About Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport is often described as ‘a destination in itself’. Consistently voted amongst the world’s top airports – taking the top position of ‘World’s Best Airport’ for at least six years running, no less – Singapore Changi Airport really demonstrates just how good the airport experience can be.
Renowned for its cleanliness, spaciousness, superb facilities and fantastic customer service, Singapore Changi Airport is certainly the highlight of many a stopover to Europe, with about about 62.2 million passengers passing through its gates every year. Where else in the world would you find airport terminals that include a Butterfly Garden. Orchid Garden and rooftop swimming pool? Only in Singapore.
What facilities are at Singapore Changi Airport ?
At Singapore Changi Airport there is an extensive offering of facilities and services, all designed to make your journey as smooth as possible. As for ‘things to do’ at Singapore Changi Airport, this is where this bustling hub takes the transit experience to a whole new level.
Check-in
You’re encouraged to check-in at least two hours prior to your flight departure time at Singapore Changi Airport. Some airlines will allow you to check in even earlier, so you can make the most of all the great shopping and other things to do, so talk to your Flight Center Travel Expert about whether this applies to you. Once you’ve checked in, make your way to the Departure Hall to enjoy something to eat or drink, or perhaps some pre-flight shopping. Note that no boarding calls will be made, so be sure to keep an eye on the time.
Online check-in: You may be able to check-in online up to 48 hours before your flight – it all depends on your airline.
FAST check-in: Select airlines will offer ‘Fast And Seamless Travel’ check-in options for departing passengers. This service includes things like collecting your boarding pass and printing your bag tags at the Automated Check-in Kiosks, dropping your bags at the Automated Bag Drop and making your way through the Automated Immigration Gates if your fingerprints are registered with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore. Talk to your Flight Centre Travel Expert to find out more.
Baggage
If you’re arriving at Singapore Changi Airport, check the information displays to find out which carousel is assigned to your flight. Free luggage trolleys are available so you can manage your checked-in and carry-on luggage easily.
Porter services are also available at all terminals to help you move your baggage when you depart or arrive at Changi Airport. Bookings for porter services need to be made in advance. Also, if you would like to do your shopping baggage-free, you can leave luggage at the “Left Baggage” counters operated by Smarte Carte, for a small fee.
Is there a currency exchange?
You’ll find at least three 24-hour money changing facilities at each terminal within Singapore Changi Airport. All major currencies are accepted, exchange rates are competitive and phone cards are also available at these counters. If you’re travelling onward to Europe from Australia, you can order and pick up any foreign currency before you leave home, at Travel Money Oz.
Things to do for families
This is one of the best possible airports to stop at if you’re travelling with kids. When it comes to the whole family, there are so many free things to do at Changi Airport, you’ll have trouble deciding where to start. The convenient high-speed hop-on-hop-off Skytrain monorail connecting the terminals is almost like a ride in itself.
One of the biggest highlights is the Balinese-style outdoor rooftop pool at Terminal 1, where kids can make a splash and spot planes taking off overhead, while you soak up the sun and enjoy a cocktail poolside. The outdoor Cactus Garden is also located in Terminal 1, with a huge range of cacti and succulent plants from Africa and the Americas. Hop aboard the monorail to Terminal 2 to visit the magical, sensory Enchanted Garden on Level 2, along with the pretty rooftop Sunflower Garden overlooking the aircraft parking bays. The kids will also enjoy watching the magnificent fish in the Poi ponds at Terminal Two’s Orchid Garden.
Terminal 3 is home to the enchanting Butterfly Garden, where children can wander around the tropical gardens and watch the beautiful butterflies flying around them – more than 1,000 in total. Each terminal at Singapore Changi Airport also features an air-conditioned children’s playground where little ones can stretch their legs, socialise with other kids and let off some steam. Terminal 3 also features TheSlide@T3, the world’s tallest airport slide at 12 metres high, which is an absolute thrill for kids (of all ages!).
If you have a bit more time up your sleeve at Changi Airport, you could take the kids on a complimentary Singapore Tour and experience some of the city-state’s culture and scenery. Choose from the Heritage Tour to take in sights such as the Singapore Flyer, the Colonial District, Little India, The Esplanade and Chinatown, or the City Lights Tour that takes in the city by night, including the famous Raffles Hotel. Registration for the tours can be made at the ‘Free Singapore Tours’ registration booth on Level 2 in Terminal 2, or Level 2 in Terminal 3.
Jewel Changi Airport is the latest spectacular offering: a 10-storey complex which links the airport’s Terminal 1 with Terminals 2 and 3, and is touted as Singapore’s largest air-conditioned indoor garden, with one-of-a-kind play attractions, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, as well as unique shopping and dining experiences.
