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Changi Airport in Singapore is renowned for being one of the world’s best airports, with numerous activities and amenities to keep travellers entertained during layovers. If, like us, you find yourself with some time to kill before your next flight, keep on reading to discover our top tips…
1. Visit the Rain Vortex at the Jewel
This was our highlight of Changi Airport. If you’re limited on time then this for sure should come top of the list! The Rain Vortex is one of the main attractions of the airport, drawing visitors from all around the world. This iconic and spectacular waterfalls spans 7 storeys of the Jewel and stands 130 ft (40m) above the ground, making it the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.
If you’re around in the evening, then be sure to catch the “HSBC Rain Vortex Light & Sound Show” when the waterfall is illuminated by a cool colourful display of lights that dance and change with the music! We were unaware of this, but our visit happened to coincide with a unique display inspired by the Disney 100 year anniversary.
2. Visit all the gardens
Changi Airport is renowned for its impressive gardens. The most popular is the Butterfly Garden (T3), a tropical paradise where you can observe thousands of butterflies fluttering around lush greenery. We enjoyed this garden the most, getting up close with the diverse range of butterfly species and reading the informative displays to learn more about them. There’s also the Cactus Garden (T1), Water Lily Garden (T1), Sunflower Garden (T2) and Orchid Garden (T2), all of which we managed to squeeze into our visit.
3. Explore all the shops and restaurants
If you’ve forgotten any last minute packing then don’t despair, there’s a huge array of shops within each of the four terminals which boast a wide range of duty-free shops and boutiques, offering everything from luxury brands to unique souvenirs. Changi Airport also has several food courts located across its terminals, offering a wide selection of local and international cuisines. Some offer 24-Hour dining to cater to differing schedules and flight times. We couldn’t resist a late night visit to McDonalds, but hopefully you’ll be a bit more adventurous than us!
4. Watch a free movie
Who doesn’t love a free movie right?! Terminals 2 and 3 features a free movie theatre, open 24/7… just bring the popcorn! Screening a variety of movies, including both recent releases and classic films, the movie theatres provide comfortable seating, allowing travellers to relax before their next flight.
5. Explore Canopy Park
This is a rooftop park situated at the highest level of Jewel. Unfortunately we ran out of time to try it for ourselves, but we have heard that it’s great fun! It’s described as a 14,000 sqm recreational wonderland for all, which features walking trails, mazes and a bouncing net. Some of the main attractions include the Discovery Slides, Foggy Bowls, Petal Garden, Topiary Walk, and Hedge Maze. Unlike the options above, access to Canopy Park requires purchasing a ticket, with prices varying depending on the attractions you wish to experience.
6. Embark the Free City Tour
To be eligible for this, your layover period needs to be at least 5.5 hours but less than 24 hours, and your flight schedule needs to also fit with the tour timings. We unfortunately didn’t fit this criteria as our layover was not quite long enough. There’s a range of tours on offer: Changi Precinct Tour, City Sights Tour and Heritage Tour. Definitely something we will consider on our next trip! Be aware that availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you pre-book if this is of interest to you.
In order to get between the terminals and the different attractions Changi Airport has to offer, you can use the free SkyTrain or walk via the link bridge. The Skytrain operates regularly and provides a quick and convenient way to transfer between all four terminals. We must admit though, it did take a little while for us to suss this out, so do allow a bit of extra time for this. Luckily the ride between terminals takes just a few minutes! If you just need to transfer between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, you can use the link bridge, which is located in the Departure Transit Hall of both terminals.
If you find these tips useful, make sure you share with your travel buddies!