Ok full disclosure here, it’s actually really easy to survive a stopover in Singapore’s Changi Airport. Changi is constantly winning awards for being the best airport in the world and for very good reason. After having a 7-hour layover there last August and another 6-hour layover this July on the Singapore Airlines #squadSQ tour, rather than sit in a corner with my head in a book or my laptop, I made it my mission to explore every corner of the airport and work out for myself just why it is rated so highly.
And now, gentle reader, I present my findings of the best things to do in Changi Airport to you for your reading pleasure.
Changi Airport Orientation
Changi Airport comprises 4 terminals. Terminal 1 was the original terminal and 3 more have been added since. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are all connected so you can either walk between each or get a lift from the SkyTrain, a monorail that transports travelers between them. (But be aware that it’s usually that 2 points are connected and a train goes back and forward, rather than running in a circuit between all stops like you might expect it to).
Terminal 4 is connected to Terminal 2 by bus, but across 7 flights (plus 2 more 2 years ago) I never set foot in it, suggesting to me that it is the least used terminal for air and foot traffic.
This can all be seen from the map on the Changi website.
Here are all the things I found that will help entertain you during your Changi Airport layover.
Changi Airport: Terminal 1
Outdoor cactus garden
It’s exactly what it says on the tin. Changi Airport has transformed a regular old courtyard into something interesting simply bringing in a whole stack of cacti. Personally, I love cactus plants because they just look so unusual so I really enjoyed such an unexpected feature of an airport. Fair warning though, it is a designated smoking area so you may have to hold your breath every so often. But if it gets too much there is a bar right next to it which is indoors.
Social Tree
The Social Tree was a bit of a laugh for me. Aimed at younger kids (I think) or bored adult kids (more likely) the Social Tree is a time capsule for travellers that expect to be back sometime in the future. The electronic tree is built from 64 flat screen TVs displaying various backgrounds with 8 photo booths down on the ground. At these photo booths, travellers can take a photo of themselves with the option of some whimsical frames, and upload to the tree, which will be stored in the archive for decades. They can also be emailed to you or shared to your social profiles.
Terminal 2
Orchard Garden
The Orchard Garden and the Enchanted Garden are at opposite ends of Terminal 2 and are yet another example of Changi adding a little colour and a little happiness to their travellers’ transit.
The Enchanted Garden centres around 4 large glass sculptures, filled like a vase, and covered in mosaic tiles (see the header image), and the garden itself is filled with flowers and ferns.
The Orchard Garden centres around a pond that is home to several varieties of fish (and coins, obviously) while the garden is home to several varieties of orchard representing the four elements, water, earth, fire and air. Take the time the wander, look down at the sparkling floor, and forget that you’re in a transit lounge for a moment.
Sunflower Garden
In a similar concept to the Cactus Garden, the Sunflower Garden is another escape from air conditioning. Out on a patio is 3 or 4 gardens packed densely with some of the most vivid sunflowers I’ve probably ever seen. (Full disclosure, I’ve probably not seen that many in my lifetime). Still, it beats staring out the window at some tarmac.
Movie Theatres
There’s nothing worse than a long layover when you aren’t carrying a laptop and/or don’t have a good connection to Netflix. Heaven forbid you read a book or something. But at Changi, there are free movie theatres that just have a rolling timetable of the latest movies on show, for free. It’s such a great idea and I don’t know why every airport doesn’t introduce these. There’s one upstairs at both Terminal 2 and 3.
Xperience Zone
The Xperience Zone is where you can come to watch sports on the big screen, but there are also smaller screens scattered if you’re not interested in what the majority is. I was there on a Saturday night so they had the English Premier League on. I absolutely would have setup camp here, had I not access to the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, where I was able to watch it in a quieter space with a free cognac in hand (unfortunately the Xperience Zone doesn’t have free cognac).
