Jazmin Li
Changi Airport is a major international airport in Singapore, processing over 68 million passengers a year. The airport has four main terminals, with Terminals 1, 2 and 3 physically linked, and Terminal 4 connected by a shuttle bus service. Changi Airport offers a seamless transit experience, with clear directional signs, ample seating, dining and shopping options, snooze lounges, and even dedicated transit hotels. Those with longer layovers can explore the Jewel, a mall and entertainment complex featuring the world's largest indoor waterfall. In terms of specific transit requirements, travellers intending to enter Singapore during their layover must meet all public health and entry criteria. Transit travellers from eligible countries, such as India and China, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit. During the pandemic, additional COVID-19 testing requirements were in place for passengers with travel history to specific Category countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa requirements | Transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China (PRC), holding valid onward air tickets, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit. |
| COVID-19 testing | All passengers transiting through Changi with a 14-day travel history to Category 2, 3, and 4 countries must have a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure. |
| Transit time | The minimum recommended transit time at Changi Airport is two hours. The transit time should not exceed 48 hours. |
| Terminals | Changi Airport has four main terminals. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are physically linked, while Terminal 4 is connected by a complimentary shuttle bus service. |
| Amenities | Changi Airport offers free seating areas, dining options, snooze lounges, and pay-per-use lounges with various amenities. The airport also features "The Jewel," a mall and entertainment complex with attractions like the Shiseido Forest Valley and the world's largest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex. |
| Hotels | The Ambassador Transit Hotel in Terminal 3 is an option for longer layovers. |
| Check-in | The check-in counter at Terminal 3 is open three hours before and closes one hour before the scheduled flight departure time. |
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What You'll Learn
Entry requirements for transit passengers
As of June 2020, Singapore Airlines and SilkAir customers transiting through Changi Airport will be welcomed by ground staff on arrival and issued a wristband, which indicates their access to the designated transit holding area. They should not remove the wristband throughout their time in the transit holding area. If the transit time is less than 75 minutes, customers will be ushered directly to their boarding gate. For transit times of more than 75 minutes, they will be ushered to a designated transit holding area at their departure terminal before boarding their connecting flight.
To meet regulatory requirements, transit passengers will be kept separate from non-transit passengers at Changi Airport and during the flights. To ensure compliance with these guidelines, all flights will follow a set boarding sequence to maintain separation between transit and non-transit passengers. At Changi Airport, transit passengers will be ushered in groups from the transit holding area directly to the boarding gate. They will board the aircraft first, followed by non-transit passengers.
In addition, transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China (PRC), holding valid onward air tickets, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, permitting a stay of up to 96 hours in Singapore. The Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF) is a way for transit passengers to enter Singapore, stay up to 96 hours, and leave for a third country. The third country must be different from the last one visited before travelling to Singapore.
Passengers intending to clear arrival immigration to enter Singapore during their layover will need to fulfil all public health and entry requirements. Additionally, those with booked flights that require them to enter Singapore to collect tickets or baggage and check in again for their connecting flight must also meet all necessary public health and entry criteria.
Changi Airport also offers a free Singapore tour for transit and transfer passengers. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair and stroller users due to the tour route. Transit passengers can only enter and exit Singapore once during their layover, in compliance with the regulations set by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.
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Boarding pass and security screening
When you arrive at Changi Airport, follow the signs to the designated transfer desk area to obtain the boarding pass for your next flight. You can also check in online or with your airline's app. If your journey starts in Singapore, you can check in at the airport. The check-in counter is open three hours before your flight and closes one hour before departure. Following check-in, it shouldn't take more than an hour to clear immigration and security.
Changi Airport has four main terminals, so make sure you know which terminal your connecting flight is departing from. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are physically linked, and passengers can walk between them or use the people mover monorail system. Terminal 4 is connected to the other terminals by a complimentary shuttle bus service. It is recommended that you allow a minimum of two hours for transit at Changi Airport to ensure you have enough time to pass through security and reach your departure gate.
Passengers are required to go through security screening before heading to the boarding gate of their onward flight. If your journey to your final destination began somewhere else, and you are just transiting in Singapore, you can check in at Transfer Desk B in Terminal 3 without having to clear immigration and customs. However, if you arrived in Singapore on a low-cost carrier or third-party airline, you will need to clear immigration.
If you are travelling on to New Zealand, you can check in at Changi Airport Terminal 3 at row 8. If your journey started somewhere else and Singapore is your transit stop, you can check in at Transfer Desk B in Terminal 3 without clearing immigration and customs.
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Lounges and hotels for long layovers
Changi Airport has a wide range of lounges and hotels for passengers with long layovers.
