Singapore Changi Airport Guide
2009 Best Airport Winner
Lasting Impressions....
Memorable comments left by travellers:
"The roving police (Changi Airport) are scary, they don't let you sleep in peace. They keep on waking me up and asking me for my passport and boarding pass despite the fact that they recognize me (asked me 4 times in total, same people every time)." (toyotaboy95)
"Even if you have the cash to spring on a hotel room in Singapore, I would recommend a night in the airport." (Josh)
"To my consternation all of the chaise lounges were fully occupied by SATS staff, who were sleeping either on or off-duty" (rachel)
"Having been travelled to at least 15 countries and have had transit to countless airport .. I would definitely rate Singapore Airport as the best in the world" (Julian Burn)
"We were in transit from Auckland to Malaysia and the place was crowded with not even 1 seat spare, toilets were constantly being cleaned but obviously not by experienced cleaners" (?)
"Got nudged with the tip of a machine gun in mid sleep and had to show my passport. " (?)
"my first experience at the Singapore airport was amazing-better then my house- free internet, video games..what else could a lone 19 yr old american girl traveler ask for?" (a)
"There are two rest areas with comfortable couches and even with an alarm clock to wake you up in time for your flight." (Bram)
"There's really no reason to leave the airport." (Guenther Thoemmes)
"I highly recommend the Singapore Airport for security, comfort and available amenities" (John Ananda)
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FEATURED REVIEWS
by hmasurg, 10/6/2009
This airport does deserve the golden pillow award (as well as all the other official acclaimed awards it has earned over the years).If you are a budget or relaxed air traveler then this place is for you.
When I transit at SIN I try to change my flights to have more time to endulge in this place. Basically - good space, great service, much to do, to relax, sleep, shop and entertain.
The older T1 and T2 are well maintained, spacious and full of things to do. A shopping mall, many eatery outlets, Bars and gaming points. First and Business Class lounges are located on the second floor and are outstanding (specially those for Singapore airlines) but honestly you just want to walk around and have fun. There is free Wifi, free computer/internet stands, free recliners with large flat screen TV's in the middle of the terminal around the mall. In terminal hotel to rest showers and a gym (for a fee).
The spaces are vast and if you go to the end of T2 and T1 concourse there are a few gates which are used less and are very qiute, secluded, extremely clean and they also provid FREE reclianers with message! all they ask is that if the area was busy then to kindly limit your relaxation for 15 minutes as courtesy for the other travelers (I slept in these for 90 minutes straight as it was empty). I have seen a few people here sleep and snooz away with no interruptions on the chairs and grounds.
The connection area between T1 and T3 is VERY spacious, clean and quite a great place to relax or just walk around (there are free automated trams between the 3 airports). T3 is their newest terminal and is just as great as T1 and T2 with more new contemporary decor! A great place!
If you are a person who loves to visit airports, relax, unwind, spot planes and enjoy this part of your trip than do what you can to transit/layover at Changi International Airport!
by ?
"I can't believe all the great stories about Singapore airport. We were in transit from Auckland to Malaysia and the place was crowded with not even 1 seat spare, toilets were constantly being cleaned but obviously not by experienced cleaners (if I'm unfortunate to be there again, I'll bring a clothes peg for my nose). The few food places that were open late at night served up last week's food and there wasn't a newspaper to be found in any shop."
Airport Guide
Airport Lounges
Singapore airport has the following pay-per-use lounges:
- Terminal 1 -
Rainforest Lounge
Location: Airside, Transit Mall West, Level 3
S$10 per person per hour - Terminal 2 -
Plaza Premium Lounge
Location: Airside, Transit Mall South, Level 3
S$30 per person per 3-hours - Terminal 3 -
Ambassador Transit Lounge
Location: Transit Mall, Level 3
Additionally there are Rest Areas located in the terminals that are available for all, for free. The rest areas have specially designed "snooze chairs", which are leather chairs with head and leg rests. These can be found:
- Terminal 1 - Central Window Isles, Transit Mall West, Level 2
- Terminal 1 - Central Window Isles, Transit Mall East, Level 2
- Terminal 2 - Sanctuary - opposite Gate E5, Transit Mall North, Level 2
- Terminal 2 - Oasis Lounge - beside Gate E11, Transit Mall North, Level 2
- Terminal 3 - near Hard Rock Cafe, Transit Mall North, Level 2
- Terminal 3 - near Global Tax Refund, Transit Mall South, Level 2
Airport Facilities
- Luggage storage / Lockers
