As we know, Changi Airport is one of the best airports in the world, alongside Doha in Qatar and Haneda in Japan.
It's no surprise that Changi provides a pleasant experience for its visitors. Known for its modern design and advanced facilities, Changi Airport consistently offers innovation and convenience for the millions of passengers who pass through every year.
My husband and I also got to see firsthand how impressive and cool the airport is. So, in this article, I want to share the various facilities available at Changi Airport that visitors can enjoy.
These facilities range from beautiful parks to luxury shopping centers, making the airport an attractive destination for travelers from all over the world. Keep reading to find out more!
Singapore is famous for its lush, beautiful, and clean parks and gardens. This is reflected in public facilities or attractions that often feature greenery, like the Flower Dome or Cloud Forest. Singapore is even called a "city in a garden" because of its many beautiful and green spots.
Of course, the airport doesn't want to be left out. Did you know that the Greenery Plans team at Changi Airport planted as many plants as possible and moved large trees from the nursery into Terminal 4? Very cool.
This makes Changi Airport known for its beautiful gardens scattered throughout the terminals. One of the gardens my husband and I visited was the Butterfly Sky Garden in Terminal 3, on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
It's a butterfly garden surrounded by beautiful tropical plants and artificial waterfalls. There are more than 40 species of butterflies here!
Don't forget to visit while waiting for your next flight. Besides the Butterfly Garden, Changi Airport also has a Cactus Garden and a Sunflower Garden. These gardens offer a calming atmosphere and add to the airport's beauty.
The second highlight at Changi Airport is its shopping centers and restaurants. The airport features a luxurious shopping center with a mix of international and local brands.
Additionally, visitors can browse through duty-free shops or enjoy tasty meals from the many restaurants available. There's also a food court offering a wide variety of dishes to try. Initially, I thought the shopping and dining options would be pretty standard, but they are anything but!
Changi Airport has at least 100 food outlets spread across each terminal. This number doesn't include the ones inside Jewel, so combined, there are about 300 options! You're sure to find something to satisfy your cravings and never run out of choices at this airport.
Changi also boasts many duty-free shops, from everyday brands to high-end ones. This is perfect for grabbing some last-minute souvenirs or doing some shopping without the rush of going to famous shopping places in Singapore.
You can shop for Singapore souvenirs or other items at the airport when heading home, making it more convenient and tax-free by showing your boarding pass and passport.
Jewel Changi Airport is a must-see and famous among travelers from all over the world. Since opening in April 2019, it has become a Singaporean icon, combining shopping, parks, and entertainment in one impressive glass building.
Visitors can enjoy top attractions like the HSBC Rain Vortex Waterfall, Canopy Park, Mirror Maze, Walking Nets, and more. Jewel also offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and conveniences like luggage storage and self-check-in services.
This innovative space is a major highlight of Singapore because the airport is not just for transit or flight transfers. It’s also a place where you can enjoy shopping, green spaces, and fun attractions all in one spot.
Got hours before your flight and not sure what to do at the airport? No need to worry! Changi Airport has plenty of entertainment and relaxation zones to keep you comfortable and entertained while you wait. You won't get bored, even if you have a 12-hour layover!
One highlight is the 24-hour free movie theater that shows many of the latest films to keep passengers entertained. It’s perfect for all age groups and interests.
The movie theater is located in Terminal 3, on the 3rd floor of the North Departure Transit Building (near the Ambassador Transit Lounge).
For video game enthusiasts, there's a game room with various consoles and games you can play for free. Families with young children can enjoy the play areas at Playpoint in Terminals 3 and 4. It's convenient and great fun for everyone.
Changi Airport also has prayer rooms and baby care rooms to provide peace and comfort for passengers with more private needs.
With its well-equipped entertainment and relaxation zones, Changi Airport ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
Changi Airport has a great selection of transit hotels and lounges to ensure passengers' comfort during long waits or layovers.
Transit hotels like YOTELAIR and Ambassador Transit Hotel, located in each terminal, provide comfortable and modern rooms for a perfect rest before your next flight.
Changi also provides facilities such as showers, spas, and massages to help passengers stay fresh and relaxed. It's perfect for those feeling tired and jet-lagged.
Various exclusive airport lounges, like Plaza Premium Lounge and SATS Premier Lounge, offer a calm and luxurious atmosphere, complete with food and beverage services, Wi-Fi access, and spaces for work and relaxation.
Keep in mind, Premium Lounges are usually airline facilities, accessible to travelers flying certain classes or members of specific banks. If you're not one of them, you can pay to enter the lounge.
If you're on a tight budget but still want to relax and lie down at the airport, don't worry—Changi Airport has plenty of public lounges that are free for all visitors who need a break.
