What to do on a long layover at Changi Airport Singapore? I’ve spent multiple long layovers at Changi International Airport, solo, and with kids and family. The longest layover we typically experience is 13 hours, overnight, on the long connecting flights between Australia and Heathrow UK. It holds no fears. Let me tell you a bit about what to do, exiting the airport, hotels, lounges and things to do. We’ll also touch on getting around the terminals and Changi by day and night.
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Singapore Airport Layovers
Changi International Airport in Singapore is the best airport we’ve ever been to for layovers, long or short. It’s the airport that has everything, plus plenty of surprises.
Singaporeans visit the Jewel at Changi for recreation. It is spectacular, it has shopping, dining, plus adventure activities for kids or adults.
The monorail (The Skytrain) that runs between terminals at Changi goes through the Jewel, but to enter it on foot, you do have to formally leave the airport, but it’s easy, I’ll tell you how to do that.
Singapore Airport Code
Singapore International Airport IATA Code is SIN, the ICAO code is WSSS.
Can I Leave Changi Airport During a Layover
Yes, you will most likely be able to leave Changi Airport during a layover, and its easy to do.
You will probably receive a Singapore entry form to complete by email, before departure. If you do this before you fly and receive your permission to enter Singapore, it will save you time at immigration, but don’t worry, I have also competed this form on my phone right on the exit gate.
Singapore Airport Photos
What To Do at Changi During a Layover?
Changi is an amazing airport and has all of the features you’d expect at a modern airport, plus more. Probably the best “thing to do” at Changi Airport is just outside the airport at “The Jewel”.
The Jewel features stunning indoor gardens and water features, shops, restaurants, various walkways and ropes features, plus more. I stayed at this hotel at The Jewel on my last overnight layover, it was great, but expensive. All options are expensive.
The spectacular waterfall that drops through the centre of The Jewel actually continues underground. There is a large food court hidden beneath the main atrium. If you’re lookinging for Singapore’s characteristic hawker food stalls, go there.
Inside the airport itself, you will find shopping, dining, a butterfly garden, cinema, lounges and more. The butterfly garden is very small and very hot, but it’s worth a look. There are playgrounds and a giant slide for kids, the slide wasn’t free the last time we were there.
Airport Lounge vs Layover Hotel at Changi Singapore
I considerd booking a lounge stay, sleep pods, an airport hotel, or a hotel in Singapore, away from the airport for my stay. The airport hotel was the best option for me.
This is the hotel I booked, in The Jewel, landside. (photos below)
There is another, more conventional hotel at T1, Changi Transit Hotel.
Alternatively, book a few hours in a transit lounge. Some have beds, some have seating, check carefully.
None of these things appealed to me. I particularly wanted a shower between two long flights and a decent few hours of quality sleep. I knew I wouldn’t want buffet food or beverages in the middle of the night, so that held no appeal.
I chose an airport hotel, inside The Jewel. I like the Jewel and already knew how to get there and that I would probably go there anyway. I was able to book a full night, rather than just a few hours, I had my own private bathroom, plus free coffee for the morning. It was perfect, and I felt very safe there as a solo female traveller.
The walk from the plane to the hotel door was about 25 minutes, including a very swift exit of the airport and entrance to Singapore. You can fill in the Singapore arrivals form before departure and just flash your permit/passport at immigration.
Visiting The Jewel at Changi During a Layover
This is very easy to do. You will need to complete the online form to receive a Singapore visit pass. Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
Website: www.ica.gov.sg
I had my pass approved before departure. You then have to exit the airport via customs and immigration and The Jewel should be signposts. I just had to turn left. You will be in The Jewl in about 10 minutes on foot, through covered walkways.
If you don’t have time to exit the airport you can see the interior of the Jewel from the airport train, the Skytrain. Take the link that runs from T2 to T3, as in the map, below.
Changi Layover Tour
If you are flying with Singapore Airlines, you can qualify for a free bus tour of Singapore’s stunning main attractions. You will see signs at the airport. I’ve written a post about Singapore bus tours.
Things To Know About Overnight Layovers and Sleeping at Changi Airport
There are a good number of comfortable couches and chairs which you can sleep on at Changi Airport. Its also common to sleep on the floor, we’ve done this ourselves several times, with older kids.
Sleeping on the floor isn’t too uncomfortable. I’d recommend that you put your head on your carry-on bag (this rules out hard-sided luggage & cases). We pack small, soft backpacks, and bring a sarong or something similar to lie on or cover yourself with.
I’ll warn you that Changi staff do sometimes wake you up in the middle of the night to check boarding passes.
If you’re arriving at Changi very late, you may find that most of the good sleeping spots on upholstered chairs or sofas have already been taken.
We usually head to the area behind the Pret a Manger in Terminal 3 (I think its 3), there are good sleeping spots in that area. The terminals are connected by the train, and you can walk between them, so whichever terminal you need to be at, it doesn’t really matter.
I wasn’t keen to sleep on the floor as a solo woman, not particularly because I felt it was dangerous, just because I wanted more comfort, more sleep, a shower and clean clothes. So on my most recent trip, I booked a hotel, this one. I have no regrets, it was blissful.
Layover Hotels At Changi, and Lounge Options
There are a few hotels at Changi designed for longer layovers, there are also a series of airport lounges where you can book a seat or a short stay in a sleeping pod. How do you choose which is best for you? My thought process is below.
This is the hotel I booked, in The Jewel, landside.
There is another, more conventional hotel at T1, Changi Transit Hotel.
Alternatively, book a few hours in a transit lounge. Some have beds, some have seating, check carefully.
All of these paid options for sleeping at Changi Airport are EXPENSIVE in my opinion. That said, Singapore is generally one of the most expensive destinations in the world, and they have a captive audience. They know we are desperate for sleep.
I’d try to use Incognito windows and/or VPNs when you’re browsing for hotels at any airport. There’s a high chance “they” will know your travel plans and raise prices accordingly. That goes for just about anything these days, sadly.
The photos below are from my very comfortable stay at YotelAir Hotel at Singapore Airport. The first photo shows how close it is to the spectacular central waterfall. This photo was taken from the hotel’s lounge balcony, where free hot and cold drinks were available.
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