Changi Airport, Singapore

Introduction

Changi Airport is Singapore’s international airport is my favourite airport in the world.

Aside from actually flying somewhere, there is LOTS to do both Airside and Landside, and the airport is worth a visit in itself!

I’ve come up with 8 things you could do if you have a long layover – or simply want to explore this fantastic world-class airport.

Two quick luggage tips!

Before I talk about what you can do in Singapore’s Changi Airport, if you don’t fancy dragging your luggage around; there are two quick tips I would suggest:

The first is that there is an ‘early check in’ are in the Jewel if you are flying with certain participating airlines. This is a self-check-in and bag drop area, but you can do this between 12 and 3 hours before your flight is due to depart. This means that if you have a 12-hour layover, you can be luggage free to roam Jewel and the airport’s offerings – completely free of charge!

The second, in alternative to the first, is that you can pay in Jewel for luggage storage if your airline does not participate in the early check in scheme.

1. Shopping in the Jewel

One of the staples of Changi Airport is the Jewel, a multi-purpose mall with lots to do! Many of the things I recommend doing are in the Jewel – in this case shopping. The Jewel has 4 floors of shopping – ranging from luxury brands, to Bath and Bodyworks, to Dyson – and even a grocery store!

The Jewel is connected to the Arrivals Hall at Changi’s Terminal 1.

2. Hire Bikes

Heading out of Terminal 2 on the way to Hub and Spoke, you will find a bike hire place, and a cycle lane. Cycling from the bike hire place will take you down the Jurassic Mile. The Jurassic Mile is around 1KM….so you could walk it – but in the Singapore heat, it would be quite a walk!

3. Visit Jewel

It may sound obvious, but visiting the Jewel (aside from eating and shopping) is its own experience – and completely free! There are over 4 floors to explore of shopping – but the biggest attraction has to be the vertical rain feature and the botanic garden. It’s also worth taking the (free) tram from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 to get some equally great views.

In the evening there is an audio, lighting and projection show on the vertical rain feature, which is well worth a watch.

4. Visit Jewel’s Attractions

Heading up to Floor 5 of the Jewel, there are a number of paid attractions.

These attractions include;

• The Canopy Net
• The Maze
• The. Mirror Maze
• An exploratory studio/zone/museum,

The attractions are charge, at around $13 each (about £8), or there is the possibility to buy various bundles for around $40 (about £23).

5. Go to the IMAX Cinema

Going down into the basement of the Jewel, you’ll find the IMAX Cinema. Perhaps not the most creative thing to do in the Jewel – but if cinema is your thing, its a good way to kill a few hours!

6. Visit Hub and Spoke

Hub and Spoke is an area which is close to Terminal 2….. I say close to Terminal 2, it’s about a 350M walk, according to the sign posts – and it took me a good 20 minutes.

Hub and Spoke is said to offer and outdoor garden experience, with food, live music, showers, etc….. If I am honest, to me this is slightly over-sold, and appeared to more of an airport workers cafe compared to the grandure of the Jewel. However it is a place to go for a walk, it is outside, and there is food, drinks, at times possibly live music, and definitely a change of scene.

7. Go Swimming

Similar to Doha’s Hamad Airport (and in fact JFK), there is a roof-top pool at Terminal 1, in the Aerotel. The pool is open from 12pm to 10pm, and costs $25 (about £15) for entry – or its free if you are staying in the Aerotel. The pool comes complete with jacuzzi and bar!

8. Visit a Lounge

In my opinion (having visited some of the world’s biggest and best airports), Singapore offers some of the best airline lounges in the world – including the Qantas First Lounge and the Qatar Airways Lounge. You can see a full list of the lounges I’ve visited and reviewed here.

In the Jewel, there is also the Changi Lounge – which can be accessed via a Priority Pass, or paid access on entry.