Singapore’s Changi Airport is said to be the best in the world. I can’t judge that, but it’s definitely by a wide margin the best airport I’ve ever been to. Both in terms of amenities, comfort while waiting for a flight, transportation between terminals and into the city, cleanliness, and maybe even pricing. During the start of the covid, I spent 24 hours there, slightly “forced” and slightly out of curiosity, before waiting for my flight home. I had already visited downtown Singapore several times by that time, but I always just ran through the airport quickly, which is a shame because Changi Airport is a pretty interesting tourist destination in its own right. It’s such a small city that offers enough attractions for a long wait for a plane.
About Changi Airport
Changi Airport was officially opened in 1981, replacing the older Paya Lebar Airport. It covers an area of about 13 km², has 4 terminals and is designed to accommodate more than 70 million passengers a year. The airport was already at capacity in 2019 (68.3 million passengers), but the covid has temporarily halted both tourism growth and the construction of the upcoming Terminal 5. The latter has a rather ambitious plan to accommodate a capacity of 50 million passengers a year. It is not expected to open until around 2035.
The airport is constantly innovating, with the latest big thing being the opening of Jewel Changi Airport in 2019, which improves the overall passenger experience and increases the efficiency of terminal utilisation.
How transport between terminals works
The airport has 4 terminals that are easily connected. There is a 24-hour skytrain between terminals 1, 2 and 3, and a shuttle bus to terminal 4. Everything is free and very well navigated. The terminals are also connected by covered walkways.
How to get from Changi Airport to Singapore city centre
The Singapore Mass Rapid Transport (SMRT ) has a station at Terminals 2 and 3, which is also served by a skytrain from Terminal 1 or a shuttle bus from Terminal 4. From there, you only need to go to Tanah Merah station (11 minutes from the airport), where you just get off and board the Green East West Line on the same platform.
It takes about 40 minutes to get from Changi Airport to the city centre, stopping at Raffles Place or City Hall. If you want to go to Chinatown, then at the Expo stop, change to the Blue Downtown Line, it will take about 50 minutes. The whole process is extremely simple and efficient (it runs every 5 minutes, from 6am to 11pm). You buy your ticket from a machine in the station (you pick your destination and it tells you the price).
The taxi ride from the airport takes approximately 30 minutes. If there are more of you, it may be worth booking a pick-up transfer in advance.
Jewel Changi Airport
The Jewel is an iconic 10-storey complex with over 280 shops and restaurants located right in the heart of Changi Airport, between Terminals 1, 2 and 3. It is directly accessible from Terminal 1, and via pedestrian bridges from Terminals 2 and 3.
Anyway, it is the most interesting and most wow thing you can experience at an airport (not only at this one). What will you see here?
- Rain Vortex – the largest indoor waterfall in the world is 40 metres high and is right in the centre of Jewel. It can be viewed from every floor, from above and from the ground floor. In the evening, the waterfall also features a light and sound show.
- Shiseido Forest Valley – a huge indoor garden surrounds the Rain Vortex, you’re at the airport, but you’re walking among thousands of trees and plants from around the world.
- Canopy Park – at the top, includes a number of attractions such as suspended nets, glass bridges, slides and flower gardens. There is a small admission fee to Canopy Park, you can buy a ticket in advance, it is not for a specific time, just a date).
- Canopy Bridge – a glass bridge 23 metres above the ground with a floor of glass panels that offers a view of the Rain Vortex. There is a ticket here too, and Canopy Park is included.
Terminal 1
You’re likely to arrive at Terminal 1 if you’re flying with “better airlines” like Emirates, Qatar Airways or British Airways. What will you see here?
- Cactus Garden (transit, level 3) – on the roof of the terminal (outside) there is a nice cactus garden with over 100 cacti and succulents and nice views.
- Kinetic rain (level 2)- an art installation made up of hundreds of bronze drops that create a relaxing visual effect. They are suspended on thin threads and move precisely to create different patterns and shapes, including abstract geometric formations and visual representations such as flying birds. Kinetic Rain is intended to have a relaxing and meditative visual experience for the passengers.
- Swimming pool (transit, level 3)- the rooftop outdoor pool is available free of charge to Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel guests and for a fee to transit passengers (it is in the security zone, so only for passengers actually departing).
- Garden Metamorphosis – butterflies from Czech glass! A light installation by Czech Preciosa, the motif of a tree from which butterflies fly away. The crystal components are in clear, pink and champagne.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is designed more for regular and low-cost car carriers, including regional flights. The terminal features:
- Orchid garden – a beautiful garden full of orchids that change with the seasons.
- Enchanted garden – an interactive garden that comes alive with the movement of visitors.
- Sunflower Garden – an outdoor garden full of sunflowers overlooking the runway.
- A million times (level 2) – at first glance not a special art installation, but if you stay for a while it is a hypnotizing experience. Another kinetic art, the installation consists of several hundred analogue clocks whose hands move in sync to create different patterns, texts and graphic images. Each clock works alone, with its own motor, but is controlled by a central computer, and at programmed intervals they come together to create a new image. The whole thing is meant to evoke the theme of the perception of time that is characteristic of the airport.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is often reserved for flights operated by Singapore Airlines and its Star Alliance partners.
- Butterfly Garden – the world’s first airport butterfly garden with thousands of butterflies.
- Movie Theatre – a free cinema for travellers, showing famous films continuously.
- The Slide@T3 – the world’s tallest airport slide is over 4 floors. You get a mat and you can slide down.
Terminal 4
Terminal 4 is used for low-cost airlines and regional flights. If you’re flying from Prague or Vienna, you probably won’t be landing here.
Will I be able to make the trip to the city on my layover?
While there’s plenty of entertainment to be found at the airport itself, if you have the time, it would be a shame not to take advantage of a visit to downtown Singapore. Allow 2 hours to get to and from the centre, unless something unexpected happens, it won’t be more. The immigration process can take varying lengths of time, you don’t need a visa for a short entry into the country. I would allow an hour for leaving and an hour for returning to the airport (for security check). If you don’t have checked luggage, there is a baggage room at each terminal.
So if you have at least 6 hours to change planes, it’s worth checking out the city. In those two hours you can see the Marina, take a quick walk in Gardens by the Bay and enjoy a drink from the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Or you can check out Chinatown and grab a meal either there or at the nearby La Pau streetfood center. With 8 hours or more on your transfer, you can do both.
If you are not in a hurry or prefer to relax, you can use the airport lounge.
Overnight at the airport
If you need to stay overnight during a longer layover, there are several hotels at the airport:
- Crowne Plaza Changi Airport (T3) – probably the best hotel, with a restaurant, gym and outdoor pool.
- Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel (T1) – hotel with rooftop pool,
- Nap room with lounges in the Ambassador Lounge on T2 and Ambassador Lounge on T3 – the ratings don’t look great, but they’re okay, they’re just kind of sleeping cabins where you also get to eat. You can also book just the lounge itself, no nap room, no crib. Tested for you.