When a City Becomes a Circuit: My F1 Singapore Grand Prix Weekend
Disclosure: This post contains a referral link to HafH, a service I personally use and recommend. If you sign up through my link, I may receive a small referral credit — at no additional cost to you.
Singapore is a popular destination in Asia.
I’ve been there many times, especially given that I’m from Japan and have lived in Japan for most of my life. I was even fortunate to have visited Singapore three times on work trips in 2024.
But there’s one week of the year when Singapore becomes a completely different place.
And that is Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix week.
Marina Bay in Singapore during Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix weekend
The Race That Transforms the City
The Singapore Grand Prix was first held in 2008 as the original night race, right in the heart of Marina Bay.
For one weekend around late September or early October, the city’s downtown area transforms into a race circuit.
Streets around Marina Bay are blocked off with concrete barriers, and thousands of floodlights are installed to illuminate the track at night.
Over at the Padang, a massive concert stage is set up to welcome world-class artists.
This year, I even got to see Elton John live — for the first time in my life.
Back in 2022, when I attended my first Singapore Grand Prix, the headliners were Westlife and Green Day.
Over the years, the lineup has included Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Shakira, Linkin Park, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande, OneRepublic, and many others.
I know for a fact that some people actually come just for the concerts, which is why there’s a Zone 4 ticket — the area where the Padang Stage is located.
I even saw guests checking out of my hotel on Friday and Saturday, their suitcases covered in CL and G-Dragon stickers (both performed on Friday).
Beyond the racing, the week leading up to the Grand Prix has increasingly become a major event in its own right.
It’s not just about F1 anymore. The same week now coincides with events like Token2049, one of the world’s largest crypto conferences, attracting not only race fans but also thousands from finance, tech, and business circles.
For that one week, Singapore truly becomes the center of global attention, much like Monaco.
Elton John performing on the Padang Stage at 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix
My First F1 Singapore Experience (2022)
My first — and until recently, only — time attending the Singapore Grand Prix was back in 2022.
My friends usually book a suite in one of the nearby hotels overlooking the circuit, where you can watch the race from the balcony.
I still remember booking the Andaz Singapore in January 2022, nine months out, taking a gamble since it wasn’t even confirmed yet whether the race would return post-pandemic.
That gamble paid off. Because of the uncertainty, hotel rates were still reasonable. By the time the race was confirmed, prices had skyrocketed.
So while I didn’t exactly plan to “arbitrage” F1 hotel pricing, it worked out perfectly.
But that same F1 pricing was also what discouraged me from returning for a while.
Earlier this year, when I met those same friends, they casually said:
“See you in October in Singapore.”
That got me thinking.
Maybe… it was time to go back.
Lewis Hamilton with Scuderia Ferrari team, racing through Marina Bay Street Circuit during 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix
Trip Planning
I figured the biggest hurdle would be the hotel situation.
F1 week hotel prices in Singapore are notoriously high.
That’s when I found a clever workaround through HafH.
For those living in Japan, HafH (short for Home away from Home) is a travel subscription platform that lets you stay at hotels around the world using coins instead of cash.
You pay a monthly fee and can adjust your plan depending on how many coins you want to earn each month.
I currently pay 9,800 JPY for 300 coins per month, though you can now flexibly increase or decrease your monthly coin purchase amount.
These coins accumulate and can then be redeemed for stays at participating hotels.
Sign up for HafH here (referral link)
A quick word of advice for anyone visiting during the Grand Prix:
Due to road closures and massive crowds around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, you basically have two choices:
Stay near the circuit: Limited number of hotels and rooms, more expensive, but you get the convenience of walking to the track.
Stay near an MRT (subway) station: More options and affordable, with easy train access to and from the circuit.
I went with the second option and found Hotel Mi Rochor, which cost 1,320 coins, equivalent to about 43,000 JPY for two nights.
Here’s why I booked through HafH instead of paying cash:
HafH is especially valuable during peak pricing periods like F1 week, when regular hotel rates surge but the required number of coins usually stays the same.
When I checked the cash rate, it was indeed much higher than 43,000 JPY for two nights.
The hotel is located right next to Rochor Station on the Downtown Line — a perfect balance between accessibility and affordability.
With the hotel sorted, the trip started to feel real.
Flights
Next up: flights.
I found a great deal on Malaysia Airlines — just 44,000 JPY round-trip, even cheaper than any of the low-cost carriers.
As a bonus, I could also make full use of my oneworld Sapphire status for lounge access and priority boarding.
Itinerary:
MH71 10/3 Tokyo Narita (NRT) → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) 22:30 – 04:55
MH601 10/4 Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Singapore (SIN) 07:50 – 09:05
MH608 10/6 Singapore (SIN) → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) 18:15 – 19:25
MH88 10/6 Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Tokyo Narita (NRT) 23:30 – 07:40 (+1)
For an F1 weekend, that was an unbeatable combination of value and convenience — though admittedly the red-eye flights were tough.