Lounges
Most airline lounges at Changi Airport cater to passengers flying in premium classes or those with elite status with specific airlines. However, some lounges, such as the DBS Private Access Lounges at Terminals 2 and 3, and Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge at Terminal 4, welcome guests outside these criteria through paid access, credit card memberships, or lounge membership programmes. Passengers can also approach any pay-per-use lounge and enjoy amenities for a fee. Amenities at these lounges include comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, shower facilities, Wi-Fi, and workstations. Some lounges even offer spa and massage services.
Information about the location and operating hours of specific airline lounges can be found on the Changi Airport website, the specific airline’s website, or by consulting airport information desks. It is recommended to check the lounge's access criteria and pricing in advance to ensure compliance and budget accordingly.
Hotels
Changi Airport also offers transit hotels for passengers with long layovers, including the Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel, Ambassador Transit Hotel, and JetQuay Sleeping Suite. These hotels offer flexible booking hours to accommodate varying passenger needs, allowing bookings for short stays during the day or overnight. Changi Airport's transit hotels are conveniently located, with no need for shuttle services.
For those seeking a slightly longer stay, YOTELAIR Singapore Changi Airport offers day rooms and cabins for guests with long layovers. Located on the fourth floor of Jewel Changi Airport, YOTELAIR cabins can be booked for the day for a minimum of four hours. The cabins are affordable, comfortable, and smartly designed, featuring YOTEL’s signature reclining SmartBed, monsoon rain showers, and pull-out desks. Guests can also enjoy the 24/7 gym and Komyuniti lounge.
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The Jewel: a mall and entertainment complex
Changi Airport in Singapore is a major aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. The Jewel Changi Airport (also known as Jewel) is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex surrounded by and linked to one of the passenger terminals of Changi Airport. The complex is located in Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore, approximately 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Singapore's Downtown Core.
Jewel was conceived to maintain and improve Changi Airport's status as a major aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. It was first mentioned by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech in 2013 as part of Changi Airport's long-term plans to double its capacity by the mid-2020s. The project cost S$1.7 billion and did not involve any government funds or taxpayer money. Jewel was officially opened on 18 October 2019, six months after its soft opening. During this time, it received 50 million visitors—about 300,000 per day—exceeding its initial target of 40–50 million visitors for the first year.
Jewel's toroidal glass-and-steel façade was designed by a consortium of architects, led by Moshe Safdie, who also designed Singapore's Marina Bay Sands. The glass panels of the dome are framed in steel that rests on a complex latticework. At night, the glowing dome is visible from surrounding areas. The complex covers a total gross floor area of 135,700 m2 (1,461,000 sq ft), spanning 10 storeys—five above-ground and five basement levels.
The centrepiece of Jewel is the world's tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex, which is surrounded by a terraced forest setting. Jewel also includes gardens, attractions, a hotel, about 300 retail and dining outlets, as well as early baggage check-in aviation facilities. The Shiseido Forest Valley is one of Asia's largest indoor gardens, spanning five stories and approximately 22,000 square meters (240,000 sq ft), located in the heart of Jewel. It houses around 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs of 120 species that live in high-altitude tropical forests around the world. The Canopy Park at the topmost level features gardens and leisure facilities.
The Changi Experience Studio is a 3,000-square-metre (32,000 sq ft) space with interactive games and displays relating to the airport's history that allows visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how the facility is run. The Yotel hotel within Jewel has approximately 130 rooms and opened on 12 April 2019. An "integrated multi-modal transport lounge" provides ticketing, boarding pass collection, and baggage transfer service in a single location. Early check-in facilities enable passengers to drop off luggage up to 24 hours ahead of regular check-in times.
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Transport between terminals
Changi Airport offers a range of transport options for passengers travelling between terminals. The airport is currently open for transit to passengers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, who hold valid onward tickets. These passengers may also qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, allowing a stay of up to 96 hours in Singapore.
Passengers can use the Skytrain, a shuttle bus, or walk between terminals. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected by a complimentary Skytrain service, while Terminal 4 can be reached by a complimentary shuttle bus. The shuttle bus service is available in both the public and transit areas of the airport. The Skytrain is also available in both these areas, and travellators connect Terminals 1 and 3 in the Departure Transit areas.
Passengers can also walk between terminals. For example, Jewel is a 5-10 minute walk from Terminal 2 via the link bridge at Level 3, and a similar distance from the Departure Halls of Terminal 3 via the link bridge.
Passengers can also book private hire cars from providers like Grab, Gojek, Zig, Tada Mobility or Ryde for transport to the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Transit travellers from eligible countries, including India and the People's Republic of China, holding valid onward air tickets, may qualify for a 96-hour Visa Free Transit, permitting a stay of up to 96 hours in Singapore.
All passengers transiting through Changi with a 14-day travel history to Category 2, 3 and 4 countries must have a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure.
Changi Airport has plenty of seating areas, shops, and restaurants. There are also snooze lounges with reclined seating and power outlets. For a quieter atmosphere, you can pay to access one of the airport's lounges.
