Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is the primary airport serving Singapore and one of the largest transportation hubs in Southeast Asia. Consistently rated among the best airports in the world, Changi has won the Skytrax World's Best Airport award multiple times. Located about 20 km northeast of the city center, Changi handles over 60 million passengers annually.

The airport has four terminals: T1, T2, T3, and T4. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected and form the main airport complex, while Terminal 4 is a separate building serving budget and regional carriers.

• Terminal 1: Singapore Airlines (some flights), SilkAir, Qantas, Emirates, and various international carriers
• Terminal 2: Singapore Airlines (some flights), regional airlines, Air India, Garuda
• Terminal 3: Singapore Airlines (main hub), British Airways, Lufthansa, United, Star Alliance partners
• Terminal 4: AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Cebu Pacific, and budget carriers

Jewel Changi Airport is an iconic landmark connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3. This mixed-use complex features the world's tallest indoor waterfall (the Rain Vortex), a forest valley, over 280 shops, and 60 dining options.

Singapore Changi is approximately 20 km from the city center. Travel times to popular areas:

• City Hall/Marina Bay: 25-35 minutes
• Orchard Road: 25-35 minutes
• Sentosa: 35-45 minutes
• Chinatown: 30-40 minutes

Transport options include MRT (train), taxi, Grab (rideshare), and bus. The MRT is efficient and affordable, while taxis and Grab offer door-to-door convenience.

Grab is the dominant rideshare app in Singapore (Uber exited the market in 2018). Download the Grab app before arrival. Pickup points are at the arrival halls of all terminals.

• City center: S$20-35 depending on traffic and time
• Orchard Road: S$20-30
• Sentosa: S$30-45

Taxis are metered and available at taxi stands outside each terminal. Fares to the city center are typically S$20-40. Additional charges apply:

• Airport surcharge: S$3-5 (depending on pickup location)
• Peak hour surcharge: 25% (Mon-Fri 6-9:30am, Mon-Sun 6pm-midnight)
• Midnight surcharge: 50% (midnight-6am)
• CBD surcharge: Additional S$3 for city destinations

Credit cards accepted in most taxis. Typical trip to Marina Bay Sands: S$25-35.

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is the most affordable way to reach the city:

1. Follow signs to "Train to City" in Terminals 1, 2, or 3
2. Take the East-West Line (green) toward Tuas Link
3. Transfer at Tanah Merah station (cross the platform)
4. Continue to City Hall or Raffles Place for the central business district

• Fare: S$1.80-2.20 to city center (using EZ-Link card or contactless payment)
• Duration: 30-40 minutes to City Hall
• Hours: 5:30am to 11:30pm (last train around midnight)

From Terminal 4, take the free shuttle bus to T2, then follow the signs to the MRT station.

EZ-Link Card: Purchase at the MRT station for S$10 (includes S$5 stored value). This contactless card works on all MRT trains and public buses. Alternatively, use contactless credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) directly at fare gates.

Public Buses: Routes 24, 27, 34, 36, 53, 110 connect the airport to various parts of Singapore. Bus 36 runs to Orchard Road.

Changi offers parking at all terminals:

• T1/T2/T3: Short-term parking from S$2.50/half-hour (first 10 min free)
• T1/T2/T3: Long-term from S$8/day (if booked online via iChangi app)
• T4: From S$2/half-hour

Standard rates (without pre-booking):

• Short-term: S$3.50-4/half-hour
• Daily maximum: S$24-38 depending on terminal and car park

Pre-booking via the iChangi app or Changi Airport website typically saves 30-50%. Car parks are located within walking distance of terminals.

Changi offers extensive dining from local hawker-style food to international restaurants:

Terminal 1:

• Killiney Kopitiam: Traditional Singaporean coffee shop
• Old Street Bak Kut Teh: Peppery pork rib soup
• Crystal Jade: Chinese dim sum

Terminal 2:

• A&W: American fast food (Singapore's only outlet)
• Sushi Burrito: Japanese-Mexican fusion
• Paris Baguette: Korean bakery

Terminal 3:

• Din Tai Fung: Taiwanese dumplings
• Song Fa Bak Kut Teh: Local specialty
• Hong Kong Sheng Kee Dessert: Cantonese desserts

Terminal 4:

• Peach Garden: Chinese cuisine
• Food Street: Local hawker-style food court with laksa, satay, and more

Jewel Changi (landside, accessible from T1/T2/T3):

• Shake Shack: American burgers
• A&W (second location)
• Burger & Lobster: Seafood
• Tim Ho Wan: Michelin-starred dim sum

For authentic Singaporean food at airport prices, try the food courts in T2 and T3, or the Food Street in T4.

Free WiFi is available throughout all terminals and Jewel:

• Network: "Changi WiFi" or "#WiFi@Changi"
• Speed: Fast and reliable
• Limit: Unlimited usage

No registration required for basic access. Simply connect and accept terms. Changi's WiFi is consistently ranked among the best airport WiFi networks globally.

