Owais Crawford
Singapore's Changi Airport is a destination in itself, with plenty to see and do for those with a long layover or waiting for a connecting flight. The airport boasts a wide range of shopping, dining, and recreational facilities, including a butterfly garden, movie theatre, and gaming hub. For those looking to rest, there are transit hotels within the airport where you can sleep, eat, and shower without having to go through security again. Changi Airport also offers a free Singapore Tour for transit and transfer passengers, allowing them to explore the city during their layover. With so much to offer, it's no wonder that Changi Airport is often considered one of the best airports in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Early Check-In | Eligible passengers can check their bags, receive their boarding passes, and access the transit area up to 24 hours before departure. |
| Early Check-In Facility | Located on Level 1 and open from 8 am to 11:59 pm daily. |
| Airlines Participating in the Scheme | Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and more. |
| Attractions | Butterfly garden, movie theatre, gaming hub, airline and contract lounges, and more. |
| Transit Hotels | Aerotel Singapore Transit Hotel in Terminal 1 offers bookings in hourly slots, meals, and amenities like a rooftop pool. |
| Free Singapore Tour | Transit passengers with a layover between 5.5 to 24 hours can pre-book a free tour of Singapore. |
| Shopping and Dining | Changi Airport offers a wide range of shopping and dining outlets, with exclusive benefits for Changi Rewards cardholders. |
| Check-In Time | Recommended arrival time is 2-3 hours before departure, depending on baggage and other factors. |
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What You'll Learn
Early check-in and airport attractions
Changi Airport in Singapore is a large airport with many attractions and facilities for passengers in transit. The airport has four terminals, with a fifth under construction, and offers a wide range of shopping, dining, and recreational facilities. It is well known for its beautiful terminals, with nature found within them.
Passengers with a layover duration of between 5.5 and 24 hours can take advantage of the Free Singapore Tour, jointly organised by Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Tourism Board, and the Changi Airport Group. The tour is exclusively available for transit and transfer passengers, and participants must remain in the transit area and refrain from clearing arrival immigration as the tour booths are located within this area. Registration is required, and participants must present their passports, boarding passes, valid entry visas (if required), and tour booking confirmations.
For those not interested in the tour, there are plenty of other attractions within the airport itself. Changi Airport contains several transit hotels where passengers can sleep, eat, and shower without having to pass through security. The Aerotel Singapore Transit Hotel in Terminal 1, for example, offers bookings in hourly slots, and includes a meal and access to a rooftop pool.
Passengers can also take advantage of early check-in (ECI) to access the transit area up to 24 hours before departure. ECI is available for eligible passengers flying with participating airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Japan Airlines, and Qantas. Passengers can check their bags, receive their boarding passes, and explore the airport's attractions, such as its butterfly garden, movie theatre, or gaming hub. They can also visit the various airline and contract lounges, including The Changi Lounge, the only landside lounge in the airport.
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Transit hotels
Changi Airport in Singapore is well known for its beautiful terminals, with plenty for visitors to see and do during a layover. The airport is so large and receives so many passengers in transit that it contains several transit hotels where travellers can sleep, eat and shower without leaving the airport proper. Most of these hotels offer bookings in hourly slots, so you don't have to book an overnight stay, and you can just check in for a few hours to get some rest between flights.
One such hotel is the Aerotel Singapore Transit Hotel in Terminal 1, which offers rooms with power showers and an array of amenities, as well as a swimming pool with a jacuzzi. The hotel also includes a meal in its rates and has a rooftop pool. The Ambassador Transit Hotel, also located within the Departure Transit Lounge, offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay, including an ensuite room option.
The YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport offers compact cabins inside the Jewel Changi Airport shopping and dining complex and is directly connected to Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The Crowne Plaza Hotel, which opened in 2019, is located next to Terminal 3 and is a good option for a short stopover. The JetQuay Sleeping Suite is another transit hotel located within the airport.
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The Free Singapore Tour
Changi Airport is a large airport with many passengers transiting through it. The airport offers a free Singapore tour for transit and transfer passengers with layovers between 5.5 and 24 hours. The tour is a great opportunity to explore the city and its rich culture and heritage.
The tour is available in English and Mandarin, and you can choose from six daily tours at various times. You can reserve your tour online or visit the counters in the transit halls of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. It is recommended to book in advance as there are limited spots available. If you have bulky carry-on bags, you can leave them at the airport's baggage storage facilities before the tour.