My husband and I experienced this firsthand. We arrived at the airport around 6 pm, but our flight wasn't until 11 pm. We spent our time eating and relaxing at the snooze lounge in Terminal 2. It was so cozy to lie down!
Wondering if you can just sleep and take a shower? If you want to save money by not booking an "emergency" hotel at the airport, Changi offers nap rooms, showers, and various types of relaxing massages.
You can shower and sleep in the paid lounge. Just choose the package you want. But it can be pricey— a 10-minute shower costs SGD 20.
Both transit hotels and lounges at Changi Airport provide great comfort and luxury, making our waiting time fun and relaxing. So don't worry if you have a long layover at Changi!
Next up is the baggage storage service, which is super useful for travelers. This service allows passengers to move freely around the airport or explore Singapore without being weighed down by their luggage.
The service offers safe, convenient, and easy storage for all types of luggage, from carry-on bags and suitcases to larger and heavier items.
These baggage storage services are located in every terminal. So, once you land, you don't have to switch terminals to store your luggage.
I've already written a review of the luggage storage at Jewel Changi that my husband and I tried. The whole process was very easy and convenient, with no issues at all. Don't forget to check out the review below:
With 24-hour surveillance and professional staff, you can leave your luggage securely with competitive and flexible rates. You can rent storage by the hour or by the day, making it very customizable.
This facility lets visitors enjoy the attractions, facilities, and beauty of Changi Airport without worrying about the safety and comfort of their luggage.
One of our favorite facilities is the Water Drinking Station! These stations are designed to keep passengers and visitors hydrated while at the airport. Scattered throughout the terminals, these stations offer free drinking water for everyone.
While many airports have water stations, the ones at Changi somehow feel better and fresher! The modern dispensers make it easy to fill up personal water bottles or drink directly from the cups provided.
Aside from reducing single-use plastic and promoting environmental sustainability, these facilities show Changi Airport's commitment to the well-being of its passengers.
These drinking stations are spread across all terminals and at every boarding gate. So there's no need to worry about being thirsty or having your water bottle taken during screening.
Tired of waiting in long lines to check in and drop your luggage? Changi Airport now has self-check-in facilities! This service speeds up the check-in process and makes it more convenient for travelers.
All the self-check-in kiosks were available, and the process was easy. You can read the full tutorial on how to self-check in and drop your baggage at Changi Airport in my previously published article. Be sure to check it out!
By using the self-check-in kiosks located throughout the terminal, you can input your personal and flight information, print your boarding passes and baggage tags, all without standing in long queues at the airline counters.
Besides saving time, the self-check-in service also gives passengers greater flexibility and control over their departures.
All self-check-in kiosks at Changi Airport have clear and easy-to-follow instructions, making them user-friendly for passengers of all backgrounds and tech skill levels. Friendly and professional airport staff are also available to help anyone who needs help.
In addition to self-check-in services, Changi Airport also offers early/fast check-in facilities. So what's the difference? The self-check-in service mentioned earlier is for those who check in and drop luggage starting 3 hours before departure. It's similar to the service assisted by staff but done independently.
With early check-in, passengers can check in and drop their luggage 12 to 24 hours before departure. This counter is located at Jewel Changi Airport on the 1st floor and is open from 12 noon to 8 pm. However, early check-in is only available for travelers flying with certain airlines:
Another valuable facility is the tax refund, also known as GST Refund. This service may not be well known to all, but it's a valuable tool for international travelers. Changi Airport offers a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid by visitors while shopping in Singapore.
To put it into context, this is similar to the Value Added Tax (VAT) in Indonesia, levied on most goods and services. However, unlike in Indonesia where the VAT often isn't included in the displayed prices, the selling price in Singapore generally includes the GST.
Under certain conditions, this tax can be claimed back:
GST Refunds can be claimed at counters or kiosks marked "GST Refund" upon arrival at Changi. Remember to have your passport, boarding pass, purchase receipt, and the purchased item ready for inspection.
Another great convenience at Changi Airport is the provision of the Skytrain and Shuttle Bus services. These transport facilities are designed to ease passenger movement between terminals and different areas of the airport.
The Skytrain, an automated train service, connects Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Available in both public and transit areas, the Skytrain runs from 5:30 in the morning until 2:30 at night. Clean, modern, and efficient, the Skytrain provides a swift transfer between terminals with minimal waiting times.
The Shuttle Bus service is particularly beneficial for passengers heading to or from Terminal 4. Free of charge and accessible in both public and transit areas, the shuttle bus takes about 10 minutes to travel between terminals in public areas, and between 10 to 18 minutes in transit areas.
These are just a few of the efficient and user-friendly facilities at Changi Airport that contribute to its reputation as one of the world's top airports. We'd love to hear about your experiences with these facilities. Share your experiences in the comments section, and we'll see you in the next travel article!
