Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

WHAT TO DO AT SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT

Top Secret Tips & Insider Knowledge

• Free Singapore Tour: Changi offers complimentary city tours for layovers of 5.5+ hours. Book at the Free Singapore Tour counters in T2 and T3 (limited slots, first-come basis).
• Earn Changi Rewards: Download the iChangi app before arrival to collect points for shopping, dining, and activities—redeemable for vouchers.
• Butterfly Garden Secret: T3's Butterfly Garden is often overlooked but houses 1,000+ butterflies in a climate-controlled habitat (free entry, 6am-12am).
• Early Check-in Hack: Use automated check-in kiosks up to 24 hours before departure to secure better seats.

Awesome Spots & Hidden Gems

• Jewel Changi Airport: The iconic Rain Vortex (world's tallest indoor waterfall) is spectacular, especially during light shows (7:30pm-12:30am). The Canopy Park on Level 5 offers walking nets, hedge mazes, and mirror mazes (admission fee applies).
• Viewing Mall (T2/T3): Watch aircraft takeoffs/landings from air-conditioned viewing galleries.
• Sunflower Garden (T2): A peaceful outdoor garden with hundreds of sunflowers, often missed by travelers.
• Entertainment Deck (T2): Free Xbox Kinect gaming stations and movie theater.
• Cactus Garden (T1): Rooftop garden with over 100 cactus species.

Best Places to Sleep & Rest

• Ambassador Transit Lounges (all terminals): Pay-per-use lounges with shower facilities, comfortable seating, and snacks ($17-50 USD for 3 hours).
• Snooze Lounges (T1, T2, T3): Private cabins with beds from $50 SGD for 6 hours.
• Free Rest Areas: T1 Level 3 Departure Transit has reclining chairs; T3 Level 2 near Gate A1 offers quiet seating.
• YOTEL: Jewel's premium capsule hotel with hourly rates (from $90 SGD for 4 hours).
• Aerotel: Transit hotel in T1 and T3 with day rooms.

Food Recommendations

• Local Specialties: Try Blossom (T2) for Hainanese chicken rice, or Curry Times (T3) for authentic laksa and curry.
• Budget Options: Food Court in T2 Basement offers hawker-style meals under $10 SGD. Kopitiam (multiple locations) serves affordable local favorites.
• Premium Dining: Peach Garden (T1, T3) for dim sum, Shang Social (Jewel) for modern Asian fusion.
• 24-Hour Options: McDonald's and Burger King in all terminals; A&W (T3) for late-night cravings.

Shopping Highlights

• DFS Duty-Free: Competitive prices on liquor, cosmetics, and perfumes.
• iShopChangi: Pre-order online and collect at the airport or have items delivered to your gate.
• Local Souvenirs: Discover Singapore stores (all terminals) for TWG tea, bak kwa (barbecued meat), and local snacks.

Amenities

• Free Showers: Available in all terminals (T1 Level 3, T2 Level 3, T3 Level 2/3).
• Spas: Plaza Premium Lounge offers massage services; Be Relax Spa in T2 and T3.
• Kids: Slide @ T3 (12-meter tall slide), play areas in all terminals, Canopy Park attractions.
• Swimming Pool: Rooftop pool at Aerotel (T1) accessible to guests.

Work-Friendly Spots

• Free WiFi: Unlimited high-speed WiFi throughout (no login required).
• Workstations: Dedicated work areas with charging points in all terminals (look for "Charging Stations" signs).
• Ambassador Transit Lounges: Quiet environment with desks and power outlets.
• Jewel Changi: Multiple cafes with ample seating and outlets, including Starbucks and The Coffee Bean.

WHAT TO DO IN SINGAPORE

Getting to the City Center

• MRT (Mass Rapid Transit): Most efficient option. Take the Changi Airport MRT station (green line) to City Hall or Raffles Place (30-40 minutes, ~$2.50 SGD). Operates 5:30am-11:30pm.
• Taxi/Grab: Fixed fares to city center around $20-30 SGD (20-30 minutes depending on traffic). Grab (Southeast Asian Uber) often cheaper.
• Airport Shuttle: Shared shuttles available but less convenient than MRT.

Quick Layover (2-4 Hours)

Jewel Changi is your best bet without leaving the airport complex. The Rain Vortex, Canopy Park, and shopping can easily fill 2-3 hours. If you venture out:

• Changi Village: 10 minutes by taxi, experience local hawker culture at Changi Village Hawker Centre. Try nasi lemak or satay.
• East Coast Park: 15 minutes away, seaside park perfect for a quick walk or bike rental.

Important: Factor in 90+ minutes for security re-entry.

Half-Day Activities (4-8 Hours)

• Gardens by the Bay: 25 minutes by MRT. Explore the iconic Supertree Grove (free), Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome ($28 SGD). The OCBC Skyway offers stunning views.
• Marina Bay Area: See the Merlion, walk around Marina Bay Sands, and catch the Spectra Light & Water Show (free, 8pm & 9pm).
• Chinatown: Explore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, browse Chinatown Street Market, and eat at Maxwell Food Centre (famous for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice).
• Little India: Vibrant neighborhood with Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, colorful shophouses, and authentic Indian cuisine on Tekka Centre.

Full Day Experiences

• Sentosa Island: Beach resort island with Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, beaches, and Skyline Luge. Accessible via MRT + Sentosa Express (45 minutes from airport).
• Singapore Zoo/River Wonders/Night Safari: World-class wildlife experiences in northern Singapore (40 minutes by MRT + bus).
• Cultural Trail: Combine Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam (Arab Quarter with Sultan Mosque), and Clarke Quay for riverside dining.
• Hawker Hopping: Visit multiple hawker centers—Lau Pa Sat, Old Airport Road, Tiong Bahru—for authentic local food culture.

Must-See Attractions

Near Airport:

• Changi Chapel and Museum: WWII history (15 minutes, free entry)
• Pulau Ubin: Rustic island accessible by bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (30 minutes)

City Center:

• Gardens by the Bay (essential)
• Marina Bay Sands SkyPark (observation deck, $26 SGD)
• National Gallery Singapore (Southeast Asian art)
• Haji Lane: Instagram-worthy street with boutiques and cafes

Local Food & Culture

• Must-Try Dishes: Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, chili crab, satay, char kway teow, roti prata
• Hawker Centers: Singapore's food culture heart—cheap, delicious, authentic
• Peranakan Culture: Visit Katong/Joo Chiat neighborhoods for colorful shophouses and Peranakan cuisine

Practical Tips

• Visa Requirements: Many nationalities get 30-96 hour visa-free transit. Check Singapore Immigration website for your country.
• Luggage Storage: Available at all Changi terminals ($4-12 SGD per day depending on size). Also at City Hall and Orchard MRT stations.
• Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD). Cards widely accepted; ATMs abundant.
• Weather: Hot and humid year-round (25-32°C). Carry umbrella for sudden rain.
• Time Management: Allow minimum 2 hours before departure for check-in and security.
• SIM Cards: Available at airport (Singtel, StarHub) for data—useful for Grab and navigation.