Having a long layover and being stuck at an airport isn’t something most travelers typically enjoy. But Singapore’s Changi Airport is not your average airport! Between the various attractions in the multiple terminals to the unique Jewel Changi, there are a lot of interesting activities to fill your time. Changi is consistently ranked among the top airports in the world and it is frequently mentioned on lists of things to do in Singapore.
We had an evening flight to Bali but had to check out of our hotel in the morning, so we figured we’d just head to the airport early. Depending on your airline, you can check in up to 24 hours early in Terminal 1! Click here to see the early check-in options for various airlines. We were able to check in and drop off our checked bags before heading into Jewel Changi. Alternatively, there are bag storage options at all terminals and Jewel.
Getting to Changi Airport
If heading to Changi Airport from around Singapore’s city center, you have multiple transport options. You could take a taxi or Uber, which is great if you have a lot of bags.
Alternatively, you can take public transport. To arrive by MRT, take the East-West Line to the Tanah Merah station, then take the trains heading to the airport from the neighboring platform to the CG2 station. Or, take the Downtown Line to the Expo station, then switch to the East-West Line on a train heading towards the airport/CG2 station. The trains generally start between 5:20a.m. and 6a.m. and stop just before midnight. Check the transport site for more info on routes.
Bus lines 24, 34, 36, and 110 will stop at all four terminals. Those bus lines plus lines 27, 53, and 858 will stop at Terminals 1, 2, and 3. As far as we know, buses have similar operating hours.
Jewel Changi
Jewel Changi is an incredibly unique building full of interesting sights and attractions. While Jewel is technically a part of the Changi Airport, it is considered landside. Therefore, the general public can visit. If you are transiting through Singapore, the Jewel site recommends you have at least five hours to visit Jewel because you will have to clear immigration to leave the airport terminals, then go through the passport check and reenter the airport terminal after visiting Jewel.
Jewel Changi is open 24 hours a day, but many of the attractions within it have more limited hours.
Getting to Jewel Changi
Jewel Changi sits among the Changi Airport terminals. If you’re just visiting for the day and don’t have a flight, park in the parking garage at Jewel Changi. Otherwise, see the above section on getting to Changi Airport via bus or rail. Once at the airport, reference the below. The way to Jewel from the terminals is well-marked.
From Terminal 1: Walk across the short bridge that connects the Terminal 1 arrival hall to Jewell.
From Terminal 2: Walk the pedestrian bridge from Level 2 of the public area of Terminal 2 to Jewel. It takes 5-10 minutes.
From Terminal 3: Walk the pedestrian bridge from Level 2 of the public area of Terminal 3 to Jewel. It takes 5-10 minutes. You could also take the free Skytrain to Terminal 1, then walk into Jewel from there.
From Terminal 4: There is a free shuttle that connects Terminal 4 to Terminal 1.
Activities
There are many things to see and do in Jewel Changi. Jewel itself is free to enter; however, there are some activities that require a ticket, some of which have a specific timeslot. If you plan to do an activity that requires a ticket, we’d recommend buying in advance to save you time from waiting in line and to guarantee your entrance to the attraction you desire. Check out the ticket options and buy them online in advance here.
Here are some of the things to see and do in Jewel Changi.
Shiseido Forest Valley & Jewel Rain Vortex
Hours: The forest is viewable 24/7. The Rain Vortex runs Monday through Thursday 11a.m. – 10p.m. and Friday through Sunday 10a.m. – 10p.m.
Cost: Free
Perhaps the most iconic feature of Jewel Changi is the Jewel Rain Vortex and the surrounding Shiseido Forest. Water pours from the glass ceiling to the floor, making the Rain Vortex the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Surrounding the cascade is a tiered forest with walkways winding among the trees and great spots to take in the view. Because of this massive water feature, it feels quite humid inside Jewel Changi.
Once the sun goes down, the Vortex is illuminated. There is a light and music show that occurs at 8p.m. and 9p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8p.m., 9p.m., and 10p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Canopy Bridge
Hours: Daily from 10a.m. – 9p.m.
Cost: SGD$13.90 per foreign adult (also includes access to the Canopy Park). There are additional bundle deals and discounted rates for locals and children.
Walk high up along the top of the Shiseido Forest and Rain Vortex. A portion of the bridge is glass, so avoid wearing skirts or dresses since there may be people on the paths below.
Canopy Park
Hours: Monday through Thursday 10a.m. – 10p.m. and Friday through Sunday 10a.m. – 10p.m.
Cost: SGD$8 per foreign adult
The Canopy Park consists of multiple attractions. These include the Discovery Slides, a large and unique slide structure; Foggy Bowls, a little park with fog features; the Petal Garden with its wide variety of vibrant flowers; and the Topiary Walk, a garden with flower arrangements that form animals.
Walking & Bouncing Nets
Hours: Daily from 10a.m. – 9p.m.
Cost: The Bouncing Net costs SGD$24.90 per foreign adult (also includes access to the Canopy Park). The Walking Net costs SGD$18.90 per foreign adult (also includes access to the Canopy Park).