What are the other services and facilities?
- ATMS across all terminals
- Arrival Garden
- Baby Care Room
- Baggage storage
- Business Centres
- Cactus Garden
- Charging Points
- Children’s play area
- Clinics and Pharmacies
- Convenience stores
- Entertainment Deck
- Family Zone
- Free-to-use rest areas
- Free Wi-Fi
- GST Refund
- Ground Transport Concierge
- Interactive art station
- Internet kiosks (550+)
- Local SIM card purchase
- Lost and found
- Money changers
- Passenger meeting services
- Phone booths
- Piazza Garden
- Porter service
- Post boxes and Post Office
- Prayer rooms
- Rooftop pool with jacuzzi
- Sculptural Tree Garden
- Shower and spa services
- Smoking areas
- Social tree interactive installation
- Transit hotels
- Viewing mall
- Water Lily Garden
- Wheelchair rental
Transport and terminal transfers
What’s the best way to get to and from Singapore Changi Airport?
Singapore is a small city state, and Singapore Changi Airport is located around 18 kilometres to the east of the city centre. If you’re staying in Singapore, look for the Ground Transport Desk once you arrive at the airport, which you’ll find in the Arrivals Hall of each terminal. Open 24-hours, the staff are on-hand to deal with all customer transportation requirements into the city and will help you make your travel arrangements. As a guide, we’ve pulled together a round-up of the various transport options to and from the airport.
Shuttle services:Singapore Changi Airport offers very efficient shuttle services, with a City Shuttle, Changi Business Park Shuttle and shuttle bus to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) all available. The TMFT is the gateway to the nearby Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan. The City Shuttle is possibly the easiest option, and will take you to most downtown hotels for around S$10. It runs every 15 minutes in peak periods and every 30 minutes at other times. Journey time is around 25 minutes.
Public Transport: You can easily catch the train from the airport to Tanah Merah station, where you can transfer on to city services. A single ticket can be purchased at the train station, or you can buy an EZ-Link smart card and load it up for multiple journeys. Public bus is another option, and again this requires either exact change or the EZ-link card. Bus stops are located at the basement bus bays of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. For Terminal 4, the bus stop is located next to Car Park 4B and near the SATS Inflight Catering Centre 1.
Taxi: If you wish to take a taxi from Singapore Changi Airport to the city, you’ll find the taxi stands at the Arrival levels of each Terminal. A ride to the city takes around 30 minutes and will cost between S$20 and S$40. Note that there’s an additional Airport surcharge for all trips originating from the Airport. If you’re travelling with a group, the Ground Transport Concierges at the Arrival Halls can help you arrange to book a larger taxi or limousine.
Private pick-up points: If you’re being picked up at the airport by friends or family, simply make your way to the well-signed “Arrival Pick-up” points in each terminal, after collecting your baggage.
Car rental: Car rental is another option, with Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty all operating out of Singapore Changi Airport.
Parking
Short Stay: All of Singapore Changi Airport’s five car parks allow a complimentary 10-minute period if you’re just parking to do a quick drop off or pick up. The car parks at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 all charge at a rate of S$0.04 per minute, capped at $S57.60 per 24 hours.
Long Stay: The South Car Park is a more affordable option for longer stays, with parking charges of S$0.35 per minute capped at S$35 per 24-hours.
Coach to Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
If you’re travelling up to Malaysia from the airport, the easiest option is to take the Transtar Cross Border Service (TS1) operated by Transtar Travel. The service starts at Terminal 2 and ends at Johor Bahru CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex), with a one-way ticket around S$10 for adults and S$5 for children.
How do I transfer between terminals?
Connecting between terminals is easy at Singapore Changi Airport.
Skytrain connects Terminals 1, 2 and 3, operates from 5am to 2.30am and has a journey time of about 4 minutes between terminals.
During the hours in between, you can transfer on foot between the terminals via the inter-terminal travellators located throughout the Departure Transit Hall. (You guessed it: it’s not far.)
The B-E Shuttle Bus is another option, connecting T2 (Gates E) and T3 (Gates B). The B-E Shuttle Bus also operates from 5am to 2.30am.
There’s currently also a shuttle bus to transfer passengers to T4, which operates 24 hours, departing every 10 minutes from 5.30am to 12.00am and every 20 minutes from 12.00am to 5.30am. Once you clear immigration, board the bus at Door 1 of T2 Arrival Hall in the Public Area. Due to T4 being new, make sure you talk to your local Flight Centre Travel Agent to confirm the current procedures for transferring between terminals at Singapore Changi Airport.
