the Flyer, checking in just 30 minutes before their designated flight time.

Operations at the Singapore Flyer commence at 8:30 am and conclude at 10:30 pm, with the last flight departing at 10:15 pm.

Under the Singapore Flyer, Shopping and a Pocket Jungle

The designers of the Singapore Flyer understood that they needed to offer more than just a large wheel. Thus, they created a three-story mall, transforming the pedestal at the base into a retail terminal that encompasses over 82,000 square feet, allowing passengers to enjoy leisure time while waiting for their turn to ride.

In addition to shopping, the terminal hosts various attractions, including a jet simulator, a Ferrari racecar simulator, and an enjoyable fish spa to keep guests entertained while they wait. At the terminal’s central atrium, directly under the rotating wheel, the “Yakult Rainforest Discovery” exhibit replicates a tropical rainforest alongside an event stage.

For more details on Singapore Flyer’s retail terminal, visit their official site: Singapore Flyer Retail Terminal Directory.

The Flyer Lounge and Other Singapore Flyer Food Adventures

Level 3 of the Singapore Flyer terminal building boasts a special venue for wine and cocktail enthusiasts: the Flyer Lounge. Managed by the Association of Bartenders and Sommeliers Singapore (ABSS), the Lounge operates daily from 11 am to 11 pm, featuring an extensive selection of award-winning cocktails and an authentic Singapore Sling.

Guests can enjoy their meals in the cozy lounge interior or take their drinks to the outdoor area, where they can admire the scenic views of Marina Bay.

The rest of the terminal also features delightful food options, including a 1960s-themed food street named “the Singapore Food Trail,” which showcases local favorites such as nasi lemak, satay, popiah, and the iconic Singaporean chicken rice.

A Journey of Dreams before Boarding the Singapore Flyer

Before embarking on their journey, Flyer riders are immersed in the “Journey of Dreams” interactive gallery. This exhibit brings to life Singapore’s past, present, and future, showcasing the Flyer experience as one of many incredible achievements of Singapore. The gallery presents the timeline through various engaging formats, including a Dreamscape displaying projections on geometric shapes and a Reservoir of Dreams graphically depicting Singapore’s future vision.

This immersive experience allows visitors to walk through Singapore’s history, from its early days as a fishing village to its emergence as a hub of innovation.

Disembarkation Platform: Singapore Flyer’s Almost-Foolproof Entry and Exit

After experiencing the Journey of Dreams, visitors are guided into one of the capsules awaiting their turn. Each Singapore Flyer capsule is air-conditioned, UV-filtered, and accommodates up to 28 individuals on a typical day. Access is via synchronized double doors on both sides of the capsule.

Entry and exit are safe for all, including the elderly and infants in strollers, although incidents can occur. For instance, a child’s stroller once lost control, rolling off the disembarkation platform but was fortunately caught by a safety net.

The Singapore Flyer Capsule: Roomy Viewy Wonder

Inside a Singapore Flyer capsule, patrons enjoy an exceptionally smooth ride with minimal vibrations. The broad, UV-tinted windows offer a stunning 360-degree panorama of the Singapore skyline. Each capsule has a spacious interior, measuring 300 square feet, complete with benches allowing guests to relax while taking in the views. Adventurous visitors can stand right at the glass for an unobstructed experience.

Notably, the Flyer used to rotate from west to east; however, a feng shui master suggested changing the direction to retain Singapore’s luck and energy. Consequently, management adhered to this traditional belief and now operates the Flyer in the opposite direction.

Special Occasions Celebrated in the Singapore Flyer

The breathtaking views from the top of the Singapore Flyer provide a remarkable backdrop for celebrating special moments with friends or family. Therefore, the Flyer offers several packages for visitors seeking to enhance their experience. For instance, the “Moët & Chandon Champagne Flight” ensures an elegant touch to the ride, featuring a VIP Private Capsule stocked with flutes of Moët & Chandon champagne. These Champagne Flights are limited to five rotations daily at 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm, and 9 pm, costing approximately SGD 69 per person.

The “Solemnization Package” allows guests to host intimate weddings within the capsule, surrounded by a select group of friends and family. This 30-minute revolution provides ample time for vows, ring exchanges, and romantic moments, although space constraints unfortunately limit bouquet tosses.

View from the Top of the Singapore Flyer

From the summit, Singapore Flyer guests are treated to magnificent vistas of Singapore, showcasing both historic and modern districts, such as Marina Bay and the Business district. Visitors can identify ethnic enclaves like Singapore’s Chinatown and Little India from high above.

Each capsule is equipped with an overhead compass for orientation, ensuring guests can appreciate the stunning views. Additionally, audio guides are available to enrich the experience, detailing Singapore’s history and how ancient Chinese geomancy continues to influence its skyline.

The Singapore Flyer at Night: Lighting Up the Singapore Skyline

As night descends, the Singapore Flyer continues its rotation, illuminated by LED lights that enhance its visual appeal. This vibrant lighting, designed by Philips, not only creates stunning light displays but also minimizes environmental impact while ensuring the nighttime view from inside the capsules remains unobstructed. The LED modules employed in this setup can showcase up to 16 million colors and are six times more energy-efficient than traditional lighting sources.