Both net systems allow you to take in the views among the forest treetops. The Bouncing Net is a trampoline-like net structure that is fun for both adults and kids. Winding just nearby is the Walking Net, a long net path high above the ground. If you’re afraid of heights, this one may not be for you because a section of it is suspended across a ‘void’ in the building.
Mirror Maze
Hours: Daily from 10a.m. – 9p.m.
Cost: SGD$18.90 per foreign adult (also includes access to the Canopy Park).
The Mirror Maze is just what it sounds like – a maze winding through a mirrored room with brightly colored lights that create a kaleidoscope effect. The top of the maze is covered with even more greenery. You’re given a piece of a pool noodle to use as somewhat of a guide so you don’t run into any mirrors!
Hedge Maze
Hours: Daily from 10a.m. – 9p.m.
Cost: SGD$13.90 per foreign adult (also includes access to the Canopy Park).
Another maze – this one winding through trimmed hedges with unique details throughout. There’s a tower in the center that provides a view over the hedge and surrounding trees.
Changi Experience Studio
Hours: Monday through Friday 11a.m. – 8p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10a.m. – 8p.m.
Cost: SGD$25 per foreign adult
Changi Experience Studio highlights the history of Changi Airport, its innovative endeavors, and other aviation facts through a series of interactive elements and digital displays.
Take a Tour of Jewel
Cost: SGD$65 per adult
If you’d like to learn more about various aspects of Jewel Changi, including its plants, architecture, brands, and more, there is a guided tour available. These take place regularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2-3:30p.m., but if you’d like to book one at another time, reach out via the website.
See a Movie
If you have ample extra time and just want to relax, there is a Shaw Theater at Jewel Changi. See what’s playing here.
Shopping
There are tons of shopping options in Jewel Changi from Apple, DJI, and Bath and Body Works to Coach, Zara, and Oakley. There are also food shops and grocery stores where you can pick up gourmet chocolates and cakes or a variety of snacks. The majority of the shops are open from 10a.m. until 10p.m. daily, but there are some with varying hours.
Check out all of the shop options and their hours here.
Dining
There is definitely no shortage of dining establishments in Jewel Changi either. You’ll find a wide variety of foods, including pancakes, coffee, gelato, wagyu rice bowls, sushi, ramen, fried chicken, and so much more. You can find something for every meal, whether you’re craving a quick sweet treat or want a sit-down meal. Check out all the dining options here.
We ate at a food court area in the lower levels of Jewel for lunch before heading back into the airport before our flight. There was a main dining area with various restaurants surrounding it where you order your food and take it to sit wherever.
Changi Airport Terminals
There are four terminals at Singapore Changi Airport containing tons of shopping and dining options, places to chill, and unique attractions. Before our flight to Bali, we had plenty of time between visiting Jewel Changi and boarding, so we explored what the other terminals had to offer.
It’s easy and fairly quick to get between terminals on the Skytrain, bus, or walking the bridges. Here’s more info on getting around the airport.
Below are some of the activities to fill your time in the Changi terminals. Note that some are in the public areas of the terminals, so you can either visit them before going through security to enter the transit area or you will have to clear immigration to leave the transit area, then reenter before your flight.
Also note that Changi is ever-changing. I’ve been flying through Singapore since I was a baby and there always seems to be new and interesting art installations and activities popping up all the time. For a detailed map of all of the current restaurants, attractions, lounges, shops, and more, click here.
Shopping
If you enjoy some airport shopping, you’ll enjoy all the options in Changi. You’ll find a variety of shops, from Victoria’s Secret, your typical duty free shops, and Adidas to luxury brands like Prada, Burberry, and Dior. You can also shop for packaged food items, including bakkwa at Bee Cheng Hiang, local sweet treats at Taste Singapore, chocolate at The Cocoa Trees, and Bacha Coffee.
For a unique shopping experience, head to the Heritage Zone. Here, there are a variety of traditional and local brands housed in shops that have Peranakan-inspired facades. People of the Peranakan community are generally of Chinese and Malay decent who settled in this region of Southeast Asia long ago and have strongly influenced the culture and traditions of the area.
Discovery, Cactus, and Water Lily Gardens
Terminal 1 within transit area
Hours: 24 hours
The discovery garden holds a variety of tree-like structures that somewhat reminded us of the Supertrees of Gardens By The Bay with a variety of plants growing up their ‘trunks.’ There are a few paths winding among these structures and through the garden, giving you a sense of being in nature.
The Water Lily Garden holds a variety of lilies in a little pond and other plants with paths and benches among them.
The Cactus Garden is on the rooftop of Terminal 1. This outdoor area holds a variety of cactus species, nice spots to sit, and a little bar.
Enchanted Garden
Terminal 2 within transit area
Hours: 24 hours
Wooden walkways wind among a garden area hosting ferns, flowers, and a variety of other plants. There are interesting glass mosaic structures holding some of the plants and nature sounds play as you stroll through the garden.
Dreamscape
Terminal 2 within transit area
Hours: 24 hours
Dreamscape is yet another garden space within Changi featuring unique garden structures holding over 100 species of plants. There’s a section of pathway consisting of glass panels above the garden’s pond that contains fish and aquatic plants. Overhead, there is a winding digital display that mimics a pond environment under the sky and changes throughout the day.
