Singapore Airport is a vacation in itself, and many of the best things to do at Singapore Airport are free!
Also known as Changi Airport, it is often ranked as the best airport in the world, with a rooftop pool, giant indoor waterfall, butterfly garden, Jewel Mall and other fun attractions and activities.
Singapore Airport is an important travel hub, serving nearly 70 million passengers annually, connecting Southeast Asia to more than 400 cities and 100 countries around the world.
If you love international travel, you will likely pass through Singapore Airport at some point in your travels. It’s modern, clean, efficient and luxurious.
There are a lot of fun things to do at Changi Airport (more than you can fit into a single stop), so we’ve put together this travel guide to help you pick out some of the best things to see and do!
Where to stay in Singapore
The best attractions of Singapore Airport (Changi)
1. Watch the vortex rain waterfall (Al-Jawhara)
If there’s one thing you have to see at Singapore Airport, it’s this giant man-made waterfall! The HSBC Rain Vortex is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, reaching 40 meters high and 7 stories tall.
The waterfall is free to visit and is very attractive at all times of the day. It is located in a beautiful forest area called Shiseido Forest Valley, which is covered in green foliage, trees and walking paths. There is also a free sound and light show at night.
The HSBC Rain Vortex is located in Changi Jewel, which is a public area (not airside), so you have to go through immigration and ‘enter’ Singapore to see it. It is connected to Terminal 1, and you can also reach it from other parts of Singapore Airport using the skytrain, shuttle bus or on foot.
The forest area is open 24/7, but the waterfall only flows during the day. It’s one of the best things to do in Changi Airport during a layover!
Work hours
- Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM
- Friday – Sunday, eve of PH and PH: 10 AM – 10 PM
2. Watch the sound and light show (Al-Jawhara)
The only thing better than seeing the giant waterfall at Changi Airport in the daytime is seeing it lit up at night for a sound and light show!
It’s a short sound and light show projected directly onto the waterfall, and the entire room is lit up with alternating colors and epic music.
The sound and light show is usually presented several times each evening, but times can vary by month. You can check current and upcoming show times on Changi Jewel website.
It’s definitely one of the best things to do at Singapore Airport!
3. Walk on Canopy Bridge (Al-Jawhara)
After you see the Rain Vortex waterfall from below, go to the canopy bridge and see it from above!
It is a transparent glass bridge suspended 23 meters above the ground. The bridge is suitable for children and is not too scary to walk on, even if you are not a fan of heights.
You can purchase your tickets online Try it before you go. Tickets never go on sale, but purchasing them in advance can speed up the process and save you a little hassle while you’re there.
Buy now: Canopy Bridge Tickets
4. Play at Canopy Park (Al-Jawhara)
The top floor of Changi Jewel (on Level 5) houses a 14,000-square-meter entertainment area called Canopy Park, which features a range of fun family-friendly activities. It is one of the best things to do in Changi Airport with kids.
The Hedge Maze at Canopy Park is the largest hedge maze in Singapore, and the Mirror Maze can be fun for kids too. There is also a net area where you can walk and jump on nets suspended above the ground.
Like the other Singapore airport activities listed so far, Canopy Park is located in Changi Jewel, which is a public area (not airside), so you need to go through immigration and “enter” Singapore to see it. It is connected to Terminal 1, and you can also reach it from other parts of Singapore Airport using the Skytrain, shuttle bus, or on foot.
Buy now: Canopy Park and Hedge Maze Tickets / Mirror Maze / Sky Nets
5. Shop Till You Drop (Al-Jawhara)
Singapore is a great country for shopaholics, and Changi Airport is no exception.
There are plenty of shopping outlets throughout Singapore Airport’s Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, but arguably the best shopping is at Changi Jewel Mall, which houses… Nearly 300 food and shopping outlets Her own.
You can find it all here, including luxury goods, jewelry, watches, clothing, shoes, electronics, toys, gifts, souvenirs, chocolate, wine and more!
On Changi’s website, you can browse the Complete shopping guide For Singapore Airport, as well work hours For all shopping outlets.
6. Watch the planes pass (Terminal 1/2/3)
If you are an aviation enthusiast or plane spotter, you will enjoy the shopping malls at Singapore Airport, where you can sit and watch the planes as they come and go.
There are shopping malls located in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 of Changi. This is part of the general area of the airport (not the airside), so you’ll see it before going through immigration and ‘exiting’ Singapore for your flight.
7. Relax at the spa (Terminal 1/2/3)
If you really want to relax and unwind between flights, you can go to the day spa for massage therapy, foot reflexology, manicure/pedicure and shower facilities.
You can see a full list of locations and hours of operation On their website.
8. Accommodation at the airport hotel (Terminal 1/2/3)
If you have a longer transit flight at Singapore Airport, you will need to book accommodation at one of the comfortable airport hotels.