Descending into Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) with a view of city skyline
Trip Overview & Budget Breakdown
For 2025: 138,500 JPY Total (Approximately 1,176 SGD for 3 days)
Flight: 44,420 JPY for Tokyo – Singapore round trip via Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines (booked 1 month out)
Hotel: 43,120 JPY (1,320 HafH coins) for 2 nights at Hotel Mi Rochor (cash price was higher)
Transportation: 11,360 JPY for MRT and Grab rides, Narita Express
F1 merch: 18,060 JPY
Souvenirs: 12,041 JPY
Food & Drinks: 8,115 JPY for Mix of cafes, Song Fa Bak Kut Teh, bubble tea (Mott 32 was on my brother, thanks!)
Miscellaneous: 1,461 JPY for essentials like water
For comparison, here’s what I spent in 2022 (based on big-ticket items I tracked)
For 2022: 356,000 JPY Total (Approximately 3,456 SGD for 3 days)
Flight: 120,240 JPY for Tokyo–Singapore round trip on Singapore Airlines (booked 2 months out)
Hotel: 154,974 JPY for 3 nights at Andaz Singapore (booked 9 months out)
F1 Race Tickets: 56,860 JPY for 598 SGD Premier Walkabout 3-Day (bought 4 months out)
Souvenirs: 24,391 JPY
Marina Bay Street Circuit at 2022 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix
Timeline
Day 0 (Friday)
The weekend began with an overnight flight out of Narita, bound for Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines.
The plan was simple: sleep as much as possible on the red-eye, catch a lounge nap during the connection, and land in Singapore ready for qualifying day.
Day 1 (Saturday)
After landing in Kuala Lumpur early in the morning, I took a short nap in the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge before connecting to Singapore.
Once I arrived, I stopped by the Changi Lounge at Jewel using my Priority Pass, grabbed a quick bite, and got changed for the day.
From there, I took a Grab into the city and checked in at the hotel.
A late lunch (or early dinner) followed — the classic Bak Kut Teh at Song Fa.
In the afternoon, we found spots near Marina Square Mall where you could actually catch glimpses of the track action.
From there, I managed to see parts of the support races, including F1 Academy and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.
We also stopped by a department store to pick up some F1 merchandise for race day, before heading over to my friends’ suite overlooking the circuit to watch qualifying.
There’s something surreal about seeing F1 cars speeding through the Marina Bay streets with the skyline glowing behind them — a scene only Singapore can pull off.
After the session, I took the MRT back to the hotel, which runs extended service hours during race weekend.
Singapore Latte and Chocolate Brioche at Fame Coffee in Singapore
Day 2 (Sunday)
Race day.
I started the morning with a quick breakfast at Fame Coffee, where I discovered their delicious Singapore Latte with rose syrup.
Lunch was with my brother, who lives in Singapore, at Mott 32, a refined Hong Kong-style restaurant inside Marina Bay Sands.
After lunch, I headed back to the hotel, grabbed another Singapore Latte, and started getting ready for the main event.
In the evening, it was back to my friends’ suite for the F1 race.
The night was filled with the roar of engines — and a lot of red wine.
And as if that wasn’t enough, after the checkered flag, we stayed on the balcony to watch Elton John’s live performance at the Padang stage.
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect end to a Grand Prix weekend: the lights of the circuit fading into music that filled the humid night air.
Once again, the MRT’s extended hours came in handy for the ride back.
(Clockwise from bottom left) Crispy King Prawns, Signature Crispy Sugar Coated Peking Duck Ban, Sautéed Asparagus, Water Chestnuts, Ginkgo Nuts at Mott 32
Day 3 (Monday)
Recovery day.
I packed up, checked out, and made my way to the airport for some oneworld lounge hopping before my flight.
An evening hop back to Kuala Lumpur, followed by a red-eye flight to Tokyo, brought me home on Tuesday morning — tired but happy.
Is It Worth It
If you’re an F1 fan or even just F1-curious, the Singapore Grand Prix is one of the best.
Unlike most circuits on the calendar, which are far from city centers and require shuttles or rental cars, Singapore is the complete opposite.
Everything is within reach — hotels, food, attractions, and public transport — all wrapped around a world-class race track.
And since it’s a night race, you still have your days free to sightsee, relax, and enjoy Singapore like you normally would.
Yes, accommodation can be pricey during F1 week, but the convenience and atmosphere more than make up for it.
The concerts alone make it worth it — world-class artists performing under the city skyline add another layer to what’s already an incredible weekend.
And if you plan ahead or find creative options like HafH or points, it’s not impossible to do it affordably.
But really, what makes Singapore special is seeing a familiar city transform around a global event.
The racing, the concerts, the energy — the same city, but a completely different vibe.
As someone who’s into both travel and motorsport, it truly felt like the ultimate experience:
fast, loud, global, yet uniquely local.