Sunflower Garden
Terminal 2 within transit area
Hours: 24 hours
Like the Cactus Garden, the Sunflower Garden sits outdoors so that the plants get plenty of sunshine. There are paths winding through these bright yellow flowers and you also get a look over some of the airport runways.
Wonderfall
Terminal 2 in the public area
Hours: 24 hours
We saw our fair share of pretty indoor water features in Singapore, but the Wonderfall is a bit unique because it is a digital waterfall! This massive display imitates the motion of water as it pours from up above down over a doorway.
The Slide@T3
Terminal 3 in the public area
Hours: Daily from 12p.m. – 10:30p.m.
The Slide@T3 is the tallest slide in Singapore and in any of the world’s airports. We’re not sure how many airports have slides in general, but this slide is pretty tall at four storeys high.
Note that you must spend SGD$10 to redeem for a ticket to take the slide. The slide is open to both adults and kids between 1.3 and 2 meters (4’3″ and 6’7″) tall.
Butterfly Garden
Terminal 3 in the transit area
Hours: 24 hours
This was perhaps our favorite garden within Changi Airport as there were over 1000 butterflies fluttering all around us! This garden also has a variety of plants and flowers and a waterfall. As you walk the path through the enclosure, you’ll see different butterfly species enjoying the pieces of fruit and fluttering about. There are some informational signs about these pretty insects throughout the area too.
Koi Pond
Terminal 3 in the transit area
Hours: 24 hours
Just near the Butterfly Garden is the Koi Pond. There’s also another one on the opposite side of the terminal. A long pond feature sits right in the middle of a relaxing lounge area with trees all around. There is a bridge over the water and comfy chairs near the pond where you can sit for a while and watch all of the koi fish swim around. Occasionally, a staff member comes by to feed them.
Crystal Garden
Terminal 3 in the transit area
Hours: 24 hours
The Crystal Garden sits in front of the dazzling Louis Vuitton store in the center of this plaza area. The garden consists of vibrant seasonal flower beds with large hand-blown glass flower spheres among the plants.
Steel in Bloom
Terminal 4 in the transit area
Hours: 24 hours
Steel in Bloom is a garden area that combines both real plants and a large arching structure made up of steel flowers, birds, and butterflies. Lights reflect on the structure, appearing to change the color of the white shapes.
Take the Skytrain Through Jewel Changi
Hours: 5a.m. – 2a.m.
The Skytrain that runs between Terminal 2 and 3 goes through Jewel Changi. So if you don’t have the time to leave the transit area to visit Jewel, this is a good way to get a glimpse of the Shiseido Forest and Jewel Rain Vortex.
Chandelier
Terminal 4 in the transit area
Hours: 24 hours
There are multiple playgrounds in Changi Airport, but the Chandelier is one for both adults and kids. It’s a large jungle gym-like structure with net walkways that lead high up over the surrounding sitting area.
Note that you must be at least 1.1m (3’7″) tall to enter.
Check out Changi’s Other Little Habitats
In addition to the habitats and gardens mentioned above, you may also see the Piazza Garden (Terminal 1), Arrival Garden (Terminal 1), Tropical Rainforest Vivarium (Terminal 1) Gourmet Garden (Terminal 2), and other little gardens, ponds, and displays around holding a variety of plants, fish, and some other little aquatic animals. We really loved how they incorporated so much greenery within the airport! It really adds to the peaceful atmosphere in there.
Catch a Movie
Terminal 3 in the transit area
Hours: 24 hours
There are a couple theaters in the terminal that play some of the latest movies. You can pop in free of charge and relax while you wait for your flight.
Entertainment Corner
Terminal 4 in the transit area
Hours: 24 hours
If you enjoy gaming, there’s an Xbox Kinect and various arcade games in the Entertainment Corner.
Enjoy a Spa Treatment
There are some spas available in Terminals 1, 2, and 3 that offer massages, manicures, and other services. Learn more about the options here.
Take a Swim and Get Some Sun
Terminal 1 – Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel
Hours: Daily from 12p.m.-10p.m.
Cost: SGD$25 per adult. Free if you are a guest at the hotel
If you just want to kick back and relax, head to the Aerotel pool, grab a sun chair, and hang out for a while. This outdoor pool has a bar and shower facilities as well.
Admire the Unique Art Installations
Throughout the terminals, there are some interesting art installations, including Kinetic Rain (Terminal 1), Flap Pix (Terminal 2), the Saga Seed (Terminal 3), Coming Home (Terminal 3), Flora Inspiration (Terminal 3), Birds in Flight (Terminal 3), Vessel (Terminal 3), Wings of Mexico (Terminal 3), Immersive Wall (Terminal 4), Hey, Ah Chek! (Terminal 4), Les Oiseaux (Terminal 4), Petal Clouds (Terminal 4), Traveling Family (Terminal 4), and Singapore Rojak (Terminal 4). These are just some of the popular ones, but there are numerous others!
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