DFS duplex
Every airport has a duty free wine and spirits store, but how many have a two-story duty free wine and spirits store? In fact how many have two? Changi does. And there is no shortage of free tastings either. I tried a delicious gin out the front, and inside I saw a group trying some whisky around a tasting bar. That’s one good way to pass the time!
Terminal 3
Butterfly Garden
The Changi Airport Butterfly Garden is one of the most innovative attractions at any airport I’ve been to. As the name suggests, it’s a two story garden filled with butterflies that you are free to wander in. It’s such an odd site taking a photo of a butterfly, then looking out the window at planes preparing for their journey!
Long Bar by Raffles (at the T3 DFS Duplex)
Raffles Hotel is a Singapore Institution. It is believed that the Singapore Sling — an iconic Singaporean cocktail — was first concocted at the bar in the 19th Century at the Raffles Long Bar in the city. The Raffles Long Bar in Changi’s Terminal 3 is a recreation of the real thing and they’ll even offer to make you a Singapore Sling (or something else) for free. I didn’t even see a cash register actually. It was remarkably quiet so I had the entire bar to myself.
Crystal Garden
This one won’t take you long, but most people do just walk by it. The Crystal Garden, located outside Louis Vuitton, is an indoor garden decorated with large crystal spheres. It’s not real interactive, but it’s just another feature Changi has created to make your transit experience a touch more interesting.
Coffee Tasting at BLACK Barista World
I was running out of time to check everything off my list and I saw a shop with shelves upon shelves of coffee beans, 3 pots of black coffee on heat and a sign saying “Coffee Tasting”. I am a big fan of coffee and to be honest, I was needing a hit. So I slowed down and asked for a sample.
I tried all three samples: one each from Thailand, Colombia and Ethiopia. Honestly, it was some of the nicest black coffee I’ve ever had. If my backpack wasn’t already overflowing I would have bought some beans to bring home on the spot. The lady was also really lovely to chat with.
Free Singapore Bus Tour
If your layover in Changi Airport is more than 5.5 hours, Changi actually offers you the opportunity to see a bit of the city. Your bags will be checked through, and while you wait for your connecting flight, the airport will actually take you on a short tour of the city. Through the day, the Heritage Tour stops at Merlion Park and the Kampong Glam neighbourhood, and also drives through Chinatown, Little India, the Colonial District and the CBD.
The City Sights Tour runs twice in the evening and stops at Gardens by the Bay and Merlion Park. I actually could have done this given the length of time on my layover, but I would have missed everything else on this list, not to mention I had 4 days in the city coming up. Still, I had to mention it.
Get all the information about the Singapore bus tours from Changi here.
Get free cash to spend!
Your eyes do not deceive you. For Passengers on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Scoot, and some Air NZ flights, Changi Airport will actually give you S$20 to spend in the airport with no minimum spend. It’s one of the many ways the airport wants to make your transit experience an enjoyable one. The voucher can be spent almost anywhere with most retail outlets included and most food and dining places excluded.
All you have to do is present your boarding pass, passport and etickets to an information booth to receive your cash. Get more information on the Singapore Air website here.
Transit Hotels and Lounges
Every airport has lounges for business and first class travellers that help smooth their journey, but did you know that Changi actually has lounges that you can access for a fee? I should mention that I didn’t because I already had access to the Singapore Airlines lounge, but in the context of a vacation (and a flight!) a pay per use lounge is actually pretty reasonably priced. The Ambassador transit lounge was around S$50.
If you don’t mind spending a little for some comfort, some privacy, and even a shower, this can be a great way to relax while you wait for your connection. There are pay per use lounges in both Terminal 2 and 3.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is the most innovative airport I’ve ever been to and I would have no hesitation in booking a flight that has a long (or short) connection in Singapore. There’s so much to help pass the time and you might even find yourself enjoying the experience.
Changi is the home of Singapore Airlines, whose service and facilities I could not fault, and I would take a bet that within their flight network they fly where you need to go. Don’t look at the connection in Changi as a negative, embrace it and see it as an opportunity to recharge and experience literally the best airport in the world.
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This is way cool.