Singapore, Singapore (SG)
Singapore Changi Airport lies around 17km north-east of downtown Singapore. With a reputation for cleanliness, efficiency and excellent facilities and shopping, it was voted the world's best airport by Skytrax users in 2015.
The airport has four terminal buildings, connected in a U-shape, with Terminal 1 in the middle:
Singapore Airlines flies out of both Terminal 2 for most Asian routes and Terminal 3 for most European as well as North American routes.
Future plans
Terminal 5 is already under construction, and due to finish in the mid-2020s.
Trains are regular, reliable and a cost-effective way into Singapore. However, they can be crowded at peak hours, so for your comfort, a taxi may be a better option at these times.
Train
To take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train service into the city, you'll need to take the six-minute journey to Tanah Merah station first and change onto the westbound train for central Singapore. The last train from the airport to Tanah Merah is at 23:18, and journey time is around 27 minutes.
Cost: SGD 2
Location: Changi Airport MRT Station, the basement of Terminals 2 and 3, follow the 'Trains into the City' signs. From Terminal 1, take the Skytrain first. From Terminal 4 take the Shuttle Bus to Terminal 2 first.
Taxi
Taxis use meters, and are reasonably priced and honest - and if you're in a group of three or four, it can be cheaper and faster. A trip to the city centre should take around 30 minutes. However, a shortage of taxis in Singapore, especially when it’s raining, means they can be unavailable for hours at a time, and you may find yourself waiting a long time a taxi queue.
Cost: SGD 20-30 to the city centre in a regular taxi (plus airport surcharge, and 50% extra at night/25% extra at peak hours)
Location: Arrivals level of each terminal
Changi Airport offers a wide range of rest areas with comfortable leather napping chairs across all three terminals. The areas which are free to use are open around the clock:
Terminal 1
Transit East, airside, level 3
Terminal 2
Sanctuary Lounge, airside, Transit North Pier, opp E5
Oasis Lounge, airside, Transit North Pier, opp E11
Terminal 3
Transit North Mezzanine, airside, near to Singapore Food Street
The amount of premium airline lounges at Singapore Changi airport is overwhelming.
Terminal 1
SATS Premier Lounge, after security, after Immigration Control, turn left. Take the escalator opposite TWG Tea Boutique up to the lounge entrance on Level 2. Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
dnata Lounge, after security, above the Departure Immigration Area of the Departure Transit Hall. After Departure Immigration, take the escalator up one level, and the lounge will be located across from the Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao Restaurant. Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
Plaza Premium Lounge, after security, Departure/Transit Lounge West, Level 3, above Gate C1. Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
Sky View Lounge
for Business Class Passengers/ Frequent Flyer Card Members of Cathay Pacific, Air France & KLM Royal Dutch, Air Mauritius, Delta Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Air China, Finnair, Priority Pass members, Airport Angels members, Dragon Pass members, Diners Club members, One World Alliance Card Holders (invitational Emerald, Sapphire & Ruby Card Holders)
Departure Transit Lounge, airside, level 2
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Emirates Lounge
for Emirates First / Business Class, EK Platinum & Gold Skywards members on EK/QF flights (Exclude EK codeshare flights)
Departure Transit Lounge, airside, level 3
Opening hours: 6:30-10:00, 12:00-15:30, 18:00-1:40
Qantas Singapore Lounge
for eligible members of Oneworld partners and Emirates Skywards
Departure Transit Lounge, airside, level 3
Opening hours: 14:30-23:00 daily
British Airways Lounge
for BA First and Club World, BA Executive Club Gold and Silver members and eligible members of Oneworld partners
Departure Transit Lounge, airside, level 3
Opening hours: 15:00-23:00 daily
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge
for Thai Airways (Business Class & ROP Platinum & Gold Card Members), Star Alliance Gold Card Members (Holding Star Alliance carriers’ same day boarding pass only), BKK Elite Card Holders
Departure Transit Lounge, airside, level 3
Opening hours: 5:45-8:15, 10:15-20:30
Terminal 2
SATS Premier Lounge, after security, turn left. Take the escalator opposite Charles & Keith up to the lounge entrance on Level 2. Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
Ambassador Transit Lounge, after security, take Lift 25 to the entrance on Level 3 (lift is located near the Orchid Garden, between DFS Wine & Spirits and Bee Cheng Hiang). Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
TGM Japanese Korean Cuisine, after security, Departure Transit Lounge Level 3, next to DFS's Whisky House. Opening hours: 06:00-01:00 daily.
SIA SilverKris Lounge
for All Star Alliance (First Class / Business Class), SilkAir Business Class and Economy Class Passengers holding PPS Membership Card, Singapore Airlines First and Business Class, and Economy Class Passengers holding PPS Membership Card
Departure Transit Lounge, airside, level 3
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Terminal 3
SATS Premier Lounge, after security, turn left. Take the escalator beside Shilla Cosmetics Duty-Free up to the lounge entrance on Level 2. Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
dnata Lounge, after security, Departure/Transit Hall, Level 3. After immigration, turn left and head up escalators or lift between Electronics store and Cosmetics and Perfumes by Shilla Duty-Free. Go down the corridor to the right. Opening hours: 03:30-02:30 daily.
