Staying at Raffles Hotel Singapore? Here Is Your Complete Chauffeur Guide

Raffles Hotel Singapore is not simply a place to sleep. It is a living landmark — one of the most recognised addresses in Asia, a heritage property that has hosted royalty, heads of state, and discerning travellers since 1887. The moment guests step through the portico and are greeted by the Raffles butler, expectations are set at the highest level. Your journey to and from Raffles should match that standard from the very first moment of arrival.

This guide covers everything a Raffles Hotel Singapore guest needs to know about chauffeur transfers — from Changi Airport to the hotel, getting around Singapore during your stay, and returning to the airport at departure.

About Raffles Hotel Singapore

Raffles Hotel opened in 1887, built by the Sarkies Brothers and named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles. Located in the Colonial Quarter, between Bras Basah Road and Beach Road, the hotel occupies a prime position near the Civic District. After a painstaking two-year restoration completed in 2019, Raffles reopened with 115 suites — all suites, no standard rooms — alongside The Arcade shopping gallery, Bar & Billiard Room, the famous Long Bar where the Singapore Sling was invented, and a collection of fine dining restaurants.

The Colonial Quarter location means the hotel sits close to key landmarks: the National Museum of Singapore, St Andrew's Cathedral, and Chijmes are all walkable. Marina Bay and the financial district are less than ten minutes by car.

Getting to Raffles from Changi Airport

Changi Airport to Raffles Hotel is approximately 18 kilometres via the East Coast Parkway (ECP) and the City Tunnel. Under normal traffic conditions, the journey takes 25 to 35 minutes. During the afternoon peak — roughly 17:00 to 19:30 — add 10 to 15 minutes.

A private chauffeur is the natural choice for this arrival. After a long-haul flight, the last thing a guest wants is to navigate MRT transfers with luggage or wait for a taxi in the queue at the basement. With a pre-booked transfer from REI Rental, your chauffeur tracks your inbound flight, adjusts for any delay, and meets you in the arrival hall with a name board before the Raffles welcome experience even begins. View our airport arrival service at reilimo.com/services/airport-arrival.

The ECP route along the coast is scenic in the early morning or evening — city lights reflecting off the Singapore Strait, the approach to the Central Business District skyline. It is a better introduction to Singapore than a windowless MRT cabin.

Vehicle Recommendations for Raffles Guests

Raffles Hotel has positioned itself as Singapore's finest address. The vehicle selection should reflect that.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the correct pairing. Long-wheelbase executive seating, individually adjustable rear seats, ambient lighting, and near-silent cabin dynamics. Arriving at Raffles in an S-Class is a coherent choice — the aesthetics, the materials, and the level of finish are consistent with the hotel's own standards. Pricing starts from SGD $85. View the S-Class at reilimo.com/fleet/mercedes-s-class.

For business travellers who prefer a slightly less formal vehicle without sacrificing comfort, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers spacious rear seating and a quieter driving experience than most alternatives. It pairs well with a working arrival — space for a laptop bag, leather seats, and air conditioning that reaches the rear of the cabin efficiently. Pricing starts from SGD $65. View the E-Class at reilimo.com/fleet/mercedes-e-class.

For groups of three or four travelling together — a corporate delegation, a family arriving for a private event, a wedding party — the Mercedes-Benz V-Class provides limousine-grade space for up to seven passengers. Luggage is accommodated without compromise. Pricing starts from SGD $90.

Getting Around Singapore from Raffles

Raffles Hotel's central position makes it an excellent base for exploring Singapore. During your stay, a chauffeur on hourly disposal gives you complete flexibility — no taxis to hail, no waiting, no surge pricing. Your driver waits while you explore, and the vehicle is ready when you are. View our hourly disposal service at reilimo.com/services/disposal.

Suggested day trips from Raffles:

- Marina Bay (reilimo.com/areas/marina-bay): Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay Sands rooftop observation deck, and the ArtScience Museum are all within 10 minutes. An afternoon loop by car covers the full waterfront without backtracking.

- Sentosa Island (reilimo.com/areas/sentosa): Universal Studios, beach clubs, and Resorts World Sentosa are 30 to 40 minutes from Raffles via the Ayer Rajah Expressway. A full-day disposal is the most practical option for a family Sentosa day.

- Orchard Road: Singapore's retail corridor is 10 minutes from Raffles by car. ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, and Takashimaya are all within the same stretch. A driver with disposal can shuttle bags between stores and wait while you lunch.

- Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar: Heritage shophouses, Lau Pa Sat hawker centre, and the Tanjong Pagar restaurant district are 15 minutes south. Evening transfers are particularly convenient for dinner reservations.

Tips for Booking a Chauffeur at Raffles

Pre-book at least 24 hours before your arrival. This ensures your flight is tracked, your preferred vehicle is confirmed, and your chauffeur has the hotel's drop-off protocol — Raffles has a specific entrance procedure that differs from most CBD hotels.

Provide your flight number and airline when booking. REI Rental's system monitors inbound flight status and adjusts pickup timing automatically. You will not be left waiting because your flight was delayed, and you will not be charged for extended waiting time caused by airline disruption.

Request a name board. At Changi's arrival halls, the standard hold-point is outside the immigration exit. Your name on a printed card distinguishes a professional transfer from an informal pickup.

If you are a repeat Raffles guest and have a preferred concierge, let them know the chauffeur's name and estimated arrival time. Many long-stay guests coordinate directly between REI Rental and the Raffles concierge desk for seamless luggage handling.

For departure transfers, book the night before. Raffles checkout is typically 12:00; many guests prefer to store luggage with the concierge and complete a final city loop before the airport run. Your chauffeur can accommodate a mid-morning departure with a stop en route.

Other Colonial Quarter Hotels Nearby

The Colonial Quarter — the precinct bounded by St Andrew's Road, Stamford Road, and Bras Basah Road — contains several luxury properties within short walking distance of each other. If you are coordinating transfers for a group staying across multiple hotels, REI Rental can handle multi-stop pickups.

The Fullerton Hotel occupies the former General Post Office building at the mouth of the Singapore River — about 10 minutes from Raffles by car, five minutes on foot via the riverfront walkway. View the Fullerton transfer page at reilimo.com/hotels/fullerton.

Swissotel The Stamford and Fairmont Singapore share a complex at the corner of Stamford Road and Bras Basah Road — directly behind Raffles. Groups using both hotels are easily served from the same chauffeur pool.

Book Your Raffles Hotel Transfer

REI Rental provides premium chauffeur transfers to and from Raffles Hotel Singapore. Fixed pricing, flight tracking, and professional meet-and-greet service.

Book your transfer at reilimo.com/booking or WhatsApp us at +65 8612 2122.

For the complete Raffles Hotel transfer page, visit reilimo.com/hotels/raffles. For frequently asked questions about our chauffeur service, visit reilimo.com/faq. To speak with our team directly, visit reilimo.com/contact.

For a broader guide to Singapore airport transfers, see our comprehensive guide at reilimo.com/blog/singapore-airport-transfer-guide.