Singapore Changi airport (SIN) has won more than 704 awards since it opened in 1981, including Skytrax’s Best Airport in Asia and Business Traveller Middle East’s Best Airport in the World. Located about 20 minutes from downtown Singapore via the East Coast Parkway, it’s one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. My first experience here was as a transit passenger traveling from Malaysia to Indonesia, and having traveled through Changi several times now, I rank it as a smoothly operated, futuristic and visually impressive airport.
A hugely busy travel hub
Let’s be real, Changi can be a little overwhelming with its four terminals and a massive array of things to see and do. Currently, 96 airlines operate from here, connecting Singapore to 161 cities in 50 countries and territories worldwide, and the airport is so popular that a fifth terminal is being developed to handle future growth. Ground-breaking for Terminal 5 took place recently as part of the Changi East development that includes a three-runway system integration.
Getting to and from the airport
Getting into the city is pretty straightforward with a little planning. If you’d rather not navigate public transport right after a long flight, the City Shuttle is a good stress-free option.
Public transport
The airport connects to downtown Singapore by public bus (numbers 24, 27, 34, 36, 53, 110 and 858) and Skytrain. Singapore’s transit system is clean and efficient, but it can be overwhelming at first. I highly recommend planning your route and checking departure times in advance using the SMRT Journey Planner.
You can tap your credit or debit card to pay for the bus and train, but there’s a S$0.60 daily administrative fee for foreign cards. If you plan on using public transport a lot, it’s worth grabbing a Singapore Tourist Pass from the Automated Kiosks at Changi Airport MRT Station (Terminals 2 and 3) or at Changi Recommends counters. It gives you unlimited travel on basic bus services and MRT/LRT trains for 1, 2, or 3 days.
Taxis and shuttles
You’ll find taxi stands in the arrivals area of every terminal. Fares are metered and include an airport surcharge of S$8 (5:00 PM – 11:59 PM daily) or S$6 (all other times), with the trip to the city center usually taking about 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Ride-hailing apps like Grab, Gojek, Zig, Tada Mobility, and Ryde are also available and can be booked in advance, with pick-up points at all four terminals.
I often find the airport’s own City Shuttle is one of the easier and better-value options. You pay a reasonable, fixed rate of S$10 per adult (S$7 for children) for a ride to select downtown destinations. You can book it through the Changi App or at the Ground Transport Concierge counters in the Arrival Halls of each terminal.
Car rentals and parking
Car rental counters are available in the arrivals halls of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The selection is limited, though, since most travelers (and locals) rely on Singapore’s excellent public transport. The airport operates multiple car parks, including the T1/Jewel Car Park, Car Parks 2A and 2B (Terminal 2), Car Parks 3A and 3B (Terminal 3), Car Parks 4A and 4B (Terminal 4), and the Hub & Spoke Car Park. If you’re getting picked up or dropped off, there’s a ten-minute grace period; full parking charges apply for vehicles staying beyond ten minutes.
Airport layout and services
Changi has four main terminals plus JetQuay, a CIP terminal offering private check-in/immigration and lounge services for commercial airline passengers, which also serves private jet users. Traveling between the public terminals is easy:
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected by complimentary Skytrain and inter-terminal travelators
Terminals 2 and 3 also connect via a link bridge on the Mezzanine Level
Terminal 4 requires a complimentary shuttle bus
Be aware that the shuttle to T4 takes about ten minutes from public areas, or ten to 18 minutes if you’re using the transit shuttle. If you’re transiting, double-check which terminals you’re flying in and out of. I once failed to realize my connecting flight was from T4 and almost missed it, despite having hours to kill in the other terminals.
In Terminals 1, 2, and 3, security screening happens at the boarding gates, while Terminal 4 has a central security checkpoint after immigration. You’ll find a full range of services in each terminal, from clinics and pharmacies to prayer rooms and ATMs. Terminals 1 to 3 have shower and spa services, and all four terminals include baby care rooms equipped with private nursing areas and hot water dispensers.
Wi-Fi is free throughout the airport via the #WiFi@Changi network or Wireless@SGx, allowing you to stay connected throughout your visit.
How to spend your layover
Each terminal also offers an impressive selection of dining and retail outlets. You’ll find all kinds of cuisine from pan-Asian to international, while the biggest choice of shops is located at Terminal 3 (which feels more like an upscale mall than an airport). Changi is much more than its shops and restaurants, however. It offers attractions to rival a theme park, and the kind of futuristic, nature-inspired design Singapore is famous for.
Incredible art and gardens
At the heart of the mission to create a “Positively Surprising” experience at Changi are its many modern art installations. My absolute favorite is Kinetic Rain in T1, a mesmerizing piece with over 1,200 bronze droplets that move in harmony. Other installations range from giant steel wire birds to towering crystal flowers.
Changi is also full of real flowers. Themed gardens are scattered throughout the airport for travelers with time to spare. If you can only visit one, I’d recommend the Butterfly Garden in T3 (over 1,000 real butterflies), the Enchanted Garden in T2 (featuring giant glass bouquet sculptures and a koi pond), or the Discovery Garden in T1.
Unusual entertainment options
There’s so much to do at Changi, you might wish your layover was longer. You can watch free blockbuster movies 24/7 in the T3 cinema. Also in T3 is The Slide @T3, the world’s tallest slide in an airport at four stories high.
If you can get the kids off the slide, there are also children’s playgrounds in the public areas of T1 and T3, and in the transit areas of T2 and T3. To avoid disappointment where the slide is concerned, sign up for the airport’s free membership program, Changi Rewards, ahead of time. Rides are reserved for members only, with other perks ranging from free parking to GST-free shopping.
For longer layovers, passengers with a layover of between 5.5 and 24 hours can take a free two-hour bike ride on the Changi Airport Connector path, which features life-size dinosaur sculptures. Just be sure to book it in advance on the Changi App using the Changi Playpass feature. If that sounds like too much work, you can always just chill by the outdoor pool with jacuzzi and poolside bar at the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel.
Jewel Changi Airport
In the unlikely event that you can’t find enough to keep you entertained within the airport itself, the nature-themed mall known as Jewel Changi Airport is a short walk from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. It has more than 260 retail shops and restaurants, including new additions like Charles & Keith and Pop Mart, plus the Canopy Park featuring the Canopy Bridge, Manulife Sky Nets (bouncing and walking nets), Hedge Maze, Mirror Maze, and gardens such as the Petal Garden and Topiary Walk.
The main attractions here are the Changi Experience Studio, a digital attraction featuring interactive games, projection experiences, and immersive shows, and the Shiseido Forest Valley. This huge indoor garden is home to the HSBC Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. It drops seven stories and is especially cool at night during the Light & Music Showcase with daily performances.
Lounges for everyone
Changi has a long list of airline lounges for eligible passengers in each terminal. If you don’t have access, there are also pay-per-use lounges in all four terminals and at Jewel. These include the Plaza Premium Lounge (T1), the Ambassador Transit Lounge (T2 and T3), the Blossom Lounge (T4) and the Changi Lounge (Jewel).
The first time I visited Changi I was counting pennies on a backpacking trip around South East Asia. I really appreciated that even those who can’t afford lounge access can put their feet up in one of the airport’s free Snooze Lounges. These can be found in all four terminals and offer reclining seats with individual charge points. I can vouch that these are comfortable enough to sleep on.
Airport hotels
If you need to stay overnight, you have a few options. The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is located landside at T3 with easy access to all terminals. If you’re in transit and don’t want to clear immigration, there’s the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel at T1 and two Ambassador Transit Hotels at T2 and T3.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