The Haven by JetQuay, before security, Arrivals Hall, follow the "Pay-Per-Use Lounge" signs, past Baggage Carousel 41. Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
Ambassador Transit Lounge, after security, Departure Transit Hall, Level 3. Located at the east/north end of Terminal 3 next to the Butterfly Garden. Access via escalator or lift located near the B gate corridors, and next to Wines and Spirits by DFS. Located close to the Ambassador Transit Hotel. Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
SIA SilverKris Lounge
for Singapore Airlines First and Business Class, and Economy Class passengers holding PPS Membership card, All Star Alliance (First Class/ Business Class), SilkAir Business Class and Economy Class passengers holding Solitaire PPS Membership card
Departure Transit Lounge, airside, level 3
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
KrisFlyer Gold Lounge
for KrisFlyer Elite Gold Members and Star Alliance Gold Members departing on SIA or Star Alliance flights, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Card holders travelling on SQ
Departure Transit Lounge, airside, level 3
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Terminal 4
Blossom Lounge, after security, on the Mezzanine Level, adjacent to the Cathay Pacific Lounge. Opening hours: 24 hours daily.
From sunflowers to orchids, and koi to cacti, the range of gardens at Changi is impressive. But the best is the Butterfly Garden in Terminal 3, home to over 1,000 tropical butterflies. Head for the Emergence Enclosure, and you may even see a cocoon open and a butterfly life begin.
Enjoy the great comfort of very comfortable seats and watch a recent movie.
Terminal 3, after security, level 3, departure transit lounge North, near the Ambassador Transit Lounge
Hours: 24 hrs; closed for weekly maintenance THU 13:00-18:00
The main event for your kids: the world’s longest slide. It’s actually two slides: one four storeys tall, for kids 8 and above (you get one ride for every SGD 10 you spend at the airport). The other slide, with no age restrictions, is free.
No safety gear or briefing needed. Changi Rewards card members can redeem up to 5 free rides per month during birthday months.
Terminal 3, airside, level 1
Hours: 12.00 to 22:30 daily
Passengers staying at the Ambassador Transit Hotel can use its pool and jacuzzi free; non-guests pay SGD 13.91 / USD 10.25. Use of shower facilities, a towel and a complimentary non-alcoholic drink are included. If you fancy a drink, the full poolside bar is the place for it.
Level 3, Terminal 1, landside, follow the signs up to the roof
Hours: 07:00-23:00
It can be hard to finde power outlets in Singapore Changi airport, since many of the sockets are actually protected with a lock mechanism. Though there are some public sockets in the waiting areas as well as in some fast food places.
If you’re in transit, you qualify for a free two-hour city tour of Singapore. The Heritage tour leaves at 9.00 am, 11.30 am, 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm, and the nighttime City Lights tour leaves at 6.30 pm. The Free Singapore Tour booths are open from 7.00 am to 3.00 pm in Terminals 2 and 3.
For layovers of more than 5 hours.
Most major rental car companies are present at Singapore Changi airport. Some of them even have a counter in every single terminal.
Fun climbing frame for kids to get some steam off. For kids aged 18 months to 12. You can even do some plane spotting while waiting. Entrance is free.
Viewing Mall, airside, Level 1, Terminal 1
Check out the mesmerising ''Kinetic Rain'' 1,216 computer-controlled bronze raindrops, the world’s largest moving sculpture.
Terminal 1, landside, departure check-in hall
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The terminals are beside each other and are walkable, but to save time, you can take the free Skytrain service, which runs every 1-4 minutes from 05:00-02:30. Travelling times between terminals are around four minutes.
- From Terminal 2 to Terminal 4: The Shuttle Bus Pick-Up point is at Terminal 2 Arrival Hall Door 1.
- From Terminals 1 and 3 to Terminal 4: Passengers need first to make a connection with the Skytrain to Terminal 2 and from there use the Shuttle Bus.
- From Terminal 4 to Terminal 2: The Shuttle Bus Pick-Up point is at Terminal 4 Arrival Hall Door 1.
- From Terminal 4 to Terminals 1 and 3: Passengers need first to make a connection with the Shuttle Bus to Terminal 2 and from there to use the Skytrain.
The journey with the Shuttle Bus takes around 10 minutes. It departs every 10 minutes from 05:30-00:00 and every 20, 00:00-05:30.
Plenty of tourist help-oriented shops will be happy to sell you one with SGD 50-70 of credit on it (and that's how much it will cost). But 1 GB of data for a week only costs around SGD 7, so if you're in Singapore for a short time, the big cards are definitely overkill. Head to the money changers instead: you can buy SGD 15 SIM cards there.
Airport Pharmacy is an Australian pharmacy chain focusing on travellers' needs.
Location: Terminal 4, after security, level 2, departures hall
Operating hours: 24 hours daily
Free and guided tours in English to the tropical Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve are available at 9.30 to 11.00 Saturdays. Limited to 15 people, on first-come, first-served basis. You'll pay around SGD 18 for a taxi fare from the airport straight to the reserve. Travel time is 30 minutes.
For layovers of six hours or longer.
VAT: IT03624170126