SIM cards are available at multiple locations in all terminals:

Arrival halls (before immigration):

• Changi Recommends counters
• SIM card vending machines

Carriers available:

• Singtel: Largest network, tourist SIM from S$15 (100GB, 7 days)
• StarHub: Tourist SIM from S$12 (100GB, 5 days)
• M1: Competitive tourist plans

Prices are reasonable and include generous data allowances. Most tourist SIMs provide 50-100GB of data for S$12-20. Purchase after clearing immigration at Changi Recommends counters or convenience stores like 7-Eleven.

ATMs are located throughout all terminals, both before and after immigration:

• DBS, OCBC, UOB: Major Singapore banks (no foreign ATM fees for some international cards)
• Citibank: In Terminal 3

Most ATMs dispense Singapore dollars (SGD). Some accept international cards from Visa, Mastercard, and Cirrus/Plus networks. Foreign transaction fees depend on your card issuer.

Currency Exchange:

• Travelex: All terminals (rates are mediocre)
• Changi Money Exchange: Better rates than Travelex
• Jewel Changi: Several money changers in the basement

For better rates, exchange money at licensed money changers in the city (Little India, Mustafa Centre, or Far East Plaza). Singapore is card-friendly; most places accept Visa, Mastercard, and contactless payments.

Changi offers extensive duty-free and retail shopping:

Duty-Free:

• DFS: Liquor, tobacco, cosmetics, luxury goods (all terminals)
• Shilla Duty Free: Korean beauty products
• The Whisky House: Premium spirits selection (T3)

Notable stores:

• TWG Tea: Premium Singapore tea brand (T1, T3, Jewel)
• Charles & Keith: Singapore fashion brand
• Bengawan Solo: Local kueh (traditional cakes)
• Irvins Salted Egg: Famous snacks (popular souvenir)

Jewel Changi (landside) features:

• 280+ retail shops
• Pokemon Center: First Southeast Asia location
• Nike: Flagship store
• Apple Store

For last-minute Singapore souvenirs, TWG Tea, Bengawan Solo, and Irvins Salted Egg snacks are popular choices available after immigration.

Changi has numerous lounge options for all types of travelers:

Priority Pass Lounges

• SATS Premier Lounge (T1): Basic amenities, local food options
• SATS Premier Lounge (T2): Similar to T1, showers available
• SATS Premier Lounge (T3): Largest of the three
• Marhaba Lounge (T3): Alternative Priority Pass option

Credit Card Lounges

• Plaza Premium Lounge (T1): Pay-per-use from S$50, quality food
• Ambassador Transit Lounge (T2, T3): Day rooms available

Airline Lounges

• Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge (T2, T3): Star Alliance Gold, Business Class
• Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge (T3): First Class and PPS Club
• Qantas Singapore Lounge (T1): Oneworld, Qantas status holders
• Emirates Lounge (T1): Emirates Business/First Class
• British Airways Lounge (T1): Oneworld Business/First

Day-Use Options

• Aerotel (T1): Airport hotel with day-use rooms from S$50/6 hours
• Ambassador Transit Lounge: Sleeping rooms, showers, and lounge access

Inside the airport:

• Crowne Plaza Changi Airport: Full-service hotel connected to T3 (from S$300/night)
• YOTEL (T1, landside): Compact cabins from S$80/4 hours
• Aerotel (T1, transit area): Budget rooms inside security (from S$70)

Near the airport:

• Village Hotel Changi: 5-minute drive, free shuttle (from S$150)
• Capri by Fraser Changi City: Business hotel, 10-minute drive (from S$180)

Sleep lounges (in transit):

• Snooze Lounge (T1, T3): Free rest areas with reclining chairs
• Ambassador Transit Lounge (T2, T3): Private sleeping rooms

For layovers, Aerotel and YOTEL offer hourly rates ideal for quick rest without leaving the airport. The Crowne Plaza is connected directly to T3 and offers proper hotel rooms for overnight stays.

Singapore is compact and efficient. Key attractions are easily accessible from the airport:

Marina Bay Area (30-40 min from airport):

• Marina Bay Sands: Iconic hotel with rooftop infinity pool (guests only) and observation deck (S$26)
• Gardens by the Bay: Supertree Grove (free), Cloud Forest and Flower Dome (S$28 combined)
• Merlion Park: Singapore's famous half-lion, half-fish statue

Cultural Districts:

• Chinatown: Temples, hawker food, heritage shophouses (40 min)
• Little India: Colorful streets, 24-hour Mustafa Centre (35 min)
• Kampong Glam: Arab Street, Haji Lane boutiques, Sultan Mosque (30 min)

Orchard Road (30 min): Singapore's premier shopping street with malls like ION Orchard and Takashimaya.

Sentosa Island (45 min): Beach resort island with Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, and cable car rides.

Hawker Centers (must-try local food):

• Maxwell Food Centre (Chinatown): Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
• Lau Pa Sat (CBD): Satay street at night
• Old Airport Road Food Centre: Locals' favorite

Getting around the city: The MRT covers most tourist areas efficiently. Get an EZ-Link card or use contactless payment. Grab is available throughout Singapore for point-to-point travel.

Best for short layovers (4-6 hours): Take the MRT to Marina Bay, see Gardens by the Bay's Supertree Grove (free), grab chicken rice at a nearby hawker center, and return via MRT.