Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) Flights & Flight Status

Located approximately 15 miles east of downtown Singapore, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia - and indeed, my first experience of it was as a transit passenger traveling from Malaysia to Indonesia. It has won more than 680 awards since it opened in 1981. Among them are Skytrax’s Best Airport in Asia and Business Traveller Middle East’s Best Airport in the World accolades. Having traveled through Changi several times now, I rank it as the most smoothly operated, futuristic and visually impressive airport I’ve been to.

A hugely busy travel hub

It can also be a little overwhelming, with 4 terminals and a vast array of facilities and areas to explore. More than 100 airlines serve over 300 global destinations from Changi and in fact, the airport is so busy that it is expected to reach full capacity in the next few years. Construction has therefore begun on a fifth public terminal and new runway; this new development is called Changi East.

Airport layout and services

In addition to its 4 main terminals, Changi also offers JetQuay, a terminal reserved for private jets. Traveling between the public terminals is easy. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected by a complimentary Skytrain and inter-terminal travelators. Terminals 2 and 3 are also connected via a link bridge on the Mezzanine Level. To get to Terminal 4, you’ll need to hop on a complimentary shuttle bus.

Be aware that the bus takes between 10 and 18 minutes depending on whether you’re traveling to the landside or transit area. If you’re transiting through Changi, check your itinerary carefully to see which terminals you’re flying in and out of. I once failed to realize that my outbound flight was leaving from Terminal 4 and almost missed it despite having spent several hours in one of the other terminals.

At Terminals 1, 2 and 3, security screening is carried out at the boarding gates whereas Terminal 4 security takes place just after immigration. You’ll find a full range of services in each one, ranging from clinics and pharmacies to prayer rooms, smoking rooms, luggage storage and ATMs. Terminals 1 to 3 offer shower and spa services, while Terminals 1 and 3 include baby care rooms.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the airport and although sessions are limited to 3 hours, there’s no restriction on using the same device to reconnect for further sessions if needed.

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 Changi’s mission to create a “Positively Surprising” experience for its visitors are its many modern art installations. My absolute favorite is Kinetic Rain (T1), a collection of over 1,200 bronze droplets suspended individually from the ceiling and powered by motors to twist as one into different abstract and realistic shapes. Other amazing installations range from giant steel wire birds to towering crystal flowers.

Changi is full of real flowers, too. Throughout the airport, themed gardens enchant those with time to linger. If you can only visit one, I’d recommend the Butterfly Garden for T3 travelers (lush plants, a grotto waterfall and over 1,000 real butterflies), the Enchanted Garden in T2 (light-studded pathways winding through exotic ferns and blooming flowers), and the Discovery Garden with its raised walkways and living sculptures in T1.

Unusual entertainment options

There is so much to do at Changi, you’ll find yourself wishing you had a longer layover. Here are a few of my all-time favorites: Head to T3 to watch the latest blockbuster movies, screened for free in the 24-hour cinema on Level 3. Also in T3 you’ll find a basement climbing wall and The Slide @T3 which - at 4 storeys high - is the tallest airport slide in the world.

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.

Those with a longer layover can enjoy a 2-hour free bicycle ride. This will take you out of the airport onto the Changi Airport Connector cycle path, past life-size dinosaur sculptures, outdoor gardens and beaches. Booking in advance via the Changi App is essential. If that sounds a little too energetic, hang out at the Aerobar by Aerotel outdoor pool and cocktail bar instead.

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 accessible on foot from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Here you’ll find more than 300 restaurants and shops, as well as a fantasy playground of canopy bridges and suspended trampolines, hedge and mirror mazes, and themed gardens.

The highlights here are probably the Changi Experience Studio (a state-of-the-art virtual reality attraction with shows and interactive games) and the Shiseido Forest Valley. This vast indoor garden is home to the Jewel Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Plunging down a seven-storey drop, it’s especially impressive in the evening when illuminated during a Light & Music Showcase.

Lounges for everyone

Changi offers an extensive list of airline lounges for priority passengers in each terminal. If you aren’t eligible for free access to any of these private lounges, there are also pay-per-use lounges in all four terminals and at Jewel Changi Airport. These are 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 spend the night at Changi, you have several options. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport (named the World’s Best Airport Hotel by Skytrax) is located landside at T3 with link bridge or Skytrain access to all terminals. If you’re transiting through the airport and don’t want to clear immigration, there’s also the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel at T1 and two Ambassador Transit Hotels at T2 and T3 respectively.

Getting to and from the airport

Getting to and from the airport via public transport is easy with some advance planning; otherwise the City Shuttle is a good stress-free option.

Public transport

The airport is connected to downtown Singapore by public bus (numbers 24, 27, 34, 36, 53, 110 and 858) and Skytrain. One thing to note: Although Singapore’s transit system is amazingly clean and efficient, it can be overwhelming at first. I highly recommend minimizing stress on arrival by planning your route and checking departure times in advance using the SMRT Journey Planner.

You can pay for both the bus and train with your regular credit or debit card but there is a fee for foreign cards. If you’ll be using public transport to explore Singapore, it’s well worth investing in a Singapore Tourist Pass (available to buy from the Changi Airport MRT Station ticket office). This entitles you to unlimited free rides on public transport within the validity period selected.

Taxis and shuttles

There are dedicated taxi stands in the arrivals areas of all terminals. Fares are metered, subject to an Airport Surcharge and usually take around 30 minutes to reach the city center. There are also several companies licensed to provide private car hire services to and from the airport. These include Grab, Ryde and Tada Mobility and all of them can be booked in advance using their respective apps.

I find that the airport’s own City Shuttle is one of the easiest and best value options for those who don’t feel confident about navigating Singapore’s public transport system as soon as they arrive. You’ll pay a reasonable, fixed per-person rate and can choose from a number of select downtown destinations. Book in advance using the Changi App or on arrival at the GTC counters in each terminal.

Car rentals and parking

There are car rental counters in the arrivals halls of Terminals 1 to 3, although the choice is very limited because so few people choose to drive in a city renowned for its public transport. The airport also offers five car parks and a 10-minute free period for those being picked up or dropped off by friends.