Hours: 24 hours. Rates: S$ 3.15-8.40 (first 24 hours) | S$ 4.20-10.15 (subsequent 24 hours) Terminal 1 - Airside (Behind Gassan Watch, Transit Mall East, Level 2)
Terminal 1 - Landside (Basement West)
Terminal 2 - Airside (Behind Choco-Fantasia, Transit Mall South, Level 2)
Terminal 2 - Landside (Arrival Hall North, Level 1)
Terminal 3 - Airside (Departures, Transit Lounge North)
Terminal 3 - Landside (Basement, Level 2 North) - Showers
Terminal 1 - Rainforest Lounge (Transit Mall West, Level 3)
Terminal 1 - Fish Spa & Reflexology (Gate 41, behind Starbucks)
Terminal 1 - Swimming Pool (Transit Mall East, Level 3)
Terminal 2 - Plaza Premium Lounge (Transit Mall South, Level 3)
Terminal 3 - Ambassador Transit Lounge (Transit Mall, Level 3) - Internet and WiFi
If you have a WiFi-enabled laptop, PDA or handset then free wireless broadband is available throughout the terminals. Additionally there are over 400 free internet kiosks and 80 laptop Ethernet access points located throughout the terminal lounges and transit areas, two tiers of wireless broadband services are offered in Changi Airport. - Prayer Rooms
Terminal 1 - Airside (Arrival Hall West, Transit Area)
Terminal 2 - Airside (Near Raffles Medical Group at Transit Mall North, Level 2)
Terminal 3 - Airside (Opposite Guylian Chocolate Belgium Café at Transit Mall North, Level 2) - Gardens
Terminal 1 - Cactus Garden - (Transit Mall, Level 3)
Terminal 2 - Bamboo Garden / Strip (Transit Mall, Level 2)
Terminal 2 - Fern Garden & Koi Pond (Transit Mall, Level 2)
Terminal 2 - Orchid Garden & Koi Pond (Transit Mall, Level 2)
Terminal 2 - Sunflower Garden
Terminal 3 - Butterfly Garden (Transit Mall, Level 2)
Terminal 3 - Hungry Plants (Bufferfly Garden, Transit Mall, Level 2) - Swimming Pool
Travellers staying at the Ambassador Hotel have free access to the pool. Non-guests can use the swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and shower facilities for a fee of S$14. Located at Terminal 1, near the Transit Hotel (Transit Mall East, Level 3). Hours of operation: 0700-2300 Daily. - Entertainment
The Entertainment Deck offers people in transit the opportunity to: spin songs and create mixes at the Jam Studio, play free video games at the LAN Gaming room, listen to relaxing music while sitting in a comfortable seat with built in speakers, watch music videos at the MTV Booth, watch great movies in the Movie Theatre. All for free! - Movie Theatre
Catch a flick in between flights. All movies are free. The theatres in terminals 2 and 3 are said to be the best places to relax. Open 24 hours.
Terminal 1 - next to food gallery, Transit Mall East, Level 3
Terminal 2 - near the Sunflower Garden, Transit Mall South, Level 3
Terminal 3 - near the Ambassador Transit Lounge, Transit Mall North, Level 3 - City Tour of Singapore
If you are in transit and have 5 hours before your connecting flight, book a free 2-hour city tour of Singapore. Check to see if you will require a Visa to leave the transit area. Tour depart: 0900a, 1100a,1300p, 1500p, 1600p. The Free SIngapore Tour booths are located at:
Terminal 2 - near the escalators, North Arrival Immigration and skytrain station at Transit Mall North, Level 2, Hours: 0700-1500.
Terminal 3 - next to Transfer Lounge B, Travel Mall North, Level 2 - Food / Dining
If you have any food recommendations/warnings, email me and I will add it to the list.
Airport Transportation: Getting There
- Taxi - S$18-38 to the city, departs from Arrivals levels.
- Public Bus - bus service # 36 goes to the city. Departs from under terminals 1, 2, and 3. Hours of operation: 0600-2359. Fare: S$2.00
- Train - the Changi Airport MRT Station is located under terminals 2 and 3. Hours of operation: 0530-2318. Fare: S$2.70
- Airport Shuttles, Limos and Large Taxis are also available. Visit the Ground Transport Desk.
Airport Transportation: Getting Around
The 3 terminals at Singapore Changi Airport are inter-linked by Skytrains. The Skytrains operate both at the transit and public areas. Hours of operation: every 1-4 minutes between the hours 0500-0230. Fare: free
Nearby Hotels
- Terminal 1 - Ambassador Transit Hotel - Transit Mall East, Level 3
- Terminal 2 - Ambassador Transit Hotel - Transit Mall South, Level 3
- Terminal 3 - Ambassador Transit Hotel - Transit Mall, Mezzanine, Level 3
TO ACCESS THE TRANSIT HOTELS, DO NOT PASS THROUGH CUSTOMS
Standard rooms: from 58 SGD (6 hours)
Budget rooms: from 35 SGD (6 hours)
Airport Maps
Click to download the Singapore Changi Terminal Map
Singapore Changi Airport Travel Tips
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date experiences:
- staff have taken over the Oasis lounge for their own sleeping needs
- free massage chairs in Oasis Lounge
- massage services
- 24 hour restaurants
- The Budget Terminal is not Changi's best feature. Move to one of the other terminals if possible.
Travel Sites
- Hostels and Budget Accommodation in Singapore - I've booked my own accommodation on this site. If you are too old for hostels and too cheap for hotels, like me, you'll find some good properties. They offer dorms, private rooms, B&Bs, Apartments.