The tour includes sights such as the Singapore River, Chinatown, Arab Street, the Sultan Mosque, and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The Singapore River tour offers a glimpse into the country's past, present, and future, as it was once a vital hub for economic activity and trade. The tour also includes a stop at Marina Bay Sands, a popular tourist destination.
After the tour, you will be dropped off at Jewel Changi Airport or one of the terminals. It is important to note that you are responsible for your flight check-in and security procedures, and Changi Airport is not liable for any missed connecting flights.
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Shopping and dining
Changi Airport in Singapore is a large airport with many passengers transiting through. It offers a wide range of shopping and dining options. The airport has four terminals, with a new Terminal 5 under construction, set to open in 2030.
Passengers can enjoy casual bites or exquisite dining with a range of global cuisines on offer. There are also exclusive retail options for those looking for some retail therapy. The airport uses innovative technology to deliver a personalized experience, with marketing technologies helping to advertise relevant services.
For those with a longer layover, there are transit hotels within the airport where you can sleep, eat, and shower without going through security. The Aerotel Singapore Transit Hotel in Terminal 1 offers bookings in hourly slots, and some hotels have additional amenities like a rooftop pool.
There are also plenty of comfortable lounge chairs throughout the terminals, and some full-length ones for lying down and taking a nap. The Enchanted Garden in Terminal 3 and Dreamscape in Terminal 2 feature moving images, music, and live fish. Passengers can also explore the beautiful gardens, admire seasonal displays, and visit the butterfly garden, movie theatre, or gaming hub.
Changi Airport offers a unique and memorable travel experience, with something for everyone.
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Check-in and customs process
Changi Airport in Singapore is a large airport with four terminals and a new fifth terminal under construction. The airport offers an early check-in (ECI) facility, allowing eligible passengers to check their bags, obtain their boarding passes, and access the transit area up to 24 hours before departure. The ECI facility is located on Level 1 of the Jewel Changi Airport complex and is open from 8 am to 11:59 pm daily. More than two dozen airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Japan Airlines, and Qantas, participate in this scheme.
Upon arrival at Changi Airport, passengers should follow the directional signs to reach their designated transfer desk area and obtain their boarding passes. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure to ensure sufficient time for the check-in and customs process. However, some sources suggest that 90 minutes to two hours is enough time, especially if checking in online and obtaining a mobile boarding pass in advance. In such cases, one may arrive at the terminal about an hour before the flight and proceed directly to the gate.
Passengers with connecting flights should remain in the transit area and do not need to clear arrival immigration or check-in again if their checked-in baggage is through-checked to their final destination. However, if connecting to other airlines, one may need to collect baggage and undergo the entire check-in and customs process again to receive the onward boarding pass. Additionally, a valid visa may be required to pass through arrival immigration, depending on the passport.
Changi Airport also offers a Free Singapore Tour for transit and transfer passengers with layovers between 5.5 and 24 hours. These tours are jointly organised by Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Tourism Board, and the Changi Airport Group. To participate, passengers must present their passports, boarding passes, valid entry visas (if required), and tour booking confirmations. Registration can be completed up to 50 days in advance, and passengers are encouraged to arrive at the tour booth at least 90 minutes before the scheduled tour start time.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Changi Airport has a lot to offer, including shopping, dining, and recreational facilities. You can also book short stays in lounges or nap rooms. However, it is recommended that you arrive at least two hours before your departure time to explore.
Changi Airport offers early check-in (ECI) for eligible passengers, allowing them to check their bags, receive their boarding passes, and access the transit area up to 24 hours before departure at no extra cost.
Changi Airport is known for its beautiful terminals with nature-themed designs. It features attractions such as a butterfly garden, movie theatre, gaming hub, and transit hotels. The airport also offers a Free Singapore Tour for transit passengers, providing an opportunity to explore the city during longer layovers.
Changi Airport is renowned for its beauty and attractions, so it's worth exploring during a layover. Ensure you have sufficient time by considering the tour timings and reporting time. You can pre-book a tour or visit the tour booths in the transit area upon arrival. Remember that transit passengers can only enter and exit Singapore once during their layover.
The recommended time for check-in, customs, and boarding at Changi Airport is typically two hours. However, if you have checked luggage or are checking in online, this time may vary. For online check-in, arriving one hour before the flight is usually sufficient.