There are transit hotels in Changi Airport’s Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
- YOTELAIR SINGAPORE CHANGI. Located in the general area of Changi Jewel (not the airside), but within walking distance of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Small but comfortable double rooms.
- Aerotel Transit Hotel. It is located on the air side of Terminal 1. Single or double rooms are available, it also has an outdoor pool, a fitness center and more.
- Al Safir Transit Hotel. It is located on the air side of Terminals 2 and 3. Clean and comfortable rooms, but a little overpriced for what you get.
- Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel. It is located next to Terminal 3. This is a luxury hotel with runway views, a swimming pool, a fitness center and much more. The best option if you can afford it.
9. See the Flower Gardens (Building 1/2)
There are small gardens spread throughout the transit areas of Singapore Airport, giving travelers the opportunity to get outside, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the flowers.
Terminal 1 is home to the Water Lily Garden. Terminal 2 is home to the Sunflower Garden, which has a cheerful patch of sunflowers, and the Orchid Garden, which features more than 700 orchids of 30 species, arranged according to their colors and shapes.
These three parks are located on the airside of Changi Airport and are free to visit!
10. Relax in the Premium Lounge (Terminal 1/4)
Singapore Airport has separate lounges with comfortable seating, charging ports, Wi-Fi, international TV channels, and complimentary food and drinks. Massage and bathing facilities are also available at an additional cost.
These are paid lounges, but are open to passengers of any airline or ticket class. You don’t need a membership of any kind, and you can create Online booking advance.
The Plaza Premium Lounge is located in the airport’s Terminal 1, while the Blossom Lounge is located in Terminal 4. Both are located in the transit area (airside).
Book now: Access to the Premium Lounge
11. Swim in the rooftop pool (Terminal 1)
Did you know that there is a rooftop pool and jacuzzi at Singapore Airport, and that they sell day passes?
The swimming pool is part of it Aerotel Transit Hotelwhich is located on the airside of Terminal 1 at Changi Airport, which is generally… Open daily From 12pm (noon) to 9pm.
You can purchase a day pass for S$20 per person, which includes access to the pool, jacuzzi and poolside bar, as well as complimentary towels and shower facilities.
Or, if you want to stay and enjoy the pool longer, you can make a reservation for one night at the hotel Aerotel And get free entry to the swimming pool.
12. Enjoy the free cinemas (Terminal 2/3)
If you have enough time, you should definitely take advantage of the free cinemas at Singapore Airport!
There are free theaters located on the airside of Terminals 2 and 3, which show lots of great films for adults and children alike. Just remember to set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget when you’re boarding!
Aside from occasional maintenance, Changi’s cinemas are open every day, 24 hours a day. You can find more information about Location and working hours On their website.
13. Visit the Butterfly Garden (Terminal 3)
Changi is unique in having the world’s first butterfly garden at an airport! It’s a cute little tropical habitat with a grotto waterfall and over 1,000 tropical butterflies of about 40 species.
We enjoyed walking around the two-story garden and taking close-up pictures of the butterflies, and occasionally a butterfly will land on you. It’s definitely one of the best things to do at Singapore Airport!
The Butterfly Garden is free to visit and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is located on the airside of Terminal 3, and if you are in transit, you can also reach it from other parts of Singapore Airport using the Skytrain or on foot.
14. Going down the slide (Station 3)
Last but not least, Changi is home to the tallest slide in Singapore, which is also the tallest slide in an airport anywhere in the world!
It’s a winding slide measuring 12 meters long (four stories high), and should be a lot of fun for kids and those with strong hearts. The slide is open daily from 12pm (noon) to 10:30pm. You can find more information at Changi website.
The slide is part of the general area of Changi (not the airside), so you have to go through immigration and ‘enter’ Singapore to see it. The airport is located in Terminal 3, and you can also reach it from other parts of Singapore Airport by skytrain, shuttle bus or on foot.
15. Visit Singapore
Now that you’ve exhausted the best things to do at Singapore Airport, it’s time to get out and see the country of Singapore!
If you have a long layover in Singapore of at least 5 or 6 hours, that’s generally enough time to get out of the airport and go see some things in the city, although you’ll still want to be conservative and keep an eye on what’s going on. Your watch.
Better yet, if you have a lot of free time in Southeast Asia, you definitely should Hotel booking Spend a few days in Singapore to see all the country’s famous sights, such as Chinatown, Little India, and Gardens by the Bay.
We recommend day tours in Singapore Get your guide. We’ve used it on a lot of tours and activities around the world, and it’s great!
You can use this service to pre-book entrance tickets to popular attractions in Singapore, and they also have special tours that take you to some of the best places in Singapore. Highly recommended!
Singapore hotels
More things to do in Singapore
Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoy this free guide to the best things to do at Changi Airport during your stopover in Singapore.
We have more Singapore travel guides coming soon, so don’t forget to check back later!
Happy travels!